AVOIDING the disasters that befell title favourites Bradley Neil and Ewen Ferguson on the outskirts of St Andrews, Lochgelly golfer Niall McMullen signed for the day’s only sub-par round in winning the Scottish Junior Champion of Champions at The Duke’s Course at St Andrews.

On a day when an early start proved beneficial – those off later had to cope with cooler conditions – McMullen carded a one-under-par 70 to finish a shot ahead of Caird Park’s Connor Good and George Burns from Williamwood.

Still only 16, Niall who cut his golfing teeth at Lochgelly but has since made Lundin Links his home club, birdied the first and was two-under for the round after 11 holes before finishing bogey-birdie-birdie.

Cook, a semi-finalist in the Scottish Boys at Murcar Links two years ago, mixed three birdies with three bogeys while Burns’ card contained an eagle – at the sixth – as well as two birdies and four bogeys.

The Lochgelly High School pupil had a terrific season in 2013 competing for Scotland Boys at the Home Internationals against England, Wales & Ireland in Wales. Niall also represented Scotland against England at U16 level and was in the victorious Scotland Schools Team who defeated England Schools at West Kilbride.

The highlight of Niall’s 2013 Season was when he competed for Scotland in the International Junior Masters held in New York USA, where he finished as the top U16 Competitor and reached the last 16 matchplay of the oldest International Junior Tournament in North America.

Following on from his efforts in USA, Niall was again selected to represent Scotland at The European Junior Masters held in Germany where he finished in a creditable Top 12 position.

On a local front, Niall finished 2nd at the Fife Boys U18 Strokeplay Chamionship, won the U16 Fife Boys Strokeplay and was 3rd overall in the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Schools Championship. His fine local form ensured that he was also the overall winner in the Fife Boys Order of Merit.

Niall is currently practicing hard for the forthcoming Scottish Boys Championship being held at West Kilbride and is hopeful that 2014 brings more success, and he can enhance his position at County, National and International Level at both Boys & Mens Level.