Russell shares the plaudits in Mallorca

senior tour: David J Russell, designer of Archerfield Links at North Berwick, made a flying start to the new Senior Tour by taking a share of the lead with fellow Englishman Paul Wesselingh and American Dick Mast in the Mallorca Open Senior.

The leading trio shot three under par rounds of 68 over the Pula Golf Club to lie one stroke ahead of nine players including former Ryder Cup Captains Mark James, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam. Other leading Scots include Andrew Oldcorn (70), Bill Longmuir (71) and Stephen McAllister (72).

Russell had a couple of good saves coming home including making par on the 16th after finding water and overall was pleased with his round. “It’s a difficult and demanding course but I played very nicely after six months off,” he said.