Wattel faces stiff test in Links Trophy bid

ROMAIN Wattel will be aiming for back-to-back major amateur titles in Scotland when he launches his challenge in the St Andrews Links Trophy today.

The French teenager, who cantered to a six-stroke victory in the Scottish Open Strokeplay championship at Glasgow Gailes last Sunday, forms part of an impressive international field at the home of golf which features six of the world's top 20 ranked golfers.

Northern Ireland's Alan Dunbar, who won the Links Trophy a year ago and has already captured the Irish Open Strokeplay crown this season, returns to defend his title while the European champion, Victor Dubuisson of France, and English Walker Cup player Tommy Fleet-wood, the highest world ranked player at No 4, also compete.

Ross Kellett and Michael Stewart, two of the leading Scots who both missed the cut at Glasgow Gailes, will be looking to bounce back to form this weekend while Edward Trophy winner Philip McLean and Kris Nicol, runner-up to Dunbar in the Irish Open last month, will be eager to continue their impressive starts to the season.

David Law, who withdrew from the strokeplay event with a shoulder injury, is missing from the St Andrews field due to a family bereavement.