GREGOR McKenzie, from Kirtlington GC, achieved a top-40 placing when he competed in the Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open.

Ar 16, Mckenzie was the youngest player in a strong field, which included Darren Clarke, the former Open champion and Ryder Cup captain.

McKenzie put in a respectable first round of four-over-par 76 as he settled into the event.

However, his second round was an impressive 71 which placed him in the top 50, ensuring he made the cut in this professional event.

A third round of level par 72, which included three late birdies saw him finish joint 39th on 219.

McKenzie’s coach Andy Taylor, who travelled with him, said: “ Gregor’s golf was very impressive all week. He kept to his own game plan, which enabled him to stay focused.”

The tournament was won by Kyle Barker with a 14-under-par total of 202, which included a hole-in-one.

Even Ady Higgins’s hole-in-one could not bring Oxford City victory in their Core Golf UK Oxfordshire Foursomes League match at home to Frilford Heath.

Higgins aced the 15th hole at Southfield, but he and his partner Scott Tabor still lost 3 & 2 to Frilford’s Ashley Walton and Lee White.

The visitors triumphed 2-1 in the Section 1 clash, their other win coming from Harry Richardson and Matt Green.

The following day, Frilford reached the league’s KO Cup final with a 2½-½ over Carswell at Feldon Valley.

They will meet Tadmarton Heath in the final.

CORE GOLF UK OXFORDSHIRE

FOURSOMES LEAGUE

Section 1

Oxford City 1 (1pt), Frilford Heath 2 (3) (Oxford City first): P Higgins & J Smith lost to H Richardson & M Green 4 &3; C Wright & R Ferguson bt J Burns & S Boffin 3 & 1; S Tabor & A Higgins lost to A Walton & L White 3&2.

Section 2

Chiltern Forest 1½ (2½), Badgemore Park 1½ (2½) (Chiltern Forest first): B Allen & D Holland halved with D Giles & C Miller; N Tre Smith & S Welfare bt T Killick & J Toms 2 7 1; M Williams & M Cole lost to S Shearman & D Brown.

KO Cup semi-final

Carswell ½, Frilford Heath 2½ (Cars-well first): D Hoskin & D Croad halved with T Smith & J Rusk; D Morton & A Morton lost to H Richardson & M Green 1 hole; M Harris & J Peevers lost to L White & J Burns 5 & 3

OXFORD CITY

Medal 10 Div 1: 1 S Tabor 76-8=68, 2= D White 77-8=69 & A Hooker 78-9=69. Div 2: 1 M Maciak 84-15=69, 2 R Davies 84-14=70, 3 N Dawson 90-19=71.

Midweek Stableford: 1 A Bray 38pts, 2= P Dandridge & J Smith 36.

OXFORD LADIES

McGregor Quaich (36-hole medal): 1 T Roberts (9) 143, 2 D Roberts (14) 147, 3 J Evans (24) 148.

Stableford & Grannies Clock: 1 J Tavinor (11) 35, 2 J McCairns (11) 32, 3 D Roberts (14) 28.

Murray Trophy (bronze): 1 J Ryan (24) 31, 2 M Hewlett (25) 30, 3 L Halsey (25) 28.

Stableford: 1 J Ryan (24) 31, 2 M Hewlett (25) 30, 3 D Chappelle (10) 30.

NORTH OXFORD

Mens’ 3-club Better ball (in aid of Prostate Cancer charity): 1 K Johnson & J Riley 38 pts, 2 M Wathes & BP England 37 (cb), 3 R Nicholson & S Wells 37. Best front nine: M Booth & M Rhymes 20. Best back nine: D Fitchett & M French 19. Nearest the pin (11th) P Major.

Champions Tankard (36-hole KO final): P Barrow bt S Newstead 9 & 8.