US PGA Tour Scoreboard
TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP
TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticutt
SECOND ROUND
Par 140 (2 x 70)
129 Kenny Perry 61 68
130 David Toms 65 65
131 Paul Goydos 63 68, Ryan Moore 66 65
132 Anthony Kim 66 66, Aaron Watkins 65 67, John Merrick 65 67, Casey Wittenberg 67 65, Colt Knost 66 66, Ben Curtis 68 64
133 Spencer Levin 64 69, Michael Allen 68 65, Kyle Stanley 66 67, Tag Ridings 64 69, Bryce Molder 67 66, Chez Reavie 66 67
134 Kris Blanks 68 66, Chris Riley 67 67, Brian Gay 66 68, Bubba Watson 66 68, Matt Bettencourt 67 67, Kevin Streelman 68 66, Charlie Wi (Kor) 66 68, Jarrod Lyle (Aus) 67 67, Mathew Goggin (Aus) 65 69, Bo Van Pelt 66 68, Johnson Wagner 66 68, Brandt Snedeker 67 67, D.J. Trahan 66 68
135 Aron Price (Aus) 67 68, Robert Garrigus 66 69, Bill Lunde 67 68, Justin Leonard 69 66, Joe Durant 67 68, Boo Weekley 64 71, Bob Heintz 68 67, Tyler Aldridge 69 66, Charles Warren 63 72, Jerry Kelly 65 70, Luke List 66 69, Zach Johnson 67 68, Mark Brooks 67 68, Greg Chalmers (Aus) 64 71, Ricky Barnes 65 70, Rich Beem 68 67, Jay Williamson 67 68, Scott Verplank 67 68
136 Michael Letzig 70 66, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 67 69, Billy Mayfair 70 66, Gary Woodland 69 67, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 68 68, Webb Simpson 67 69, Will MacKenzie 68 68, Nathan Green (Aus) 69 67, Chad Campbell 67 69, Vijay Singh (Fij) 66 70, Y.E. Yang (Kor) 65 71, Jason Gore 68 68, Brendon De Jonge 70 66, Chris Stroud 71 65, Lucas Glover 65 71, Hunter Mahan 66 70, J J Henry 66 70
137 Patrick Sheehan 67 70, Scott McCarron 70 67, Vaughn Taylor 69 68, Chris DiMarco 68 69, Lee Janzen 66 71, Kevin Sutherland 69 68, James Driscoll 68 69, Peter Lonard (Aus) 67 70, D.A. Points 65 72, Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 69 68, Marc Leishman (Aus) 71 66, Tim Petrovic 68 69, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 70 67, Olin Browne 70 67, Jason Bohn 67 70, Jesper Parnevik (Swe) 67 70
MISSED THE CUT
138 Ted Purdy 68 70, Steve Lowery 67 71, Cliff Kresge 67 71, Billy Andrade 66 72, Brian Vranesh 71 67, Justin Rose (Eng) 68 70, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) 68 70, Scott Sterling 71 67, Corey Pavin 68 70, Rick Price 75 63, Matt Weibring 68 70, Nicholas Thompson 66 72
139 Jonathan Kaye 68 71, Steve Flesch 71 68, Woody Austin 69 70, David Berganio Jnr. 70 69, Heath Slocum 68 71, Brad Faxon 74 65, Jeff Maggert 67 72, John Rollins 70 69, David Mathis 70 69, Briny Baird 67 72
140 Kirk Triplett 69 71, Joe Ogilvie 67 73, Harrison Frazar 71 69, Bob Tway 69 71, Brian Bateman 66 74, Kevin Stadler 67 73, Daniel Chopra (Swe) 68 72, Ryan Palmer 69 71, Marc Turnesa 73 67
141 Kent Jones 68 73, Derek Fathauer 71 70, Tim Herron 67 74
142 Pat Perez 71 71, Roland Thatcher 70 72, Eric Axley 74 68, Ken Duke 66 76, Stewart Cink 71 71, Mathias Gronberg (Swe) 70 72, Tommy Gainey 67 75
143 Brendon Todd 73 70, Notah Begay III 73 70, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 69 74
144 Peter Tomasulo 71 73, Brad Adamonis 73 71, Darron Stiles 71 73, Wil Collins 73 71, Greg Owen (Eng) 67 77, Steve Marino 69 75, Scott Gutschewski 71 73, Glen Day 68 76, Patton Kizzire 71 73, Frank Lickliter II 67 77
145 Leif Olson 71 74, Rickie Fowler 72 73, Steve Allan (Aus) 74 71
146 Jimmy Walker 73 73, Martin Catalioto 76 70
147 Stephen Leaney (Aus) 72 75, Matthew Borchert 72 75
148 Danny Lee (Nzl) 74 74
151 Tony Kelley 75 76
154 John Bushka 75 79
157 Mike Capone 79 78
WD: Kevin Na 67
DQ: Dean Wilson 68

DE VERE PGA SENIORS AT SLALEY HALL

Gordon Brand junior loses his touch

in a 2hr 38min delay due to fog

From Steve Todd, European Senior Tour Press Officer
Paraguay’s Angel Franco has a one-stroke lead over former Ryder Cup player Gordon Brand Jnr and South African Christopher Williams at the halfway mark of The De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship.
The 51 year old South American, who is chasing his first European Senior Tour victory after finishing runner up three times, posted a level par second round 72 to consolidate his overnight position at the top of the leaderboard.
Scotsman Brand junior, who began the day level with Franco on three under par, was affected by a 2hr 38min delay in afternoon play due to fog at De Vere Slaley Hall.
When play eventually restarted he struggled to re-establish his rhythm, trading bogeys and birdies before a remarkable finish on the 18th hole saw him sign for a 73 to finish two under par.
The 50 year old, runner up to Gordon J Brand last year after an epic six hole play-off, had to take a drop after finding the trees with his drive then left his approach well short of the green. He was heading for a double bogey finish after another poor shot but a marvellous 20ft putt salvaged a bogey 5 and meant he ended a long day on a relative high.
“It was an adventurous finish I would say,” said Brand Jnr. “I struggled at the beginning and made some good saves and felt really good. Then I started to play well and then the delay came. I struggled after that. I was going all over the place, making errors.
“On the 18th I hit the road and went behind a tree so I came backwards so at the end of the day I was very pleased with a 73. It was just adventurous. A playable golf course became wet and long. I really hung in there today.
“It was difficult with the delay. I was into my round and it was just starting to play ok and then you come back out and you need some good shots to settle you down. I didn’t do that. I was up and down. I got it round in 73 and I’m in a good position going into the weekend.”
Likewise Franco was satisfied with his return despite looking at one point as if he was going to open up a sizeable lead after an eagle on the 12th, in addition to three birdies and two bogeys, helped him reach the turn three under par.
However on the trickier front nine at De Vere Slaley Hall’s Hunting Course, he dropped shots on the second, sixth and the ninth holes to remain at three under par for the championship following his opening round 69.
“It was a different day and different conditions,” he said. “The rain and wind make it difficult but I’m still really happy about my round today.
“Tomorrow is when it starts getting serious. The position I’m in today is not important – it is the position I’m in on Saturday and Sunday that matters. I’m focussed on that.”
Williams carded a round of 70 moved to move to two under par, after three birdies and one bogey.
Scotland’s John Chillas and Northern Ireland’s Jimmy Heggarty are a further shot back on one under par after rounds of 69 – the lowest of the day. They are joined on 143 by American Bob Boyd, and English pair Carl Mason and Kevin Spurgeon.
Ian Woosnam is seven shots of the pace after a 75 while fellow former Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance retired after the sixth hole of his round with a thumb injury.
Defending champion Gordon J Brand put his first round 81 behind him to card a two under par 70 and make it into the weekend.
SECOND ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 144 (2x72)

