McGinley (66) sets pace in Hassan II
Trophy in Morocco

McGinley produced a bogey-free round to seize the early initiative on the opening day of the Hassan II Golf Trophy by Emaar at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in the Moroccan capital of Rabat on Thursday.
The Irishman fired a sizzling seven-under-par 66 to move one shot ahead of England’s Simon Dyson (67) and two off Sweden’s Johan Edfors and Mark Foster of England, both carding an equally tidy 68, according to a Press release.
Ernie Els, one of the major attractions of the annual tournament, stayed in the mix with a superb four-under-par 69 to share the fifth place with Dubai-based Ross Bain. With just three strokes separating the top six, the tournament script promises to unfold some interesting twists and turns.
The day certainly belonged to McGinley, the man who famously holed the winning putt in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at the Belfry in 2002. The 41-year-old Irishman lit up his round with a stunning eagle on the 440-yard par-5 10th hole besides picking up three shots on the front nine and two on the back nine.
The biggest cheers of the day, however, were reserved for the ‘Big Easy.’ The seasoned South African was off the blocks with a birdie and dropped just one shot — on the par-3 ninth — en route to a fine round.
Ross Bain matched Els’ 69, thanks to an eagle on the par-5, 18th. Bain, who learned the basic rudiments of the game while growing up in Dubai, looked well on top his game. A bogey on the par-3 second being the only blemish on his card on Thursday.
Among the notables, Thomas Bjorn of Denmark carded a level-par 73 while Mark O’Meara signed off for a 71.
Meanwhile, Laura Davies made an impressive debut in the Lalla Meryem Cup, being played alongside the Hassan II Golf Trophy by Emaar. The veteran English star shot a superb six under under 67 to take a one-stroke lead.
Tania Elosegui and Maria Verchenova were tied second on 68, one shot ahead of the chasing pack which included the French duo of Patricia Heunier-Lebouc and defending champion Gwladys Nocera of France.
Davies, starting with a bogey on the first, fired eight birdies in her round, something which clearly shows the English veteran is in top form.

European Tour Qualifying School Scoreboard
STAGE 2 AT THREE SPANISH VENUES
All Par 216 (3 x 72)
COSTA BALLENA
Leading 19 after 72 holes to qualify for Final Q School
203 J Garcia Pinto (Spa) 62 72 69
204 J Moul 69 69 66, P Bocian (Swe) 73 65 66
205 J Grillon (Fra) 66 70 69, M Reale (Ita) 69 66 70
206 J Abbate (Arg) 72 69 65, J Mellor 67 71 68, N Smith (USA) 69 66 71
Scots scores:
207 D Patrick 69 69 69 (jt 9th).
211 G Gordon 69 70 72 (jt 29th).
214 S Jamieson 71 71 72 (jt 41st).
216 R Russell 70 73 73 (jt 50th).

MONTENMEDIO
Leading 20 after 72 holes to qualify for Final Q School
206 F Zanotti (Par) 68 71 67
209 M Quiros (Spa) 68 68 73, A Kristiansen (Nor) 67 70 72
210 A Snobeck (Fra) 69 72 69, J Parry 69 72 69, N Harris 73 66 71
211 W Booth (am) 70 71 70, G Woodman 70 71 70
212 C del Moral (Spa) 71 71 73, C Doak 70 69 73, J Lomas 71 70 71.
Other Scots' scores:
216 S Henry (am) 75 73 68 (jt 27th).
222 E Ramsay 77 74 71 (jt 52nd).
223 M Hillson (am) 74 74 75 (jt 54th).
230 C Kelly 80 77 73 (jt 68th).

ARCOS GARDENS
Leading 20 after 72 holes to qualify for Final Q School.
201 S Luna (Spa) 66 69 66
208 J Ruth 70 72 66, J Morrison 69 70 69
209 S Thornton 67 70 72
210 A Bernadet (Fra) 71 71 68, J Little 68 72 70, M Ford 68 71 71, D Kupper (Ger) 71 66 73.
Scots scores:
211 G Dear (am) 71 71 69 (jt 9th).
214 E Little 70 73 71, C Macaulay (am) 73 73 68 (jt 24th).
222 E Saltman 75 71 76 (jt 68th).

