Andrew McArthur in the picture at Credit Suisse Challenge

FROM THE EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR WEBSITE
Dutchman Will Besseling has a one shot lead after the first round of the Credit Suisse Challenge with an eight under par 64 on a day of low scoring.
The 24 year old racked up eight birdies at Golf Sempachersee in Hildisrieden, Switzerland – six of which came on the back nine – to lead Italian Lorenzo Gagli and Englishman Charlie Ford, while a group of eight players are on six under, including Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen, who won The Princess in Sweden a fortnight ago.
Sweden’s Oscar Floren, Scotland’s Andrew McArthur, Welshman Stuart Manley, Englishmen James Ruth and Daniel Brooks, Nicolas Sulzer of Switzerland and Charles-Edouard Russo of France are all tied for fourth, with ten players another shot back.
Besseling was pleased to see some hard work on his game finally pay off with a low score. He said: “I’m feeling very good and it’s great to start with a 64 as I’ve been struggling this season. I worked really hard on the physical condition over the winter and started with a new coach and it’s beginning to feel very good. I’ve had to be very patient.”
On his round, Besseling added: “I was two under after nine and going along nicely and giving myself chances. Then I really got going on the back nine and holed some putts. I reached the green on both the par fives in two and two-putted and the rest were putts inside three metres, apart from the 18th when I chipped in from the fringe at the back of the green using my three wood.
“I didn’t think there would be such low scoring after playing a practice round, but there has been a little rain which has made a difference – it’s a bit easier. The balls are stopping very quickly on the green, even with a wood, and the greens are soft. Of course, you still have to hit it close and hole some putts, which is what I’ll be hoping to continue doing over the next three rounds.”
Floren has been in contention the last two weeks, first at The Princess and then the ALLIANZ Golf Open de Lyon, but a poor final round on both occasions has been costly. He said: “I’m just doing everything I can to maintain this form and hopefully if I’m patient it will come eventually. I reckon the less I think about winning, the better I’ll do. If I think about it too much it will create more pressure.
“I’ve been playing great the last few weeks so I’m just trying to keep that going and not do anything differently.”
Manley might have been further up the leaderboard had a miscalculation not cost him a double bogey at the par four fifth.
“I played okay and putted nicely,” he said. “I just had one bad hole where I got my yardages wrong and ended up hitting over the back of the green into the thick rough. I’d hit such a good drive as well, so it’s very annoying – and it’s the second time I’ve done that this season.
“I don’t see any reason why I can’t win this week. It’s what we all play for, to win, but I’m sure a lot of the guys are thinking the same thing. I’ve not had a great season so far and it would be nice to get a bit of money and move up the Rankings.”
Russo, who eagled the par five 17th when he hit his second shot to four metres, said: “I didn’t drive the ball so well but hit some good shots and was particularly good with my two and three irons. I played well in Lyon (in the ALLIANZ Golf Open de Lyon) last weekend but shot level par in the last two rounds so I knew I just had to be patient and a good score would come along. And today it has.”
Ruth said: “I got off to a great start and was five under after nine holes. I gave myself a few more chances on the front nine but missed a couple of short-ish putts which was a little annoying. But it’s a great start and it’s always good to have no bogeys on your card.”
FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
1 BESSELING, Wil -8 18 -8 64 - - - 64
T2 GAGLI, Lorenzo -7 18 -7 65 - - - 65
T2 FORD, Charlie -7 18 -7 65 - - - 65
T4 FLOREN, Oscar -6 18 -6 66 - - - 66
T4 RUTH, James -6 18 -6 66 - - - 66
T4 McARTHUR, Andrew -6 18 -6 66 - - - 66
T4 RUSSO, Charles-Edouard -6 18 -6 66 - - - 66
T4 MANLEY, Stuart -6 18 -6 66 - - - 66
T4 OLESEN, Thorbjorn -6 18 -6 66 - - - 66
T4 SULZER, Nicolas -6 18 -6 66 - - - 66
T4 BROOKS, Daniel -6 18 -6 66 - - - 66
T12 MEITINGER, Nicolas -5 18 -5 67 - - - 67
T12 MURRAY, George -5 18 -5 67 - - - 67
T12 CARLSSON, Magnus A -5 18 -5 67 - - - 67
T12 HIGLEY, Marcus -5 18 -5 67 - - - 67
T12 MOLTENI, Gregory -5 18 -5 67 - - - 67
T12 MANASSERO, Matteo -5 18 -5 67 - - - 67
T12 KALEKA, Alexandre -5 18 -5 67 - - - 67
T12 ZAPATA, Julio -5 18 -5 67 - - - 67
T12 HEBERT, Benjamin -5 18 -5 67 - - - 67
T12 SMITH, Craig -5 18 -5 67 - - - 67
T22 KORHONEN, Mikko -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 DAVIS, Stuart -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 STEINER, Roland -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 SJÖSTRAND, Anders -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 LILLY, Simon -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 CHOPARD, Alexandre -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 GEE, Adam -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 LEMKE, Niklas -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 LORENZO-VERA, Michael -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 ARRUTI, Jesus Maria -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 OTTOSEN, Steen -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 LASKEY, Mark -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 RUSSELL, Raymond -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 ROOS, Jake -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 SANTOS, Ricardo -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 DEL MORAL, Carlos -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 THORP, Marius -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 KAKKO, Roope -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 DENISON, Daniel -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
T22 AMACHER (AM), Edouard -4 18 -4 68 - - - 68
Selected scores
T42 McLEARY, Jamie -3 18 -3 69 - - - 69
T66 DOHERTY, Jack -2 18 -2 70 - - - 70
T66 RAMSAY, Eric -2 18 -2 70 - - - 70
T92 MACAULAY, Callum -1 18 -1 71 - - - 71
T107 SALTMAN, Elliot Par 18 Par 72 - - - 72
154 JAMIESON, Scott +8 18 +8 80 - - - 80

