Golf: Superb Drake has his tail up

LOTHIANS champion Paul Drake has another title in his sights after getting off to a winning start in the Union Motors Turnhouse Open.

In one of the remaining first-round matches, the Pumpherston player started convincingly against Carrickvale’s Simon Hermiston with a string of birdies between the second and fifth hole to go five up.

Hermiston’s tee shot at nine finished four inches from the hole but Drake matched that with a four-foot putt and went on to win 5 and 3.

Turnhouse teenager Lewis Bain secured a last-hole win over former Stuart Cup winner Richard Moffat, while Craigielaw’s Greig Smail beat leading qualifier Iain Wilson (Dalmahoy) at the 19th in a match that finished just before 10pm. Colin Swanston had a walkover in the remaining match.

The event sponsor, Danny Flynn, played his apprentice Chris King in the first round of the handicap event. It’s safe to say that King’s job is safe after Flynn won that one 3 and 2.