L;OW SCORING ON PGA EUROPRO TOUR

ZACK AND KRIS SPEARHEAD SCOTS

ON BIRDIE SHOOT WITH 65s 

Zack Saltman and Kris Nicol had 13 birdies between them as they spearhead the Scottish challenge in a field of 156, each paying a £275 entry fee, for this week's PGA EuroPro Tour event, the FSC Invitational at a shortish, par-70 course at Astbury Golf Club, Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Saltman and Nicol led the field jointly on 65 until Dorset man Martin Thompson came in with a 64 to relegate them to second place in the £40,000 54-hole event which offers a £10,000 jackpot prize for the winner.

Archerfield's Saltman had a bogey-free round studded with birdies at the long second, short fifth, sixth, 11th and long 17th.

Fraserburgh's Nicol, from the Paul Lawrie stable, covered the front nine in only 30 strokes. He had eight birdies in all - at the long second, short third, fourth, short seventh, eighth, 10th, long 17th and 18th. He had bogeys at the 10th, short 12th and 13th.
Only the leading 50 and ties will beat the cut at the end of the second round on Thursday. 

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES

Par 70

64 M Thompson (Eng)

SELECTED SCORES

65 Z Saltman (Archerfield Links), K Nicol (Paul Lawrie GC) (T2)

66 S Drummond (Sco) (T7)

67 P Shields (Kirkhill), E Saltman (Archerfield Links),N Fenwick (Dunbar) (T11)

68 L Saltman (Archerfield Links), N Henderson (Renaissance), S Crichton (Aberdour)

(T19)

69 E Ramsay (Carnoustie), F McKenna (Balmore) (T35)

70 M Isaacs (Newmachar), R Kellett (Kingsfield) (T53)

71 J Findlay  (Paul Lawrie GC) (T72)

72 J McColl (Scotscraig) (T88)

73 P Doherty (Vale Hotel) (T105)

74 R Cameron (Saltire Energy), C Lawrie (Paul Lawrie GC) (T120)

Retired: G McBain (Paul Lawrie GC).