SCOTT HENDERSON knows that it takes to win a Northern Open at Cruden Bay - he's done it before and in a howling gale on the last day to boot.

So the Aberdonian, although a bit longer in the tooth these days, is well pleased that there is no-one ahead of him after the first day of this year's 72-hole championship at the Buchan links in the shadow of Slains Castle.

In fact there's a logjam at the top of the leaderboard with Henderson only one of five men sharing the pole position on two-under-par 68. The others are Paul Shields [Kirkhill], Lossiemouth amateur Kyle Godsman, Paul Robinson [Largs] and Gareth Wright [West Linton], who finished joint second in the PGA professional championship last week.

There are another six players breathing down the leaders' necks on 69 - Robert Arnott [Bishopbriggs], Graham Fox [Clydeway Golf], Colin Robinson [Elie Links], Greg Paxton [Ralston], Gleneagles Scottish pro champion Chris Kelly [unattached] and Tartan Tour No.1 Greig Hutcheson [Paul Lawrie Golf Links].

At this stage of the four-round tournament, it would take a brave punter to put his money on his selection.

It might need the return of the high winds that swept the country last week and at the weekend to sort out thie Grand National cavalry charge of a leaderboard.

And could you blame Scott Henderson for wishing the gales return to help him sort them all again down the home straight as he did a few years back.

NORTHERN OPEN LEADERBOARD

Par 70

68 S Henderson (Kings Links), P Shields (Kirkhill), K Godsman (Moray) (am), G Wright (West Linton), P Robinson (Largs)

69 R Arnott (Bishopbriggs), G Fox (Clydeway Golf), C Robinson (Elie Links), C Kelly (unatt), G Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie GC)

70 M Hillson (Tandridge), G McBain (Paul Lawrie GC), C Ronald (Carluke), P Wardell (North Berwick),

C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst)

71 M Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy), J Porteous (Craigielaw), R Dixon (Renaissance), K McNicoll (Gullane), S Binning (Mearns Castle), P O'Hara (Clydeway Golf), M Patterson (Kilmacolm), J Godward (Cruden Bay), D Orr (Eastwood).

72 A Reid (West Lothian), C Goodwin (Duff House Royal), C Marr (Musselburgh), C Sutherland (Cherry Lodge)

73 C Brown (Carrick on Loch Lomond), A Cooper (Newmacar), N Fenwick (Dunbar), R Tinker (Piperdam), M Patterson (Cruden Bay)

74 T Dingwall (Kemnay), J Sharp (Carrick on Loch Lomond), A Holbrook (Murcar Links) (am), D Watson (Cruden Bay) (am), G Hardy (Ayr Belleisle), L Gaughan (Bathgate), S Maxwell (Eastwood), J McCreadie (Largs), J Lomas (Caprington), J McGhee (Bishopbriggs), A Welsh (Cathkin Braes)

75 S Gray (Hayston), J Gallagher (Douglas Park), C McMaster (Wellsgreen), B Mason (Callaway Golf), N Murray (Cruden Bay), G Smith (Abu Dhabi)