Allied Surveyors Scottish Amateur Championship Day 3

Wednesday woe for seeded Kris Nicol and Philip McLean
FROM THE SGU WEBSITE
Fourth and sixth seeds Kris Nicol and Philip McLean made early exits from the Allied Surveyors Scottish Amateur Championship with a combination of young and old taking their scalps this afternoon at Gullane.
McLean, the current SGU Order of Merit leader, was ousted as a result of a fantastic performance by Elderslie youngster Alasdair McDougall, with the 15-year-old winning 2 and 1.
McLean paid tribute to his younger opponent, the youngest player in the field, saying:
“All credit to Alasdair who played superbly today. He holed some great putts at crucial times and hit some big shots when it mattered. He’s a talented young player and deserved his win. I’m disappointed not to get a better run in the championship again but it wasn't to be.”
Royal Troon club champion Paul Moultrie knocked out number four seed Nicol with a hard fought one hole win. The 45-year-old Ayrshireman was four up on the Lytham Trophy runner-up but the North East man clawed back three holes on the inward nine. Nicol needed to hole a 20-foot birdie putt on the last to force extra holes after Maultrie’s par, but his putt slid just past to hand Maultrie the victory.
Kingsnowe’s Allyn Dick continued his excellent progress with a 7&6 thumping of Boys Order of Merit leader Simon Fairburn, while number one seed James Byrne – in the same quarter of the draw as Dick – marched on with an impressive 4&3 win over Craigielaw’s Shaun Deegan.
Deegan’s club-mate Myles Cunningham faired better with a 2&1 win over Jamie Arthur to book a spot in the fourth round, but Grant Forrest’s dream of a boys and men's match play double is over after he lost 2 and;1 to Ayr Belleisle’s Keith Hamilton.
Former Scottish Boys Champion Michael Stewart moved up a gear with a 5 and 3 win over Kyle McClung, firing seven birdies in his fifteen holes, to set up a fourth round clash with Kyle Godsman (Hopeman). The 20-year-old from Troon Welbeck was delighted with his performance, admitting:
“That’s the best I’ve played for a while to be seven under for fifteen holes was really pleasing. I hit the ball great and holed some good putts. I’ve got some good momentum going and I’ll get some rest tonight and look forward to tomorrow.”
Stewart’s former East Tennessee University team-mate Jordan Findlay is also through to round four after a comfortable 3 and 2 win over David Millar (Duddingston), while Ed Wood won the battle of Crow Wood after he defeated club-mate Robert Jenkins with by a convincing 5 and 4 margin.
EARLIER IN THE DAY ...
Elderslie’s Alasdair McDougall, a late entry and the youngest player in this week’s field, continued to take full advantage of his opportunity by marching into the third round.
The 15-year-old, who reached the quarter-final of the Scottish boys championship in April, was initially on the reserve list and found out on Friday that he had a place in the event. He won his first round match on Monday – the first time he had played the course – and powered to a 4 and 3 win over Murcar Links’ Callum Trahan this morning.
McDougall birdied the opening hole to ahead and was three up after three following two winning pars. From there, he never looked back and sealed his match on the 15th to set up an intriguing third round tie with Peterhead’s Philip McLean, one of the eight seeds.
“Having played Gullane for the first time on Monday, I’ve taken to the course very quickly and I really like it. I got off to a great start winning the first three holes and played steady golf after that. I’m also a member of West Kilbride which has really helped my game on links and I got good experience of match play having performed well at the Boys in April.” said McDougall, who is coached by both Adam Hunter and Dean Robertson.
Former British boys champion Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) also reached this afternoon’s third round with a 3 and 2 win over fellow North-east golfer Grant Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan), who plays on the American college circuit and reached the quarter-finals of this championship at Royal Troon last year and a shock win over top seed Gavin Dear.
Findlay, coached by Bob Torrance, also got off to a good start and was in confident mood ahead of his match against Duddingston’s David Millar.
“The wind was tricky out there and with the rough being wet, pars were good. Our game was a bit scrappy on the back nine but I focused on getting pars and getting the job done. I spoke to Bob (Torrance) at the start of the week and he gave me some good advice on match play. I’m playing good and feeling confident so hopefully I can keep it going.” said Findlay.
Lundin’s James White became the first seed to tumble in the championship. The Stirling University student bowed out with a one-hole defeat by Milnathort’s Jamie Arthur. White, winner of the recent Sutherland Chalice in Dumfries, found himself four down and despite battling back, Arthur held on to record a notable scalp.
The No 3 seed, former Scottish boys match-play champion Michael Stewart staged a superb comeback to overcome Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire) at the second extra hole.
The 20-year-old from Troon, who has played for two years on the US college circuit as a student at East Tennessee State University but is not returning to the States after the summer holidays, was three down after ten, but birdies on the 12th and 17th, as well as an eagle on the 15th, levelled the match, before a 20-foot putt for par on the 20th salvaged the win.

Click here for latest day three scores from Gullane.