Saturday, February 06, 2010

JONES CUP INVITATIONAL

Philip McLean will start final round

in joint fifth place after 81 on Day 2

First-round pacemaker Philip McLean from Peterhead slumped from a first-day, three-under-par 69 to a second-round, nine-over-par 81 for a 36-hole tally of six-over-par 150 in the 54-hole Jones Cup Invitational tournament at the Ocean Forest Golf Club, Sea Island in the United States' state of Georgia.
McLean, winner of the Leven Gold Medal and the North-east Alliance championship last year, took 41 shots for his first nine holes, but he was not alone in that in conditions which, judged by the general level of scoring, were more difficult for good scoring than they were on Friday.
At the end of the day, McLean, who has yet to gain a full cap for Scotland, was in a creditable joint fifth place, only three strokes behind American Blayne Barber who has scored 73 and 74 for three-over-par 147, a total which underlines how difficult it was to score well on the second day.
James White (Lundin) was out in 40 after a first-round 81, but he came home in 38 to salvage a 78 and a tally of 159.
Ross Kellett (Colville Park) finished the second day on 161 with rounds of 79 and 82.
The fourth member of the Scottish Golf Union squad - Scottish boys and men's champion David Law was unable to play because of a broken knuckle on his left hand - Steven McEwan (Caprington) was on 167 with scores of 85 and 82.
England's Tom Lewis, the British boys champion, was on 151 with scores of 75 and 76.
THE COMPLETE SCOREBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
Players from US unless stated
147 Blayne Barber 73 74.
148 Patrick Reed 72 76, Hunter Hamrick 73 75, Victor Dubuisson (France) 78 70..
150 Philip McLean (Scotland) 69 81 (41-40), Bud Cauley 74 76.
151 Tom Lewis (England) 75 76, Romain Wattel (France) 71 80, Bobby Wyatt 75 76, Brinson Paolini 76 75.
152 Zach Barlow 80 72, Henrick Norlander 72 80, Harris English 75 77, John Hahn 76 76, Adam Long 78 74, Matt Nagy 71 81, Kevin Marsh 76 76.
153 Byeong-Hun An 75 78, Stiggy Hodgson 83 70 (England), Darren Renwick (England)79 74, Nuno Henriques 80 73, Matt Hill 78 75, Nathan Smith 75 78.
154 George Bryan 72 82, Anthony Paoucci 76 78, Jeff Knox 79 75, Chesson Hadley 80 74.
155 David Holmes 77 78, Bryden MacPherson 75 80, Cory Whitsett 76 79, Michael Morrison 79 76, John Murphy 81 74, Patrick Cantlay 77 78, Alexander Knappe 76 79.
156 Scott Langley 83 74, Zack Fischer 78 78, Mike McCoy 79 77, Brad Benjamin 79 77, Kyle Kopsick 78 78, Patrick Rada 81 75.
157 Dustin Garza 79 78, Tripp Davis 77 80, Drew Kittleson 76 81, Stephan Jaeger 80 77, Bank Vongvanij 77 80, Oliver Schneiderjans 82 75.
158 James Frazer (Wales) 77 81, Chris Paisley 77 81, Tommy Mou 77 81.
159 Jamie Abbott (England) 77 82, Brad Revell 78 81, Sean Dale 82 77, James White (Scotland) 81 78 (40-38).
160 Billy Hemstock (England) 79 81, Robert Gerwin 83 77.
161 Ross Kellett (Scotland) 79 82, James Robinson 77 84, Brendan Gielow 81 80..
162 Alex Martin 76 86, Corey Nagy 80 82, Kevin O'Connell 81 81, Oliver Farr (Wales) 82 80, Kevin Phelan 84 78, Mitch Keywuycz 83 79.
163 Joe Vickery (Wales) 83 80.
164 Julian Suri 86 78, Ben Kohles 79 85, Russell Henley 77 87.
166 Chan Kim 86 80, Matt Broome 83 83, Robin Wingardh 84 82, Gator Todd 82 84.
167 Wesley Bryan 78 89, Steven McEwan (Scotland) 85 82, T J Mitchell 91 76.
168 Garland Ferrell 80 88, Sebastian Kannler 88 80.
169 Allen John 84 85.
172 Scott McAlpine 80 92.
173 Michael Barbosa 89 84.
177 Gene Elliott 88 89.
195 Tanner Smith 89 106.

Labels:

