WOODS WELCOMES BRAMLETT ON TO US PGA TOUR

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
WINTER GARDEN, FLORIDA (AP) — Joseph Bramlett has earned an historic US PGA Tour card by passing through the final stage of Qualifying School, becoming only the second golfer of black heritage on tour. The other is Tiger Woods.
Bramlett shot a 4-under 68 on the Crooked Cat Course at Orange County National today to sneak inside the cut-off for a tour card next year. He finished at 11 under at the gruelling, six-round final stage of qualifying school to tie for 16th. He also passed through two previous stages.
The top 25 earned US PGA Tour cards for 2011. The next 50 received cards on the Nationwide Tour.
News of the Stanford stand-out qualifying spread quickly.
Woods, who also went to Stanford, wrote on Twitter: "Congrats to Joe Bramlett for making it through Q School" and "Can't wait to play with him next season."
Englishman Greg Owen missed out with a total of 426 which put him joint 64th in the final placings. He started with a 76 and he finished with a 72.
Billy Mayfair, no spring chicken, won the six-round elimination/graduation tournament with an 18-under-par total of 411.
William McGirt and Ben Martin were joint second on 412.
Cameron Tringale came fourth on 413 and Jarrod Lyle fifth on 414.


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FRITSCH'S 65 PUTS HIM AHEAD AT TOUR SCHOOL

FROM  THE  EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Germany’s Florian Fritsch carded a stunning seven under par 65 in the second round to take a share of the lead at The European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage.
The 25 year old fired six birdies and an eagle over the Stadium Course to reach eight under par overall 134 and lead four players - Liam Bond, Espen Kofstad, George Coetzee and first round leader Steve Lewton – by one shot at PGA Catalunya Resort, Girona, north-east Spain, where heavy frost at the weekend delayed the completion of the first round.
“I just holed a bunch of putts on my front nine,” said Fritsch, who is a good friend of recently crowned European No 1 Martin Kaymer. “My round today was a culmination of good shots, partial luck and a bunch of good putts. This is my third time here and I’ve missed the cut twice so I’m hoping for a lucky third time.”
Fritsch admitted he has struggled with the mental side of the game, not helped by his fear of flying.
“I’m afraid of flying and this year it got to the point where I had to stop playing,” he said. “I quit at the beginning of the year because I didn’t want to play anymore. It was decreasing my quality of life so much that I thought it wasn’t worth it. I took up another job for eight months using my college training in sports management but realised it wasn’t for me.
“I decided to play the last few events and played well in Toulouse, finishing fifth. I decided to go back to Q School and got through second stage and we’ll see what happens. I’m not aiming for anything. I was so result-orientated before so I’m not even thinking about it. My time away made me grow up as a golfer and a human being.”
Coetzee, who won his European Tour card at Qualifying School last year and came 126th in The 2010 Race to Dubai, enjoyed a magnificent finish over the Tour Course. Having teed off from the tenth, he was one over par after seven holes but then had three consecutive birdies as his round sparked into life. He birdied the fourth, bogeyed the fifth, then ended with a stunning run of birdie, eagle, birdie birdie for an inward 29.
“I got off to a bit of a rough start today, but I told myself to stay patient and it worked out well for me in the end,” said Coetzee. “I holed out from off the green four times today, twice with putts and twice with chips, on the 17th and 18th. It often happens when you least expect it to, but I’ll certainly take it today.
“I played well here last year to finish 16th and get my Tour card but didn’t really make the most of it. It was quite a good year financially, but I didn’t achieve any of the goals I set out at the start of the season. But hopefully I can get my card back and make better use of it next time. I feel like I’m good enough to compete out there, but need to prove it.”
Kofstad’s round was nearly as impressive, eight birdies in a 64 on the Tour Course marred only by a double bogey at the par three eighth.
“Other than the double bogey on the eighth hole, I’ve got to be very happy with a round like that,” said the Norwegian. “I shanked it off the tee and it hit the trees, then I went through the back of the green with my second and three-putted from there. Most of my other putts were from inside 15 feet and I had a few tap-ins for birdie, so my irons were working well.
“I didn’t really feel comfortable in the first round, but today was a different story – the game felt much easier. I only turned professional after Stage Two after playing college golf at Denver University, so I’m very new to the pro game and I’ve still got a lot to learn.”
Bond, who produced an impressive finish on the Stadium Course, said: “It was a tougher day today with the wind but I played really well. I had an eagle on 15 – drive, six iron to 20ft and holed it – which was nice to get me under par for the day, taking me to two under. I dropped one on the par three 16th and thought I’ll just try to get in under par, and then to birdie the last two was brilliant. They are two tough holes too. The finish here is great.
“I holed an absolute bomb on the last there. Must have been 35ft down the slope. It’s such a long week that you just want to keep putting yourself in position and hang around. You’re not trying to win it like at any other tournament, you’ve just got to keep sniffing around and stay in position.”
Lewton, a friend of Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter and winner of Second Qualifying Stage at Arcos Gardens, found the Stadium Course tougher going than yesterday’s Tour Course, carding a level par 72 after a 63 in the first round.
“I was two over after four holes after making two silly bogeys on the 11th and 13th, so I was just trying to hang in there a bit at that point,” he said. “But then the two birdies on 15 and 16 got me going. It was quite difficult judging distances in the wind today, but the main problem was my putting, so I’ll go and work on that on the practice green.”


