SCROLL DOWN for bad news about SCOTT BORROWMAN

Fraser Fotheringham in action earlier today. Image courtesy of the New South Wales Golf Association.

FOTHERINGHAM THROUGH TO MATCH-PLAY

STAGES OF N S W CHAMPIONSHIP

Nairn's Fraser Fotheringham is beginning to reap the rewards of spending a winter working on his golf in the warmth of the Australian summer.

The British boys championship runner-up of 2007 outshone England's Walker Cup player Matt Haines in being one of the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages of the New South Wales Amateur championship at Royal Sydney Golf Club from Monday to Wednesday next week.

The Scot achieved this by finishing joint 21st in the New South Wales Medal golf tournament at Newcastle and Muree golf clubs today (Thursday).

Fotheringham had rounds of 74, 70, 71 and 73 for a total of level par 288.

Australian Michael Williams won the NSW Medal with rounds of 67, 69, 67 and 70 for 273.

Scottish open amateur stroke-play title holder Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall) finished joint sixth on 281 with scores of 72, 69, 68 and 72.

Matt Haines (Rochester & Cobham) missed out on a place in the match-play by finishing joint 44th with scores of 78, 68, 75 and 73.

SCOTT BORROWMAN'S AUSSIE TRIP TURNS SOUR

Former Scottish youths champion Scott Borrowman (Dollar) withdrew from the second round after an opening score of 83 in the NSW Medal ... but there was a very good reason for this.

Scott's father David has told Scottishgolfview.com:

"Scott's trip to Australia has become a bit of a trial. He injured himself in a gym over there and has some sort of shoulder or arm injury, which because he was so far away in Australia he was trying to 'play through.'

"I think he has finally seen sense and withdrawn from this week's tournament and will probably not play again till he gets back home. Not the best of starts to the year but - C’est la vie!"

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Players from Australia unless stated

Par 288

273 Michael Williams 67 69 67 70.

275 Yeon Jin Jong 68 70 69 68

276 Tim Hart 71 66 68 71.

280 Jake Higginbottom 68 6972 71, Rhys McGovern 71 72 70 67.

281 Tommy Fleetwood (Eng) 72 69 68 72, Kyle Grant 73 66 68 74, Neil Raymond 71 73 68 69.

Selected scores:

288 Fraser Fotheringham (Sco) 74 70 71 73 (jt 21st).

294 Matt Haines (Eng) 78 68 75 73 (jt 44th).