Daniel Young sealed a maiden HotelPlanner Tour title on home soil at the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A.
The Scotsman signed for a closing one under par round of 70 at SCHLOSS Roxburghe to finish 19 under par for the week, one shot clear of Frenchman Julien Quesne in second.
Having played the front nine in level par, Young held a three-stroke lead through 14. However, back-to-back birdies for Quesne on 15 and 16 reduced the margin to one with two holes to play.
After both players parred 17, Quesne’s missed birdie putt on the 72nd hole gave Young the opportunity to convert a three-foot par putt and seal a memorable win on home soil.
“I am lost for words,” said Young. “I’ve been playing well for a while now and was feeling good about coming back here this week. I like the golf course, and I’ve worked hard coming into this so it’s nice to see that pay off.”
Young was backed by a large crowd at Roxburghe, and the 33-year-old was delighted to get his maiden victory over the line in front of home support.
“I don’t think it gets any better,” the Scot added. “You don’t get to pick where you win but this win is extra special, that’s for sure.
“Winning is hard, and I knew the guys would be throwing the kitchen sink at me. James came at me early and then Julien was coming in fast at the end there, but I managed to just hold them off.
“I struggled to make a putt today, but I made my fair share over the first three days, so I am certainly not going to crumble.”
The 33-year-old made a double bogey at the first but bounced back with an impressive par save on the second and a birdie on the fifth, and he was pleased with his ability to steady himself through the middle part of his round.
“I tried to reset, and I know I was still two ahead,” Young said. “I knew if I made a barrel load of birdies from there I wouldn’t be caught.
“I steadied the ship and pretty much didn’t miss a green until 18. The golf was good on what was a tricky day out there.
“I’m really looking forward to the next few events and hopefully I can grab another trophy along the way.”
Scotland's Euan Walker finished in solo third on 16 under par, one shot clear of Englishman John Gough who ended the week in fourth.
Young jumps eight places to sixth on the Road to Mallorca Rankings following his maiden victory. Englishman Joshua Berry still leads to way, with South African JC Ritchie in second and Austrian Maximilian Steinlechner in third.
The Road to Mallorca now heads to Ireland for the Irish Challenge at Killeen Castle from August 7-10.
