Ewan Scott tops strong field at Arbroath

EWAN Scott, who underlined his enormous potential when becoming the first Scottish player to win the English Under-14 title two years ago, will have the Scottish Boys' Championship firmly in his sights after beating a strong field at Arbroath over the weekend.

On a day when the cream rose to the top, the St Andrews player, who had already hinted his game was in good fettle by topping the winter series order of merit on the back of two successes, won the opening SGU Junior Tour event of the season with a two-under-par total of 208. Leading from start to finish, Scott followed his 68 on Saturday with rounds of 67 and 73 yesterday to finish four shots clear of Craigielaw's Grant Forrest and Bradley Neil of Blairgowrie. Barassie's Jack McDonald and Liam Johnston (Dumfries & County) were among four players a shot further back, meaning five of the favourites for the Scottish Boys at Dunbar in a fortnight's time were to the fore in Angus.

The diminutive Scott didn't putt a foot wrong in his second round, signing for a card which was highlighted by an eagle-3 at the 17th as he opened up a five-shot lead. His final round was more of a topsy-turvy affair, containing three birdies and six bogeys, but Scott was a deserved winner and will certainly be heading to East Lothian in buoyant mood. So, too, will Forrest, the defending champion at Dunbar. He shot steady rounds of 71, 70 and 71 and would have finished closer to the winner but for two costly double bogeys - one in the opening round and the other early in round two.

Neil, winner of the Scottish Under-14s Championship for the last two years, signed for scores of 71, 70 and 71 as he tied for second, with McDonald, the 2009 Scottish Boys' Stroke-play champion, also appearing to be in good form as he shot 71, 72 and 70. Junior Champion of Champion Craig Ross was 13th on 217.