Zane Scotland happy with his lot as he

continues along the comeback trail

From PAUL SYMES, European Challenge Tour Press Officer
Comeback king Zane Scotland of England continued his rehabilitation from a serious wrist injury with a round of 68 on day two of The Princess on the Challenge Tour.
With the late starters yet to complete their rounds, Scotland is currently on seven under par, three shots behind local favourite Fredrik Andersson Hed and a further shot behind leader Andrew Butterfield, who added a 69 to his opening round of 62 at Båstad Golf Club in Båstad, Sweden.
Scotland enjoyed a glittering amateur career and in 1999, aged just 16, earned a place in the field at Carnoustie to become the youngest English player to qualify for The Open Championship. But his fledgling professional career came to a juddering halt when, in 2003, he dislodged two vertebrae in his neck in a serious car crash.
Having painstakingly worked his way back to full fitness to finish in the top 100 on The 2007 European Tour Order of Merit, fate again conspired against in the BMW International Open 12 months ago when he injured his wrist, resulting in another extended spell on the sidelines.
The 26 year old is now attempting to rebuild his career on the Challenge Tour, having struggled to capitalise on the limited playing opportunities he was afforded under a medical exemption on The European Tour.
Scotland said: “I felt pretty relaxed today – most of the season I’ve been fighting to make the cut, so it was nice to be able to just go out there and play. I haven’t been in contention for a while, so it’s a fairly new experience – but a nice one.
"I felt quite confident coming into the week because I knew my game was getting there, but I didn’t set myself any goals. Coming in without any expectation has probably helped me in a way, because I haven’t put any pressure on myself.
“I’m determined to enjoy every moment of my career, because for a time it looked like I might not get the chance to play again. It was hard not being able to practise, and there were times after my accident when I did think about giving the game up and doing something else. But I’m glad I kept going – I feel very lucky to be doing what I do, because there’s a lot of people a lot worse off than me.”
Scotland’s compatriot Butterfield was unable to reproduce the fireworks of the opening day, but is still the man they all have to catch after setting the clubhouse target on 11 under par.
He said: “I didn’t play as well as yesterday, but still hit some very good shots. So I was actually pretty pleased. Everyone says it’s always to follow up a really low round with another one, and it’s true. You know there’s a fair chance you won’t play as well again, so it’s difficult to get out of a negative mindset.
“I certainly didn’t give myself as many chances, but I did manage to take a fair percentage of the ones I did make. I also made a few more mistakes than I did on the first day, but that was maybe a result of trying to attack a little too much. But you have to be bold out there, because if you just go for the middle of the greens, you’re not going to make any birdies.”

SCORES AND NEW STORY FROM COURSE THIS EVENING