Hi5 TOUR REPORT AND SCORES

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Lloyd Saltman birdie blitz
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to lead by four in Spain
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FROM THE SPANISH Hi5 PRO TOUR WEBSITE
Scotland's Lloyd Saltman (Aegon) enjoys a four-shot lead going into the final round of the Polaris World Condado Open despite starting his second round with a couple of bogeys.
However, the middle brother, pictured right, of the three Saltman siblings from the Lothians who are playing in Spain this week, answered with eight birdies during the remainder of his round en route to a fine 67 on the 6800 metre Nicklaus signature course.
His nearest rivals are Andreas Hogeberg (Sweden) and fellow-Scot Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan), both at five under par.
Cool temperatures with strong winds faced the players today to go along with the slick greens so scoring was not very easy. made scoring not very easy.
In the ladies' division ladies LET player Josefin Leijon (Sweden) took over the lead after a 75 today and holds a two-shot lead over Mari Suusalu from Estonia and yesterday's leader Johanna Lundberg (Sweden) who slipped back with a 79 today.
LEADING MEN'S SCORES
Par 144 (2x72)
135 Lloyd Saltman (Scotland) 68 67.
139 Andreas Hogeberg (Sweden) 71 68, Callum Macaulay (Scotland) 71 68.
142 Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark) 70 72, Tim Sluiter (Netherlands) 70 72.
143 Lasse Nielsen (Denmark) (amateur) 70 73, Felix Fihn (Sweden) 71 72.
144 Gary King (England) 68 76, Alex Belt (England) 71 73.
Selected scores
149 Elliot Saltman (Scotland) 72 77 (jt 17th).
151 Zack Saltman (Scotland) 75 76 (jt 22nd)
LEADING LADIES' SCORES
151 Josefin Leijon (Sweden) 76 75.
153 Mari Suursalu (Estonia) 78 75, Johanna Lundberg (Sweden) 74 79.
155 Caroline Martens-Larson (Norway) 81 74

Ewan Scott captain of SGU Under-16s for Netherlands

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
St Andrews starlet Ewan Scott will captain Scotland’s Under-16s boys team at next month’s Boys Quadrangular Development Series against Holland, Ireland and Wales in The Netherlands from April 13 to 15.
The 14-year-old, who last summer became the first Scot to win the English Boys U14s Championship, recently finished second in the Scottish Golf Academy Winter Series Order of Merit and has been rewarded with the captain’s armband in a team of eight.
Thornhill’s Greig Marchbank, who pipped Scott to win the Winter Series title at the weekend, is also included alongside Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie), who won the Loretto School Scottish Boys U14s Championship at Largs in July and Alva’s Lawrence Allan, winner of the opening Academy winter event.
Peebles have two representatives in the team, with 15-year-olds Craig Howie and Daniel Flannery – fourth and sixth respectively in the Winter Series – included, with the Lothians duo of Callum Hill (Tantallon) and Anthony Blaney (Liberton) also featuring in the line-up.
The event is still in its infancy, having been first piloted at Forrester Park in Fife three years ago, with the Scots defending the title they won in Wales last year. The team has been selected based on the top six in the Winter Series, with two additional picks by the selectors.
National Junior Coach Spencer Henderson said:
“The Boys Quadrangular Development Series gives our younger players the experience of playing for their country against some of the leading youngsters from other European countries and the chance to prove themselves in a highly competitive environment.”
“Our new Junior Winter Series has been hugely beneficial in identifying young players and in fact the top eight in the rankings have all been selected, including four from our Boys Development Squad. We have a strong team with some good experience in competing at a high level for their age group, with two national champions in Ewan and Bradley, so we are confident of performing well again.” he added.
The side players will be accompanied by Scottish Golf Academy Coach Neil Marr and Team Manager Walter McLean.
Scotland Boys U16s Team:
Ewan Scott (St Andrews) Captain
Greig Marchbank (Thornhill)
Lawrence Allan (Alva)
Craig Howie (Peebles)
Calum Hill (Tantallan)
Daniel Flannery (Peebles)
Anthony Blaney (Liberton)
Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie)

Non-travelling reserve:
Blair Carnegie (Dunblane New)

Lockhart and McKay tie with 69s at Burntisland Golf House

By LEE SUTHERLAND, Professional, Ballumbie Castle Golf Club.
This week the Midland Golfers Alliance held the Eddie Sherry pro-am at Burntisland Golf House Club in Fife.
There was a tie for first scratch between Ladybank assistant pro Alan Lockhart and Donald McKay, the Wellsgreen professional, both with scores of two-under-par 69.
Winners of the team competition by a margin of five shots were Guy Mathieson (Dunnikier Park), Jim Brown (Kirkcaldy), Jack Cree (Thornton) and Jim Muir (Scotscraig) with a score of 124.
LEADING SCRATCH
69 A Lockhart (Ladybank) ap, D McKay (Wellsgreen) p.
71 R Stewart (Tulliallan).
72 R Ford (Scotscraig).
73 P Jamieson (Dunblane New) p, M Rae (Alyth) ap, A J Webster (Edzell) p.
LEADING TEAMS
124 G Mathieson (Dunnikier Park) (4), J Brown (Kirkcaldy) (9), J Cree (Thornton) (11), J Muir (Scotscraig) (10).
129 (better inward half) R Ford (Scotscraig) (4), R Redpath (Scotscraig) (4), J Rankin (Scotscraig) (9), R Beatt (Scotscraig) (12).
129 S O'Donnell (Balbirnie Park) ap, C Wallace (Caird Park) (10), G Milne (Aberdour) (5), C Marr (Glenrothes) (13).

Next week's meeting: THURSDAY, MARCH 18 - CRIEFF GOLF CLUB (8.30am - 12.30)

Because of the current snow at Crieff there is a doubt if it will be playable next Thursday. If it is unplayable, then Drumoig is on standby.
Watch this space for on-off news.

EDINBURGH & EAST OF SCOTLAND ALLIANCE
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Duddingston Golf Club

THORNTON CUP - Overall Winner: Ian Fraser (Duddingston) 65

SCRATCH PRIZEWINNERS
1st £100 Smith Stuart Duddingston 67
2nd equal £60 Erskine Andrew Ratho Park 69
2nd equal £60 Patrick David Elie 69
2nd equal £60 Thomson Mike Torwoodlee 69
5th £20 Catlin Scott Greenburn 71

HANDICAP PRIZEWINNERS
vouchers for amateurs
1st £100 Fraser Ian Duddingston (4) 65
2nd £80 Kemp Alex Duddingston (9) 67
3rd equal £40 Graham David Lochend (5) 68
3rd equal £40 Stewart Duncan Craigielaw (9) 68
3rd equal £40 Paterson Bryan Dunfermline (7) 68

TRAINEE PRIZEWINNER
£20 Mathieson Terry King's Acre 72

LEADING NET SCORES
1 Fraser Ian Duddingston Senior 69 4 65
2 Kemp Alex Duddingston Amateur 76 9 67
3 Graham David Lochend Amateur 73 5 68
4 Paterson Bryan Dunfermline Senior 75 7 68
5 Stewart Duncan Craigielaw Amateur 77 9 68
6 Denholm Robert Duddingston Amateur 74 5 69
7 Smith Stuart Duddingston Amateur 67 -2 69
8 Summers Alastair Musselburgh Amateur 76 7 69
9 Bootland Hinton Duddingston Senior 76 6 70
10 Brown Stuart Glencorse Amateur 75 5 70
11 Downing Stewart Craigmillar Park Amateur 78 8 70
12 Gilhooley Stephen Duddingston Senior 76 6 70
13 Johnston Richard Glenbervie Amateur 72 2 70
14 Miller William Falkirk Tryst Amateur 76 6 70
15 Sutherland Donald Linlithgow Senior 80 10 70
16 Thomson Mike Torwoodlee Amateur 69 -1 70
17 Laing William Prestonfield Amateur 77 6 71
18 McCluskey John Archerfield Amateur 84 13 71
19 Ritchie Peter Bathgate Senior 80 9 71
20 Rodaks George Dunfermline Amateur 72 1 71
21 Rothney Andrew Deer Park Amateur 72 1 71
22 Black George Torwoodlee Amateur 76 4 72
23 Clark Gavin Duddingston Amateur 79 7 72
24 Cowie Keith Newbattle Amateur 82 10 72
25 Jeffrey Peter Duddingston Amateur 85 13 72
26 Lewis Tom West Lothian Senior 85 13 72
27 Stevens Glyn King's Acre Amateur 80 8 72
28 Dickinson Graham Torwoodlee Senior 81 8 73
29 McLean John Bathgate Senior 77 4 73
30 Reid Kenneth West Lothian Amateur 75 2 73
31 White Justin Harrison Amateur 77 4 73
32 Wight Andrew Glencorse Senior 74 1 73
33 Cordery Thomas Musselburgh Amateur 78 4 74
34 Marr William West Lothian Senior 83 9 74
35 Taylor Ian Royal Burgess Amateur 75 1 74
36 Wilson Thomas Glenbervie Amateur 76 2 74
37 Young Alan Lochend Amateur 82 8 74
38 Doyle Steven Gifford Amateur 79 4 75
39 Fish Derek Glenbervie Amateur 76 1 75
40 Forsyth Walter Peebles Amateur 85 10 75
41 Murray Roy West Lothian Amateur 83 8 75
42 Wyse Ian Falkirk Tryst Amateur 86 11 75
43 Young Scott Turnhouse Amateur 76 1 75
44 Adams Thomas Aberdour Senior 86 10 76
45 Chaplin Mark Deer Park Amateur 76 0 76
46 Fyfe Ian Musselburgh Amateur 78 2 76
47 Knowles Scott Kingsknowe Amateur 78 2 76
48 Leggate Philip Musselburgh Amateur 85 9 76
49 Louden Michael Glencorse Amateur 79 3 76
50 Scott Jim Swanston New Senior 84 8 76
51 Sewell Peter West Linton Amateur 82 6 76
52 Skinner Grant Glencorse Amateur 79 3 76
53 Smith Brian Edinburgh Thistle Amateur 83 7 76
54 Smith William Harburn Senior 88 12 76
55 Wardlaw Stuart Harburn Senior 86 10 76
56 Watson Scott Leven Amateur 81 5 76

TITLE-HOLDER McLEAN DISQUALIFIED
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IN N-E ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Defending champion Philip McLean disqualified himself after returning a three-under-par 65 which would have made him the first-round leader by two strokes of the 36-hole North-east Golfers’ championship at Duff House Royal Golf Club, Banff today.
After driving home to Peterhead and discussing the day’s play with a fellow competitor, McLean realised that he had taken a lift and drop without penalty from an out of bounds area on the bank of the River Deveron at the seventh hole, believing it to be ground under repair.
Alliance secretary Ron Menzies said: “Philip phoned me at the clubhouse and I had to confirm that the club had declared the semi-rough area in question out of bounds on health and safety grounds because the river bank is crumbling at that point and there is a risk that if competitors go too close to the bank, they will fall into the river.
“There was a message about it on the clubhouse noticeboard and also on display at the first tee but I do have some sympathy for the player.”
Three players share the lead on one-under-par 67 at the head of a field of 98 at the halfway stage of the championship - Fraserburgh’s Kris Nicol, one of only two Scots to qualify for the match-play stages of last week’s Spanish amateur championship, Inchmarlo tour pro Paul Cormack , and last man in, Newburgh club pro Ian Bratton.
Nicol recovered from a double-bogey 6 at the first with birdies at the fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth to reach the turn in two-under-par 32. Eight pars and a bogey 6 at the 12th made up an inward half of one-over 35.
Cormack also had a double bogey 6, at the fourth, but birdies at the third, sixth, 12th, 13th and 18th helped him round in halves of 34 and 33.
Bratton, out in 33 with birdies at the second and fifth, added the 10th and 12th to his bag of sub-par figures but faltered with bogeys at the 16th and 17th when set to take a clear lead.
Tongue in cheek, Ian blamed a passing motorist for putting him off his putting stroke by tooting his horn while he was on the 17th green!
Scottish boys’ and men’s match-play champion David Law (Hazlehead) is in fourth position, one shot off the pace with a level par 68 in which he birdied the first, second and fifth in 33 to the turn. He had one birdie, at the short 11th and two bogeys for 35 home.
Banchory's Scott Larkin, the man in form in recent weeks, had to settle for a 72 after driving his first ball out of bounds on to the practice area. His second ball off the tee landed on the green ... but Scott three-putted!
The second and final round of the championship is at Cruden Bay next Wednesday.

