Michael Stewart comes out on top in 'brutal' conditions for Montrose Masters

The opening two events on the Paul Lawrie-run schedule have featured a posse of players from south of the Border, including Ashley Chester and James Wilson.

However, both tournaments have produced tartan triumphs, with Craig Howie’s win in the season-opening Royal Dornoch Masters being backed up by a victory for Michael Stewart in the Montrose Links Masters presented by Montrose Port Authority.

In tough conditions on the Angus coast, Ayrshireman Stewart carded rounds of 68-65-71 for a nine-under-par total, winning by two shots from compatriots Daniel Kay and Craig Ross.

“My game felt like it was starting to trend towards the end of last season,” said Stewart, who picked up a cheque for £4585 as he handed himself an early boost in the season-long battle for two HotelPlanner Tour cards in 2027.

“ I felt I gave myself a couple of chances but didn’t get over the line. I then played really nicely at Dornoch and I continued that this week, playing really solid again and it is nice to get it over the line.”

The former Scottish Amateur champion set up his success by carding seven birdies in a sparkling second-round effort and kept his nose in front with a solid closing effort that contained 16 pars.

“I’ll be honest - it was pretty brutal for the three days,” admitted Stewart. “We got it quite nasty in the afternoon on the first day before then getting the more favourable of the draw yesterday as the guys in the afternoon had it quite bad for their second round.

“Today it was constantly tough. The forecast was saying it would be blowing at 15-16mph and gusting to around 30mph, but I felt it was constantly between 35-40mph. It was really, really tough.

Early boost in battle for HotelPlanner Tour cards

“I’ve always played well in the wind, though I must admit I’m not a big fan of playing in the rain. Growing up on the coast, I’m used to some form of wind and, when it is really blowing, you know par is a good score. I always feel quite comfortable when I am doing that.

“It’s not about making birdies. It’s almost like a bogey avoidance type of thing and that sometimes suits me. It was a day when I knew that no-one was going to shoot the lights out and, as long as I wasn’t going to go too far back to the field, then people were going to have to make birdies to catch me.

“Fortunately enough, I was able to keep myself out of trouble and that’s the big factor in days like today. I actually played really solid and I wasn’t really fighting for pars very often. I was finding fairways and hit virtually every green in regulation and was tapping in for a lot, which kind of kept it stress-free, which was great.”