JET-LAGGED VIKKI ONE BEHIND LEADER
RACHEL IN ST RULE TROPHY ROUND 1


Vikki Laing and her University of California-Berkeley team-mate Ria Quiazon flew back to Scotland from the West coast of the United States late on Friday night ... but you could not tell from their first-round scores in the St Rule Trophy which opened in bright and blustery conditions over the New Course, St Andrews today.
Vikki from Musselburgh had a two-under-par 73, to be one shot behind early clubhouse leader, Rachel Lomas from Hallowes, while Ria, despite her lack of experience over links courses, was able to match the par of 75.
"We didn't fly in until last night," said Vikki "but we're not feeling too tired at the moment. Maybe it will catch up on us Sunday."
Four of Miss Laing's five birdies came at the par-5 holes and she would probably have birdied the par-5 18th, which is "only" 386yd but for driving into a fairway bunker and having to come out sideways.
Vikki birdied the sixth, 10th, 11th, 12th and 16th in halves of 38 (one over par) and 35 (three under). Her only bogeys came at the second and ninth.
Miss Quiazon will also be playing in the British women's open amateur championship at Lindrick, near Worksop, Notts during her golfing holiday in the United Kingdom.
Rachel Lomas, hot on the trail of a place in the England team for the home internationals at Cruden Bay in September, was joint runner-up behind Nathalie David, first French winner of the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play at Troon at the end of April.
She did not make a splash in the recent English close championship but she was back in form here with a five-birdie, two-bogey round of 72.
Miss Lomas birdied the first, sixth, eighth, 11th and 18th in halves of 36 (one under) and 36 (two under). Her bogeys came at the second and ninth.

FIRST ROUND (Par 75)

72 Rachel Lomas (Hallowes).
73 Vikki Laing (Musselburgh).
75 Ria Quiazon (US).
76 Lesley Mackay (Stirling Univ).
77 Elaine Moffat (St Regulus), Rachel Bell (Ganton).
78 Natalee Evans (Pleasington), Ada O'Sullivan (Monkstown), Melanie Holmes-Smith (Australia).
81 Jo Carthew (Ladybank).
83 Dawn Dewar (Monifieth).
85 Lisa Ball (Parklands).