ANDREW McARTHUR was still in the title hunt heading into the weekend’s action at the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge in Aviemore.

But the Glasgow golfer admitted his climb up the leaderboard at Macdonald Spey Valley has taken him by surprise.

McArthur, a two-time winner on the European Challenge Tour, hit a four-under 67 for a five-under 137 and had plenty to play for over the closing 36-holes.

The former Scottish Amateur champ illuminated his card with a chip in from 25 yards on the 15th – his fifth – as he reeled off six birdies over his first eight holes.

And despite his handy position on the standings, McArthur still has no idea how his title tilt is still on course.

He said: “This course just perplexes me and I’m at a loss to explain how I’ve handled it. I’ve still not got any idea how to play it really but this must be the lowest round I’ve had here in the years that I’ve played it.”

McArthur has been juggling action on both the Challenge Tour and the main European circuit this season.

He has had a second and a third on the second-tier Tour while his forays on the big stage have spawned two top-20 finishes.

McArthur added: “I seem to play better in the bigger events. It’s not easy playing both Tours and I’ve probably played more golf at this stage of the season than I would have liked.

“But playing well on the main European Tour gives you a bit more confidence when you come back down on to the Challenge Tour.”

As McArthur hoisted himself up the field, Motherwell’s Ross Kellett continued his impressive showing with a 67 of his own as he tucked himself in among the front-runners with a seven-under tally.

Meanwhile, Glasgow’s Paul Shields was pipped to victory in the PGA EuroPro Tour’s Paul Lawrie Foundation Granite City Classic at Newmachar.

The Kirkhill ace ripped out a closing six-under 66 for a 14-under 202, but a bogey on the 17th proved costly as he lost out on the £10,000 top prize by a shot to Southport’s Paul Howard.