Australia win team title,
-
Sherratt No 1 individual

Jordan Sherratt, a 21-year-old South Australian, won a place in this year's British amateur championship at Muirfield and North Berwick in June with a play-off victory over American Walker Cup player and world-ranked No 6 amateur Bud Cauley on the last day of the NEC Master of the Amateurs championship at Yarra Yarra Golf Club in Melbourne's sand belt.
Sherratt, who won the team title for Australia in partnership with Matt Jager, tied with Cauley on four-under-par 284 at end of the 72 holes.
Sherratt then won the sudden-death play-off at the first hole after Cauley drove into a fairway bunker.
England's Matt Haines and Tommy Fleetwood finished third on 586 behind Australia (571) and United States (575) in the team event. The English pair had an uphill battle after Fleetwood, winner of last year's Scottish open amateur stroke play title at Murcar Links, began with an uncharacteristic, error-strewn round of 83. He followed that with three rounds of 71 - but the damage had been done.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Team
Par 576 (2x72x4)
571 AUSTRALIA: Jordan Sherratt 66 74 70 74: 284; Matt Jager 74 72 71 70: 287.
575 UNITED STATES: Bud Cauley 76 75 74 69: 284, Morgan Hoffman 73 73 74 71: 291.
586 ENGLAND (Matt Haines 72 73 75 70: 290, Tommy Fleetwood 83 71 71 71: 296.
594 NEW ZEALAND: Andrew Stewart 75 70 75 76: 296, Ryan Fox 75 71 73 79: 298.
610 EUROPE: Victor Dubuisson 72 70 72 76: 290, Alexandre Kleszcz 76 75 88 81: 320.
614 SOUTH AFRICA: J G Claassen 76 79 74 73: 302, Leon Knoll 73 83 81 75: 312.

LEADING INDIVIDUALS
Par 288 (4x72)
284 Jordan Sherratt (Australia) 66 74 70 74, Bud Cauley (US) 76 75 74 69 (Sherratt won sudden-death play-off at first hole).
286 Kieran Pratt (australia) 67 72 73 74.
287 Matt Jager (Australia) 74 72 71 70.
290 Victor Dubuisson (France) 72 70 72 76, Matt Haines (England) 72 73 75 70.
291 Daniel Beckman (Australia) 73 71 79 68, Ben Campbell (NZ) 78 69 71 73, Morgan Hoffman (US) 73 73 74 71.

JOBURG OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Neil is local hero with nine-under-par 62

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Johannesburg local Neil Schietekat fired the best professional round of his career to take the first-round lead at the Joburg Open with a sensational nine-under-par 62.
The South African, who has yet to win on the Sunshine Tour where he plays most of his golf, picked up nine birdies without dropping a shot as he beat the previous tournament lowest round by one.
That was enough for a one-stroke lead from last week’s Africa Open winner Charl Schwartzel, Darren Clarke, Jbe’ Kruger and English pair David Lynn and Simon Khan.
All of the leaders played their opening round on the West Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, with English duo Danny Willett and Barry Lane’s 65s the best score on offer on the longer East Course.
Players alternate between the two courses over the first two rounds before the tournament moves to the East Course for the weekend.
Schietekat, the World No 1,074, revealed that some improvements made to his game last year had finally paid dividends.
“It’s all about putting, and I actually changed my putting grip just before the Alfred Dunhill Championship and it’s started to pay off now,” he said.
“When I teed off today, I thought that we were on the easier course, the West course, and I knew that around five or six under would be a good one, and then I made a lot of putts. I hit the ball pretty solid, and I putted really well.”
Clarke, 44, collected five birdies in an outward 31 and picked up three more shots coming home.
The last time he shot lower was his European Tour record-equalling 60 in the 1999 European Open, much closer to home at The K Club near Dublin.
“I hit it close a lot of times, and the only putt I really holed was on 17 from about 20 feet,” said Clarke of his round.
Schwartzel had a superb seven birdies in a row around the turn to be eight under after 11, but any thoughts of a 59 went when he double bogeyed the 450 yard 12th after three-putting from just a few feet.
But The Race to Dubai leader, 51st in the World Rankings, came back with birdie 2s on the 206yd 13th and 174yd 16th.
Lane, 50 in June, is second to Sam Torrance in making the most appearances on The European Tour and his 649th event began with a bogey.
But it was to prove his only mistake. With wife Camilla again acting as his caddie, he birdied five of the next eight and made further gains on the 14th and 18th.
SCOTSWATCH BY COLIN FARQUHARSON: Alastair Forsyth had a bogey-free, seven-birdie round of 64 (31-33) to be two shots off the pace among the West Course returns. Andrew McArthur (34-31) was close behind with a six-under 65 which included eight birdies and two early bogeys, at the third and fourth. Jamies McLeary came home in 31 for a 68 at the West where he had an eagle, third birdies and two bogeys. Scott Drummond's 70 (36-34) was marred by a triple bogey and two bogeys. He had to shoot six birdies to cancel them out. Steven O'Hara and David Drysdale both hit the one-over 72 mark but by different routes. O'Hara had halves of 35 and 37 with two birdies and three bogeys. Drysdale had halves of 38-34 with four bogeys and three birdies.
Over the longer East Course, Peter Whiteford's 66 was only one behind Danny Lee and Barry Lane. Whiteford's halves of 34-32 were studded with six birdies and only one shot dropped. Paul Lawrie's 68 should have boosted his confidence. This was his first tournament since he had back problems in December. Paul had halves of 33-35 with five birdies and two bogeys. Callum Macaulay had a 70 (36-34) with three birdies and two bogeys. Alan McLean's 71 was a good damage-repair performance, considering he had a double bogey and five bogeys. He had seven birdies in halves of 33-38. Stephen Gallacher had four bogeys and three birdies for his 72 (36-36) while

