IN-FORM Chris Halley is eyeing up another strong performance on the EuroPro Tour - hot on the heels of retaining a prestigious foursomes title.

As the world's best golfers descend on the Old Course at St Andrews for The Open Championship this week, the Malton & Norton GC professional is also set to tee it up in Scotland at The Glenfarclas Open at East of Mar GC in Renfrewshire.

Halley is in good spirits after posting a top ten finish - his second in five events on the EuroPro Tour this season - when an eight-under-par total was good enough for tied sixth at the Eagle Orchid Scottish Masters on the Montrose Golf Links in Angus.

He then teamed up with Hessle professional Paul Lockwood to defend the £4,000 Woodsome Hall 36-hole Scratch Foursome Medal.

On his EuroPro success, which followed a tied fifth finish in the season-opening World Snooker Open at Celtic Manor in May, Halley said: "The first two days I didn't miss any shots. I think I only missed one green. It's hard to shoot a high number after that and you can put a decent score together. I feel like I missed a chance (in the World Snooker Open). I didn't putt very well at Celtic Manor.

"I was close at Montrose and it was nice to play the shots under pressure. That's something I wasn't doing last year. It is just nice to play well. It is nice to play some good golf and get back up there."

At Woodsome, a two-under opening par round of 68 had Halley and Lockwood in strong contention in joint second, a shot behind the West Yorkshire pair of Aaron Scnache and Adam Walker.

A second round 69, with play disrupted for the best part of an hour by a late afternoon thunderstorm, meant the duo posted a three-under-par target of 137.

That was enough to see Halley and Lockwood two strokes clear of England amateur pairing Dan Wasteney and Joe Dean.

"We won it last year," Halley added. "We have played a lot of golf together over a long time and we know each other's games quite well. You have just got to not make any mistakes, not give any shots away."

Halley was also close in regional qualifying at Moortown for The Open Championship, his 74 missing out by two shots and the Welham Park golf ace says he just needs to continue in his current vein as he ultimately seeks a long-term place on the European Tour.

He explained: "I am hitting it really well and I am feeling confident. I need to keep doing what I am doing and I am getting nearer. The long-term aim is the European Tour but to get off the EuroPro Tour you have got to win."

Meanwhile, Malton & Norton’s Phil Hart hit good form to claim the Hazelwood Trophy at his home course - with his round including a hole in one.

On the same day, R Stead finished with 43 points to win the Welham Trophy.

M&N’s July Medal was played in good conditions, with the ever-consistent Barry Miller winning division one with a nett 69. Ray Chapman took division two with 71 and T Nutman won division three with 72.

Lady Captain's Day saw an excellent turnout for Malton captain Sue Bellion.

The competition was won by Judy Butler, Pip Garside and Yvonne Laws with a 75, four clear of Janet Rushworth, Wendy Chapman and Jean Seager.

The nearest the pin prizes were won by Barbara Machin and Wendy Jackson.