McDonald, Ross lead Scots at Lytham Trophy

Kirkhill's Craig Ross came in late on the opening day to lie second to Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) as the first-round leaders of the Scottish Challenge at the 72-hole Lytham Trophy tournament which teed off today at Royal Lytham and St Anne's Golf Club, Lancashre.
Ross had a one-over-par round of 71.

McDonald shot a level par 70 - to be two shots behind the quartet sharing the lead on 68, including Stirling student and former Irish amateur champion Cormac Sharvin (Ardglass).

Five Scots hit the 75 mark - Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden), Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), Michael Smyth (Royal Troon), Scott Gibson (Southerness) and Jamie Savage (Cawder).

No British player has won the Lytham Trophy since home-county man Jack Senior in 2010. 
Double European amateur champion Ashley Chesters from England had a nightmare first round of 82.

LEADING FIRST-SCOREBOARD 

Par 70

68 Marcus Kinhult (Swe), Oliver Roberts (Hong Kong), John Axelsen (Denmark), Cormack Sharvin (Ardglass, Ireland)

SCOTS' SCORES

70 Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)
71 Craig Ross (Kirkhill)
73 Barry Hume (Haggs Castle)

75 Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden), Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), Michael Smyth (Royal Troon), Scott Gibson (Southerness), Jamie Savage (Cawder)

77 Fraser Moore (Glenbervie)

78 Connor Syme (Drumoig), Danny Young (Craigie Hil.l)

79 Nick Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen)

81 Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm)

Field of 120