A new season, the same old Paul O’Hara. Or possibly an improved one? O’Hara’s 2021 campaign on the Arnold Clark Tartan Tour was burnished by seven victories and led to the all-conquering Bellshill man topping the Order of Merit for the fourth time in five years.
Here in 2022, O’Hara continued where he left off by staying in the winning habit and claiming the opening Order of Merit title of the new season at Dundonald Links. It could be another profitable campaign for the dominant force on the domestic scene.
Rounds of 68 and 67 gave the North Lanarkshire Leisure pro a nine-under 135 and a two-shot victory over Ross Cameron and former DP World Tour winner, Alastair Forsyth.
O’Hara had been sharing the lead with big brother Steven and Craig Lee after day one of the 36-hole shoot-out but he took charge on the final afternoon with a rousing charge for the line which could have been made on horseback.
The reigning Northern Open champion and PGA Club Professionals’ champion had been one-under at the turn but thrust himself into a winning position with a burst of four birdies over his last six holes.
That telling surge earned O’Hara a cheque for £1400 and left him in a familiar position at the top of the early OOM standings.
Forsyth signed off with a 68 while former Loch Lomond Whiskies Scottish PGA champion also closed with a four-under card to share second.
CLICK HERE to view a full list of results from the 36-hole Order of Merit Challenge at Dundonald Links.
