REIGNING champion Gordon Pettigrew and former title-holder Duncan Speirs lead the way after the first qualifying round of this year's championship. Both returned two-over-par 70s last Saturday on a day of blustery conditions which made scoring difficult. Pettigrew, who is bidding for a sixth title, birdied the 10th and 14th on the way to an inward-half of 33 after taking 37 to the turn. A solid back nine of 34, highlighted by a birdie two into the wind at the long par-three 6th, helped Speirs match the score of the champion.

David Cameron, last year's runner-up, is hard on their heels with an opening 71. After an out ward 38 the six-handicapper rescued his score with a superb back nine of 32 which included back-to-back birdies over the last two holes. Also among the leaders of the competition in which the top eight qualifiers go through to the match-play stages are former winners Cammy Middleton and Donald Standaloft, both on 74.

Details: First class - D. Speirs (7) 63, G. Pettigrew (6) and C. Middleton (10) both 64, D. Cameron (6) 65. Second class - I. McDougall (17) 65, G. Little (16) 68, R. Speirs (13) 71. The competition scratch score was 64. Speirs and Pettigrew also go forward to represent Bute GC in the Belhaven Best Scottish Club Handicap Championship to be played over The Westerwood course on Friday, August 29.

Second-round qualifying for the championship, and for the Cuthbertson Cup, takes place tomorrow (Saturday) following the usual ballot at the clubhouse at 8.30am..