Champion Cameron John (Scottish Golf Union photo)
EAST LOTHIAN, Scotland (May 28, 2016) -- Home pair Grant Forrest and Sandy Scott shone in the sun to secure the halfway lead at the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship at Gullane.
After the rain and mist of Friday, forcing organisers to play catch up on Saturday morning, day two was played under beautiful skies at last year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open venue.
East Lothian native Forrest (Craigielaw) built on his overnight lead with a two under par 69 to reach seven under par, but the Walker Cup winner was caught at the top by Nairn teenager Scott who continued his recent form to also post a seven under 36-hole total.
After shooting 62 en route to a top-five finish in Wales last weekend, the 2015 Boys Order of Merit winner signed for a 66 after carding six birdies and an eagle in his round.
The Scottish duo, bidding to become the first home player to win the event since Wallace Booth in 2008, sit a stroke clear of Australia’s Travis Smyth, who is seeking a degree of revenge on away soil after losing the Australian Amateur final to Drumoig’s Connor Syme earlier this season.
George Burns (Williamwood) and James Wilson (Balmore) are also in the chasing pack on five under, alongside another Aussie, Blake Collyer.
A further six players sit on four under par, including Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson, a European Amateur team winner with Scotland last July.
The cut for the top 40 and ties fell at one under par, with South Africa’s No 1 Jovan Rebula and Ewen Ferguson, a Walker Cup winner alongside Forrest last year, among those falling some way short.
The final 36 holes are completed on Sunday as the international field seek to join a roll of honour that includes Richie Ramsay, Tommy Fleetwood and Andy Sullivan.
ABOUT THE Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play
The Scottish Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play
Championship is open to Male Amateur
Golfers
of
all Nationalities. 72-hole stroke play
championship.
View Complete Tournament Information