Golf: Henderson battles for Amateur spot

NEIL HENDERSON led the Lothians challenge on a tough opening day of qualifying at the Amateur championship in Southport.

The Glen youngster posted a battling two-over 73 in testing, windy conditions at Hesketh as his bid for one of the 64 matchplay places on offer got off to a solid start.

Henderson, who finished five behind Spanish leader Adrian Otaegui, had harnessed the wind with nine straight pars going out and despite four bogeys on the inward half he repaired some of the damage with a brace of birdies.

Dunbar's Zander Culverwell, the winner of the Battle Trophy on the domestic circuit earlier this season, hit a 74 while his clubmate Stephen Neilson had a 77. Baberton's former Scottish Boys' champ Paul Ferrier had to settle for a 78 with James Ross of the Royal Burgess one shot back on 79.

At nearby Hillside, Grant Forrest's qualifying hopes suffered a crippling early blow as he struggled to an 11-over 83.