REPORT FROM AT&T NATIONAL

Woods' 68th win on US PGA Tour

and his third of the season

FROM THE INDEPENDENT GOLF WEBSITE
By Wyn Griffiths
Tournament host Tiger Woods saw off the defending champion Anthony Kim and held off a last-round charge from Hunter Mahan to win the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club at Bethseda, Maryland last night.
Woods collected his third victory of the year, having won Arnold Palmer's event at Bay Hill in March and Jack Nicklaus's Memorial last month, by winning his own tournament by one stroke from Mahan with a final-round three-under-par 67 for 13-under-par 267 over the par-70 track to collect the $1,080,000 first prize, not that money means anything to multi-millionaire Woods..
It was also his 68th US PGA Tour win and the 79th worldwide victory of his career.
Mahan had earlier shot an eight-under-par 62 that matched Kim's course-record round from Thursday and took the American to 12 under par 268, but Woods moved in front with a birdie at the 16th and held on to his lead down the final stretch.
Tiger's tournament stats:
Average drive: 312.4 yards.
Greens hit in regulation: 76.4 %
Putts per green (hit in regulation): 1.673 average.
It was Tiger's 68th win on the US PGA Tour.
Kim, who started the final day level with Woods, closed with a one-over-par closing round of 71 for 271 to finish in third place.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4x70)
267 Tiger Woods 64 66 70 67
268 Hunter Mahan 69 69 68 62
271 Anthony Kim 62 70 68 71
272 Bryce Molder 64 70 70 68
273 Lucas Glover 69 66 68 70, Brandt Snedeker 68 70 68 67
274 Danny Lee (Nzl) 68 67 69 70, Vijay Singh (Fij) 70 68 70 66, Jim Furyk 66 67 69 72, Cameron Beckman 68 67 66 73
275 Michael Allen 67 69 65 74, Matt Bettencourt 70 71 66 68, Ryan Moore 69 66 69 71, Fred Couples 72 67 68 68, Kevin Streelman 70 67 71 67
276 Justin Rose (Eng) 67 71 69 69, Davis Love III 69 67 70 70, Cliff Kresge 70 67 67 72, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 66 69 70 71
277 Rodney Pampling (Aus) 67 64 71 75, Daniel Chopra (Swe) 66 68 72 71
278 Ryan Palmer 69 67 71 71, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 69 69 66 74, Y.E. Yang (Kor) 67 71 70 70
279 Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 68 69 70, Robert Garrigus 70 68 69 72, Marc Leishman (Aus) 70 71 67 71, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 71 70 71 67, Mark Wilson 70 67 70 72, Steve Elkington (Aus) 65 73 71 70
280 D.A. Points 64 70 72 74, Charles Warren 73 67 69 71, George McNeill 70 66 69 75, Tim Petrovic 68 71 69 72
281 Scott McCarron 72 65 73 71, Sean O'Hair 69 72 68 72, Joe Ogilvie 69 72 73 67, Webb Simpson 74 67 72 68, Nicholas Thompson 71 70 72 68
282 Steve Marino 73 65 68 76, Dean Wilson 69 69 72 72, Steve Flesch 69 72 71 70, James Nitties (Aus) 71 67 70 74
283 J J Henry 76 66 69 72, John Senden (Aus) 71 70 72 70, Chris DiMarco 70 72 74 67, Jason Bohn 72 70 67 74
284 Charley Hoffman 71 69 68 76, Jason Dufner 72 69 71 72, Mike Weir (Can) 71 71 72 70, Boo Weekley 67 69 69 79, Ted Purdy 73 66 69 76, Chez Reavie 70 71 70 73
285 Nathan Green (Aus) 71 71 66 77, Jeff Quinney 69 73 71 72, Bo Van Pelt 69 72 71 73, David Mathis 71 71 74 69, Harrison Frazar 69 70 74 72, Rocco Mediate 70 69 72 74, Peter Lonard (Aus) 70 70 72 73
287 Michael Letzig 68 74 74 71, Bill Lunde 70 68 71 78, Paul Goydos 73 68 74 72
288 Chris Stroud 74 67 75 72, Marc Turnesa 71 69 80 68
289 Nick Watney 70 72 72 75, Ricky Barnes 70 72 75 72, Notah Begay III 70 72 72 75, Troy Matteson 69 71 77 72
290 Kevin Stadler 69 73 75 73, Bart Bryant 68 72 73 77, Matt Hill 71 69 75 75
291 Brian Davis (Eng) 70 72 74 75, Jeff Maggert 72 70 77 72, Martin Laird (Sco) 70 71 76 74
292 James Driscoll 70 70 80 72

