Golf: Robb continues his good form in Ireland

CHRIS Robb, who has just completed his American College career in record-breaking style, with the lowest score by an individual in the NCAA Championship, led the Scottish charge into the match-play stages of the fog-interrupted Amateur Championship in Northern Ireland yesterday.

Chris Robb: Sharing sixth place. Picture: Getty

The University of Tennessee graduate produced three birdies on the homeward stretch at Royal Portrush to fire a one under par 69 for a 36-hole aggregate of 139 and a share of sixth place.

Liam Johnston, the former junior star from Dumfries and County who had been the top Scot on day one, slipped a little, taking 73 for a 141 total. Johnston did not have a birdie yesterday – 15 pars and three bogeys.

Craigielaw’s Grant Forrest, winner of the St Andrews Links Trophy earlier in the month, recovered after a lack-lustre 73 at Portstewart on Monday to qualify with plenty to spare.

Forrest posted a 68-two under par at Portrush for a 141 aggregate – four strokes inside the cut-off point. He went out in a sparkling 33 with four birdies, two bogeys and three pars and came home in level par 35.

James Ross, of Royal Burgess, made it on 143 after a 73 at Portrush yesterday and Conor Syme was on the same mark following a 70 at Portstewart, two birdies in the last six holes helped him. Calum Hill (Tantallon), Jack MacDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Bradley Neil (Blaigowrie) got through on 144 with Jamie Savage (Cawder) squeezing in on 145. In all, 70 players qualified and officials announced that the Championship would be extended to Sunday, when the 36-hole final will take place. Today, six preliminary round ties and the first round matches should be completed.