Wednesday, December 02, 2009

So why don't they play the Open over SIX rounds?

Topic for debate ... if anyone wants to agree or disagree with me, writes Colin Farquharson.
If SIX rounds is thought to be essential for the European Tour Final Qualifying School - and the US PGA Tour School as well - why aren't the Open and the other Majors played over six rounds?
Surely, the same line of thinking should apply. If six rounds is necessary for the best players to prevail at Final Qualifying Schools ... then four rounds are not nearly enough to ensure that the best man always wins the Majors.

+You can E-mail your view to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

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RUSSELL KNOX JOINT FIFTH ON HOOTERS TOUR

Russell Knox had an eagle and three birdies in a second-round 69 which lifted him up to joint fifth with a round to go in this week's Hooters Tour Winter Series event at Timacuan Golf Club, Lake Mary in Florida.
The Florida-based Inverness exile is on five-under-par 139, having begun the tournament with a two-under 70.
He is four shots behind the leader, American Michael Thomson, who has had rounds of 69 and 66 for 135, and two shots behind second-placed Will Wilcox (66-71).


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NE Alliance winner at Buckpool with five-under 65

Former British boys' champion

Jordan Findlay still a class act


By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Former British boys' champion Jordan Findlay, still a +2 amateur golfer after an unsuccessful bid to get on the Alps Tour, scored his first win on the North-east Golfers' Alliance circuit this season with a sparkling five-under-par round of 65 on a pleasant day at Buckpool.
The Fraserburgh man, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, who played the American college circuit for four years as a student at East Tennessee State University, started hesitantly with a bogey 5 and dropped another shot at the fourth. But these were the only blemishes in halves of 33 (two under par) and 32 (three under).
Findlay birdied the third, seventh, eighth, ninth, 11th, 12th and 16th.
He headed a field of 80 by one stroke from another former US college player, Banchory's Scott Larkin, whose 66 had halves of 34 and 32. Larkin, who was a student at the College of Charleston, had three birdie 2s on his card. A bogey 6 at the 16th cost him a share of victory with Findlay.
Newburgh pro Ian Bratton had been the clubhouse leader for some time and by several strokes with a three-under-par 67. Eventually he finished joint third with Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon), another of the "young lions" who have rejuvenated the Alliance leaderboards this season.
Secretary Ron Menzies was telling me that the the NE Alliance can now boast three +3 amateurs and 17 members in all with "plus" handicaps, which must be some sort of record for the North-east Alliance.
Even the North-east District of the SGU officials sitting up and taking notice of performances on the winter circuit and that was not always the case.
Remember, there is an additional meeting - Portlethen next Wednesday - before the mid-winter break. If you have not got your name down for a tee time already, you are probably too late. Remember by next Wednesday it will be dark by 4pm if not earlier.
Buckpool may have had blue skies today but Aberdeen certainly did not and it pretty murky all day.
TODAY'S LEADING SCORES
SCRATCH
Par 70
65 J Findlay (Fraserburgh).
66 S Larkin (Banchory).
67 I Bratton (Newburgh-on-Ythan), A Dunton (McDonald Ellon).
68 P McLean (Peterhead), K Nicol (Fraserburgh).
70 F Bisset (Banchory).
71 A K Prie (Hazlehead), R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo).
72 W Main (Murcar Links), M Jenkins (Duff House Royal), B Nicolson (Auchmill), P McIntosh (Bon Accord), P Lovie (P1 Incorporate).
74 A Campbell (Deeside), A J Smith (Turriff), R Lamb (Newmachar), K Duncan (McDonald Ellon).
75 J Duncan (Newburgh), S Finnie (Caledonian), D Clark (Duff House Royal).
76 J Nicolson (Auchmill), D Leighton (Northern), Laura Murray (Alford).
77 P Morrison (Oldmeldrum), C Carnegie (Kemnay), B Shaw (Banchory).
78 C Cassie (Nigg Bay), J M Hamilton (Murcar Links), J Dalgarno (Hazlehead), R Bruce (Aboyne), R Pirie (Caledonian), T Collie (Kemnay).
79 S Pert (Huntly), S Sharp (Newburgh), M Merchant (Newmachar), A Lindsay (Banchory).
80 D Philip (Newburgh), M Forster (Cruden Bay)
HANDICAP
Class 1 - J Findlay (Fraserburgh) (+2) 67; F Bisset (Banchory) (2), S Larkin (Banchory) (+2) 68; A K Pirie (Hazlehead) (2), P McIntosh (Bon Accored) (4), A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) (+2) 69; A J Smith (Turriff) (4), J Duncan (Newburgh) (5), R Lamb (Newmachar) (4), T Collie (Kemnay) (8) 70; P Morrison (Oldmeldrum) (6), B Nicolson (Auchmill) (2), J M Hamilton (Murcar Links) (7), J Dalgarno (Hazlehead) (7), B Shaw (Banchory) (6), D Leighton (Northern) (5), P McLean (Peterhead) (+3), K Nicol (Fraserburgh) (+3), M Jenkins (Duff House Royal) (1), Laura Murray (Alford) (5) 71.
Class 2 - D Randall (Banchory) (15) 68; N Stewart (Northern) (12) 69; R Brown (Craibstone) (12), I Strachan (Royal Aberdeen) (12) 70; S Kennedy (Craibstone (13) 72; D Bisset (Banchory) (9) 73; J Penny (Huntly) (13), G Kelly (Peterculter) (15) 75; L Roger (Royal Aberdeen) (9) 77; D Lawrie (Inchmnarlo) (13), B Skene (Peterculter) (11), N Parker (Murcar Links) (9) 78; J Scott (Peterculter) (10) 79.