Lloyd Saltman leading Scot in EuroPro Tour event at Bristol

Lloyd Saltman (Aegon) is lying in joint 13th position as this week’s PGA EuroPro Tour, the quaintly named World Snooker Golf Championship, at Players Golf Club, Bristol, goes into its final round today (Friday).
Saltman had rounds of 71 and 73 for a four-over-par tally of 144. He is five shots behind Englishman leader Paul Reid with scores of 69 and 70 for 139.
Graham Rankin (Drumpellier) dropped four shots to par over the last eight holes in returning a 75 for 146 and a share of 27th place.
The only other Scot to survive the cut at 148 or better was Craig Lee. The Aspire Golf Centre man shot a uninspired, birdieless 73 for 147.
Scots casualties were Zack Saltman (76-150), John Gallagher (73-150), Shaun McAllister (77-150), Steven Mackie (77-150), Kyle Kelsall (76-151), Scott Henry (77-152), John Henry (79-153), Paul Doherty (76-153), Scott Herald (74-154), Ross Cameron (82-157), Lee Harper (80-157), Ben Irving (80-158), Stuart Burns (83-166).

Cameron Farrell with the trophy for having the best third-round score, apart from the overall winner. Pictured with past English Golf Union president Roy Case. Image by courtesy of Tom Ward.

Cameron Farrell highest Scots finisher in Princes gales

Cameron Farrell (Cardross), a creditable joint sixth, was the leading Scot at the end of the English Under-16 boys’ open stroke-play championship at gale-lashed Princes on the Kent coast today.
Cameron totalled 304 with rounds of 75, 75, 75 and 79 – his last 36 holes on the final day, when the 30mph wind gusted up to 40mph, reflected the toughness of the conditions. He had the best scratch score of the third round which earned him a trophy (see above).
Jamie Savage (Cawder) finished joint eighth on 305 with scores of 73, 73, 79 and 80.
Anthony Blaney (Liberton) came joint 11th with 74, 77, 77 and 79 for 307.
James Steven (Kirhill) shared 17th pace on 310 with scores of 74, 77, 82 and 77.
Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil had rounds of 72, 76, 81 and 83 for a share of 23rd place on 313.
The last of the Scottish qualifiers for the final day was Greig Marchbank (Dumfries and Galloway) on 314 with scores of 72, 76, 82 and 84 for a share of 29th position.
Winner by five strokes with a two-over-par total of 290 was Toby Tree from Worthing, Sussex with two great wind-taming rounds of 73, despite the ferocity of the wind. His earlier scores were 74 and 70.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288(4x72)
290 Toby Tree (Worthing) 74 70 73 73.
295 Max Orrin (North Foreland) 72 71 79 73.
300 Matthias Schwab (Austria) 69 72 78 81.
302 Patrick Kelly (Boston West) 73 74 83 72, Jamie Clare (East Sussex National) 76 72 77 77.
304 Pablo Matesanz (Spain) 76 70 79 79, Cameron Farrell (Cardross) 75 75 75 79.
305 Jamie Savage (Cawder) 73 73 79 80, Mattew Fitzpatrick (Hallamshire) 73 74 80 78, Gavin Moynihan (Donabate) 74 73 82 76.
Other Scottish scores:
307 Anthony Blaney (Liberton) 74 77 77 79 (jt 11th).
310 James Steven (Kirkhill) 74 77 82 77 (jht 17trh).
312 Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) 72 76 81 83 (jt 23rd).
314 Greig Marchbank (Dumfries and Galloway) 72 76 82 84 (jt 29th).

