US TOUR REPORT, SCORES

Tiger toils over closing holes in ATandT National

Tiger Woods is seven shots off the lead after a poor finish to his first round at the ATandT National in Pennsylvania.
India’s Arjun Atwal, Australia’s Jason Day and Americans Nick Watney and Joe Ogilvie are tied for the lead after opening with rounds of four-under par 66 at the Aronimink Golf Club.
Woods, winless in five US PGA Tour events this year since returning to golf after an almost five-month hiatus, was one-under through 13 holes before stumbling and finishing with a 73.
He bogeyed the 218yd par-3 14th hole and dropped another shot at the par-5 16th.
Woods double-bogeyed the short 17th after his tee shot rolled back off the green and into a pond.
FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 70
Total prizefund: $6.2million. Winner's prise: $1,116,000.
Players from US unless stated
66 Arjun Atwal (India), Joe Ogilvie, Jason Day (Australia), Nick Watney.
67 John Mallinger, Brian Gay, Michael Letzig, Brett Quigley, Ryan Moore, Carl Pettersson (Sweden).
68 Tim Herron, Tom Gullis, Ryuji Imada (Japan), Steve Marino, Scott McCarron, Bob Estes, Jeff Overton, Billy Mayfair.
69 Bryce Molder, Kris Blanks, Charley Hoffman, Ted Purdy, Greg Owen (England), Tom Pernice junior, Derek Lamely, Aaron Baddeley (Australia), Charlie Wi (South Korea), Daniel Chopra (Sweden), Jim Furyk, Justin Rose (England), Roland Thatcher, Bo Van Pelt, Troy Merritt, Rickie Fowler
70 Brendon De Jonge (South Africa), Chris Riley, Vaughn Taylor, Graham De Laet (Canada), Jason Dufner, David Toms, Ricky Barnes, J.B. Holmes, J J Henry, Robert Allenby (Australia), Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden), Paul Goydos, Jonathan Byrd, Briny Baird
71 Charles Howell III, Ben Crane, Vijay Singh (Fiji), Nathan Green (Australia), Justin Leonard, Sean O'Hair, Marc Leishman (Australia), Jimmy Walker, Stuart Appleby (Australia), Chris Stroud, Lucas Glover, Garrett Willis, Dustin Johnson, George McNeill, Andres Romero (Argentina), Scott Verplank, Brandt Snedeker, Rocco Mediate
72 Spencer Levin, John Merrick, Chris DiMarco, Greg Chalmers (Australia), Matt Bettencourt, Blake Adams, Matthew Jones (Australia), Alex Prugh, Webb Simpson, Richard S Johnson (Sweden), Cameron Beckman, Tim Petrovic, Troy Matteson, Nicholas Thompson
73 Brian Davis (Eng), Tiger Woods, Rodney Pampling (Australia), Robert Garrigus, John Senden (Australia), Lee Janzen, James Driscoll, Steve Elkington (Australia), Mark Wilson, Chad Collins, Matthew Every, Josh Teater
74 Jerry Kelly, Pat Perez, Bill Lunde, Jeff Quinney, Kevin Sutherland, Alex Cejka (Germany), D.A. Points, Jarrod Lyle (Australia), Michael Allen, D J Trahan
75 Kevin Stadler, Jeff Maggert, Mathew Goggin (Australia), Notah Begay III, Chris Couch, James Nitties (Australia), Shaun Micheel, Y E Yang (South Korea)
76 Chris Tidland, Boo Weekley, J P Hayes
77 Joe Durant, Matt Hill, Michael Connell
78 Byeong-Hun An (South Korea), Davis Love III, Scott Piercy
WD: Kevin Streelman 78

ALPS TOUR AND SCORES

 Matthew Cryer leads with a 10-under 62 in Austria

FROM THE ALPS TOUR WEBSITE
Englishman Matthew Cryer fired an astonishing 62, 10 under par, to lead by two shots from compatriot Jason Barnes in the Haugschlag Open, Austria today. It is not Cryer's best round ever played. He shot 60, 13 under par, as an  amateur !
Matthew Cryer, 35 years old, has been playing as a professional for only two years. He studied geology for four years at St Andrews University in the mid-1990s, gained  17 England caps at men's level as amateur, a European mid-amateur title, then a first win as professional last October.
“I started the day with a kind of good rhythm. I quickly had a good feeling on the speed of the green and it was one of those days when you look at the green and you see the line. I never holed a long putt all day but many from five to one metre.
"I tried not to think about the score. My goal is to be in top six on the Alps Tour order of merit by mid-August. I really want to avoid the “war” of the first stage of qualifying school...”
After a couple of weeks, for once (except Matthew Cryer), no famous names on the top of the leaderboard. Lukas Tintera from Czech Republic signed for a great 66 to be alone on third step of the podium. Then one stroke back, a group of three players are tied for fourth place : Austrians Georg Schultes and Leo Astl and Czech Lukas Lizanek.
The projected cut after tomorrow's second round is level par.
Agathe Séron

HUME (68) AND DEAR (74) HAVE DIFFERENT TARGETS TOMORROW

SCOTSWATCH: Perthshire pals Steven Hume and Gavin Dear had contrasting fortunes. Steven is lying joint seventh on four-under 68 with a useful round of birdies at the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, 13th and 15th in halves of 32 (four under par) and 36 (level). He had bogeys at the second, 11th and 14th. On the other hand, Dear has a fight on his hands to beat the 36-hole cut after a 74 which left him sharing 58th place. Gavin had double bogey 6s at the second and the 17th in halves of 38 and 36. He also had birides at the fifth,  13th and 15th and single bogeys at the first, seventh and ninth.

LEADING FIRST-ROND SCORES
Par 72
62 M Cryer (England).
64 J Barnes (England).
66 L Tintera (Czech Republic).
67 G Schultes (Austria), Leo Astl (Austria), L Lizanck (Czech Republic).
68 P Nic (Czech Repbulic), Steven Hume (Scotland), L Fenoglio (Italy) amateur, C Balmaseda (Spain), J Palmer (England).
Selected scores:
69 A Hodkinson (England), J Kelly (England) (jt 13th).
70 S Robinson England) (jt 24th).
72 F Keenan (jt 40th).
74 Gavin Dear Scotland) (jt 58th).
75 R Kilpatrick (Northern Ireland (jt 68th).
79 Lewis Pattullo (England) (jt 85th).
Retired: Neil Chaudhuri.

