Solid start Down Under by Nairn

youngster Fraser Fotheringham

Nairn youngster Fraser Fotheringham, beaten finalist in the British boys golf championship of 2007, had a creditable first-round, one-over-par 73 to be lying joint 49th in a field of 157 for one of Australia's most prestigious amateur tournaments, the Riversdale Cup at Riversdale Golf Club, Victoria.
Fotheringham birdied the short first, the long 13th and the 18th, dropping shots at the short third, ninth, 10th and 11th in halves of 37 and 36.
Scots exile Stephen Speirs had a 72 for a share of 36th place.
Australian Jordan Sherratt leads by three shots with a nine-under-par 63. Defending champion Scott Arnold is joint fourth on 68.
The 72-hole stroke-play tournament ends on Monday.

First round leaders (Par 72)
Australian players unless stated
63 Jordan Sherratt.
66 Bryden Macpherson.
67 Daniel Nisbet.
68 Kevin Marques, Matt Jager, Scott Arnold, Lincoln Tighe.
Selected scores:
71 Adam Wainwright (Eng) (jt 21st).
72 Stephen Spiers (Sco) (jt 36th).
73 Jason Palmer (Eng), Fraser Fotheringham (Sco) (jt 49th).
74 Paul Buckley (Ire) (jt 70th).