141 A Franco (Par) 69 72
142 G Brand jun (Sco) 69 73, C Williams (RSA) 72 70
143 B Boyd (USA) 73 70, K Spurgeon (Eng) 70 73, J Chillas (Sco) 74 69, C Mason (Eng) 73 70, J Heggarty (Nir) 74 69
144 B Lincoln (RSA) 71 73, B Cameron (Eng) 71 73
145 M Cunning (USA) 73 72, R Chapman (Eng) 74 71, A Fernandez (Chi) 75 70
146 T Giedeon (Ger) 71 75, D Russell (Eng) 72 74, J Benda (USA) 69 77, S Ebihara (Jpn) 75 71, G Towne (USA) 71 75, E Rodriguez (Esp) 73 73, G Cali (Ita) 71 75, M Williams (Zim) 74 72
147 A Barrera (Arg) 73 74, M Harwood (Aus) 74 73, R Drummond (Sco) 76 71, N Job (Eng) 76 71, J Hawkes (RSA) 69 78, C Rocca (Ita) 73 74
148 I Woosnam (Wal) 73 75, I Palmer (RSA) 75 73, D Merriman (Aus) 77 71, G Ryall (Eng) 74 74, T Planchin (Fra) 75 73, T Allen (Eng) 74 74, J Bruner (USA) 75 73, D Smyth (Irl) 73 75
149 P Mitchell (Eng) 74 75, P Oakley (USA) 74 75, D Cambridge (Jam) 77 72, J Quiros (Esp) 71 78, A Webster (Sco) 76 73, K Tomori (Jpn) 76 73, B Charles (Nzl) 73 76, J Rhodes (Eng) 76 73
150 P Harrison (Eng) 75 75, D Good (Aus) 75 75, G Harvey (Sco) 75 75
151 K Hanefeld (USA) 75 76, V Garcia (Esp) 72 79, G Ralph (Eng) 77 74, S Martin (Sco) 78 73, H Carbonetti (Arg) 75 76, M Poxon (Eng) 78 73, T Johnstone (Zim) 74 77, E Darcy (Irl) 74 77, A Murray (Eng) 76 75, M White (Sco) 74 77, G Brand (Eng) 81 70
152 G Marsh (Aus) 79 73, D Johnson (USA) 75 77, T Rouse (Eng) 78 74, P Hanna (Nir) 77 75, A Hemsley (Sco) 74 78, T Charnley (Eng) 73 79, T Rastall (Eng) 71 81
153 T Gale (Aus) 77 76, B Larratt (Eng) 77 76, N Ratcliffe (Aus) 78 75, D Hospital (Esp) 77 76, E Polland (Nir) 76 77, R Mann (Eng) 77 76, B Smit (RSA) 77 76, I Mosey (Eng) 78 75, M Clayton (Aus) 75 78, M Briggs (Eng) 71 82
154 J Hoskison (Eng) 74 80, L Carbonetti (Arg) 79 75, M Greenough (Eng) 78 76, M Miller (Sco) 81 73, M Guttman (USA) 75 79, B Longmuir (Sco) 76 78, A Johnsson (Swe) 77 77, G Townhill (Eng) 77 77
155 P Dugeny (Fra) 76 79, G Davies (Wal) 80 75, P O'Hagan (Irl) 77 78, F Kiddie (Eng) 75 80
156 S Bennett (Eng) 80 76, P Hinton (Eng) 76 80, S Marr (Sco) 82 74, M Galway (Eng) 76 80
157 P Dahlberg (Swe) 78 79, G Watine (Fra) 78 79, S Owen (Nzl) 83 74, R Masters (Eng) 74 83, K Stevely (Sco) 79 78, G Banister (Aus) 80 77, P Brostedt (Swe) 77 80
158 S Bishop (Eng) 82 76, M Piñero (Esp) 80 78, M Bembridge (Eng) 81 77, G Encina (Chi) 77 81 M Kierstenson (Eng) 76 82, D O'Sullivan (Irl) 75 83
159 M McLean (Eng) 81 78, A Bownes (Eng) 80 79
160 P Seal (Eng) 83 77
161 D Allen (Eng) 78 83, J Lapsley (Nzl) 78 83
162 J Woof (Eng) 82 80
163 J Heggarty (Eng) 78 85
164 F Hill (Eng) 81 83
165 G Potter (Eng) 85 80
166 B Stevens (Eng) 83 83
170 J Hall (Eng) 94 76, G Hopkins (USA) 83 87
RETIRED

S Torrance (Sco) 74 ret.

WITHDREW

D Stirling (Eng) 84 w/d.

R Waugh (Eng) 87 w/d.

G Krause (Eng) 81 w/d.

DISQUALIFIED

M Foster (Eng) 78 disq

Vijay's offer to bail out Stanford is turned down

The story of fallen financier Allen Stanford took a bizarre twist today when one of the US PGA Tour's top players, Vijay Singh offered to help pay the $500,000 bond which would allow Stanford - one of his sponsors - out on bail.
A federal magistrate rejected Vijay's offer on the grounds that Singh, a three-time major champion, is not a US citizen. He is in fact Fiji-born.
Prosecutors are appealing the decision to set bail for Stanford, who has pleaded not guilty to the charge of swindling investors out of $7 billion.
Singh has an endorsement deal with Stanford Financial reportedly worth $8 million. Although no longer being paid, Singh has continued to wear the Stanford logo on his visor and shirt.
He did not play in Memphis two weeks ago in a tournament previously sponsored by Stanford. He is in the field at this week's Travelers Championship.
"Vijay's opinion is that Stanford has yet to be proven guilty and until then has chosen to act supportively," said Dave Haggith, a spokesman at IMG, the management company that represents Singh.

