KRIS NICOL HEADS SCOTTISH CHALLENGE IN ST ANDREWS LINKS

Fraserburgh's Kris Nicol headed the Scottish challenge with a three-under-par round of 68 over the New Course in the first round of the St Andrews Links Trophy.

He ended the first day sharing third place with former British boys champion Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City), two shots behind the leader from Truro, Cornwall, Rhys Enoch, pictured right, who shot a sparkling 66.
Enoch, who played in the recent GBandI Walker Cup squad practice at Royal Aberdeen, is a student at East Tennessee State University, the same college attended in the past by Scottish champion Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) and former British boys champion Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh).

In second place on 67 is South American Franco Romero.

The quality international field will play their second round over the Old Course on Saturday, at the end of which the leading 40 players and ties will go on to play the final 36 holes over the Old Course on Sunday.
LEADERBOARD

FIRST ROUND - NEW COURSE

Par 71

66 Rhys Enoch (Truro).

67 Franco Romero (Argentina).

68 Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City), Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh).

69 Ben Campbell (Australia).

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES

71 Paul Shields (Kirkhill), Scott Gibson (Southerness) (T8).
72 Peter Latimer (St Andrews New), Sam Binning (Ranfurly Caslte), Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe), Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh), Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs), James White (Lundin) (T26).
73 Brian Soutar (Leven), Greg Paterson (St Andrews New) (T40).
75 Philip McLean (Peterhead), Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie), Ewan Scott (St Andrews), Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire Co) (T75).
76 Ross Kellett (Colville Park), Conor O'Neil (Pollok), David Law (Hazlehead) (T90).
77 Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen), Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), Scott Crichton (Aberdour) (T101).
78 Ian Bell (Scotscraig) (T113).
79 Ross Bell (Downfield), Steven Rennie (Drumpellier) (T125).
80 Ross Coull (Edzell) (T131).
81 Zander Culverwell (Dunbar) (T137).
84 Greg Nicolson (Mortonhall) (141st).
88 Paul Gault (Westerwood) (144th).