SCROLL DOWN FOR ROUND 3 NEWS

Late finisher Dustin Johnson takes lead in

Northern Trust Open after 36 holes

Dustin Johnson took a one-shot halfway lead on 11-under-par 131 in the Northern Trust Open by chipping in for birdie from behind the 18th green this morning (local time) for a 4-under 67 in conditions too sodden to dry up even for Sunday's final round at the Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California.
Johnson had to play two holes after the second round was suspended late Friday by darkness.
Justin demoted overnight leader Steve Stricker, who shot a 65 on Friday morning in a steady rain. Andres Romero was among the 41 players who had to return on Saturday, and his birdie gave him a 69 to finish the 36 holes so far three shots back.
Johnson and Stricker each made birdie on the 18th hole about 24 hours apart.
Ryo Ishikawa, the 18-year-old Japanese sensation, finished off another 68 and was in the group which included England's Justin Rose (69-67) at 6-under 136, while Anthony Kim led the group another shot behind at 137.
Phil Mickelson, going after an unprecedented third straight victory at Riviera, was tied for 13th at 4-under 138. Also on this mark England's Luke Donald (68-70).
The cut came at two-over 144, with 81 players making it to the third round. That means there will be another cut after the third round. Glasgow's Martin Laird has made the first one with nothing to spare - a pair of 72s.
But Aberdeen-born Australian Michael Sim, joint second in last weekend's US Tour event, failed by a wide margin to make the weekend action in this one. He scored 77 and 73 for 150.
While Johnson was trying to take the lead, his playing partners were trying to make the cut.
Justin Leonard, who missed his first two cuts of the year, needed to play the final two holes in 1 under. His 3-wood on the par-5 17th went into the rough, and with mud on his ball, he hit a 7-iron to a back right pin that cleared the bunker and settled 8 feet away for birdie. Then, he chipped up close and saved par on the 18th.
Masters champion Angel Cabrera figured to have a good birdie chance on the 17th because of his length, but his wedge landed at the back of the green and spun back some 45 feet. He missed the putt, then saved himself. The big Argentine hit 8-iron into the 18th and holed a 20-foot birdie to make the cut.
Padraig Harrington missed the cut by one shot with rounds of 73 and 72.

REVISED SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Incorporating the 41 players who had to return to the course early this morning (local time) to complet their second rounds.
Par 142 (2x71)
131 Dustin Johnson 64 67
132 Steve Stricker 67 65
134 Andres Romero (Arg) 65 69
136 Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) 68 68, Kevin Stadler 65 71, Justin Rose (Eng) 69 67, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl) 69 67
137 Ricky Barnes 66 71, J.B. Holmes 68 69, Steve Marino 70 67, Anthony Kim 71 66, Troy Matteson 68 69
138 Phil Mickelson 72 66, Ernie Els (Rsa) 68 70, Luke Donald (Eng) 68 70, Brandt Snedeker 66 72
139 Kevin Na 72 67, Charley Hoffman 68 71, George McNeill 70 69, Michael Allen 69 70, Bryce Molder 71 68, Brenden Pappas (Rsa) 71 68
140 Charlie Wi (Kor) 72 68, Rodney Pampling (Aus) 70 70, Bo Van Pelt 70 70, Kevin Sutherland 69 71, Matt Kuchar 69 71, Alex Prugh 71 69
141 Jeff Overton 70 71, Ben Curtis 73 68, Fred Couples 69 72, D.A. Points 69 72, Robert Allenby (Aus) 72 69, Jim Furyk 71 70, Paul Goydos 69 72, Roland Thatcher 68 73, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 73 68, Tim Clark (Rsa) 69 72, Y.E. Yang (Kor) 71 70
142 Brian Davis (Eng) 72 70, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 68 74, John Merrick 70 72, Stewart Cink 71 71, Kevin Streelman 69 73, John Rollins 71 71, Chad Campbell 70 72, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) 68 74, Marc Leishman (Aus) 71 71, Scott Verplank 68 74, Briny Baird 70 72, Jonathan Byrd 68 74, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 71 71, Nicholas Thompson 69 73
143 Michael Letzig 71 72, Vaughn Taylor 73 70, Steve Flesch 73 70, Woody Austin 71 72, David Duval 68 75, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 69 74, Webb Simpson 70 73, J J Henry 70 73, Brett Quigley 70 73, K J Choi (Kor) 71 72, Jimmy Walker 71 72, Rich Beem 74 69, Craig Bowden 69 74, D.J. Trahan 72 71
144 Bill Lunde 72 72, Greg Chalmers (Aus) 71 73, Angel Cabrera (Arg) 71 73, Matt Bettencourt 70 74, Parker McLachlin 71 73, Mark Wilson 72 72, Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 72, Richard S Johnson (Swe) 74 70, Justin Leonard 71 73, Bob Estes 72 72, Cameron Beckman 67 77, Martin Laird (Sco) 72 72, Jason Bohn 69 75, Ryan Moore 70 74
MISSED THE CUT
145 Michael Bradley 74 71, Jason Dufner 71 74, Davis Love III 72 73, Steve Lowery 67 78, James Driscoll 71 74, Hunter Mahan 71 74, Jeff Klauk 70 75, Tim Petrovic 73 72, Marc Turnesa 73 72, Padraig Harrington (Irl) 72 73
146 Pat Perez 73 73, Chris Stroud 71 75, Adam Scott (Aus) 73 73, Bubba Watson 71 75, Will MacKenzie 70 76, Vijay Singh (Fij) 73 73, Mike Weir (Can) 69 77, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) 74 72, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 70 76, Rickie Fowler 71 75
147 Bill Haas 72 75, Joshua Wooding 71 76, Jeff Quinney 71 76, Lee Janzen 72 75, Corey Pavin 72 75, Greg Owen (Eng) 71 76
148 Scott McCarron 74 74, John Senden (Aus) 75 73, Ted Purdy 73 75, Johnson Wagner 71 77, Charles Howell III 72 76, Alex Cejka (Ger) 75 73, Jason Day (Aus) 74 74
149 Nick Watney 76 73, Mathew Goggin (Aus) 78 71, John Mallinger 70 79
150 Jerry Kelly 73 77, Michael Sim (Sco-Aus) 77 73, Brett Lederer 72 78, Chez Reavie 75 75
152 Nathan Green (Aus) 74 78, James Nitties (Aus) 73 79
153 Jeff Templeton 74 79
154 Brad Faxon 78 76
Withdrew: Stephen Ames (Can), Ben Crane, Jesper Parnevik (Swe), Scott Piercy, Chris Couch, Daniel Chopra (Swe), Rocco Mediate

POSITIONS DURING ROUND THREE
-12 after 7: Steve Stricker.
-9 after 7: Dustin Johnson.
-8 after 9: Steve Marino.
-8 after 8: Anthony Kim.
-8 after 7: Andres Romero.
-7 after 10: Luke Donald.
-7 after 8: Ricky Barnes.
-7 after 8: Kevin Stadler.
-7 after 8: Tim Wilkinson.
SELECTED SCORES:
-6 after 9: Phil Mickelson.
-6 after 8: Justin Rose.
-3 after 15: Brian Davis.
+3 after 7: Martin Laird.

Labels: ,

Luke Donald signs new, multi-year

agreement with Mizuno

FROM THE PGA.COM WEBSITE
Luke Donald has extended his long-standing equipment relationship with Mizuno by signing a new multi-year agreement, company officials have announced. The contract is Luke Donald's third with Mizuno, ensuring he enters his prime competitive years with the equipment brand used since his amateur days.
After a successful recovery from a wrist injury last season, Donald took some time to evaluate all aspects of his game and made some changes, including bringing in a new caddie, having previously partnered exclusively with his brother Christian. However, the changes did not extend to the equipment that Donald has come to rely upon as an important part of his formula for success.
Donald will continue to play Mizuno MP-62 irons, MP T-10 Series wedges, and Mizuno CLK hybrid and carry the famous blue and white Mizuno Staff Bag. Donald will also wear his trademark Mizuno visor as part of the agreement.
"We are extremely excited to have extended our relationship with Luke Donald," said Mizuno President Akito Mizuno. "He has been a tremendous ambassador for the Mizuno brand, both on and off the course, as he always displays class and a great respect for the game. We look forward to his continued success in 2010, and beyond."
Donald's world ranking recovered steadily in 2009 with a second-place in the Heritage Classic and a strong performance in the Dunhill Links Championship. Donald has previously recorded victories at the Honda Classic, Southern Farm Bureau Classic, Omega European Masters, Scandinavian Masters and hoisted the trophy at the World Cup and the Target World Challenge.
He has also played an integral role in multiple European Ryder Cup teams, with an impressive overall Ryder Cup record of 5-1-1.

Labels:

GERMAN WINS BY EIGHT IN TURKEY

Renault EPD Scoreboard
MONTGOMERIE CLASSIC
Papillon Hotels Resort & Spa, Belek, Antalya, Turkey
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
211 Nicolas Meitinger (Germany) 70 69 72 (4,841 Euros).
219 Bernd Ritthammer (Germany) 76 72 71, Thomas de Kesel (Belgium) 70 74 75 (2,204 Euros each).
220 Jochen Lupprian (Germany) 75 71 74 (1,444 Euros).
221 Johan Eerdmans (Netherlands) 75 74 72 (1,308 Euros).
223 Bjorn Petterson (Sweden) 73 73 77, Vincent Simoni (France) 74 74 75 (1,154 Euros each).
224 Michael Lowe (England) 75 78 71, Ben Parker (England) 77 77 70 (1,009 Euros each).
225 Max Kramer (Germany) 77 75 73, Benjamin Ludwig (Germany) 75 74 76 (871 Euros each).
226 Lee Corfield (England) 75 77 74, Christoph Pfau (Austria) 79 71 76, Stephen Grant (Ireland) 77 76 73 (717 Euros each).
227 Brian McElhinney (Ireland) 75 74 78, Matthew Dearden (Wales) 79 72 76, Benjamin Miarka (Germany) 74 75 78 (569 Euros each).
228 Marek Novey (Czech Republic) 78 72 78, Grant Jackson (England) 74 73 81, Maxmilian Glauert (Germany)79 77 72, Daniel Wunsche (Germany) 77 78 73, Petr Skopovy (Czech Republic) 84 72 72, Arwed Fischer (Germany) 76 75 77, Reinier Saxton (Netherlands) 74 77 77 (435 Euros each).
Selected scores:
233 Ben Welch (England) 80 75 79, Tim Rice (Ireland) 77 76 80 (jt 32nd) (232 Euros each).
236 Simon Boyd (England) 79 77 80 (jt 39th) (191 Euros).