SHERRY GOLF JEREZ
Leading 19 after 72 holes to qualify for Final Q School.
202 J Guerrier (Fra) 68 66 68
206 S Jeppesen (Swe) 69 67 70
208 N Meitinger (Ger) 72 72 64, F Calmels (Fra) 69 71 68, J Makitalo (Fin) 70 68 70
210 A Crux 71 70 69, D Higgins 73 69 68, C Carranza (Arg) 66 71 73
Scots scores:
212 G Murray 72 70 70 (jt 12th).
215 P Doherty 75 72 68 (jt 27th).
217 L Saltman 75 72 70, M Kerr 74 73 70 (jt 37th).

Hacienda del Alamo pack

of four have sights set on

leader Ian Brotherston

The stage is set for an exciting last day's play under some glorious Costa Calida sunshine for the Scottish Senior Golfing Society's Spanish Festival's Murcia Seniors Open.
Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) shot a one-over-par 73 over the Dave Thomas-designed championship course at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort today which left the door open for the over-50s "big guns" to get him in their sights in the third and final round.
Brotherston's 36-hole tally of 147 is only two shots clear of a chasing pack of four - Aberdeen's George Paterson from Northern, Monifieth's former Walker Cup player and past Scottish champion Ian Hutcheon, Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) and Jim Kinloch (Cardross).
a 71 by George Paterson (pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency) was the first sub-par score of the tournament and Hutcheon and Taylor both improved by five shots with par-matching scores.
Jim Kinloch, the overnight joint leader with Brotherston, slipped back with a 75 for 149 but he is still 12 shots ahead of twin brother Peter (Ian Hutcheon is 10 shots ahead of his twin brother Fred).
John Lang (Bruntsfield Links), who plays off five, is leading the handicap race with a net two-round total of 144 - one shot ahead of two-handicappers Jim Kinloch and Ian Taylor.

REPORT BY KEITH HOWIE (SSGS vice-captain)

Another glorious Costa Calida day as the big guns began to mount their challenges for the Murcia Seniors Open title.

The par-3 eighth hole is one of the defining factors with many of the contenders. A tough, front- left pin position meant that anyone going past the pin was staring at a double bogey at best, including this writer who suffered his third in a row. Eight was the highest score at that hole but the victim wishes to remain anonymous.

Brilliant golf course here at Hacienda del Alamo.

Top match in final round will see Hutch, Brotherston and Paterson tee off together.

MURCIA SENIORS OPEN SCOREBOARD
Second round totals
Par 144 (2 x 72)
147 Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) 74 73.
149 George Paterson (Northern) 78 71, Ian Hutcheon (Monifieth) 77 72, Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) 77 72, Jim Kinloch (Cardross) 74 75.
151 Gordon MacDonald (Callander) 79 72, Derek Murphy (Kinross) 78 73.
153 Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 76 77, John McDonald (Cowglen) 76 77.
154 Derek Sim (Monifieth) 78 74, John Lang (Bruntsfield Links) 77 77.
155 George Rodaks (Moffat) 78 77, James Johnston (Northumberland) 78 77, Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) 78 77, Alan MacNaught (Colchester) 77 79, David Smith (Stirling) 77 79.
157 David Doodson (Temple) 78 78, Keith Howie (West Kilbride) 77 80.
158 Billy Wallace (Strathaven) 80 78, Jim Pagan (Peterborough Milton) 80 78.
159 David Millar (St Andrews New) 78 81, Fred Hutcheon (Monifieth) 78 81, Ken Forrest (Lenzie) 76 83.
161 Peter Kinloch (Cardross) 84 77, Andrew Laird (Deeside) 82 79, Alasdair Brown (Merchants of Edinburgh) 81 80, Iain Jeen (Milngavie) 80 81, Jim Graham (Clober) 79 82.

LEADING HANDICAP SCORES

144 John Lang (Bruntsfield Links) (5).

145 Jim Kinloch (Cardross) (2), Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) (2).

146 Derek Sim (Monifieth) (3), Dieter Lotz (Hacienda del Alamo).

147 James Johnston (Northumberland) (4), David Doodson (Temple) (5).

148 Alan MacNaught (Chelmsford) (4), Billy Wallace (Strathaven) (5).

149 Keith Howie (West Kilbride) (4), Derek Murphy (Kinross) (1), John McDonald (Cowglen) (2), George Paterson (Northern) (scr), Mike Jones (Sensol Golf).