Ed Wood sets Cadzow Challenge Cup

two-round record of 133 at Hamilton

By WILLIE SHARPE
The Cadzow Challenge Cup was played today at Hamilton Golf Club in excellent playing conditions with a full field of 83 players.
Ed Wood of Crow Wood matched the excellent conditions with two brilliant scores of 68 and 65 for nine-under-par 133 to win by six shots from Andy Fairbairn from Kirkhill who shot 74 and 65 for 139.
In his winner's speech Lanarkshire player, Ed, commented on the excellent condition of the course, a view shared by all the players in the field.
The score of 133, nine under par, is a two-round record for the extended championship course at Hamilton.

LEADING TOTALS
Par 142 (2x71)
133 Ed Wood (Crow Wood) 68 65.
139 Andy Fairbairn (Kirkhil) 74 65.
140 Euan Moir (Hamilton) 71 69, Derek Loudon (Hamilton) 69 71.
141 Chris Kelly (Kirkhill) 73 68.
142 David Henderson (Hamilton) 71 71, Stewart Henderson (Hamilton) 71 71.
143 Keith Turnbull (Larkhall) 70 72, Graeme Russell (Hamilton) 69 74.
144 Graham Duncan (Shotts) 77 67.
145 John Whitelaw (Mouse Valley) 75 70, Chris Bell (Greenburn) 71 74.
146 Gordon MacDougall (Bishopbriggs) 73 73.
147 William Ramage (Larkhall) 74 73, Craig Borland (Hamilton) 74 73, John Ralston (Shotts) 71 76.
148 Peter Scanlan (Hamilton) 74 74, Graham Gimson (St Cuthbert) 74 74, Scott Costello (Kirkhill) 71 77.
149 Grant Beaton (Kirkhill) 74 75.

*Entries are still being taken for the Lanarkshire county championship at Colville Park on Sunday, July 12.
Phone Entries to Tom Logan on 01236 428799

Let the children in for nothing at all

pro golf tournaments - Tiger's plea

Noting the new problems the New York Yankees baseball team have had filling the high-priced seats at their new stadium, Tiger Woods is boosting golf's efforts to attract young fans to go see the game in person at the tournament he hosted over the past four days.
"We don't want to have what happened at Yankee Stadium," Woods said at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, site of the AT&T National tournament.
"New York Yankees' tickets are so over-priced you can't bring the family. We want to have everyone come out here and enjoy being in a family atmosphere, walk around, have a good time and not have it cost an arm and a leg."
The AT&T National, which Woods hosts, admitting children under 12 years free, following suit with a growing trend in golf. Last month's U.S. Open at Bethpage Black on Long Island allowed in kids under 12 for free, as well, and provided reduced rates for teenagers.
The British Open long has had a policy of free admission for kids under-16 as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Woods said letting children on the course for free gives them exposure to the game they might otherwise never enjoy.
"Well, I mean, we want to have kids come out here and enjoy golf," Woods said. "A lot of these kids may not have an opportunity to ever be on a golf course or play golf. This is their introduction to the game, and we want it to be memorable. We want them to come out."

