LAURA MURRAY TITLE DOUBLE BID OFF TO GOOD START IN ST RULE TROPHY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Alford's Laura Murray, bidding to become the first player in 10 years to achieve the Scottish women's amateur championship-St Rule Trophy title double in the same season, made an encouraging start to the 54-hole prestigious women's golf tournament over the St Andrews New Course today. Laura shares the lead on two-under-par 73 with Katie Rule (Merlin) and Sweden's Jenny Haglund as they go into Sunday's final 36 holes over the Old Course. Murray certainly knows what it takes to win the "St Rule" - she beat Curtis Cup selection Amy Boulden from Wales in a play-off to win the title two years ago. Last year's tournament was abandoned after only one round because of gale-force winds but today's conditions were as calm as you can get at a seaside venue. Scots also in the picture one off the pace on 74 are former Scottish champion Louise Kenney from Dunfermline and youngster Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies), winner of the Scottish Under-18 girls' title in 2010. Kenney was unable to defend the Scottish women's title at Tain this year because she could not get time off from her work as a relief teacher in Edinburgh. Atkins and Gabriella Cowley are leading the Under-18s' Trophy category, a shot ahead of Carnoustie's Jessica Meek with a 75. Scotland, represented by Laura Murray, Jane Turner (Craigielaw) and Eilidgh Briggs (Kilmacolm), are leading the international team event with a team total of 149 - three ahead of England's Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham), winner of the Welsh women's stroke-play last weekend, Brogan Townend (Pleasington) and Charlotte Wild (Mere). collated scoreboard LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES St Andrews New Course. Par 75 CSS 76 73 Katie Rule (Merlin), Laura Murray (Alford), Jenny Haglund (Sweden). 74 Gabriella Cowley (West Essex), Bethany Garton (Royal Lytham), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies). 75 Emma Goddard (Royal Liverpool Ladies), Samantha Birks (Wolstanton), Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies). 76 Brogan Townend (Pleasington), Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Emma Henrikson (Sweden), Linnea Johansson (Sweden), Nicola Haynes (Gosforth Park), Lauren Blease (Burhill), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Emily M Taylor (Royal Lytham), Sophie Madden (West Essex), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Jane Turner (Craigielaw). 77 Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Susan Jackson (Ladybank). 78 Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), Jess Wilcox (Blankney), Catherine Herrera (US), Rachael McQueen (Troon Ladies), Emilie Lundstrom (Sweden), Charlotte Wild (Mere). 79 Rachael Taylor (Germany), Clara Young (North Berwick), Chloe Williams (Wrexham), Ami Storey (Ponteland). 80 Frida Gustafsson-Spang (Sweden), Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw), Emilee Taylor (Holme Hall), Heather Munro (Monifieth), Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey), Eva Schoenwald (Germany), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies), Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch), Aedin Murphy (Carlow, Ireland), Karen Delaney (Carlow, Ireland). 81 Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest), Martine Pow (Selkirk), Lisa Warrilow (Lilleshall Hall). 82 Stephanie Fransolet (Belgium), Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth), Lianna Bailey (Notts Ladies), Joelle Van Baarle (Belgium) 83 Dulcie Sverdloff (Garon Park), Nikki Foster (Pleasington). 84 Claire Hargan (Cardross). 86 Laura Watkins (Bicester). 87 Adriana Brent (Australia). 88 Charlotte Thomas (Channels). 89 Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies). Withdrew (injured) - Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) 85. UNDER-18s TROPHY LEADERBOARD 74 Lesley Atkins, Gabriella Cowley 75 Jessica Meek 76 Emily M Taylor, Brogan Townend, Nicola Haynes, Sophie Madden. INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT LEADERBOARD 149 SCOTLAND (Laura Murray, Jane Turner, Eilidh Briggs) 152 ENGLAND (Emily M Taylor, Brogan Townend, Charlotte Wld) 154 WALES (Chloe Williams, Samantha Birks, Laura Watkins), SWEDEN (Emma Henrikson, Fred Gustafsson-Spang, Emilie Lundstrom 160 IRELAND (Karen Delaney, Aedin Murphy) 164 BELGIUM (Joelle Van Baarle, Stephanie Fransolet).