Gary keeps a healthy cheque on course

Oct 24 2008 by Laura McLachlan, Lennox Herald

HELENSBURGH’S Gary Orr picked up yet another decent cheque on the European Tour last week – with back-to-back rounds of 68.

Orr got off to a poor start in Vilamoura at the Portugal Masters on Thurs- day – carding a disappointing first round 74.

However, the 41-year-old showed the strength of his mental game by coming back with rounds of 68 on Friday and on Saturday

Orr shot 32 for four-under-par on the back nine both days, to propel him up the leader board.

His third-round 68 owed everything to four birdies in the last five holes, which made what was looking like an average round into something a bit more special.

A steady 71 in his final round secured him a cheque for 30,300 on seven-under-par for a share of 23rd place.

The healthy pay packet saw Orr once again rise in the Order of Merit standings – going up three places to 63rd with 451,833. Unlike Colin Montgomerie, who failed to survive the cut at yet another tournament.

The Scot, however, finished a whopping 12 shots behind Spanish winner Alvaro Quiros, who dedicated his victory at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course to hero Seve Ballesteros who is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumour.

Meanwhile, Cardross golfer Ross Bain will be teeing off in the Macau Open at Macau Golf and Country Club this Thursday.