Golf

Caddie Iain McGregor to be remembered at Madeira Islands Open

Five Irish in the field this year at the undulating Santo da Serra layout

Peter Lawrie in action during the pro-am event prior to the Madeira Islands Open at Santo da Serra in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty
Peter Lawrie in action during the pro-am event prior to the Madeira Islands Open at Santo da Serra in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty
Thu Mar 19 2015 - 01:00

Players, caddies and officials will pay tribute to Iain McGregor at this week’s Madeira Islands Open, 10 months after the 52-year-old died on the course during last year’s event.

Zimbabwean McGregor was working for Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth when he collapsed on the ninth fairway on the steeply undulating Santo da Serra layout and suffered a fatal heart-attack during the final round.

An indefinite suspension of play was initially announced but the decision was later taken to resume play, with England’s Daniel Brooks eventually beating Scotland’s Scott Henry on the first play-off hole.

Heavily criticised

The decision to complete the tournament — which had been reduced to 36 holes due to numerous lengthy delays caused by fog — was heavily criticised and European Tour chief executive George O’Grady later apologised for the ”hurt and upset” caused.

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Black ribbons will be worn by players and caddies this week and a minute’s silence will take place at noon on Sunday to mark McGregor’s passing.

Brooks is not defending his title but Henry has returned to the Portuguese island in the hopes of going one better than last year and is joined in the field by former winners Forsyth, Bradley Dredge and Jarmo Sandelin.

The field also includes many of Portugal’s most promising young players, including 23-year-old Ricardo Gouveia, who won in his seventh event on the Challenge Tour last year before missing out on his European Tour card at the qualifying school by one shot.

Really good

“I’ve been playing really well,” the former University of Central Florida student said. “I’ve had a win already on the Algarve Pro Tour and I won again two weeks ago on the Portuguese Pro Tour so my game feels really good and I’m really looking forward to this week and playing here in Madeira.

“That win last year definitely gave me confidence. I feel a lot more comfortable out here now and the win made a huge difference not only on my game, but also on my mindset coming out to every event.

“I only started playing as a pro in July so to win in my seventh start gave me a lot of confidence for this year.

There are five Irish players in the field this week: Gareth Maybin, Kevin Phelan, Simon Thornton, Peter Lawrie and Ruaidhrí McGee.