Matheson storms clear of field at Royal Dornoch

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CRAIG Matheson powered to the head of the field after the opening round of the 36-hole Royal Dornoch Masters yesterday.

The Falkirk Tryst professional, who sits second on the Scottish young professionals' order of merit, fired a four-under-par 66 to open up a one-shot lead over James McGhee, of Turnhouse, and Inchmarlo's Craig Dempster.

Matheson had been one over after two holes, but he hit back with a telling thrust around the turn which spawned five birdies in eight holes from the eighth.

Archerfield's Lee Harper, runner-up in May's Northern Open, lurks in fourth spot on 68, while order of merit leader Greg McBain, second in last year's Royal Dornoch Masters, had to settle for a 73 over his home course.

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew clinched her fourth top 10 finish of the season when she put together a four birdie final round of 70 to finish third on six under par in the Madrid Ladies’ Challenge at Casino Club de Golf Retamares.

France’s Gwladys Nocera, who won the Scottish Open at The Carrick, Loch Lomond, in May, claimed her fifth title and leapt to the top of the European Tour order of merit with a terrific last day 67 and an 11 under par total.

Matthew, who has two European titles among her five victories worldwide, started the day two shots off the lead, and made a great start with birdies at the third and seventh before dropping her only shot of the day at the eighth.

Ayrshire ended a 22-year title drought at Tain last night as they won the Scottish area team championship.

Ronnie Potts' side edged out three-times champions Renfrewshire 5-4 in a closely fought final to land the crown for the first time since 1986.