Bolivian of Scots descent to the fore

WITH only four courses – there are double that number in Gullane alone if you include Archerfield, The Renaissance and Luffness New – Bolivia isn't exactly a golfing hotbed.

Yet, hard on the heels of Fernando Gonzalez becoming the South American country's first touring professional, a 20-year-old with Scottish blood is through to the match-play phase in the Amateur Championship at Muirfield.

Sebastian MacLean, an eighth generation descendent of a Scottish sea captain who settled in Peru after his vessel was captured in the mid-1800s, showed some Caledonian courage to card a one-under-par 70 at the Open venue yesterday and, with a level-par total of 142, safely secured his place in the knock-out stage in East Lothian.

MacLean, halfway through a four-year degree at Xavier University in Cincinnati, was introduced to golf by his dad, Percy, a former national squad member and his son's caddy this week.

"I am very proud of my Scottish roots and, ever since I took up golf, it has always been my dream to play over here in the British Amateur," said MacLean, who won the first of 11 national titles at the age of eight and helped Bolivia lift the South American Team Championship for only the second time in 2007.

He left his homeland four years ago so that he could improve on the US college circuit and has his sights set on blazing a trail for Bolivian golf. "At home, where we only have four courses, I was able to learn how to hit a ball but not how to play competitive golf and how to manage my game," said MacLean, a former Atlantic 10 Conference rookie of the year. "I had to leave the country because I couldn't improve any more. There wasn't enough competition or resources to improve my potential.

"I want to be the first Bolivian to do everything in the game and break every record along the way – that's been my motivation. My attitude is that if it comes then it will come from the heart."

MacLean, who is planning to turn professional in two years' time and, with his mother now living in Madrid, would like to play in Europe as well as America, certainly showed heart to extend his stay in Scotland. After a double-bogey 6 at the tenth, he was two-over for the day but holed ten-foot birdie putts at the 12th, 15th and 17th to make it with a stroke to spare.

On a day when the conditions were as benign as they get on the East Lothian coast, Mu Hu, a 20-year-old from Shenzen in China, had a 69 at Muirfield to qualify on 139 which was 21 shots better than his only previous appearance in this event, at Royal St George's in 2006.

Tommy Fleetwood, the runner-up at Turnberry two years ago and a quarter-finalist at Formby 12 months ago, losing to eventual winner Matteo Manassero, led the 73 qualifiers, a bogey-free 65 at North Berwick giving the 19-year-old Englishman, who played in last year's Walker Cup, a seven-under total of 135.

Banchory's James Byrne, the leading Scot in the world rankings, followed his 68 at North Berwick with a 67 at Muirfield, where he birdied the 16th and holed from 30 feet for an eagle-3 at the 17th. That strong finish earned him a share of second spot as a total of ten Scots – double the number from Formby – made it through on this occasion, with the qualifying mark on 143.

Two former Scottish Boys' champions, Lundin's James White and Michael Stewart of Troon Welbeck, were on 140 and 141 respectively; Links Trophy runner-up Philip McLean (Peterhead), two-time Scottish Boys finalist Paul Shields from Kirkhill, former British Boys' champion Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) and Aberdour's Scott Crichton, who was second in the 2009 Scottish Youths, all finished on 142; while Craigielaw's Mark Hillson, a quarter-finalist last year, made it on 143 along with Greg Paterson (St Andrews New) and Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle).

Despite trimming 13 shots off his opening effort with a 68 at North Berwick, Tom Mickelson, Phil's younger brother, missed out, as did world No 4 Jonathan Randolph and Scottish internationals David Law, Ross Kellett and Steven McEwan. What they would have given for the round of the day, a course-record equalling 63 at North Berwick from Frenchman Olivier Rozner, who had five 3s in the last six holes to come home in 29 as he bounced back in style from an opening 77.

SCORES/DRAW IN DIGEST, PAGE 53