Thursday, June 18, 2009

Fraser Mann chasing PGA Cup team place after a 74

James Lee leaps five ahead in

Glenmuir PGA Championship

By RON MARSHALL
PGA Press Officer at Dundonald Links
James Lee is trying not to think too far ahead after a supreme round of golf in the flagship event for Britain and Ireland’s top club professionals. Playing in a 25mph gale and frequent downpours, the 40-year-old Caerphilly pro took the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship by the scruff of the neck as he returned an unbelievable one-under-par 71 over the fearsome Dundonald Links course near Troon.
That score – three better than any of the 52 other players – gives him a five-stroke cushion going into today’s (Friday) final round, worth £10,000 to the winner and a guaranteed place in the GB & I team to contest the PGA Cup (the club pros’ version of the Ryder Cup) back in Scotland at The Carrick at Loch Lomond, in September.
“I can’t deny I’ve been thinking about it all, but I’ve lost more than I’ve won by not having the right thoughts,” said Lee.
He certainly plotted his way round the windswept links with panache.
“I hesitate to say it, but I played some faultless golf out there. I chipped in twice – once for a saving bogey, the other for birdie – and the only little niggle is leaving a 4ft putt inches short on the last for another birdie.”
He was also at pains to give huge credit to his coach, Terry Hanson from Cardiff, whom he’s known for 20 years.
“It’s my first lesson from him since last year – we’re both so busy at our respective clubs – but he gave my a swing thought which has helped enormously.”
Chasing him today will be the 2006 winner, Paul Wesselingh, whose 74 came despite a bad fall as he crossed a greasy bridge at the 11th hole.
Mention should be made of a stunning inward half by Musselburgh’s Fraser Mann (pictured above), which, in the conditions, had the touch of magic about it. A 33 – which equals the best of the championship done in much less stormy weather – was tacked onto an outward 41, and that 74 hoisted the Scot from 16th to a share of fourth.
Mann could be bidding for his third selection for the PGA Cup team.
LEADING THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
212 J Lee (Caerphilly) 69 72 71.
217 P Wesselingh (Kedleston Park) 71 72 74.
221 J Robinson (Sports Masters International) 69 71 81.
223 F Mann (Musselburgh) 75 74 74, J Rodwell (Southport & Ainsdale) 75 73 75, B Taylor (Houghwood) 75 72 76.
225 C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 74 76 75, C Sands (Skycaddie) 76 73 76, J Whatley (Morley Hayes) 68 80 77, J Bevan (Wessex GC) 74 73 78
Other Scottish scores:
226 C Ronald (Carluke) 74 75 77.
230 J McKinnon (Irvine) 76 76 78.
232 F McLaughlan (Bothwell Castle) 72 80 80.
234 G Law (Uphall ) 75 78 81.

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