Knox joint 13th after first round at Southern Dunes

Inverness exile Russell Knox is lying joint 13th at the end of the first round in this week's NGA Hooters Tour Winter Series event at Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club, Haines City in Florida.
Knox, based in Florida since he attended Jacksonville University, shot a three-under-par 69 with birdies at the fifth, sixth, ninth and 12th, spoiled only with a last-hole bogey.
The Scot is four shots behind leader Brad Klapprott from Florida with a 65. He leads by two from Andrew Svoboda (New York), John Elliott (Rhode Island) and Ryan Brehm (Michigan).

PGA Scottish Region Scoreboard

FOUR-BALL WINTER SERIES @ LUFFNESS NEW
Par 70
64 Ken Stevely (3Dgolf.com) & Iain Pender (Aberfoyle), better inward half, £225; Ronan Rafferty (unattached) & Alan White), £165.
66 Craig Everett (Caldwell) & Stewart Savage (Dalmuir), £140.
67 Tom Eckford (Ranfurly Castle) & Stuart Kerr (Strathaven); Fraser Mann (Musselburgh) & Paul Wardell (Whitekirk), £95 each pair.
68 Jacky Montgomery (Dunbar) & Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), £80.
69 Scott Catlin (Greenburn) & Fraser McLaughlan (Bothwell Castle); Alastair Love (Charleton) & Iain Colquhoun (Dundonald Links), £72.50 each pair.
70 Paul Brookes (Pitreavie) & Stuart Callan (Bathgate); Stephen Gray (Hayston) & Billy Marchbank (Crieff), £62.50 each pair.
71 Neil Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh) & Stephen Lamb (Broomieknowe); Ian Collins (Stirling) & Craig Maltman (Eyemouth); Gregor Abel (Alloa) & David Herd (Alloa); Stuart Syme (Dumfries & Co) & David Broadfoot (Dumfries & Co).

Tiger Woods now out of favour in US public polls

In the latest USA Today/Gallup poll, Tiger Woods' "favourable" rating dropped to 33 percent from 85 percent in June 2005.
His "unfavourable" rating surged to 57 percent from 8 percent.
A Washington Post-ABC News poll found more than four in 10 Americans hold an unfavourable view of Woods and more than a third -- whether golf fans or not -- believe companies should not continue to use Woods to endorse their products.
Findings like those are making companies nervous.
Accenture Plc has said it is ending its six-year sponsorship deal with Woods, the world's first billionaire athlete. Procter & Gamble's Gillette said it would limit the use of Woods in its marketing and AT&T is evaluating its relationship. Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer said it would assess its options over the coming weeks.
Nike Inc and Berkshire Hathaway's NetJets unit have said they will not end their deals.

The Tiger Woods Debate

E-mail from Kenny Hutton

PGA pro at Downfield GC

I absolutely agree with James Byrne (scroll down to see his E-mail from Arizona).
Tiger gives more back financially to the grass roots of golf annually than any player in history of our sport and the sooner he is back the better. Yes, he has won more money but he has also sold golf to the world by his achievements when people were asking who is going to be the next golfing hero.
Was Muhammed Ali a saint in real life? No, he was not. Yet he is still recognised as the greatest sportsmen ever in almost every poll. He, like many "sporting heroes" from yesteryear, was lucky we didn't have 24 hour TV and press hiding behind bushes when he had "some personal problems."
Tiger has been stupid, has been caught and has hurt the people who matter most to him. He will, I am sure, be very, very sorry and will now realise how stupid he has been.

He is an easy target for cheap shots but all will be forgotten shortly. Hopefully, the same people putting all the effort into writing the negative stories at the moment (and they are entitled to do that) will also write some positives about the millions he raises for the under-privileged children and junior golfers out there when it blows over.

Question: Why is (caddie) Steve Williams even being mentioned? He works for Tiger and is great at his job, end of story. I don't know him so I can't make comment on his personality. Neil Pirie must know him really well to have such strong views.

Kenny Hutton

Michele Thomson has given up golf indefinitely

Michele Thomson, the 2008 Scottish women's amateur champion and Curtis Cup team member, has given up golf indefinitely.
See the full story by switching over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

Closer look at world's most successful senior golfer over past two years

Bernhard Langer would like to

be US President for a day

Bernhard Langer has had a golfing career that seems to have lasted forever, first in Europe, now in America, where he stays in Florida. He won four times this year on the US Champions (Seniors) Tour and had 11 other top-10 finishes. He has topped their over-50s tour's money table for the past two seasons, winning $2,139,451 in 2009 and $2,035,073 in 2008. Yet at one time in his early days on the European Tour, the German, who eventually became a Ryder Cup player, then captain, had a long struggle to overcome the putting yips which he did with the help of one of the early long-handled putters. His average number of putts per round in the 2009 seniors' season was 29.42.