EUROPEAN TOUR REPORT, SCORES

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Robert Jan-Derksen carded an eight under par 63 to lead the Alstom Open de France by three shots after the opening round today.
And 11 years on from the week - indeed the hole - which wrote him into golf history, Jean Van de Velde began just his second event of the year with a five under par 66 to be in a share for second place.
If he now goes on to win the title on Sunday, 44 year old Van de Velde, no longer a European Tour card holder, will be playing in The Open Championship at St Andrews in two weeks rather than commentating on it.
But, as the World Number 1,175 confesses, that is a big "if."
With Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter both being passed fit to play following their leg problems - they shot 70 and 72 respectively - Van de Velde will have to beat five of the world's top 11.
The fifth of those is German Martin Kaymer and the defending champion also began with a 66, as did Spain’s Alejandro Cañizares who completed a three-way tie for second on five under.
But in the last group of the day former Dubai Desert Classic winner Derksen charged through the back nine in a five under 30 and picked up further shots on the first, sixth and long closing ninth.
“It was great, starting out it's never too easy,” said the Dutchman. “I birdied 11 and made a very good par on 13, that was important, and birdied most of the holes coming in. Difficult holes, but played them very well.
“I hit fairways and hit them very close. I hit it to about a foot on the far side, 14, and I hit it about five foot on 15, four foot on 16, and 18 probably 15 feet or something. Then the rest of the round, I picked up another few on my back nine. Didn't make any mistakes and played good, gave myself chances and made a few putts.
“I've been playing really good actually. At the start it was very difficult - I didn't have the confidence and now I do have the confidence. If I can keep this up I can definitely be in contention.”
Van de Velde, who needed a sponsor's invitation to be part of the field, added: "I have no expectations whatsoever, even now. Especially now.
"But we will see - you never know with a Frenchman."
He proved that at Carnoustie, of course. Three ahead standing on the final tee Van de Velde suffered perhaps the most famous triple bogey ever and then lost the play-off to Paul Lawrie.
This event has also given him his heartache. He tied with compatriot Jean-Francois Remesy five years ago after once more finding water on the last again and then did it again when they went into sudden death.
"There are two tournaments I would like to play all my life if I could - the French Open and the British Open. I have a few scars and some have not healed, but those are the two that have a special place."
Westwood and Poulter both dropped two late shots, but were relieved to be playing after they were forced to sit out the eve-of-tournament pro-am.
"It's a bit sore and stiff and I think I have an injury in there somewhere," he said. "I think it wants rest and I have a couple of weeks after The Open when I can put my feet up."
Poulter had suffered a reaction to an insect bite on his shin and was given anti-biotics.
After three-putting the 16th and 18th he commented: "I got round all right, but it's been itching the whole day and driving me crazy."
FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 71
63 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned)
66 Jean Van de Velde (Fra), Alejandro Canizares (Spa), Martin Kaymer (Ger)
67 Danny Lee (Nzl), Robert Rock, Marcel Siem (Ger), Scott Strange (Aus), Jyoti Randhawa (Ind)
68 Hennie Otto (Rsa), Damien McGrane, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Oliver Wilson, Soren Hansen (Den), Andrew Dodt (Aus), Paul Broadhurst, Peter Hanson (Swe), Rory McIlroy, Gregory Bourdy (Fra)
69 Christian Cevaer (Fra), Francesco Molinari (Ita), Steve Webster, Peter Whiteford, Martin Erlandsson (Swe), Adam Scott (Aus), Pablo Larrazabal (Spa), Felipe Aguilar (Chi), Michael Hoey, Marcus Fraser (Aus)
70 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Chris Wood, Shiv Kapur (Ind), David Horsey, Peter Hedblom (Swe), Mark Brown (Nzl), Alvaro Quiros (Spa), Graeme Storm, Alexander Noren (Swe), Luke Donald, Philip Golding, Lee Westwood, Edoardo Molinari (Ita)
71 Soren Kjeldsen (Den), Anders Hansen (Den), Ross Fisher, James Kingston (Rsa), Matteo Manassero (Ita), Peter Lawrie, Tommy Fleetwood, Alastair Forsyth, Gregory Havret (Fra), Richie Ramsay, Paul Waring, Richard McEvoy, Rhys Davies, Brett Rumford (Aus), Richard Finch, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Fabrizio Zanotti (Par), Tano Goya (Arg), Ariel Canete (Arg), James Kamte (Rsa), Peter O'Malley (Aus)
72 Seung-yul Noh (Kor), Danny Willett, Rafael Echenique (Arg), Thongchai Jaidee (Tha), Jose Manuel Lara (Spa), Stephen Dodd, Thomas Bjorn (Den), Simon Thornton, Benjamin Hebert (Fra), Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra), Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), Phillip Price, Nick Dougherty, Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel), Angel Cabrera (Arg), Julien Quesne (Fra), Paul Lawrie, Jamie Donaldson, Ian Poulter, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra)
73 Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Joost Luiten (Ned), Geoff Ogilvy (Aus), Kenneth Ferrie, Jose-Filipe Lima (Por), Gary Boyd, Shane Lowry, Markus Brier (Aut), Francois Calmels (Fra), Sam Little, Martin Wiegele (Aut), Richard Bland, Jeppe Huldahl (Den), Daniel Gaunt (Aus), Colin Montgomerie, David Howell, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind), David Lynn, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra), Stephen Gallacher, Richard Green (Aus), Barry Lane
74 Federico Cabrera (Arg), Francois Delamontagne (Fra), Gareth Maybin, Heath Slocum (USA), Johan Edfors (Swe), Anthony Wall, Romain Wattel (Fra), Julien Xanthopoulos (Fra), Michael Jonzon (Swe), Jean-Francois Remesy (Fra), Ignacio Garrido (Spa), Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa), Bradley Dredge
75 Mikael Lundberg (Swe), Andrew Butterfield, Michael Campbell (Nzl), Maarten Lafeber (Ned), Victor Dubuisson (Fra), Darren Clarke, Callum Macaulay, David Drysdale, Miguel Angel Martin (Spa), Niclas Fasth (Swe), Paul McGinley
76 Raphael Eyraud (Fra), Mikel Galdos (Spa), Mark Tullo (Chi), James Morrison, Anthony Kang (USA), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Marcus Both (Aus), Rick Kulacz (Aus), David Dixon, Mark Foster, Pablo Martin (Spa)
77 Robert Coles, Julien Guerrier (Fra), Scott Drummond, Steven O'Hara
78 Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg), Daniel Vancsik (Arg), John Parry, Marc Warren, Ty Tryon (USA), Simon Dyson
80 Thomas Levet (Fra)
81 Bruno-Teva Lecuona (Fra)
82 Gary Lockerbie, Jose-Maria Olazabal (Spa)
WD: Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Chapchai Nirat (Tha)

