Golf: Lewis Bain ‘throws it away’ after two-shot lead evaporates

“I threw it away,” bemoaned Bain after losing a last-eight clash from a winning position against Cowglen’s Alan Waugh.

In blustery conditions at Murcar Links, Bain lost the first to a birdie but recovered to be three up on his Glaswegian opponent after eight holes.

Last year’s Lothians Boys’ champion was still two up with four to play but was floored by a late rally.

Waugh won the 15th with a birdie-3, the short 16th with a par then got his nose back in front when Bain was unable to save his 4 from a bunker through the back of the 17th. It was all over for the Capital kid when the last was halved in 4s.

“I let him back into it,” said Bain. “I struggled with the pace of the greens again, especially downwind.”

It was the 17-year-old’s final throw of the dice in the season-opening event and the nature of his defeat left a bitter taste.

“I suppose it’s not been a bad week for me but I should have won that match easy,” he added.

Bain won’t have much chance to lick his wounds as he’s in action for the Lothians men’s team tomorrow in a friendly against Borders at Duns.

While Bain was the last Lothians player to bow out on the north-east coast, today’s 36-hole final still had a Capital connection.

Peebles player Craig Howie, who was up against Ewan Scott of St Andrews in the title showdown, is also a member at Craigielaw.

On top of that, his coach is Colin Brooks, the former Scottish Amateur champion who is based at the Braid Hills Golf Centre.

• WEST LINTON’s Gareth Wright got his season off to a flying start by winning the Optical Express 54-holer at Dundonald Links.

One clear heading into the final round, the 30-year-old Leith-based player signed off with a 71 for an 11-under total of 205 in the Tartan Tour Order of Merit event.

He won by two shots from Banchory’s Greig Hutcheon (72), with Chris Doak (70) and Andrew McArthur (71) a shot further back in joint-third.

“It’s a nice start to the season and shows I’ve been working on the right things over the winter,” said Wright, who picked up a £1750 top prize.

Dunbar’s Neil Fenwick closed with a five-under 67 to finish sixth on 210.