Renaissance club, East Lothian and North's Castle Stuart likely candidates

Bernard Gallacher backs

proposal to

move Scottish

Open to a new links venue


FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Bernard Gallacher, the former Ryder Cup captain, has welcomed the move to look at taking the Barclays Scottish Open to a links course next year and admits it would be exciting if Castle Stuart, near Inverness, won the battle, believed to be with The Renaissance Club in East Lothian, to stage the £3 million event.
(The Castle Stuart clubhouse is pictured above).
As reported in The Scotsman yesterday, European Tour representatives have visited both courses in the past few weeks to check them out as alternative venues to Loch Lomond, which is still under contract to host the 2011 event but has more important matters to address at the moment as it undergoes a members' buy-out.
It is believed that Troon had also expressed an interest in staging one of the European Tour's showcase events, but, as an Open Championship venue, a move there would have created a conflict that both the R and A and their counterparts at Wentworth are keen to avoid.
A decision could be made as early as next week and, though it is still possible that Loch Lomond's run of having hosted the event since 1996 could continue, Gallacher said he liked the idea of it returning to a links course for the first time in 15 years.
"It would be a little bit of a gamble taking the event to a new course (like Castle Stuart or The Renaissance], but Loch Lomond has had a very good run and I think it has got out of the Scottish Open what it wanted," he remarked.
"I think Barclays feel it would be better for the Scottish Open if it was played the week before the British Open on a seaside course. I think they would get a better international field if that was the case, not just Americans but also more Far East players as well.
"I think they are probably right and both Castle Stuart and The Renaissance should be in the mix. I've played at The Renaissance and it is very good. I've also been told that Castle Stuart is fantastic. So either would be a good venue for the Scottish Open."
While East Lothian is tried and tested in terms of staging top professional events, the same can't be said of the Inverness area. Indeed, the Northern Open, once on the European Challenge Tour schedule but now just a Tartan Tour tournament, and the 1999 Walker Cup are probably the biggest events that have been staged in that neck of the woods in the past.
"I'm not favouring either of the courses here and The Renaissance have done a land swap with Muirfield, meaning (course designer] Tom Doak has been given a stunning piece of ground closer to the water to build three new holes," added Gallacher.
"However, it would be great for the North of Scotland to stage an event like the Scottish Open. It's a most wonderful part of the world, especially in July. You could see a few of the players playing at Royal Dornoch when they were up there and they'd love it there as well. It's a neglected part of Great Britain, really."
Bob Diamond, the president of Barclays, is a member at The Renaissance - as is former England and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer - and it is certain that he will have taken advice from the likes of Phil Mickelson and Darren Clarke, both of whom are sponsored by the banking company, about moving the Scottish Open to a seaside course.
"Bob is a keen golfer and I'm sure he'll have been getting his people to carry out a lot of research. I'm sure they'll be saying there would be a better chance of then playing in the Scottish Open if it was played on a seaside course," observed Gallacher.

"Phil Mickelson, a contracted Barclays player, will be part of that think tank, no doubt, and he'll probably be saying that they would be doing him a favour in terms of the British Open if the Scottish Open was moved to a seaside course.
"I think it will delight the R and A that the likes of The Renaissance and Castle Stuart are in the mix as opposed to the likes of Carnoustie and Turnberry. They'd be unhappy if it was some of the courses on The Open Championship rota, but not these two.
"There could be a problem, of course, with Muirfield staging The Open again in 2013. However, what would be wrong with alternating the Scottish Open between Castle Stuart and The Renaissance? They are two fine courses."
Peter Adams, the Scottish Open championship director, was one of the European Tour representatives who carried out the site visits. He said a decision could be revealed next week.
"I don't want to get into situation where we are bringing other venues into the mix," he said yesterday when asked if it was true that Troon was in the mix along with Castle Stuart and The Renaissance.
"What has been reported is a pretty accurate reflection of the status of things. Discussions are taking place between ourselves and Barclays and we are hoping a decision will be made fairly soon.
"Loch Lomond is definitely not out of the equation. They are aware we are talking to other courses and all our discussions with them have been amicable. Whatever happens we will stay friends with them.
"We are comfortable with all three options (Castle Stuart, Loch Lomond and The Renaissance] we are looking at."
Gallacher's nephew, Stephen, said yesterday he couldn't argue with Barclays for wanting to look at links courses if they believed it would help attract stronger fields for future Scottish Opens. However, he warned it would still not guarantee the presence of players like Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington.
"I am not convinced we will see Tiger or Padraig teeing up any time soon," said Scotland's leading player in this season's Race to Dubai.
"Many of the golfers like to take the week off before The Open to work on their game on a links course. Giving them a links course to play at the week before may not be enough to entice them to take part.
"We will likely see more members of the US PGA Tour coming over a week earlier, but whether Barclays or the European Tour will attract the major players remains to be seen."

