Golf news in brief: Kellett challenges for debut victory | Byrne scrambles to stay one off lead | Fifers bid to keep in touch at Glendower | Henry signs off as top Scot in Spain

The latest golf news from around the world.

ALPS TOUR: Ross Kellett is challenging for victory in his first professional event, holding second spot ahead of the final round of the Palmeraie Open in Morocco. The former Scottish international from Motherwell shot a second-round 68 at Palmeraie Golf for a nine-under total of 135. He is two shots off the lead, held by American Timothy O’Neal, after picking up five birdies, including three in a flawless inward nine of 33. Gavin Dear, who had been level with Kellett after an opening 67, slipped to joint-14th after a 73 that included a triple-bogey seven at the last. Kris Nicol (72) is on 143, one ahead of Philip McLean (74).

ASIAN TOUR: James Byrne “scrambled” to a two-under-par 70 in the opening round of the Philippine Open – his second event on the circuit. It left the Banchory player just one off the lead behind six co-pacesetters at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Manila. “I hit it poorly but scrambled really well,” said Byrne, who missed the cut in last week’s Myanmar Open. “My short game is in good shape – I just need to find more greens.” Former winner Anthony Kang was among the leaders along with two fellow Americans, Matthew Rosenfeld and Ben Fox. Lu Tze-shyan (Chinese Taipei), Singaporean Mardan Mamat and Japan’s Azuma Yano also opened with 69s.

SOUTH AFRICAN STROKE-PLAY: Fifers Scott Crichton and Brian Soutar are in the top 20 ahead of the final round at Glendower. Aberdour’s Crichton carded a third-round 71 to sit 13th on 214, seven behind the Italian, Andrea Bolognesi, who leads after a 68. Soutar, the 2011 Scottish Champion of Champions from Leven (70) is 16th on 216. Lundin’s James White (72) sits 40th alongside Balmore’s Fraser McKenna (73) on 222. Dunbar’s Danny Kay slipped to 49th after a 76 for 223, with Pollok’s Conor O’Neil (79) at 229.

Hi5 TOUR: Scott Henry finished as the leading Scot in the Hacienda Del Alamo Open after Scott Henderson’s challenge petered out. Henry, a former Scottish Stroke-Play champion, signed off with a three-under 69 for a two-under total of 214, six shots behind the winner, Englishman James Ruth. Former Tartan Tour No 1 Greig Hutcheon (72) tied for 11th on 217, just ahead of Henderson who closed with a 75 for 218. Ruth birdied two of his last three holes to win by two and collect just over €4000.