Champions Scotland fall behind after tree trouble

Graham Fox posted a three-under 69. Picture: Getty

Helped by a day’s best six-under-par 66 from Mickael Altmeyer, France set the pace in the 72-hole event at Gloria Golf Club in Belek with a team total of 139, five-under. They lead by a shot from both Belgium and  Ireland, with Italy and England two and three strokes further back respectively, then Scotland sharing joint-sixth on level-par.

Clydeway Golf’s Graham Fox posted a three-under 69 – an effort beaten by only three others – that contained five birdies, four of which came in 12 holes.

But, with Eastwood’s David Orr slumping to a 77, it meant a 75 from recently-crowned PGA No 1 Gareth Wright (West Linton) was the other counting score for the Tartan Tour trio.

Wright and Orr both had problems at the par-5 17th, where they each ran up double bogeys, in the former’s case contributing to five dropped shots in five holes after he started at the tenth.

“It was a little disappointing for us today,” admitted the Edinburgh-based  Welshman. “Graham’s three-under was a good score on a very tight golf course, but myself and David were quite as good.

“I got off to a good start to be two-under after five holes but then had a ball get stuck up a tree and went on a poor run of holes. However, we aren’t out of it. A couple of good scores and we will be right back In the mix.”

France are bidding to repeat their success of 2011 but Belgium, who were inspired by a five-under 67 from Nicolas Vanhootegem, have yet to win the event, which this year carries a €6,000 first prize.

Ireland were the only team with two players posting sub-par rounds – Eamonn Brady and Brendan McGovern returning scores of three and one-under respectively.

Turkey are the early contenders to be the first winners of the International Shield, which will be awarded to the team representing a PGA with 100 members or fewer. The hosts have a three-stroke advantage on Iceland and Poland.