Davidson Draws On Local Knowledge To Seize A Four Shot Battle Trophy Advantage.

1 month ago by Comments Off on Davidson Draws On Local Knowledge To Seize A Four Shot Battle Trophy Advantage.

Host club member Andrew Davidson described it as ‘local knowledge’ producing a blistering six-under-par second round 66 to take a four-shot lead into the third round of the 25th hosting of the Battle Trophy at Crail Golfing Society.

Davidson, 31, was out in the first group at 7.10am local time today (Saturday) with the proud Crail member producing a first round level par 72 in chilly and windy conditions to be among just nine players in the 71-player field to post par or better on the acclaimed Gil Hanse course on the East Neuk of Scotland.

After a short luncheon break he returned to be also out first out in the second round sensationally landing his second shot at the par-5 first hole to just four-feet for an eagle ‘3’ and then birdied the par-4 second hole on route to a second round six-under 66 for a six-under tally.

“I played pretty good in the morning round in pretty breezy conditions when for those who do play in the morning out here in Crail, it’s usually quite calm”, he said.

“I really only played one poor hole and that was taking a double on the 14th, after a poor club selection but then to get the start I had this afternoon was brilliant”, said Davidson.

“I just hit the ball so well this afternoon and a 66 was probably the poorest score I feel I could have posted.

“This is about the eighth occasion I’ve played the Battle Trophy and it is my lowest score.

“All I’ve tried to do over these two rounds is play smart and just try not to make too many mistakes which is usually always the key in playing the Craighead course, and it quickly jumps up to bite you”.

Bathgate’s James Wood, the reigning 2024 Scottish Boys Amateur Champion and winner late last month of the Scottish Student Sport Championships (BUCS) 2025 event at the Moray Club added a second round four-under 68 to opening 74 to be in second place at two-under.

Wood was then joined very late in the day by Carnoustie Caledonia’s Finlay Hazelwood adding a level par 72 to his opening 70 also for a 142 total.

Four players – defending champion Roxburghe’s Jack McDonald (70, 74), Western Gailes Matthew Allen (71, 73), Lundin GC James White (73, 71) and Murcar Links Adam Giles (71, 73) share fourth place on level par 144.

McDonald is defending his title two years on from winning in 2023 and after local flooding washed out any play a year ago.

He was ​among five players that earlier today ​who shared the first round lead with two-under-par 70​s but was headed straight to the practice putting green following his second round of a two-over 74.

“I hit 14 greens in regulation and walked off with a two-over​”, said the 23-year-old McDonald.

Forty players on nine-over 153 or better made the halfway cut for an initial starting field of 71.

 



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