Team Whyte claims all-Scottish GSOC men’s final

Scotland’s curling scene has more to offer than just world No. 1 Bruce Mouat.

The Players’ Championship men’s final early Sunday in Steinbach was a Scottish showdown between Ross Whyte and Kyle Waddell.

Waddell hadn’t lost all week, but it was Whyte — who went 3-2 in the round robin before catching fire in the playoffs — who came away with a 6-3 victory.

“This is special,” said Whyte, 27, who arrived in Manitoba as the No. 5-ranked team in the world. Waddell is just outside the Top 10 at No. 11.

“Really, you want to win every Grand Slam you play in, but to win the Players’ Championship is quite the feeling… I’ll tell you what, the crowds came out and when we can get crowds like that, it just makes our weeks so much more enjoyable.”

The meeting marked the 10th consecutive GSOC final that featured at least one Scottish team.

The win was Whyte’s second career GSOC title. It was Waddell’s first finals appearance on tour.

“That just shows our strength and depth,” said Whyte.

“I think people were maybe expecting an all-Scotland final at some point. I think they were expecting Team Mouat in it, but Team Waddell came out this week and being undefeated going into the final, that’s pretty impressive with who they’ve played. But obviously, to put in that sort of performance is very impressive from all the country.”

Whyte’s performance in Steinbach will only increase his odds of British Curling selecting him to represent Scotland at the 2026 World Men’s Curling Championship (March 27-April 4) in Utah. With Mouat going to the Olympics on behalf of Scotland, he is not eligible to be chosen.

Winnipeggers Matt Dunstone (3-2) and Mike McEwen (0-5) both missed the playoffs.

For more photos of action across the week, be sure to check out www.thecarillon.com/sports.