McKenna’s charge to Battle Trophy

Balmore’s Fraser McKenna came with a last-round surge to win the Battle Trophy 72-hole SGU Order of Merit tournament over Crail Golfing Society’s Craighead links yesterday.

It was his second four-round victory in a fortnight after he won the Scottish champion of champions event at Leven.

Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) was in front at the end of the first round after a four-under 68 but, after the second round, it was David Booth from Rotherham who had taken over with scores of 69-65. Booth gave away to Kirkhill’s Paul Shields who led by two shots after 54 holes at nine-under 207, Booth having shot a third-round 75. Over the final round, Shields slumped to a 75 for six-under 282 and McKenna swept past with a 69 for a four-stroke win on 10-under 278.

Booth, who closed with a 73, tied with Shields for third. Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson came back from an opening 76 to finish joint fourth with Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm).