21/04/12
Former Scottish Youths champion David Booth holds a two-shot lead after the first 36 holes of the rain-hit Battle Trophy at Crail Golfing Society.
In the second event of the SGU Men’s Order of Merit season, Rotherham’s Booth handled the conditions best on the east coast to fire impressive rounds of 69 and 65 for a 10-under-par halfway total of 134.
After a delayed start this morning due to flooding on the third and fourth holes, a two-tee start was put in operation to ensure the tournament stayed on schedule.
With the course playing long due to the weather, Booth – a student at the University of Stirling – certainly illustrated his talent.
His second round score of 65 would have been a course record over the Craighead layout had it not been for the fact preferred lies are in operation.
The Yorkshireman, who won the Scottish Youths at the Roxburghe in 2008, leads by two from Kevin Duncan of McDonald GC (Ellon) on 136.
Tucked in behind are SGU Men’s National Squad players Fraser McKenna (137) from Balmore and Kirkhill’s Paul Shields (138). Matthew Clark of Kilmacolm is next best on 140.
Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson, this season’s in-form player and winner of the opening merit event last Sunday at Craigmillar Park, recovered from an opening 76 to post a second-round 67 and be in with a chance on 143.
Defending champion Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar) opened with a 74 and a 77. The final 36 holes are played tomorrow.