Golf: Russell and Oldcorn both make promising Senior starts

TWO Lothians-based players - DJ Russell and Andrew Oldcorn - made promising starts in the Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open at Fairmont St Andrews.

Russell, the Englishman who designed the courses at Archerfield Links and now lives in East Lothian, is just a shot off the lead after a first-round 69 over the Torrance Course.

And Oldcorn was also in contention going into the second round of the 54-hole event after the Kings Acre man launched his bid for a maiden win on the Senior Tour with a 70.

Englishman Glenn Ralph made a brilliant start to the defence of his crown with a four-under-par effort to tie South African Chris Williams at the top of the leaderboard.

Playing alongside Sam Torrance (-1) and Barry Lane (-3), Ralph outscored his playing partners to rekindle fond memories of his breakthrough victory at the same venue 12 months ago.

"That was a great way to start the defence of the title, in fact it probably couldn't have gone much better," said Ralph.

Williams managed his way around the course in a similar fashion, notching five birdies and just a single dropped shot.

The South African has been a model of consistency throughout the season with six top ten finishes, including two second places, taking him to fifth on the Order of Merit.

Torrance played well from tee to green over his own golf course but was left to lament a poor putting stroke that turned a potentially great round into a one under 71 - the same mark as his fellow former Ryder Cup Captain Ian Woosnam.

One home player who had a disappointing opening day was former Musselburgh pro Fraser Mann, who was well down the field after an 82.