Wind-cheater Toby Tree wins by five strokes

REPORT FROM THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE
Toby Tree overcame brutal conditions that floored most of his rivals to win the English Boys Under 16 Stroke Play Championship, supported by FootJoy, for the McGregor Trophy at a wind-swept Prince’s Golf Club.
Two rounds of 73 on a difficult day on the Kent coast saw him finish on two over par 290 for a five shot winning margin from Kent’s Max Orrin and by ten from Matthias Schwab of Austria, leader for the first two rounds.
Two years ago Tree, pictured with trophy, by courtesy of Tom Ward Photography, won the English Under 14 title at Coxmoor and he also won the Douglas Johns Trophy last year at Harewood Downs. So the McGregor completes a unique treble.

“That was my target for the year to win the under 16 and complete the treble,” he said. “It was a tough day and I was annoyed after the morning round because I finished triple bogey-bogey-bogey. If I hadn’t done that I would have been seven shots ahead.”

As it happened, he began the final round just two ahead and he admitted he was anxious over the front nine. “Then I birdied the 11th and heard that Matthias had made triple,” Tree added.

“Then I knew if I finished solidly I would be safe. I knew I had a five shot lead on the 13th so I wasn’t under any pressure. But I managed to three putt the last for another bogey.”

So how was it that Tree made light of the wild conditions when most of the field were running up scores that were more like a lottery that a golf tournament?

“At Worthing, it is on down land so we get a lot of practice in the wind,” Tree declared. “I can fly the ball low with my long irons so I can adapt to these conditions which don’t worry me.”

Orrin, his Under 16 international team-mate, gave himself a mountain to climb after a morning 79, but he bounced back well with 73 which included a birdie-four at the long 12th followed by an eagle-two at the 13th.

But the most disappointed must have been Schwab. He looked in control for the first two rounds but he also suffered in the wind, carding 78 followed by 81 for 300.

His chances disappeared when he went 7-5-7 from the tenth, spilling seven strokes over the stretch.

“It was very difficult but Toby had no problems,” he said with a smile, “It was bad concentration and I got tired. But I learned a lot this week.”

The Under 15 title looked set for Kent’s Jake Spearpoint. But he was pipped by Spain’s Pablo Matesanz on 304.

But the final word goes to Tree. Having completed the treble, he heads to Woodhall Spa next week for the Carris Trophy so don’t bet against him landing the Under 18 title.

Torrance-Lehman teams draw at Fairmont St Andrews

NEWS RELEASE
Sam Torrance couldn’t make home advantage count as he was held to a draw by fellow former Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman at Fairmont St Andrews.
The pair took time out from their preparation for the Open Championship – for which Torrance is part of the BBC’s commentary team while Lehman will play – to lead opposing teams competing on the resort’s course designed by, and named after, the Scot.
The teams took to the course in seven Ryder Cup-style four-balls but neither captain could give his team a distinct advantage as the event finished in a 7-7 draw.
Competitors were treated to a surprise guest before their round as former Open champion John Daly joined Torrance and Lehman on the driving range, with the three professionals giving the assembled golfers a skills clinic.
Spa therapists from the resort’s luxurious relaxation complex were also on hand at the range to give pre-golf massages and ensure everyone was fully loosened up for their round.
And the luxury treatment didn’t stop there. Competitors had the opportunity to sample dishes from the resort’s fine-dining Esperante restaurant prepared by the head chef on the seventh tee, and, on the 17th, players enjoyed a glass of champagne with their team captains.
Fairmont St Andrews boasts two first-class 18-hole lay-outs in the Torrance and Kittocks courses. Both have benefited as part of a £17m redevelopment the luxury resort has recently undergone, which also saw improvements to the lavish spa complex and five-star hotel.

