DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Jim Johnston established early lead in title chase

Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) has established a healthy early lead in the chase for the 2018 Ayrshire Order Of Merit title and Doc Thom Salver.

Following his success in the Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship, Johnston also gained points in the Ayrshire Matchplay and West Of Scotland Strokeplay and Seafield Open as well as gaining maximum points in the West Kilbride Open and The Belleisle Cup.

Sandy Buchanan marked his return from America with maximum points in the Stevenson Trophy at Girvan and the Seafield Open which, along with points in the West Kilbride Open and The Hillhouse Cup at Royal Troon, moved him into second place in the table, just ahead of the holder Michael Smyth (Royal Troon), whose win in the Ayrshire Matchplay Championship and the Hillhouse Cup at Royal Troon along with points in The Belleisle Cup kept his hopes of retaining the title on track.

The next counting events are the McGilchrist Cup at Ardeer on 16th June, the Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen and Murcar from 18th to 23rd June and The brunston castle Open on 30th June.

Present positions in the Ayrshire Order Of Merit are:-

622.5		JIM	JOHNSTON	Ayr Belleisle
337.5		SANDY	BUCHANAN	Prestwick St Nicholas
250		MICHAEL	SMYTH	Royal Troon
150		SCOTT	BROWN	Prestwick St Cuthbert
137.5		TOMMY	McINALLY	Loudoun
92.5		SHAUN	HEDGER	West Kilbride
75		NEIL	MELLON	Ayr Seafield
50		IAIN	BROWN	West Kilbride
50		KEITH	HAMILTON	Ayr Belleisle
42.5		JOHN	HAGGARTY	Loudoun
42.5		GREGOR	MACKINTOSH	Girvan
36		BLAIR	MORTON	Royal Troon
30.83		ROBBIE	MUIR	Kilmarnock Barassie
30		STEVEN	STAMPER	Turnberry
27.5		ROSS	CADDIS	Kilmarnock Barassie
20		GRAEME	GIMSON	Prestwick St Cuthbert
14		MARK	WATT	Prestwick St Cuthbert
14		ROBERT	LONG	Ayr Belleisle
14		JOHN	KELLY	Ayr Seafield
14		FRANCIS	McNEILLIE	Ayr Seafield
7.5		DAVID	NELSON	Turnberry
3.33		STUART	BROWN	Loudoun
3.33		GEORGE	ROBERTSON	Irvine
1		MARK	WATT	Prestwick St Cuthbert
1		STUART	MILLER	Kilmarnock Barassie
1		IAN	WALKER	Royal Troon