MacDonald and Millar Hit the Front at Scottish Seniors

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
By ROSS DUNCAN
Berwick-upon-Tweed’s Dave Millar and Dunfermline’s former Walker Cup player Scott MacDonald are joint leaders going into Friday’s final round after day two of the Scottish Seniors Open Amateur Championship at Pollok.
Both men followed up their opening rounds of 70 with one-over par scores of 72 to sit tied at the top on level par for the championship. McDonald had a mixed bag of five birdies cancelled out by six bogeys, including a dropped shot at the penultimate hole, while Millar picked up two shots on the more difficult back nine, only to drop a shot at the 17th to fall back to level par.
The duo lead by a shot from Royal North Devon’s Michael Wigley, who fired a joint best of the day three-under round of 68 to sit on 143. Wigley reeled off nine consecutive pars on the front nine, before a birdie on the 11th brought him back to three-over for the tournament. A hatrick of birdies followed from the 15th and despite a bogey at the last, the Englishman is well poised to challenge on the final day.
The English pairing of Glen McBryde (Stone) and Dave Jessup (Rochester & Cobham Park) are a further shot back on two-over par, after MacBryde matched Wigley’s 68, with a quartet of senior golfers menacingly poised on three-over par, including Turnhouse ace Lindsay Gordon.
Among the pre-championship favourites, Ian Hutcheon and defending champion David Lane survived the halfway cut, but at seven shots back on seven-over par, they will hard pushed to challenge for a fourth title each.
SECOND ROUND TOTALS
Par 142 (2x72)
T1 MILLAR, Dave Berwick-upon-Tweed 70 72 Par
T1 MACDONALD, Scott (65+) Dunfermline 70 72 Par
3 WIGLEY, Michael Royal North Devon 75 68 +1
T4 MACBRYDE, Glen Stone 76 68 +2
T4 JESSUP, Dave Rochester & Cobham Park 71 73 +2
T6 ARNOLD, Douglas Copthorne 75 70 +3
T6 STRACEY, Andrew Littlestone 72 73 +3
T6 GORDON, Lindsay Turnhouse 71 74 +3
T6 BALDWIN, John (65+) Sunningdale 71 74 +3
T10 SLATER, Philip Sandiway 72 74 +4
T10 MILLER, Derek Murrayfield 72 74 +4
T10 STAFFORD, Tony Dun Ochil 72 74 +4
T10 KINLOCH, James Cardross 71 75 +4
T10 TAYLOR, Ian Royal Burgess 70 76 +4
T15 WATT, Jim Edzell 76 71 +5
T15 ERSKINE, William Kilsyth Lennox 75 72 +5
T15 STEWART, Iain Curragh 74 73 +5
T15 JERMINE, John (65+) Sunningdale 72 75 +5
T15 MARKS, Jonathan (65+) Woodbridge 71 76 +5
T15 KING, Geoff (65+) West Essex 70 77 +5
T21 MILLER, David Kilmarnock (Barassie) 76 72 +6
T21 POND, Stuart Worksop 74 74 +6
T23 WHYMARK, Stephen Woodbridge 78 71 +7
T23 PAYNE, George Prestbury 76 73 +7
T23 REES, Glyn Fleetwood 76 73 +7
T23 GRIEVE, Brian (65+) King James VI 76 73 +7
T23 PATERSON, George Northern 75 74 +7
T23 LANE, David (65+) Goring & Streatley 75 74 +7
T23 MITCHELL, Billy Effingham 73 76 +7
T23 JOHNSTON, John Lanark 73 76 +7
T23 HUTCHEON, Ian (65+) Monifieth 72 77 +7
T32 MACINTYRE, Bill Harpenden 78 72 +8
T32 HALL, Duncan Whitecraigs 77 73 +8
T32 GROUNDS, Aidan Falkirk Tryst 75 75 +8
T32 GRIFFITHS, Basil Llanymynech 73 77 +8
T32 SMETHURST, Roy (65+) Crewe 73 77 +8
T32 EDGAR, Bob Blackpool North Shore 73 77 +8
T32 TEMPLE, Martyn (65+) United States 72 78 +8
T32 CHRISTY, Colin Kilmacolm 71 79 +8
T32 DONKERSLEY, Adrian Gerrards Cross 70 80 +8
MISSED THE CUT
AMAN, Jalil Grangemouth 78 73 +9
MACLEAN, Ronald Hamilton 77 74 +9
JAMIESON, Peter Cathkin Braes 74 77 +9
CRELLIN, Paul Prenton 74 77 +9
LIRONI, Mark (65+) Cathkin Braes 74 77 +9
BROWN, Terence Stand 73 78 +9
FULLER, Gordon Ralston 71 80 +9
DICKSON, Ian Lundin 77 75 +10
FRASER, John Royal Burgess 76 76 +10
JOHNSTON, James Northumberland 76 76 +10
CAMERON, Norman Porters Park 73 79 +10
HALCROW, Colin Windyhill 72 80 +10
CAMERON, Allan Gourock 81 72 +11
MARTIN, Denis Newbiggin 79 74 +11
MACNAUGHT, Alan Colchester 78 75 +11
TAYLOR, Alastair Turnhouse 78 75 +11
MACDONALD, Gordon Callander 76 77 +11
RUSSELL, Kenneth Wigtown and Bladnoch 76 77 +11
CAMPBELL, Ian Kinross 76 77 +11
PAULEY, Ray Woodhall Spa 74 79 +11
MORTON, Wilson Dunbar 80 74 +12
MCCART, Donald Sherwood Forest 78 76 +12
THOMSON, Kenneth Bramall Park 77 77 +12
SMALE, Sam Royal St George's 76 78 +12
BRADY, Scott Burntisland 76 78 +12
DOUGLAS, Marshall (65+) Thornhill 75 79 +12
LYNCH, Sean (65+) Minchinhampton 74 80 +12
MCLELLAN, Ron Turnberry 73 81 +12
STEWART, Robert Tulliallan 79 76 +13
BREWER, Ashley Denham 77 78 +13
JOHNSTON, John W Royal Aberdeen 77 78 +13
BOOBIS, Gerry Ravelston 76 79 +13
GRAY, Richard Cowglen 75 80 +13
MCDONALD, John Cowglen 75 80 +13
ELDER, Allan Kirkcaldy 75 80 +13
GRAHAM, Gordon Irvine 80 76 +14
MURPHY, Derek Kinross 80 76 +14
BAX, Peter Mid-Herts 79 77 +14
MILLAR, David (65+) St Andrews New 79 77 +14
WALKER, Robert Crewe 78 78 +14
MACDONALD, Robert Bruntsfield Links 78 78 +14
FIDDES, Alistair Deeside 76 80 +14
LAIRD, Andrew (65+) Deeside 75 81 +14
SMITH, David (65+) Stirling 74 82 +14
JENKINS, Michael Duff House Royal 82 75 +15
HUMBLE, Bob Kilspindie 80 77 +15
KINNIBURGH, Hugh Lanark 80 77 +15
GILL, Robert Gerrards Cross 78 79 +15
CUMMING, Ian Eastwood 78 79 +15
THOMSON, Gordon Bearsden 73 84 +15
KIRWAN, Joe Bramhall 75 83 +16
KINLOCH, Peter Cardross 83 76 +17
BENNETT, Trevor (65+) Great Barr 82 77 +17
MCINTYRE, John (65+) Lundin 80 79 +17
WILSON, James Frilford Heath 79 80 +17
BROWN, William Strathaven 79 80 +17
JORDAN, Robert United States 82 78 +18
CAMPBELL, Andrew Kinross 79 81 +18
RITCHIE, Alex Bothwell Castle 79 81 +18
QUINN, Sandy (65+) Stirling 78 82 +18
BRODIE, Andrew Glasgow 81 80 +19
MCQUADE, Denis Glenbervie 81 80 +19
BANNERMAN, Stewart (65+) Glasgow 80 81 +19
FRANKLIN, Geoffrey Beaconsfield 80 82 +20
MCNALLY, Thomas Williamwood 79 83 +20
RUSSELL, John United States 77 85 +20
MASON, Ian Royal Cinque Ports 77 85 +20
DOODSON, David (65+) Temple 75 87 +20
WRIGHT, Alastair Goring & Streatley 78 85 +21
GORRIE, William Glasgow 77 86 +21
LANG, John Bruntsfield Links 80 84 +22
CHRISTIE, Brian Wilton 86 79 +23
FRY, Graham Westgate & Birchington 81 84 +23
STEEL, Graham (65+) Moor Park 81 84 +23
CARSON, Tom Lockerbie 81 84 +23
PATON, James Kirkintilloch 79 86 +23
NELSON, David (65+) Aboyne 87 79 +24
ADDIS, Philip Parkstone 83 83 +24
BOYD, Peter Fereneze 82 84 +24
BROADFOOT, John Turnberry 80 87 +25
WALLACE, William (65+) Strathaven 79 88 +25
GILCHRIST, Tom Western Gailes 85 85 +28
WD NAIRN, Robbie Lochmaben WD
WD FORBES, Duncan (65+) Sonning WD
WD RODAKS, George Moffat WD
WD TOMISSON, Patrick Nairn WD
WD MOIR, Colin (65+) Worksop WD
RTD ELLIS, Stephen Innellan 85 RTD
RTD STEWART, Charles (65+) Moray 88 RTD
NR LINDSAY, Donald Windyhill 79 +10 NR

