King a stroke off the pace

MARK KING leads the Lothians challenge after the opening round of the Scottish Wateraid 36-holer at Barassie, the third order of merit event on the 2008 Tartan Tour.

The former Scottish PGA matchplay champion, the pro at the Kingsfield centre near Linlithgow, fired a three-under 69 and lurks just a shot behind pacesetters, Jason McCreadie and Chris Kelly. Uphall's former Scottish PGA champ Gordon Law, a runner-up in the first event of the season at Monifieth last month, opened with a 70 while Paul McKechnie of Braid Hills finished a shot further back on 71.

Greig Hutcheon, last year's order of merit winner, opened with a one-over 73 while former Walker Cup player Lindsay Mann holed an ace on his way to a one-over score.