TIGHT AT THE TOP IN NORTHERN LINKS CALLAWAY CHALLENGE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  It's a four-way tie for the top spot at the halfway stage of the Tartan Tour's £7,100 Northern Links Callaway Challenge at the Highland venues of Tain and Brora golf clubs. In the first round, over Tain's par-70 course, Steven Duncan (Carnoustie), Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), Scott Henderson (Kings Links) and Stephen Gray (Hayston) set the pace on three-under-par 67. Henderson would have taken a clear lead into the second and final round at Brora but for a double bogey 6 at the 15th. Fox too made a late slip with a 4 at the short 16th. Sharing fifth place, two shots behind on 69, in the chase for the £800 prize and Order of Merit points are another quartet - Alan Reid (West Lothian), James McGhee (Duddingston), Chris Kelly (Cawder) and Paul McKechnie (Briad Hills). FIRST ROUND LEADERS Tain par 70. 67 Steven Duncan (Carnoustie), Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Stephen Gray (Hayston). 69 Alan Reid (West Lothian), James McGhee (Duddingston), Chris Kelly (Cawder), Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills). 70 Scott Grieve (Turnhouse), Gareth Wright (West Linton), Colin Gillies (Kingsfield), Graeme Brown (Montrose), Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), Lee Harper (Archerfield Links). 71 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle), David Patrick (Elie SC), Kenny Hutton (Downfield). 72 Stuart Morrison (Tain), Stuart Reekie (Blairgowrie), Alan Lockhart (Ladybank), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), Christopher Currie (Caldwell), Stuart Williamson (West Kilbride), Mark Kerr (Murrayfield). 73 Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), Andrew Crerar (Panmure), Lindsay Mann (Carnoustie).