SCOTTISH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Heather (75-81) misses the Gleneagles cut

as Lomas (68-70) takes over halfway lead

Heather MacRae, the first female to play in the event since Meg Farquhar at Lossiemouth in 1933, failed to beat the halfway cut in the Gleneagles Scottish PGA championship over the PGA Centenary course today..
The 25-year-old Gullane assistant pro from Dunblane was never going to match her opening score of 75 after bogeying six of the first nine holes for an outward 42. She bogeyed another four on the inward track before getting her lone birdie of the round, at the 16th.
She finished in 81 for a 36-hole tally of 156 - five shots too many to qualify for the Saturday-Sunday play and a pay slip for taking part.
But Heather can hold her head high. She had her day on Thursday and she had about half the field of professionals behind her as she finished tied 84th. And she finished the course, which is more than could be said for too many male pros playing in their national championship.
Former European Tour pro Jonathan Lomas, who moved up to Scotland to live near Turnberry, took up the running at the halfway stage with rounds of 68 and 70 for six-under-par 138.
Almost inevitably Northern Open Craig Lee, who complained the course was far too short after a first-round 68, required three shots more in a second-round 71 for 139 and is one shot off the pace with 36 holes to play, probably just where he wants to be.
Mark King (Kingsfield) is in third place with 68 and 72 for 140.
QUALIFIERS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
138 J Lomas (unatt) 68 70.
139 C Lee (unatt) 68 71.
140 M King (Kingsfield) 68 72.
141 L Mann (Carnoustie) 68 73, A Oldcorn (Kings Acre) 71 70.
142 C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 73 69, R Arnott (Bishopbriggs) 71 71, D Orr (East Renfrewshire) 69 73.
143 G Law (Uphall) 76 67, C Gillies (Perry Golf) 72 71, J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) 69 74.
144 M Kerr (Bathgate), K Walker (Castle Park), Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), C Nicoll (Prestwick), J McKinnon (Irvine), E Thomson (Senit Associates), J McGhee (Turnhouse), J Sharp (Carrick at Cameron House0.
145 G Niven (Stirling Univ) 71 74, A Lockhart (Ladybank) 73 72, S Cairns (Colville Park) 74 71, L Harper (Archerfield Links) 71 74, R Cameron (McDonald Ellon) 69 76.
146 I Taylor (Drumpellier) 76 70, S Herald (Mearns Castle) 69 77, H Kemp (Bishopbriggs) 74 72, F Mann (Musselburgh) 74 72.]
147 S Henderson (Kings Links) 73 74, S Craig (Paragon) 74 73, S Gray (Hayston) 71 76, T Buchanan (Duddingston) 70 77.
148 D Park (Wishaw) 75 73, S Lamb (Broomieknowe) 74 74, M Bruce (Gullane) 75 73, P Mitchell (Hermitage) 71 77.
149 M Loftus (Cowglen) 77 72, N Fenwick (Dunbar) 75 74, D Patrick (Elie) 75 74, M Finlayson (Edzell) 78 71.
150 T Burgoyne (Gotastroms) 72 76, P Wytrazek (Burntisland) 75 75, G Wright (West Linton) 73 77, G Fox (East Kilbride) 75 75, A Gibson (North Gailes) 75 75, C Robinson (Dumfries & Galloway) 76 74, E Cameron (Hamilton) 75 75, S Duncan (Balbirnie Park) 76 74, R Rafferty (unatt) 75 75.
151 C Ronald (Carluke) 76 756, A Love (Charleton) 79 72, N Scott-Smith (Palacerigg) 77 74, S Morrison (Tain) 77 74, K Campbell (Machrihanish) 76 75, D Fleming (Prestwick) 76 75, N Murray (Cruden Bay) 78 73, A E Reid (West Lothian 77 74.
MISSED THE CUT
152 K Hutton (Downfield) 77 75, E Davie (Dunblane New) 74 78, C Kelly (Cawder) 79 73.
153 S Rettie (Glenvbervie) 77 76, L Vannet (Carnoustie) 78 75, P Wardell (Whitekirk) 80 73, C Russell (RAW Golf Course Design) 80 73, B Wallace (unatt) 73 80, A Cooper (Newmachar) 75 78, B Leishman (Gleneagles Hotel) 76 77, P Wilson (World of Golf) 73 80.
154 O Morton (Gullane) 80 74, G Lornie (Paul Lawrie Foundation) 73 81, P Lovie (P1 Corporate) 76 78, S Savage (Dalmuir) 78 76, J Stevenson (Braehead) 75 7, D Watters (Gourock) 79 75, I Colquhoun (Dundonald Links) 77 77, D Broadfoot (Dumfries & Co) 77 77, J Hedberg (Royal Aberdeen) 79 75, Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle) 79 75.
155 D McKay (Wellsgreen) 78 77, C Donaldson (C Donaldson Golf Acad) 76 79, R Stewart (Cruden Bay) 79 76, Smith (Royal Musselburgh) 77 79, N Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh) 79 76.
156 A Purdie (Kingsbarns) 76 80, Heather MacRae (Gullane) 75 81, C Elliott (Haggs Castle) 77 79, P Brookes (Pitreavie) 77 79, I Stoddart (Uphall) 77 79, J Porteous (Craigielaw) 75 81, Mark Barnard (Inchmarlo) 77 79, S Morrison (Acushnet) 78 78.
157 B Mason (Callaway 80 77, K Lobban (K Lobban Golf) 78 79, S Catlin (Greenburn) 82 75, A MacKenzie (Duddingston) 77 80, F McLaughlan (Bothwell Castle) 75 82, A Jowett (Gleneagles Hotel) 78 79, K Campbell (Balmore) 77 80, C Morris (Kingsknowe) 78 79, S McNally (Scottish Inst of Sport) 76 81, K Baxter (Buchanan Castle) 79 78, R Smith (Gleneagles Hotel) 75 82.
158 G McInnes (Murcar Links) 77 81, M Rae (Alyth) 80 78, P Malone (Braid Hills) 80 788, A McDonald (Elie) 77 81.
159 G Forrester (St Andrews Golf School) 77 82, A MacRae (Gleneagles Hotel) 84 75, G McFarlane (Clober) 79 80, S Brown (Carnoustie) 81 78.
160 K Monaghan (Bothwell Castle) 82 78, G Hardy (Belleisle) 76 84, M Gillingham (Gleneagles Hotel) 78 82, R Gray (Prodream USA) 79 81, S Reekie (Blairgowrie) 78 82.
161 J Smallwood (Fereneze) 82 79, I Bratton (Newburgh on Ytan) 76 85, R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) 82 79, A Fullen (Largs) 80 81.
163 A Reid (unatt) 77 86, I Graham (Crow Wood) 85 78, G McSporran (Kinross) 81 82, R Irvine (Douglas Park) 78 85, S Gillespie (Burntisland) 80 83, N Keast (Duff House Royal) 81 82.
164 H Wong (Wellsgreen) 84 80, C Lawson (Blairgowrie) 82 82, C Donnelly (Balbirnie Park) 83 81.
165 C Campbell (Grantown on Spey) 88 77, R Gaden (Gleneagles Hotel) 83 82, S Spence (unatt) 77 88, G Bruce (Westhill) 82 83, C MacDonald (Peterculter) 82 83.
166 M Murray (unatt) 79 87, D Snodgrass (Hilton Park) 86 80, D Knapp (North Gailes) 88 78, J Kelly (Kames CC) 81 85, A Forrow (Whitecraigs) 82 84, G Dingwall (Royal Dornoch) 79 87, R Neill (Drumpellier) 86 80.
167 S O'Donnell (Balbirnie Park) 82 85.
169 A Erskine (Ratho Park) 88 81, G Boswell (Mearns Castle) 84 85.
170 P Hubner (Eastwood) 81 89.
172 P McLachlan (West Kilbride) 88 84.
173 J Ruth (Gary Mitchell Golf) 83 90, M Lacey (Gleneagles Hotel) 86 87.
NO RETURNS
E Hogarth (Peebles) 75 NR
C Boyle (Lanark) 75 NR
J Clive (Carrick NR 77
D R Nicol (Dundonald Links) 83 NR
G Robertson (Lanark) NR 79.
R Cartwright (Dunbar) 86 NR.
D Thomson (Carnegie Club) 85 NR
N Huguet (Musselburgh) NR NR.
I Hanna (Strathclyde Park) 83 NR.
A Mackrell (East Kilbride) 82 NR
RETIRED
C Everett (Caldwell) 78 ret.
C Cunningham (Westin Turnberry) Ret Ret.

