Scottish boys' open stroke-play championship last two rounds today

Great Scott! Gibson hits the front at Craigielaw

By ROSS DUNCAN
Marketing and Sponsorship Manager, Scottish Golf Union
A fine three-under par 68 gave Southerness youngster Scott Gibson a two-shot lead going into this afternoon’s final round of the Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship at Craigielaw today

The Scotland Boys internationalist, who currently sits third in the SGU Junior Order of Merit, moved two ahead of playing partner Conor O’Neil (Pollok) on 209, four-under par. O’Neil was left to rue bogeys at the final three holes after racing into the lead on five-under par after thirteen holes of his third round.

Gibson, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency,  fired five birdies in his morning round and after a consistent season which has seen him finish second twice, the South of Scotland ace is targeting his first national title as well as top spot in the junior rankings.

O’Neil stormed to the turn in 31, helped by a superb eagle two at the seventh hole, but his disappointing finish leaves him in second spot on two-under par, one ahead of Craigielaw’s Scottish Boys Champion Grant Forrest and joint overnight leader Linus Vaisanen, who slipped back with a two-over par 73.

Fellow overnight leader Lloyd Best struggled to a disastrous 83 to move out of contention but Liam Johnston (Dumfries and County) and Jamie Lynch (Falkirk Tryst) remain in the title hunt after rounds of 71 and 72 respectively left them on level par for the championship with an aggregate of 213.
Gibson and O’Neil go out together this afternoon at 3.35pm.
THIRD ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 213 (3x71)
209 GIBSON, Scott Southerness 70 71 68
211 O'NEIL, Conor Pollok 73 69 69
212 FORREST, Grant Craigielaw 69 71 72, VAISANEN, Linus Finland 67 72 73.
213 JOHNSTON, Liam Dumfries and Co 68 74 71, LYNCH, Jamie Falkirk Tryst 74 67 72.
214 HENDRY, Daniel United Arab Emirates 73 71 70
215 SMITH, Marc Troon Welbeck 73 69 73 +2
216 ROSS, Craig Kirkhill 74 73 69, DONALDSON, Ewen Craigielaw 69 75 72, HAMILTON, Craig New Zealand 72 70 74
218 WALZ, Maximilian Germany 71 74 73, FAIRBURN, Simon Torwoodlee 71 74 73.
219 BLANEY, Anthony Liberton 75 72 72, WRIGHT, Jeff Forres 74 72 73.
220 THAIN, Fraser West Linton 73 75 72, SMAIL, Greg Craigielaw 75 72 73.
221 HOWIE, Craig Peebles 76 72 73, MACNEAL, Charlie Troon Welbeck 75 73 73, CAMPBELL, Ryan Grangemouth 73 74 74, MARCHBANK, Greig Dumfries and Galloway 72 74 75, FAIRBAIRN, Lewis Berwick Upon Tweed 67 76 78 
222 CLARKE, Rodger Moray 73 74 75, SAVAGE, Jamie Cawder 75 72 75, BRADLEY, Eamon Mount Ellen 74 72 76, JOHNSTON, Chris Truro 71 74 77, WRIGHT, Dale Alness 70 75 77, BEST, Lloyd Sherwood Forest 67 72 83.
223 REDFORD, Ian St Andrews New 73 75 75, JAMIESON, Josh St Andrews New 76 72 75, SMITH, Steven Deeside 78 69 76, MCDONALD, Jack Kilmarnock (Barassie) 72 73 78, MITCHELL, Cameron Lundin 72 73 78.
225 WIGHTMAN, Scott Powfoot 72 74 79, LAMBERT, Jordan Australia 72 71 82.
226 GAUGHAN, Louis Bathgate 75 73 78, NEIL, Connor Blairgowrie 74 74 78, RAVNDAL, Arne Norway 71 74 81
227 MACKAY, Euan Craigielaw 77 71 79, FLANNERY, Daniel Peebles 74 73 80.
228 NEIL, Bradley Blairgowrie 75 73 80, COSTELLO, Scott Kirkhill 75 72 81, CRAIGON, Sam Milnathort 76 69 83, HILL, Calum Tantallon 73 72 83.
230 MCDOUGALL, Alasdair Elderslie 72 75 83.