Cal Carson Golf Agency image of James Byrne, with his distinctive "Sun Devils" golf bag at the Scottish open amateur stroke-play championship at Murcar Links this past summer. Click on image to enlarge.

World ranking cannot help James Byrne

get into Arizona State University team

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

James Byrne is ranked the 42nd best amateur golfer in the world - and the leading Scot - but he cannot get into the Arizona State University team of five since the 2009-2010 US college season started!

Is the 20-year-old from Banchory, who had a super summer golf season back home, worried about this state of affairs? Well, not really as he says in the following E-mail:

"I simply didn't play well enough to make the initial starting five for a tournament at Chicago, and with the Arizona State team winning the event, (and going from strength to strength), I've not really had a chance to push anyone out.

"We only play three events in the fall season though and it's been a long summer so I'm not too disheartened. I am playing in the Argentine amateur championship in three weeks' time and also the Dixie Amateur (won by Gavin Dear in 2008) in Fort Lauderdale just before Christmas.

"So I still have plenty golf to play. In the spring we have nine college tournaments, so hopefully I'll be much fresher after a good rest and I'll put some better numbers up.

"You might also like to know that my team-mate and room-mate, Scott Pinckney, who played in Scotland over the summer with me, has finished in the top eight in all three events this autumn in high-quality fields. He puts his improvement down to being able to control his trajectory better after playing in the wind and rain for two months in Scotland!"