Bubba's 18th hole birdie wins Wendy's

Challenge for US Tour trio

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
HENDERSON, Nevada – Bubba Watson, pictured, made an 18ft birdie putt on the 18th hole to cap a comeback victory for the US PGA Tour team in this week's Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge.
Watson, Dustin Johnson and Boo Weekley finished a combined 14 under par in the two-player, best-ball format that allowed each team to discard one score per hole.
The group shot 11 under over the final eight holes to overtake the Champions Tour team of Nick Price, Bernhard Langer and Kenny Perry, which finished at 13 under at Rio Secco Golf Club.
The LPGA team of Cristie Kerr, Suzann Pettersen and Natalie Gulbis finished third at 11 under after winning the event last year.
With the US PGA Tour team trailing by two heading to the par-5 17th hole, Johnson reached the green in two and made an 8-foot putt for eagle.
“I knew I needed to make something happen on 17,” Johnson said.
Watson followed with a birdie at 17 as the US PGA Tour group moved into a tie for the lead, erasing a four-shot Champions Tour lead after 11 holes.
Watson then put his 150-yard approach at the par-4 18th hole in good position on the right side of the hole. He converted the putt and celebrated with a huge fist pump.
“Having a chance to make that putt is something you dream about,” Watson said. “When you actually make it, you don’t know what to do.”
Watson, who enjoyed his best season on the US Tour this year with more than $3 million in earnings and his first victory, said he wasn’t thrilled with his second shot.
“My wedge backed up more than I wanted it to, but it was a good uphill putt and I made it,” Watson said.
That left Langer needing to hole a 12-footer with huge break to force a play-off, and the putt ran left of the cup.
“I was really high up and had far more break than (Watson),” Langer said.
The US PGA Tour won the event for the eighth time, collecting a $500,000 purse in the made-for-TV event featuring three-person teams from the US PGA Tour, Champions Tour and LPGA. Both the Champions Tour and LPGA have six wins.
The Champions Tour won $270,000 for its second-place finish and the LPGA took home $230,000 for placing third.
Johnson and Watson each shot 4-under 68, tied with Perry for low individual honours.
Through 11 holes, the US PGA Tour looked to be in deep trouble, including Weekley posting an 8 at No. 11. Weekley’s score was cast aside under the new format, keeping the US PGA Tour team within striking distance.
“This format is just right,” Watson said. “One guy, one lady, you’re gonna have a bad score. You can throw it out and it makes it more competitive.”

Mackenzie and Smith top Scots at end of first

day at Senior Tour Qualifying  School

Scots Albert Mackenzie and Peter Smith are in the top 10 at Gramacho, one of the two courses being used for Stage 1 of the European Senior Tour Qualifying School at Pestana Golf Resort on Portugal's southern Algarve coastline.
Mackenzie had a six-under-par 66 to be the nearest challenger to the American pacemaker, Tim Thelen, who had a sparkling 64.
Smith had a one-under-par 71 to be sharing sixth place.
Duncan Williamson and Alan S Hemsley are sharing 17th place on level par 72.
Terry Burgoyne is back in joint 60th place after a 78.
Haggs Castle club pro Campbell Elliott did not have a happy day - a round of 81 which left him in joint 76th position of the 83-strong field.
At the Silves course (par 70), England's Andrew MacDonald and Miguel Guzman of the Argentine jointly lead with three-under 67s.
There is one Scot competing there - an Iain Parker who had a 75 which has him in 43rd place.
Over the two courses there are 180 competitors. A total of 72 will qualify for the four-round Final Stage next week, beginning on Monday at Vale de Pinta.

