Kelly beats McCreadie, Hutcheon in Roxburghe play-off

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By NICK RODGER
Glasgow's Chris Kelly claimed a play-off victory in the Tartan Tour's Duke of Roxburghe Challenge over The Roxburghe course near Kelso.
The former Scottish PGA champion scored a par-4 on the first extra-hole to pip Jason McCreadie and Greig Hutcheon to the title after the trio had finished locked on seven-under 137s.
Kelly, 32, had closed the 36-hole contest with a three-under 69, but was left cursing dropped shots at 17 and 18 as he joined McCreadie (69) and overnight leader Hutcheon (71) at the top.
The Cawder pro claimed the honours in the play-off and scooped the £850 prize as his rivals failed to par the first.
Carluke's Craig Ronald hit a best-of-the-day 67 to share fourth with Graeme Brown and last year's Tartan Tour No.1 Craig Lee.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
137 Chris Kelly (Cawder) 68 69 (£850), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) (£715.78) 68 69, Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) 66 71 (£715.78) (Kelly bt McCreadie & Hutcheon in play-off).
138 Craig Ronald (Carluke) 71 67, Graeme Brown (Montrose) 70 68, Craig Lee (unatt) 67 71 (£504.26 each).
139 Chris Doak (unatt) 71 68 (£378.94).
140 Greg Paxton (Ralston) 72 68, Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs Golf Range) 71 69, Samuel Cairns (Colville Park) 69 71 (£315.78 each).
141 Stewart Savage (Dalmuir) 72 69, Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) 70 71, Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre) 69 72 (£252.63 each).
142 Scott Henderson (Kings Links) 74 68, Christopher Russell (RAW Golf Course Design) 74 68, James McKinnon (Irvine) 71 71, Alan Lockhart (Ladybank 71 71, Gareth Wright (West Linton) 71 71 (£174.31 each).
143 Euan Cameron (Hamilton) 75 68, Graeme Lornie (Paul Lawrie Foundation) 71 72, Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) 69 74 (£126.31 each).
144 Stuart Kerr (Strathaven) 75 69, Colin Gillies (Playsport Golf) 75 69, James McGhee (Turnhouse) 74 70, Gordon Law (Uphall) 73 71, Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle) 71 73, Edward Thomson (Senit Associates) 66 78 (£103.04 each).
145 Iain Hanna (Strathclyde Park) 72 73, Christopher Robinson (SCO) Dunfries & Galloway 72 73 (£86.31 each).
146 Andrew Crerar (Panmure 76 70, Kenneth Hutton (Downfield 73 73, Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst 73 73, Michael Rae (Alyth 72 74 (£20 each).
147 Ian Taylor (Drumpellier) 74 73, Sean O'Donnell (Balbirnie Park) 73 74, Owen Leslie (Craigentinny) 72 75.
148 Mark King (Kingsfield) 76 72, Malcolm Isaacs (Nairn Dunbar) 75 73, Ewan Davie (Dunblane New) 75 73, Paul Wardell (Whitekirk) 74 74, James Smallwood (Fereneze) 74 74, Stephen Gray (Hayston) 73 75.
149 Steven Duncan (Balbirnie Park) 78 71, Mark Loftus (Adam Hunter Golf) 76 73, Stuart Syme (Dumfries & Co) 72 77.
150 Ken Campbell (Machrihanish) 76 74, Fraser Mann (Musselburgh) 76 74,
Alan E Reid (West Lothian) 76 74 .
151 Ronan Rafferty (Roxburghe) 77 74, Craig Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre) 76 75, David Knapp (Playsport Golf) 75 76, Daniel Wood (Eyemouth) 74 77, Ross Dixon (Renaissance Club) 73 78.
152 Steven Brown (Carnoustie Golf Links) 77 75, Ewan Hogarth (Peebles) 77 75.
153 +9 Andrew Fullen (Largs) 79 74, Stuart Reekie (Blairgowrie) 78 75 »»
Craig Imlah (SCO) Peebles 77 76 »»
Stephen Lamb (SCO) Broomieknowe 76 77 »»
154 Michael Sweenie (SCO) Turnberry 80 74 0.00 »»
155 Heather MacRae (Gullane) 81 74, Ian Rowlands (West Linton) 79 76, Jonathan Lomas (unatt) 76 79, Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) 75 80, Andrew Erskine (Ratho Park) 75 80.
156 Ross Harrower (Boat of Garten) 82 74, Scott Herald (Mearns Castle) 77 79, Jonnie Cliff (Murrayfield) 77 79.
157 Stuart Pardoe (Scottish Golf Centre) 80 77, Graeme Stewart (Gleddoch) 78 79, Gary McFarlane (Clober) 75 82.
158 Ian Butcher (Kings Acre) 80 78.
160 Stewart Smith (Golf 3000) 82 78, Craig Everett (Caldwell) 78 82.
161 Craig Montgomerie (Roxburghe) 78 83.
163 James Erskine (Portpatrick Dunskey) 79 84.
165 Paul Malone (Braid Hills Golf Centre) 83 82.
168 James Mooney (Kingscliff Golf Solutions) 88 80.
170 Neil Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh) 91 79.
RTD Gavin Cook (Prestonfield).
RTD Lewis Burnett (Mearns Castle) 82.
DSQ Nicholas Reid (unatt).


