Four Scots off to strong Links Trophy starts in St Andrews

After getting off to strong starts on the New Course, four of the home players ended the day sitting inside the top 20 in the home of golf.

Glenbervie’s George Cannon, who finished third in the Lytham Trophy earlier in the year, took pride of place among the Caledonian contingent with a four-under-par 67.

Signing for an eagle, which came at the par-5 12th, and two birdies, the effort left Cannon sitting in a tie for seventh as four players set the pace with matching 65s.

St Andrews player Finlay Galloway, the Scottish Boys’ champion, also caught the eye with a three-under 68, which was matched by fellow teenager Dominic McGlinchey of The Renaissance Club.

It was also a pleasing day for Blairgowrie 19-year-old Connor Graham, who, in his first competitive round since returning home for the summer from his US college, posted a 69.

In an event won last year by Royal Burgess left-hander Cameron Adam, players from all around the world underlined the talent of top-level amateurs at the moment.

Finland’s Vikka Viskari set the clubhouse target with his six-under-par salvo, which was then matched by Swiss Mischa Candinas, Italian Filippo Ponzano and Frenchman Rodolphe Cicala.

Royal Birkdale’s Greg Holmes, winner of the Scottish Men’s Open at Gailes Links last weekend, sits just outside the projected cut after signing for a par-71.

The second round on Saturday takes place on the Old Course, where the final 36 holes on Sunday will also be staged.

In the professional ranks, Bob MacIntyre was facing a missed cut for the third time in six starts after a tough couple of days in the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday.

The Oban man followed an opening 77 - one of his worst-ever scores on the PGA Tour - with a 74 at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio and, sitting on seven under, an early exit looked to be on the cards.

On the DP World Tour, where the KLM Open is playing catch up after play was suspended for a spell due to high winds on Thursday, Calum Hill and Ewen Ferguson are both on four under after completing 36 holes.

With Swede Sebastian Soderberg out in front on eight under with four holes to play in his second circuit at The International in Amsterdam, Cameron Adam (three under), Scott Jamieson (two under), defending champion Connor Syme (one under) and David Law (par) were also sitting inside the projected cut mark when play was suspended for the day.

In the HotelPlanner Tour’s Swiss Challenge, meanwhile, Marc Warren (eight under) and Calum Fyfe (seven under) are in a position to launch weekend charges at Golf Sempach in Lucerne.