Scots toil at Oak Hill

Published on 23/05/2008 22:15

US SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP SANDY Lyle and Sam Torrance found the going tough in the opening round of the US Senior PGA championship at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York.

The Scottish duo both posted six-over 76s in the first major on the over-50s circuit and finished seven shots behind Jay Haas, the 2006 champion, who carded a one-under 69 to lead by a shot from Jeff Sluman and Bill Britton. Anglo-Scot Bill Longmuir also opened with a 76 while former Scottish PGA champions, John Chillas and Ross Drummond, had a 79 and an 80.

COLONIAL INVITATIONAL

Mickelson finds form

PHIL Mickelson survived a mediocre start to earn the clubhouse lead during the second round at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Mickelson only posted one birdie and two bogeys in his first eight holes, but he clicked into gear with three straight birdies around the turn on his way to a two-under-par 68.

That gave him a seven-under 133 halfway total, one stroke ahead of Matt Kuchar (64) with half the field back in the clubhouse.

PGA EUROPRO TOUR

Saltman loses play-off

ELLIOT Saltman missed out on his second professional win last night when he lost in a play-off at the PGA EuroPro Tour's Faithlegg Irish championship in Waterford.

The 26-year-old from Craigielaw, who shared the lead going into the final round, was beaten at the first extra-hole by Ireland's former Walker Cup player, Noel Fox, after both players had finished with nine-under aggregates of 207.

Saltman, who closed with a 68, had won his first EuroPro event in a play-off last September but he suffered sudden-death misery yesterday as he slipped to a bogey while Fox sealed the win with a birdie 3. Saltman consoled himself with a cheque for 5,000.

Graeme Brown was the next best Scot in a share of 17th on 213 while Craigielaw's Mark Kerr and former Scottish amateur champions, Barry Hume and Graham Gordon, all tied for 20th place on 214s.

WELSH OPEN STROKEPLAY

McKnight in the hunt

KILMARNOCK'S Robert McKnight finished three shots off the early pace after the first round of the Welsh Open Strokeplay championship at Conwy. The Caprington youngster fired a two-under 70 to sit behind Hampshire's Sam Hutsby who set an amateur course record on his way to topping the standings with a five-under 67.

Craigielaw's Mark Hillson opened with a 72 but Fraserburgh's Jordan Findlay slipped to a 77.

LADIES SWISS OPEN

Pettersen equals record

NORWAY'S Suzann Pettersen carded a course record-equalling nine-under-par 63 to claim a five-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open at Golf Gerre Losone.

Pettersen finished on 14 under par while three Scots – Jenna Wilson, Clare Queen and Lynnn Kenny – were all tied on one over par 145 at the halfway stage.