Consistent Calum Fyfe off to strong start in Scottish Challenge in Borders

Fyfe, who made it to the season-ending Rolex Grand Final for the first time last year, sits 28th in the Road to Mallorca Ranking after producing a pretty consistent campaign so far.

He’s now off to a promising start in this week’s home gig, having opened with a five-under-par 66 at SCHLOSS Roxburghe near Kelso in the Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A.

Playing in one of the marquee groups alongside two-time DP World Tour winner Eddie Pepperell and Road to Mallorca leader MJ Daffue, Fyfe signed for six birdies and one bogey at the Borders venue.

“Yeah, it was great,” said the 29-year-old of his day’s work. “I played really good golf. I was in control of the golf ball all day, really, and I felt that was what I deserved to shoot. I missed a couple of chances, but I am quite happy.”

After coming up just short last season in his bid to secure a step up to the main tour, Fyfe has given himself another good chance this time around, when just 15 DP World Tour cards are up for grabs.

“Over the last few weeks, the game has been really good,” he added. “Everything is in place and it’s just trying to string it together for four rounds. Just keep doing the same things and hopefully the four good rounds will come.”

Fyfe outscored Pepperell by four shots and was five strokes better than Daffue, who was on the back foot after starting bogey-bogey. “It was good playing with Edddie and MJ in front of a good crowd,” said the Scot. “It’s great to play with players like that as the success they’ve had is amazing. It’s good to realise that your own game is not too far away from that level and they are really nice guys as well.”

Sam Locke, one of the Tartan Pro Tour players competing in the £250,000 event, also made a solid start in the morning wave as he carded a 68 containing four birdies on the Dave Thomas-designed course.

“I played pretty solid, hitting a lot of really nice shots,” reported Locke. “Probably had a few more chances that I didn’t take. But you make a few saves as well, so it has ;probably worked out about right in the end.

“It was actually a lot less windy than I thought it was going to be as the forecast was for just over 20mph guys but it felt like there was barely anything. I’d like to have been one or two better, but I’m happy enough with the start.”

The Stonehaven man has won twice on the Tartan Pro Tour circuit, enhancing his status as the most-prolific victor on the Scottish circuit. “I’ve been playing solid for a while,” he said. “My game has been moving in the right direction and I can feel that. I am just waiting on a few results to come.”

Will Porter was the best-placed Scot after day one. His stunning seven-under-par 64 left him in a tie for second, three behind leader Tomas Melo Gouveia of Portugal. Marc Warren and Ryan Lumsden were a shot further back.