BIG NAMES PATERSON, DICK GO OUT ON SCOTTISH AMATEUR DAY 1

CHEERS! James Byrne, James Whyte, David Law and Michael Stewart at Western Gailes after the announcement that Highland Spring Water are the new sponsors of the SGU's Junior Masters Tournament, the Grand Final of which will be held at Gleneagles in October. Image by courtesy of the SGU and Andy Forman.


NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

By ROSS DUNCAN 

Defending champion Michael Stewart eased through to the second round of the Scottish Amateur Championship with a comfortable 4 and 3 win over Bonnyton’s David Docherty on the opening day at Western Gailes. 

Number one seed Stewart, aiming to become the first player to win back-to-back titles since legendary amateur Charlie Green in 1982-83, birdied his last three holes to post a comfortable win in his native Ayrshire and will now face Braehead’s Scott Moffat for a place in the third round tomorrow afternoon.

Young Aberdonian David Law also eased through with a 5 and 4 against Martin McCrory to remain on course for his second championship win, having made history in 2009 when he became the first player to win the men’s and boy’s national title in the same year.

 The 20-year-old, whose previous win also came in Ayrshire at Royal Troon, expected the host venue to throw up a few surprises as the week progresses:“It wasn’t easy to make birdies as the pins are tucked away in some tough positions. Pars were good scores and if you try and over power the course you’ll find trouble. It’s a great match play course and I’m sure there will be a few shocks this week,” said the Paul Lawrie protégé.

Fife’s Greg Paterson was the first seed to fall, going down by a two holes to 43-year-old Scott Michie while fellow Scotland international Allyn Dick, winner of the Newlands Trophy earlier this month, is also out after losing at the nineteenth hole to Neil Black from Rowallan Castle. 

One of this season’s form men on the domestic circuit, University of Stirling student Graeme Robertson, survived a back nine fightback from local player Jamie MacKay, to earn his place in the second round. Robertson, who lies second in the SGU Order of Merit after five consecutive top-four finishes, was four up through twelve but before had to wait until the 17^th hole to see off MacKay.

Scotland caps Ross Kellett and Paul Shields both enjoyed easy wins but the veteran double silver medallist Paul McKellar made a first round exit at the hands of Ladybank’s Alister Hain.

 TO VIEW ALL THE RESULTS ON THE SGU WEBSITE

CLICK HERE