Connor Graham has Links Trophy leader in sights in St Andrews

The 19-year-old Blairgowrie player followed his opening two-under-par 69 on the New Course on Friday with a five-under-par 67 on the Old Course.

Graham, who is making his first competitive outing since returning for the summer after completing his sophomore year at Texas Tech, signed for seven birdies in his Saturday circuit, including four in five holes on the front nine.

The two-time Walker Cup player sits joint-third on seven under heading into the final 36 holes over the Old Course on Sunday.

Graham is bidding to keep the coveted title in Scottish hands after Royal Burgess left-hander Cameron Adam triumphed in the home of golf 12 months ago.

That was the first Scottish success in the St Andrews Links Trust-run event since Grant Forrest won in 2015, with other home victors including Lloyd Saltman in 2005.

The player Graham is chasing in the final two rounds is Lev Grinberg, an 18-year-old who was born in Ukraine but now represents France.

Having opened with a 66 on the New Course, Grinberg matched that score on the Old Course after making an eagle-2 at the second then adding birdies at the fifth, sixth, seventh, tenth and 18th. His sole dropped shot came at the 17th.

Dutchman Melvin Muller is Grinberg’s closest challenger at the halway stage, sitting two shots off the space after carding a joint-best-of-the-day 65 in the second round.

Crail’s Andrew Davidson and St Andrews player Finlay Galloway joined Graham in progressing to the final two rounds on one under, which was the cut mark.

On the DP World Tour, Calum Hill sits joint-tenth, four shots off the lead, heading into the closing circuit in the KLM Open at The International in Amsterdam.

Hill, who is bidding to land a third tour triumph, carded an eagle and four birdies in his third-round 69, which also included a triple-bogey 7 at the 12th.

Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra and Swede Sebastian Soderberg share the lead in the battle to win the title claimed last year at the same venue by Connor Syme.

Meanwhile, Calum Fyfe is the leading Scot, sitting six shots off the lead in joint-13th, with a round to go in the HotelPlanner Tour’s Swiss Challenge.