Home favourite Richie Ramsay treated the crowds to a remarkable fightback as he advanced to the second round of the inaugural Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay on Thursday.
Ramsay, who set the course record of 62 at Murcar Links a month before winning the US Amateur in 2006, came back from three down after seven holes to beat India's Shiv Kapur by one hole.
The 32 year old Aberdonian took the lead for the first time in the match when he picked up a shot on the 17th and also birdied the 18th from 20 feet, with Kapur having hit an excellent approach to eight feet.
Ramsay was delighted with the way he held his nerve to seal victory. He said: “The most pleasing thing is playing well under pressure. There is no better feeling.
“To birdie the last two, and then obviously down the last with the local guys on the green was great.
“And I can call upon that in the rest of the round and maybe sharpen up the game this afternoon, ready for round two.”
India's Jeev Milkha Singh also produced a superb comeback to reach the last 32, the 43 year old losing four of the first six holes to Australian Scott Hend and having to birdie the ninth for a half just to remain four down at the turn.
Singh then birdied the tenth, 11th and 13th to reduce the deficit before going on to clinch an unlikely win.
Spain's Jorge Campillo beat two-time Major Champion John Daly by two holes to progress, with Michael Hoey also booking his spot in the second round with a 2 and 1 victory over Maximilian Kieffer.
Meanwhile former US Amateur Champion Matt Fitzpatrick’s impressive form continued as he beat Welshman Bradley Dredge.
The 20 year old, who finished second in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland on Sunday, beat Dredge 6 and 4, while former Ryder Cup player Edoardo Molinari beat Magnus Carlsson 5 and 4.
