Crail members George Morris (left) and Rob Redpath admiring Connor Syme’s impressive rounds of 64 and 67 in the 2015 Battle Trophy.
Syme repeated McDonald’s start on a glorious Spring morning in the East Neuk of Fife in birding the opening three holes before moving to five under par with a birdie at the par five sixth hole.
Drumoig’s Connor Syme falls one shot shy of equaling Craighead Links course record.
To his credit Syme put the hiccup aside to bounce back with three birdies in succession at the start of his inward nine to move to six under par for the round.
The former Paul Lawrie Foundation 2012 an 2013 Scottish Schoolboys champion, who is coached by his father Stuart, then birdied the longest hole on the course, the 552-yard par five 15th to get to seven under par before securing a great birdie at the penultimate par 3 17th.
Syme then went out in the afternoon to also post the best second round of a five under par 67 and move to 13-under par.
Syme ended the day’s play six clear of reigning British Amateur champion Bradley Neil who shot scores of 66 and 71.
Neil has returned to Scottish amateur competition after having made his debut last week in the Masters.
Bradley Neil (black cap & grey top) checking out the scores after two rounds of the 2015 Battle Trophy.
Syme ended the day’s play six clear of reigning British Amateur champion Bradley Neil who shot scores of 66 and 71.
Neil has returned to Scottish amateur competition after having made his debut last week in the Masters.
And while the 19-year old Blairgowrie-born Neil was disappointed not to play all four rounds at Augusta National he has put himself in position to win in his very first event back in Scotland.
“There was very solid play out there today but ball-striking wise they were two completely different rounds,” he said.
“I managed to get the ball a lot closer in the morning and that was reflected in my score of 66 but then this afternoon I was not able to capitalize this afternoon.
Double SGW OOM winner Ewen Ferguson lying in third place after rwo rounds of 2015 Battle Trophy
“I was proud in that I stayed very patient this morning and I gave myself a lot of chances.
“And after having played in the Masters last week I don’t feel any different comfort wise because I have played a number of big pro events now since winning the British Amateur Championship.
“But then I had a session with my coach yesterday and went into today here at Crail with a new swing thought and it worked on the course yesterday afternoon and again today.”Overall, it’s been nice to get back to playing golf in Scotland and also back to playing links golf.”Neil delighted one young follower on the 10th tee in signing a Crail scorecard for the youngster.
And Beardsen’s Ewen Ferguson remains in sight of a goal to capture three SGU Order of Merit events in succession with scores of 68 and 70 for a six under tally.
“It was a good two rounds even though I did leave a few shots out there,” said Ferguson.
“The key continues to be staying patient as it’s the same for everyone out there and overall I have been pleased these two day with how I have planned my way around this golf course,
