McKinlay toasts Ladybank win to book final spot

** All the best images from Ladybank here.

Angus publican Craig McKinlay raised a glass after winning the Lombard Trophy regional final at Ladybank Golf Club and sealing a place at Gleneagles.

Panmure Golf Club amateur McKinlay (left) partnered PGA Professional Andrew Crerar (right) at the Fife venue and the pair won by just one shot with a seven-under par round of 64.

They pipped Sandy Strachan and Scott Forret, of Livingston’s Deer Park Golf & Country Club, into second place.

McKinlay and Crerar will now play in the £43,600 final over the King’s Course at Gleneagles between September 2-3 - just three weeks before the Ryder Cup is held at the same venue.

The Carnoustie-based duo’s blistering front nine proved enough to see them through to the final despite an uncertain finish.

They recorded two eagles and three birdies in the first seven holes - but bogeyed the 18th hole.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played so well in my life,” admitted McKinlay, who runs Craigton Coach Inn in Monikie.

“My heart was pounding at the start, but I think I knew it was going to be our day when I chipped in at the sixth hole to give us our second eagle of the day.

“I was hoping to play better on the back nine and I did wonder whether the bogey at the end would cost us.

“But we made it to the final and I’m over the moon about it.”

McKinlay, who plays off a handicap of 16, will get an early taste of Gleneagles before the final.

“I’m playing the PGA Centenary course in a couple of weeks,” said the 41-year-old.

It will be Crerar’s first appearance in the final.

“I’ve come close to getting through a couple of times but this time I got there, it was a good day,” he said.

“I try and make this event a priority every year and so it’s great to be in the final at last.

“I know Gleneagles very well of course, but I don’t think it’ll give us that much of an advantage other than knowing which parts of the course to stay away from, it’ll still be very tricky.

“But my playing partner had a great start and that’s what got us through.”