European Challenge Tour

Eagle lands for McArthur in Germany
to give him first-round lead on 64

From Michael Gibbons
Press Officer, Challenge Tour

A sensational 50 foot eagle putt landed Scotland’s Andrew McArthur the early lead at the POSTBANK Challenge presented by Marcel Siem. And he held on to it all day in Germany.
The 28 year old’s brilliant eagle effort ensured an opening score of seven under par 64 at the Golfclub Mülheim an der Ruhr and a one stroke lead over Frenchman Jean-Nicolas Billot and Argentina’s Rafael Gomez after both men posted opening scores of 65.
McArthur, currently 21st on the Challenge Tour Rankings after three top ten finishes in his last seven events, is hoping to secure the maiden Challenge Tour victory that would take him to the cusp of a place on The 2008 European Tour as one of the top 20 players on the end of season Rankings.
“It’s always a good day when you hole a 50 foot putt on the last for eagle,” smiled the Scotsman after signing for a 64.
“I thought that the ball was going to finish just short of the hole and was shaking my head in disbelief when it dropped in at the last moment.
“I am feeling confident just now and that I am ready to win. I have been close but I seem to throw in an inopportune 72 or 73 in the weeks that I am playing well and that has been holding me back. I just have to eliminate that and I will be very close to getting my first win.”
Recently turned professional Richie Ramsay is the next best Scot in the field after a three under 68. George Murray, who lost out in a sudden-death play-off at the Challenge Tour’s Lexus Open last week, posted a level par 71 first round score, the same mark as Peter Whiteford.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 71
64 A McArthur (Sco).
65 J-N Billot (Fra), R Gomez (Arg).
Other scores:
68 R Ramsay (Sco) (jt 16th).
70 S Henderson (Sco) (jt 44th).
71 G Murray (Sco), E Ramsay (Sco), R Russell (Sco), P Whiteford (Sco) (jt 56th).
74 G Wright (Wal) (jt 108th).
75 G Brown (Sco) (jt 124th).
78 J McLeary (Sco) (jt 140th of 154).