Scots duo six off the pace

JOHN Gallagher and John Henry led the Scottish challenge at the end of the opening round of the final stage of the PGA EuroPro Tour Qualifying School at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire.

Both players signed for two-under-par 70s to sit in a tie for 17th, six shots behind the pacesetter, Englishman Tommy King.

Gallagher, the former Scottish Amateur champion, was four-under with three to play before the Swanston New player dropped shots at the 16th and 18th. After a bad start, Henry picked up five birdies in 12 holes from the third before the Clydebank & District player also took 5 at the troublesome 16th.

Longniddry’s Myles Cunningham opened with a 72 to sit in a tie for 50th with two rounds to go. Alongside him are three other Scots – Michael Stewart, Mark Kerr and Mark Rae.

King bagged five birdies on the back nine in his eight-under effort to top the scoreboard at the end of the first day in Oxon. The Ealing man only turned pro this year and put in an impressive final round to finish tied eighth in the first stage at Stoke By Nayland. Tyrrell Hatton, who tied for second at the final stage of last year’s Qualifying School, sits in second after recording a round of 65. Jack Senior is two shots off the lead in third.