Two Open events, the JAL Brown at Portpatrick and the Southerness Challenge, as well as the County Championships of Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire, have been decided and apart from one new name at the top of the leaderboard it is the old guard who are contesting this year’s Order of Merit in the early stages.

There is a tie at the top between Fraser Hughes (Newton Stewart) and Michael Grunwell (D&G) on 240 points. Fraser has just returned from university life in USA for his summer holidays and his practice in warmer climes over the winter is paying dividends. Michael, who was the runner-up last year, has got off to a better start in this year’s campaign and will be hoping to go one better.

Also off to better starts this year are Clark Riddick (Southerness) in third place and the Wigtownshire champion Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire County) in fourth.

David Brodie (Newton Stewart), last year’s winner, is not far behind and lies tied for seventh spot.

Top Ten standings

1=        Fraser Hughes (Newton Stewart)                               240 points

1=        Michael Grunwell (D&G)                                              240

3          Clark Riddick (Southerness)                                         180

4          Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire County)                       175

5          Colin Heuchan (Southerness)                                        160

6          Chris Corbett (D&G)                                                        135

7=        James Caldwell (Portpatrick)                                        130

7=        David Brodie (Newton Stewart)                                   130

9          Ross Murray (Southerness)                                           120

10        Alan Birdsall (D&C)                                                         115

The next counting event is the Sutherland Chalice at Dumfries & Galloway on Sunday 9 July where 120 points will go to the winner.