+SCOREBOARD FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE

Monty to name his Ryder Cup vice-captains on July 20

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
European captain Colin Montgomerie is to name his Ryder Cup vice-captains on July 20.
Ireland's Paul McGinley, Europe's match-winner at The Belfry in 2002 and a member of three winning sides, and Dane Thomas Bjorn, who assisted Bernhard Langer in the nine-point victory in Detroit in 2004, are expected to be among them.
But whether Jose Maria Olazabal is a third looks far less likely. The double Masters champion, who is this week playing his first event since October because of continuing trouble with rheumatism, has expressed doubts about continuing the role he had under Nick Faldo two years ago.
Montgomerie, who said he planned to speak to Olazabal and others during the week, has waited this long to name his deputies because he did not want any of them accepting and then resigning to try to force their way into the side, as happened with McGinley three years ago.
Bjorn won the Portuguese Open three weeks ago but like McGinley, who had knee surgery at the end of last year, is still way outside an automatic qualifying spot.

CHALLENGE TOUR REPORT, SCORES

Ulstermen Caldwell, Shaw share room and top-three limelight

By SARAH GWYNN
European Tour Press Officer
Ulsterman Jonathan Caldwell established a one-shot lead at the end of the first round of the Challenge Tour's Princess tournament after carding a flawless seven under par 64 at Båstad Golf Club in southern Sweden.
Caldwell had seven birdies to establish a slender lead over Swede Oscar Floren, while his fellow Ulsterman and room-mate Gareth Shaw is two shots behind after a five under par 66.
A group of six players are another shot back at four under – Englishman Oliver Whiteley, Spaniard Carlos Del Moral, American Christopher Baker and Swedes Alexander Bjork, Felix Fihn and Peter Gustafsson.
Caldwell, 26, who had four birdies on the front nine and three on the back, said: “I’m feeling very good and played nicely. Seven birdies and no bogeys is always pleasing. I hit it reasonably close and holed some good putts. I holed one from about 40 feet on the ninth but the rest were mostly around ten feet away and solid putts.
“I’ve been playing pretty well the last two or three weeks and had a good finish in the Moroccan Golf Classic, where I finished seventh after a very good third round. I’ve just got to keep the big numbers off the card, which has sometimes been a struggle this year.”
Floren felt the benefits of playing in his home country and is delighted to be in early contention for his first Challenge Tour win.
“It was a great start,” he said. “It was really solid golf. I’ve had my coaches here the last couple of days which was good as I’ve been a bit frustrated with my game recently, so it was good to put a few things right and turn it around.
“I’m from a town about two hours north of here and it’s really nice to be playing in Sweden. My coaches haven’t seen me play very much in the last few years so it’s great to be able to have them here and get their feedback.”
Shaw was delighted with his five under par 66 and said the atmosphere in his and Caldwell’s hotel room this evening would be upbeat.
“I didn’t putt that well, which is surprising for a score of 66,” he said. “I birdied the eighth, my penultimate hole, which was nice. I gave myself a lot of chances and it’s a great way to start – I’m very happy. Jonathan and I are sharing a room this week and after his 64 there’ll be some good positive vibes tonight.
“My game’s coming on nicely and I’m starting to see some much better shots in practice which is key for me and gives me a lot of confidence.
“I’ve been working hard with my coach at home and it’s just a question of staying patient. It’s only halfway through the year and I’m a long way down the Challenge Tour Rankings so it’d be nice to finally get up there in contention.”
Del Moral arrived in Sweden hours before he was due to tee off, but started with three consecutive birdies, and only a double bogey at the last prevented him from being further up the leaderboard.
He said: “I arrived at 1am this morning and had an early start at 8.20am so it was a tough start but I began with three straight birdies – it didn’t feel very good but somehow it happened. I had a lot of ups and downs in the round today with many bogeys so hopefully I can have some more pars.
“I didn’t know the golf course before today so it’s turned out great as a practice round. It’s promising for the next three rounds. I’m a little bit disappointed about not concentrating well enough on the 18th, but it’s all good.”
Frenchman Fabien Marty had a hole in one at the par three sixth, holing with a nine iron from 150 metres.
FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 71
64 J Caldwell (NIr) 
65 O Floren (Swe)
66 G Shaw (NIr)
67 P Gustafsson (Swe) , F Fihn (Swe) , C Del Moral (Esp) , O Whiteley (Eng) , C Baker (USA) , A Bjork (Swe)
68 R Karlberg (Swe) , J Sjöholm (Swe) , R Eriksson (Swe) , M Laskey (Wal) , M Mills (Eng) , R Kakko (Fin) , F Widmark (Swe) , A Kaleka (Fra) , A Wagner (Arg) , M Korhonen (Fin) , A Perrino (Ita) , N Bruzelius (Swe) , P Gad (Swe) (am).
69 T Olesen (Den) , E Ramsay (Sco) , Z Scotland (Eng) , A Gee (Eng) , W Ormsby (Aus) , T Stewart (Aus) , J Grillon (Fra) , L Saltman (Sco) , T Edlund (Swe) , D Denison (Eng) , A Hansen (Den) , J Doherty (Sco) , L Jensen (Den) , J Axgren (Swe) , Å Nilsson (Swe) , F Praegant (Aut) , G Molteni (Ita) , J Dantorp (Swe) , K Eriksson (Swe) , P Purhonen (Fin) , N Lemke (Swe) , T Feyrsinger (Aut) , P Ericsson (Swe) , T Rosendahl (am) (Swe) , J Karlsson (am) (Swe) ,
70 M Milling (Swe) , P Edberg (Swe) , B Barham (Eng) , P Kaensche (Nor) , C Brazillier (Fra) , P Bocian (Swe) , M Soffietti (Ita) , A Ahokas (Fin) , J Rask (Swe) , R Kind (Ned) , W Besseling (Ned) , A Axelsson (Swe) , P Dwyer (Eng) , G Rosier (Fra) , M Carlsson (Swe) , S Walker (Eng) , K Sullivan (Wal) , M Pilo (Swe) , J Hedin (Swe) , J Makitalo (Fin) , J Little (Eng) , A Sjöstrand (Swe) ,
71 D Nouailhac (Fra) , R Russell (Sco) , R Steiner (Aut) , P Del Grosso (Arg) , F Marty (Fra) , E Saltman (Sco) , B Chapellan (Fra) , M Bothma (RSA) , F Colombo (Ita) , G Watremez (Bel) , J Larsen (Nor) , J Bjerhag (Swe) , T Remkes (Ned) , A Bossert (Sui) , C Russo (Fra) , G Houston (Wal) , M Tunnicliff (Eng)
72 J Pettersson (Swe) , M Larsson (Swe) , A Signor (Ita) , M Vibe-Hastrup (Den) , S Lewton (Eng) , S Juul (Den) , A Marshall (Eng) , F Hammarberg (Swe) , O David (Fra) , B Wiesberger (Aut) , M McGeady (Irl) , T Sundström (Fin) , V Almstrom (Swe) , F Ohlsson (Swe) , C Simon (Esp) , T Norret (Den) , J Ruebotham (Eng) , T Whitehouse (Eng) , L Westerberg (Swe) ,
73 R Blaum (USA) , J Legarrea (Esp) , J Garcia (Esp) , C Günther (Ger) , N Meitinger (Ger) , J McLeary (Sco) , K Jorgensen (Den) , A Zanini (Ita) , H Nyström (Swe) , S Jeppesen (Swe) , S Ottosen (Den) , G Murray (Sco) , J Cunliffe (RSA) , K Brink (Swe) , A Bruschi (Ita) , A Högberg (Swe) , J Wahlqvist (Swe) , M Eliasson (Swe) ,
74 W Schauman (Swe) , C Ford (Eng) , R Sjöberg (Swe) , V Riu (Fra) , A Jacobsson (Swe) , B Pettersson (Swe) , H Bacher (Aut) , J Lagergren (Swe) , B Akesson (Swe) , L Johansson (Swe) , P Barth (Swe) , E Dubois (Fra) , S Jamieson (Sco) , F Henge (Swe) , J McLean (Aus) , I Van Weerelt (Ned) , S Cappelen (am) (Den) ,
75 J Abbate (Arg) , J Bäckström (Swe) , M Bliss (Can) , D Hewan (RSA) , M Zions (Aus) , F Sundberg (Swe) , D Perrier (Fra) ,
76 J Fahrbring (Swe) , J Theunis (Bel) , B Ahlenback (Swe) ,
77 J Billot (Fra) , L Moolman (RSA) , N Carlsson (am) (Swe) ,
78 D Sandberg (Swe)
79 A Snobeck (Fra)

