Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship at halfway

Strict regime suits new

leader Lee - and he

needs the money

By RON MARSHALL, SCOTTISH PGA PRESS OFFICER

A fruit-based diet, some aid from a sports psychologist and an improved fitness regime all get the credit from European Tour rookie Craig Lee for his sparkling form this week at Gleneagles. After returning a second-round card of 69 in the Scottish PGA Championship, displaying five birdies and just one bogey, Lee, two shots clear on 140, couldn’t resist enthusing about his present state of play.

“I think that was a first for me today – a 69 (four under) with not a 5 on my card," said Craig, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

But overshadowing his current form is the fact that financially he may have to scratch from upcoming European Tour events – should the opportunity arise for him to find a space in them. “There’s no doubt the top prize here (£8,800) would take a lot of the pressure off me. I’m choosing to play in Scotland at the moment because it’s a lot cheaper for me.”

Early starter Jason McCreadie moved up the leaderboard with a four-under 69 for 142, including an eagle 3 at the ninth That ensured that the Largs-based player will be a force to contend with over the weekend. He had opened with a level-par 73.

Said the 37-year-old Buchanan Castle pro: “I’m still going to try for my European Tour card at the end of the year; and I’ll keep trying till I run out of enthusiasm.”

Eddie Thomson fashioned two birdies and a bogey in each half to post his second successive 71. He was succinct and to the point at the finish. “Apart from losing a ball at the 12th( he got a par with his second ball), it was a steady round. There’s a long way to go, and all I’m worrying about now is my first tee shot tomorrow.”

Former winner on the European Tour, Dean Robertson forced himself back into contention with a championship best of 68. He is now five behind Lee. Robertson, shackled by an opening 77 that included five penalty shots, admitted he’d been struggling this season, but he took inspiration from the memory of his 10-under 63 in the 2006 championship, which he went on to win. “I found myself tapping into the feel-good factor of that round – by the way, the best of my career - and trying to use it to my advantage.”

The result for the 1999 Italian Open winner was six birdies and a solitary bogey, leaving him well within striking distance of Lee.

Overnight leader Graeme Lornie, unaccustomed to topping such leaderboards, admitted to being “a wee bit nervy” during his round after signing for a 74, but the Aberdonian is only three strokes off the pace.

A 15ft putt at the long 18th chirped him up after a round in which his putter had developed a distinctly cooler air.

David Orr, one of the pre-championship favourites, is on course to make an impact over the weekend, returning the first bogey-free round of the week even although he headed straight for the putting green after statistics that showed 32 and 31 putts on the opening rounds.

His 71, added to an opening 72, leaves him three in arrears.