Golf: Hill battles back from the brink to secure last 32 slot

The Tantallon teen beat Lothians colleague Jack Dow of Craigielaw 3 and 2 in round three, but it was his second round victory over highly-rated St Andrews youngster Josh Jamieson in the morning that gave his title tilt a major shot in the arm.

Hill, runner-up in the prestigious St Andrews Boys' Open last year, had been staring an early exit in the face when he stood on the 17th tee trailing by one hole. But the North Berwick ace rolled in an eight-footer for par to restore parity and then clinched the win with another eight-foot putt on the last.

"Even though I was down late on in that game, I still felt comfortable because I was playing well," said Hill, who carried his good form on into the afternoon and sealed the win over Dow by knocking a five-iron to ten-feet at the short 16th and holing the putt for a birdie-two. "It was a case of not giving up and that finish gave me a little lift to take into the afternoon."

Craigielaw's defending champ Grant Forrest sent out a warning shot to the rest of the field as he continued his menacing progress. The 17-year-old surged into the last 32 with a commanding 7 and 6 victory over Jamie Manson of Oldmeldrum.

Forrest admitted he'd not hit top gear during his encounter yesterday but the East Lothian ace still looked in impressive form as he took charge of the tie with a front-nine burst illuminated by a 30-foot putt for birdie on five and back-to-back birdies at eight and nine.

"I felt I didn't play as well as I had done over the previous couple of days," said Forrest. "But I've been in control off all my matches so far and that takes the pressure off.

"I'm a much better player than I was when I won last year and my game, as well as my strength, has improved. The whole package is better."

Bathgate's Louis Gaughan won a keenly contested local derby match with Newbattle's Lee Morgan by one hole to book a fourth round duel with David Wilson of Troon Welbeck.

Musselburgh's Nathan Free also emerged triumphant from a Lothians tussle with a 4 and 3 win against Tantallon's Alasdair Simpson, while Liberton's Anthony Blaney boosted the local contingent in the latter stages by overcoming Rory Stewart of Crieff by 2 and 1.

Craigielaw's Ewen Donaldson, who had signalled his intent this week by winning his opening two ties 8 and 6 and 9 and 8, was defeated 2 and 1 by Ewen Ferguson of Bearsden.