Chris Stroud (62) makes early running at Disney

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) — Chris Stroud is doing his best to make sure Rickie Fowler's memorable rookie season doesn't have a fairy-tale ending at Disney World.
Stroud shot a 10-under 62 in the opening round of the Children's Miracle Network Classic on Thursday, surging past Fowler by four strokes and taking the clubhouse lead after play was halted because of darkness. Roland Thatcher was three shots off the pace, and four others were tied with Fowler in third.
"No matter what golf course we play, no matter how hard they set it up, no matter how hard the conditions, somebody always shoots 62, 63 or 64," Stroud said. "It just happens to be me this week."
The late surge eclipsed an impressive day by Fowler.
The 21-year-old Fowler had eight birdies and two bogeys and showed no signs of jet lag after returning from the HSBC Champions in Shanghai. He led for most of the day until Stroud moved atop the leaderboard with 10 birdies before dusk. Fourteen players were still on the course when play was called.
Fowler has been bouncing around the globe with a busy schedule, from Wales to Las Vegas to Asia - among other stops - and then back to Florida on Monday. He was so tired in his only practice round that all he did was hit some range balls for about 30 minutes before heading back to bed.
As luck would have it, he got the day's first tee time at 6:45 a.m. Then had to wait when fog delayed it an hour.
"It's been more power naps at night. I don't think I've slept more than four hours straight," Fowler said. "When you're flying that much, it definitely feels like I hadn't touched the club for a week."
This is a familiar turf for Fowler.
Last year, he had just turned pro out of Oklahoma State and was only one shot off the lead after the first round at Disney. But he plummeted down the leaderboard through the weekend and was never in contention.
This year, Fowler has done everything but win.
He had second-place finishes at the Memorial and Phoenix, has $2.6 million in earnings, is well inside the top 50 in the world ranking, earned a spot on the Ryder Cup team and atoned for his surprising selection with an incredible birdie for an unlikely half-point.
All that's missing is a trophy.
"Definitely need to get that first win under the belt, get the monkey off my back and go from there," he said.
There was also another incentive for Fowler to come to Disney.
He is one shot behind Troy Merritt and Aaron Baddeley - who moved into a tie Thursday - for the Kodak Challenge. The contest designates a hole at 30 tournaments and keeps score throughout the year, and the lowest score for those who played at least 18 holes takes home the $1 million prize.
"I figure Rickie or Aaron are going to make birdie, and I'm sure Rickie's trying his hardest," Merritt said.
The battle at the bottom of the leaderboard for Tour cards is taking shape.
With Disney being the final tour stop of the season, it's the last chance for players to move up on the money list and secure their Tour cards for next year. Only the top 125 will have full status next year, but players who finish No. 126-150 on the money list will get conditional status that allows them to enter more than a dozen tournaments.
The scores can often fluctuate the first two days with players swapping between the Magnolia and Palm courses. Only the Magnolia Course is used on the weekend.
But Friday - cut day - is often where the biggest moves are made. All Stroud, who is 119th on the money list, will likely need to do is make the cut. And Thatcher, 179th on the money list, needs to finish alone in at least second place to move in the top 125.
After one round, that's exactly where he's at.


CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS TO THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE LIVE SCORING FROM THE CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK CLASSIC AT LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA

ALPS TOUR Q SCHOOL STAGE 1

Scott Henry's good start to Alps Tour Q School

Four Scots were in action today when the Alps Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 began at two courses - Metaponto and Riva de Tessali.

Scott Henry made a good start at the latter venue with a two-under-par 69 to be tied for second place at the halfway stage.

Henry, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, twice winner of the Scottish boys' match-play championship and past Scottish men's open amateur stroke-play champion from Cardross, did very well, considering he had a double bogey 7 as early as the long third hole. He got a shot back with a birdie at the sixth to be out in one-over 36.

The inward half was bogey-free for the Scot for whom a bright future in the pro ranks was predicted at one time. He birdied the 10th, long 12th and short 15th in three-under 33 for a 69, one shot behind the two French amateurs who are sharing the leadong on 68 at Riva dei Tessali.

At Metaponto, England's Paul Maddy and William Roebuck head the first-day scores with rounds of 64 (eight under) and 66 (six under) respectively.
James McGhee (Turnhouse) and Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) from Musselburgh are tied for 41st place at this venue with 74s. James was out in 36 and home in 38. Lee was out in 39 and home in 35.
A third Scot, Ben Irving from Kirkcudbright, was last but one at Metaponto with an 83 (44-39).