  

    Jim Gales is on the right of this picture with his guide on the extreme left and tournament organiser Mark Arnold in the middle.

Blind Scottish golfer returns victorious from Ohio cup match

Following an invitation to compete on the Canadian golf team, against the United States, Jim Gales of
Springfield has just returned from Wadsworth, Ohio after the four-day 10-a-side Ryder Cup of blind golf.
Jim (46) said, "We had a fantastic time meeting up with all the guys again and it was rather special
to go across and beat the Americans in their own backyard. It is always good to play well and
everyone wants to win their games, but both teams helped to generate a friendly atmosphere and even
after the day's competition, we all met for a lengthy discussion at the 19th".
The two teams in Ohio competed for the McCulloch Memorial Cup, named in honour of Denny McCulloch, a visually-impaired golfer from Canada, who lost his battle with cancer in 2006.
Jim added: "Mark Arnold, the tournament organiser and his team of volunteers, really looked
after us well and we managed to play a few other courses including the prestigious Firestone Golf Club. Although we lost a good few golf balls on this very difficult course, we came back with a not too bad score and some great memories to boot!"
This event was Jim's 50th international competition as a disabled golfer. He hadn't played golf before
his sight deteriorated. He has now competed around the world in Japan, Australia and Canada and won titles including the Scottish, British and Canadian Opens and has captained three Ryder Cup-style blind teams to victories.
Due to another competition taking place at the popular Ridge Top Golf Club, organiser Mark
Arnold held the singles matches on the first day and Canada took an early if unexpected, lead by
seven games to three.
Day two however, saw an American surge and they pulled back to just one game
behind with a 4-1 win. Although the Americans "loaded their bases" for an early win on day
three, the Canadians held them back to only two wins to Canada's three and an overall victory by 11 to 9.
The event, hosted by the Rittman Lions and supported by many, including Titleist, took place at
Ridge Top Golf Course in Montville township from  June 24 to 27. Aside from showcasing the talents
of the golfers, it raised money for sight-related causes, particularly adaptive technology
scholarships for those who are unable to see and need such assistance for school or work and donated
monies raised to The Foundation Fighting Blindness.
After the tournament five scholarships were presented, totalling over $5000, one of which went to an eight year old who recently won the World Braille Challenge in Los Angeles
The trophy now heads back to Canada for a 2011 staging. The two teams of blind golfers, who were
accompanied by their sighted guides, were as follows
Team USA
Mark Arnold (captain), Charlie Adams, Ron Derry, Brad Eaton, Kevin Edwards, Harry Hester, Bruce
Hooper, Joe Hojnicki, Tim Jackson and Ron Murner.
Team Canada
Brian MacLeod (captain), Glenn Babcock, Bruno Boucher, Jim Gales, Rick Kush, Tim Nolan, Doug Penner, Doug Stoutley, George Thirkill and Mike Vrooman.

