Campbell Clinches Playoff Success To Win Legs Open

After weeks of glorious weather hitting Scotland, the start of the 2013 Legs Open was delayed after heavy overnight & morning rain. When play did finally commence, it was to provide an exciting afternoon of golf.  

David Clee, was first to charge to the top of the leaderboard, going -3 through 4 holes and opening a 2 shot lead over his closest rival. His lead last until the 6th hole, when he was joined by Alastair Campbell briefly, however he soon regained his 2 shot lead over Campbell, as he birdied the 7th and Campbell bogied.

The front two were now being hunted down and Mark Alston, who had been +4 after 3, was turning around his round with eagle at 5th and birdies at the 6th, 9th, 10th and 11th. Likewise Bobby Ferguson had pulled himself to -1 through 11 holes.

Clee went to the 12th tee, holding a two shot cushion over both Campbell & Alston, with Ferguson a further shot behind. His drive ended up in the greenside bunker and he struggled to get out, eventually carding a double-bogey 6.

By the time the leaders had played 12, Campbell found himself one in front of Clee, Alston & Ferguson. Further birdies at 13 & 14, got him to -5 and gave him a three-shot advantage by the 14th.  A rare Campbell bogey at 15, allowed Clee to close the gap to just 1 stroke however he bogied 17 to kill off his hopes of a famous Claret Jug success. Elsewhere Alston & Ferguson picked up shots on 16 & 17.

Bobby Ferguson had set the clubhouse lead with a 65 after seeing off Alston & Clee's challenge, with both shooting 67s. This left Campbell requiring a birdie to win the Claret Jug down the 18th or a par to force a playoff.  As tensions rose, Campbell missed the green with his 3rd shot and he was left with a chip to force a playoff. The usually reserved Legs Open crowd went wild as he pulled off the great escape by canning his short chip and forcing the first ever playoff in Legs Open history.

Bobby Ferguson went head-to-head with Alastair Campbell in a four hole playoff but it was Campbell who held his nerve to win the playoff and the Claret Jug by 1 stroke after birdies at the 1st & 3rd extra holes.

Afterwards Campbell said "Well,this is a day I'll remember my entire life, it was one of the best rounds I've played in recent years. I want to thank the T&A, for the great job they have done organising,and Carnwath Golf Club for staging such a great event, The competitors who made it such an enjoyable day and I could not be more proud to be your champion. This is a win I never knew if I'd be equipped, if I would have the shots, if I would have the opportunity to win a tournament here,and to do it, and play some of my best golf to breakthrough and capture the claret jug is a dream come true. I'm already looking forward to defending my title next year."