By John Turnbull

University of Stirling graduate Jack McDonald became the first player to win three Tartan Pro Tour titles in the same season with a win in last week’s Panmure Masters.

The former Stirling golfer carded rounds of 66 and 64 at the Ayrshire course for a two-stroke success to finish the event on ten-under-par.

The record-breaking win, worth £4,150, is McDonald’s third success on tour this season, following wins in the Blairgowrie Perthshire Masters and the Royal Dornoch Masters earlier this year.

On the back of another win on Scotsman Paul Lawrie’s tour, McDonald will tee it up in next week’s season finale at the Carnoustie Tour Championship, with the action underway on Wednesday, October 19.

From there, the 29-year-old will head to Spain for the second stage of DP World Tour Qualifying School at the beginning of November, having come through the opening round at Golf d Hardelot in France last week.

Following Thursday’s win, McDonald tweeted: “great event again on the Tartan Pro Tour, delighted to get the win. Thanks to Piper Sandler for supporting the event and to Panmure Golf Club for hosting it. The course was in superb condition both days.”

The Scot got off to an excellent start in Angus, carding six-under-par for Thursday’s opening round of the event.

Four birdies in the front nine provided McDonald confidence to attack one of the oldest golf clubs in Scotland.

An eagle and two more birdies in the back nine ensured the former student was in the hunt for the title going into Friday’s second and final round.

However, McDonald never held the lead after round one.

Fellow University of Stirling graduate Laird Shepherd equalled the course record at Panmure to top proceedings after carding a seven-under-par 63.

The Englishmen had a one-shot lead after the first round but signed for a disappointing one-over-par 71 in round two, leaving the 2021 British Amateur Champion in a sixth-place finish.

McDonald made his move on day two with birdies in his opening two holes before adding a third at the par three fifth to go out in 32.

Three birdies and two bogeys meant for a slightly more unpredictable back nine, but McDonald had a two-stroke lead heading into it and parred the final two holes to seal the record-breaking win.

Following McDonald in for a second-placed finish on eight-under-par was former Stirling University and Scotland teammate Graeme Robertson.

Meanwhile, recent Stirling graduate and 2021 Women’s Amateur Champion Louise Duncan finished in an eight-way tie for 13th place on two-under-par.