*Official tour scoring and statistics provided by the
Professional Golfers' Association

SUNSHINE TOUR SCOREBOARD
Africom Zimbabwe Open
Royal Harare Golf Club
SECOND ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
129 Anthony Michael (RSA) 67 62
131 Marc Cayeux (ZIM) 64 67
132 Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA) 66 66
134 Eugen Marugi (RSA) 64 70
135 Hennie Otto (RSA) 66 69, Peter Karmis (RSA) 66 69
136 Theunis Spangenberg (RSA) 70 66, Adilson da Silva (BRA) 69 67, Jaco Ahlers (RSA) 70 66.
137 Jbe' Kruger (RSA) 68 69
138 Grant Muller (RSA) 69 69, Ulrich van den Berg (RSA) 68 70, Andrew Curlewis (RSA) 69 69, Darren Bismark(ZIM) 67 71, Oliver Bekker (RSA) 69 69
139 Merrick Bremner (RSA) 72 67, Charl Coetzee (RSA) 70 69, Michael McGrady (RSA) 68 71, Divan van den Heever (RSA) 70 69.
140 Neil Cheetham (ENG) 67 73, Titch Moore (RSA) 66 74, Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) 70 70.
141 Darren Blair (RSA) 71 70, Josh Cunliffe (RSA) 73 68, David Hewan (RSA) 76 65, Andre Cruse (RSA) 71 70, Ignatius Mketekete (ZIM) 70 71.
142 Lindani Ndwandwe (RSA) 70 72, Steven Ferreira (RSA) 71 71, Louis Calitz (RSA) 71 71,
Willie van der Merwe (RSA) 72 70, Ryan Cairns (ZIM) 69 73, Bradford Vaughan (RSA) 73 69,
Mohamed Tayob (RSA) 73 69, Johan du Buisson (RSA) 69 73.
143 Roy Mugglestone (ENG) 74 69, Prinavin Nelson (RSA) 72 71, Des Terblanche (RSA) 71 72,
Daniel Greene (RSA) 69 74, Shaun Norris (RSA) 68 75, Robson Saurombe (ZIM) 70 73,
Christiaan Basson (RSA) 70 73, Doug McGuigan (RSA) 71 72, Ross Wellington (RSA) 69 74.
144 Nicol van Wyk (RSA) 71 73, Toto Thimba (Jnr) 71 73, Chris Williams (RSA) 72 72, Albert Pistorius (RSA) 72 72, Phillip Tshuma (ZIM) 71 73, Mark Smith (MAW) 71 73, Thabang Simon (RSA) 73 71, Ryan Clarke (RSA) 67 77, Omar Sandys (RSA) 71 73, Francois van Vuuren (RSA) 74 70, Jeff Inglis (ENG) 71 73, Irvin Mazibuko (RSA) 72 72.
145 Brian Gondo (ZIM) 71 74
Attie Schwartzel (RSA) 74 71
Tyrone Mordt (RSA) 72 73
Christian Ries (RSA) 72 73
TC Charamba (ZIM) 75 70
Neil Schietekat (RSA) 71 74
Grant Veenstra (RSA) 69 76
PH McIntyre (RSA) 73 72
Ryan Lang (GER) 74 71
Don Black (RSA) 75 70
Bennie van der Merwe (RSA) 71 74
Bradley Hudson (ZIM)(am) 69 76
MISSED THE CUT
146 Matthew Carvell (RSA) 72 74
Ryan Thompson (RSA) 74 72
Michael Scholz (RSA) 77 69
Chris Erasmus (RSA) 72 74
Mark Murless (RSA) 70 76
Jake Redman (RSA) 69 77
Chris Swanepoel (RSA) 74 72
Ray Badenhorst (ZIM)(am) 74 72
Shane Pringle (ZIM) 73 73
Danie van Niekerk (Jnr) 74 72
Other scores included:
147 Alan McLean (SCO) 71 76.
Tony Johnstone (ZIM) 76 72 »»
Chris Corry (ENG) 76 76 »»
Akil Yousuf (ENG) 82 78 »»

