HISTORY was made on Saturday when Greg Nichol became the first Troon St Meddans player in more than five decades to win the Troon Links Golf Championship.

And he did it by remarkably using just one ball throughout the week after defeating Craig McKenzie of Troon Welbeck 6-up in the final at Royal Troon.

A jubilant Nichol said: "This is my biggest win my previous best was reaching the last 16 four years ago. I played with the same ball all week. I could have changed it but had a hole-in-one on Monday and felt it was lucky so stuck with it."

Former Ayrshire Junior Strokeplay champion McKenzie added: "It was good to reach the final and beating favourite Michael Smyth in the semi-final was a great achievement."

The second qualifying round last Tuesday was affected by wind and rain. Nevertheless, the players coped well and leading qualifier, Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) added a magnificent four under par 70 over Lochgreen to his 5 under par 67 Monday score over Portland for a superb 137 aggregate.

The matchplay weather was also mixed but never tougher than the final on Saturday with a very strong south-westerly breeze blowing

McKenzie was arguably odds-on to win. after beating Smyth. However, the conditions and the course had a big say.

Arguably, McKenzie’s superior length off the tee was what got him into trouble as small margins of error were punished by the wind and he quickly found himself four down to Nichol who, despite struggling in the conditions, managed to plot his way to safety time after time. He was four-up after six.

McKenzie reduced the deficit to two with a four on the seventh and a truly marvellous bunker shot on the Postage Stamp eighth which yielded a three and a win. However, he wasted an opportunity on the ninth to reel Nichol further in.

Wayward tee shots from McKenzie on the 11th and 12th both resulted in lost balls and sfter missing a short putt for par and what would have been a half on the 13th, Nichol was suddenly dormie five down.

A bunkered tee shot on the 14th saw him only manage a half and so the steady golf of Greg Nichol prevailed to bring him a well-earned triumph.

It also brought delight to the members of Troon St. Meddans GC, who have not had a winner of The Links since 1963.

Thanks go to South Ayrshire Council, Troon Portland Golf Club, Troon Welbeck Golf Club and most especially Royal Troon Golf Club for their support throughout the tournament.