Labels:

US Tour suspend jail-bound Jim Thorpe

FROM THE GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE
By Jim McCabe
Jim Thorpe got his one-year jail sentence from a US Magistrate Judge face-to-face.The penalty from the US PGA Tour? It was issued via E-mail.
“I’m under suspension,” Thorpe said. “I got the E-mail Friday afternoon.”
Thorpe, the 61-year-old US Champions (Seniors) Tour and US PGA Tour veteran, was not allowed to enter next week’s Ace Group Classic in Naples, Florida, nor is he eligible until the Tour lifts the suspension.
Of course, in standard operating procedure in such cases, the Tour refuses to comment on anything connected to player discipline.
It’s the Tour’s reaction to the two counts of failure to pay taxes to which Thorpe pleaded guilty. Judge Karla R. Spaulding sentenced the golfer on January 22 to one year in jail, two years supervised release and 200 hours of community service. He also has agreed to pay nearly $2 million in back taxes, penalties and interest.
His attorneys have filed an appeal “and at the least I thought the Tour would let me play until the appeal is done,” Thorpe said.
Last week, Thorpe, a 13-time winner on the Champions Tour, talked of his desire to rejoin the Tour, to get back onto the golf course where he was sure he could find an escape from the recent turmoil in his life. Friday, that all changed and Thorpe is trying to get a handle on the Tour’s decision.
“I’m surprised, because it’s a misdemeanour," Thorpe said. "It’s stupidness on my part, but I didn’t think it deserved a jail sentence. I could see if I hurt someone or it was drugs or a serious felony.”
He was not, however, going to rail against a Tour that has been his home for more than 30 years.
“I don’t know the bylaws and there’s probably something in the (regulations),” he said. “I guess they feel they have to protect other players.
“I’m quite sure it’s an uncomfortable position for (PGA Tour commissioner) Tim Finchem and (Champions Tour president) Mike Stevens and the entire Tour staff, but I’m hoping we can (win the appeal), come to some sort of compromise and get back out there.
“Golf is the only thing I know. I don’t know anything else.”






Labels:

Omega Dubai Desert Classic

Westwood, in four-way tie for lead, says

he'll have a go in Sunday's final round

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
European No 1 Lee Westwood is promising to take an aggressive approach in Sunday's final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after claiming a share of the four-way leadership logjamb
The World No 4 dropped just one shot in a four under par 68 to join Spanish duo Alvaro Quiros and Miguel Angel Jiménez and Asian No 1 Thongchai Jaidee in a four-way tie at 11 under par 205.
A frustrated Westwood, pictured right, was one over after six holes of his third round but fought back and had a chance to snatch the outright lead at the last but missed a long eagle putt.
"Any time I'm in contention that gets me buzzing and excited," said Westwood.
"I'll play aggressively (on Sunday). I won't do anything stupid, but I'll shoot at the flags that need to be shot at.
"If I keep playing the way I am and get off to a quick start I'm going to have a chance coming down the last nine holes."
Defending champion Rory McIlroy heads the chasing pack after a 69, with Marcus Fraser (70) and last season’s Challenge Tour No 1 Edoardo Molinari (70) on eight under 208 with Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer lurking a further shot adrift 209 after a bogey free 68.
Last week in Qatar Westwood headed into the final round just one shot adrift but was left frustrated with a new driver and was forced to settle for third.
But a week later the 36 year old Englishman is much more confident of success after blazing a flawless seven under par 65 on Friday, his best score in 50 rounds at Emirates Golf Club.
"It will be a bit of a birdie-fest if it stays like this," he added.
"Hopefully there will be a bit of wind, but all I'm going to do is try and do what I did at the Dubai World Championship and go out and shoot the lowest score of the final day."
Overnight leader Jaidee missed a string of chances on the back nine after briefly establishing a four-shot lead and was forced to settle for a 69.
"I am not disappointed I am not in the lead outright. I will just play my own game," said the 40 year old former paratrooper. "I have a good chance, but it is very close."
Quiros finished with back-to-back birdies to card the joint lowest score of the day with a flawless 67.
"It is going to be very tough to win with the players at the top of the leaderboard, it's not only in my hands. I want to shoot ten under, but someone could shoot 11 under," said the big-hitting 27 year old.
"I'm hitting a lot of great shots but I'm hitting a lot of bad shots, but I'm very lucky because I was able to recover. I have to be more consistent."
Jiménez, who began the day a shot adrift of Jaidee alongside Westwood, picked up four shots over his final eight holes to sign for a four under par 68 following a sublime display of iron play.
"I kept my concentration and focused on what I was hitting well and waited for the birdies to come," the 46 year old Spaniard said. "And that puts me in contention with all of these young guys."
Italian amateur Matteo Manassero continued to flourish with a 71 pushing the 16 year old British amateur champion to four under, with 60 year old eight-time Major winner Tom Watson two shots further back after ending his third round 71 with a double bogey.
Best placed of the three Scots who survived the halfway cut is Bathgate's Stephen Gallacher in joint 13th place after a 67 for 211. Dunfermline-born, Dubai-based Ross Bain had a 73 for level par 216 while David Drysdale from Dunbar returned a 72 for 218.

THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
205 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 70 67 68, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 66 69, Lee Westwood 72 65 68, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 69 69 67
207 Rory McIlroy 68 70 69
208 Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 68 70 70, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70 68 70
209 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 70 68
210 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 72 70, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 70 71 69, Graeme McDowell 72 68 70, Paul Casey 69 71 70
211 Alexander Noren (Swe) 68 74 69, Stephen Gallacher 73 71 67
212 Peter Hanson (Swe) 73 69 70, Ross Fisher 70 72 70, Anders Hansen (Den) 69 73 70, Matteo Manassero (Ita) (am) 69 72 71
213 James Kingston (Rsa) 75 67 71, Gareth Maybin 73 68 72, Paul Waring 74 72 67, Oliver Wilson 72 74 67, Darren Clarke 71 70 72, David Lynn 72 71 70, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 71 70, Robert Rock 70 74 69, Stephen Dodd 68 69 76, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 71 73 69
214 Chris Wood 72 74 68, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 70 76, Tom Watson (USA) 73 70 71, Richard Green (Aus) 69 74 71, David Horsey 71 73 70, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 74 70 70, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 73 71 70, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 74 72 68, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 76 69 69
215 Richard Bland 74 67 74, Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 75 68 72, Seung-yul Noh (Kor) 72 74 69, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 72 72, Paul Broadhurst 72 72 71, Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 74 70, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 74 70 71, Tano Goya (Arg) 73 72 70
216 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 74 71 71, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 74 71 71, Soren Hansen (Den) 71 72 73, Marcel Siem (Ger) 71 70 75, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 77 69 70, Ross Bain 72 71 73
217 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 70 71 76, Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 74 70 73, Damien McGrane 73 73 71, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 73 73, Kenneth Ferrie 74 72 71, Mark Foster 74 72 71, Bradley Dredge 72 71 74
218 Brett Rumford (Aus) 73 73 72, David Drysdale 72 74 72
219 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 75 73, Nick Dougherty 72 74 73, John Bickerton 73 70 76
220 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 76 67 77, Simon Dyson 71 74 75, Thomas Levet (Fra) 73 73 74
222 Erik Compton (USA) 73 73 76

Labels:

NATIONWIDE TOUR'S MOONAH CLASSIC

Kirk's 65 rockets him into share of lead with Herman

FROM THE GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE
By Jeff Adams, US PGA TOUR Staff
FINGAL, Victoria, Australia -- American Chris Kirk was 10 shots back of leader Jim Herman entering today's third round of the Nationwide Tour's Moonah Classic. When the last putt dropped, he found himself tied for the lead.
Kirk and Herman enter Sunday's finale with 9-under-par scores of 207 after three trips around the Moonah Links course.
Four shots back at 5 under are Scott Gutschewski of Nebraska and three Aussies -- defending champion Alistair Presnell, last week's runner-up in New Zealand, Andrew Dodt, and popular Jarrod Lyle.
Playing 90 minutes ahead of Herman, Kirk posted the day's best score by three shots, a 7-under-par 65 to leap 26 spots up the leaderboard. Winds were prevalent once again on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne, gusting up to 30 mph.
The 2007 Ben Hogan Award winner as college player of the year got off to a fast start with birdies on holes 2, 3, 4 and 6 with putts ranging from 3 feet to 20 feet. The University of Georgia graduate added three more on the back nine to complete a bogey-free round.
After a disappointing 32 putts on Friday, Kirk spent more than two hours on the putting green. "Practice has never paid off as much as yesterday's session did," he said of today's 26-putt performance. "As bad as the putting was yesterday, it was that good today."
Kirk is coming off the most disappointing year of his young golfing life. In 13 Nationwide Tour starts in 2009, he made only four cuts. Solid play at December's PGA Tour National Qualifying Tournament secured his Nationwide Tour privileges for 2010.
"I don't know what went wrong last year. If I knew, I wouldn't have done it," he said matter-of- factly.
In 2008, he nearly won the Nationwide Tour's Knoxville Open in the town he was born in, losing to Lyle in a playoff. The rest of that season was not to his liking either, as he finished with 10 cuts made in 19 starts.
A resident of Sea Island, Georgia, Kirk is not intimidated by the winds he is facing this week. "The wind was affecting everything," he said. "At times it becomes a guessing game. I made a lot of good guesses today. I always tell myself that the key in wind is to not hit it hard."
When Kirk needs an eye to look at his swing, he turns to good friend, Mark Love, who also lives at Sea Island. Kirk has not had a formal instructor relationship since he left Atlanta for UGA several years ago. Love's brother, Davis Love III, is also a good friend to Kirk.
First-and second-round leader Herman found the going much tougher today. Near flawless through the first two rounds, he suffered his first bogey of the tournament on the first hole when his approach spun off the green. Two more front nine bogeys dropped him to 9 under, but the lead remained his at the turn. Herman righted the ship over the final nine, shooting 36 to complete a round of 75.
"It was very difficult today," Herman said. "I was trying to stay positive but I knew it was going to be a grind. My 75 was not that bad a round."
"I'm not accustomed to this position but you've got to thrive in these situations," he said. "It's been a year since I've been near the lead but I've played well over here (Australia and New Zealand) at this time of year."
Steven Jones of Australia, who began the day three shots back in second place, stumbled to a 77. He is among 11 players tied for seventh.
The 156-player Moonah Classic is co-sanctioned by the Nationwide Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia, with the field split evenly between the two tours.
THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
207 Jim Herman 62 70 75, Chris Kirk 70 72 65
211 Andrew Dodt 69 74 68, Scott Gutschewski 69 71 71, Jarrod Lyle 68 71 72, Alistair Presnell 71 70 70
212 Joe Affrunti 70 72 70, Anthony Brown 70 71 71, Andrew Buckle 69 68 75, Robert Gates 71 72 69, Fabian Gomez 69 68 75 (Arg), Doug LaBelle II 69 69 74, Scott Laycock 69 72 71, Tag Ridings 70 71 71, Andre Stolz 66 72 74, Phil Tataurangi 71 71 70 (Nzl)
213 Stephen Dartnall 74 71 68, Jon Mills 68 70 75 (Can), Gareth Paddison 68 71 74 (Nzl), Scott Stallings 71 70 72, Manuel Villegas 71 72 70 (Col)
214 Jeff Brehaut 70 71 73, Bradley Iles 68 74 72 (Nzl), Skip Kendall 70 70 74, Stephen Leaney 70 73 71, Martin Piller 71 71 72, Stephen Poole 70 72 72
215 James Hahn 69 72 74, Leigh McKechnie 71 72 72, Matthew Millar 70 71 74, Craig Parry 73 70 72, Craig Scott 70 69 76
216 Steve Allan 69 76 71, Mitchell Brown 69 70 77, Trevor Murphy 69 72 75, Jin Park 69 75 72 (SKor), Hamish Robertson 71 72 73 (Nzl)
217 Keegan Bradley 71 73 73, Jim Carter 67 76 74, Ken Duke 70 75 72, Michael Hendry 72 73 72 (Nzl), Mark Hensby 70 74 73, Luke Hickmott 71 71 75, Peter Lonard 71 73 73, Andrew Martin 71 72 74, David Smail 69 75 73 (Nzl), Aaron Townsend 68 71 78
218 Jess Daley 72 70 76, Matthew Griffin 71 73 74, David Hearn 68 76 74 (Can), Paul Sheehan 67 74 77, Anthony Summers 72 72 74, Tim Wood 70 73 75
219 Aaron Watkins 71 74 74, Peter Wilson 70 73 76
220 Stephen Collins 72 73 75, Adam Crawford 70 75 75, Kevin Kisner 72 73 75, Peter Tomasulo 71 73 76
221 D.J. Brigman 71 73 77, Chris Campbell 72 73 76, Martin Doyle 72 73 76, Jeff Gallagher 69 73 79, Bob May 72 73 76, Gary Simpson 68 76 77, Darron Stiles 68 74 79
222 Ryan Armour 68 72 82, Scott Brown 76 69 77, Chris Gaunt 71 73 78
223 Kelly Grunewald 69 76 78, Bobby MacWhinnie 67 78 78
224 Ted Brown 70 75 79 (Can)
227 Adam Bland 72 73 82

Labels:

KIRADECH SOARS ON EAGLE’S WINGS AT

ASIAN TOUR INTERNATIONAL

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Bangkok: Thailand ’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot a superb eagle on the last hole to open up a two-shot lead after the third round of the season-open ing Asian Tour International today.
Chasing a maiden Asian Tour victory, the burly 20-year-old produced a grandstand finish by converting a 10ft putt following a lucky break and two mighty blows for a three-under-par 69 at the Suwan Golf and Country Club.
Korea ’s Hwang Inn-choon carded the day’s best of 67 to move to second place while Singaporean Lam Chih Bing signed for a 71 to lie a further stroke back in tied third with American rookie David Johnson, who shot a 69.
Filipino Angelo Que (70), last year’s runner-up Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan (68), South African Jbe Kruger (69) and Thailand ’s Piya Swangarunporn (69) will start the final round four off the pace.
Kiradech, a former world junior champion, enjoyed a stroke of fortune at the closing par-five hole as his wayward tee shot hit a light post. Under the Tour regulations, it required the player to retake the shot with no penalty and the Thai made sure his second attempt split the fairway. From 225 yards out, he then nailed a four-iron approach shot to 10 feet for his eagle.
“I’m very happy. I played great golf on the back nine. On the front nine, I was struggling with my putts but it came in on the back nine. I got a lucky rule on 18. I hit the light post and I had to rehit it and got a good line on the second shot. If not for the rule, my first drive would have ended up in the 10th fairway,” said Kiradech, who has held the joint lead at the US$300,000 event since the opening day.
He is determined to win on Sunday and erase the disappointment of finishing second at last year’s Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters where he also led by two going into the final round.
“I’ll try to be better than Malaysia . I couldn’t make any putts then but my routine is now different. My coach has been working with me on my putts. That experience will help me and I think it’ll be good tomorrow,” said Kiradech, whose card included four birdies against as many bogeys.
“It’ll be a proud moment for me if I can win at home as my parents are here. I’ll be trying hard.”
The 34-year-old Hwang, winner of the 2008 GS Caltex Maekyung Open on the Asian Tour, wielded a hot putter as he charged into contention with six birdies. He rolled in long putts on the 10th and 13th holes to give himself a chance of a second victory.
“My putting was good and I hit it all the greens in regulation on the back nine and holed a few long putts. It was good. I’m going to try and win this tournament. I like the course as it rewards good drives,” said the Korean, who s pen t a month in Thailand practising in January due to the cold weather in Seoul .
Lam kept up his title bid where a birdie at the last hole eased the disappointment of bogeys on 16 and 17 from missed putts. A winner on the domestic Thai event last weekend, he reckons he can still overhaul the leader.
“It was a good way to finish with a birdie and still be within striking range. It was blowing all day and it made it a lot trickier. I missed two short putts on 16 and 17 but I guess it’s good not to be in the last flight tomorrow. Maybe I can mount a charge from behind,” said Lam.
“It’s easy to make mistakes. You need to go out there and stay patient and hope for the putts to drop.”
Johnson, who graduated from Qualifying School last month, stayed in the hunt with an impressive 69, erasing an open ing bogey with four birdies. “I got the best out of my round and put myself in a good position. Three back, it’s doable on this course. If I just keep focus on what I’m doing, my goal is to play the golf course. Obviously there are great players and I can’t control what the others are doing,” he said.
Like Lam, Que was also victorious in a local event in Manila last weekend and believes the work put in with his coach Bong Lopez is paying off at the scenic Suwan course.
“We worked on some shots into the wind because a lot of holes last week were into the wind and right to left which is one of my weaknesses. I was able to work out something and practiced it the whole week and used it on the course. This week, a lot of the shots are similar and I wouldn’t have dared to hit those shots if I didn’t work it out with Bong,” he said.
“The way I’m hitting it, I could have done better. I’m still happy. I hit it into the water on 18 but managed to get it up and down for par. I guess it’s a good omen.”
THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
207 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha) 68 70 69
209 Hwang Inn-Choon (Kor) 72 70 67
210 David Johnson (USA) 71 70 69, Lam Chih Bing (Sin) 69 70 71
211 Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Jpn) 71 72 68, Jbe Kruger (Rsa) 70 72 69, Angelo Que (Phi) 74 67 70, Piya Swangarunporn (Tha) 70 72 69
213 Siddikur (Ban) 70 74 69, Antonio Lascuna (Phi) 70 72 71, Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind) 71 71 71, Kenichi Kuboya (Jpn) 73 69 71, Thammanoon Srirot (Tha) 72 69 72
214 Chan Yih-Shin (Tpe) 72 72 70, Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) 69 73 72, Lucas Lee (Bra) 68 74 72, Mars Pucay (Phi) 69 69 76
215 James Kamte (Rsa) 73 73 69, Toni Karjalainen (Fin) 73 72 70, Lin Wen-Hong (Tpe) 71 74 70, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (Tha) 72 72 71, Kim Dae-Hyun (Kor) 69 73 73, Wisut Artjanawat (Tha) 72 69 74
216 Scott Barr (Aus) 72 74 70, Daisuke Maruyama (Jpn) 73 72 71, Panuwat Muenlek (Tha) 73 72 71, Somchai Pongpaew (Tha) 72 72 72, S. Sivachandran (Mal) 72 72 72, Lee Sung (Kor) 73 71 72, Jason Knutzon (USA) 68 75 73, Takao Nogami (Jpn) 73 71 72, Kim Hyung-Tae (Kor) 70 73 73
217 Simon Dunn (Sco) 72 74 71, Guido Van Der Valk (Ned) 73 73 71, Boonchu Ruangkit (Tha) 72 74 71, Yeh Chang-Ting (Tpe) 75 71 71, Ted Oh (Kor) 76 70 71, Hiroshi Iwata (Jpn) 73 73 71, Ben Fox (USA) 70 75 72, Varut Chomchalam (Tha) 73 72 72, Yang Ji-Ho (Kor) 74 70 73, Pornsakon Tipsanit (Tha) 76 68 73, Peter Karmis (Rsa) 73 71 73, Ben Leong (Mal) 70 72 75, Sattaya Supupramai (Tha) 73 73 71
218 Hirohito Koizumi (Jpn) 72 74 72, Simon Griffiths (Eng) 73 72 73, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Tha) 73 71 74, Darren Beck (Aus) 72 72 74
219 Lu Wei-Chih (Tpe) 72 73 74, Han Seung-Su (Kor) 70 74 75, Quincy Quek (Sin) 69 73 77
220 Rohan Blizard (Aus) 69 74 77, Chaipat Darapanich (Tha) 72 74 74, Shigemasa Higaki (Jpn) 72 73 75, Alexandre Rocha (Bra) 71 74 75, Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha) 72 73 75, Taichiro Kiyota (Jpn) 71 74 75, Tatsuya Sato (Jpn) 73 70 77
221 Michio Matsumura (Jpn) 73 73 75, Kwanchai Tannin (Tha) 71 72 78, Tatsuhiko Ichihara (Jpn) 70 73 78
223 Martin Rominger (Swi) 74 72 77, Jason King (Aus) 72 73 78, Peter Cooke (Aus) 71 73 79, Atiwit Janewattananond (Tha) 69 73 81
224 Sean Shahi (USA) 72 73 79
225 Nakul Vichitryuthasastr (Tha) 73 72 80
226 Richard Karlberg (Swe) 69 77 80

Labels:

Rose beginning to bloom in Northern Trust Open

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Justin Rose put himself into contention in the Northern Trust Open as play was suspended for the day at Riviera Country Club with darkness preventing the completion of the second round.
England's Ryder Cup star posted a four-under-par 67 on a rainy day near Los Angeles to get to six under, four shots off the lead held by Steve Stricker and the still-to-finish Dustin Johnson.
A hole in one from Johnson had helped the first-round leader regain the initiative from Stricker, who had posted an early 65 to get to 10 under and take the clubhouse lead.
World number three Stricker had moved to the top of the leaderboard with a seven-birdie, one-bogey 65. Johnson, though, soon made inroads with birdies at the par-five first and the par-three fourth and moved into the outright lead when he aced the 199-yard, par-three sixth.

