Isaacs tames wind to set early pace

sCOTTISH YOUNG PROS: Nairn Dunbar’s Malcolm Isaacs was the only player to break par as a blustery wind proved troublesome in the opening round at West Lothian.

After being three-under with four to play, Isaacs eventually signed for a one-under-par 70 but still carved out a two-shot lead in the 72-hole event over Dunbar’s Neil Fenwick and Sam McLaren of Crieff.

Fresh from finishing third in the Northern Open, Fenwick had four birdies and six bogeys on an up-and-down day, although that was the case for most of those in the field.

West Linton’s Gareth Wright, who had a triple-bogey 7 at the problematic 16th, is on 73 alongside defending champion David Patrick (Elie Sports Centre) and former Curtis Cup player Michelle Thomson (McDonald).