SCOTTISH UNDER-16 GIRLS OPEN STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

ABOYNE'S SHANNON LEADING SCOT

BUT SEVEN SHOTS OFF THE PACE

Aboyne's Shannon McWilliam is the leading Scot at the halfway stage of the 36-hole Scottish Under-16 girls' open stroke-play golf championship at Strathmore Golf Centre, Alyth.

But Shannon, winner of the Scottish Under-14 girls title last year, will need an exceptionally low second-round score if she is to add this prestigious title to her collect.

McWilliam shot a six-over-par 78 which included only one birdie, at the first, in halves of 37-41.

She is lying joint 22nd, seven strokes behind the three joint leaders on one-under-par 71  - England's Louisa Brunt (Royal Birkdale) and Sammy Fuller (Roehampton), as well as Austria's Emma Spitz

English players have dominated this junior championship in recent years and Fuller, a GB and I Junior Vagliano Trophy team player and the lowest handicapper (+1.2) in this field of 90, has a favourite's chance of going ahead on her own in the final round.

Joint second among the Scots on the 79 mark are Mirren Fraser (Powfoot), Jillian Farrell (Cardross), Kirsten Brown (Strathaven) and Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies).

SCOTTISH UNDER-16 GIRLS OPEN STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Strathmore Golf Centre, Alyth

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES

Par 72

71 Louisa Brunt (Royal Birkdale), Emma Spitz (Austraia), Sammy Fuller (Roehampton)

72 Mollie Lawrence (Rochester & Cobham), Julie McCarthy (Ireland), Martha Lewis (St George's Hill)

73 Victoria Mallett (Sutton Coldfield), Ntasha Slater (Furness), Amabel Bailey (Notts Ladies).

74 Harriet Teversham (Yeovil), Valerie Clancy (Ireland).

75 Annabel Wilson (Ireland), Briony Bayles (Bishop Auckland).

76 Hollie Muse (West Lancs), Malread Martin (Ireland), Esme Hamilton (Notts Ladies), Billie-Jo Smith (Woodhall Spa).

SCOTS' SCORES

78 Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne)

79 Mirren Fraser (Powfoot), Jillian Farrell (Cardross), Kirsten Brown (Strathaven), Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies)

80 Katie Scott (Strathaven), Claire Robertson (Carnoustie Ladies), Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore), Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead), Charlotte Munro (Gullane).

81 Eilidh Crawford (Harburn), Joanne Free (Gullane)

83 Katie Malcolm (Dumfries & Co)

85 Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle), Katie Scott (Strathaven), Emma Morrison (Craigmillar Park)

86 Andrea Walker (Glenbervie), Emma Logie (Buckpool)

87 Molly Richmond (Strathaven)

91 Fiona Rattray (Douglas Park)

93 Maria Cowan (St Medda

94 Lori MacDonald (Cardross), Louise Duncan (West Kilbride)/

99 Eilidh Henderson (Kirkcaldy)
103 Heather Mushet (Elderslie)
104 Megan Thom (Alyth)

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