Golf: Forrest in fine fettle at Craigielaw

Lothians youngster Grant Forrest was heading into the second round of the Scottish Boys' Open Strokeplay championship at his home course of Craigielaw this morning in a good position to launch an assault on the leaders.

The reigning national under-18 matchplay champion got his bid for a title double off to a solid start yesterday with a two-under 69 to sit in a share of fifth, two shots behind early frontrunners Linus Vaisanen of Finland and English duo Lloyd Best and Lewis Fairbairn.

Forrest, aiming to become the first player since Scott Henry in 2004 to win the boys' matchplay and strokeplay crowns in the same season, had been level-par through 16 holes after a card comprising four birdies and four bogeys. But the former Scottish under-16 champ, who represented his country in the European Team championships earlier this month, finished with a flourish and hauled himself up the standings with a brace of birdies at 17 and 18 to move into contention.

Forrest's Craigielaw clubmate Ewen Donaldson, out in the first group of the day, took advantage of the calm early morning conditions and also hit a 69 to get his title tilt off to a purposeful start.

Lothians Boys' champ Simon Fairburn, who leads the SGU's under-18 order of merit, began his campaign with a 71 while West Linton's highly-rated Fraser Thain opened with a 73. Uphall's Jordyn Rhind, whose older brother Lee won the Scottish Boys' Strokeplay title at Downfield back in 1997, had to settle for a 76.

At the head of the field, English hopeful Best reeled off a trio of birdies on his closing three holes to finish in a share of the lead with Vaisanen and Fairbairn after a four-under 67.

Liam Johnston of Dumfries, who played alongside Donaldson in the first match out, led the Scottish challenge with a 68 while Kilmarnock's defending champion Jack McDonald posted a 72. McDonald, looking to become the first player since Stephen Gallacher in 1992 to claim back-to-back boys' strokeplay titles, parred 13 holes on the spin after opening with a birdie and two bogeys in his first five.

Ian Redford, who lost to Forrest in the matchplay final at West Kilbride in April, salvaged a two-over 73 with birdies at 17 and 18.

Scottish Boys' Open Strokeplay championship, Craigielaw, par 71

Leading first round scores

67: L Best (Sherwood Forest), L Vaisanen (Fin), L Fairbairn (Berwick-upon-Tweed);

68: L Johnston (Dumfries & County);

69: G Forrest (Craigielaw), E Donaldson (Craigielaw), M Younie (Frilford Heath);

70: D Wright (Alness), S Gibson (Southerness);

71: M Walz (Ger), A Carrick (Douglas Park), C Johnston (Truro), A Ravndal (Nor), C Graham (Milnathort), S Fairburn (Torwoodlee), A Whyte (St Andrews New).