BUCKPOOL SCORECARD

Par 70.
OUT: 4-4-5-4-4-3-4-3-4--35. IN: 4-4-4-3-4-3-5-4-4--35

JORDAN FINDLAY 65
OUT: 5-4-4-5-4-3-3-2-3--33. IN: 4-3-3-3-4-3-4-4-4--32.
SCOTT LARKIN 66
OUT: 4-3-4-4-5-2-4-4-4--34. IN: 4-4-3-2-4-2-6-3-4--32.
IAN BRATTON 67
OUT: 3-4-3-4-4-4-5-2-3--32. IN: 4-3-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--35.
ADAM DUNTON 67
OUT: 4-3-4-5-4-3-4-3-4--34. IN: 4-3-3-3-4-3-5-4-4--33.
KRIS NICOL 68
OUT: 4-4-4-4-3-2-4-3-4--32. IN: 4-3-5-3-4-3-4-5-5--36.
PHILIP McLEAN 68
OUT: 4-4-4-5-5-3-5-3-4--37. IN: 4-4-3-3-4-2-4-4-3--31.











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BYRNE, KELLETT NECK AND NECK IN

LATEST R&A WORLD RANKINGS

Banchory's James Byrne and Motherwell's Ross Kellett are neck and neck for the honour of being the leading Scot in the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings.
In this week's Week 48 ratings, Byrne, a student at Arizona State University, has gone up one place to No 38. Colville Park GC member Kellett has gone up two to No 39.
They are the only Scots in the top 150.
Victor Dubuisson (France) continues as No 1 with British amateur champion Matteo Manassero (Italy) No 2
Scots' world rankings:
38 James Byrne (Banchory & Arizona State Univ) (+1).
39 Ross Kellett (Colville Park) (+2).
174 Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie) (no change).
180 Mark Hillson (Craigielaw) (-8).
209 Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck & East Tennessee State Univ) (+1).
235 James White (Lundin & Stirling Univ) (+1).
281 David Law (Hazlehead) (-5).
380 Philip McLean (Peterhead) (-38).
391 Steven McEwan (Caprington) (-2).

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Three eagles help Sam Hutsby take over second

