Syme in glowing show of support for crestfallen Ferguson

Bernie McGuire
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Ewen Ferguson (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Bernie McGuire

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You wonder why we all love the game of golf.

How do you think Ewen Ferguson was feeling when he let slip a four-shot leading cushion heading into the final day of the Magical Kenyan Open course only to see his chance to capture a first pro career victory slip bitterly through his fingers in posting a horror last day 76?

His good friend, fellow Scot, and Modest Golf management stablemate Connor Syme knew exactly how Ferguson would be feeling, and that’s why he was waiting for him at the back of the 18th green of the host Muthaiga Golf Club course in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

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Ferguson saw his chances of a maiden DP Tour victory wiped out in the first three holes on the final day, with the 25-year-old tumbling back to earth on the 6,000-feet above sea-level course, settling for an eventual share of eighth place at nine-under.

The Glaswegian, sporting a Ukrainian flag ribbon on his cap, was chasing a maiden Tour success in just his third event as a full tour member but after a bogey on the second, he then found water left off the tee at the par-5 third for a second bogey that sent him back into a tie for the lead. Ferguson lost his lead with a par on six and was then two back after a bogey on nine.

The young Scot finally managed a first birdie at 10 before it all turned pear-shaped in doubling the 12th and 15th holes before a closing birdie.

And a gutted-looking Ferguson turned to head to the scorer’s hut, here was Syme, who had both arms outstretched ahead of wrapping himself around Ferguson in a wonderful show of friendship and support. The two spoke for a few seconds before Syme put his left arm around Ferguson’s back as he continued with the task of heading to hand in his scorecard.

Ferguson said: “I just found it very difficult and just dealt with things wrong. It was just really, really hard with everything going on. I just noticed everything around me.

“It was just hard work and I fell into some bad habits. It’s so easy to just go out there and play, but when the pressure was on like I felt out there today, I just fell into some bad habits.

“My swing was a battle but then it was nice to play with Marcus (Kinhult) as he helped me out, and I’ve known him for years and years.

“But, you know what, there is nothing we can do. We move on, go again next week and try to get myself in the same position and hopefully deal with it a bit better.”

Ashun Wu became the first Chinese golfer to win the event, and at his first attempt, coming from four shots back with a 65 to win by four at 16-under-par.


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