KELSEY HOT ON TRAIL OF FIRST WIN AS A PRO

Rookie Kelsey MacDonald is hot on the trail of her first win as a professional. After rounds of 68 and 69 for a seven-under tally of 137, the 24-year-old from Nairn leads the field by one shot into Saturday's final round of the WPGA International Challenge at Stoke-by-Nayland Golf Club, Colchester.
The Stirling University graduate had six birdies in her second round as she broke out of a first-round leadership tie with England's Hannah Ralph.
MacDonald birdied the first, eighth, ninth, 11th, 12th and 14th with her only bogeys coming at the first, 13th and 18th in halves of 33 and 36.
 Macdonald, however, had to overcome an inauspicious start. Having bogeyed the final hole of the first round, she followed suit at the first in the second.
“I shanked my tee-shot, so it wasn’t a great start,” she admitted. Thereafter there were no more blips and a birdie at the par five fourth, which was followed by three more, put her game back on track.
Should Macdonald maintain that form and win the tournament first prize of 4,000 Euros, victory will have come within four months of her turning pro and gaining experience on the Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour and LETAS events in Scandinavia.
“I turned pro in May so have not had half a season,” added MacDonald, who is attached to the Robert Rock Golf Centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
“It’s been a case of finding my feet and I’m pleased with the way things are going. I’ve had some invites from the Ladies European Tour and the advice I’ve had from Robert Rock has been invaluable. He’s a great mentor to have.”
While MacDonald, Boulden and Beautell claimed the honours for best round of the day, the accolade for shot of the day went to Gabriella Conway of England.
Conway, a 17-year-old amateur who plays at Brockett Hall, Hertfordshire, had a hole in one at the par three 11^th.
It was her first in competition but was not sufficient to prevent her from missing the cut, which fell at four-over.
In missing out, the teenager found her herself in illustrious company. Alison Nicholas, the former victorious Solheim Cup captain and US Open winner, will not be among the 31 professionals and four amateurs contesting the final round.
Nicholas, who was making a rare appearance, was impressed by the venue and the golf from one of her playing partners, Spain’s Mireia Prat who, with Galina Rotmistrova of Russia, are the leading overseas players on three-under.
“The Spanish girl looks a great prospect,” said Nicholas. “And I’m certainly encouraged by the standard of play I’ve seen.
“I played to support the tournament and because I’ve got some games coming up.
“It’s proved to be a good event on a great course at a superb venue. The owners of Stoke by Nayland have been very supportive and the staff very hospitable.”
Hannah Ralph and pro debutante Amy Boulden from Conwy, Wales are sharing second place on 138. Hannah has scored 68-70, professional's daughter Amy (19) a pair of 69s.
Heather MacRae had five birdies in her 71 for 145 which sees her start the last round in joint 15th place.
Pamela Feggans is sharing 28th place on 147 after scores of 74 and 73.
MacDonald, MacRae and Feggans were the only Scots to beat the cut at 148 and under.
Katy McNicoll had a pair of 75s for 150 and joint 39th place.
Michele Thomson shot 75-76 for 151 and Laura Murray scored 76-80 for 156.

SECOND-ROUND LEADERS
Par 144 (2x72)
137 Kelsey MacDonald (Sco) 68 69
138 Hannah Ralph (Eng) 68 70, Amy Boulden (Wales) 69 69
141 Mireia Prat (Spain) 69 72, Galina Rotmistrova (Russia) 70 71
142 Charlie Douglass (Eng) 71 71

SCOTS SCORES
145 Heather MacRae 74 71 (T15)
147 Pamela Feggans 74 73 (T28)

MISSED THE CUT (148 and better qualified)
150 Katy McNicoll 75 75 (T39)
151 Michele Thomson 75 76 (T49)
156 Laura Murray 76 80 (T75).