Scots spurn big chance

Scotland missed a golden opportunity to begin the quest for their first Senior Men’s Home International title for five years with a shock victory over defending champions Ireland on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire yesterday.

The Scots looked set to grab the first-day initiative when they took the foursomes 2-1 and were ahead in three of the six singles well into the homeward half. It appeared likely that Royal Burgess stalwart Fraser McCluskey would gain the crucial win when he was two-up with four to play on Tralee’s Michael Coote.

But Coote played some fine golf to win the final four holes for an unlikely win. Coote’s point gave Ireland, who have won for the last three years, a 5-4 win.

Earlier, David Gardner and John Fraser and MacDonald and Ian Brotherston had won their foursomes matches and Brotherston and Fraser were singles winners as well. In the other opening-day fixture England also beat Wales 5-4. Today the Scots face England, while Ireland take on Wales.