Neil Fenwick puts 'shambles' behind him at start of big Challenge Tour chance

The Edinburgh man birdied his final hole to be among 10 home players to make the cut in the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge at Newmachar.

Fenwick is managed by Paul Lawrie, who has secured seven starts on the Challenge Tour for the 2020 Tartan Pro Tour Order of Merit winner.

“I’ve got a good opportunity this year and I feel comfortable,” said Fenwick. ”In fact, I feel more comfortable here than anywhere else, to be honest.

“I’ve got seven starts through Paul. This is the first one and I’m playing next week as well in the Czech Republic.

“I’m working with Alan McCloskey and my game is in a good place. We’ll get stuck in and I feel I can take my chance.”

Fenwick might have given up on his dream of securing a DP World Tour card if it hadn’t been for the playing opportunities provided on the Tartan Pro Tour by Lawrie in 2020.

“It’s been a tough couple of years and, without Paul’s tour, it would have been a disaster for me. I wouldn’t be playing now, to be honest,” added The Renaissance Club-based player.

“That gave me a resurgence winning the Tartan Pro Tour in 2020. Last year wasn’t great for me with Covid while we had a second baby and, playing-wise, it was a bit of a shambles, but that’s just golf.

“I’ve worked hard in the winter and Paul has been brilliant. He’s given me great support and, having the tour school back also gives some light at the end of the tunnel as far as that route is concerned.

“I’ve got seven starts to try and gain a category here but I’ve also got the chance to trend later in the season and get the game in shape for tour school. I’ve been to the final stage a couple of times and I still fully believe I can get there.

“I believe I should be playing full-time here no bother and we’ve just got to go and