Jordan Findlay takes share of lead

Jordan Findlay produced a spirited late rally to move into a share of the early clubhouse lead during round two of the Lytham Trophy.

With a boisterous wind again sending scores soaring over the tough Royal Lytham links, Fraserburgh youngster Findlay covered his last eight holes in a superb four-under-par as he posted a battling two-over 72 for a nine-over 149.

The former British Boys' champion finished alongside last year's Finnish strokeplay winner Miro Veijalainen and France's Arnaud Abbas at the head of the field.

Findlay, who began his challenge with a 77 on Friday, had been six-over through ten holes after racking up a trio of double-bogeys in the unforgiving conditions.

But the 23-year-old, runner-up in last season's Scottish championship at Gullane, repaired some of the damage with a fine surge that was highlighted with birdies at 11, 13, 14 and 18.

Findlay's fellow Scot Greg Paterson, the current leader of the SGU's order of merit, also tucked himself in among the leaders as he finally buried his Lytham Trophy hoodoo.

The St Andrews New man, who claimed a record-breaking win in April's Craigmillar Park Open, had never made the cut in three previous trips to the Lancashire coast but a 74 for 150 ended that wretched run and thrust him into title contention with 36-holes to play.

Lundin's James White, the former Scottish Boys' champion, also had a 74 to join Paterson on the 150 mark while Kris Nicol of Fraserburgh, runner-up in last year's Lytham Trophy, hit a 74 to lurk menacingly on 151.

St Andrews New's Peter Latimer, the East of Scotland Open winner in 2010, had a 76 for his 151 tally as he bolstered Scottish numbers in the upper reaches of the leaderboard.