+Official tour scoring and statistics provided by the
Sunshine Tour

Basketball injury won't keep Poulter out of Players' championship

FROM THE PGATOUR.COM WEBSITE
Ian Poulter said today the knee injury that forced him to withdraw from this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans was the result of too much basketball last week at his Orlando home.
In a text message, Poulter said he overloaded the knee while playing basketball in his driveway and there was fluid in the knee for "a few days." Poulter was set to have an MRI on the knee Thursday afternoon, but he did say he expects to be ready to compete in the Players' Championship in two weeks.
Poulter tied for 10th at the Masters two weeks ago after sharing the 36-hole lead with countryman Lee Westwood. The Englishman won the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in February for his first career US PGA Tour title and was slated to play in the Zurich Classic for the fourth time.
Steve Stricker, No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking, also pulled out of the event with a right shoulder injury.
Mark Hensby and Billy Mayfair have replaced Poulter and Stricker in the field.
Stricker, who won at the Northern Trust Open in February, snaps an 11-year streak of playing in New Orleans. His best finish was a tie for fourth in 2000.

WIND OF CHANGE BLOWS ROSS KELLETT

INTO THE FIELD FOR EDWARD TROPHY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
The Edward Trophy, this weekend's 72-hole SGU Order of Merit tournament at Glasgow Gailes Golf Club, has not escaped the turmoil caused by the volcanic ash saga.
But, it’s an ill wind that blows nobody no good and Motherwell’s Ross Kellett, the highest-ranked home-based Scot in the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings, is one of nine late entries to the field for this prestigious event.
Kellett, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, should have been in India this week playing for Europe against the Pacific in the Bonallack Trophy match but that was cancelled for obvious reasons.
Believing he would be in Bangalore at the time, the Colville Park man, No 49 in the world rankings this week – second only to Arizona University student James Byrne (Banchory), did not submit an entry for the Edward Trophy.
But, with his circumstances changed, Kellett made inquiries with the Glasgow Golf Club organisers and they were delighted to be able to add such a star player to their revised field.
Nine players have had to drop out, because like British Airways planes and crews, they are not in the geographical position they should be, i.e. in Scotland – Michael Smith (Royal Troon), Myles Cunningham (Craigielaw), Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn), Patricio Salem (Peru), James White (Lundin), Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs), Reeve Whitson (Mourne), Euan McIntosh (Newmachar) and Garry Duncan (Carnoustie Caledonia).
Along with Kellett, the following have been drafted in as replacements – Stephen Rennie (Drumpellier), Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), Fraser Campbell (Milngavie), John Laurie (Cowglen), Ben Sloan (Cathkin Braes), Liam McGowan (St Andrews New), Scottish boys’ champion Grant Forrest (Craigielaw) and Iain Galbraith (Murcar Links).
Last year’s event was reduced to 54 holes after a lightning storm hold-up meant there was no time left to play a fourth round. Paul O’Hara beat James White in a play-off for the title. O’Hara is now a rookie professional while White is one of those forced to withdraw.
Kellett finished third last year and will start favourite to earn the £500 voucher and silver medal on Sunday.
But could this be the year of the underdog? Ross Bell (Downfield), R&A WAGR No 1297, won the Scottish champion of champions’ title at Leven three weeks ago, while Michael Clark (Kilmacolm), R&A WAGR No 1176, was the runaway, five-shot winner of the Craigmillar Park Open two weekends ago.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE REVISED EDWARD TROPHY DRAW

