LUCK OF THE DRAW COUNTED AGAINST SCOTS

Most of the nine Scots in the field face a battle to be among the leading 64 after Wednesday's second qualifying round of the British women's open amateur golf championship at Machynys Golf Club, near Llanelli in South Wales.

As the early morning wet and windy weather gave way to a sunny and pleasant late afternoon and evening, so the scores tumbled. Unfortunately, most of the Scots

had had to endure early starts and the toughest conditions.

At the end of a long day, Jess Meek (Carnoustie Ladies), Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) and Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) are the best placed Scots on five-over-par 77 - nine shots behind the

overnight leader, Caroline Nistrup from Copenhagen.

Meek was going reasonably well until she bogeyed the 11th, 12th, 13th and 16th for an inward half of four-over 40.

Early-morning starter Watton worked hard for halves of 39-38 as did Briggs for 38-39 figures.

Scottish champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had two double bogeys in a 79 (40-39).

Hannah McCook also had two double bogeys in an 80 with halves of 40.

Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) had a double bogey at the 16th and finished with an 81 (39-42).

Jane Turner (Craigielaw), out early in the field, had three double bogeys in what was miserable weather at that time. She finished with an 82 (41-41).
Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw), fifth in the recent St Rule Trophy, lost her form completely in an outward half of 45 and had to come home in a respectiable 38 to salvage a very disappointing 83.

Lesley Atkins (Gullane Ladies), who hit the first ball before 7am, sadly took 85 shots to get round. She dropped seven shots over the second, third and fourth holes.