PICTURES: Forres Golf Club five-day open reaches crucial stages as reigning scratch champion is defeated

The reigning champion in Forres Golf Club’s five-day open has been defeated.

Colin Mackay fell at the first hurdle of the matchplay on Wednesday after qualifying from the two strokeplay rounds on Monday and Tuesday.

Mackay, who defeated Marc Dingwall in last year’s Grant Cup final to claim the scratch title, was defeated 5&3 by ex-Forres Mechanics footballer Nathan Sharp.

Sharp was scheduled to play his last sixteen tie this morning against 2019 winner Maurice Lindsay, who beat Jordan Milne 4&2 in round one.

Another past winner, Bryan Fotheringham defeated Ryan Wall 4&2 to come through the opening matchplay round.

The round-of-16 and quarter-finals take place today (Thursday), with the semi-finals and final contested tomorrow.

Another ex-Forres Mechanics footballer, Steven Fraser is bidding to retain his lower-handicap Fraser Cup crown from last year, having beaten Tim Ramsden 5&4 in his opening matchplay.

And Capri Tray holder Corey Black was also on course to defend his title after a 6&5 victory over Steven Garrow in the first round of the matchplay.