Tiger tells US Tour officials early: He will play at Sawgrass

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By OLIVER BROWN
Tiger Woods signalled an enhanced respect for his sport on Wednesday when he gave US PGA Tour officials early notice of his intention to compete in the Players Championship at Sawgrass, Florida, in three weeks.
It looks increasingly likely that Woods will adhere to a relatively normal schedule on his return from his sex scandal, despite a looming divorce battle with wife Elin Nordegren.
It also appears that Woods and his management recognise that tournaments need more than just a few days to handle the heightened demand for tickets and security that attends his appearances.
--------------------------------
Links to other stories:
Tiger Woods' Ryder Cup warning
Tiger Woods 'to divorce soon'
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The world No 1's decision to contest the 'Players' is scant surprise, given the favours he owes Tim Finchem, the tour commissioner and event's host, for tolerating his self-imposed five-month absence and for the use of the Sawgrass clubhouse in February to stage a televised apology.
But his advance warning on Wednesday was most un-Woods-like, and marked the third time in as many events that he had shown such humility.
He acted similarly in committing to the Masters and to next week's Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina; it used to be that he would wait until the tour's deadline of 5pm on the preceding Friday before deigning to let organisers know.
Woods has won the unofficial 'fifth major' only once, in 2001. Should he follow his normal routine, he will play only one other event, Jack Nicklaus's Memorial tournament in Ohio, and then take a week off before the US Open at Pebble Beach in June.
Woods has also confirmed his participation in the AT&T National, which benefits his foundation, in early July.

EDWARD TROPHY REVISED DRAW
Glasgow Golf Club's Gailes Course, 72 holes.