Last-hole eagle wins Cameron

Corbett Vase for Allyn Dick

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Twice winner of the Scottish mid-amateur title (2005-2006), Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe) added an SGU 72-hole Order of Merit tournament victory to his golfing CV when, on his first visit to Haggs Castle Golf Club, Glasgow, he came out on top after a last-hole drama decided the destination of the Cameron Corbett Vase.
Stirling University student James White (Lundin), the 2006 Scottish boys' match-play champion, had made most of the running up to the 72nd hole.
The 21-year-old White shared the lead on five-under-par 67 with four other players - Dick himself, Nick Barr (Craigie Hill), Gary Tough (Legham Grange) and Chris Conroy (Paisley) after the Saturday morning first round.
But by the end of the first 36 holes, young James had got his nose in front with a repeat 67 for 1o-under-par 134 at the halfway point. Gary Tough was his nearest challenger on 135 after a second-round 68.
Tough, a former Craigmillar Park Open winner who is the course manager at Letham Grange Hotel & Golf Courses, near Arbroath, blew up on Sunday morning with a third-round 80. Into second place moved Allyn Dick with a 68, the same third-round score as leader White but James was on 202 - four shots ahead of Dick with Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) and Michael Williams (St Michaels) a shot farther back on 207.
White, who tied with Paul O'Hara at the end of the weather-hit Edward Trophy at Glasgow Gailes in late April and then lost a play-off, could not maintain his sub-par pace of five-under, five-under and four-under but Dick could and gradually chipped away at the lead until they were on level pegging on the 72nd tee.
Here it all unravelled for professional's son White. In response to a magnificent last-hole eagle 3 by Dick, James took a bogey 6 which meant there was a three-shot swing in favour of Dick.
He finished with a 67 for 15-under-par 273. White signed off with a 74 for 276. Had the tournament been over 71 holes, there would have been a play-off. But that very last hole put a three-shot gap between the men at the top of the scoreboard.
St Michael's Golf Club, Leuchars is not renowned for producing third-placedfinishers in SGU Order of Merit events but member Michael Williams was always there or thereabouts in the leading half-dozen and he stayed the course splendidly with rounds of 70, 67, 70 and 70 for a creditable total of 277.
(Scottishgolfview.com would like to hear from Michael Williams, find out his golfing CV, etc. If he reads this, he can E-mail Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com)
Two Perthshire players, Nick Barr (Craigie Hill) and Kevin McAlp;ine (Alyth) tied for fourth place on 279. McAlpine's performance is particularly noteworthy in that last week, in the East of Scotland Open, he made his first tournament appearance since a cruciate knee ligament operation in February - and tired over Sunday's final two rounds at the Lundin venue after being well up in the mix.
Here, at Haggs Castle, McAlpine was obviously that little bit fitter and his rounds of 69, 69, 70 and 71 show that the former Scottish stroke-play and match-play champion is definitely on the way back to the forefront of the game.
Nick Barr scored 67, 71, 74 and 67 for 279.
Banchory's James Byrne, winner of back-to-back SGU Order of Merit events - the Tennant Cup and the East of Scotland Open - did not go for a three-timer. He is in the field for the Open Championship Local Final Qualifying over 36 holes on Monday and Tuesday and obviously decided to conserve his energies for that.
+Image of Allyn Dick with the Cameron Corbett Vase, by courtesy of Haggs Castle Golf Club.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
273 Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe) 67 71 68 67.
276 James White (Lundin) 67 67 68 74.
277 Michael Williams (St Michaels) 70 67 70 70.
279 Nick Barr (Craigie Hill) 67 71 74 67, Kevin McAlpine (Alyth) 69 69 70 71.
280 Andrew Gunson (Shandy Canyon, US) 72 71 66 71.
281 Paul Ferrier (Baberton) 74 71 68 68, Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) 69 69 69 74.
282 Bobby Rushford (Grangemouth) 70 75 68 69, Paul Betty (Hayston) 70 69 72 71.
283 Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 71 69 74 69, Fraser McKenna (Balmore) 71 74 69 70, Steven Robertson (Sandyhills) 69 71 71 72, Alex Main (Thornton) 70 68 71 74.
285 Paul Gault (Kirkhill) 73 73 71 68, Philip McLean (Peterhead) 71 73 70 71, Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 70 73 71 71, Greg Paterson (St Andrews New) 72 70 70 73.
286 Ian Redford (St Andrews New) 72 72 73 69, Stephen Machin (Cowglen) 74 72 68 72, Chris Harkins (Belleisle) 71 71 70 74.
287 Andrew Wallace (Glenbervie) 74 66 78 69.
288 Michael Main (Thornton) 70 76 72 70, Keith Hamilton (Belleisle) 73 65 79 71, Tom Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy) 76 70 70 72.
289 Ross Crowe (Westerhope) 73 70 71 75.
290 Richard Graham (Hayston) 69 73 78 70, Steven McEwan (Caprington) 70 75 71 74, Mark Bookless (Sandyhills) 70 69 73 78.
291 Liam McGowan (St Andrews) 72 73 74 72, Gordon Yates (Hilton Park) 72 74 72 73, Gary Tough (Letham Grange) 67 68 80 76, Chris Conroy (Paisley) 67 78 68 78.
292 David Addison (Barassie) 74 71 74 73, John Mathers (Haggs Castle) 71 74 72 75.
293 Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) 68 72 82 71.
295 Colin Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 70 75 75 75.
296 Mathew Clark (Kilmacolm) 72 74 77 73.
298 James Morrison (Stellenbosh) 71 73 76 78.
300 Steven Maxwell (Windyhill) 73 72 73 82.

