Euan McIntosh: People thought I was bonkers and so did I at times – but not now!

Euan McIntosh reckons people thought he was “bonkers” after coming up with a plan to use a spell back in the amateur ranks to tee up a second spell as professional on the seniors’ circuit.

The Edinburgh man even thought that himself at times over the last six years - but not now and no wonder after vindicating the move by landing a maiden win on the Legends Tour.

“It feels great, especially knowing that you’ve done something that you set out to do when all this started back in 2016,” he said of landing the Riegler and Partners Legends event at Murhof in Austria on Sunday.

McIntosh actually gave up golf for 15 years before being reinstated as an amateur and re-dedicating himself to the game during a spell when he was based at Turnhouse and helped them win the Edinburgh Summer League.

It was a sign of real progress when he landed the Scottish Amateur at Blairgowrie in 2018 and now, at the age of 53, he is celebrating again after beating Ryder Cup players and multiple champions to land a €37,500 pay-day on the Legends Tour.

“I think people thought I was bonkers and I thought I was bonkers at certain points as well,” said McIntosh, laughing, as he savoured a success that was set up by a brilliant 64 in the second round.

After failing in a valiant attempt to qualify for the Champions Tour in the US, McIntosh secured a full card for the European circuit just before Covid struck.

“Coming out of that first lockdown was absolutely horrendous,” he declared. “I’d play every week. I’m like Sungjae Im on the PGA Tour as I love competing in tournaments.

“Without that, I didn’t play well in 2020 and last year my putting was awful throughout the year, when it might have been nerves but was also a bit stop-start.

“I played a bit better,