Golf: Players fail to rise for Duke's Challenge

THE Duke's Course, St Andrews, proved too tough a test for the majority of the Tartan Tour field who played in the Duke's Challenge.

In windy conditions, only Cawder's Chris Kelly was able to match the par of 71 to win the top prize of £455.

Bogeys, double bogeys and triple bogeys – and even a 12 at par-4 fifth by a player who shall remain nameless – abounded as even players of the calibre of former PGA champion Andrew Oldcorn (King's Acre) and PGA Cup team player Craig Matheson failed to break 80.

Kelly kept a double bogey off his card in halves of 34 (two under par) and 37 (two over par). He birdied the second, fourth and long sixth before he dropped a shot at the seventh. Coming home, Kelly bogeyed the long 11th, 15th and short 16th with only one birdie, a 2 at the short 12th.

Northern Open champion Craig Lee picked up £370 with a one-over-par 72, thanks to four birdies and five bogeys in halves of 37 and 35.

The three men who tied for third place on 73 and won £236 apiece were Mark Loftus (Cowglen), Scott Henderson (Kings Links) and Ronan Rafferty.