JOHN KERNAGHAN is the early leader in the Sir Harry Hope Cup competition at Kingarth after a first-round 62 last Saturday. Birdies at the third and seventeenth holes helped the 13-handicapper edge past James McAlister (20) with a better inward half after both players finished on the same total. Other leading scorers were Bobby Speirs (13) 63, Alistair McFarlane (13) and Frazer Robinson (19) both 64, and Leonard Ferguson (18) 65. The second and third rounds of the competition take place on July 21 and August 11.

KINGARTH golfers are back in competitive action tomorrow (Saturday) in the April Medal with the usual ballot at the clubhouse at 8.30am.