Chris Lloyd seeks to go one better this year in Carris Trophy

FROM THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE
Chris Lloyd (The Kendleshire, Gloucestershire), who came so close to winning the title last year, will be among the favourites for the Carris Trophy, the English Boys Under 18 Stroke Play Championship, supported by Titleist, at Woodhall Spa next Tuesday to Thursday (July 20 to 22).
The boy international from Bristol lost to Tom Lewis at Moor Park in 2009 in a sudden death playoff that went to five holes after the pair had finished tied on ten under par.
Lloyd has recently returned from Turkey after playing for England in the European Boys Team Championships when he finished second in the individual qualifying.
The Kendleshire player finished second to Lewis in the Titleist FootJoy Boys Order of Merit last year after winning the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters and the County Champions Tournament, while this spring he finished runner-up in the McEvoy Trophy after a playoff.
His team-mates in Turkey, James Burnett (Sleaford, Lincolnshire), Greg Eason (Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire), Liam Harper (Lydd, Kent), Paul Lockwood (Hessle, Yorkshire), and Nick Newbold (Kedleston Park, Derbyshire), are also likely to challenge.
Burnett was a quarter finalist in last year’s British Boys Championship and a joint winner of the inaugural Junior County Champions Tournament, while Eason finished third in this year’s McEvoy Trophy.
Harper, an Under 16 cap, finished tied second in the Fairhaven Trophy this year, Lockwood has been runner-up in the North of England Youths but won the Under 18 title, while Newbold, another Under 16 international, finished runner-up in the Midland Boys and the McGregor Trophy last year.
Seb Crookall-Nixon (Workington, Cumbria), Under 16 Champion for the past two years, is also in the field, as are Toby Tree (Worthing, Sussex), Under 14 Champion in 2008, Nathan Kimsey (Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire), winner of this year’s Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters, and Oliver Carr (Heswall, Cheshire), runner-up in this year’s Fairhaven Trophy and another Under 16 cap.
There is also a strong overseas entry with players from Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway and Spain.
A Nations Cup, involving ten teams, will be contested over the opening two rounds. England is fielding two teams, comprising Burnett, Eason and Lloyd in Team One and Harper, Lockwood and Newbold in Team Two.
Spain, the Netherlands and Italy are also fielding two teams and Belgium and Norway one.
Play starts at 7.30am each day and admission is free. For those unable to attend, live scoring and news updates will available on the Championships Section of the EGU website, www.englishgolfunion.org.

Back row, left to right: Jim Park (club vice-captain), Mark Turnbull, Josh Bogle, Andrew Cunningham, Jonny Martin. Front: Tom Binning, Greg Paterson, Ben Adamson, Scott McAllister and junior convener Karen Binning.

Ranfurly Castle boys win third Newton Shield title in a row

Pictured above are the Ranfurly Castle Golf Club boys team which has just won the Paisley and District Scratch League (the Newton Shield) for the third successive year, equalling the achivement of Paisley in 1975-77.
The Ranfurly Castle team will be the same next year as all the boys are under 17, so an unprecedented four-in-a-row achievement is on the cards.

Scots outside top 20 in Chiberta Grand Prix final totals

Mark Hillson (Craigielaw) finished joint 23rd and Ross Bell (Downfield) joint 53rd in the Chiberta Grand Prix at Biarritz in southwest France. Hillson had rounds of 72, 73, 69 and 70 for 284 while Bell scored 73, 74, 72 and 77 for 296.
Frenchman Arnaud Abbas won the tournament by one shot4 with a total of 273, made up of rounds of 66, 68, 70 and 69.
SCOREBOARD
273 Arnaud Abbas (France) 66 68 70 69.
274 Robert Karlson (Sweden) 67 70 68 69.
275 Thomnas Elissakie (France) 63 71 69 72.
Selected scores:
279 Daniel Wasteney (England) 67 74 71 67 (jt 9th).
280 Tom Boys (England) 66 72 77 65, Jack Hiluta (England) 71 67 73 69 (jt 13th).
284 Mark Hillson (Craigielaw) 72 73 69 70 (jt 23rd).
296 Ross Bell (Downfield) 73 74 72 77 (jt 53rd).