Peter Baker wins Credit Suisse

Challenge - heads for Scotland

From European Tour Press Officer Roddy Williams
Former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker made history repeat itself when he won the Credit Suisse Challenge for the second time, and now heads for Open Qualifying in a final bid to secure a place at Turnberry.
Two years ago at Wylihof Golf Club in Luterbach, Switzerland, Baker won the title with a final round of 67, and the same score again carried the 41 year old Englishman to a one stroke victory over Austrian Florian Praegant. Baker becomes the first player to win the event twice and the first player over the age of 40 to win on the Challenge Tour since he himself won on his 40th birthday in 2007.
It was a close-run battle with Praegant challenging all the way but Baker managed to keep his nose in front with birdies on the 15th and 17th before holing a crucial 12 foot par putt on the last to deny his playing partner.
Baker’s winning total of 18 under par 274 earned him €22,400 (£18,985) and lifted him from 31st to tenth on the Challenge Tour Rankings.
“It was a tough day and Florian was very strong, especially on the back nine,” said Baker, who played in the 1993 Ryder Cup at The Belfry. “But I hung in there and it came right down to the last shot.”
Baker, a three-time winner on the European Tour, flies straight to Scotland and to Glasgow - Gailes, Ayrshire where he will attempt to win one of the 12 spots available through Local Final Qualifying for a place in the 138th Open Championship at Turnberry.
“I was quite tired coming into the week as this was my fourth week in a row and I just decided to put everything into the week,” he said. “This course seems to suit me. I played fantastic for the first two days but couldn’t hole a putt and but then over the weekend, while the game wasn’t so good, the putts dropped. It’s a strange game sometimes.
“It might not be the best preparation for Open Qualifying but it does mean I go there with a bit of confidence and my record in Qualifying is not bad. So hopefully I will tee up next in The Open.”
Baker’s victory two years ago proved the springboard to a return to The European Tour as he went on to claim a second title and finish 12th in the Rankings. Two years on the goal is exactly the same, to have another crack at the big time and secure his 24th year on Tour.
An eagle 3 on the fourth and birdie on the seventh set Baker on his way but Praegant hit back with birdies at the tenth, 12th and 13th. Both players birdied the 14th before Baker pulled clear with his birdies on the 15th and 17th and ultimately Praegant’s 5ft birdie putt on the last for a final round of 67 and 17 under par total of 275 was not quite enough.
Italy’s Edoardo Molinari also challenged as he too shot a closing 67 to finish in third place, one shot further back on 16 under par 276.
FINAL TOTALS
292 (4x73)
274 P Baker (Eng) 70 71 66 67
275 F Praegant (Aut) 74 68 66 67
276 E Molinari (Ita) 72 69 68 67
279 R Steiner (Aut) 70 70 69 70
280 A Gee (Eng) 73 67 71 69, T Carolan (Aus) 70 69 71 70, J Parry (Eng) 69 67 72 72, J Campillo (Spa) 74 69 67 70
281 G Murray (Sco) 71 69 72 69, A Butterfield (Eng) 73 70 67 71, L Kennedy (Eng) 71 72 66 72, A Hansen (Den) 72 71 67 71, N Smith (USA) 71 68 68 74
282 J Quesne (Fra) 69 69 71 73, L Bond (Wal) 71 72 68 71
283 G Houston (Wal) 71 72 71 69, M Wiegele (Aut) 72 71 70 70, A Marshall (Eng) 72 70 69 72, L James (Eng) 68 75 73 67, J Larsen (Nor) 74 69 72 68, C Suneson (Spa) 69 70 73 71
284 N Lemke (Swe) 73 70 73 68, G Paddison (Nzl) 74 71 70 69, F Calmels (Fra) 72 73 68 71, N Meitinger (Ger) 69 72 72 71, D Denison (Eng) 72 70 70 72
285 J Morgan (Eng) 72 69 73 71, M Villegas (Col) 72 71 72 70, J Sjoholm (Swe) 73 70 70 72, J Bjerhag (Swe) 72 72 71 70, M Zions (Aus) 69 75 71 70
286 R Santos (Por) 72 68 70 76, K Sullivan (Wal) 71 72 71 72, S Davis (Eng) 67 74 77 68, M Tullo (Chi) 73 69 75 69, N Sulzer (Swi) 70 72 72 72, C Gunther (Ger) 74 71 68 73
287 A Mellor (Eng) 72 72 69 74, C Russo (Fra) 69 74 72 72, F Colombo (Ita) 71 73 73 70, J Colomo (Spa) 70 71 73 73
288 J Billot (Fra) 71 72 74 71, M Laskey (Wal) 73 72 73 70, P Kaensche (Nor) 73 72 71 72, G Shaw (NIrl) 74 70 71 73, J Granberg (Fin) 73 71 73 71, J McLeary (Sco) 71 73 72 72, J Grillon (Fra) 72 70 71 75
289 N Maestroni (Ita) 69 74 73 73, P Relecom (Bel) 71 70 71 77, D Wardrop (Eng) 71 74 71 73, T Cruz (Por) 68 75 75 71
290 C Brazillier (Fra) 75 70 72 73, R Karlberg (Swe) 75 70 72 73, C Moriarty (Irl) 74 71 74 71
291 T Whitehouse (Eng) 71 74 76 70, B Pettersson (Swe) 69 68 75 79, S Jeppesen (Swe) 71 70 77 73, F Fritsch (Ger) 71 74 78 68
292 P Del Grosso (Arg) 74 71 75 72, S Saavedra (Arg) 75 70 73 74, G Woodman (Eng) 69 76 78 69, P Purhonen (Fin) 73 72 73 74, J Clement (Swi) 73 72 77 70
293 S Robinson (Eng) 67 76 74 76
296 J Garcia Pinto (Spa) 71 72 74 79

