Link to Saturday scores in the Battle Trophy at Crail

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scroll down for a report on the first day's play at 5.15pm. It will be updated at end of play.

LEADING SCORES at 5.15pm
68 C Syme (Drumoig), C Bruce (Duff House Royal).
69 S Blair (Royal Musselburgh)
70 L Johnston (Dumfries and Co)
71 M Clark (Kilmacolm), C Fyfe (Cawder), J Wright (Forres), A Carrick (Douglas Park), C Smith (Camperdown), M Fitzimmons (Ire).
72 C Pirie (Millport), K Cantley (Liberton), S Stewart (Clydebank and Dist), C Ross (Kirkhill), C Burgess (Musselburgh), C Lamb (Newmachar), G Wishart (Lundin).
73 S Roger (Cruden Bay), S McLaren (Bruntsfield), K Godsman (Moray), A J Sutherland (Cupar).
74 J Stewart (Old Ranfurly), D Howie (Pebles), J Harling (Banchory), A R Ni (Murrayfield), J Wilson (Balmore), G Robertson (Glenbervie), S Locke (Banchory), B McLeod (Musselburgh).


Syme and Bruce set the pace with 68s
Connor Syme (Drumoig) and up-and-coming Banff youngster Callum Bruce (Duff House Royal) set the pace with matching four-under-par 68s in the first round of this weekend's 72-hole Order of Merit event, the Battle Trophy, hosted by Crail Golfing Society.

Stuart Blair of Royal Mussleburgh is just one shot behind after a blistering start of three under par after only three holes.

However, his form faded a little and a couple of dropped shots left him on 69.

In his first tournament since winning in South Africa, Liam Johnson played very steadily to reach the turn in three under, before a dropped shot at the twelfth led him to a two under score of 70 and fourth place on his own.

Six more players are in red numbers, all sharing a one under score of 71, including Scottish squad players, Callum Fyfe (Cawder) and Matthew Clark  (Kilmacolm)along with Matthew Fitzsimons (Ardglass) from Ireland. 

Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), winner of the Scottish Champion of Champions tournament at Leven, is on the 74 mark.

The conditions have been typical for Crail, with 8 to 12mph winds and beautiful clear skies, allowing the greenkeeper to increase the speed of the greens a little to just under 10’ on the stimp.

This will be pulled back to 9’6” for Sunday's final two rounds when the wind is due to gather strength and further test the player’s resolve.