BRAVE BID BY RICHIE RAMSAY IN US EVENT

Richie Ramsay, the US amateur champion from Aberdeen, made a brave bid to survive the halfway cut in the Verizon Heritage, this weekend's event on the US PGA Tour.

Richie finished with rounds of 75 and 70 for 145, four over par for the par-71 lay-out and only two strokes away from qualifying for the weekend play.

Richie birdied the second in his second rond but then ran up back-to-back double-bogeys at the third and short fourth. He birdied the ninth to reach the turn in two-over-par 38.

Then Ramsay showed the form that won him the US amateur title at Hazeltine last summer as he birdied the 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th for 32 home and a one-under-par 70.

South African Ernie Els is leading the field at 12-under-par 130 after a pair of 65s. Three shots behind is the first-round leader, Jerry Kelly, with 63 and 70 for 133.

On 134 come Fred Funk (67-67) and Stephen Leaney (66-68).

Jasper Parnevik and US Masters champion Zach Johnson are lying joint 13th on 138, the Swede with 71 and 67, the Amereican with 70 and 68.

MARTIN LAIRD MAKES NATIONWIDE TOUR CUT

Former Scottish youths champion Martin Laird from Glasgow survived the halfway cut in the Nationwide Tour's South Georgia Classic.

Martin has had rounds of 70 and 74 for level par 144 and is in joint 44th place behind the leader, American Steven Bowditch who has had 69 and 67 for eight-under-par 136.

Laird did well to stay cool after starting with a double-bogey 6. That was his only deviation from par in an outward 38. A birdie at 10th rewarded his patience and though he did drop a shot at the 13th, he was able to par his way in to ensure his continued participation in the tournament.