More information on the hosts, American Blind Golf can be found at americanblindgolf.com

PGA EUROPRO TOUR REPORT AND TOTALS

WOLSTENHOLME SCORES

FIRST PRO WIN AS CRAIG

LEE’S LATE SLIPS HALVE

HIS PRIZE MONEY

England’s much-capped former Walker Cup ace Gary Wolstenholme won his first professional tournament at the age of 49 today. He collected the £10,000 prize in this week’s PGA EuroPro Tour event, the Stoke-by-Nayland championship in Essex
Wolstenholme, who will be 50 next month, turned pro in 2008.
With rounds of 69, 63 and 69 for a 15-under-par total of 201, Gary finished four shots clear of compatriot James Busby and Irishman Brendan McCarroll who earned £3,750 apiece.
“It feels great,” said a delighted Wolstenholme. “It still hasn’t sunk in but the really nice thing is that all the hard work has paid off.
“Although I’ve played well recently, I’ve not been scoring well so to go out there and have three decent rounds and win a tournament by four shows that work has paid off.
“Winning this tournament is certainly up there with the other things I’ve achieved.
“The fact I’ve achieved so much as an amateur doesn’t matter as in effect you’re back to square one as all of a sudden you’re playing for your living.
“When you’re playing for money even if you’re not in contention you don’t give up. You have to make the cut and get the money. All the money and points that you get added to your Order of Merit total really makes a big difference.
“But it was important for me to prove to myself and other people that I’m still a good player.
“The EuroPro Tour is a good standard of play and the top ten or 20 are really good golfers.
“The Seniors Tour is my goal without any doubt. I’ll be going to their Tour School in November but there are only six cards there. It won’t be easy to get on the over-50s circuit.”
Top Scot in joint 12th place was Craig Lee of the Aspire Golf Centre, near Aberdeen. Lee earned £625 but his final round of 74 – his worst of the three days – for a total of five-under-par 211 was below his own expectations. To make matters worse, he bogeyed the 15th, 16th and 17th Had Lee parred these holes he would have finished joint fourth and more than doubled his take-home pay for the week.
Steven Mackie from Dunnikier Park finished just inside the top 20 with a 69 for 213 which earned him £395.
South Wales-based Paul Doherty and Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) tied for 29th place on 215, Paul finished with a 74 and Shaun – still looking for a good last round on the Euro Pro Tour – with a 75. They each earned £298.
Tartan Tour pro Jason McCreadie signed off with a 73 for 216 and a shared of 33rd place which paid him £275.
Alyth’s Kevin McAlpine kept a bogey off his card in his second round but had six of them in his closing 76 for 217 and a share of 38th place. His share of the prize money was £250.
John Henry (Clydebank and District), the last of the Scots to beat the cut, had a bad last day, running up a 79 for 223 and finishing joint 50th, for which he received £197.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
201 Gary Wolstenholm (Eng) 69 63 69 (£10,000).
205 James Busby (Eng) 67 69 69, Brendan McCarroll (Ire) 67 63 75 (£3,750 each).
208 Graeme Clark (Eng) 65 71 72, Daniel Perrett (Eng) 67 67 74 (£1,550 each).
209 Darryn Lloyd (SAf) 72 689 69, Neil Walker (Eng) 67 69 73, Jamie Moule (Eng) 64 69 76 (£1,033 each).
210 Luke Goddard (Eng) 68 72 70, Andrew Johnston (Eng) 71 65 74, James Freeman (Eng) 68 67 75 (£800 each).
Scottish scores:
211 Craig Lee 71 66 75 (jt 12th) (£625).
213 Steven Mackie 72 72 69 (jt 19th) (£395).
215 Paul Doherty 66 75 74, Shaun McAllister 70 70 75 (jt 29th) (£298 each).
216 Jason McCreadie 73 70 73 (jt 33rd) (£275).
217 Kevin McAlpine 74 67 76 (jt 38th) (£250).
223 John Henry 72 72 79 (jt 50th) (£197).

ends

Cadzow Challenge Cup tee times

Hamilton Golf Club on Sunday, July 4

Late entries will be accepted phoning the Hamilton Golf Club secretary at 01698282872.

