Memorable scoring continues in Paul Lawrie Men's Invitational

Razor sharp McKechnie lowers Deeside record 

to 62 and leads by 3 with a round to go

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Another fantastic day of low scoring at the Paul Lawrie Men's Invitational saw a new Deeside course record of eight-under-par 62 set by Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), pictured today by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

There were also three rounds of 63 - Jason McCreadie (Largs), Ross Kellett (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) and Cameron Marr (Mussleburgh) - and 30 second rounds under the par of 70.
The cut to the leading 28 and ties fell at one-under-par 139 with 31 qualifiers for the final 18 holes. Good to see five amateurs beating the cut - young Sam Locke (Banchory), Jamie Savage (Cawder), Calum Fyfe (Cawder), Craig Ross (Kirkhill) and Scott Gibson (Southerness).
Glasgow-born and based McKechnie (38) says he has now broken 14 course records over the years.
"This is my two-year-old son Oscar's birthday today so I will dedicate this record round  to him," said Paul who has maintained the momentum that has seen him win his last three events at Elgin, Drumpellier and Skibo Castle.
"For some reason I felt really sharp today and the course is in such good condition, particularly the greens, that good scoring, not only by me, follows almost naturally."
McKechnie birdied the fifth, sixth, ninth, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 18th, sinking putts of 30ft at the 16th and 8ft at the last.
Paul's 14-under-par tally of 126 gives him a three shot lead over Jason McCreadie (66-63) with Paul O'Hara (Clydeway Golf) in third place on 130 (66-64).
But the Braid Hills Golf Range player is not counting his chickens as far as the £8,000 first prize is concerned.
"I shall just go out and play the third round as it comes. I never believe in increasing  pressure on myself by saying I have to do this or that ... "
McCreadie, 48, a former Northern Open champion from Skelmorlie near Largs, had eight birdies and one bogey in his 63 and admitted it was his best round of the season so far.
"I've not been playing well this year for some reason. Missing too many greens and not getting up and down. Hopefully, this round will be my turning point."

TEE TIMES FOR FINAL ROUND

8.30 S Taylor and marker.
8.39 S Locke (am) and J Lomas.
8.48 A Forsyth and S Henderson.
8.57 J Duff and M Patterson

9.06 R Drummond and C Ronald
9.15 J Savage (am) and G Hay
9.24 K Ferrie and M Kerr
9.33 C Kelly and G McBain
9.42 C Currie and C Fyfe (am)
9.51 P Robinson and C Ross (am)

10.0 C Marr and P Broadhurst
10.09 R Kellett and D Law
10.18 S Gibson (am) and K McNicoll
10.27 G Hutcheon and P Shields
10.36 M Stewart and P O'Hara
10.45 J McCreadie and P McKechnie.

SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 140 (2x70). Yardage: 6,385
126 P McKechnie (Braid Hills) 64 62
129 J McCreadie (Largs) 66 63
130 P O'Hara (Clydeway Golf) 66 64
131 M Stewart (Troon Welbeck) 66 65
132 P Shields (Kirkhill) 67 65, G Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie GC) 66 66
134 K McNicoll (Gullane) 66 68, S Gibson (Southerness) (am) 69 65, D Law (Paul Lawrie GC) 66 68, P Broadhurst (Northants Co) 67 67, C Marr (Musselburgh) 71 63, R Kellett (Paul Lawrie GC) 71 63
135 C Ross (Kirkhill) (am) 69 66, P Robinson (Largs) 66 69, C Fyfe (Cawder) 66 69, C Currie (Caldwell) 66 69, G McBain (Paul Lawrie GC) 69 66, C Kelly (unatt) 68 67
136  M Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) 70 66
137 K Ferrie (Matfen Hall) 71 66, G Hay (Nairn Dunbar) 70 67, J Savage (Cawder) (am) 66 71, C Ronald (Carluke) 70 67
138 R Drummond (unatt) 68 70, M Patterson (Kilmacolm) 69 69, J Duff (Newmachar) 67 71
139 S Henderson (Kings Links) 70 69, A Forsyth (Mearns Castle) 69 70, J Lomas (Caprington) 69 70, S Locke (Banchory) (am) 68 71, S Taylor (Bothwell Castle) 70 69.

MISSED THE CUT
140 G Brown (Montrose Links) 72 68, C Syme (Drumoig) (am) 71 69, R Cameron (Saltire Energy) 71 69, R Arnott (Bishopbriggs) 68 72
141 A Oldcorn (Kings Acre) 71 70, C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 70 71, S Gray (Hayston) 71 70, L Gaughan (Bathgate) 68 73
142 M Isaacs (Gamola Golf) 71 71, K Nicol (Paul Lawrie GC) 72 70, A Welsh (Cathkin Braes) 72 70
143 S Kiloh (Paul Lawrie GC) 72 71, F Mann (Carnoustie GC) 73 70, D Orr (Eastwood) 74 69, S McLaren (Blairgowrie) 72 71, C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 73 70
144 A Stuart (Paul Lawrie GC) 75 69, C Lawrie (Paul Lawrie GC) 68 76
145 G Forbes (Murcar Links) 71 74, S Binning (Mearns Castle) 72 73
147 S Lawrie (Paul Lawrie GC) 74 73, T Mathieson (Murcar Links) 69 78. 

148 J Findlay (Paul Lawrie GC) 76 72
154 D Thomson (Carnegie Club) 80 74, D Kenny (Paul Lawrie GC) 75 79
Retired - K Hutton (Downfield) 76 ret. 

+PAUL LAWRIE LADIES INVITATIONAL REPORT, FINAL TOTALS AND PICTURES ON www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk