LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL FOR KEIR McNICOLL?

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com
It's been a long hard slog for Carnoustie's Keir McNicoll since he turned pro after an excellent CV as an amateur with a handicap of +5 but he might just be turning the corner at last.
After two rounds of this week's PGA EuroPro Tour event, the Network Veka Classic, at De Vere Mottram Hall, Cheshire, Keir is lying joint 13th on four-under-par 140 with scores of 69 and 71.
He is 10 shots behind the leader by seven, Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall) (67-63 for 130) but a top-10 finish is well within the Scot's capabilities and would be a terrific boost to his confidence.
Zack Saltman (Archerfield Links) is joint 21st on 141 with scores of 71 and 70.
Another Lothians man, former Scottish amateur champion John Gallagher (Swanston) is on 142 after a splendid second-round 66. Wales-based former Scottish boys' match-play champion Paul Doherty is also on 142 with rounds of 70 and 72.
Ross Cameron from McDonald Ellon and Archerfield's former Scottish boys champion, Lee Harper, both made the cut with nothing to spare on 143. McDonald scored 72 and 71, Harper 73 and 70.
Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw), Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) and Chris Kelly (Cawder) all missed out on 145. McAllister's scores were 75 and 70, Stewart 73 and 72, Kelly 78 and 67.
Ed Wood (Crow Wood) had scores of 72 and 74 for 146.
Anglo-Scot Thomas Higson, based at the host club, and Martin Lawrence (Newmachar) both totalled 153. Higson scored 80 and 73, Lawrence 78 and 75.
Steven Mackie (Dunnikier Park), after a opening round of 72, had a No Return.