7.30 Julian Perera Auchterarder
John Ralston Shotts
Euan Moir Hamilton

7.38 John Reynolds Dungarvan
Scott Gillespie Cambuslang
Michael Moir Hamilton

7.46 Pat Norris Hamilton
Keith Turnbull Larkhall
Derek Loudon Hamilton

7.54 Derek Lambie Easter Moffat
Sandy Calder Uphall

8.02 Campbell Adams Carluke
Ronnie Maclean Hamilton


8.10 Des Fearon Colville Park
Davie Nicholls Carluke
W. Ramage Hamilton

8.18 Alan McEwan Western Gailes
John Perry Torwoodlee
S. Cunningham Larkhall

8.26 David Bryden Torwoodlee
Stephen Wills Lanark
Craig Ross Kirkhill

8.34 Ross Maclean Hamilton
R. Holmes Clydebank
S. Gebbie Strathclyde park

8.42 David Henderson Hamilton
K. Murdoch Larkhall
Calum Maclean Hamilton

8.50 Alan Lunny Strathclyde Park
J. Fowler Hayston
G. Cross Kirkhill

8.58 S. Diack Hayston
Gordon Jack Hamilton
Scott Douglas Drumpellier

9.06 Phil Dempsey Tulliallan
Kevin Lochrie Cambuslang
Cello Russo Drumpellier

9.14 Peter Scanlan Hamilton
Grant Minnes Hayson
C. Morrison Kilmacolm

9.22 Kenny Bell Elderslie
James Paterson Hayston
S. Bryson Drumpellier

9.30 Brian Smith Kilmacolm
Wilson Bryson Drumpellier
Gary Price Paisley

9.38 Steven M


9.46 Angus Weir Crieff
Bryan Wharton Kirkhill
Martin Scott Hamilton

9.54 Andy Steven Easter Moffat
Chris McManus Douglas Park
Gavin Rautman Kirkhill

10.02 W. S. O. Sharpe Hamilton
Stuart Houston Kirkhill
Chris Carson Inellan

10.10 James Steven Kirkhill
Brian Scott Hamilton

10.18 Scott Costello Kirkhill
Alistair Cuthbertson Hilton Park

10.24 Danny Wightman Easter Moffat
James Whitelaw Kames
Declan Hayes Hamilton

10.32 Andy Fairbairn Kirkhill
Scott Whitelaw West Linton
Stewart Henderson Hamilton

10.40 Hugh Hayburn Hamilton
C. Spriddle Merchants of Ed.

10.48 Jordan Gallacher Crow Wood
Liam Morrison Hamilton


10.56 A. McDonald Crow Wood
Richard Byrne Larkhall
Stephen Murray Drumpelllier

11.04 David Lee Crow Wood
Johnny Reid Drumpelllier

HAGGS CASTLE PAIR WIN TRIP TO BAHAMAS AFTER


CARD PLAY-OFF OUSTS WHITECRAIGS MEN

The Haggs Castle Golf Club partnership of professional Campbell Elliott and 10-handicap amateur member Brian Williams won themselves a trip to the Bahamas by heading a field (after a card play-off) of 25 pairs at the Virgin Atlantic PGA National Pro-am championship’s last Scottish regional qualifier at Drumpellier Golf Club today.
In tricky conditions of wind and rain, Campbell and Brian had a net round of 64, seven under par, a total which was matched by Whitecraigs pro Alistair Brown and 10-handicap Matthew Dick.
Both pairs had net inward halves of 31 so it was decided on the better last six holes, which Elliott and Williams covered in 20 strokes, including net birdies at the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th, compared with 21 by Brown and Dick who birdied thje 13th, 14th and 16th.
Both pros, Elliott and Brown, were awarded the same cash prize: £425.
Eden Golf Club pro Steve Harrison and 21-handicap Mark Glass finished third on 65, for which Harrison received £250.
Elliott and Williams will go forward to the Grand Final at Sandals Resort, Emerald Bay on on the island of Grand Exuma in the Bahamas from November 23 to 28.
PROS’ TOTALS
Par 71
64 Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle) (£425) and Brian Williams (10) (better net last six); Alistair Brown (Whitecraigs) (£425)and Matthew Dick (10).
65 Steve Harrison (Eden) (£250) and Mark Glass (21).
Pro names only:
67 Alan McCloskey (Bothwell Castle), David Park (Wishaw), Ian Taylor (Drumpellier), Robert Irvine (Douglas Park), Stuart Callan (Bathgate) (£50 each).
68 Graham King (Easter Moffat), Ian Collins (Stirling), Gordon Law (Uphall), Scott Catlin (Greenburn).
69 Richard Fyvie (Pumpherston), Stuart Kerr (Strathaven), John Strachan (Shotts).
70 Steven Rosie (Glenbervie), Creaig Mackie (Scotscraig), Steven Dunsmore (Falkirk Tryst), Samuel Cairns (Colville Park), Kenneth Hutton (Downfield), Paul Wytrazek (Burntisland).
71 Jacky Montgomery (Dunbar).
72 Paul Edgcombe (Forrester Park), Alan Reid (West Lothian).
74 Andrew Skinner (Royal Dornoch).
ends

European Challenge Tour returns to Russia in September

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
The European Challenge Tour will return to Russia for the first time in five years when Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club hosts the Russian Challenge Cup from September 16-19, 2010.
With a prize fund of €175,000, the inaugural tournament will take place the week after the Kazakhstan Open creating an important double header in Eastern Europe in the penultimate month of the Challenge Tour season.
The 6,849m, par 72 Jack Nicklaus signature course at Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club, located 50km north of the Russian capital Moscow, opened in 2009 and is a mixture of parkland and links.
It will host the Challenge Tour’s first visit to Russia since Mikael Lundberg won the dual ranking Russian Open at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club in 2005.
The former Russian Open was a Challenge Tour event between 1996 and 2002, before gaining dual ranking status with the European Tour until 2005, then full European Tour status between 2006-2008.
There will be a field of 132 players for the inaugural Russian Challenge Cup, including 112 Challenge Tour players - comprising the top 100 from the Rankings plus 12 from categories - and 20 Russian invitations/amateurs.

Nixon ill, Pepperell steps into England's Euro men's team

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
England has been forced to make a change in its line-up for next week's European men’s team championship at Österåkers Golf Club in Sweden (July 6 to 10).
Matt Nixon (Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire), has been taken ill and has been replaced by Eddie Pepperell (Drayton Park).
It is the second time this year that illness has forced Nixon out of an England squad. It also occurred in January for the Costa Ballena quadrangular tournament in Spain. Pepperell, 19, recent winner of the Welsh Open Stroke Play and the Berkshire Trophy, will link up with Laurie Canter (Saltford, Somerset), Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall, Lancashire), Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth, Devon), Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire), and Chris Paisley (Stocksfield, Northumberland) to complete the team in Sweden.
Ironically, Pepperell fell ill and withdrew after the opening round of the 2008 Home Internationals at Muirfield and from the Portugal Nations Cup at Vale do Lobo.

Andy's handy when it comes to winning Baberton club titles

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Andy Laurence, who had a crossover spell at the University of Alabama with US Open champion Graeme McDowell, has extended his remarkable record in the Baberton Club Championship.
The Dispatch Trophy winner with Riccarton claimed his tenth title in 14 attempts, beating Dougie Waugh 3 and 2 in this year's 36-hole final.
Laurence won twice in the early 1990s before heading off to the States on his scholarship and, since returning in 2000, has added eight more titles at the Juniper Green club.
He was two-under-par in beating Alan Strang 5 and 4 in the semi-finals, where Waugh, who has been the lowest-scoring player in the Baberton team this year, saw off John Geddes 3 and 2.
Waugh had developed a habit in recent years of seeing stalwart Ron Bradly end his title bid in the last four. But this year, Bradly decided 18 holes on Friday and 36 on Saturday was too much so he settled for the Seniors' Championship, beating Rod Mackenzie in the final.
Like Laurence, Alan Anderson (Bruntsfield Links), Stuart Smith (Duddingston), Neil Sneddon (Ratho Park) and Tam Caldwell (Silverknowes) have also been adding to their title hauls.
Anderson chalked up win No. 8, equalling the Bruntsfield Links club record, as he beat Keith Mackenzie, while former Lothians champion Smith also secured a place in the history books on the other side of the Capital.
In beating Mike Armstrong, he equalled the five Duddingston titles won by both Ronnie Shade and Mike Power and Smith will now have his sights set on claiming that record for himself in the next year or two.
Power claimed the seniors' title this year, while other Duddingston winners were Ross Cunningham (junior), Cecilia O'Connell (ladies) and Adrian Cavaye (B division).
At Ratho Park, the final between Sneddon and Scott Murray was reckoned to be the best for more than a decade as they had a better ball of approximately 12-under.
Sneddon, who chipped in at the 34th and then hit a majestic 8-iron to three feet for a birdie at the next, won 2 and 1 to secure a sixth success, a haul that now spreads across three decades.
Caldwell, who is probably playing his best golf for many years, claimed his fourth Silverknowes success with a 5 and 4 victory over fellow Dispatch Trophy winner Keith Reilly.
John Sheerin took the B honours, while Daniel Edmonds could be the new Silverknowes' starlet after he took the junior title. Another member of this year's triumphant Dispatch Trophy side, Graham Robertson, lifted the Turnhouse title after beating Steven Armstrong in a cracking 36-hole final. Both players were well under par with Robertson, this season's Stuart Cup winner, edging it 2 and 1.
In another fine match, Lewis Bain beat Andrew Young in extra holes to claim the junior crown, while Janine Young chalked up a second women's title by defeating Helen Ross, the lady captain.
At Royal Burgess, Fraser McCluskey clinched his success in style by holing a 25-foot eagle putt to beat Doug Ross, who was appearing in his first final, while it was a battle of two rising stars in the title showdown at Murrayfield.
Twelve months after winning the junior event, 19-year-old Colin Dick added the senior title with a 5 and 4 win over 20-year-old James Morrison, with Pat Walkingshaw, Aodan Donnelly, Bobby Scott and Helen Holton the other champions this time around at Murrayfield.
In a battle between two former champions, George Wither beat Paul Logan to lift the Lothianburn title, while Keith Young retained his crown at Glencorse, where he recovered from being five down at one point in the morning round to beat youngster Iain Melville 2 and 1 in the final.
While Fraser Jervis had tasted success in the past at Harburn, he chalked up a first championship at Newbattle, where Stuart Thorburn shot a course-record 61 in one of the qualifying rounds but was unable to take that form into the knock-out phase.
He lost in the first round to Jervis, who went on to beat Jeff O'Malley, the defending champion, 8 and 7 in the final.
Other winners there included Peter Hardwick, who secured the seniors' title, and Mo Cunningham, who won the ladies' event for the tenth year in a row.
At Broomieknowe, Sean Marc retained his title and also lifted the Galloway Trophy for winning the qualifying by five shots. The final against Kenny Smith came down to the last, where Marc, from a greenside bunker, splashed stone dead to clinch his win with a birdie.
Hannah Scott won the ladies' title at the Bonnyrigg club, where other 2010 champions included Owen Thomas (juniors) and Sean Porter (seniors). Also winning for the second year running was Allyn Dick, the Lothians champion holding on to his title at Kingsknowe thanks to a 3 and 2 win over Scott Sanderson, who had upset the form book to reach the final, his victims including Steve McCulloch in the semi-finals.
Louise Fraser was the ladies' winner at Kingsknowe, where Thomas Grant claimed the top junior title and Ian Printy chalked up a seniors' success.
Mike Robson, a former Kingsknowe champion, took the Harrison honours this time around, beating John Cafferty, conqueror of defending champion Ronnie Ackroyd, by two holes in the final.
Out in West Lothian, Andrew Rothney, Derek Tait and Bob Gilbert were the victors in the three men's championship classes at Deer Park, where Sally Park took the ladies' honours.