place with a round to go at Final Q School

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
England’s Simon Khan continued his domination of the Qualifying School – Final Stage but his closest challenger is now rising star Sam Hutsby, who notched three eagles on another day of drama.
Despite a double bogey in his round of 70, Khan extended his lead to six shots after most of his nearest rivals endured days to forget at PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona, Spain. In contrast Hutsby scorched round the Stadium Course, which hosts the final two days, in just 66 shots, eagling the seventh, 12th and 15th holes to move to 16 under par, six shots behind his compatriot Khan.
Khan dropped three shots, but made amends with five birdies – including one at the closing hole – to move to within touching distance of victory, with just one round left to play.
He said: “I was struggling a little bit today – I felt a bit tired towards the end. I think I’m programmed to play four rounds. You’ve just got to keep going until they say stop this week. It’s a bit like Groundhog Day, but I’m enjoying my golf.
"I’m going out there and sticking with the same attitude. I came in here looking to get a good card. You have to aim for that rather than just top 30. I’ve tried so hard on Tour, but the more you try the further away it gets sometimes. I’m just letting my game come out. It’s tough out here. It’s a big test to keep it going six rounds and the course is tough. From tee to green there’s a lot of uphill walks and I’m 37 – I’m already feeling old this week!
“I’m confident but I just have to stay in the moment, which means going out and hitting the shots. I’m not thinking about the lead. I need to set my own target and go for that. It would be great to win it though. Just thinking about how Lee (Westwood) played in Dubai. He’s a great front-runner. He went out in the final round and just played that course and that’s admirable. I’m not saying I’ll shoot 64 but I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”
His main challenge for the title could come from Hutsby, who enhanced an already burgeoning reputation, having previously reached the final of this year’s Amateur Championship and played in the Walker Cup, before finishing in a tie for eighth place on only his third European Tour appearance as a professional.
Barring a disastrous turn of events, the 21 year old has all but secured his playing privileges on The 2010 European Tour International Schedule, where he will tee up alongside his friend and compatriot Chris Wood.
Hutsby, who added three birdies to his trio of eagles, said: “I said to my caddie that three eagles in a round was quite some achievement. I’ve had two eagles in a round a few times but never three, so that rounded off a great day.
"I took a lot of confidence from yesterday’s round, when I played some really solid stuff. It’s a long week and I got off to a steady start, without setting the world on fire. I was only on the cut mark after two days so I needed to step it up a bit in the last few rounds, and I’ve managed to do that. I was hitting it well on the range this morning, so I just went out there and stuck to my game plan, and it helped that I was able to make a couple of birdies early on in the round to get me going.
“Coming to Qualifying School’s been a completely new experience for me, but I’ve really enjoyed it so far. It’s a marathon not a sprint, but one of my strengths is my consistency. You need a lot of patience and it’s also important to keep your energy levels up with plenty of fluids.
"It’s important to stick to the same routines, and now that there’s only one round left and I’m in a good position, hopefully I can just go out there and enjoy myself. I knew that if I played to the best of my ability I’d be in with a great chance of getting my European Tour card, which is what I’ve dreamed about for so many years now. It’s great to know I’m so close bow, so hopefully I can finish the job off.”
Hutsby is likely to be joined on The European Tour next season by fellow rookie Clodomiro Carranza, whose round of 67 moved him into a share of third place with Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher.The Argentine could only manage 69th place in the Challenge Tour Rankings this term, but his game appears to have peaked at the right time.Carranza may be small in build be he packs quite a punch with his driver, as witnessed by birdies on all four of the par fives. Gallacher matched Carranza’s round of 67, and the Scot feels he may have benefited from an enforced absence after suffering with a virus which has seen him sidelined since the summer. He said: “I’ve been practising hard for the last six weeks or so, since mid-October really. The weather at home hasn’t been the best, so I went over to Portugal about three weeks ago and played five rounds of golf with some friends, just to see how fit I was. I came through it, so I knew I’d be alright. It gave me some time to reflect and also gave me the chance to spend some time with my family, so it’s important to take the positives from every situation. I’ve been on the Tour for ten years now, but some time away from golf probably gave me some of my hunger back. I know now I can’t afford to rest on my laurels.”
Alejandro Cañizares slipped to fifth place after a round of 75 but the Spaniard still fared better than his playing partner Charlie Ford of England, who crashed to a round of 81 to fall 31 places to joint 34th, and therefore outside qualification ... unless he can use the final round to get back into the top 30 and ties.
But the youngster ended on a bright note with a birdie at the last hole and can at least console himself with the fact that he has one last chance to climb into the all-important top 30 places, which would see him claim a European Tour card for the first time.
Players who moved in the opposite direction to Ford include Frenchman Benjamin Hebert and Ireland’s Simon Thornton, both of whom climbed 24 places to tied 25th after posting rounds of 67.

