SGU JUNIOR TOUR 72-HOLER

O'Neil and Fairburn share halfway

lead at Newmachar on 139 (-5)

Conor O'Neil (Pollok) and Simon Fairburn (Torwoodlee) are leading on five-under-par 139 at the halfway stage of the first 72-hole SGU Junior Tour event at Newmachar Golf Club, near Aberdeen.
Both of today's rounds were over the "easier" Swailend course. On Sunday, the final 36 holes will be played over the other Dave Thomas-designed course at Newmachar, Hawkshill where trees come much more into play and where even Tartan Tour professionals have been known to have high scores on the pro-am circuit.
O'Neil, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, improved by nine shots from morning to afternoon with a two-over-par 74 followed by a seven-under-par 65, a brilliant round indeed.
Fairburn was a bit more consistent - 69 in the morning and 70 after lunch.
They are a shot ahead of Liam Johnston (Dumfries & County) who has had a pair of 70s and three strokes clear of third-placed Paul McPhee (King James VI) who had a 69 and 73 for 142.
Crowned Scottish boys' match-play champion at West Kilbride last Saturday, Grant Forrest failed to survive the halfway cut in the midweek Peter McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath, Solihull and a Newmachar he saddled himself with a four-over-par 76 in the first round. But a two-under 70 in the second round was more like the Craigielaw youngster's true form.

He will start the second day in joint eight place with Calum Stewart (Brora) (75-71).

Ian Redford (St Andrews New), runner-up in the Scottish boys' championship, and Scott Gibson (Southerness), a creditable fourth in the Peter McEvoy Trophy are in joint fifth place on level par 144.

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Swailend: Par 144 (2x72). SSS 71. CSS 71 71.
139 Conor O'Neil (Pollok) 74 65, Simon Fairburn (Torwoodlee) 69 70.
140 Liam Johnston (Dumfries & Co) 70 70.
142 Paul McPhee (King James VI) 69 73.
144 Scott Gibson (Southerness) 73 71, Ian Redford (St Andrews New) 72 72.
145 Danny Edwards (Elgin) 76 69.
146 Grant Forrest (Craigielaw) 76 70, Calum Stewart (Brora) 75 71.
147 Cameron Farrell (Cardross) 75 72, Josh Jamieson (St Andrews New) 72 75, Jamie Lynch (Falkirk Tryst) 71 76.
148 Jack Scott (Deeside) 77 71, Eamon Bradley (Mount Ellen) 74 74, Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie) 73 75.
151 Lyle McAlpine (Invergordon) 79 72, Robbie Gauld (Cruden Bay) 79 72, Andrew McLachlan (Bonnyton) 77 74, Graeme Duncan (Kingsknowe) 76 75.
152 Ewen Donaldson (Craigielaw) 77 75.
153 Fraser Thain (West Linton) 77 76, Grant Bowman (Monifieth) 74 79.
154 Ross Proctor (Forres) 84 70.
155 Jamie Reid (Cruden Bay) 76 79, Ben Murray (Portlethen) 75 80.
156 Chris Low (Tantallon) 78 78, Steven Smith (Deeside) 78 78, Chris Lamb (Newmachar) 77 79.
158 Iain Watson (St Andrews) 81 77.
Disqualified: David Gallagher (Glasgow) 74 86.