MATHESON LEADS FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND AT MORAY OPEN

(John Matheson of the host club comfortably took the honours after Day 1 of the 107th Moray Open at Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth.

Despite a double bogey 7 at the third, he still reached the turn in 34 (one under), recording birdies at the fourth, seventh and eighth.

Shots were then dropped at the 11th and 12th before an eagle 3 at the 14th and a birdie at the 16th saw him move to two under where he finished on 68 - four shots clear of Scott Little.

The wind wreaked havoc with most of the field but play always took less than 5 hours (just) and a high cut is predicted for the Handicap Section.

Leading Scratch scores (all on the New Course and from Moray unless otherwise stated):

68 J G Matheson

72 S Little

73 M Sherret (Westhill);

74 J Wright, D R Main, A Dunton (McDonald Ellon), B A Caldow

75 J Martin, K Godsman, S Girvan (Newmachar), M Tait (Fraserburgh), K Duncan (McDonald Ellon), R. Clarke

76 M J Dean, D W Finlay, P Smith, D Fletcher, K. Thomson, M L Macleman, J.S. MacPherson

77 I S Geddes, B J Hendry, C D Stewart, D. Leith, N.D. Macwilliam (Kingussie), D Strathdee (Westhill), J K   England (Old Course)

78 I Cumming, J D Petrie, S Daniels (Pike Fold), C J Macleod, S Beveridge (Ellesborough), K Scott;

79 M Quilter, P McPherson, Jordan Milne, S Thompson, A Hirst (Bury), B Harris, D Marshall, W Henderson (Bathgate), M G Wilson (Royal Hobart)

 

Par for New Course 70 (35/35)

 CSS OLD Members 75 Visitors 76 (RO)/ New Course Members 73, Visitors 73 (RO)