The 19-year-old bagged his first competitive hole in one on his way to a round of 66 to lead the field after day one of the Scottish Challenge at Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf and Country Club.

A subsequent round of 72 ensured James survived the cut and two final rounds of 74 and 76 left the teenager with an overall total of 288 – a tremendous achievement for his first attempt in a professional tournament.

Taco Remkes from Holland stormed to a five-stroke victory following a final day round of 66, finishing on a thirteen under par total of 271.

However James will take a huge amount of confidence from the event after proving he can make the step up to the professional ranks following his remarkable first round and steady golf thereafter.

The highlight for the former Banchory Academy pupil, who has just finished his first year of a golf scholarship at Arizona State University, was his hole in one at the 190-yard 13th hole on day one using a seven iron.

James said: "The wind had changed, because on the 12th it was into our faces. Then when we got onto the 13th tee, it was behind us. I was first to hit, so I didn't know which club to use.

"I just hit my seven iron and hoped for the best. It landed just the other side of the bunker, but I had no idea where it had ended up. I thought it would be about five or six feet away, but then when I got onto the green my ball wasn't there. So I had a look in the hole, and there it was!

"It was the highlight of a great day."

Meanwhile Alford's Laura Murray will be hoping to follow James' lead when the Ladies English Open gets underway this Friday. The 19-year-old qualified for the event after winning the Royal and Ancient Foundation Bursars' Tournament in April.