Champions Tour media official Dave Senko sat down with Langer for a quick question-and-answer session for the PGATOUR.COM website. We thought you would like to read it too.

Q: What's your favourite TV show?

BL: I enjoy all types of sports and action movies.

Q: Outside of golf, what sport do you enjoy watching on TV?

BL: Football, soccer, basketball, hockey and ski-ing.

Q: With whom would you love to trade places for a day?

BL: The President of the United States. Just to see what it's like with everything going on.

Q: Favourite team as a kid and did you have a favourite player?

BL: Bayern Munich, Franz Beckenbauer.

Q: First job you ever had?

BL: I was an assistant golf professional at Munich Country Club.

Q: Your favourite meal?

BL: Thanksgiving Dinner.

Q: One talent which you would most love to have?

BL: I wish I was able to play a musical instrument like the piano or a guitar.

Q: Favourite athlete in another sport?

BL: Roger Federer.

Q: Your wife would say your worst habit is?

BL: Eating sweets and desserts.

Q: One course you've never played but would love to play?

BL: Pine Valley Golf Club

Q: Most memorable holiday?

BL: Ski-ing in the Alps.

Q: What do you currently drive?

BL: Mercedes-Benz S-550

Q: Person you'd most like to sit down for a discussion with and why?

BL: Billy Graham, to learn from him.

Q: Your most memorable golf shot?

BL: At the 1995 Smurfit European Open at The K Club, I made a 75-foot putt for an eagle on the last hole to tie Barry Lane and then went on to win the play-off.

Q: Do you have a favourite charity you support?

BL: I have several that I support -- 4 Kids of South Florida, Youth For Christ, Search Ministry and Sheridan House.

Q: When not playing golf, what do you enjoy?

BL: Family time, walking, bike riding, working out and going to church.

Q: Things still on 'to do' list?

BL: Helicopter ski-ing, white=water rafting, visiting Yellowstone National Park and several other National Parks, including the Grand Canyon.

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT BERNHARD

His father settled in Bavaria after jumping off a Russian prisoner-of-war train bound for Siberia.

Bernhard was born at Anhausen, Germany on August 27, 1957.

He turned pro in 1972 when he was only 15.

Height: 5ft 9in.

Bernhard developed fever cramps several times as a child (ages 2-5) and nearly died as a result.

Began having back problems at age 19 after an 18-month stint as a member of the German Air Force.

Marching with a 30lb pack and rifle led to two stress fractures and bulging discs.

Started ski-ing at age of four and would say he's a "scratch skier."

A devout Christian, Langer helped organise the regular meetings of the European Tour Bible Class.

Senior highlights at Carnoustie & Fairmont St Andrews

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
The European Senior Tour today announces a ground-breaking schedule for the 2010 season, taking in exciting new destinations in South Africa and The Netherlands and a first visit to Carnoustie’s historic links.
Following the recent success of the season-opening Mauritius Commercial Bank Open at another exotic new venue, the Senior Tour heads into the New Year with a strong initial 2010 schedule and further events set to be announced next month.
Once again, the high point of the season will be The Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard, played for the first time over the demanding Scottish links at Carnoustie, where three-time past champion Tom Watson claimed his first regular Major in 1975.
Before Carnoustie makes its debut on the schedule in July, the Senior Tour will have visited a number of far-flung destinations, starting with the second edition of the Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters presented by the Stapleford Forum from March 5-7.
The Senior Tour will then make its maiden voyage to South Africa three weeks later for the inaugural Berenberg Bank Masters over the stunning Gary Player-designed Links at Fancourt.
Later in the season, the inaugural Van Lanschot Senior Open at Royal Haagsche Golf and Country Club from July 9-11 will see the Senior Tour return to The Netherlands for the first time in nine years.
Those events join long standing tournaments, the Jersey Seniors Classic (June 4-6), the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open (July 2-4), the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters (September 3-5) and the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open (June 18-20), which returns to Royal Porthcawl Golf Club just four months before the nearby Celtic Manor Resort hosts The Ryder Cup itself.
The Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open returns to Fairmont St Andrews for the second time from August 20-22, a month after The Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard from July 22-25.
That will be the season’s second Senior Major Championship following the US Senior PGA Championship which, in 2010, will be played at Colorado Golf Club in Denver from May 27-30, while Sahalee Country Club in Seattle will host the US Senior Open from July 29 to August 1.
In addition, the Senior Tour’s other four round event, the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship, will once again be played at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland from June 24-27.
If, as in 2009, the Senior Tour Order of Merit remains closely fought until the end of the season, the lucrative Casa Serena Open in the Czech Republic could prove decisive when it returns to Casa Serena Golf for the third time from September 17-19.
The season will then end with the traditional finalé, the OKI Castéllon Senior Tour Championship, which again takes place at the Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, in Spain, from November 5-7.
Sam Torrance finished third in Castéllon last month to edge past Ian Woosnam in the battle of the Ryder Cup Captains to capture the John Jacobs Trophy as Senior Tour Number One and the duo will go head to head again in 2010, which promises to be another exciting season for the Senior Tour.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “We are extremely grateful to our Promoters and Sponsors for their support of the European Senior Tour and we look forward to another scintillating season with some great golf in spectacular destinations.
“Many of our relationships are forged over many years but it is encouraging to see new sponsors and venues join the Tour family and, with the relaxed ambience of the Senior Tour, we hope they remain with us for some time to come.”
“In addition, we have a number of ongoing conversations relating to further tournaments on the 2010 schedule and these will be added in due course.”