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Royal Johannesburg and Kensington GC, Johannesburg, South Africa

WEST COURSE. Par 71 (36-35), 7146yd.
62 Neil Schietekat (Rsa)
63 Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Jbe Kruger (Rsa), David Lynn, Darren Clarke, Simon Khan
64 Alastair Forsyth 31-33.
65 Andrew McArthur 34-31, Matthew Zions (Aus), Clodomiro Carranza (Arg)
66 Carl Suneson (Spa), Henrik Nystrom (Swe), John Parry, Joost Luiten (Ned), Soren Hansen (Den), Paul Broadhurst, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra)
67 Desvonde Botes (Rsa), Neil Cheetham, Hennie Otto (Rsa), Jaco Ahlers (Rsa), Peter Baker, Marcel Siem (Ger), Pelle Edberg (Swe), Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Andrew McLardy (Rsa), Tjaart Van Der Walt (Rsa), Richard Sterne (Rsa), Deane Pappas (Rsa)
68 Jacques Blaauw (Rsa), Anton Haig (Rsa), Josh Cunliffe (Rsa), David Horsey, Richard McEvoy, Doug McGuigan, Jake Roos (Rsa), Andrew Curlewis (Rsa), Jamie McLeary 37-31, Robert Rock, Gary Boyd, Ross Wellington (Rsa), Ariel Canete (Arg), Dylan Frittelli (Rsa), Michael Hoey
69 Paulo Pinto (Arg), Tyrone Mordt (Rsa), Roope Kakko (Fin), Sion Bebb, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe), Paul Waring, Julien Guerrier (Fra), Carlos Rodiles (Spa), Kenneth Ferrie, George Coetzee (Rsa), James Morrison, Oliver Fisher, Scott Hend (Aus), Matthew Carvell (Rsa), Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe)
70 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), Charlie Ford, Scott Drummond 36-34, Irvin Mazibuko (Rsa), Marc Cayeux (Zim), Danny Lee (Nzl), Dion Fourie (Rsa), Stephan Gross Jnr (Ger), Thabang Simon (Rsa), Phillip Archer, Edoardo Molinari (Ita)
71 Prinavin Nelson (Rsa), Clinton Whitelaw (Rsa), Daniel Brunson (USA), Stuart Anderson (Can), Ryan Cairns (Zim), Dale Whitnell, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra), Alexandre Kaleka (Fra), Lorenzo Gagli (Ita), Martin Maritz (Rsa)
72 Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra), Steve Basson (Rsa), Toto Thimba junior (Rsa), Jean Hugo (Rsa), Michael Dreyer (Rsa), Bradford Vaughan (Rsa), Steven O'Hara 35-37, Albert Pistorius (Rsa), David Drysdale 38-34, Andre Bossert (Swi), Adrian Ford (Rsa), Daniel Greene (Rsa), Louis De Jager (Rsa), Charl Coetzee (Rsa)
73 Merrick Bremner (Rsa), Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Jake Redman (Rsa), Mohammed Tayob (Rsa)
74 Darren Holder (Rsa), Cameron Johnston (Rsa), Omar Sandys (Rsa)
76 Sipho Sithole (Rsa), Craig Liebenberg (USA)
77 Alphuis Kelapile (Rsa)
79 Emmanuel Masoliedze (Rsa)

