CAPITAL golfer Andrew Oldcorn believes he has re-discovered his passion for the game on the Tartan Tour after pushing himself into the hunt for the £45,000 Northern Open, writes NICK RODGER.
The former PGA champion fired a two-under 70 at Spey Valley in Aviemore yesterday for a three-under 141 to sit three behind leader Chris Doak.
Oldcorn, 48, is back on the domestic circuit for the first time in 17 years after losing his card on th
e European Tour. He played full-time on home soil back in 1991 as he battled back from the debilitating condition ME and, with a fresh dawn on the Seniors Tour looming, Oldcorn is once again using the Scottish scene to help kick-start his career.
He said: "I'm looking towards the Seniors Tour now and, to be honest, I wish it would come tomorrow. Playing here is a way of staying sharp.
"I didn't enjoy the last couple of seasons on the main tour. I lost some of my desire, my form suffered and it became very hard to be competitive. Playing back in Scotland is nice and it's much more relaxed. I'm not bothered about travelling around the globe playing golf now and I'm enjoying it."
As Oldcorn tucked himself in among the leading pack, Archerfield ace Lee Harper cemented his place in the upper reaches with a three-under 69 for a five-under 139, a shot off the pace. The former Scottish Boys' champion took his birdie-haul for 36-holes to 12 as he countered dropped shots at four and eight with gains at seven, nine, 12, 13 and 17.
Harper, 26, said: "I'm making chances for myself and taking them which is good and the course seems to be suiting my game."
Kingsfield's Colin Gillies shot a 72 for 143 while Paul McKechnie of Braid Hills and Craigielaw amateur Mark Hillson are a shot farther back on 144. Gordon Law, the Northern Open winner in 2003, slipped to a 76 for 149 while Mortonhall's David Patrick, runner-up last year, struggled to a 75 for 151.
The full article contains 361 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
