Golf: Russell uses experience with gust-o

Lothians golfer Raymond Russell admitted being the older head in the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final helped him keep his head during a torrid second day of play on the wind-battered Adriatic coast.

As the strong gusts sent scores soaring in southern Italy, Prestonpans pro Russell used all of his experience and emerged from a real buffeting with a battling one-over 72, a terrific effort in the conditions. That left former European Tour champ Russell with a four-over 146 and while he was still seven shots behind halfway leaders, Steve Tiley and Bernd Wiesberger, the 38-year-old was heading into round three this morning in a purposeful mood.

Russell needs a big finish to move up from 21st on the Challenge Tour rankings and into the top 20 that would earn him a return to the main tour and yesterday's effort kept those hopes alive.

"I was very happy with that," said Russell. "You need to keep your head on a day like this. Some of the younger boys may have lost it a bit and that's what I probably would've done 15 years ago. This was all part of being a 38-year-old pro. I enjoyed the challenge. A day like this helps bunch the field up a bit and that helps me."

While Russell harnessed the elements to good effect, Edinburgh-based Jamie McLeary saw his challenge blown off course with a crippling 79. Scott Jamieson was leading the Scots in a tie for eighth on 142 after a 73 while Fife's George Murray also had a 73 for 144.