EAST COURSE: Par 71 (36-35), 7590yd.
65 Danny Willett, Barry Lane
66 Peter Whiteford 34-32, Adilson Da Silva (Bra), Alejandro Canizares (Spa)
67 Reggie Adams (Rsa), Christiaan Basson (Rsa), Shaun Norris (Rsa), Branden Grace (Rsa), Tyrone Van Aswegen (Rsa), James Kamte (Rsa)
68 Titch Moore (Rsa), Christian Ries (Rsa), Hendrik Buhrmann (Rsa), TC Charamba (Zim), Paul Lawrie 33-35, Keith Horne (Rsa)
69 Carlos Del Moral (Spa), Steven Jeppesen (Swe), Klas Eriksson (Swe), Julien Quesne (Fra), Eirik Tage Johansen (Nor), Warren Abery (Rsa), David Dixon, Andrew Marshall, Teboho Sefatsa (Rsa), Vaughn Groenewald (Rsa)
70 Brandon Pieters (Rsa), Chris Wood, Magnus A Carlsson (Swe), Robert Dinwiddie, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Gary Lockerbie, Sam Hutsby, Michiel Bothma (Rsa), Callum Macaulay 36-34, Dawie Van Der Walt (Rsa), Oliver Bekker (Rsa), Mark Haastrup (Den), Mark Murless (Rsa), Simon Thornton
71 Joakim Haeggman (Swe), Alex Haindl (Rsa), Alan McLean 37-31, Chris Swanepoel (Rsa), Jaco Van Zyl (Rsa), Mark Brown (Nzl), Jose-Filipe Lima (Por), Jamie Elson, Theunis Spangenberg (Rsa), Grant Muller (Rsa), Justin Walters (Rsa), Benjamin Hebert (Fra), David Hewan (Rsa)
72 Patrik Sjoland (Swe), Anders Hansen (Den), Benn Barham, Nic Henning (Rsa), Kevin Stone (Rsa), Des Terblanche (Rsa), Trevor Fisher junior (Rsa), Fredrik Ohlsson (Swe), Ulrich Van Den Berg (Rsa), Francois Delamontagne (Fra), Phillip Price, Lee Slattery, Louis Moolman (Rsa), Stephen Gallacher 36-36, Richard Finch, Ryan Tipping (Rsa), Niall Kearney, Lindani Ndwandwe (Rsa)
73 Andrew Tampion (Aus), James Kingston (Rsa), Brett Liddle (Rsa), David Howell, Ali Tsai (Tpe), Rhys Davies, Warrick Druian (Rsa), Gary Clark, Gary Murphy, Marco Ruiz (Par), Tyrone Ferreira (Rsa), Francois Calmels (Fra), Miles Tunnicliff
74 Chris Gane, Eugen Marugi (Rsa), Andre Cruse (Rsa), Stuart Manley, Peter Lawrie, Daniel Vancsik (Arg), Byron Smith (USA), James Ruth, Sam Little
75 Divan Van Den Heever (Rsa), Keenan Davidse (Rsa), Steve Van Vuuren (Rsa)
76 Andrew Georgiou (Rsa), Rick Kulacz (Aus)
77 Anthony Michael (Rsa), Dean Lambert (Rsa), Willie Van Der Merwe (Rsa), Markus Brier (Aut)
79 Chris Williams (Rsa)
81 Muswalo Nethunzwi (Rsa)