+Philip McLean could not have played in the second round anyway. Same goes for David Law. They are in the Scotland squad for next week's European Nations Cup at Sotogrande. But McLean's blunder did cost him the first prize voucher of around £100 for leading the first round scratch scores. Later news: Joint leader Kris Nicol will not be available for next week's fixture either, as he's off to South Africa for warm weather training with the Scottish Golf Union tomorrow for 11 days.
+Two other first-round contestants who are "otherwise engaged" instead of playing in next week's second round are former Press and Journal editor (and Scotland tennis international) Harry Roulston (Stonehaven) and Golf Monthly writer Fergus Bisset (Banchory). Harry is going on a Caribbean cruise while Fergus is playing with D Ford (Royal North Devon) in the Sunningdale foursomes, starting on Tuesday. Their first-round opponents are well-known tennis player of recent Wimbledon history, Tim Henman, apparently a quite useful golfer, and T Crawley, an all-Sunningdale partnership. Both pairings are playing off scratch.
+Roy Pirie (Caledonian), who had returned a 73, also phoned secretary Ron Menzies later to disqualify himself for not observing the seventh hole local rule. Are golfers more honest than any other sportsmen or women? I think so.

CHAMPIONSHIP - FIRST ROUND
Par 68
67 Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh), Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo), Ian Bratton (Newburgh) p.
68 David Law (Hazlehead).
69 Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon).
70 Anthony Bews (Murcar Links).
71 Patrick Lovie (P1 Corporate) p, Brian Nicholson (Auchmill), Mike Jenkins (Duff House Royal), Ryan Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) p, Kyle Nelson (Murcar Links).
72 Craig Carnegie (Kemnay), Scott Larkin (Banchory), Duncan Clark (Duff House Royal), Fergus Bisset (Banchory), Stewart Finnie (Caledonian).
73 Justin Duff (Fraserburgh), John Nicolson (Auchmill), Laura Murray (Alford), Richard Hyland (Craibstone).
74 Jim Emslie (Royal Aberdeen).
75 Barry Brooks (Meldrum House), David Naylor (Banchory) p, David Corkey (Royal Aberdeen).
76 Paul McIntosh (Newburgh).
77 Billy Main (Murcar Links), Alistair Fiddes (Deeside), Steven Kennedy (Craibstone), Stewart Pert (Huntly), George Paterson (Northern), Craig Stewart (Kippie Lodge).
78 John Hamilton (Murcar Links), Sandy Elrick (Kemnay), Mark Lawrie (Kemnay), David Wilson (Duff House Royal), Keil Beveridge (Aboyne) p, David McKay (Caledonian).
79 John Mitchell (Fraserburgh), Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon), James Moodie (Kingsliffe) p.
80 Brian Harper (Newburgh), Charles Cassie (Nigg Bay), Alister Petrie (Oldmeldrum), Neish Chisholm (Kemnay), Nigel Parker (Murcar Links).
81 John Borthwick (Craibstone), Harry Roulston (Stonehaven), Dave MacKay (Newmachar), Les Fowler (Royal Aberdeen). Mike Booth (Kemnay), Dave Nelson (Aboyne).

HANDICAP
Class 1 – C Carnegie (Kemnay) (4) 68; D Law (Hazlehead) (+1), K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) (scr), B Nicolson (Auchmill) (2), J Nicolson (Auchmill) (4), Laura Murray (Alford) (4), K Nelson (Murcar Links) (2) 69; K Nicol (Fraserburgh (+3), M Jenkins (Duff House Royal) (1), F Bisset (Banchory) (1) 70.

Class 2 – S Kennedy (Craibstone) (11) 69; A Petrie (Oldmeldrum) (10), G Kelly (Peterculter) (14) 70; N Chisholm (Kemnay) (9), N Parker (Murcar Links) (8), M Booth (Kemnay) (10), N Stewart (Northern) (12) 71; H McNaughton (Cruden Bay) (11) 72; I Strachan (Royal Aberdeen) (11) 73; J Jessiman (Oldmeldrum) (14) 74.

DUFF HOUSE ROYAL SCORECARD: Par 68
OUT: 4-4-4-4-4-3-4-4-3--34. IN: 4-3-5-3-4-4-3-4-4--34.