Drummond and Torrance make

good start to in Spanish Seniors

From Steve Todd

European Senior Tour Press Officer
Scots Ross Drummond and Sam Torrance are two shots off the pace after opening rounds of 68 in the OKI Castellón Open España – Senior Tour Championship today.
Torrance, pictured right, who is finding his form at the end of the European Senior Tour campaign, posted four birdies in his flawless four under par round while compatriot Drummond recovered from back-to-back bogeys on the second and third holes with a hat-trick of birdies.
Former Ryder Cup-winning captain Torrance’s luggage failed to turn up at the airport, leaving him with just his clubs, but the 55-year-old did not let that distract him as he made his best start to a tournament this year.
“I played beautifully today,” he said. “I missed a lot of chances but also holed a few. It’s nice to be up there after the first round – it’s been a while.”
Torrance finished second at the Scottish Seniors Open in September – his best finish of the season.
Both Torrance and Drummond are two strokes behind Angel Fernandez of Chile and reigning champion Costantino Rocca of Italy, who started his title defence with a six under par 66 at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, Castellόn, Spain.
The 51 year old, who finished one shot clear of Nick Job to take the title at the Senior Tour Championship at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club 12 months ago, is looking for his first win of 2008 after a solid season that has seen him record seven top ten finishes.
“My driving was really good today – I hit a lot of fairways,” said the 2007 Hardys Rookie of the Year. “I can hit a little bit closer to the pin as I was sometimes short today. My only really long putt was the 18th.
“I played really well. Being defending champion doesn’t change the way I play here – it’s a different course. It’s very nice weather and I tried to do my best. The tournament isn’t finished but if I play well like this I have a chance.”
Argentine Horacio Carbonetti is a shot behind the leaders after a 67, while Order of Merit leader Ian Woosnam opened with a level par 72.
FIRST ROUND LEADERS

Par 72
66 A Fernandez (Chi), C Rocca (Ita) ;
67 H Carbonetti (Arg).
68 E Rodriguez (Spa), S Torrance (Sco), J Bruner (US), R Drummond (Sco).
69 A Murray (Eng), K Tomori (Jpn), D Hospital (Spa), B Cameron (Eng).
70 J Rivero (Spa), D Smyth (Ire), C Mason (Eng), N Job (Eng), B Longmuir (Sco).

71 J Rhodes (Eng), G Watine (Fra), D Merriman (Aus), B Boyd (US), J Quiros (Esp), L Carbonetti (Arg).
72 G Cali (Ita), I Woosnam (Wal), P Mitchell (Eng), J Bland (SAf), M Gray (Sco), S Owen (NZ), T Johnstone (Zim), E Darcy (Ire).
73 J Chillas (Sco), J Hall (Eng), P Oakley (US).
74 D O'Sullivan (Ire), A Franco (Par), G Brand (Eng).
75 D Cambridge (Jam), G Encina (Chi), D Russell (Eng) ; S Ginn (Aus) ;
77 B Lincoln (SAf).
78 V Garcia (Spa).

John Letters marks 90th year with
donation to Poppy Appeal

John Letters of Scotland, the world famous golf club maker, has reached its landmark 90th anniversary and is marking the occasion with a donation to the Poppy Appeal which this year is commemorating ninety years since the end of the First World War.
A percentage of every product sold by John Letters in the month from 11 November, Remembrance Day, will be donated to the Poppy Appeal which raises funds to support ex-serviceman and their families.
The owner of John Letters Golf Limited, John Andrew, said: “My Great Grandfather John Thomas Andrew fought in world war one and was of the lucky ones to survive and such The Royal British Legion has long been one of my favourite charities and we have made donations in the past."
"However, as we have both reached a landmark of 90 years together this year, we have decided to make a donation on all sales for a period of a month from Remembrance Day. This way we hope to raise thousands of pounds which will help support the current and ex-service community.”
90 Years Of John Letters' Golf Equipment
John Letters Golf was founded in 1918 by a Glasgow businessman called John Letters. He decided to base his company in the industrial heartlands of the West of Scotland.
At the time eyebrows were raised that a club maker could flourish if its owner was not a golf professional and if it was not based in one of the centres of Scottish golf. In actual fact John Letters Golf was ideally placed to take advantage of the great technological advances of the 20th century and John Letters' lack of grounding in professional golf made him more open to change as his company became one of the first in Europe to experiment with steel shafts.
By 1949 John Letters Golf had reached a position of dominance in the British game, kitting out three quarters of that year's Ryder Cup side, and most of the small club makers run from back rooms overlooking the great links courses had disappeared. The Golden Goose John Letters putter became one of the 20th century's most iconic clubs.
Today John Letters Golf Limited, under new ownership since 2005, remains one of the most enduring and recognisable names in golf. The company continues to produce golf clubs, balls, bags, gloves and other accessories. In the increasingly competitive world of golf equipment manufacturing John Letters can now look proudly towards the next 90 years.

