I played out of my boots, says Mcleary of closing 65

Jamie Mcleary, the 2009 winner, is heading into this week’s SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge in Aviemore in fine fettle after finishing with a flourish in the Danish equivalent.

The 36-year-old bagged nine birdies in a closing 65 – the best of the day – as he ended up joint fifth, three shots behind Swedish winner Oscar Stark, in the Made in Denmark Challenge.

“I played out of my boots,” declared Mcleary, a twotime winner on the secondtier circuit, having also triumphed in the KPMG Trophy in 2015 as he earned a step to the European Tour through the Road to Oman rankings.

“I hit 16 greens in regulation in a howling wind and putted really well. My short game hasn’t been too sharp this year but this week my driving, iron play and putting were all really good. This is definitely a boost heading into the Scottish Challenge and hopefully I can keep up the form in Aviemore.”

Also heading for Macdonald Spey Valley, where the event starts on Thursday, with a spring in his step is Chase Koepka, younger brother of US Open champion Brooks. Maintaining a good run of form, he finished alongside Mcleary on 11 under.

Two of Koepka’s compatriots, pro Peter Badawy and amateur Callum Brown, are in action today at Panmure as the Angus venue stages a regional qualifier for the Open Championship for the second time.

Also in the field at the start of the “Road to Royal Birkdale” are two Icelanders, Andri Bjornsson and Gudmundur Kristjansson, while the home hopefuls include Tartan Tour No 1 Greig Hutcheon and former Walker Cup player Wallace Booth.

The likes of Scottish Boys champion Eric Mcintosh and former Scottish Amateur champion John Gallagher are heading to Northumberland Golf Club instead to try their luck in the first of two stages.