There are only four seeds in the Scottish Boys’ Championship this year, but half of them are gone before we’re half-way through the week at Dunbar.
SGU officials opted not to pick the traditional eight “hidden” seeds in the 256-strong draw this year, because so many players are now part of their academy development programmes, but there’s no question Murray Naismith from Dalmahoy was one and Fifer Niall McMullen was probably another.
Naismith, ostensibly the second seed at the tail of the draw and part of the men’s national squad, lost out in just the second round, beaten by Longniddry’s Jack Rogan on the first extra hole.
Lundin’s McMullen tumbled out 3&1 to Graeme Gillies from Pumpherston.
Their departure leaves top seed Calum Fyfe the favourite, and he was more impressive yesterday beating in Benjamin Henderson (Glenbervie) to reach the fourth round, where he meets Brodie Good.
Good is at Loretto School and is a multiple sportsman, playing rugby, hockey and cricket as well as golf, although he’s leaning very much towards the latter.
“I enjoy the other sports, but I think I’m starting to take golf more seriously now,” said Good, still off 4.2 handicap compared to Fyfe’s plus 3.4.
Also in the top quarter, John Paterson of the New Club in St Andrews is doing things the hard way, having played the full 18 holes in every one of his three games, edging Fintan McKenna of Royal Aberdeen on the 18th yesterday.
He now meets Cameron Black of Cardross.
Angus has two in the last 32, both in the top quarter.
Carnoustie’s Will Porter had the benefit of a first-round bye, but after a tough match being taken to the final hole in the second round, he breezed through 5&4 against Daniel Shaft (Glenrothes).
The second Angus county player in the fourth round today is Montrose Mercantile’s Jamie Beedie, who will meet Thomas Foster (Merchants of Edinburgh) after beating Crieff’s Calum Graham.
One Perthshire hope through is Auchterarder 15-year-old Rowan Carey, who had a winning debut for the Scotland U16 team in the Quadrangular tournament against Wales, Ireland and the Netherlands at Archerfield over the weekend.
Playing 36 holes for three days in a row must have tired him, but he’s showing few signs of it so far, with three solid wins including a defeat of St Andrews’ Conor MacCallum in the third round. He now meets Andrew Thomson (Lanark).
Paul Lawrie’s son Michael is still in the field, past the third round for the first time in four attempts after defeating Daragh Cuddihy on the final hole.
The 16-year-old was behind for most of the front nine, but finally got level at the 12th and then won the 13th, halving his way in from there to win.
But with only four seeds there are a lot of dangerous players floating about the draw who know how to win, for example Murrayfield’s Andrew Ni.
The 17-year-old won the club championship of the Hillside Course in Edinburgh this year and didn’t waste a lot of time doing it, triumphing 11&10 in the 36-holes final.
He’s in the last 32 having not yet played the 16th hole this week.
stscott@thecourier.co.uk