Wallace Booth (80) crashes out of Asian Tour Q School

Rookie pro Wallace Booth missed the halfway cut after a disastrous second-round 80 in the Asian Tour Final Qualifying School at Hua Hin, Thailand today.
The Walker Cup player from Comrie, Perthshire had looked a certainty to get through to the last two rounds at least after an opening round of 69 at the par-72 Springfield Royal Country Club. But he crashed to a nine-over-par score over the par-71 Palm Hills Golf Club lay-out.
His two-round tally of six-over 149 was four shots too many for the Scot to figure among the 105 players who made the cut with totals of 145 or better.
Three other Scots are still in the hunt for the 40 Asian Tour players' cards up for grabs at the end of 72 holes.
Scottish exiles Ross Bain (70 for 138) and Simon Dunn (71 for 139) are in the top 20 at the moment while former Scottish boys' match-play champion Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) from Musselburgh) is tied for 26th place after a par-matching 71 at Palm Hills for 140.

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Hua Hin , Thailand: Tim Sluiter of Holland gave a huge boost to his two-month old professional career by taking the halfway lead at the 2010 Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage presented by Sports Authority of Thailand today.
The 20-year-old Dutchman fired an eagle and four birdies en route to a second round five-under-par 67 at the par-72 Springfield Royal Country Club for a two-day nine-under-par 134 total.
Three-time Japan Tour winner, Azuma Yano, also playing at Springfield, fired a 66 to take a share of second position alongside compatriots Masaki Sakata and Katsumune Imai who shot identical 70s at the par-71 Palm Hills Golf Club.
A total of 105 players made the weekend rounds after the cut was set at two-over-par 145.
Talented Singaporean Quincy Quek, Frenchman Jean Van De Velde and Tran Le Duy Nhat, aiming to be the first Vietnamese to earn playing rights on the Asian Tour, are among those in the running for a top-40 finish to secure playing rights in the new Asian Tour season.
Past Asian Tour winners Artemio Murakami of the Philippines , Bryan Saltus of the United States and Edward Loar of the United States are also in the mix together with two Chinese players, Xiao Zhi-jin and Liao Gui-ming.
Starting from the back, Sluiter shot three consecutive birdies from the seventh hole but he was particularly delighted with an eagle 3 after a superb seven iron approach left him with a simple 2ft eagle putt on the 18th hole.
“I’m playing fairly good especially in the windy conditions. I stayed patient and that helped. I haven’t felt as comfortable as this in a while.
“Finishing in the top 10 will be great but I’m trying to win it. I’m not going out there and try to shoot even par. I’m going to make an effort to make a lot of birdies. Winning would definitely be a great start for me on the Asian Tour,” said the Dutchman.
Quek, who won the Putra Cup team and individual titles during his amateur days, put himself in a good position of securing a top-40 spot after posting a second round 68 to lie in tied 17th place.
“When I came to Qualifying School last year, I was still an amateur and had the thought of coming out here and just whacking the ball! This year, after experiencing some tournaments on the Asian Tour, you learn to play conservatively when you have to and charge when you need to,” said Quek.
Tran, 20, is on the brink of writing a slice of history for his country after firing six birdies against four bogeys en route to a 70 to lie in tied 63rd place, giving himself a fighting chance over the closing two rounds.
“I was pretty nervous and excited at the same time as I was coming down the last few holes because I know I’m getting closer to my dream. I just need to hold it together and hopefully I can breakthrough in the top-40,” said Tran.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 143 (72+71)
134 Tim Sluiter (NED) 67 67
135 Azuma Yano (JPN) 69 66, Masaki Sakata (JPN) 65 70, Katsumune Imai (JPN) 65 70
136 Han Seung-su (KOR) 65 71
137 Lee Dae-jun (KOR) 70 67, David Johnson (USA) 70 67, Brad Smith (AUS) 71 66
138 Toni Karjalainen (FIN) 72 66, Sam Osborne (ENG) 66 72, Baek Seuk-Hyun (KOR) 70 68, Joshua Kelley (USA) 70 68, Poosit Supupramai (THA) 69 69, Ross Bain (SCO) 68 70, J S Kim (KOR) 69 69, Chang Tse-Peng (TPE) 70 68
139 Ben Fox ( USA ) 70 69, Pasi Purhonen (FIN) 70 69, Simon Dunn (Sco) 68 71 (jt 17th).
Selected scores:
140 Mark Foster (Eng) 65 75, Lee Harper (Sco) 69 71 (jt 26th).
143 Rohan Blizard (Aus) 72 71 (jt 63rd).
144 Richard Wallis (Eng) 73 71 (jt 78th).
145 Peter Wilson (Eng) 75 70, Jean Van de Velde (Fra) 72 73 (jt 89th).
MISSED THE CUT
(105 players with totals of 145 or better qualified for the last two rounds).
147 Neil Chaudhuri (Eng) 73 74, Yasin Ali (Eng) 76 71 (jt 115th).
148 Nick Redfern (Engh) 71 77 (jt 126th).
149 Wallace Booth (Sco) 69 80 (jt 136th).
153 Michael Slorach (Eng) 76 77 (jt 157th).

