PGA EUROPRO TOUR EVENT AT MAR HALL, BISHOPTON

 GLASGOW AMATEUR LEADS WITH A 63

Kirkhill, Glasgow amateur Craig Ross shot a brilliant, bogey-free round of seven-under-par 63 - but led only by one stroke at the end of the first day in the 54-hole PGA EuroPro Tour event at Mar Hall, Bishopton near Glasgow.
As an amateur Ross  is unable to compete for the £40,000 prize fund, of which £10,000 goes to the winner, but believes because ofr that  he has less pressure to deal with than the rest of the field.

“I played well and got off to a good start,” he said. “I birdied the first and managed to knock it to about two foot on the fourth, which is a tough hole, and I kept it going from there. It was steady, solid play and I managed to take my chances when I got them.

“I have wanted to test myself against these guys. I have been watching the EuroPro on the TV and you can see it isn’t an easy level to play at because all the guys are going low. I wanted to see how I could fair against these guys.

“I think it is a bit easier for me because I am not playing for money; I can just go out and play. It is great to go out and play well and put that score together today. Tomorrow I can go out and relax and try and do the same.

“I wanted to see how I got on against the professionals. I think I will stay amateur for one more year as I want to get into the Walker Cup squad and then maybe turn pro at the end of next year.”

The cut after two rounds will see the leading 50 and ties contesting Friday's final 18 holes.

LEADERBOARD

Par 70

63 C Ross (Sco) (am)

64 J Caldwell (Ire), P Lockwood (Eng), H Bateman (Eng).

REST OF SCOTS' SCORES

66 C Macaulay, S Crichton (T7)

67 E Saltman, J Henry (T13)

68 L Saltman, P Robinson, R Kellett, M Isaacs, P Shields (T28)

69 F McKenna, P McGhee, K Nicol, S Kiloh (T48)

70 C Currie (T66)

71 D Young, G Forbes, C O'Neil, G McBain (T82)

72 N Henderson, J Pollock, N Fenwick E Ramsay (T101).

73 Z Saltman, T Innes-Ker, R Cameron, I Redford, S Binning (T117)

74 J Hendry, C Trahyan, M Patterson, J McColl (T127).

75 J Findlay, C Lawrie, M Kerr (T136)

76 C Smith, S Herald (T1240)

77 S Coia (T144).