Brodick, Sunday

Overnight showers had topped up the already high water table, and the black pudding and sausages must have added to that sinking feeling as the players stood surveying Brodick's course: rainwater pooling on fairways and greens, mud and midges were just some of the hazards adding to the general difficulty of the course, which despite its short yardage was peppered with water hazards, trees and difficult lies. In short: another major challenge even for the most proficient practioner of golf. Short game was everything - and proved to be the undoing of some of the higher handicappers.

The morning round saw a much better showing from Hardie and Harper (whose handicap had been generously increased by the Handicap Committee). Sparks began to score consistently too, while Wilson attempted to improve on the solid foundation already laid in the first two rounds. Bates was very much in contention now, and looked strong enough to achieve the victory that had so far eluded him. The overnight leader, Smith, was not quite as confident in the morning outing, though his colourful shirt did a very efficient job repelling midges. In the bar at lunchtime talk was about how many balls had been lost to water hazards. Once again, the Irish football team added to that sinking feeling some were experiencing, while others couldn't wait to get out and put the final nail in the coffin of their competitors' chances of victory. Back out again for the last time - the first time the competition had been contested over four rounds. It proved to be one round too many for Chipper Wilson, who missed a critical putt for an extra point that could have secured him the joint title. Wonder Boy Hardie was still steady, but as always luck had a role to play: which holes could players improve on - or had they already achieved the best possible score they could manage - in Harper's case, a gross two for a net "zero" and an incredible five points! Next year the Handicap Committee may not be quite so generous.