Mind over matter for Montrose winner Findlay

Fraserburgh's Jordan Findlay scored a classy four-under-par 65 to win the £100 top prize in the North-East Alliance meeting at Montrose Links.

The Paul Lawrie Golf Centre player, playing under blue skies and brilliant sunshine - the early starters had to cope with rain - made a flying start with five threes in succession, four of them birdies, at the first, second, fourth, and fifth, where he holed putts ranging from six to 30ft.

"The greens were great putting surfaces. In fact the whole course was in extremely good nick," said former British boys champion Findlay.

"I am starting to play consistently well and I really think I have turned the corner. I have made five cuts in a row this year in overseas events whereas over the whole of last season I hardly made five cuts!

"The difference? I am using my brain a lot better than I used to on the golf course."

Findlay had six birdies in all in halves of 32 (two-under-par) and 33 (also two-under). He added the short 12^th and par-four 14^th to his sub-par list, getting down in two shots from 80yd range at the latter hole.

"I am going back to Egypt for a couple of events and then having a go at the Europro Tour School. One of the Europro Tour events is at Montrose this year so I fancy that," he said.

Newmachar +2 amateur John Duff, last week's winner at Insch, was the clubhouse leader for a long time with a 68.

Hazlehead-based professional Colin Nelson and Royal Aberdeen amateur Jim Emslie tied for third place on 69.