Kerr tees off in Xltec Pro Tour

MARK Kerr, banned from competing on the Tartan Tour until July, will get the chance to sharpen his competitive edge in the Xltec Pro Tour's opening event of the season at Whitekirk today.

Kerr, who was suspended along with Scottish champion David Orr for a breach of PGA training rules, forms part of an impressive field for the 36-hole pay-and-play shoot-out in East Lothian.

Craig Lee, last year's Tartan Tour No 1, Eisenhower Trophy winner Wallace Booth and 1997 European Tour rookie of the year Scott Henderson are also in the field with former Scottish champions Greig Hutcheon, Chris Kelly, Craig Ronald and Jason McCreadie.

The brainchild of Alan Tait, who believes Scottish players need more competitive golf to give them a better chance of becoming Tour professionals, the Xltec circuit will also visit Hilton Park, Dalmahoy, Westerwood, Spey Valley and Dundonald before culminating at Hacidena Del Alamo in Spain.

Gavin Dear has vowed to try and play in some of the future events on the new tour if it fits in with his Alps Tour schedule, while they are also likely to include a separate event for women professionals.