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In-form Howie leads Links Trophy with Ferguson lurking

Former champion Grant Forrest is six off the pace at the Links Trophy after a par 71.
Former champion Grant Forrest is six off the pace at the Links Trophy after a par 71.

Craig Howie’s still undecided what to do about his future golf career but the way he’s playing the University of Stirling student will come to a pretty easy conclusion this summer.

The 21-year-old from Peebles continued his recent hot streak of form with a faultless six-under-par 65 to share the lead in the first round of the St Andrews Links Trophy, the season’s prominent amateur strokeplay event in Europe.

Howie will graduate with a degree in sports studies after four years on the golf programme at Stirling later this month, and he was planning to have a summit meeting on his future once the 2016 season was finished.

“The idea was to play all the major events full-time this summer, then sit down with my parents, my coaches and people I trust and decide what to do,” he said.

“That could mean turning pro straight away, it could mean waiting a year. I obviously want to make the change at the optimum time and that’s the absolute key.

“But the way I’ve been playing this last few weeks is definitely encouraging.”

Howie’s form continued straight on into the Links Trophy after his top five finishes in the Welsh and Scottish strokeplay championships in the last two weeks, not dropping a shot on the New Course and if anything slightly disappointed to have missed the birdie chance at the long 12th and parred his way in after a birdie at the short 13th.

“I’ve learned such a lot at Stirling and developed as a player,” he continued, crediting the University’s golf coach, former tour winner Dean Robertson.

“Dean’s been at the highest level and been through all the highs and lows, so you can’t buy that kind of experience and advice.

“He’s not big on swing coaching and messing with what you already do, but he’s brilliant at teaching you about options, about developing the draw or fade you might need to execute, about picking the right shot for each situation when you’re out on the course.”

Conditions fluctuated throughout the day with the calm and sunshine of Howie’s round in the morning replaced by some wind and cool as the day progressed, when Ireland’s Conor O’Rourke matched his six-under score.

The Irishman admits to be an “ancient” 24 compared to the young bucks but fired eight birdies in his 65 including a three on the last to match the Scot.

“I have never made the handicap limit or been in the Irish squad before to be able to play here, and it’s a dream come true,” he enthused. “It’s a fantastic place and to play the Old Course in practice was just the biggest thrill.”

Former champion Grant Forrest and local hope Connor Syme had a modest start with a par rounds of 71, but there are plenty of other contenders from the strong Scottish contingent close to the lead.

Forrest’s Walker Cup colleague Ewen Ferguson has had a quiet start to the season but the ebullient Bearsden boy had an excellent five-under 66 to begin his campaign, the only back mark on his card a bogey five at the long par four sixth.

Dumfries’ Liam Johnson is another off the lead after a 66 and the best back nine of the day, a four-under 31. Jamie Savage, another Scotland international squad member  is one shot further back.

Reigning Scottish matchplay champion Robert MacIntyre, the young teenager Sandy Scott (Nairn) and St Andrews’ Alister Hain – who is one of the St Andrews Links electricians – among those on three-under 68s.

New Scottish Strokeplay champion Cameron John from Australia is on two-under.