KERR MAKES HIS MARK WITH A 66 TO BE GLENEAGLES LEADER BY 3

                MARK KERR CLICKETY-CLICKS AT GLENEAGLES TODAY. Image by Andy Forman

By RON MARSHALL, PGA Scottish Region Press Officer
"There's something about this course that I love" was Mark Kerr's understandably rosy observation as he signed for a five-under 66, striding into a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Gleneagles PGA Scottish Championship over the King's Course.
A blistering, bogey-free back nine, boasting five birdies, established the 29-year-old, who's attached to Murrayfield Golf Club, as the man to beat going into the third round. But the recent death of his father has lent perspective to Kerr's attitude to the game.
"After everything that's happened recently I'm using golf as a release so it would be nice to do well this week. I've been emotionally low for the last four or five weeks. I'd considered missing the final European Tour school (in Spain in December) but Robert (Carson, his caddie) has taken that week off work, and I didn't want him hanging around for nothing."

Another 29-year-old, and a man of many jobs, Chris Currie, pictured right by courtesy of Andy Forman, seems to have found his niche, that of golf professional, as he marched into second place. His four-under 67 left him with an aggregate of 137.
Having worked in Clydebank as a local authority gardener, greenkeeper, printer and delivery man, Currie, on the advice of Stewart Savage, the local pro at Clydebank Dalmuir where Currie learned the game, applied for an assistant's job - and got it - at Caldwell, whose head pro is former British Assistants' champion, Craig Everett.
First out yesterday with overnight leader, Graham Fox (who shot a level-par 71 for 139), Currie reckoned it was a massive benefit to be out early on greens that would become progressively more difficult to read.
"The greens staff have done a great job considering the rain recently. My putting's been excellent, and my ball-striking through the bag's pretty good."
Currie, who's never had a lesson in his life - "I'm pretty much a feel player" - carded four birdies and an eagle (the latter a drive to two feet at the 260yd par-4), offset by two bogeys.
The top 40 and ties will contest the final 36 holes over Wednesday and Thursday.

QUALIFIERS FOR LAST TWO ROUNDS
Par 142 (2x71) +147 or better qualified.
134 Mark Kerr (Murrayfield) 68 66.
137 Christopher Currie (Caldwell) 70 67.
139 Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle) 68 71, Alan Lockhart (Ladybank) 71 69, James McKinnon (Irvine) 68 71, Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs) 71 68.
140 Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) 70 70.
141 Scott Henderson (Kings Links) 72 69, Gareth Wright (West Linton) 71 70, Mark King (Kingsfield) 71 70, Chris Kelly (Cawder) 70 71.
143 Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) 69 74, Stephen Gray (Hayston) 72 71, Craig Ronald (Carluke) 71 72.
144 Paul Wardell (Whitekirk) 72 72, Alan Reid (West Lothian) 69 75, David Orr (East Renfrewshire) 70 74, Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) 73 71.
145 Michael Rae (Alyth) 75 70, Ronan Rafferty (Roxburghe) 72 73, Samuel Cairns (Colville Park) 72 73, James McGhee (Duddingston) 71 74, Steven Duncan (Carnoustie Golf Links) 74 71, Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) 72 73, Graeme Brown (Montrose Golf Links) 71 74.
146 Kenny Hutton (Downfield0 72 72, Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 73 73, Alastair Mackenzie (Renaissance Club) 73 73, Colin Gillies (Kingsfield) 73 73, Tom Buchanan (Duddingston) 72 74, Ross Cameron (McDonald Ellon) 75 75.
147 Scott Herald (Adam Hunter Golf) 76 71, Stepehen McAllister (Renaissance Club) 74 73, Grant Smith (Gleneagles Hotel) 71 76, Nigel Scott-Smith (Palacerigg) 69 78, Andrew Crerar (Panmure) 74 73, Ian Brown (Newent) 72 75, David Patrick (Elie SC) 75 72.

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