SCOTS' SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
137 Lloyd Saltman 68 69, Elliot Saltman 66 71.
139 Jack Doherty 66 73.
140 Chris Doak 67 73.
142 Alastair Forsyth 73 69.
144 Raymond Russell 69 75, Marc Warren 72 72.
145 Andrew Coltart 75 70.
146 Scott Drummond 72 74, Jamie McLeary 71 75.


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PGA NATIONAL TO HOST 2011 GLENMUIR FINAL

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
The Belfry’s highly-rated PGA National Course will take centre stage next year when it hosts the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.
More than a decade after staging two European Senior Tour events, leading players from across the UK and overseas will again be in action on the course as they contest the £90,000 72-hole tournament from June 14-17.
Designed by Dave Thomas, the inland links style course that features steep, cavernous bunkers and undulating greens has established a growing reputation alongside The Brabazon, its more famous sister that has staged four Ryder Cups and the 1985 Glenmuir tournament.
Defending champion David Mortimer is expected to be among the competitors following his victory over David Shacklady in a memorable play-off at The Oxfordshire in August.
In addition, more than 650 PGA pros will battle it out across eight regional qualifiers to land one of the 156 starting spots.
The 2011 tournament, which carries a £10,000 first prize will also have a major bearing on determining the make up the 2011 Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team to take on their American counterparts in California next September.
Furthermore it will hold added significance for the Belfry-based PGA because the course was the first to bear the PGA brand.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “The Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship is the most sought after PGA title for many of our members and I’m particularly proud to see it being contested over a PGA branded course at our headquarters.
“We have witnessed some terrific tournaments down the years at many of the country’s best venues and the PGA National at The Belfry is no exception.
“I’m confident the players will find another testing but rewarding challenge. What’s more, with a place in the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team at stake, the stage is set for another memorable championship and we look forward to a successful week.”
Gary Silcock, The Belfry’s director of golf, echoed those sentiments and believes significant improvements over the past five years have given the par 72, 7,053 yards long course more bite.
He said: “Over the last five years we have changed course conditions to go with the ‘inland links’ feel of the design with fast firm greens, long brown whispy rough, gorse and firm fairways that, compared to The Brabazon, give you an extra 20 yards roll.
“All our three courses here offer something very different in length, design and playability and the wind can be a key factor at the PGA National.
“Kenny MacKay, our director of courses, always has a spark-in-his-eye when talking about the PGA National. He is very proud of how he has improved the playability of the course in keeping with the design and sometimes gets more excited about the PGA National than The Brabazon.”
Glenmuir managing director Colin Mee, added: "I'm delighted the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship is being staged at The Belfry for only the second time in the event's 29-year history.
"As preferred supplier to the European Ryder Cup Team since 1987, we've enjoyed many happy occasions there over the years and The Belfry’s PGA National course will be a fitting backdrop for this prestigious final.
“I hope the prospect of staying and playing at this iconic venue will spur even more players to enter the Championship this year."

