Johnstone, Graham and Gillies in the 

mix at U16s' championship

Three Scots - Cameron Johnstone (Troon Welbeck), Gregor Graham (Blairgowrie) and Logan Gillies (Nairn) - kept the home flag flying in the face of a strong bid for Continental players to take over the top of the leaderboard on the first day of the Scottish Under-16 boys' open championship at Fortrose and Rosemarkie.

Carlo Edoardo Lasi from Italy leads with a five-under-par 66, having seven birdies in halves of 34 and 32.

But Johnstone slipped into second place overnight, only one shot off the lead with a 67.

Sharing third place are Gillies and Graham on the 68 mark.

Toby Smith (St Andrews) is sharing fifth place on 69 with two Italians and a boy from France.

LEADERBOARD

par 71

66 C E Lasi (Ita)

67 C Johnstone (Troon Welbeck)

68 G Graham (Blairgowrie), L Gillies (Nairn)

69 M Cristoni (Ita), A D'Aurelle de Paladines (Fra), T Smith (St Andrews), L Falloatico (Ita).

Other Scots scores included:

70 E Orr (Newmachar) (T9)

71 A Saleem (St Andrews New), R Mair (Buckpool) (T13)

73 C Sharpe (Blarigowrie), R McAuley (Fereneze),  W J Nicol (Nairn Dunbar), C Robinson (Turnhouse), A O'Hagan (Old Ranfurly), B Carberry (Falkirk), J McDonald (Torwoodlee).