Malcolm Pennycott produces career best

Turnhouse man Euan McIntosh saw his hopes of a fairytale title triumph at the age of 47 ended. Picture: Kenny Smith

The 26-year-old Royal Burgess member knocked out rising star and seed Sandy Scott in reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen.

He is the last Lothians player standing in the Granite City after Turnhouse man Euan McIntosh saw his hopes of a fairytale title triumph at the age of 47 ended by Peebles player Craig Howie in the last 16.

“This is definitely my best performance in a national tournament and it’s a nice time for me to have produced it,” admitted Pennycott, who moved to Edinburgh to study business management at Heriot-Watt and has stayed ever since.

“My mum and my auntie have asked me to do the eulogy at my gran’s funeral on Monday, but I’ve not had much time to work on that due to my exploits here so far this week.”

Pennycott was over the moon with his 2&1 morning victory against Nairn teenager Scott, who won the Scottish Boys’ Stroke-Play Championship at his opponent’s home club last summer. That he then managed to follow that up with a 3&2 triumph over Will Walker, who plays at Belton Park in Lincolnshire, in the fifth round made it a day to cherish.

“To be through to the quarter-finals is unbelievable and I’m really chuffed,” admitted Pennycott, who faced another surprise package in this year’s event, George Duncan from Windyhill, in the last eight.

“I’ve been a bit hit or miss in my career to date, but I’ve definitely managed to find a bit more consistency since starting to work with Stewart Craig through at Falkirk.”

McIntosh failed to make it to the quarter-finals despite being one up with four to play against Howie, who is bidding for a second title triumph in the Granite City after winning the 2012 Scottish Boys at Murcar.

Kilspindie’s Rob Paterson and Calum Hill from Tantallon also bowed out on the fourth day’s action in the Scottish Golf showpiece.