BELL LEADS FOUR SCOTS IN LYTHAM TROPHY TOP 20

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Dundee’s Ross Bell, winner of the Leven Gold Medal last autumn, leads the Tartan Army of 20 Scots who crossed the Border and travelled down to Lancashire for the Lytham Trophy 72-hole amateur “major” at Royal Lytham Golf Club today (Friday). Bell, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, shot a one-under-par 69 over the links that have been toughened up for the Open championship in July. The Downfield player is sharing third place behind Dutchman Dan Huizing, ranked No 7 amateur in the world and the pacemaker here with a 67, one ahead of Ben Westgate (Trevose). Bell bridied the second, dropped a shot at the short fifth and then birdied the sixth and long seventh on his way to a two-under-par outward half of 32. Coming home, he birdied the long 11th but shed shots at the 14th and 16th for one-over 37 for the second nine. Other Scots in the top 20 are Royal Aberdeen’s Scott Larkin and Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar) in joint ninth place on 70 and reinstated amateur Graham Gordon (Newmachar), former Walker Cup player and past Scottish champion, who had a 71 for a share of 16th place. Glenbervie's Graeme Robertson, recent winner of the Craigmillar Park Open, had a horrendous outward nine of 42 on his way to a 75. The Stirling student dropped five shots between the fourth (double bogey 6), short fifth (bogey) and the sixth (double bogey 6). Worse was to come. He had a triple bogey 6 at the short ninth. After the turn, Robertson was more like his old self with birdies at the 10th, long 11th and short 12th in three-under 33. But the damage had been done, I'm afraid. Brian Soutar (Leven GS) took four-over-par 40 to come home for a 75. Last year's beaten finalist in the Scottish amateur championship, Daniel Kay (Dunbar) also found the second nine a lot more difficult that the outward half. Kay required 41 blows after the turn, having a double bogey 7 at the 11th and other shots dropped at the 10th, short 12th and 14th with not a birdie in sight. LEADING FIRST ROUND Par 70. Yardage: 7,118 67 Dan Huizing (Netherlands) 68 Ben Westgate (Trevose) 69 Ross Bell (Downfield) 32-37, Craig Hinton (Oxfordshire), Paul Howard (Southport&Ainsdale), James Burnett (Sleaford), Luke Johnson (Kings Lynn). OTHER SCOTS’ SCORES 70 Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar) 34-36, Scott Larkin (Royal Aberdeen) (T9) 71 Graham Gordon (Newmachar) 34-37 (T16) 72 Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 35-37 (T27). 73 James White (Lundin), Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) (T39) 74 Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm), Fraser McKenna (Balmore) (T57) 75 Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie), Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen), Brian Soutar (Leven GS) (T74). 76 Christopher Lawton (Falkirk Tryst) (T93). 77 Daniel Kay (Dunbar), Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) (T104) 78 Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) (T113) 79 James Bunch (Prestwick), Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire Co) (T117) 80 Callum Trahan (Meldrum House), Paul Gault (Westerwood), John Duff (Newmachar) (T125). 85 Gordon Miller (Cawder) (T140) Withdrew: Scott Crichton (Aberdour).

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