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP DAY ONE

Rory McIlroy plunders defenceless Old Course with a 63

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE

Rory McIlroy put himself into golf's record books with a sensational start to The Open over the Old Course, St Andrews today.

On a course where he had never failed to break 70 in eight previous visits either as an amateur or professional, the 21-year-old equalled the lowest round in major history with a nine under par 63.

And it could so easily have been the first 62 and a three-stroke lead over South African stablemate Louis Oosthuizen as the first day's play drew to a close.

The Road Hole 17th, always the likeliest place for him to trip up and the scene of Tiger Woods' only bogey as the 2000 and 2005 champion kicked off with a 67, instead saw McIlroy hit a towering six-iron to three feet.
Only one under on a morning when world number 455 John Daly, inspired on his return to the course where he won in 1995, reached seven under after 11 holes, McIlroy drove the green on the 352-yard ninth and sank a 15-foot eagle putt. He came home in a 30 with birdies at the 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th and the last.

Daly, in contrast, cooled on the way home and posted a 66, as did playing partner and former Ryder Cup Scot Andrew Coltart, himself only 408th on the rankings and back inside the ropes after two years of radio work.

The wind was picking up as they finished, but that did not stop Oosthuizen threatening to at least catch McIlroy. The 27-year-old, who had his first European Tour victory in March, charged to eight under with three to play, but bogeyed the lengthened 17th and parred the other two.

Daly and Coltart, meanwhile, were joined in third spot by Kent-based Challenge Tour player Steve Tiley, Welshman Bradley Dredge and Swede Peter Hanson.

Lee Westwood, playing with a torn calf muscle, had five successive birdies from the fifth, but played the other 13 holes in level par. Tom Watson, one putt away from winning at 59 last year, could not reproduce that magic and handed in a 73.

Stewart Cink, the man who beat him in a play-off, scored 70, one better than Masters champion and world number two Phil Mickelson, who had to wait until the final green for his first birdie.

The 21-year-old McIlroy's effort means there have now been 24 rounds of 63 in major championship history McIlroy is the 22nd player to achieve the feat and the first in the Open since Nick Faldo and Payne Stewart 17 years ago.

Those rounds were seven under par at Royal St George's, McIlroy joining England's Paul Broadhurst (St Andrews, 1990) as the only players to shoot rounds of nine under in the Open.

McIlroy admitted he had been inspired by seeing compatriot Graeme McDowell win the US Open at Pebble Beach last month.

"It's given me a lot of belief knowing a good friend of mine could go out and win a major, there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to do the same as well," he said.

"Hopefully I can keep it going over the next few days. You really needed to take advantage of the conditions this morning and thankfully I was able to do that. We will see what the weather does tomorrow."

The 21-year-old Ulsterman admitted the prospect of making history had crossed his mind before he missed a short birdie putt on the 17th.

"It sort of went through my mind on 17 that 62 would have been the lowest round in a major. That's probably why I missed the putt," said McIlroy, who joins England's Paul Broadhurst (St Andrews 1990) as the only players to shoot rounds of nine under in the Open, and also now has the lowest opening round in Open history.

"It was a fantastic score. I didn't get off to a flying start. I was one under through eight holes and then the eagle on nine (where he holed from 15 feet after driving the green) really sort of turned things around for me and I just got going from there."

Asked if he was annoyed to miss out on the record, McIlroy - who carded a closing 62 to win his maiden US Tour title at Quail Hollow earlier this season - added: "No, I don't think I can come off feeling let down. I'm leading the Open Championship.

"But definitely the one on 17 was one I let get away. I had a very similar (second) shot in 2007, same club. The pin was sort of tucked more around the bunker, but I hit a six iron there to three feet and made that putt that day.

"Today it looked as if it had to go a little bit right to left. I just said 'I'm going to hit it firm and I'm going to hit it straight'. I hit it and I pushed it a little bit."

The early starters certainly made the most of the change in weather from the strong wind and rain which forced the cancellation of yesterday's Champions Challenge.

Daly's 66 could easily have been much better, the 44-year-old lying seven under with seven to play only to see four birdie putts catch the edge of the hole and stay out.