George Murray leads four Scots into

Challenge Tour weekend action

From Challenge Tour Press Officer Paul Symes
Former national amateur champion George Murray was top of the Scots again after an eagle helped the Anstruther man to a round of 68 on day two of The Princess in Sweden, where England’s Andrew Butterfield still leads the way on 11 under par.
Murray started the day on the cut line at Båstad GK in Båstad, but three birdies and an eagle 2 at the 16th hole moved him comfortably inside the mark on three under par.
He was joined on that score by fellow Scots Andrew McArthur and Lloyd Saltman, who posted respective rounds of 71 and 70, whilst Peter Whiteford will also feature over the weekend after a round of 70 moved him to one under par.
However, Greig Hutcheon, Jamie McLeary, Eric Ramsay and Raymond Russell will all miss out after finishing on the wrong side of the 142 cut line.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
131 A Butterfield (Eng) 62 69
132 F Andersson Hed (Swe) 65 67
135 C Rodiles (Esp) 66 69, Z Scotland (Eng) 67 68, J Lima (Por) 68 67
136 R Steiner (Aut) 67 69, U Van Den Berg (RSA) 66 70, R Coles (Eng) 66 70, A Ahokas (Fin) 68 68, C Günther (Ger) 67 69, S Bebb (Wal) 65 71
137 L Bond (Wal) 66 71, R McEvoy (Eng) 70 67
138 D Küpper (Ger) 68 70, S Thornton (Irl) 72 66, T Carolan (Aus) 66 72, J Granberg (Fin) 71 67
139 L Saltman (Sco) 69 70, A McArthur (Sco) 68 71, G Houston (Wal) 69 70, J Dantorp (Swe) 71 68, C Moriarty (Irl) 72 67, G Murray (Sco) 71 68, T Whitehouse (Eng) 69 70, O Suhr (Den) 67 72
140 R Hie (Ina) 69 71, J Abbate (Arg) 68 72, J Morrison (Eng) 70 70, A Rocha (Bra) 71 69, A Marshall (Eng) 71 69, S Tiley (Eng) 71 69, J Guerrier (Fra) 69 71, A Tampion (Aus) 69 71, A Sjöstrand (Swe) 67 73, S Walker (Eng) 72 68, N Meitinger (Ger) 70 70
141 L Brovold (Nor) 71 70, A Högberg (Swe) 70 71, B Evans (Eng) 69 72, P Baker (Eng) 73 68, P Whiteford (Sco) 71 70, M Cort (Eng) 70 71, J Grillon (Fra) 70 71, M Rominger (Sui) 69 72, N Colsaerts (Bel) 72 69, M Laskey (Wal) 72 69, L James (Eng) 70 71, P Barth (Swe) 66 75, P Gustafsson (Swe) 69 72
142 F Calmels (Fra) 69 73, N Lemke (Swe) 68 74, P Kaensche (Nor) 70 72, C Suneson (Esp) 68 74, C Carranza (Arg) 69 73, J Clément (Sui) 69 73, M Jurgensen (Den) 73 69, P Bocian (Swe) 69 73, A Hansen (Den) 73 69, V Riu (Fra) 73 69, S Surry (Eng) 68 74, R Santos (Por) 73 69, M Wiegele (Aut) 69 73, R Muntz (Ned) 72 70, J Colomo (Esp) 70 72, E Molinari (Ita) 71 71

