From second in the Duddingston Classic to tied fourth in the Dunhill Links Championship.
It was some week for Michael Stewart as he transitioned from the third-tier of European golf to the top table and earned a considerable reward.
In fact, his thrilling finale over the Old Course yesterday was such a ‘pinch me’ moment, he’s probably covered in bruises. In this funny old game, you never stop dreaming.
While Poland’s LIV golfer Adrian Meronk took the ultimate honours with a 20-under aggregate to win his fifth and most important DP World Tour title – more about that shortly - Stewart’s wonderful effort provided a delightful sub-plot to the story of the 25th Dunhill Links.
The 36-year-old Ayrshireman was handed a late invitation to the $5 million shindig, and he certainly performed a fine party piece. He may get invited back next year?
Last Wednesday, Stewart picked up £2,365 for his runners-up finish on Paul Lawrie’s Tartan Pro Tour at Duddingston before hot-footing it up the road for the lucrative Pro-Am at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
Yesterday, his expertly assembled six-under 66 over the Old Course for a 17-under tally saw him leave the Auld Grey Toun with a cheque for around £168,000 shoved in his back pocket.
“I’ll maybe grab a takeaway on the way home,” smiled Stewart. He could probably afford to replicate the gourmet opulence of the Regent’s Banquet.
His previous best prize in professional golf was the £33,150 he won at the 2023 Open.
Stewart’s valiant display provided plenty of food for thought. His high finish earned him a place in this week’s Spanish Open.
A nice bonus certainly but, as tempting as it would be to have another crack at the DP World Tour, Stewart is sticking to his bread and butter.
The former Walker Cup player is currently second on the Tartan Pro Tour rankings, and he can confirm his promotion back to the second-tier Hotel Planner Tour in the Scottish mini-circuit’s Tour Championship at Gleneagles.
“In my mind, I’m definitely playing the Tartan Pro Tour,” said Stewart. “If I go to Gleneagles and, worst case scenario, I miss the cut and somebody overtakes me (on the rankings), then at least I was there.
“If I don't go and I go to Spain, miss the cut there and somebody overtakes me, then I wouldn’t think it was the right thing to do. At the end of the day, my goal at the start of the year was to secure my Hotel Planner Tour card. It’s been a year’s work and I’ve played so well to put myself in a good position.”
Stewart certainly put himself in a good position yesterday with a performance of poise, purpose and polish in the toughest conditions of the week.
The former Scottish Amateur champion harnessed the conditions, and the occasion, to fine effect. At one point, he was just two shots off the lead thanks to a thrilling flurry on the back nine.
He rolled in a 25-footer for birdie on 11 and a 30-footer for another gain on 12 before holing his second shot from 112-yards on the 13th for an eagle two.
“I just thought, ‘what the heck, give it a go’,” added Stewart of his bold approach. It paid off handsomely.
The Scot had a chance to make more inroads on the 15th but couldn’t convert from eight-feet. Nevertheless, Stewart negotiated his way home and returned a bogey-free card he’ll probably want framed.
“This is amazing,” said Stewart. “It gives you a little bit more belief that you can go on and compete at this level. I'm 36-years-old but I still haven't lost the desire.”
For Meronk, who made his professional debut in the Dunhill Links 10 years ago, it was a full circle moment.
With the future of LIV Golf still shrouded in the kind of mystery that surrounded the Mary Celeste, Meronk has been scrapping to earn playing rights on the DP World Tour for 2027 in case the troubled rebel circuit goes belly up.
This win, after a closing 68, takes care of everything. “It's unreal,” said an emotional Meronk after finishing two shots clear of Niklas Norgaard and overnight leader Casey Jarvis.
“I never usually cry but, this one feels really special. To win here after ten years, after turning pro, it's a dream come true. I'm extremely happy and relieved.”
Meronk’s birdie on the last meant Jarvis, who leaked a shot on the Road Hole 17th, had to eagle the 18th to force a play-off. He could only muster a par in a 72, though.
The charging Tommy Fleetwood shared fourth with Stewart after a 64 while defending champion Robert MacIntyre signed off with a 68 to tie sixth with Brooks Koepka, whose 66 included eagle twos at the ninth and 18th.