Martin Laird's US Tour place on

the line as he starts with a 68

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE

By SEAN MARTIN

Assistant Editor

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Flodida – Martin Laird’s long drives and laid-back attitude make him an ideal pro-am partner. Except this week.

Laird’s US PGA Tour card is his first priority at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. The Scotsman, pictured above, started the week at No. 126 on the money list, about $37,000 behind Jeff Overton.

“I’m probably not being quite as chatty this week as I would be maybe at the start of the season,” Laird said. “I’m talking, but I’m kind of trying to focus more on what I need to do. It’s too big a week to be too concerned about reading putts for other people and stuff.”

Laird shot a four-under 68 in Thursday's first round at Walt Disney World Resort’s Palm Course, traditionally the easier of the two lay-outs used in this event, which features a pro-am during the first 36 holes.

Birdies on two of Laird’s final three holes salvaged an “alright” start for the rookie, who is tied for 28th position.

“Today was just a normal Thursday,” the 25-year-old said. “I wasn’t out there thinking, ‘I’m 126th on the money list. I need to play well.’ I’m not too bothered because I’m on the outside looking in. It’s not like I’m 125th on the money list and feel like I have a lot to lose. I can only go up.”

His prospects will be helped by three consecutive rounds at the 7,516-yard Magnolia Course, which plays about 600 yards longer than the Palm. Laird said his length – he ranks 31st on Tour in driving distance (296.4 yards per drive) – makes him feel comfortable on the tougher lay-out. Players alternate between the Magnolia and Palm for the first two rounds, then play the weekend on the Magnolia.

Laird figures he needs at least a top-15 finish to avoid a trip to Q-School. But the almighty dollar won’t impact his on-course decisions until Sunday, if at all.

The same can’t be said for his off-the-course activities. Laird, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, has lived in the United States since coming to Colorado State University as a 17-year-old freshman.

This is his first time at Walt Disney World, but he has limited his time at the theme parks to a quiet dinner at Epcot. This week he’s staying with fellow Tour players Kevin Stadler (who’s No. 147 on the money list), Tim Wilkinson and Ryan Armour. Wilkinson and Armour have already secured their cards.

“I’m trying to focus on the task at hand,” Laird said, “instead of going over there and going on rides and stuff.”

Laird’s ability to stay calm with money on the line is one reason he made a smooth transition to professional golf, said Colorado State head coach Jamie Bermel.

Laird was a two-time All-American (and two-time All-American Scholar) before graduating from Colorado State in 2004 with a marketing degree. He advanced to Q-School finals later that year to earn Nationwide Tour status.

After three years on the secondary circuit, he finished 13th on the money list in 2007 to earn his Tour card.

“The big hurdle for a lot of these kids, is they have a difficult time processing the amount of money they’re playing for,” said Bermel, who also coached Zach Johnson at Drake. “They get all caught up in that, and I think Martin does a good job of playing and just adding it up at the end.”

Laird, however, started to doubt his ability when he earned just $66,000 in his first 14 events this year. He’s made 13 of 14 cuts since.He finished joint fourth in consecutive starts to reach the FedEx Cup playoffs, then finished tied seventh at The Barclays.

Surprisingly, he’s still fighting for his card despite advancing to the BMW Championship, the third of the four FedEx Cup play-off events.

Laird has had chances to put away his Tour card. He finished 64-63 at the Wyndham Championship to finish T-4 and earn his biggest check of the year, but he also called a two-stroke penalty on himself in the second round for failing to replace his ball marker.

Laird was under par entering the weekend at the limited-field BMW Championship, but shot a third-round 76 to erase his chances of cashing a big check.

“There’s no question he thinks (about the money list),” Bermel said. “Like all those guys on the bubble, he’s fighting. But he has a pretty good appreciation of where he was in July and where he is now. He just keeps plugging away and chipping away at it.”

Laird isn’t too worried about losing his card. He said he has fond memories playing Q-School at PGA West in 2004 and 2006. Not that he thinks he’ll be spending the first week in December in the California desert.