CLICK HERE FOR FIRST-ROUND SCORES AT METAPONTO

CLICK HERE FOR FIRST-ROUND SCORES FROM RIVA DEI TESSALI

Chris Wood shares lead with a

63 after four-hour hold-up

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Chris Wood fired a sparkling 63 to claim a share of the clubhouse lead at the Barclays Singapore Open on eight under par but a morning weather disruption means much of the field still had to complete their first rounds at Sentosa Golf Club by the end of the first day's play.
Playing the Tanjong course at Sentosa Golf Club, Wood made a blistering start as the Englishman reeled off three consecutive birdies, although play was suspended for four hours due to lightning between the second and the third.
The 22 year old - who shot to prominence with a top-five finish at The Open Championship in 2008 whilst still an amateur - added an eagle at the sixth to reach the turn in 31 and three more birdies in a row from the 11th saw him quickly move to eight under par and top the leaderboard.
"The course I played today was the one you are looking to get your score in because there are a lot of good chances out there," said Wood.
"The other course I'm playing tomorrow has a bit more meat to it so if I could shoot another one of those down there, I'll be happy."
He was joined by playing partner Kim Bi-o, who played the front nine in 33 before five birdies on the way back helped the Korean draw level with Wood.
And despite leading the 20 year old former Korean Amateur Champion was disappointed not to have recorded the first 59 in European Tour history.
"I had a lot of chances to make birdies as I missed about four birdies from inside ten feet," he said.
"I'm still fine and happy with eight-under but I'm going to head out to the putting green and work on my putting. Hopefully I can play as good in the next few days."
Igancio Garrido, meanwhile, was piecing together potentially the round of his career with the Spaniard eight under through just 11 holes.
The former Ryder Cup player began, like Wood, with three straight birdies and picked up three more to play the front nine in just 30. Garrido then recorded birdies at the tenth and 11th before play was brought to a halt due to darkness.
Shigeki Maruyama was one stroke back in the clubhouse after posting a 64, the Japanese veteran making six birdies and an eagle with his only blemish coming with a bogey at the par five 12th. He was level with Swede Rikard Karlberg, who has three holes to play.
Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin also made a fine start with a 65 to finish the day two shots off the pace in a tie for sixth alongside Anthony Kang, who was six under through 14 holes.
Darren Clarke was well placed at five under par thanks to a bogey-free effort that left him in a group of 17 players which also included US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, Nick Dougherty, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Jamie Donaldson and Y E Yang.
McDowell and Dougherty were still to complete their rounds and with the Tanjong layout playing the easier of the two, the duo's efforts were even more encouraging given they were playing the Serapong course.
Dougherty had made five birdies in 11 holes while McDowell, eager to chase down Martin Kaymer in The Race to Dubai, began like a man possessed with five birdies in six holes from the third.
Phil Mickelson was at four under par, as was Italian teenager Matteo Manassero, following solid 67s, while defending champion Ian Poulter was even through six holes on the Serapong layout.
Last week`s World Golf Championships - HSBC Champions winner Francesco Molinari, meanwhile, was two-under after eight holes.
The 204-strong field will play both the Serapong and Tanjong courses through their first two rounds before the tournament reverts to the Serapong set-up for the weekend.
Paul Lawrie, chasing a place in the Race to Dubai finale, had a disappointing 73, two over par at Serapong and 10 shots off the pace. He had 16 pars and two bogeys at the ninth and 16th.

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Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance report

Glencorse amateur Grant Skinner wins Allan Memorial

Trophy at Lothianburn

By ALAN GREENSHIELDS
Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance
The fifth East Alliance outing of the season was held on Wednesday at Lothianburn Golf Club on a rain-free day and the winner of the M Allan Memorial Trophy was amateur Grant Skinner of Glencorse with a net 66 (70 less 4).
He narrowly pipped Torwoodlee's Mike Thomson who had a net 67 (66 + 1). However, the Borders amateur's gross 66 easily secured the best scratch score prize of the day by a margin of four shots.
Second scratch prize was shared by professionals Scott Grieve of Turnhouse and Ross Neill of Drumpelier on 70.
Second handicap prize also was shared between Ronald Grant of Baberton and Ian Jeavons of Dunbar with net scores of 70.
Trainee Professional prize also went to Dunbar via Terry Mathieson's score of 73 and the Senior prize was securedby Colin McLachlan of Glenbervie with a net 71.