SCOTSWATCH: Looking good for Gallacher and O'Hara

Stephen Gallacher is probably playing better golf this week than he has done for ages on the European Tour. A five-under-par 67 in today's fifth round lifted him up to joint third place on 341. Much the same is true of Steven O'Hara whose worst round of the five is a 70! He had a 68 today for 343 and a share of sixth place. Gallacher and O'Hara must be certainties to claim leading cards among the 30+
Scott Drummond too has not scored worse than 70 in any of the five rounds so far but he is right on the borderline of nine-under-par 347. His last two rounds have been 70 precisely. Given the intensity of the competition, the Anglo- Scot will very likely need to break 70 in his sixth and final round to clinch a place among the card-winners.
Andrew Coltart is two shots outside the likely mark in joint 34th place. He certainly needs a 60-something final round. Callum Macaulay is joint 51st on 351. He needs to shoot several shots under par to make the big leap into the qualifying zone.
Andrew Oldcorn, joint 67th of 355, at least has the Seniors Tour to look forward to in 2010.

FIFTH ROUND LEADERBOARD
(Leading 30 + ties after sixth round earn European Tour cards)
Par 356: 3x72, 2x70
334 Simon Khan (England) 68 63 67 66 70.
340 Sam Hutsby (England) 69 72 65 68 66.
341 Clodomiro Carranza (Argentina) 65 73 68 68 67, Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) 68 72 68 66 67.
342 Alejandro Canizares (Spain) 74 67 61 65 75.
343 Jamie Elson (England) 68 65 66 73 71, Mark F Haastrup (Denmark) 69 71 68 67 68, Steven O'Hara (Scotland) 68 70 68 69 68.
344 Stephan Gross junior (Germany) 69 72 66 66 71, Jarmo Sandelin (Sweden) 66 69 67 70 72, Alessandro Tadini (Italy) 68 69 69 71 67.
345 Ghislain Rosier (France) 71 73 67 68 70, James Ruth (England) 64 75 66 68 72, Patrick Sjoland (Sweden) 72 65 67 69 72.
346 Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden) 66 75 66 70 69, Philip Archer (England) 68 70 67 72 69, George Coetzee (South Africa) 68 70 67 71 70, Lorenzo Gagli (Italy) 70 71 67 70 68, Anton Haig (South Africa) 76 73 66 62 69, Eirik Tage Johansen (Norway) 75 65 66 71 69, Fredrik Ohlsen (Sweden) 68 70 68 69 71, Marco Ruiz (Paraguay) 71 68 63 69 75, Carl Sunesen (Spain) 72 67 65 71 71, Sam Walker (England) 70 69 69 69 74.
347 Christophe Brazillier (France) 71 67 67 70 72, Scott Drummond (Scotland) 69 69 69 70 70, Benjamin Herbert (France) 69 71 69 71 67, Steven Jeppersen (Sweden) 69 75 67 66 70, Manuel Quiros (Spain) 71 70 68 67 71, Simon Thornton (Ireland) 67 75 69 69 67.
=========PROJECTED CUT-OFF POINT FOR LEADING 30 & TIES AFTER ROUND 6 ==

Selected scores:
349 Andrew Coltart (Scotland) 71 71 69 68 70 (jt 34th).
351 Callum Macaulay (Scotland) 70 73 71 67 70 (jt 50th).
355 Andrew Oldcorn (Scotland) 72 68 71 70 74 (jt 67th).

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Tiger Woods apologises to family for 'transgressions'

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
Tiger Woods has apologised to his family for recent "transgressions", in a statement that alluded to "personal sins" and the forced exposure of "intimate details" of his life.
He apologised today in a statement that alluded to "personal sins" and the forced exposure of "intimate details" of his life.
The 33-year-old billionaire was cited yesterday for careless driving and told he must pay a fine of $164 dollars (£98.57) in relation to an accident in the early hours of Friday morning outside his home in Florida.
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Links to related articles
Tiger Woods' voicemail: 'My wife may be calling you'
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Ogilvy: Woods should return quickly
Padraig Harrington defends Tiger Woods decision
Woods' image still worth millions
Rachel Uchitel says Tiger Woods affair rumours 'ridiculous'

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Since the incident, speculation has mounted over the golfer's personal life, with tabloid allegations that he had an affair with a New York nightclub hostess.
Recent tabloid rumours have linked the world's number one golfer with three women, Rachel Uchitel, who denies claims of an affair, Jaimee Grubbs and Kalika Moquin.
Grubbs, a waitress who claims she had an affair with Tiger Woods, has alleged that the golfer sent her a message warning: “My wife has been through my phone and may be calling you."
In a statement posted on his website he said:
"I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behaviour my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behaviour and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.
"Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realise the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives.