Quiros faces powerful field in Qatar Masters defence

NEWS RELEASE
Doha (QATAR): Reigning champion Alvaro Quiros will face a powerful field littered with Major winners, Ryder Cup stars and up-and-coming talent when he returns to Doha Golf Club to defend his title at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, from January 28-31.
As well as a clutch of players from the official world rankings top 20, the big-hitting Spaniard will face two US-based Major winners in the shape of Todd Hamilton and Shaun Micheel, both of whom will be attempting to become the first American winner of the Mother of Pearl Trophy.
Now in its thirteenth year, the $2.5 million tournament made international headlines in 2009 when its event rating - based on the Official World Golf Ranking of the entire field - was the highest of any regular Tour event since records began, excluding the Majors, World Golf Championship events and the flagship BMW PGA Championship.
“Last year saw a landmark achievement not only for the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, but also for golf in the Middle East,” said Qatar Golf Association (QGA) President Hassan Al Nuaimi.
“To have our tournament rating higher than any other event ever staged in the region was a proud moment for the QGA, the Qatar Olympic Committee and Commercialbank. While we will not know our event rating for 2010 until the first ball is played on January 28, I am confident we have again gathered a field that will be as strong as that of twelve months ago.”
Among the big names fighting it out for Quiros’ crown are European number one and world No 4 Lee Westwood, former champions Retief Goosen and Henrik Stenson, world No 8 Paul Casey, world number ten Kenny Perry, world No 11 Ian Poulter, world No 12 Sergio Garcia and Colombian superstar Camilo Villegas.
Website: www.qatar-masters.com

Places in Craw’s Nest Tassie Snapped Up in Record Time

The Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee has confirmed that all 338 places in the 2010 Craw’s Nest Tassie were snapped up within five minutes of the competition’s online application system going live at 5pm on Monday, January 11.
The CGLMC received the first entry for the 2010 tournament 30 seconds after the online system was activated and exactly 4min 57sec later the complete allocation of places was filled.
That means the tournament was fully subscribed over two minutes quicker than last year and the speed at which places disappeared confirms the Tassie’s reputation as one of the most popular tournaments in the amateur game.
“It was incredible,” said Colin McLeod, the CGLMC’s Golf Services Manager. “Last year, it would be fair to say we were taken a bit by surprise when the places were snapped up in just over seven minutes, but this year the whole process took two minutes less.”
“We’ve have received entries from America, Canada, Holland, Sweden and Spain as well as from all over GB and Ireland,” he added. “Some of the competitors have entered for the first time but the majority come year after year which shows how popular the Tassie has become.
“A lot of our entrants tell us it’s the highlight of their golfing year.”
This year’s Tassie is to be played between Monday September 5 and Saturday September 11 over both the Championship and Burnside courses and is the 77th playing of an event that was inaugurated back in 1927. Last year’s tournament was won by Kevin Dyckman, from Haninge, Sweden.
Golfers who want to visit Carnoustie can log onto www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk where they can check availability on all three of its courses and book a tee time at their convenience

Tartan Tour dates & venues for 2010

APRIL
6-7 Callaway 36-hole competition (Monifieth).
19 Scottish Wateraid Qualifying (Kilmarnock Barassie).
20 Northern Open Qualifying (Kilmarnock Barassie).

