SCOTT HAS THE WIND IN HIS SAILS

ToP-SeeD ewan Scott of St Andrews kept his title hopes on course in the Scottish Boys Championship at wind-swept Monifieth yesterday. But Scott, runner-up 12 months ago at Murcar, had to dig deep to progress before seeing off Ben Murphy of Portlethen and Andrew Burgess of nairn, in turn. The 17-year-old defeated Murphy 3&2 in the fourth round before he was made to work even harder by Burgess, who took their match to the 18th. Two up early on, Burgess quickly relinquished his advantage and Scott was three ahead after 12. But putting lapses allowed Burgess back into the match and Scott led by one playing the last. He then pushed his drive into the trees on the par-five 530-yard hole and was forced to play a low escape that scampered on to the middle of the green from 230 yards and allowed him to preserve his narrow advantage. ‘I got lucky with my lie, but it was nice to be able to play a shot like that,’ said Scott, who made a birdie to halve the hole. Scott now faces Stuart easton of Irvine in the last eight today, after the Ayrshire player defeated eighth seed Calum Hill of Tantallon 5&4. Ben Kinsley, the former Scottish under-16s champion, defeated Duncan Mcneill of Powfoot 5&3 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Kilmarnock’s euan Walker, who beat Alan Waugh of Cowglen at the last hole. Second seed Bradley neil saw off Fraser Davren 5&4 to earn a meeting with Blair Carnegie, a 2&1 winner over Callum McGuigan. Ben Craggs of Glenbervie claimed a 3&2 win over Connor Syme, while third seed ewan Ferguson defeated fellow Bearsden player Cameron Kirkwood with a birdie at the last.