Lentran youngster Brody MacIver tees up more success after winning British Junior Golf title
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Brody MacIver is being hailed as a rising star in Scottish golf as he continued his dominance of the junior game in Britain.
The nine-year-old from Lentran capped off another incredible season when he was crowned 7-8 Age Group British Junior Tour Champion.
Out of the 19 competitions held across the UK, the Kirkhill Primary School pupil claimed 12 titles and finished on the podium on 18 occasions.
He was well clear at the top of the Order of Merit, scoring 802 points throughout the season.
He was 129 points clear of his nearest rivals as he claimed the British Tour Championship with five events remaining in the season.
He also scored the lowest round of the whole British tour with a -6.
MacIver, who is a member at Aigas Golf Club and Nairn Golf Club, is no stranger to success, having won a number of titles during his young career so far.
He says it was an important win at this stage of career, proving he can come out on top as he continues to move up the age groups.
“It was a tough season, but it is great to win the overall championship,” said MacIver.
“I won the order of merit by almost 130 points and won the overall title after 14 events.
“I won 12 events and was on the podium 18 out of 19 times so it was a good season.
“I was really pleased with how consistent I was this year with my golf.
“It was probably one of the best wins of my career so far.”
It is the latest major title MacIver has added to his trophy cabinet after already claiming a number of competition wins during his young career.
He previously won the British Tour Championship two years ago while he was playing in a younger age group.
During 2022, he made a major statement on the international scene, being crowned US Kids Golf European Champion at Longniddry Golf Club in East Lothian.
In August last year, he was crowned under-seven world champion at the Champion of Champions Tournament in Northern Ireland.
Earlier this year, he also competed at the IMG Academy Junior World Championships which took place in the United States at Palm Springs.
MacIver learned to play golf as soon as he could walk, with him first swinging a club at a driving range when he was two-years-old.
He then played on the main course at Nairn Golf Club when he was four.
Brody’s father Don, who acts as his caddy at all of his competitions, says it was quickly identified that his son had a natural talent for the game.
“His hand eye coordination seemed to be very good at that age,” said Don.
“Even though at that age there is no mechanics in a golf swing, he still managed to hit the ball most of the time.
“From there, Brody continued to progress in his golfing ability.
“When lockdown hit, there was nothing else to do than play golf.
“We ended up playing golf every day during lockdown and it was then that I discovered that he was really good.
“He then entered competitions, taking part in his first one when he was five, which was the Robert Rock Junior Tour where he won the order of merit.
“From there he progressed to the British Junior Tour when he was six and went on to win 19 out of 22 events for his age group.
"Since then he has gone to win the European Championship and then a World Championship last year.
“After coming second in the British Tour last year when he took on older opposition and now has gone on to do well in the British Championship and at the World Championship this year.
“It is has been a very good journey that we have both been on.”
MacIver has gone the distance in his successful bid to become British Tour Champion, having travelled over 20,000 miles during that competition alone during its 19 events throughout the season, with the majority of events in England.
MacIver takes the travelling in his stride as he loves having the opportunity to play golf at courses all over the country and abroad.
He said: “We must have driven over 20,000 miles alone this year as well as having flown to play in competitions.
“I have a Nintendo I take with me to play on long journeys which helps pass the time when I am travelling.
“I play games and then I go to sleep during long journeys and it helps me get ready for competitions.
“My favourite course that I have played at has to be the Palm Golf Course at Walt Disney World in Florida.
“There is a 12 foot alligator on the course called Big Kev which lives there and my ball landed quite close to him.”
MacIver says that his favourite golfers are Ricky Fowler and Jordan Spieth and would like to follow in their footsteps one day.
Despite it being the winter season, MacIver is still working hard and practising to help him prepare him for the 2024 campaign. He is looking at certain events on the golfing calendar, including world championships, where he is targeting success next year.
MacIver is determined as ever to achieve his dream of becoming a professional golf player.
His dad Don says that they are both up for the challenge.
He said: “We are going to try and step things up a gear this year.
“We are going to work on his fitness and stability for golf and have a full set routine.
“However it is still important that we keep having fun in golf, but improve the focus.”
Brody said: “I want to become a professional golfer and I want to try and win The Masters.
“I want to try and win it by the time i’m 15!”