MISSED THE CUT
143 J Wahlqvist (Swe) 68 75, J Caldwell (Nir) 72 71, A Bruschi (Ita) 68 75, K Jorgensen (Den) 70 73, C Gane (Eng) 71 72, S Jeppesen (Swe) 68 75, J Sjöholm (Swe) 69 74, A Gee (Eng) 71 72,
144 I Giner (Esp) 71 73, N Bruzelius (Swe) 68 76, K Edberg (Swe) 72 72, M Korhonen (Fin) 69 75, G Paddison (Nzl) 69 75, C Monasterio (Arg) 74 70, R Kakko (Fin) 71 73, M Reale (Ita) 74 70, R Swane (Ned) 72 72, B Akesson (Swe) 70 74, A Mörk (Fra) 71 73, G Boyd (Eng) 70 74,
145 K Sullivan (Wal) 72 73, J Arruti (Esp) 72 73, K Brink (Swe) 72 73, T Karjalainen (Fin) 71 74, A Haindl (RSA) 73 72, B Pettersson (Swe) 73 72, M Rodriguez (Arg) 68 77, O Floren (Swe) 72 73, L Westerberg (Swe) 72 73, A Wagner (Arg) 79 66, W Schauman (Swe) 70 75, S Barr (Aus) 71 74
146 F Praegant (Aut) 74 72, J Heath (Eng) 73 73, J Larsen (Nor) 72 74, G Molteni (Ita) 75 71, J Bjerhag (Swe) 72 74, J Rask (Swe) 74 72, F Colombo (Ita) 72 74
147 A Grenier (Fra) 72 75, P Niederdrenk (Ger) 75 72, L Johansson (Swe) 73 74, N Fox (Irl) 75 72, D Ulrich (Sui) 77 70, R De Sousa (Sui) 73 74, J Hedin (Swe) 74 73, G Hutcheon (Sco) 77 70, P Ericsson (Swe) 76 71, N Smith (USA) 72 75, G Shaw (Nir) 75 72, M Larsson (Swe) 71 76,
148 K Webber (Aus) 67 81, R Russell (Sco) 74 74, S Manley (Wal) 73 75, E Ramsay (Sco) 76 72, J McLeary (Sco) 76 72, J Ruth (Eng) 74 74, T Ferreira (RSA) 74 74, A Hedlund (Swe) 73 75, P Purhonen (Fin) 75 73, M Tullo (Chi) 72 76
149 B Miarka (Ger) 71 78, B Hebert (Fra) 72 77, M McGeady (Irl) 76 73, M Griffiths (Wal) 78 71, A Bernadet (Fra) 75 74, D Palm (Swe) 76 73, N Floren (am) (Swe) 77 72,
150 D Nouailhac (Fra) 78 72, M Haastrup (Den) 77 73, J Zapata (Arg) 77 73, F Henge (Swe) 71 79
152 F Svanberg (Sui) 74 78, T Norret (Den) 77 75, M Palm (Swe) 79 73, A Willey (Eng) 71 81, D Marmion (Eng) 77 75
153 T Feyrsinger (Aut) 75 78, R Treis (Ger) 78 75, J Moul (Eng) 78 75, J Sköld (Swe) 76 77, F Qvicker (am) (Swe) 75 78
154 J McLean (Aus) 75 79
155 N Maestroni (Ita) 77 78, G Adell (Swe) 74 81, C Brazillier (Fra) 75 80,
157 A Bossert (Sui) 79 78
160 M Pilkington (Wal) 81 79
** S Robinson (Eng) 77 disqualified, R Steele (Eng) 76 retired, J Quesne (Fra) retired.

Retief Goosen leads by one at halfway in Munich

Only six Scots out of 14 make the

cut in BMW International Open

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Nick Dougherty put his "shocking" finish to the Wales Open behind him and moved into contention for the BMW International Open in Munich.
While South African Retief Goosen retained the lead by adding a 68 to his opening 64 - at 12 under par he is now one ahead of Dane Soren Kjeldsen - the 27-year-old grabbed two eagles in a 65 which lifted him from 23rd to joint third with Scot David Drysdale.
And if Dougherty maintains his form over the final two rounds there could be a place in The Open at Turnberry. Made aware that two exempt spots are on offer from a mini-Order of Merit in which he currently lies sixth. Dougherty said: "I'd love to play, but the best way is to stay in the now and I'm trying to win this."
Three weeks ago at Celtic Manor - the course on which he hopes to make his Ryder Cup debut next year - he shared the lead with a round to play, but then crashed all the way to 37th place with a 79.
"It was an horrific score," he commented. "I felt like I should have won, but I changed my game plan a bit and pressed too hard.
"It's amazing that after eight years on Tour you're still learning things and I certainly learnt from that."
The halfway cut was one of the lowest of the season so far. Players had to shoot three-under-par 141 or better to extend an active interest in the weekend action.
Only six of the 14 Scots in the field will be playing in the third and fourth rounds ... David Drysdale (134), Andrew Coltart (138), Scott Drummond (140), Gary Orr (140), Colin Montgomerie (14), Steven O'Hara (141).
Chris Doak and Alastair Forysth (both 141) missed it by one shot, despite a great effort (66) by Forsyth to make up lost ground. Stephen Gallacher and Paul Lawrie both failed on 143, a mark that would usually get them into the last rounds.
Calum Macaulay, Alan McLean and Marc Warren missed out on level par 144 and Richie Ramsay would never beat any cut with a 36-hole total of 148.
SECOND-ROUND QUALIFIERS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
132 Retief Goosen (Rsa) 64 68
133 Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 68 65
134 David Drysdale 70 64, Nick Dougherty 69 65
135 Danny Willett 67 68, Thomas Levet (Fra) 68 67, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 69 66
136 Bernhard Langer (Ger) 68 68, James Kingston (Rsa) 67 69, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 69 67
137 Shiv Kapur (Ind) 71 66, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 68 69, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 67 70, David Lynn 67 70, Peter Lawrie 69 68, Oliver Fisher 68 69, Stephen Dodd 68 69, Richard Finch 66 71
138 Anders Hansen (Den) 69 69, Andrew Coltart 67 71, Scott Strange (Aus) 70 68, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 69 69, Chinnarat Phadungsil (Tha) 69 69, Rory McIlroy 71 67, Luke Donald 70 68, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 67 71
139 Joakim Haeggman (Swe) 72 67, Gareth Maybin 71 68, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 68 71, Phillip Price 67 72, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 69 70, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 70 69, Paul Broadhurst 69 70, Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 69 70, Richard Green (Aus) 71 68
140 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 69 71, Gary Orr 70 70, Pelle Edberg (Swe) 71 69, John Bickerton 70 70, Johan Edfors (Swe) 71 69, Graeme Storm 70 70, Anthony Wall 74 66, Lee Slattery 70 70, Max Kramer (Aut) 71 69, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 67 73, Markus Brier (Aut) 69 71, Bernd Wiesberger (Aut) 70 70, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Spa) 69 71, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 68 72, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 70 70, Chris Wood 71 69, Scott Drummond 71 69, Gary Lockerbie 72 68, Marco Ruiz (Par) 73 67, Richard Sterne (Rsa) 72 68
141 Carlos Del Moral (Spa) 70 71, Hennie Otto (Rsa) 72 69, Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 73 68, Colin Montgomerie 70 71, Klas Eriksson (Swe) 70 71, Steven O'Hara 71 70, Kenneth Ferrie 69 72, Seve Benson 70 71, Gary Murphy 71 70, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 70 71, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) 72 69, Phillip Archer 69 72, Barry Lane 68 73, Bradley Dredge 72 69, Michael Hoey 70 71, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 67 74
MISSED THE CUT
142 Federico Cabrera (Arg) 74 68, Alvaro Velasco (Spa) 68 74, Wil Besseling (Ned) 75 67, Matthew Millar (Aus) 69 73, Alastair Forsyth 76 66, Wade Ormsby (Aus) 70 72, Oskar Henningsson (Swe) 73 69, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 70 72, Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 71 71, David Howell 72 70, Alex Cejka (Ger) 73 69, Brett Rumford (Aus) 70 72, Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 70 72, Marcel Haremza (Ger) 74 68, Tano Goya (Arg) 71 71, Lorenzo Gagli (Ita) 72 70, Mark Foster 72 70, Chris Doak 71 71, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 73 69
143 Stuart Davis 71 72, Tino Schuster (Ger) 74 69, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 72, David Frost (Rsa) 73 70, Peter Hanson (Swe) 72 71, Stephen Gallacher 73 70, Alessandro Tadini (Ita) 77 66, Paul Lawrie 72 71, Inder Van Weerelt (Ned) 69 74, Sam Little 74 69, Paul McGinley 68 75, Peter O'Malley (Aus) 75 68
144 Christian Cevaer (Fra) 72 72, Damien McGrane 71 73, Alan McLean 72 72, Marcel Siem (Ger) 70 74, John Daly (USA) 74 70, Callum Macaulay 73 71, Jorge Campillo (Spa) 73 71, Marc Warren 75 69, Shane Lowry 74 70, Michael Curtain (Aus) 77 67
145 Branden Grace (Rsa) 69 76, Mark Brown (Nzl) 71 74, Pablo Martin (Spa) 75 70, Florian Fritsch (Ger) 74 71, Anthony Snobeck (Fra) 70 75
146 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 74 72, Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 77 69, Benn Barham 72 74, Paul Waring 72 74, Ashun Wu (Chn) 73 73, Taco Remkes (Ned) 74 72, Chapchai Nirat (Tha) 76 70, Simon Wakefield 72 74
147 Richard Bland 75 72, John E Morgan 75 72, Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 76 71, Marcus Higley 72 75, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 75 72, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 71 76
148 Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 75 73, Anthony Kang (USA) 76 72, Richie Ramsay 75 73, Thomas Aiken (Rsa) 74 74, Matjaz Gojcic (Slo) 77 71, Stephan Gross jun (Ger) (am) 73 75, Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 75 73, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 77 71
149 Richard Porter (Ger) 75 74, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 71 78, Ben Parker 77 72, Peter Fowler (Aus) 74 75
150 Anton Haig (Rsa) 77 73, Robert Dinwiddie 74 76, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 74 76, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 77 73, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 75 75
151 Gregory Havret (Fra) 76 75
152 Sven Struver (Ger) 72 80, Miles Tunnicliff 76 76
153 Daniel Froreich (Ger) 75 78
154 Marc Farry (Fra) 80 74, Ake Nilsson (Rsa) 79 75
155 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 74 81
159 Martin Keskari (Ger) 82 77

