HOST club member Henry Thompson was the best-placed Ayrshireman at last week's Scottish Senior Men’s Open Championship at Irvine Golf Club (Bogside).

The former Tam O’Shanter Trophy winner, Henry Thompson, who won the top prize at Ayr Golf Week more than two decades ago, shot rounds of 73, 78 and 77 for a total of 228 and joint 20th place.

He said: “I played well in the first round, but the conditions were tough.

"I don’t play much here because I’m a professional caddy in the United States. When I come back here I try and play as much golf as I can. The fact this competition was at Bogside, it was too good an opportunity to resist. It was a battle, every hole was a potential disaster. You can’t relax at Bogside, it’s a great course and was in fantastic condition. It was good fun, I enjoyed it.”

Meanwhile fellow Bogside member Alex Gourlay was tied 35th in what was an international field.

He carded rounds of 78, 77 and 76 for a total of 231.

Eight-time Irvine Links Championship winner Gourlay said: "The course is in great order although it was difficult with the wind. I enjoyed the tournament but can always do better and a couple of shots cost me at the end of the round. It's a great event for Irvine to host."