MAY
4 Wishaw 36-hole pro-am Qualifying.
5-6 Scottish Wateraid 36-hole Order of Merit pro-am (Kilmarnock Barassie).
8 Portpatrick pro-am.
10 PGA Assistants Championship Qualifying (Auchterarder).
12 Ben pro-am (Cardross).
14 Eastwood pro-am.
15 Buchanan Castle pro-am.
21 Lochwinnoch pro-am.
24 Glenmuir Club Professionals Cahmpionship Qualifying (Scotscraig).
28 Teddy Bear pro-am (Gleneagles King's Course).
29 West Dunbartonshire Council pro-am (Dalmuir).
30 Bishopbriggs pro-am.

JUNE
1 West Lothian pro-am.
2 Pollok pro-am.
3 Murcar Links pro-am.
4 Cawder pro-am.
6-7 Wishaw 36-hole OOM pro-am.
12 Kemnay pro-am.
15 Parkdean Holidays pro-am (Ayr Belleisle).
17 Douglas Park pro-am.
18 Airdrie pro-am.
19 Portlethen pro-am.
20 Edzell pro-am.
22 Professional's pro-am (Bonnyton).
25 Kirkhill Centenary.
26 Bathgate pro-am.
29 PGA National Championship Qualifying (Crieff).
30 Duff House Royal Centenary pro-am.

JULY
1 PGA National Championship Qualifying (Drumpellier).
2 Dumfries & County pro-am.
3 Hayston pro-am.
8 Ayrshire Hospice Qualifying (West Kilbride).
9 Newmachar pro-am.
10 Stranraer pro-am.
13 Deer Park Qualifying.
14 Shotts Pro-Guide Young Pros' 54-hole Qualifying.
16 Prestonfield pro-am.
18 Bothwell Castle pro-am.
20-21 Callaway 36-hole (Craigielaw, to be confirmed).
22 Carrick Invitational pro-am (Carrick at Cameron House).
23 Grampian Houston Junior Fun pro-am (Royal Aberdeen).
24 Montrose pro-am.
27 Gulf Air Pro-Captain Qualifying (Balcomie Links, Crail).
30 McDonald Ellon pro-am.
31 Kippie Lodge pro-cel-am (Peterculter).

AUGUST
3-4 Deer Park Masters.
5 Meldrum House Young Pros pro-am.
6 Turriff pro-am.
9-10 Ayrshire Hospice 36-hole OOM pro-am (West Kilbride).
11 Kerr Investment Qualifying (Dumfries & Galloway).
13 Stirling pro-am.
15 Sandyhills pro-am.
15-16 North Lanarkshire/Shotts Young Pros 54-hole pro-am.
19 VSA Tartan pro-am (Cruden Bay).
20 Deeside pro-am (Deeside GC).
21 Drumpellier pro-am.
22 Easter Moffat pro-am.
24 Ben Shotgun pro-am (Archerfield Links).
27 Murrayfield pro-am.
28 Elderslie pro-am.

SEPTEMBER
2 Discovery pro-am (Downfield).
4-5 Kerr Trimber 36-hole OOM pro-am (Dumfries & Galloway).
7-8 Carnegie Invitational 36-hole pro-am (Carnegie Links, Skibo Castle).
11 Machrihanish pro-am.
15 Elgin pro-am.
17 Acergy Young Pros spro-am (Insch).
20-21 Callaway 36-hole (to be confirmed).
22 SSE pro-am (Kingsbarns).
30 Blue Group pro-am (Auchterarder).

OCTOBER
1 Dunbar pro-am.
2 Royal Dornoch Young Pros pro-am.
3-4 Royal Dornoch Young Pros Masters.
14-17 Gleneagles Scottish Championship (King's Course).
21 Monifieth Four-ball.

+Several events, including the Northern Open, will be added to the list by the PGA Scottish Region when the dates and venues are confirmed.