KRIS NICOL 67
OUT: 6-4-4-4-3-3-3-3-2--32. IN: 3-3-6-3-4-4-3-4-4--35.
PAUL CORMACK 67
OUT: 4-4-3-6-4-2-4-4-3--34. IN: 4-4-4-2-4-4-4-4-3--33
IAN BRATTON 67
OUT: 4-3-4-4-3-3-5-4-3--33. IN: 3-3-4-3-4-4-4-5-4--34

DAVID LAW 68
OUT: 3-3-4-4-3-3-5-4-4--33. IN: 5-2-5-3-4-4-3-4-5--35

KEVIN DUNCAN 69
OUT: 4-4-4-4-5-2-5-4-3--35. IN: 4-3-4-3-4-5-3-4-4--34

ANTHONY BEWS 70
OUT: 4-4-4-4-5-4-5-4-2--36. IN: 4-3-4-3-5-4-4-3-4--34
+In case you are interested in the scorecard of the disqualified Philip McLean (65), here is is:
OUT: 4-4-3-4-3-3-4-4-3--32. IN: 4-3-4-3-4-4-3-5--3--33

NOH AND CHIA SET THE PACE AT OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
INTERNATIONAL FINAL QUALIFYING - ASIA

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR
Kuala Lumpur: Korea’s rising star Noh Seung-yul maintained his red-hot form to share the
opening-round lead with Danny Chia of Malaysia on six-under-par 66 at the Open Championship International Final Qualifying – Asia today.
The 18-year-old Noh, winner of the Maybank Malaysian Open on Sunday, shot an eagle and seven birdies against a bogey and a double bogey at the Saujana Golf and Country Club to put himself in prime position for one of four tickets available to the Open at St Andrews in July.
Chia, who has won once on the Asian Tour, carded a flawless round highlighted by six birdies to boost his hopes of a third appearance in the world’s oldest Major.
Hiroyuki Fujita of Japan , the highest ranked player in the 72-man field at 80th in the world and Korean amateur Eric Chun, runner-up at the inaugural Asian Amateur Championship in China last year, shot matching 67s to lie in tied third position.
A further shot back are Wu Ashun of China and Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand , who carded identical 69s.
Starting from the 10th tee, Noh bounced back superbly from a double bogey on the 12th hole when he sank a 15-foot eagle on the 13th hole. From there on, the talented Korean peppered the flags for his birdies to give himself a chance of earning a maiden Major appearance.
“It was a mixed round for me but overall I’m glad to shoot what I did on this tough course. My putting worked very well and you need that especially on these greens,” said Noh.
Noh rued a missed eagle chance from five feet on the seventh hole but was confident of getting the job done tomorrow in the 36-hole qualifier.
“It was a very tough putt because it was very sloppy but I’m still feeling confident of my chances for tomorrow,” added Noh.
Chia holed a brilliant 25 foot birdie putt on his second hole to kickstart his round and was delighted with his ball striking.
“Today was one of my best ball striking rounds of the year! I have to thank (Lam) Chih Bing and Unho (Park) for giving me some tips on my swing yesterday. That gave me some confidence plus I’m playing in Saujana and I have a lot of good memories on this golf course,” said Chia who qualified for the British O pen in 2005 and was the halfway leader at last year’s Maybank Malaysian O pen , both times at Saujana.
Fujita, who featured at the 2005 British O pen at St Andrews , posted seven birdies against two bogeys and credited a hot putter for his superb start. “The greens were very tough and my putting helped with my performance. I won’t complain with my score and I hope to maintain my form going into tomorrow’s round,” said the 40-year-old.
“There are four tickets available here but I’m here to try and win it to ensure that I earn a spot in the Open ,” added the two-time Asian Tour winner.
Starting from the back nine, the 20-year-old Chun, who grew up playing golf in Malaysia , provided the talk of the clubhouse with his round which included seven birdies against two dropped shots.
“I had a lot of good breaks. I shot good distances to the hole so it was good for me to take advantage of those,” said Chun, who turned 20 on Monday.
“I can’t compare myself with the professionals after one round. They do this every day. They just played last week and some of them are exhausted so I have an advantage. I’m just going out there tomorrow to play the golf course. I’m not trying to outplay the other guys. If I stick to the game plan, I should be fine,” added Chun.
China ’s Wu, aiming for his first Major appearance, fired six birdies against three bogeys and knows he needs to continue to wield a hot putter to keep himself in contention. “Putting will be the key for tomorrow. The greens are tough but luckily I managed to hit it close. I will aim to do the same and hopefully break into the top four.”
For the first time in the IFQ, the leaders will play together in the second round, with Chia and Noh slated to tee off at 9.25am.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72
66 Danny CHIA (MAS), NOH Seung-Yul (KOR)
67 Hiroyuki FUJITA (JPN), Eric CHUN (A) (KOR)
69 WU Ashun (CHN), Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA)
70 Rahil GANGJEE ( IND ), Tony CAROLAN (AUS), LEE Sung (KOR)
71 Guido VAN DER VALK (HOL), Miles TUNNICLIFF (ENG)
72 Mardan MAMAT (SIN), HIDETO Tanihara (JPN), Tomohiro KONDO (JPN), Yoshinobu TSUKADA (JPN), KIM Young-jin (KOR), M.Sasidaran (MAS), Mars PUCAY (PHI), Marcus BOTH (AUS), Kodaai ICHIHARA (JPN), Unho PARK (AUS)

