Tartan Tour professional dedicates Deer Park Masters win to late father-in-law

Hardy, the head PGA professional at Prestwick St Nicholas after moving to Scotland 23 years ago, carded a brace of 67s or a ten-under-par total to win the Deer Park Masters.

Helped by making an eagle-3 at the eighth at the Livingston venue in both rounds, he won by a shot from in-form Gavin Hay, who’d led by five shots after carding a sensational first-round 61 before having to settle for a 74 in the second second circuit.

“Absolutely buzzing to be in the winners’ circle again,” admitted Hardy. “It’s been a tough start to the year losing Ned Farrell, my father-in-law, and he would always ask how my golf was getting on and tell me how well I was going. This one’s for you, Ned.”

Hardy picked up just under £2,000 for the win, which came in a field that included the likes of multiple Deer Park winner Craig Lee, Paul O’Hara and John Henry.

“I’ve been playing reasonably well over the past few seasons and it was nice to finally put some decent scores together to win at Deer Park, which is one of our bigger events,” added Hardy.

“It’s always nice to have my members at the golf club see their club Professional competing with some top players in Scotland in Gavin, Craig and Lee to name only a few.”

Helped by his performance, Hay tops the Arnold Clark PGA in Scotland money-list heading into next week’s Ramsden Currency Scottish PGA Championship at West Kilbride.

The East Renfrewshire-attached player also shared top spot in last week’s long-running Kerr Investments Pro-Am at Dumfries & Galloway with Greg Dalziel as they posted matching 11-under-par totals for 36 holes.

In other recent events on the Tartan Tour, O’Hara won the Wishaw Pro-Am with a five-under 64 while Lee came out on top in the Cawder Pro-Am with a six-under 64.