"The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.
"But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realise there are some who don't share my view on that.

"But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.
"Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult.
"I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology."

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Luke Donald's caddie-brother switches to Paul Casey

Christian Donald is at the Chevron World Challenge. His more famous brother, Luke Donald, is not.
Christian Donald, who has been his brother’s caddie for most of the decade, said they decided last month to part ways. Luke Donald has won four times, along with the World Cup with Paul Casey and Tiger Woods’ charity event.
“It’s been eight years,” Christian said. “That was a good run.”
He figured their relationship as brothers took precedence over the strain of working with each other inside the ropes. Christian Donald now caddies for Casey.
Lee Westwood has celebrated his stellar season by signing a new multi-year deal with Ping Golf. The biggest change for Westwood is that the Ping logo will return to the front of his cap.
Vijay Singh started and ended his 2009 season the same way – with knee surgery. The Fijian went winless this year for the first time since 1996.

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Fairways Target Golf Leagues, Inverness

By NEIL HAMPTON
neil@golflochness.com
The Top Team Playoffs and the Captain's Cup are next Wednesday (December 9), starting from 7pm. Prizegiving should be around 9pm.
The first cold snap of the year made for tricky condition in the Week 9 penultimate Monday night league matches. In the top half of the table BM Trucks had to beat the Juniors to keep the other teams in it but although the Trucks had the second highest score of the night the Juniors were too strong and took the points.
This result, coupled with the Parahandies being easily beaten by Orion, means that both the Juniors and BM Trucks have qualified for the play-offs. What is not decided, however, is the destination of the league title with the top two tied on points and only separated by the shots scored tally.
Next week the Trucks will hope that Orion can put one over on the Juniors or they will have to win by 69 more shots than the Juniors!
At the other end, Three Men and a Caddy secured their first real win of the season as the Neverwillbees only troubled the scorer with one of their balls! The Sainties had the bye and the two points kept them level with Orion and a faint hope of snatching fourthth place from them.
MONDAY NIGHT RESULTS
Orion 22 – 12 Parahandies
The Neverwillbees 4 – 18 Three Men and a Caddy
BM Trucks 27 – 39 Loch Ness Juniors
The Sainties (Bye) 5.


The Tuesday night league title was grabbed by the Luckless Leadbetters in peculiar circumstances when the home team of Fairways failed to field a team for their game against King Kenyon’s Klan (in depth inquiries are underway!).
The Leadbetters saw off a spirited challenge from the Muirton Marvels and their win gives them a 3pt point advantage over King Kenyon’s Klan whose season’s best score of 92 would have beaten the Fairways team even if they had turned up!
Fairways can still qualify for the play-offs if they can beat the Leadbetters while the Klan are losing to the Marvels. In the bottom half Fairhurst tasted success for the first time last week and enjoyed it so much they did it again this week by defeating the Senior Moments. This now puts them one point ahead of the Coastguards who occupy bottom spot after their draw with the Mad Drivers who themselves move ahead of the Senior Moments into fifth spot.
TUESDAY NIGHT RESULTS
Muirton Marvels 33 – 61 Luckless Leadbetters
Fairhurst Fore 26 – 20 Senior Moments
King Kenyon’s Klan 92 – 0 Fairways
Mad Drivers 25 – 25 Coastguards.

HOW THEY STAND

MONDAY NIGHT LEAGUE
1 Loch Ness Juniors 14pt.
2 BM Trucks 14pt.
3 Parahandies 11pt.
4 Orion 10pt.
5 The Sainties 10pt.
6 Neverwillbees 8pt.
7 Three Men and a Caddy 5pt.

TUESDAY NIGHT LEAGUE
1 Luckless Leadbetters 15pt.
2 King Kenyon's Klan 12pt
3 Fairways 11pt
4 Muirton Marvels 10pt
5 Mad Drivers 9pt
6 Senior Moments 8pt
7 Fairhurst Fore 4pt
8 Coastguards 3pt

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