Monty, Lawrie and Matthew to help pick

players eligible for transition cash

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
The likely involvement of Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie and Catriona Matthew in the body that will manage the new investment in Scottish golf (announced by Alex Salmond at North Berwick yesterday) will help ensure the right players are selected to receive support, according to Douglas Connon, the Scottish Golf Union chairman.
While it will no doubt be claimed that amateurs who come through the SGU and SLGA systems are likely to receive the bulk of the money up for grabs each year, Connon insists the net will be spread across the whole of Scottish golf and players already in the paid ranks will also be considered if Montgomerie, Lawrie or Matthew support their case.
"The main job of the board is to manage the resources and, below that, there has to be involvement from bodies such as the PGA and SPGA," noted Connon. "It's not just amateurs, men or women. It's people who've perhaps already turned professional and are in a position where they need a leg up.
"The board, which is yet to meet, will be chaired by Graeme Simmers, a former chair of sportscotland, and, in addition to Bernard Gallacher, will comprise of Louise Martin, the current chair of sportscotland, its chief executive officer Stewart Harris, the SGU's chief executive officer Hamish Grey and his SLGA counterpart, Shona Malcolm. One other person could be added.
"The problem with getting professional golf advisers is their time," said Connon. "Because they play into their 50s between main and Senior Tour, it is trying to get someone who can devote the time to this sort of thing.
"In many respects, Bernard was a bit of a shoe-in because, not withstanding the fact he's has agreed to do it, he has the time and also the necessary experience. He's still in touch with what's going on today in terms of the Tour. As for the chairman, sportscotland is leading on this and collectively we needed someone with the necessary experience, hence the appointment of Graeme.
"There will also be an advisory board or committee and Paul, Colin and Catriona have all agreed to be supportive in that, though clearly Colin has got other things on his mind this year. I'd imagine they'll be advising as to whether there is a chance here, whether this is the right person.
"Our most recent history is littered with young talent that has not made it for one reason or another and that seems to me to be a bit wasteful."
While the sportscotland money becomes available at the end of this month, it is likely to be towards the end of the year before the first recipients are identified. Ross Kellett, currently Scotland's highest-ranked player in the amateur world rankings, could be in the frame if he manages to secure at least a Challenge Tour card at the end of the year, while the likes of rookie pros Paul O'Hara, Carly Booth and Kylie Walker might also receive support depending on how they fare this year.
+The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper today.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE NEWS RELEASE FROM THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Tiger resumes work with swing coach Haney

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
Tiger Woods's return to competitive golf has moved a step closer after it emerged that he has resumed work with his swing coach, Hank Haney.
According to reports in the United States, Haney travelled to Orlando, Florida last Sunday to recommence practice sessions with Woods near his Isleworth home.
Haney is one of Woods’ most trusted allies, having helped him win his last six Major championships, and the news that the pair have started working together again will intensify speculation that the world No 1’s return to the game could be imminent.
Woods has not played a tournament since crashing his car outside his home on November 27, an incident which sparked a lurid series of revelations about his extramarital affairs.
The American, who has been undergoing therapy, made a televised statement apologising for his behaviour last month, but refused to set a date for his return.
That prompted suggestions that Woods might not play again this year, but it now likely that his return could come much sooner.
He resumed practising last week and, while he will not take part in this week’s event at Doral, he could return at the Tavistock Cup, a two-day exhibition event at Isleworth which begins on March 22. Failing that, the Arnold Palmer Invitational begins at Bay Hill later that week.
The next Major, the Masters, starts on April 8 at Augusta, one of Woods' favourite venues.
It has also been suggested that Woods is considering whether to sack his caddie, Steve Williams, for speaking about his behaviour on television in his native New Zealand. Few would shed tears for the unpopular Kiwi if that happened.
Williams claimed he was angry at Woods and would have spoken up had he known about his affairs.