"I'm not too disappointed but I hit four putts coming in which I thought I had made. I left some out there," admitted Daly, who had missed the cut in eight of his 12 Open appearances since lifting the Claret Jug 15 years ago.

"This is only the seventh or eighth tournament I've been healthy to play in the last three years and I'm starting to get some confidence back in my game."

Playing partner Coltart birdied the 18th to match Daly's 66, the Scot playing his first Open since 2002 after coming through qualifying at Sunningdale.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
63 Rory McIlroy (NIrl)
65 Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa)
66 Peter Hanson (Swe), John Daly (USA), Andrew Coltart (Sco), Steven Tiley (Eng), Bradley Dredge (Wal)
67 Nick Watney (USA), Tiger Woods (USA), Lucas Glover (USA), Marcel Siem (Ger), Sean O'Hair (USA), Alejandro Canizares (Spa), Lee Westwood (Eng), Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe), Y.E. Yang (Kor)
68 Ross Fisher (Eng), Oliver Wilson (Eng), John Senden (Aus), Jin Jeong (SKor) (am), Ricky Barnes (USA), Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn), Vijay Singh (Fij), Robert Rock (Eng), Trevor Immelman (Rsa), Shane Lowry (Irl), Camilo Villegas (Col), Henrik Stenson (Swe), Ross McGowan (Eng)
69 Retief Goosen (Rsa), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Simon Dyson (Eng), Dustin Johnson (USA), Hunter Mahan (USA), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Steve Marino (USA), Robert Allenby (Aus), Mark O'Meara (USA), Paul Lawrie (Sco), Ernie Els (Rsa), Paul Casey (Eng), Bo Van Pelt (USA), Ignacio Garrido (Spa), Edoardo Molinari (Ita)
70 Zane Scotland (Eng), Chris Wood (Eng), Stewart Cink (USA), Darren Clarke (NIrl), Toru Taniguchi (Jpn), Kyung-Tae Kim (Kor), Kevin Na (USA), J.B. Holmes (USA), Mark Calcavecchia (USA), Justin Rose (Eng), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Tano Goya (Arg), Ryan Moore (USA)
71 Steve Stricker, Hirofumi Miyase (Jpn), Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Graeme McDowell (NIrl), Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Sergio Garcia (Spa), Tom Lehman (USA), Jason Day (Aus), Kenny Perry (USA), Stephen Gallacher (Sco), Ian Poulter (Eng), Eric Chun (Kor), Tim Clark (Rsa)
72 Soren Kjeldsen (Den), Sir Nick Faldo (Eng), Seung-yul Noh (Kor), Byeong-Hun An (Kor), Soren Hansen (Den), Geoff Ogilvy (Aus), Todd Hamilton (USA), Ben Crane (USA), Colm Moriarty (Irl), Michael Sim (Aus), Zach Johnson (USA), Adam Scott (Aus), Matt Kuchar (USA), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa), Tom Pernice Jnr. (USA), Alvaro Quiros (Spa), Mark F Haastrup (Den), Yuta Ikeda (Jpn), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Scott Verplank (USA)
73 Jeff Overton (USA), Bill Haas (USA), Alexander Noren (Swe), Marc Leishman (Aus), Mike Weir (Can), Gregory Havret (Fra), Jason Dufner (USA), Tom Watson (USA), Davis Love III (USA), Angel Cabrera (Arg), Rhys Davies (Wal), Peter Senior (Aus), Phil Mickelson (USA), Richard S Johnson (Swe), Loren Roberts (USA), Tom Whitehouse (Eng), Luke Donald (Eng), Padraig Harrington (Irl), Thomas Levet (Fra), Jamie Abbott (Eng)
74 Francesco Molinari (Ita), Koumei Oda (Jpn), Mathew Goggin (Aus), Colin Montgomerie (Sco), Shunsuke Sonoda (Jpn), Martin Laird (Sco), Bubba Watson (USA), Simon Khan (Eng)
75 Phillip Archer (Eng), Sandy Lyle (Sco), Hiroyuki Fujita (Jpn), Thongchai Jaidee (Tha)
76 Justin Leonard (USA), Ryuichi Oda (Jpn), K J Choi (Kor), Ben Curtis (USA), Cameron Percy (Aus)
77 Katsumasa Miyamoto (Jpn), Jim Furyk (USA), Anders Hansen (Den), David Duval (USA)
79 Jerry Kelly (USA), Rickie Fowler (USA)
80 Victor Dubuisson (Fra) (am).
81 Ewan Porter (Aus)

