Golf news in brief: Doherty finishes fifth in Essex

CHALLENGE TOUR: Jack Doherty's valiant late charge for the English Challenge title came up short at the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa in Essex after the Scotsman's final round 67 saw him finish in a tie for fifth place.

Doherty's five- under effort - the second lowest score of the day - saw him post the clubhouse lead at eight- under-par but he was eventually overhauled by Frenchman Benjamin Hebert, who finished the week on 12-under to secure his second Challenge Tour victory in the space of seven days. While Doherty scaled the leaderboard on the final day, Andrew McArthur had a frustrating two-over par finish to the week having hauled himself into contention with a brilliant 68 in brutal conditions on Saturday afternoon. Hebert won by two shots from compatriot Victor Rui.

Pretswell pulls out as Maguire wins

WOMEN'S AMATEUR: Vagliano Trophy player Pamela Pretswell withdrew from Saturday's fourth and final round of the European Women's Individual Amateur Championship at Noordwijkse GC in the Netherlands after earlier rounds of 74, 79 and 75 gave her a sporting chance of at least a top-20 finish. Irish players dominated the final placings. In very windy conditions, 16-year-old Lisa Maguire, from Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, a member of the Slieve Russell club, became the first player from Ireland to win this prestigious title since the tournament was inaugurated in 1986. She finished with a 79 for a five-over total of 293. Irish players also finish second and fourth. Stephanie Meadow was the runner-up on 297 with Maguire's twin, Leona, fourth on 300.

Kelly claims spoils at Montrose Links

TARTAN TOUR: Chris Kelly chalked up two eagles and five birdies in a round of five-under-par 66 to win the top prize of 1,186 in the Petrofac Montrose Links Pro-Am. Kelly, who is attached to Cawder, got a 2 at the shortish par-4 eighth by driving the green and his second eagle, a 3, came at the par-5 15th. He also birdied the long sixth, seventh, ninth, 13th and short 16th in an outstanding round that saw him finish three shots ahead of runner-up Jamie Carver (unatt). Carver also bagged an eagle 2 at the short eighth and birdied the fifth, 10th and 13th but bogeys at the second, long sixth and 16th meant he could not mount a challenge to Kelly. Former Curtis Cup player and past Scottish Women's champion Michele Thomson finished a creditable eighth with a 73, which earned her 261.