Spooner in front as wind takes its toll

England’s Billy Spooner tops the leaderboard heading into the final day of play in the EuroPro Tour’s Newmachar Challenge.

The Boston West Golf Club member made two eagles on his way to an opening round of seven-under-par 65 in the event, which has been reduced to 36 holes after the windy weather disrupted play on Wednesday.

“It was a really good round,” said Spooner. “I played brilliantly off the tee which put me in some great positions.”

Scottish amateur Calum Fyfe is in a fiveway tie for second on 67, while Aberdeen’s Sean Lawrie shot a 69.

Glasgow golfer Ewen Ferguson shot a fiveunder-par 66 to be only one shot off the lead at the Provence Open.

Denmark’s Joachim B. Hansen leads. Aberdeen’s David Law and Craigielaw’s Grant Forrest opened with two-under 70s at Mallemort, France.

Grantown’s Duncan Stewart is on one-over 73, while Oban’s Robert MacIntyre shot a 78.

Scotland’s Carly Booth is three shots off the lead after the first round of the Estrella Damm Mediterranean Open in Sitges, near Barcelona.

Booth carded an eagle and five birdies in an opening 65 at Club de Golf Terramar, where playing partner Celine Herbin set the pace with a nine-under-par 62.

Scotland won the senior men’s home internationals title at Southerness yesterday after a countback involving England and Ireland who also finished with 2pt from three games.

The Scots beat England 5-2 and Wales 6.5-0.5 and it was the margin of the latter win that tipped the countback scales in Scotland’s favour. Scotland won 15 games, England 13.5 and Ireland 12.