Missed flight KOs Andrew Coltart's Joburg Open entry

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
Andrew Coltart's 2010 campaign will now start in Qatar next month after the former Ryder Cup player was forced to withdraw from this week's Joburg Open.
The Edinburgh-based golfer missed a flight back from America, where he had been on a business trip last week, and was unable to take up his spot in the South African event."It was one of those unfortunate things," said Coltart, who played in the two events in South Africa before Christmas and is looking to build on the progress he has made since getting back on to the European Tour at the start of last season.
The 39-year-old, who gets into the Qatar event as a former winner, added: "My goal for the season is to keep things simple and, hopefully, I will keep improving as I have done the last two years.
"It goes without saying that I would like to be in a position to be exempt for the bigger events on our Tour by the end of the year."
While Coltart may not have made it, there will still be a strong Scottish presence at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington today for the start of the final leg of a four-tournament swing in South Africa before the circuit moves to the Middle East.
Stephen Gallacher, Callum Macaulay, Steven O'Hara, Andrew McArthur and Peter Whiteford, all of whom played in last week's Africa Open at East London, have now been joined by David Drysdale, Paul Lawrie, Alastair Forsyth and Scott Drummond for an event that boasts a first prize of just over £184,000.
Drysdale, Scotland's top player in the inaugural Race to Dubai last year, finished third behind Anders Hansen 12 months ago, a performance that proved to be a springboard for his best season to date in the paid ranks.
The 34-year-old also played in the two South African events before Christmas, but is worried by the fact he's hardly been able to hit a shot since then due to the bad weather here.
"I had planned to come here last Wednesday, but I couldn't get to Newcastle Airport. So I arrived Saturday lunchtime and that was perfect timing. I've had four days of practice and the sun on my back," said Drysdale.
"Last year this tournament was a big starting point for me on a course I like. We play both courses the first two rounds and the East course the last two days - that suits me. Coming here has brought back good memories.
"But I have to be honest and say that my game is a little bit rusty. So I will be trying to get back into it quickly, although I wouldn't say my game is quite where it was last year at this time coming into this tournament
"I see this as a warm-up for the Middle East. I will be trying to get my game in shape for the rest of the year. I am looking to build on last season and win a tournament. My goal is to put myself in a position to do that.
"I am also in a position I haven't been in for five or six years in that I can pick and choose my tournaments. I will sort my schedule out and be where I want to be. Last season I was playing almost every week but I plan to aim for the bigger and better tournaments."
Drysdale added: "I have a new set of Callaway irons with the new regulation grooves and it will be interesting to see how these work this week."
Lawrie is making his first appearance since being forced to come straight home from the Hong Kong Open in the middle of November after injuring his back, while Forsyth says he's eager to get his new campaign underway after working hard over the past few weeks with coach Pete Cowen.
"It has been well documented that I didn't play well at the end of last season but, during my winter break, I worked on some things with Pete and I seem to be hitting the ball pretty well, so I'd like to think I'll get off to a decent start," said Forsyth.
In the field as well are Darren Clarke, Chris Wood, who was last season's Rookie of the Year, Italian World Cup winner Edoardo Molinari and last week's Africa Open winner Charl Schwartzel.
Richie Ramsay, who won the South African Open in his final event of 2009, makes his re- appearance in next week's Abu Dhabi Championship.