Third-placed Poulter says he won't be back

Kaymer beats Westwood in

French Open play-off

Martin Kaymer of Germany won the 4million euros French Open at Le Golf National today after a dramatic play-off victory over England’s Lee Westwood.
They both finished the regulation 72 holes at 13-under par 271, Westwood closing with a 65 and Kaymer with a 68 to set up the decider which was decided over the spectacular 18th hole..
Both found deep rough left off the tee. Kaymer’s second from 175 yards out just cleared the large lake guarding the green, but Westwood then looked on aghast as his ball plunged in.
The Englishman came up short with his pitch, his fourth shot, and Kaymer clinched the biggest win of his career, worth 666,000 Euros, by sinking a 20ft par putt. He had two for it.
Alone in third place at 10-under was England’s Ian Poulter who carded a 67, with Anders Hansen of Denmark, who closed with a 66, and Peter Hanson of Sweden, who had a 70, tied for fourth a shot further back
It was the third win of 25-year-old Kaymer’s pro career after Abu Dhabi and the BMW International last year as he became the first German since Bernhard Langer 25 years ago to lift the French Open.
With overnight leader Rafa Echenique of Argentina falling away and Poulter’s charge from five strokes off the pace coming to grief at the 15th where he found water, it came down to a two-way battle down the back nine between Westwood and Kaymer.
The Englishman’s tremendous 65, which included seven birdies in the first 13 holes, set the target of 13-under par for Kaymer who had three holes to play at that stage and was also at 13-under.
The European Tour Rookie of the Year in 2007 had real birdie chances at the par-3 16th and par-4 17th, but his putts slid agonisingly past on both occasions.
But he then sank a five-footer for par at the last, setting up the play-off.

PHOTOGRAPHER PUTS POULTER OFF FRENCH OPEN
A fuming Ian Poulter finished the French Open in third place but said he would not be returning to the event next year - all because of the actions of a Press photographer.
Poulter was still challenging for the title when he pushed his approach to the 15th into the water. He blamed that on a camera clicking three times 25 yards away as he was swinging and was still furious when he also bogeyed the last.
"It's frustrating when you get a novice cameraman out here this week," he said. "It spoils the day, spoils the tournament. It's one I want to win and some stupid cameraman makes it difficult for you. It's a good tournament, but I won't be back next year."
He added: "He's trying to mess with our livelihoods. I'm playing for world ranking points and then you get some idiot. I've played here loads of times and I fight with them every year.
"It's so frustrating that they are let in. The spectators were magnificent, awesome and he ruins the whole week.
"What am I going to do about it? I'm going to take the tournament off my schedule. That's what I'm going to do about it."

FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4x71)
271 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 62 72 69 68, Lee Westwood 68 68 70 65 (Kaymer beat Westwood at first play-off hole).
274 Ian Poulter 72 69 66 67
275 Peter Hanson (Swe) 65 70 70 70, Anders Hansen (Den) 69 72 68 66
276 Paul Waring 66 70 68 72, Soren Hansen (Den) 68 71 72 65, Richard Green (Aus) 68 67 70 71, Kenneth Ferrie 70 68 71 67
278 Gareth Maybin 69 71 71 67, Scott Strange (Aus) 65 72 71 70, Danny Willett 68 71 70 69
279 Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 70 71 69 69, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 67 74 69 69, Damien McGrane 70 72 69 68, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 66 72 73, Colin Montgomerie 69 74 65 71, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 67 72 71 69, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 65 67 70 77, Graeme Storm 69 72 67 71
280 Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 69 71 71 69, Nick Dougherty 66 76 69 69, Peter Lawrie 71 71 71 67, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 73 70 71 66
281 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 67 70 71 73, Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 75 68 70 68, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 67 73 73 68, Phillip Archer 69 73 67 72, Seve Benson 70 67 68 76, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 70 72 71 68
282 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 72 67 72 71, David Horsey 72 71 68 71, Darren Clarke 73 69 68 72, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa) 70 72 69 71, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 65 75 68 74, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 67 73 74 68
283 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 67 71 68 77, Gary Lockerbie 68 75 70 70, Steve Webster 69 65 74 75, Gary Orr 73 70 67 73, Richard Sterne (Rsa) 70 70 69 74
284 David Lynn 69 74 69 72, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 72 71 65 76, Paul Broadhurst 73 69 71 71, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 71 72 71 70, Paul Lawrie 67 74 71 72, Chapchai Nirat (Tha) 70 72 71 71, Mark Foster 69 74 70 71, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 68 74 72 70
285 David Drysdale 67 76 71 71, Shane Lowry 69 72 71 73, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 74 66 73 72, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 72 70 70 73
286 Jose-Maria Olazabal (Spa) 74 69 72 71, Miguel Angel Martin (Spa) 72 71 73 70, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 70 72 69 75, Ross McGowan 69 72 74 71
287 Thomas Bjorn (Den) 70 70 77 70, Jean Van de Velde (Fra) 67 75 71 74
288 Marc Warren 68 72 71 77, James Kingston (Rsa) 71 70 72 75, Benn Barham 68 74 73 73, Jamie Donaldson 69 71 68 80, Alastair Forsyth 72 69 76 71, John Bickerton 65 77 75 71, Barry Lane 70 71 74 73
289 Steven O'Hara 71 72 70 76, Philip Golding 71 72 73 73
290 Thomas Levet (Fra) 67 73 75 75
291 Robert Rock 70 70 76 75, Oliver Wilson 72 69 71 79, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 69 71 71 80
292 Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 72 72 77
293 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 74 67 73 79, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 68 75 75 75
295 Sam Little 67 75 75 78, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 69 73 77 76
296 Paul Nilbrink (Swe) 73 69 79 75

