Tour News (posted 16th September 1998)

PGA European Tour Pre-Qualifying

Scotsman Brooks shares Wynyard lead

Northumberland - An Auld Alliance formed the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the PGA European Tour Pre-Qualifying event at the Wynyard Club in Northumberland.

Frenchman Jean Charles Cambon and Scotsman Colin Brooks of the Port Royal Golf Range near Edinburgh Airport led the field by a single stroke after both carded five-under-par 66s.

Three players provided the closest chasing pack including former amateur champion Craig Watson, who returned to form in spectacular fashion with an excellent 67.

The 32-year-old from East Renfrewshire has endured a miserable spell since winning the St Andrews Links Trophy in May.
He contributed no points during Great Britain and Ireland's defeat by Europe in the St Andrews Trophy match in Italy last month and was part of the Scotland team which finished with the wooden spoon in last month's Home Internationals.

But Watson showed the form which helped him win the Amateur crown at Royal St George's in 1997 with an excellent opening round which tied him in third with England's Denny Lucas and Johan Skold of Sweden.

Another former Amateur champion to have a good opening day was Loch Lomond's Gordon Sherry, who carded a 70 to keep alive his hopes of gaining a European Tour card at the third time of asking.