Greig Hutcheon’s PGA Cup warm up at Duddingston

THREE of the four Scots set to face the Americans in the PGA Cup later this year head the field for the Duddingston 36-Hole Challenge starting today at the Capital course.

For one of that trio, Banchory’s Greig Hutcheon, the latest two-round event in the Tartan Tour series will be his final warm up for next week’s Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

Joining Hutcheon over the next two days are Scott Henderson and Graham Fox, who, along with Gareth Wright, will also be making their debuts in the club pros’ equivalent of the Ryder Cup at Slaley Hall in September.

The likes of Wright, Chris Kelly and Lee Harper have all withdrawn from the original field for the Duddingston event after earning spots in today’s Open qualifying in East Lothian.

However, it still boasts one of the strongest line-ups so far on this season’s Tartan Tour and no-one will be more determined to land the spoils than John Gallagher, the former Scottish amateur champion who is now attached to Duddingston.

Mortonhall’s Greg Nicolson will also be out to impress in his backyard while Irvine club pro James McKinnon will be aiming to follow up his win in the last 36-holer at Cardrona.