Ryan McCarthy showed tenacity in the face of adversity at the Challenge Tour event in Scotland, hitting back from an opening round 75 to not only make the cut but head to the final round inside the top-25.

A second round 66 followed by a Saturday 68 saw McCarthy tee off Sunday in a share of 21^st position despite being 10 shots off the pace after day one.

While disappointed with a final round of 2-over 73 the fightback was another step in the right direction for the first year Challenge Tour player who has now made three consecutive cuts and four of his last five.

McCarthy eventually finished T33 at the tournament at 2-under for the week, the same score as Ben Eccles who was once again steady with rounds of 73-68-72-69.

Nick Cullen was a stroke further back in a share of 42^nd while Daniel Fox was 68^th alone, the damage done for the West Australian with a Saturday 77.

Jordan Zunic and Scott Arnold both missed the cut, Zunic blistering the course on day two with a 64 but unable to erase an opening 80.

Arnold, playing on a medical exemption in 2017, struggled with his game and was well outside the cut line with scores of 79-73.