If Germany gets the 2018 Ryder Cup,

then Langer might return as skipper

Bernhard Langer has refused to rule out the possibility of being Ryder Cup captain again at the age of 61 in 2018.
Germany is among six countries bidding to stage that year's match and when asked whether he would be interested in leading the side if they are chosen, Langer replied: "If they (the Ryder Cup Committee) think I am still mentally with it and I haven't lost my marbles and I'm still capable of communicating and doing a good job, then maybe so.
"Why do you think I'm in the fitness room all the time?"
The double Masters champion, now the leading money-winner on the American Seniors Tour, was an outstanding captain in Detroit in 2004, leading the side to a record nine-point victory.
It seems unlikely he would be re-appointed, however.
Nick Faldo was 51 when he did the job last September and after the defeat in Louisville, Europe decided there were advantages in having an active player in charge and appointed Colin Montgomerie for next year's match in Wales.
Sweden, France, Portugal, Holland and Spain are also going to bid for what will be only the second match ever staged in continental Europe. Valderrama on the Costa del Sol played host in 1997.
It goes to Gleneagles in Scotland in 2014 before crossing the channel again.
Germany are now having their own bid process to choose which of six courses would host the match - Rosa Resort in Bad Saarow, Green Eagles in Winsen, Munchen-Valley in Munich, Gut Kaden in Hamburg, Schloss Beberbeck in Hofgeismar and Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfond in Neuburg.
This weekend could see Langer become the oldest winner in European Tour history. After two rounds of 68 he is four behind Retief Goosen at the halfway point of the BMW International Open in Munich.

Zane Scotland happy with his lot as he

continues along the comeback trail

From PAUL SYMES, European Challenge Tour Press Officer
Comeback king Zane Scotland of England continued his rehabilitation from a serious wrist injury with a round of 68 on day two of The Princess on the Challenge Tour.
With the late starters yet to complete their rounds, Scotland is currently on seven under par, three shots behind local favourite Fredrik Andersson Hed and a further shot behind leader Andrew Butterfield, who added a 69 to his opening round of 62 at Båstad Golf Club in Båstad, Sweden.
Scotland enjoyed a glittering amateur career and in 1999, aged just 16, earned a place in the field at Carnoustie to become the youngest English player to qualify for The Open Championship. But his fledgling professional career came to a juddering halt when, in 2003, he dislodged two vertebrae in his neck in a serious car crash.
Having painstakingly worked his way back to full fitness to finish in the top 100 on The 2007 European Tour Order of Merit, fate again conspired against in the BMW International Open 12 months ago when he injured his wrist, resulting in another extended spell on the sidelines.
The 26 year old is now attempting to rebuild his career on the Challenge Tour, having struggled to capitalise on the limited playing opportunities he was afforded under a medical exemption on The European Tour.
Scotland said: “I felt pretty relaxed today – most of the season I’ve been fighting to make the cut, so it was nice to be able to just go out there and play. I haven’t been in contention for a while, so it’s a fairly new experience – but a nice one.
"I felt quite confident coming into the week because I knew my game was getting there, but I didn’t set myself any goals. Coming in without any expectation has probably helped me in a way, because I haven’t put any pressure on myself.
“I’m determined to enjoy every moment of my career, because for a time it looked like I might not get the chance to play again. It was hard not being able to practise, and there were times after my accident when I did think about giving the game up and doing something else. But I’m glad I kept going – I feel very lucky to be doing what I do, because there’s a lot of people a lot worse off than me.”
Scotland’s compatriot Butterfield was unable to reproduce the fireworks of the opening day, but is still the man they all have to catch after setting the clubhouse target on 11 under par.
He said: “I didn’t play as well as yesterday, but still hit some very good shots. So I was actually pretty pleased. Everyone says it’s always to follow up a really low round with another one, and it’s true. You know there’s a fair chance you won’t play as well again, so it’s difficult to get out of a negative mindset.
“I certainly didn’t give myself as many chances, but I did manage to take a fair percentage of the ones I did make. I also made a few more mistakes than I did on the first day, but that was maybe a result of trying to attack a little too much. But you have to be bold out there, because if you just go for the middle of the greens, you’re not going to make any birdies.”