=======================
Links to more golf news:
Woods return date still a mystery
Thongchai leads the way
Kiradech, Pucay share lead
=======================
But he fell back to 10 under with a bogey at the 15th in fading light, managing to finish just one more hole before the suspension came.
Romero was seven under after 15 holes when play was halted, followed in a tie for fourth by Rose, Stadler, who shot a level-par 71 to finish at six under, and Tim Wilkinson, who had also carded a 67.
Rose's compatriot and Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald was one under after 14 holes, in a group at four under that also included American Brandt Snedeker (72), South Africa's Ernie Els (70) and defending champion Phil Mickelson - who got his bid for a third Northern Trust Open title in a row back on track with a 66 following his opening 72.
With the halfway cut mark hovering around the one-over-par mark but conditions and scores worsening as the afternoon wore on, some of the later starters were having to be mindful of making the weekend's play.
Padraig Harrington was one of those as he bid to shake off some rust in his first tournament of the year. The three-time major winner had opened with a 72 and started his second round well with two birdies in his first three holes, only to card four bogeys between the fourth and 15th.
A birdie at the 16th got Harrington heading back in the right direction only for play to be brought to a close with the Irishman on two over par with two to play. Martin Laird of Scotland was three over after 15 holes, two over for the day.
SECOND ROUND SCOREBOARD
Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California
Par 142 (2x71)
Note: Second round play has been suspended due to darkness. The second round will resume at 7:30 a.m local time
132 Steve Stricker 67 65
136 Kevin Stadler 65 71, Justin Rose (Eng) 69 67, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl) 69 67
137 Ricky Barnes 66 71, Steve Marino 70 67, Anthony Kim 71 66
138 Phil Mickelson 72 66, Ernie Els (Rsa) 68 70, Brandt Snedeker 66 72
139 Kevin Na 72 67, George McNeill 70 69, Michael Allen 69 70, Bryce Molder 71 68
140 Rodney Pampling (Aus) 70 70, Bo Van Pelt 70 70, Matt Kuchar 69 71, Alex Prugh 71 69
141 D.A. Points 69 72, Robert Allenby (Aus) 72 69, Roland Thatcher 68 73, Ben Curtis 73 68, Tim Clark (Rsa) 69 72, Y.E. Yang (Kor) 71 70, Fred Couples 69 72
142 Brian Davis (Eng) 72 70, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 68 74, John Merrick 70 72, Stewart Cink 71 71, John Rollins 71 71, Chad Campbell 70 72, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) 68 74, Marc Leishman (Aus) 71 71, Scott Verplank 68 74, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 71 71, Nicholas Thompson 69 73
143 Michael Letzig 71 72, Woody Austin 71 72, David Duval 68 75, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 69 74, Webb Simpson 70 73, J J Henry 70 73, Brett Quigley 70 73, Jimmy Walker 71 72, Rich Beem 74 69, Craig Bowden 69 74
144 Bill Lunde 72 72, Greg Chalmers (Aus) 71 73, Matt Bettencourt 70 74, Parker McLachlin 71 73, Mark Wilson 72 72, Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 72, Cameron Beckman 67 77, Jason Bohn 69 75, Ryan Moore 70 74
145 Jeff Klauk 70 75, Hunter Mahan 71 74, Michael Bradley 74 71, Tim Petrovic 73 72, James Driscoll 71 74
146 Pat Perez 73 73, Chris Stroud 71 75, Adam Scott (Aus) 73 73, Bubba Watson 71 75, Will MacKenzie 70 76, Vijay Singh (Fij) 73 73, Mike Weir (Can) 69 77, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) 74 72, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 70 76, Rickie Fowler 71 75
147 Bill Haas 72 75, Joshua Wooding 71 76, Jeff Quinney 71 76, Lee Janzen 72 75, Corey Pavin 72 75
148 Scott McCarron 74 74, John Senden (Aus) 75 73, Alex Cejka (Ger) 75 73, Jason Day (Aus) 74 74
149 Mathew Goggin (Aus) 78 71, John Mallinger 70 79
150 Jerry Kelly 73 77, Michael Sim (Sco/Aus) 77 73, Brett Lederer 72 78, Chez Reavie 75 75
152 Nathan Green (Aus) 74 78, James Nitties (Aus) 73 79
153 Jeff Templeton 74 79

Labels: ,

Philip McLean (69) leads field in Jones Cup Invitational

Peterhead's Philip McLean leads the Jones Cup Invitational with a three-under-par 69 on Sea Island, Georgia. Read the report, see the leading scores by switching over to our sister website, www.Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

Labels:

Copyright © Colin Farquharson

If you can't find what you are looking for.... please check the Archive List or search this site with Google