James White goes four shots clear

in hunt for Cameron Corbett Vase

Stirling University student James White is heading for his first SGU 72-hole Order of Merit tournament victory. The 21-year-old Lundin Golf Club member and former Scottish boys' match-play champion has stretched his Cameron Corbett Vase halfway lead of one to four shots with former Scottish mid-amateur champion Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe) taking over from Gary Tough (Letham Grange) as the nearest challenger with 18 holes to go.
White lost a play-off to Paul O'Hara (Colville Park) in the Edward Trophy in a weather-shortened event at Glasgow Gailes Golf Club at the end of April.
His rounds so far over the Haggs Castle, which has a par of 72, have been 67, 67 and 68 for a 14-under-par tally of 202, which is quality performance.
Dick has scored 67, 71 and 68 for 206 and is a shot ahead of two players sharing third place, former British amateur champion Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) and the "unknown" St Michaels Golf Club (that's golf course on the right as you are driving from the Tay Bridge to St Andrews and are just coming to Leuchars) member Michael Williams.
Watson has had three 69s for 207, which Williams has scored 70, 67 and 70.
(If Mr Williams reads this, could he E-mail us at Colin@scottishgolfview.com) and give us his golfing CV?)
Former Scottish amateur match-play and stroke-play champion Kevin McAlpine from Alyth is having another good tournament and is in fifth place on 208 with rounds of 69, 69 and 70.
Kevin made his comeback in the East of Scotland Open in his first competitive outing since having a knee cruciate ligament operation in February. Four rounds in two days at the Lundin event last weekend caught up with him in the end but Kevin is here again, making the cut and put his physical fitness to the test again. Interesting to see if he is that bit fitter than he was seven days ago.
THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
202 James White (Lundin) 67 67 68.
206 Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe) 67 71 68.
207 Craig Watson (East Renfre3wshire) 69 69 69, Michael Williams (St Michaels) 70 67 70.
208 Kevin McAlpine (Alyth) 69 69 70.
209 Andrew Gunson (Shady Canyon) 72 71 66, Alex Main (Thornton) 70 68 71.
211 Steven Robertson (Sandyhills) 69 71 71, Paul Betty (Hayston) 70 69 72.
212 Greg Paterson (St Andrews New) 72 70 70, Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 71 71 70, MJark Bookless (Sandyhills) 70 69 73, Nick Barr (Craigie Hill) 67 71 74.
213 Paul Ferrier (Baberton) 74 71 68, Fraser McKenna (Balmore) 71 74 698, Bobby Rushford (Grangemouth) 70 75 68, Chris Conroy (Paisley) 67 78 68.
214 Stephen Machin (Cowglen) 74 72 68, Philip McLean (Peterhead) 71 73 70, Ross Crowe (Westerhope) 73 70 71, Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 70 73 71 Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 71 69 74.
215 Gary Tough (Letham Grange) 67 68 80.
216 Tom Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy) 76 70 70, Steven McEwan (Caprington) 70 75 71.
217 Paul Gault (Kirkhill) 73 73 71, John Mathers (Haggs Castle) 71 74 72, Ian Redford (St Andrews New) 72 72 73, Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) 73 65 79.
218 Gordon Yates (Hilton Park) 72 74 72, Michael Main (Thornton) 70 76 72, Steven Maxwell (Windyhill) 73 72 73, Andrew Wallace (Glenbervie) 74 66 78.
219 David Addison (Barassie) 74 71 74, Liam McGowan (St Andrews New) 72 73 74.
229 Colin Thoson (East Renfrewshire) 70 75 75, James Morrison (Stellenbosch) 71 73 76, Richard Graham (Hayston) 69 73 78.
222 Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) 68 72 82
223 Mathew Clark (Kilmacolm) 2 74 77
228 Steve Rennie (Drumpellier) 71 75 82..

Time is right for Saltman as he hits

form in fine time for Open qualifier

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Lloyd Saltman reckons he's running into form at just the right time – and aims to prove it by putting himself back on one of the biggest stages in golf.
Since winning the Silver Medal as leading amateur in the 2005 Open Championship at St Andrews, Saltman has been unable to make the impact on the game that many pundits had predicted. Now in the paid ranks, he'd had a tough time of it on the Europe on the Challenge Tour this season until giving himself a timely confidence boost when finishing just outside the top ten in Sweden last weekend.

Saltman, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, has since moved on to Switzerland for this week's Credit Suisse Challenge but has one eye on his next challenge, the Local Final Qualifying for The Open in Ayrshire on Monday and Tuesday.

The 23-year-old is in the field at Kilmarnock (Barassie) and will be giving it his all to give himself another chance to rub shoulders with Tiger Woods, having stood alongside the world No.1 when he picked up the Claret Jug at St Andrews four years ago.

"It would mean a lot to me if I could get back into The Open, especially in Scotland again, and I'll be going to Barassie to give it a real go," said Saltman, whose big brother, Elliot, will also be among the hopefuls next week.