After five outings, the Scratch Order of Merit is led by Scott Grieve, the Turnhouse professional, on 229.5 pts, closely followed by Chris Morris of Kingsknowe on 226 points.
The Handicap Order of Merit is led by Lochend's Alan Young on 77 points follwed by Graeme Johnston of Glenbervie on 67 points.
Next outing will be in two weeks at Dalmahoy (West) on November 24.

WEDNESDAY'S PRIZEWINNERS

M Allan Memorial Trophy at Lothianburn GC


Overall Winner: Grant Skinner (Glencorse) 66 (net)

SCRATCH
1st £100 voucher Mike Thomson (Torwoodee) 66
2nd= £70 Scott Grieve (Turnhouse) 70
2nd= £70 Ross Neill (Drumpellier) 70
4th= £30 Neil Colquhoun (Merchants) 71
4th= £30 Alan Mackay (Pumpherston) 71
HANDICAP
vouchers
1st £100 Grant Skinner (Glencorse) 66
2nd= £70 Ronald Grant (Baberton) 70
2nd= £70 Ian Jeavons (Dunbar) 70
4th= £30 Mark Chaplin (Deer Park) 71
4th= £30 Hugh Fraser (Niddry Castle) 71

Trainee Professional Prize
£20 Terry Mathieson (Dunbar) 73

Senior Prize
£20 Colin McLachlan (Glenbervie) 71


LEADING SCRATCH SCORES
1 Thomson Mike Torwoodlee Amateur 66
2 Grieve Scott Turnhouse Professional 70
3 Neill Ross Drumpellier Professional 70
4 Skinner Grant Glencorse Amateur 70
5 Chaplin Mark Deer Park Amateur 71
6 Colquhoun Neil Merchants Professional 71
7 Mackay Alan Pumpherston Trainee 71
8 Callan Stuart Bathgate Professional 72
9 Fraser Hugh Niddry Castle Amateur 72
10 Lamb Peter Biggar Amateur 73
11 Mathieson Terry Dunbar Trainee 73
12 Catlin Scott Greenburn Professional 74
13 Erskine Andrew Ratho Park Professional 74
14 Johnston Richard Glenbervie Amateur 74
15 McGarvey Sean Glencorse Amateur 74
16 Jeavons Ian Dunbar Amateur 75
17 Marshall Andrew Houston G.R. Professional 75
18 Morris Chris Kingsknowe Professional 75
19 Grant Ronald Baberton Senior 76
20 Knowles Scott Kingsknowe Amateur 76
21 Lamb Justin Glencorse Amateur 76
22 McLachlan Colin Glenbervie Senior 76
23 Wither George Lothianburn Amateur 76
24 Cliff Jonnie Murrayfield Professional 77
25 Doyle Steven Gifford Amateur 77
26 Robson Mike Harrison (Braids) Amateur 77
27 Taylor Ian Royal Burgess Amateur 77
28 Brown Stuart Glencorse Amateur 78
29 Dand Steven Pumpherston Amateur 78
30 Fraser Ian A Duddingston Senior 78
31 Lamb Jordan Peebles Amateur 78
32 Louden Michael Glencorse Amateur 78
33 Melville Iain Glencorse Amateur 78
34 Stavert Iain Duddingston Amateur 78
35 White Justin Harrison (Braids) Amateur 78
36 Boyle Tony Glenbervie Amateur 79
37 McMillan Alexander Bathgate Amateur 79
38 Reid Alan West Lothian Professional 79
39 Rothney Andrew Deer Park Amateur 79
40 Bootland Hinton Duddingston Senior 80
41 Denham John Torwoodlee Senior 80
42 Johnston Graeme D Glenbervie Amateur 80
43 Wight Andrew Glencorse Senior 80
44 Bain Neil Haddington Amateur 81
45 Laing William Prestonfield Amateur 81
46 Miller William Falkirk Tryst Amateur 81
47 Strachan John Shotts Professional 81

