Tom Higson took charge of the Tomatin Highland Golf Links 54-hole Pro-Am as he opened up a commanding five-shot lead over defending champion Matthew Nixon heading into the final day of play.
The Gleneagles pro, who won this title in 2020 and was runner-up last year, had started his campaign with a sprightly seven-under card at Royal Dornoch on Tuesday and he added a seven-under 64 at Nairn to his tally to extend his advantage.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Higson. He stumbled out of the blocks with back-to-back bogeys at the first and second but a brace of birdies at the eighth and ninth repaired the damage and provided the catalyst for a thrilling surge on the inward half.
Higson reeled off birdies at the 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th and 17th before an eagle on the last provided the final flourish in a brilliant back-nine of just 29.
Nixon, a former Boys’ Amateur champion, tried to cling to Higson’s coat tails and a 65 at Royal Dornoch moved him into second on nine-under.
Jonathan Grogan sits third on eight-under with Alastair Forsyth, the Loch Lomond Whiskies Scottish PGA champion, and Craig Lee, the new Arnold Clark Tartan Tour No.1, in a posse on seven-under.
CLICK HERE for scores from the Highlands.