"It's been a frustrating year for me so far because I know what I am capable of but, unfortunately, have not been able to produce the results I am looking for. However, I'd rather have a fast finish to the season than start well and then fade away and, while it's been a long time coming, I was certainly encouraged by my performance in Sweden.

"I've been working hard with Colin Brooks (his coach) and, hopefully, I can kick on from here. It would be great to play in The Open again and, soon after that, we've got the Scottish Challenge up at Spey Valley, so it's a good time to hit a bit of form."

One obstacle for Saltman as far as trying to qualify for Turnberry is concerned is the fact he'll be playing Barassie 'blind.'

"I've never played there before and won't get a practice round due to the fact I'm in Switzerland," he said. "That's not ideal, I suppose, but the Local Final Qualifying is an event you have to be aggressive in and I'll certainly be giving it a real pop."

For Mark Kerr, the qualifying test will mark the latest challenge in an exhausting few weeks for the Edinburgh man. Since teeing off in the Northern Open in Aviemore, he's been to Kent, Devon and Suffolk to play in EuroPro Tour events, Goswick for Open Regional Qualifying and Gleneagles for the Scottish PGA Championship.

"I don't think I've ever played this much golf in my life and I'd hate to think how many miles I've clocked up over the past few weeks," said Kerr. "But I'm really enjoying myself and, the way I've been playing, I honestly don't think that securing a place in The Open is out of my reach."

Kerr, who narrowly missed out when Troon staged the 2004 Open, is also in the field at Barassie, as are Murrayfield pro Jonnie Cliff and Raymond Russell, who tied for fourth behind Mark O'Meara at Royal Birkdale just over a decade ago.

Elliot Saltman is at Glasgow Gailes along with John Gallagher and David Kirkpatrick, with Andrew Oldcorn and Dunbar's Alan Martin launching their bids at neighbouring Western Gailes.

If any of the Lothians players make it to Turnberry, they'll be guaranteed a minimum of £2,100 after it was announced by the R&A that prize-money for the event will be held at the same level as last year.

The total prize fund will be £4.2million, with the winner picking up a cheque for £750,000.
*The full article contains 667 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.

US PGA TOUR REPORT

Woods and Kim tied for lead with

one round to go in AT&T

Tiger Woods and title-holder Anthony Kim set the stage for some final-day fireworks by sharing the lead after three rounds of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club, Bethesda in the state of Maryland, USA on Saturday.
Tournament host Woods and Kim hold a one-stroke lead over Michael Allen and Cameron Beckman, while Jim Furyk and Australia’s Rod Pampling are one shot further adrift.
Woods and Kim will play together on Sunday.
“There’s not too many chances you get to play with and against the best in the world at his golf tournament,” said Kim, whose last win was here a year ago. “I’ve won this tournament before, and I don’t see why I won’t have a good opportunity tomorrow.”
World number one Woods had a wild round, taking a three-shot lead on a ninth-hole eagle before falling behind by a stroke with a double-bogey two holes later.
“It was a tough day out there,” Woods said. “The wind was all over the place. It was hard to not only figure out the intensity but also the direction.
“It was just one of those things where you had to grind it out and get through it.”
Woods shot an even-par 70 and Kim a 68 to enter Sunday’s final round at 10-under 200.
“As we all know, AK can play, he really can,” said Woods. “As time has gone on, we’ve seen the talent, we’ve seen him grow as a player, and it’s just a matter of time before he starts winning golf tournaments regularly.”
The 24-year-old Kim said he was “excited for the opportunity” to be paired with Woods on the final day of the $6 million event in suburban Washington, D.C.
“I used to practise thinking I was in the final round with Tiger, final putt, had to make a 10-footer to win the golf tournament, he was watching me,” said Kim. “And I was probably nine, ten years old when all that was happening.
“It was almost dark, and I'd be waiting for my dad to pick me up from the golf course.”
Allen, searching for his first victory on the US PGA Tour in his 337th tournament, shot a five-under 65, the lowest score of the day amid unseasonably cool conditions.
The 50-year-old said he was delighted to be in the field, let alone in the hunt for the $1 million first-place cheque.
“It’s what I’ve been trying to do since I was young,” the American said. “And so now I’m just happy to be playing a whole lot better as I’ve gotten older. I’m aging well.”
U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover shot a 68 and was three shots off the pace.
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