DRAW FOR SATURDAY'S FIRST TWO ROUNDS
1 7.00 11.45
Keith Hamilton Ayr Belleisle +2.9
Kevin Smyth Windyhill +1.6
Ben Sloan Cathkin Braes +0.6
2 7.10 12.55
Alexander Culverwell Dunbar +1.0
Mark Hillson Craigielaw +2.1
Mark Bookless Sandyhills +3.1
3 7.20 12.05
Ian Redford New Club St Andrews +0.6
Jamie MacKay Kilmarnock Barassie +1.2
Nicky Gold Bonnyton +0.6
4 7.30 12.15
Michael Daily Erskine +1.5
Conor O’Neil Pollok +1.9
Graham Robertson Silverknowes +0.7
5 7.40 12.25
Liam McGowan St Andrews New +0.7
Chris Harkins Ayr Belleisle +2.9
Steven McEwan Caprington +2.8
6 7.50 12.35
Ross Kellett Colville Park +2.5
Adam Dunton Ellon +1.7
Ross Bell Downfield +2.6
7 8.00 12.45
Andrew Campbell Dunbarton +1.1
Garry Price Paisley +2.0
Aaron Sweeney Carnoustie +2.6
8 8.10 12.55
Brian Soutar Leven +2.5
Allyn Dick Kingsknowe +1.6
David Addison Kilmarnock Barassie +1.7
9 8.20 1.05
Daniel Sommerville St Andrews Golf Club +1.7
Ross Crowe Westerhope +1.6
Kris Nicol Fraserburgh +3.0
10 8.30 1.15
Bobby Rushford Grangemouth +1.7
David Law Hazlehead +1.4
David Booth Rotherham +2.1
11 8.40 1.25
Michael Grunwell Powfoot +2.5
Graeme Gorrie Glasgow +0.8
Craig Watson East Renfrewshire +.2.1
12 8.50 1.35
Grant Forrest Craigielaw +0.8
Jordan Findlay Fraserburgh +2.2
Iain Galbraith Murcar Links +0.6
13 9.00 1.45
Chris Lawton Falkirk Tryst +0.8
Greg Paterson St Andrews New +2.4
Scott Borrowman Dollar +1.1
14 9.10 1.55
Matthew Clark Kilmacolm +2.9
Jonathan King Glasgow +2.7
Glenn Campbell Blairgowrie +3.3
15 9.20 2.05
Kristophe McClure Clydebank & District +0.8
John Duff Newmachar +1.2
David Simpson Crieff +0.9
16 9.30 2.15
David Gallagher Glasgow +0.3
Stephen Rennie Drumpellier +0.4
Patrick Spraggs Stowmarket +1.9
17 9.40 2.25
Michael Buchan Cruden Bay +1.4
Sam Binning Ranfurly Castle +1.0
Graeme Robertson Glenbervie +0.6
18 9.50 2.35
Andrew Wallace Glenbervie +1.8
Philip McLean Peterhead +3.5
Paul Betty Hayston +1.2
19 10.00 2.45
Fraser Campbell Milngavie +0.6
Scott Larkin Banchory +1.9
Paul Shields Kirkhill +1.0
20 10.10 2.55
Robert Jenkins Crow Wood +2.0
John Laurie Cowglen +0.3
Gordon Yates Hilton Park +1.5
21 10.20 3.05
Anthony Bewes Murcar Links +2.3
James Whitelaw Mouse Valley +2.3
William Bremner Edzell +0.8
22 10.30 3.15
Sean McGarvey Glencorse +1.4
Ed Wood Crow Wood +1.3
Michael Campbell Renfrew +0.8
23 10.40 3.25
Fraser McKenna Balmore +2.0
Kit Holmes Hunstanton +0.6
James Hendrick Pollok +0.8
24 10.50 3.35
Colin Thomson East Renfrewshire +1.5
Clark Riddick Southerness +0.9
Colin Baird Bothwell Castle +0.8

Aussie Fraser leads weather-hit

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Ballantine's Championship

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NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Jeju Island, South Korea: Australia’s Marcus Fraser fired an opening seven-under-par 65 to take the clubhouse lead at the weather-interrupted Ballantine’s Championship today.
Fraser posted a blemish-free round for a single-shot lead over England’s Mark Foster who carded a 66 to take second place at the €2.2 million (approximately US$2.9 million) showpiece that is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and the Korea PGA.
Korea’s Ted Oh returned with a 67 in near darkness to take a share of third place alongside Australia’s Rick Kulacz and Wales’ Jamie Donaldson who are at five-under-par through 17 and 16 holes respectively.
Singapore’s Mardan Mamat posted a 68 to lie in equal eighth together with Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng, Ernie Els of South Africa and American Anthony Kim.