LEADING HANDICAP SCORES1 Skinner Grant Glencorse Amateur 70 4 66
2 Thomson Mike Torwoodlee Amateur 66 -1 67
3 Grant Ronald Baberton Senior 76 6 70
4 Jeavons Ian Dunbar Amateur 75 5 70
5 Chaplin Mark Deer Park Amateur 71 0 71
6 Fraser Hugh Niddry Castle Amateur 72 1 71
7 McLachlan Colin Glenbervie Senior 76 5 71
8 Dand Steven Pumpherston Amateur 78 6 72
9 Doyle Steven Gifford Amateur 77 5 72
10 Lamb Jordan Peebles Amateur 78 6 72
11 Lamb Peter Biggar Amateur 73 1 72
12 Bootland Hinton Duddingston Senior 80 7 73
13 Brown Stuart Glencorse Amateur 78 5 73
14 Johnston Richard Glenbervie Amateur 74 1 73
15 Lamb Justin Glencorse Amateur 76 3 73
16 Smith William Harburn Senior 87 14 73
17 Watson David Peebles Senior 86 13 73
18 Denham John Torwoodlee Senior 80 6 74
19 Knowles Scott Kingsknowe Amateur 76 2 74
20 Laing William Prestonfield Amateur 81 7 74
21 Louden Michael Glencorse Amateur 78 4 74
22 Marshall Robert Greenburn Amateur 82 8 74
23 McGarvey Sean Glencorse Amateur 74 0 74
24 Miller William Falkirk Tryst Amateur 81 7 74
25 Ritchie Peter Bathgate Senior 83 9 74
26 Stavert Iain Duddingston Amateur 78 4 74
27 White Justin Harrison (Braids) Amateur 78 4 74
28 Boyle Tony Glenbervie Amateur 79 4 75
29 Fraser Ian A Duddingston Senior 78 3 75
30 Johnston Graeme D Glenbervie Amateur 80 5 75
31 McMillan Alexander Bathgate Amateur 79 4 75
32 Rae Colin Pumpherston Senior 83 8 75
33 Wither George Lothianburn Amateur 76 1 75
34 Jeffrey David Whitekirk Senior 82 6 76
35 McLennan Andrew Deer Park Amateur 83 7 76
36 Robson Mike Harrison (Braids) Amateur 77 1 76
37 Stewart Duncan Craigielaw Amateur 85 9 76
38 Taylor Ian Royal Burgess Amateur 77 1 76
39 Bain Neil Haddington Amateur 81 4 77
40 Crombie Derek Falkirk Tryst Senior 91 14 77
41 Melville Iain Glencorse Amateur 78 1 77
42 Rothney Andrew Deer Park Amateur 79 2 77
43 Wardlaw Stuart Harburn Senior 87 10 77
44 Scott Jim Swanston New Senior 84 6 78
45 Wight Andrew Glencorse Senior 80 2 78
46 Black George Torwoodlee Amateur 83 4 79
47 Graham David Lochend Amateur 83 4 79

Tiger has a 69 in Aussie Masters first round

FROM AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE:
Daniel Gaunt joined fellow Australians Alistair Presnell and Adam Bland in the lead at six-under after the opening round of the Australian Masters at Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne.
Presnell and Bland, who travel and room together to save costs on the Nationwide Tour in the US, fired 65s in the morning to lead the way before Gaunt, a winner on the Challenge Tour in England earlier this year, joined them with a strong afternoon round.
Gaunt, the world number 225 went on a birdie blitz through the middle of his round with five straight around the turn from his seventh (the 16th). He picked up another at his 15th and would have taken an outright lead into the second round if he hadn't missed a short putt at the last.
But the 31-year-old is well-placed heading into his round Friday morning considering a substantial change in the weather is expected during the afternoon's play.
Out safely in 34, Presnell eagled the short, par-four first and holed a hat-trick of birdie putts - all in the four-to-six metre range - at four, five and six to skip to seven under. His one blemish, a bogey, came at his last, the par-five ninth, when he tugged his second shot left.
Bland's bogey-free round started quietly enough but ended in a rush. After turning at one-under, the 28-year-old South Australian birdied five of the last six holes.
Seven players finished with four-under rounds of 67 to sit two off the pace in a share of fourth. They were morning tee-offs Andre Stolz, Craig Hasthorpe, Luke Bleumink and Gareth Paddison along with afternoon trio Steve Collins, Matthew Millar and Kurt Barnes.
Six players finished with 68s, while tournament favourite and title-holder Tiger Woods played impeccably from tee to green but failed to make it count with the putter to finish with a two-under 69.
The world number two dropped a shot early at his third hole but redressed the balance at the long par-five 17th.
He birdied the first, and picked up just one more shot at five in the run home.

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