2010 European Seniors Tour Schedule
March 5-7 The Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters. The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei
March 26-28 Berenberg Bank Masters. The Links, Fancourt, South Africa
May 27-30 US SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP. Colorado GC, Denver, Colorado, USA
June 4-6 Jersey Seniors Classic. La Moye GC, Channel Islands
June 18-20 Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open. Royal Porthcawl G.C., Mid Glamorgan, Wales
June 24-27 De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship. Hunting Course, De Vere Slaley Hall, Northumberland.
July 2-4 Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open. Golf Club Bad Ragaz, Switzerland
July 9-11 Van Lanschot Senior Open. The Royal Haagsche Golf & Country Club, Netherlands
July 22-25 THE SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD. Championship Course, Carnoustie.
July 29-August 1 US SENIOR OPEN. Sahalee CC, Seattle, Washington, USA
August 20-22 Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open. Fairmont St. Andrews, Fife.
September 3-5 Travis Perkins Senior Masters. Duke's Course, Woburn GC.
September 17-19 Casa Serena Open. Casa Serena Golf, Prague, Czech Republic
November 5-7 OKI Castellón Senior Tour Championship. Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, Castellón, Valencia, Spain

E-mail from James Byrne (Banchory & Arizona State University)

Totally unreasonable to criticise Tiger for not

giving enough back to golf, says James

I wanted to drop a note questioning some of Neil Pirie's bitter views (see note at end of this and also scroll down to see his E-mail) with regard to Tiger Woods.
Firstly, Tiger did not blame the press. He came out and admitted his wrong-doings to the entire world, apologised to his family and his fans, so what more do you want from him?
He simply said he has the right to privacy, which he does. Secondly, under what grounds should Steve Williams lose his job? He is undeniably obnoxious, but world class at what he does. He is responsible for assisting Tiger at tournaments and occasionally in practice, but that's it. Stevie has nothing to do with Tiger's indiscretions, so why should he be forced to resign?
The main point I wanted to bring up is that I find it totally unreasonable for anyone to criticise Tiger for not giving enough back. Nobody puts more back into the game than he does. The TW Foundation has been running for over a decade and has reached out to millions of underprivileged kids across the world. He has been conducting golf clinics for disadvantaged kids in deprived communities since he was 20. He hosts an annual concert that raises over $10 million for charity every year.
He even built a school in California that takes in thousands of students every year. He is the idol of children all over the world, not just golfers, and will absolutely remain as that idol despite what's happened lately.
Tiger's reputation has rightly taken a hit, but it's not golf-related. It's amazing how people can forget so quickly what he has done for the game.
James Byrne

+Neil Pirie, ex-Abertay University golf team captain, wishes to make it clear that he is not the Neil Pirie who sent the original E-mail criticising Tiger Woods. The Editor can confirm that Neil Pirie 1 has a different E-mail address from Neil Pirie 2.

Seve 'too sick' to travel to London for launch of foundation

Severiano Ballesteros had to pull out of the launch of his foundation in London last night due to ill health. The Spaniard had been due to attend the event at London's Mandarin Oriental Hotel but was too sick to leave home, a spokesman for the charity said.
"Seve can't be at his launch because he is just too sick to travel," said the spokesman. "He obviously hoped to be in London for this but he has not recovered in time to make it. This has been unforeseen and unfortunately he is still sick."
Instead the function went ahead without the planned question and answer session hosted by Gary Lineker and a video message recorded by the 52-year-old was played to the guests.
The charity was set up in June to help raise funds with Cancer Research UK to fight brain cancer.
The three-time Open winner was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour after collapsing at Madrid airport in October 2008. He underwent four operations at Madrid's La Paz hospital before being allowed to go home before a course of chemotherapy a year ago.