WHITE STEERS SCOTS INTO THIRD PLACE AT SOTOGRANDE

FROM THE SGU WEBSITE

Lundin’s James White drew on all his powers of courage and energy to steer Scotland into third place after the opening round of The European Nations Cup.

White, a member of the SGU Men’s National Performance Squad, was in hospital for checks yesterday as he was laid low with a sickness bug.

But the Fifer was determined to play in the four-round event at Sotogrande, Malaga, with former European Tour winner Dean Robertson, Performance Golf Coach at the University of Stirling, leading the SGU side.

White was in superb form to fire a one-under-par 71 against the odds, with fellow SGU Men’s Performance Squad members Jack McDonald of Kilmarnock (Barsssie) and Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) posting 75s. Kilmacolm’s Matthew Clark fired a non-counting 78.

The Scots sit third on five-over-par in total, six shots behind early leaders England on one-under. Robertson said of White’s effort: “It was very difficult conditions and James was obviously not feeling that strong, so it was an amazing performance from him. Beware the injured golfer!

“He controlled spin beautifully as the entire field struggled to cope with the conditions. The heavy rain did stop, but it remained very windy.

“James was feeling a bit tired and groggy, but we worked hard to patch him up and fuel him. Fingers crossed he can gain strength as week progresses."

The quartet are aiming to emulate the success of countrymen Scott Henry, Callum Macaulay, Wallace Booth and Keir McNicoll who triumphed in the event in 2008.

>> Click here for scores from the European Nations Cup

In China, 17-year-old Ewan Scott has continued his global form in 2013 after an opening three-under 69 at the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final.

The SGU Boys Performance Squad player birdied the first three holes at Mission Hills (Faldo Course) before cancelling out his fast start with three bogeys in his front nine.

However, Scott, a gold medal winner for Team GB in Australia earlier this year, hit back with a trio of birdies in his last nine holes to sit four strokes off the pace.

>> Click here for live scores from the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final