Ewan Porter leads IFQ Australasia with a 68

FROM THE PGA OF AUSTRALIA WEBSITE
Ewan Porter’s early score of four under par 68 has remained the number to beat at the end of the first day of International Final Qualifying Australasia with the Sydneysider holding onto a one-shot lead over Peter Senior and Aaron Townsend at Kingston Heath.
Big-hitting New South Welshman Kurt Barnes is tied for fourth place alongside West Australian Kim Felton after the pair shot two under par rounds of 70 with last year’s qualifier, Michael Wright, in sixth place on one under and a group of seven players, including locals Alistair Presnell and Steve Jones, tied seventh and even with the card.
Teeing off in the fifth morning group a relaxed Porter made the most of the benign early conditions, posting six birdies and two bogeys on his way to a four-under 68 on the famed Melbourne Sandbelt lay-out. It was pleasing start to the year for Porter who took a three-month break from the game last year to re-charge and re-ignite his passion for the game.
“It was a little surprising today because usually it takes me a tournament or two to get rid of the rust and be feeling fresh. The last few years I have struggled in January and played better in February so this is a nice way to start,” said Porter who was most pleased with his solid putting performance.
“The mental side of my game is what has let me down in the past. Over the last three or four months physically I feel a lot better but mentally it’s always going to be a work in progress for me. I can be pretty harsh on myself but I always play a lot better when I am relaxed.”
A two-time qualifier through IFQ Australasia, the affable Porter admitted he was aiming for his hat-trick and had something to prove after twice qualifying at his home club at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney in 2007 & 2008.
“It would be nice to qualify here to prove it’s not just The Lakes I can do it at but it’s still early in the year. I’ve been playing alot of golf albeit socially over the last few weeks and I’m feeling pretty good about my game.”Porter holds a one shot lead playing partner Aaron Townsend, winner of the 2008 New South Wales Open and 50 year old Peter Senior.
For Senior, his attempt at an 18th appearance at The Open Championship (he last competed in 2000 at St Andrews) comes off the back of winning 2009 US Champions Tour Qualifying School and would be a double reason to celebrate as he is exempt into the 2010 British Seniors Open, courtesy of his position in the top 30 Career Money Earners on the European Tour.
“The last six months of last year I played really well and then I took a couple of weeks off so I am just trying to regain that feeling for playing,” said Senior, whose round today included an eagle at the par 5, 7th. “It’s nearly there...I am hitting some decent shots but I’m hitting alot of roughies as well but I’m not too far off the mark.”
When play finished only six players had recorded scores under par as the wind steadily picked up throughout the day. Last year’s qualifier Michael Wright was one of the only players to come in under par in the afternoon shooting a one under 71 while fellow 2009 qualifiers New Zealand’s Josh Geary finished at two over and Victorian Tim Wood was two over the card.
Gunning for his 19th Open appearance, Craig Parry finished the day at three over the card.
A field of 44 players is contesting the 36 holes of International Final Qualifying at Kingston Heath with the top three after the second round earning a place at the 139th Open Championship at St Andrews in July.
ROUND ONE SCORES
Par 72
1 PORTER, Ewan Australia 68.
T2 SENIOR, Peter Australia 69.
T2 TOWNSEND, Aaron Australia 69.
T4 BARNES, Kurt Australia 70.
T4 FELTON, Kim Australia 70.
6 WRIGHT, Michael Australia 71.
T7 JONES, Steve Australia 72.
T7 LAYCOCK, Scott Australia 72.
T7 CURTAIN, Michael Australia 72.
T7 PRESNELL, Alistair Australia 72.
T7 JEFFRESS, Steven Australia 72.
T7 BRANSDON, David Australia 72.
T7 SUMMERS, Anthony Australia 72.
T14 WADE, John Australia 73.
T14 PERSKE, Wayne Australia 73.
T14 CRAWFORD, Adam Australia 73.
T14 BROWN, Anthony Australia 73.
T14 DARTNALL, Steve Australia 73.
T14 BONHOMME, Andrew Australia 73.
T20 NORRIS, Jason Australia 74.
T20 BLAND, Adam Australia 74.
T20 TSCHUDIN, Andrew Australia 74.
T20 GEARY, Josh New Zealand 74.
T20 BROWN, Mitchell Australia 74.
T20 GRIFFIN, Matthew Australia 74.
T20 ALLAN, Steve Australia 74.
T20 HALL, Ashley Australia 74.
T20 REED, Heath Australia 74.
T20 WOOD, Timothy Australia 74.
T30 BOWDITCH, Steven Australia 75.
T30 PARRY, Craig Australia 75.
T30 LEE, Won Joon Australia 75.
T30 PADDISON, Gareth New Zealand 75.
T30 SHEEHAN, Paul Australia 75.
35 GOW, Paul Australia 76.
T36 WILSON, Peter Australia 77.
T36 MARTIN, Andrew Australia 77.
T36 MCCULLOUGH, Brent Australia 77.
39 RICE, Clint Australia 78.
T40 ANDREWS, Brad Australia 79.
T40 BRENNAN, Michael Australia 79.
42 PRICE, Terry Australia 81.
43 EPSTEIN, Henry Australia 82.
44 SCOTT, Craig Australia 85.