SCORES AND NEW STORY FROM COURSE THIS EVENING

Arizona State pair v Rest

of the World at East of

Scotland Open

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
The two young amateurs who upstaged the pros in Open qualifying at Musselburgh on Wednesday head the field for this weekend's East of Scotland Open at Lundin.
Scott Pinckney (pictured left), a 20-year-old from Phoenix, and his room-mate at Arizona State University, James Byrne (pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency) from Banchory, will be the men to beat if their rounds of 63 and 65 at Monktonhall are anything to go by.
Pinckney, who was encouraged by Byrne to come over to Scotland to play some links golf, has found his feet after working out how the yardages are based here compared to the United States.
"The first tournament I played in after coming here was the St Andrews Links Trophy and I had real difficulty with the yardages," said the new course record holder at Musselburgh."I was coming up 20 yards short all the time and then I realised that the yardages here are to the front of the green, not the middle as I'm used to back home."
Unfortunately, this weekend's Solarsport-sponsored event in Fife will be missing the likes of Gavin Dear and Wallace Booth, the duo heading down to Wales tomorrow with the other members of the Scotland team to prepare for next week's European Team Championship at Conwy.
But, as always, it has still attracted a strong field, Pinckney being among a number of overseas players bidding to emulate the Australian Rohan Blizard, who lifted the title 12 months ago.
Craigielaw's Mark Hillson heads the Lothians challenge and, after a slow start to the season, he's been boosted by reaching the last eight in the Amateur Championship at Formby.
"I feel as though I'm ready to start getting involved in the business end of tournaments," said Hillson as he looked forward to his attempt to join the likes of David Inglis, Scott Knowles and George Macgregor on the event's roll of honour.
Royal Burgess star James Ross will also be looking to make his presence felt over a course where he's a member.

+Scottishgolfview will have the day's scores in the Solarsport East of Scotland Open on display on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

BMW INTERNATIONAL DAY TWO

Drysdale drums up a 64 - but

Goosen retains Munich lead

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
The best round of Scot David Drysdale's best ever year on The European Tour was still not enough to dislodge Retief Goosen from the top of the leaderboard at the BMW International Open in Munich today.
After ten trips to The European Tour Qualifying School, Drysdale (pictured right) has secured his immediate future with a runners-up finish in Spain and a third place in South Africa - and he will play his first Major at The Open Championship in three weeks' time.
Six behind Goosen overnight, the 34-year-old from Dunbar had an eagle and six birdies for a 64 which matched the South African's first round effort.
However, Goosen added a 68 to reach 12 under and retain the two-stroke lead he took into the second round.
"Starting last August my game has got better and better," commented Drysdale, whose eagle came courtesy of a three wood to 12 feet on the 555yd 11th.
"I've been able to go out and play golf rather than think about making a cheque.
"I've been to Turnberry twice since I qualified. The first time it was flat calm and I thought it was easy, the second time it was blowing a hurricane and I thought it was impossible.
"I can't wait. I grew up playing links golf and it suits my eye."
He also acted as a marker for John Daly in the 1992 Open at Muirfield.
Goosen did not drop a stroke in his first 33 holes, but after bogeying the 441yd seventh he finished with another birdie to double his advantage.
Joint third on nine under midway through the day's play were England's Danny Willett, Thai Thongchai Jaidee and Thomas Levet of France.
Twenty year old Rory McIlroy, tenth in the US Open Championship on Monday, burst to seven under, but then bogeyed the seventh and eighth and so was again behind his 51-year-old playing partner Bernhard Langer. Trying to become the oldest winner of an title on the circuit, Langer was eight under along with James Kingston and Miguel Angel Jiménez.

Fraser Mann defends Scottish PGA

decision to shorten Gleneagles test

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Fraser Mann, the long-serving Musselburgh professional, defended the decision to move tees forward in the opening round of the Gleneagles Scottish Championship, saying tournament officials had been in a catch-22 situation.
Craig Lee, one of four co-leaders after the first day over the Perthshire course, claimed it was an insult to the top home-based pros to find themselves playing a course nearly 300 yards shorter than it had been for the Tartan Tour's flagship eventast season.

The recent Northern Open winner, who played on the European Tour last season, spoke out after coming off a PGA Centenary Course playing at 6,662 yards, with Paul McKechnie, one of the pros at the Braid Hills Golf Centre, hitting a wedge for his second shot at the 16th and 18th holes – both par-5s.

But Mann (pictured above), who is one of the most experienced players on the Scottish circuit, having played in the national championship for nearly 30 years, admitted he had sympathy with tournament officials after hearing about the criticism.

"It's a Catch 22 situation," said the title winner over the course in 2002. "The course has been set up fairly for the first two rounds and I think that has come on the back of last week's Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at Dundonald Links, where the course was set up very tough – in fact, it was nearly impossible.

"What some people maybe don't realise is that there are more people playing in the event this year (the field has been increased from 135 to 159) and the course has been set up to make it easier for players to get round as quickly as possible.

"However, even at 6,662 yards, this is still a seriously tough golf course because you've still got to hit the fairways. Yes, the course yesterday was the easiest I've ever played it but, at the same time, the rough is also the thickest I've seen it.

"I think what you saw after the first round was a few guys saying things in the heat of the moment and, come the weekend, you are still going to see the best players in the field up at the top of the leaderboard."

Two players with differing views about the length of the course were playing partners Mark Kerr, who is attached to Dalmahoy, and Kenny Walker, the former Royal Burgess amateur ace who is back home from Thailand for his annual summer break.

"It is a bit annoying that they've made it so short – indeed, they'd be as well holding it at Auchterarder," said Kerr after opening with a 72, admitting he'd dug in well for that after being three-over after five holes.

Walker, who flies the flag for Castle Park in East Lothian when's he back home, shot 71 and said: "The course is nice and short this year and that gives me a chance if I can play half decent."

Among the players who set out today sharing the lead was Mark King, a former SPGA match-play champion who has been attached to the Kingsfield Golf Centre at Linlithgow almost since it opened.