Tiger interviewed as part of Canadian doctor investigation

FROM THE GOLFDIGEST.COM WEBSITE
Tiger Woods has been interviewed by federal authorities investigating a Canadian doctor accused of distributing human growth hormone, a person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation of Dr. Anthony Galea is ongoing.
Woods previously acknowledged that he's been treated by the Toronto-based doctor but insisted that he did not receive any performance-enhancing drugs.
"Tiger willingly spoke to the authorities and cooperated fully," Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, said in an e-mail. "It was confirmed that because he did nothing illegal, he is not the subject of any criminal investigation. Because there is an ongoing investigation involving others, there will be no further comment."
Galea, who is not authorised to work in the United States, is accused of repeatedly entering the country to treat professional athletes from Major League Baseball, the NFL and Professional Golfers' Association.
No athletes are identified by name in the government's criminal complaint or supporting affidavit, which describes the 50-year-old Galea traveling to meet with professional athletes in New York City, Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington and other U.S. cities from July through September of last year.
Canadian authorities in October charged Galea with selling Actovegin, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling. A May 18 U.S. criminal complaint charged Galea with conspiracy, smuggling, distributing human growth hormone and introducing an unapproved drug into interstate commerce.
If convicted of the U.S. smuggling charge, Galea could face up to 20 years in prison. The other charges carry maximum sentences of three and five years.
Last week, Galea's assistant Mary Anne Catalano pleaded guilty as part of a deal that makes her a key witness against her former boss in exchange for the chance to avoid prison. Catalano's arrest at the Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo in September first raised suspicions about Galea.
She admitted to a single count of lying to border agents, saying she had a "lapse of judgment" when she attempted to bring medical equipment and vials of drugs, including human hormone, into the United States for Galea.

Atlanta Athletic Club to stage 2014 US Amateur


The Atlanta Athletic Club in Duluth, Georgia, has been selected by the United States Golf Association as the host of the 2014 United States men's mateur championship from August 18 to 24.
This will be the sixth USGA national championship to be held at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Previously, the club hosted the 1976 U.S. Open (won by Jerry Pate); the 1984 U.S. Mid-Amateur (won by Michael Podolak); the 1990 U.S. Women’s Open (won by Betsy King); and the 2002 U.S. Junior Amateur (won by Charlie Beljan) at its Duluth, Ga., location. It was also the host of the 1950 U.S. Women’s Amateur (won by Beverly Hanson) on its original course known as East Lake.
“Atlanta Athletic Club is proud to continue its tradition of hosting national championships,” said Chris Borders, the club’s general manager. “With a long history of Atlanta Athletic Club member amateurs who have played in the U.S. Amateur, such as Bob Jones, Charlie Yates, Watts Gunn, Charlie Harrison and Tommy Barnes, it is a pleasure for us to play host to this prestigious championship.”
The Atlanta Athletic Club was founded in 1898 and was the home club of legendary amateur Bob Jones, who won the U.S. Amateur in 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928 and 1930, and the U.S. Open in 1923, 1926, 1929 and 1930. Jones defeated fellow Atlanta Athletic Club member Watts Gunn in the 1925 U.S. Amateur Championship final.
The club’s Highlands Course and Riverside Course were designed by Robert Trent Jones senior, with Joe Finger assisting on the Highlands Course, and opened in 1964. Both courses will be used for the 2014 U.S. Amateur.

McIlroy gets a boost from McDowell US Open win

FROM THE SKYSPORTS.COM WEBSITE
Rory McIlroy has revealed the US Open victory of close friend Graeme McDowell has given him a huge confidence boost.
The Northern Ireland youngster has endured an up-and-down season, the Quail Hollow Championship just before his 21st birthday in May but missing the cut at the Masters and Pebble Beach.
However, he feels his game is close to where it needs to be to contend at the Open at St Andrews later this month, and knows he has what it takes to succeed after watching countryman McDowell's dramatic win two weeks ago.
"I have played a lot with G-Mac (Graeme McDowell) over the years and to see what he has done lifts me," said the world number 10.
"If G-Mac can win the US Open the way he did I've played with him enough week in, week out to know that I can go out on any given week and do the same thing.
"I caught up with him last week. There was a big party for him and then he came down to our house and stayed with us and we played a game at Royal County Down.
"He is still buzzing from it. He's gone back to Orlando to get some practice in before the Scottish Open and the Open.
"It's a fantastic time for European golf and British and Irish golf in particular. I don't want to be the only Irishman on the Ryder Cup team without a major (Padraig Harrington has three).
"I've not been as consistent as I would have liked so far this year, but the win gave me a lot of confidence going into the second half of the season.
"The first two majors have been a disappointment, but I feel my game is nearly there and have done a lot of good work on my swing.
"We all know St Andrews well from playing the Dunhill (McIlroy was third there in 2007 just after turning professional and runner-up last October).
"It will be playing a bit different, bouncier and more fiery, but the Europeans will have a good chance."