Ruben Lindsay wins 'epic' Stephen Gallacher Foundation Matchplay final

Winner Ruben Lindsay shows off the trophy after his win in the Stephen Gallacher Foundation National Matchplay at Castle Park. The Ayr Belleisle player is pictured with, from left, East Lothina Lord Provost John McMillan, Grant Maher, the sponsor from Simple Group Holding Ltd, and Stephen Gallacher

Ruben Lindsay recovered from losing the first four holes to win the inaugural Stephen Gallacher Foundation National Matchplay at Castle Park.

The 16-year-old beat Cameron Adam at the 37th hole in an epic tussle between two of Scotland's rising stars at the East Lothian venue.

"Epic is a good word to describe it." admitted Lindsay, who lives in Alloway and is an Ayr Belleisle member but has used Gallacher's Lothians-based foundation to let his talent blossom.

Lindsay had reduced the deficit to just one hole by the halfway stage before gradually gaining the ascendancy in the afternoon.

But, with four-time European Tour winner Gallacher looking on, Royal Burgess left-hander Adam refused to go down without a fight.

The 17-year-old made two eagles in four holes, including a holed bunker shot for a 2 at the 33rd, as he came back from three down with six to play to force extra holes.

"There are no words to describe my drive at the 37th," said Lindsay of the blow that set up his play-off triumph. "It was beyond a bomb. I had 340 to clear the rough down the right and I went for it.

"I'd normally have a 5 or 6-iron in there but, on this occasion, it was a 60-degree wedge!"

The win completed a Stephen Gallacher Foundation double for Lindsay, who also won last year's under-18s event at Macdonald Cardrona.

"To win this event is huge," he said. "It was the first event back in Scotland and it was in the foundation I've grown up with.

"It almost felt like I was celebrating with my Stephen Gallacher family. It was a really good week and the organisers, Scott Knowles and Stuart Johnston, did a great job."

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