Next best among the Lothians contingent was Duddingston's Tom Buchanan, who was sitting inside the top ten after a 70 that included five birdies and would have been better but for a double-bogey at the seventh.

"I four-putted there but that was my only blip and now I've just got to try and keep it going in the second round," said Buchanan, a former winner of the Paul Lawrie Assistants' Match-play Championship.

Ally MacKenzie, another of the trainees in Alastair McLean's shop at Duddingston, had Hibs star Ian Murray – the pair have been friends since childhood – on the bag as he shot an adventurous 77.

"I was four-under for 15 holes but nine-over for the other three, the main damage being done by a 9 at the third," said MacKenzie.

After having what he described as a "holocaust" when opening with a 90 in the Northern Open at Spey Valley, Lee Harper, who is attached to Archerfield Links, admitted a 71 had helped put a spring back in his step.

And Peter Mitchell, a former Lothians boys' champion who is connected to The Hermitage course in Edinburgh, and James McGhee, who played at Duddingston as an amateur but is now at Turnhouse, also had 71s, as did former PGA champion Andrew Oldcorn from Kings Acre.

Mann missed a handful of putts inside five feet in his 74, claiming that was the worst he could have done on a day when he'd played "nicely" from tee to green.

Gullane assistant pro Heather MacRae set out today with a good chance of making the cut, the 25-year-old covering her last 16 holes in level-par after starting bogey, double-bogey.

Looking forward to her return today, MacRae said: "I won't be as nervous and, hopefully, I'll be able to go out and play as well as I can."

Aberdeen & District Pennant League Scoreboard
SPONSORED BY THE CULTS HOTEL


NORTHERN 2 1/2, PORTLETHEN 3 1/2
Played at Kings Links
(Northern names first)
T Robertson & C McBain bt I Craik & S Cook 4 and 2.
A Cooper & I Watt lost to K Horne & R Donaldson 4 and 3.
S Manson & B Rae lost to C Brechin & R Penny 4 and 3.
R Stewart & M Burnett lost to D Smith & B Murray 1 hole.
J Inglis & W West bt L Shand & G Innes 3 and 2.
C Ross & G Geddes halved with C Erskine & S Wallace.

DEESIDE 4, CRAIBSTONE 2
Deeside names first
(Craibstone were the home team)

B HARDIE & B WOOD bt A CAMPBELL & A FIDDES 4 and 2.

T D RENNIE & N HARPER bt A ROSS & D ANDREWS 1 hole.

M VASS & S CRUICKSHANK bt A CARLE & N HENDERSON 1 hole.

S CRUICKSHANK & D HALLIDAY bt B COOPER & G CLARK 1 hole.

G RENNIE & A JARVIE bt G SMITH & S BURNETT 4 and 3.

J THOMAS & R PORTER bt D H E KERR & R EVETT 1 hole.

+Aberdeen & District Pennant League results (as above) can be E-mailed to Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com ASAP please

SCOTTISH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Lee says Gleneagles course

is so short it's an insult

FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By Mike Aitken
Althogh she was understandably anxious over the opening stretch and spilled three shots before walking onto the third tee, Heather MacRae covered the ensuing 16 holes at Gleneagles in level par and never looked out of place during the Tartan Tour's flagship event when she became the first woman since Meg Farquhar in 1933 to compete in the £50,000 Scottish PGA Championship. MacRae's first round score of 75 gives her a chance of making the cut.
Showing good composure and an aptitude for ball-striking, MacRae signed for three over par and was at ease once she got into the flow of the round.

While a short set-up on the PGA Centenary of around 6,600 yards led to complaints from some of the established professionals that the future Ryder Cup test was not sufficiently demanding, there was no shortage of men who struggled. Heather's brother, Andrew, for example, signed for 84.

"I was quite nervous at the start," Heather acknowledged, "but I was two under for the closing four holes without making birdies on either of the par 5s. When I got here this morning I was fine, then I walked onto the tee and it was like 'here we go, history.' Once I calmed down and started hitting the fairway I knew I'd be fine."

The novelty of a participant wearing a skirt in Scotland's second oldest professional tournament drew a gallery of interested family and friends to the first tee as the 25-year-old assistant pro from Gullane golf club strode onto the course.

Once Scott Catlin from Greenburn, who carded 82, and Dundonald's David Ross Nicol, on 83, smacked their opening shots, the former British women's amateur stroke-play champion, walked 45 yards forward to an advanced tee and pulled a drive into deep rough.

MacRae needed to hack out from the long grass and did well to restrict the damage on the first to a single dropped shot. "That's one of the differences," she cautioned on competing against men.

"When I go into the long stuff, I just have to wedge it out. The guys can do more than that."

MacRae was less fortunate on the second where her drive landed in the face of a fairway bunker. It almost came as a relief when three more strokes from the back of the green ended with a 7.

By the time the shuttle which ferries the players from the second green deposited the former San Diego State University student and American junior collegiate champion on the third tee, much of the early nerves drained from her action.

She made a gorgeous swing, drawing a lovely drive onto the left edge of the fairway. Once she kept a short iron shy of a tricky pin position at the front of the green, there was an opportunity to make birdie from 15 feet. Her attempt was only an ounce short and veered away from the cup with the final roll.

The young Scot was into her stride now and only a mental error on the sixth green halted the momentum. Although she was pin high on the par 3, her first putt swung violently away from the hole and cost her 4.

Spirits were raised, though, on the par-4 eighth when she found the fairway, speared the green with a short iron and smoothed an 18-foot putt into the hole.On the back nine, she wafted a 9 iron to a couple of feet for birdie on the 11th and overcame successive dropped shots on the 12th and 13th with two encouraging birdies from inside 20 feet on the 15th and 16th holes.

MacRae's 75 was good enough to outscore two-thirds of the field. "I didn't really want to say whether I was going to make the cut or not," she said , "but having played and shot 75 I won't be as nervous in the second round."

Northern Open champion Craig Lee (pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency), who shares the lead on 68, was astonished the PGA Centenary had been trimmed to 6,662 yards, rather than the 7,000 yards he was accustomed to playing on the European Tour last year.

"It's almost a farce how short it is," he said. "It's insulting to the playerS to suggest we're not good enough to play off the back tees in our national championship. In previous years it's been a good test, but not now. The PGA want the scores to be low in order to justify more players taking part in their big event."

Gordon Dewar, secretary of the Scottish region of the PGA, defended the decision to trim the course. "It wasn't set up for one person or one group," he said.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ ALL THE FIRST-ROUND SCORES