James Byrne now 13 in World Amateur Rankings

James Byrne from Banchory is No 13 in this week's R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings. That's a drop of one place from last week.
Seven of the top 10 in the world are from the United States, headed by Peter Uihlein. Recent British amateur championship winner Jin Jeong (South Korea), No 1 for a couple of weeks, is No 2 with American Patrick Reed - who played in the RandA Junior Open when he was Under-16 years, in the No 3 position.
Apart from Arizona State University student Byrne, the only other Scot in the top 100 is Ross Kellett. The Motherwell man is No 63 this week, an improvement of 14 places in a week.
Fraserburgh's Kris Nicol continues to climb the rankings. He has gone up 10 places to No 116, his highest rating yet.
TOP WAGR FOR WEEK 28
1 Peter Uihlein (US) no change.
2 Jin Jeong (South Korea) no change.
3 Patrick Reed (US) +1.
4 Andrea Pavan (Italy) +2.
5 Russell Henley (US) no change.
6 Romain Wattel (France) +3
7 Kevin Tway (US) +13.
8 Scott Langley (US) -1
9 Bud Cauley (US) -6.
10 Jonathan Randolph (US) -2.
11 Harris English (US) +2.
12 Henrik Norlander (Sweden) -2.
13 James Byrne (Scotland) -1.
Other Scottish rankings in top 650:
63 Ross Kellett +14
116 Kris Nicol +10.
143 Michael Stewart +32.
196 Stuart Ballingall -2.
221 James White +31.
297 Peter Latimer +47.
384 Philip McLean +44.
434 Scott Crichton +13.
470 Greg Paterson +53.
496 David Law -82.
563 Gordon Yates -29.
611 Paul Shields -11.
612 Glenn Campbell -18.
628 James Ross -11.
643 Mark Hillson -10.

Max Orrin has local hero potential at McGregor Trophy halfway

FROM THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE
Max Orrin is adopting the role of local hero as he lies just two strokes off the pace at the halfway stage of the McGregor Trophy, supported by FootJoy, after another testing day at Prince’s Golf Club in Kent, highlighted by a hole-in-one.
Orrin, who lives just half an hour away from Sandwich, fired a second round 71, one of just five sub-par returns, for 143 but Matthias Schwab from Austria continues to head the leaderboard on three-under-par 141 after a 72.
The weather played a major role in the day’s proceedings, especially the wind which was non-existent in the early stages but which grew in intensity prior to lunch and ebbed and flowed in the afternoon allied to a spell of rain.
The early starters certainly benefited and that included Orrin, who was out in the third game at 7.40am. “We got the best of the conditions because there was no wind early on but it was a bit tricky after the 12th when it came into play a bit,” he observed.
“But I played my best golf of the week. My game was solid, I drove most fairways, hit a lot of greens and managed to find four birdies.”
Having got up at 5am to make his tee time, Orrin then returned to his North Foreland home to relax and catch up on his sleep.
He would probably have dozed off before Schwab posted his level-par 72 to stay ahead. “It was not as good as I wanted but my round wasn’t too bad,” said the 15 year old Austrian boy international.
“It was windy when we started but had calmed a lot at the end. Luckily the rain didn’t start before we finished,” he added.
“To win this title would mean a lot to me. It is one of the best championships for under 16s in Europe but I’m not getting ahead of myself as there is still a lot of golf to play.”
The English challenge was maintained by the Sussex duo of Toby Tree and Josh Hayes, who share third place on level par 144.
Tree, the 2008 English under 14 champion from Worthing, bounced back with a five-birdie 70 after covering both nines in 35 but was not happy with his putting.
“I didn’t hole many putts. If a few more start dropping it will be a lot better,” he admitted before heading for the practice green.
Alongside him on 144 is Hayes from East Sussex National, who was disappointed with his two-over 74, which contained three birdies.
Among those on 146 is James Newton from Prestbury, who sank his six-iron tee shot at the 167-yard 11th hole in a round of 71.
It was his first ‘ace’ and the 15 year old member of the Cheshire under 18 team said: “I needed something to make my round catch fire.
“But the ball was always on the flag. I just hoped it would clear the bunker and it did.”
His achievement didn’t affect him. In fact, it proved a boost as he proceeded to birdie the long 12th in an inward 34.
The 36-hole cut came at 151, seven over par, with 48 players qualifying for the final two rounds.
The Nations Cup, decided over the first two rounds, resulted in an emphatic victory for England 1 on 286 with England 2 on 293 and Ireland 2 and Spain 1 on 296.

