David Drysdale has put aside any concern for pre-tournament niggling back concern to be well in contention heading to the weekend rounds of Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at the Trump International Golf Links just north of Aberdeen.
Keith Horne battled through testing conditions to take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeen.
The South African, who shared the overnight lead after an opening six-under-par 66, followed it with a level-par 72 on Friday to reach the halfway stage at six-under and claim the outright lead on the New Course.
Horne leads an all-South African top three, with Darren Fichardt and Hennie Otto just one shot back at five-under, while Scotland’s David Drysdale, Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson and recent OFX Irish Legends champion Johan Edfors are firmly in the hunt at four-under.
‘DOUBLE D’ IN CONTENTION #StaysureSeniorPGA ….
As David Drysdale @vicky_drysdale @CallawayGolfEU puts aside back issue to place himself well in frame heading weekend rounds @TrumpScotland
“I had a lot of physio on Tuesday and Wednesday and arrived here with little… pic.twitter.com/nJ7QihBZQV
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) August 7, 2026
Drysdale had posted six birdies in Thursday’s opening 67 and backed that up with a Friday effort that included a lone birdie and a pair of bogeys in his 71 for a share of fourth in very tough windy conditions.
“I am a little bit surpised, to be honest,” when the Scot was asked by GolfByTourMiss to comment on his round.
“I had a little tweak in my back last Sunday competing in Portugal and didn’t hit a golf ball till I warmed-up here yesterday (Thursday) though I am not playing it blind as I was up here about two months ago.
“I had a lot of physio on Tuesday and Wednesday and arrived here with little expectation, so maybe that is the way.
“I played nicely yesterday in holing a lot of good putts whereas today’s round was a little bit scrappy but overall pretty pleased”.
Despite the injury the Callaway Golf attached Drysdale, and contesting his 25th event since joining the Legends Tour early last year, is very well placed to land a sixth top-10 result and his third this season but also capture a second over-50s title.
With this mind, ‘Team Drysdale’ has put the injury aside and clealy making the most of any concern,
“The back was hurting a bit this morning but once you get walking it’s okay”, he said.
“I’m grateful to the guys in the physio van as they’ve done a great job.”
Of course, it was a huge moment in Drysdale’s career last November capturing the Vattanac Legends Tour in far off Cambodia and naturally he’s excited at the prospect of a second taste of success in his 11th start since that huge career ‘W’.
“It would mean a lot to win again”, he said. “I see Mr. Fichardt is out in front and he is a man in form and now just one off the lead as we head to the weekend. I’m sharing fourth but just two back, so we’ll see. There’s a couple of days to go and, as I said, I’m in a decent position”.
Donaldson also reached four-under after signing for a second successive 70, recovering from a double bogey at the sixth with back-to-back birdies at seven and eight before picking up another shot at the 18th.
1999 Open Champion and local favourite Paul Lawrie provided further Scottish interest with a three-under-par 69 to climb to -3 for the championship, while 2005 U.S. Open Champion Michael Campbell sits at two-under after a second-round 76.