The early starters only managed to play through six holes until play was suspended for close to five hours due to heavy fog that marred visibility at the Pinx Golf Club.
When play finally resumed in the afternoon, Fraser who marked his card with three birdies in his opening four holes, added another two on holes eight and nine to make the turn in 31.
The Australian continued to post another two more birdies on holes 10 and 13 to storm home in 65.
“It was just one of those days where I felt like I did a lot of things right, and managed to make a few putts when I had to. It's nice when the round turns out that way and would be even nicer if you can play like that all the time,” said Fraser.
Oh who is searching for his maiden win on the Asian Tour mixed three birdies, a bogey and an eagle two on the par-four sixth to put him in contention for his career breakthrough.
“I’m playing well. I was playing good all year long but I was struggling on the greens, and then last week, I started putting well and I think that's why I'm scoring better,” said Oh who also credits the presence of his family for his good play.
“I’ve a lot of family with me this week, so I kept myself busy talking to them. If I were to be in somewhere else, I would be just waiting by myself which is kind of hard,” added the California-based Korean on his five-hour long wait at the clubhouse.
Prayad, a six-time Asian Tour winner opened his Korean campaign strongly with four birdies in his opening five holes. The Thai then posted another birdie on the 10th but dropped a shot on the 14th for his lone bogey of the day.
“Apart from my lone bogey on the 14th hole, I think I did quite well with five birdies. I’m looking forward to the second round,” said Prayad who is seeking to end a three-year title drought on the Asian Tour.
“The long wait was okay. Delays happen in golf and it’s a good time for you to reflect and plan your strategy when play resumes,” added the Thai.
Meanwhile Mardan also got his opening round off to a good start with successive birdies in his opening four holes.
The Singaporean dropped a shot on the par-four seventh but quickly recovered with another birdie on the ninth to reach the turn in 32.
Mardan then went on to mix two bogeys against two birdies in his inward-nine
“I started very well with four birdies in a row. I think that really kept me going. The delay affected me a little bit as I wanted to continue playing but overall I’m pleased with how I’ve started,” said Mardan who enjoyed a top-10 finish at the Pinx Golf Club last year.
Play was abandoned at 6.45pm due to darkness. Only a total of 36 players managed to complete their opening rounds while the rest of the field due to resume at 7am on Friday.
COMPLETED ROUNDS SO FAR

Par 72

The first round play has been abandoned for the day due to fading light. There are still 40 groups still to complete
65 Marcus Fraser (Aus)
66 Mark Foster
67 Ted Oh (Kor)
68 Peter Hanson (Swe), Anthony Kim (USA), Ernie Els (Rsa), Prayad Marksaeng (Tha), Oliver Fisher, Mardan Mamat (Sin)
69 Anthony Wall, Felipe Aguilar (Chi), Wen-chong Liang (Chn), Henrik Stenson (Swe), Pablo Larrazabal (Spa)
70 Scott Hend (Aus), Ryuichi Oda (Jpn), Richard Finch, Yih-shin Chan (Tpe), Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha), Chapchai Nirat (Tha), Pablo Martin (Spa)
71 Richard Bland, Hyun-bin Park (Kor), Dong-kyu Jang (Kor), David Howell, Anthony Kang (USA), Stephen Gallacher, Ariel Canete (Arg), Angelo Que (Phi)
73 Joon-eob Son (Kor), Chinnarat Phadungsil (Tha), Hyun-woo Ryu (Kor)
74 Graeme McDowell, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa)
75 In-sik Choi (Kor)
78 Chih-bing Lam (Sin)

Stephen Gallacher's tough task

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as medical exemption runs out

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FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE

By NICK RODGER

Stephen Gallacher will need to produce his best result in four years at this week's Ballantine's Championship in Korea to take full advantage of his medical exemption and safeguard his European Tour card.
The 35-year-old's 2009 season was curtailed by a debilitating viral infection and he was handed a 10-event exemption for the early part of the current campaign to make up the financial shortfall and retain his playing rights for next year.

The Ballantine's Championship, which starts today on Jeju Island, is the final event of that exemption and former Dunhill Links champion Gallacher, who has made his last six cuts, is currently 125,467 Euros short of the 250,786 Euros total he needs to amass.

A top-three finish this weekend would be enough for the Scot but he has not achieved a result like that since he was tied second in the 2006 British Masters.

Should Gallacher fail in his Far East quest, the former Walker Cup player can still fall back on the lesser tour card he earned by finishing third in December's qualifying school final.

Gallacher is joined in the Korean field this week by fellow Scots David Drysdale, Marc Warren, Alastair Forsyth and Peter Whiteford while Ernie Els, Anthony Kim and last week's Volvo China Open winner YE Yang also compete.