Scots trio in hunt for European Tour cards

THREE Scottish amateurs are in contention to keep alive their European Tour dreams at the halfway mark of the Qualifying School first stage event at The Roxburghe.

As Swede Philip Eriksson took route 66 – a flawless six-under-par effort – to move to the top of the leaderboard in the Borders, James White, Scott Crichton and Graeme Robertson all stayed in the hunt.

In an event in which the top 17 and ties will progress to the second of three stages, White is tied for fourth alongside fellow Scot Paul Ferrier on four-under after they both signed for 
second-round 71s.

White’s fellow Fifer, Crichton, came home in 33 for a 69 to sit joint 11th on one-under, two ahead of both Glenbervie’s Robertson (70) and another home player, Clarke Lutton (72).

With a cut looming tonight, two-times Northern Open champion James Byrne is in danger of missing out after he carded a 75, leaving him tied for 52nd on eight-over.

On the PGA EuroPro Tour, Welshman Oliver Farr takes a two-shot lead into the final round of the Eagle Orchid Scottish Masters at Montrose after a second-round 67 moved him to five-under.

Braid Hills pro Paul McKechnie is five shots back, as is Gullane’s Keir McNicoll.