SCOREBOARD
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
141 Matthias Schwab (Austria) 69 72.
143 Max Orrin (North Foreland) 72 71.
144 Toby Tree (worthing) 74 70, Josh Hayes (East Sussex) 70 74.
146 Pablo Matesanz (Spain) 76 70, James Newton (Prestbury) 75 71, Harrison Woan (Overstone) 73 73, Jamie Savage (Cawder) 73 73, Robert Burrison (Oxley Park) 72 74, Matthew Pearson (Worlebury) 72 74.
Other Scots scores:
148 Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) 72 76 (jt 17th).
150 Cameron Farrell (Cardross) 75 75 (jt 32nd).
151 James Steven (Kirkhill) 74 77, Anthony Blaney (Liberton) 74 77 (jt 39th).
MISSED THE CUT (151 or better)
152 Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie) 77 74 (jt 49th).
154 Lawrence Allan (Alva) 77 77 (jt 65th).
158 Alexander Wilson (Gullane0 76 82 (jt 97th).

Bonnyton Men's Open Final Totals

CSS: 1st Round non-counter CSS: 2nd Round 74

144 Allan Johnson (Bonnyton) 74 70 (winner at the first extra play-off hole), Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton) 76 68.
150 Matthew Allan (Falkirk) 74 76.
151 Ricardon Scarafile (Gourock) 74 77.
152 Nicky Gold (Bonnyton) 78 74, Chris Kelly (Bonnyton) 77 75, Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) 77 75, Kenny Fairbrother (Cochrane Castle) 76 76.

PGA EuroPro Tour report

HEATH AND EVANS MAKE EARLY RUNNING

AT THE PLAYERS CLUB

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE PGA EUROPROTOUR
James Heath and Matthew Evans are the early leaders on the opening day of the latest PGA EuroPro Tour competition – staged at The Players Club in Bristol .
The tournament, in association with World Snooker, is the eighth of the PGA EuroPro Tour season and concludes on Friday with £10,000 going to the winner.
Heath and Evans were the early clubhouse leaders as the pair both went round in a three-under-par 67.
Heath has already enjoyed success at The Players Club this year as his victory there in April in the first stage of qualifying helped get him his PGA EuroPro Tour card.
After making the cut at the last four events, Heath is well-placed to improve on his best finish of the campaign – tied ninth at Bovey Castle last month.
Four birdies on the front nine gave Evans (Rotherham GC) a fine start, although he bogeyed the 15th in his quest for his first top 15 finish of the year.
Ian Keenan and Dale Marmion are among the players who are struggling and need to perform well on Thursday if they are to make the cut.
Keenan (Royal Liverpool) is currently in fourth position in the Order of Merit but might not win any money from this event after bogeys at the seventh, 13th, 14th and 18th left him on four-over.
Marmion (Eaton GC), who finished tied second in the opening tournament of the season at Wensum Valley in Norfolk, is also on four-over and well down the field.
Stuart McCance (The London Club) and Myles Pearson are both in line to make the cut for only the second time this season.
The pair claimed a Wednesday score of two-under and it was an eventful day for Pearson as he claimed four bogeys but also six birdies.
Competition was fierce as 165 players began the first round in a high-quality field that included a number of players who had European Tour experience.
Craig Lee finished tied 26th last week at the Barclays Scottish Open in Loch Lomond on the European Tour.
However, he did not perform as well in Bristol as he made five bogeys in the opening nine holes he played.
Graeme Clark, the 2007 Order of Merit Champion, also made a poor start after beginning from hole ten as four bogeys in the front nine was followed by a triple bogey seven at the par-four first.
Lloyd Saltman has had two top 20 finishes on the Challenge Tour in the last month and successive birdies at the 13th and 14th brought him in contention here.
Matchroom Sport will edit the highlights from this event into a two-hour programme and this will be screened on Sky Sports 3 on Wednesday, July 28.
To find out the full latest scores please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.