“I’m pretty confident I’m going to get the job done," said Laird.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
Magnolia GC
64 Scott Verplank, Kevin Streelman
65 Robert Gamez, Rich Beem
66 Zach Johnson, Ken Duke
67 Cody Freeman, Steve Flesch, Mathias Gronberg (Swe)
68 Chris DiMarco, Charles Howell III, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl), John Rollins, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe), Cameron Beckman, Bo Van Pelt, Carl Pettersson (Swe), Stephen Ames (Can), Tommy Gainey
69 Brett Rumford (Aus), Lee Janzen, Carlos Franco (Par), Tim Clark (Rsa)
70 Dudley Hart, Michael Bradley, Chris Stroud, Matthew Jones (Aus), Michael Allen, Travis Perkins (Sco), Brett Quigley, Scott Sterling
71 David Lutterus (Rsa), Scott McCarron, Mark Hensby (Aus), Brenden Pappas (Rsa), Steve Elkington (Aus), J.B. Holmes, George McNeill, Daniel Chopra (Swe), Jim McGovern, Ryan Armour, Shane Bertsch
72 Brad Faxon, Brian Davis (Eng), Kyle Thompson, Briny Baird, Nick Flanagan (Aus), Jon Mills (Can), Jason Day (Aus)
73 Paul Claxton, Kent Jones, Jeff Maggert, Brian Gay, John Huston, Greg Kraft, Peter Lonard (Aus), Bob Tway
74 Brad Adamonis, Ben Crane, Chad Collins, Steve Lowery, Frank Lickliter II
75 Clint Avret, Richard Johnson (Wal)
PALM GOLF CLUB

Par 72

63 Troy Matteson
64 Jimmy Walker
65 Steve Marino, Kirk Triplett, Robert Garrigus
66 Robert Allenby (Aus), Tag Ridings, Davis Love III, Stewart Cink, Tom Pernice Jnr, Jason Gore
67 J J Henry, Omar Uresti, Jeff Overton, Tim Petrovic, Todd Demsey, Harrison Frazar, Kevin Stadler
68 Patrick Sheehan, Vaughn Taylor, Woody Austin, Tommy Armour III, Will MacKenzie, Y. E Yang (Kor), Joe Durant, Martin Laird (Sco), Boo Weekley, Alejandro Canizares (Spa), Craig Kanada, John Riegger
69 Bob Sowards, Tom Scherrer, Jin Park (Kor), Nick Watney, J.P. Hayes, Ted Purdy, Ronald Whittaker
70 Richard S Johnson (Swe), Bob Estes, Erik Compton, Brad Elder, Jesper Parnevik (Swe), Brian Bateman
71 Jerry Kelly, Charles Warren, Bubba Watson, Heath Slocum, Justin Bolli, Ryan Palmer, Marc Turnesa, Bob Heintz, Nicholas Thompson
72 Jason Allred, Bill Haas, Eric Axley, Kenneth Ferrie (Eng), Cliff Kresge, James Driscoll, Jason Bohn
73 Ryan Moore
74 Dustin Johnson
75 Fred Couples
76 Jay Williamson, Alex Cejka (Ger).

Monday finish now a possibility in China

It's a wash-out in Shanghai: Round

2 rained off in Shanghai

Heavy rain throughout the day in Shanghai led to the flooding of parts of the Sheshan International Golf Club golf course and forced the abandonment of the second round of the HSBC Champions in China today.
Play was scheduled to begin at 08h40 this morning, but heavy overnight showers, coupled with continual rain, meant that play was called for the day at 13h45.
Second round play will resume at 06h45 on Saturday morning from the first tee and 06h50 from the tenth.
European Tour Tournament Director David Probyn explained the situation.
“Our prime objective and our current intention is to complete 72 holes in the HSBC Champions,“ said Probyn. “Round two is scheduled to start on Saturday morning and our plan will be to put the players straight back out for the third round without a redraw.
“We would hope that the final matches would be able to achieve around 27 holes tomorrow (Saturday). We would then intend to restart the third round, with players in position on the course, at around 06h30 or 06h45 on Sunday morning, meaning the third round would conclude around 08h45 on Sunday morning.
“We would then redraw for the fourth and final round with tee times being approximately between 09h30 and 11h30.
“Clearly if we have any further delays to this schedule there is a strong possibility that play in the fourth round may needed to be completed on Monday morning and this has been provisionally agreed with all parties within the tournament.
“Play was abandoned today on the basis that the two hour period of dry weather we did have, did not restore the golf course to playable conditions on the fairways and with light to moderate rain forecast for the rest of the day, in addition to visibility also decreasing, clearly the situation was only going to worsen.”