Highlander Hay leads at West Lothian

Nairn Dunbar's Gavin Hay put together a brilliant round of five-under-par 66 to be the surprise leader at the end of the first round of the Scottish Young Professionals' Championship at West Lothian Golf Club, Bo'ness.

Hay had an eagle (at the par-five fourth) and six birdies, at the second, third, fifth, seventh, 14^th and 15^th.

He bogeyed the first before covering the next five holes in six-under-par.

But even that great effort did not put daylight between the Highlander and his closest challengers.

Defending champion Paul O'Hara (Clydeway Golf) and Keir McNicoll (Gullane) are only a shot behind the leader in this 72-hole event for which the leading 34 and ties at the end of the second round will qualify to play the final two rounds on Thursday

Hats off to former Scottish U18 girls champion Ailsa Bain from Peebles and now an assistant pro at Macdonald Hotel and Golf Resort at Cardrona.

Daniel Flannery (Caldwell) will have to go a bit to repeat his joint second finish 12 months ago. He is way back after a 75 and he faces a fight to beat the cut.