Taylor Kerr claimed his first professional win in style as he romped to an eight-shot victory in the Sandy Pipey Young Masters at Royal Dornoch.
In just his third competitive outing on The PGA in Scotland circuit this season, Kerr reeled off rounds of 69 and 65 for a six-under aggregate of 134 and cruised to a commanding win over Fraser Hughes.
Kerr, an assistant professional at the Carnegie Club at nearby Skibo Castle, studied at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in Dornoch and the 23-year-old used his knowledge of the local links to fine effect as he eased to an impressive success.
“This is the only event of the season that’s a 10-minute drive for me,” said Kerr, who is originally from the other end of Scotland in Dumfries & Galloway.
“The local knowledge certainly helped. During my time at UHI we got to play Dornoch so many times. It’s a course I’ve always felt comfortable on so knowing the course as I do, I was pretty confident going into the event.”
Leading by a shot after day one, Kerr, who joined the pro ranks in 2023, pulled away from the field in round two and packed eight-birdies into a purposeful card as he picked up the first prize of £2,250.
“I’ve had lower rounds, but I think in the circumstances, with it being in a tournament, it’s probably my most memorable,” added Kerr, who joined a list of Sandy Pipey Young Masters winners that includes the 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie.
“Outside the Scottish Young Professionals’ Championship this is probably the biggest event on the young pro’s calendar so there was a lot at stake.
“I’ve had a few overnight leads before but never closed them out. I had nerves but I channelled them in a better way. I embraced the nerves instead of trying to push them away. It’s my first pro win so I’m very happy to get that one ticked off.”
With his day-to-day duties at the Carnegie Club keeping him busy, Kerr had only played in the Scottish Young Professionals’ Championship and the Kerr Investments 36-hole Pro-Am this season.
He finished tied fifth and tied 11th respectively in those two events and finished his campaign in style with a comprehensive triumph at Dornoch.
“Despite my lack of competitive golf, I’ve still been playing lots of social golf with the members at Skibo,” said Kerr, who was the only player to finish under-par at Dornoch.
“In the build up to the Young Masters, I had a four-under and an eight-under in casual rounds so the golf has been in there.
“In the competitive events I have played in, I’ve done pretty well and I’ve gone out with a bang. It’s a shame the season is finished now.”
While Kerr ran away with the bounty, Gleneagles assistant Hughes, aided by an eagle on the first hole of his second round, closed with a spirited 68 to claim second place on two-over.
Scott Thomson (Kings Acre) and Alex Chalk (Gleneagles) shared third on three-over.
