Thomson makes a mark for Kintore

MARK THOMSON has begun warming up for the Scottish Amateur Championship by helping Kintore book a place in the fifth round of the Daily Mail Foursomes after seeing off a hardfought challenge from Murcar Links. The plus-one golfer, alongside Bryan Smith, off 12, were always ahead. They had a storming start, birdieing the fourth and fifth to go three up, but the home pair stumbled around the turn with Murcar’s John Thomson and Andrew Courage reigniting their challenge by winning the eighth and ninth. Kintore’s Thomson stopped the visitors’ momentum by sinking a 25-foot birdie putt at the 10th and he and Smith went on to clinch a 2&1 win. He said: ‘We felt we were in control but could never shake them off completely.’ The Aberdeenshire club need to continue that winning form for three more rounds to reach the finals at the Marriott St Pierre. Thomson, 33, is also hoping for a positive result at the Scottish Amateur at Blairgowrie when it starts on July 31. He said: ‘It’s good to play with the cream of the crop. I’m looking forward to it.’