'˜Awesome' Connor helps Scots retain their Euro crown

The Scots recorded an emphatic 5-2 win over Sweden at in the final at Golf de Chantilly in France to once more etch the nation’s name on a title they’ve played a prominent part at for years.

Playing in their third final in the last four years, the Scots captured their eighth European title in style with Australian Amateur Champion Syme, from Drumoig, collecting the winning point with a 4&3 victory over Fredrik Nilehn.

With both Scottish pairings down in the morning foursomes, it was Syme and partner Craig Howie’s superb comeback from three down with six to play to win at the 21st which proved the turning point, after Bob MacIntyre and Sandy Scott went down 3&2 to their Swedish opponents.

Grant Forrest was rested for the foursomes having “not felt great” in the morning, but he came flying out of the blocks to give the Scots a 2 – 1 advantage with a 5&4 win over Adam Blomme, while MacIntyre held on for a crucial one hole win in the top singles match over Oskar Berquist to push the team towards victory.

Syme, who only dropped half a point during another excellent week, was always in command of his match and the Drumoig man gave Scotland the title for the second year in a row by ending his match on the fifteenth green.

Craig Howie, also undefeated in the match play stages, was all square after 16 as his match was declared a half, with Nairn’s Sandy Scott also finishing all square in the bottom match.

Jubilant national coach Ian Rae said: “It was a tough start this morning but Connor (Syme) and Craig (Howie) were awesome in turning their match around.”