THIS WEEK'S WORLD PRO RANKINGS

1. Lee Westwood (England) 9.25 average points (no change from last week).
2. Tiger Woods (US) 8.45 (no change)
3.  Martin Kaymer (Germany) 7.60 ) (no change)
4.  Phil Mickelson (US) 7.16 ) (no change).
5.  Jim Furyk (US) 6.55 (up one from last week).
6.  Steve Stricker (US) 6.53 (down one)
7.  Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 6.36 (up four places)
8.  Paul Casey (England) 6.26 (down one)/
9.  Luke Donald (England) 5.88 (no change)
10. Ian Poulter (England) 5.82 (down two)
11. Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) 5.69 (down one)
12. Ernie Els (South Africa) 5.06 (up one).
13. Matt Kuchar (US) 4.97 (down one).
14. Dustin Johnson (US) 4.76 (no change).
15. Francesco Molinari (Italy) 4.55 (no change).
16. Robert Karlsson (Sweden) 4.48 (no change).
17. Retief Goosen (South Africa) 4.29 (up two).
18. Hunter Mahan (US) 4.26  (no change).
19. Edoardo Molinari (Italy) 4.18 (down two).
20. Zach Johnson (US) 3.83 (up one).

WESTWOOD HITS OUT AT US SNUB FOR McILROY

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By VICKI HODGE
World No 1 Lee Westwood has questioned the US PGA's decision to award America's Ricki Fowler the Rookie of the Year title over his Ryder Cup team-mate Rory McIroy.
Northern Irishman McIlroy wasn't the least bit bothered by being overlooked for the award, which is voted for by players, but Westwood took the chance to vent his annoyance on his Twitter page.
Westwood could not limit his anger to 140 characters so he posted his full complaint on a 'Twitlonger' account.
The Englishman wrote:
"Sorry 140 letters is not going to be enough for this rant! Just seen Ricky Fowler has been given US Rookie of the Year! Yes he's had a good year but Rory McIlroy, third in two majors and an absolute demolition of the field at Quail Hollow!
"Oh yes and on the winning Ryder cup team! Please! Is this yet another case of protectionism by the US PGA Tour or are they so desperate to win something! Wouldn't have something to do with Rory not joining the tour next year? Maybe the US PGA tour just employs the same voting process as FIFA! Come on, fair's fair!"
McIlroy, who turned pro in Europe in 2008, won the Quail Hollow Championship against one of the strongest fields of the year. He tied a major championship record at St. Andrews with a 63 when he tied for third at the Open, and he tied for third in another major, the US PGA Championship. Fowler, meanwhile, did not win a tournament this year.
"It's fine," McIlroy said on Sunday after making four birdies in his last five holes at the Chevron World Challenge to finish fourth. "Look, I really didn't want it. I'm not a rookie."
The US PGA Tour considers him a rookie because it was his first full year on the American tour, which is why McIlroy was on the ballot with Fowler, Puerto Rico Open winner Derek Lamely and Alex Prugh.
The US Tour does not reveal how many players voted or for whom.
The 21 year-old Fowler did not turn pro until the autumn of 2009 after playing in the Walker Cup. This year he became the first tour rookie picked for the Ryder Cup team.
"When I joined the US PGA Tour, I was top 10 in the world," McIlroy said. "Rickie had an unbelievable year. He deserves it.
"Coming straight out of college, playing the Walker Cup in 2009, the Ryder Cup, winning nearly $3 million, getting to 25th in the world. It's a great first year. That's what a rookie should be - the first year. I don't feel like I should have been eligible."

McDOWELL BEATS TIGER IN CHEVRON CHALLENGE PLAY-OFF

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
THOUSAND OAKS, California (AP) — Tiger Wood delivered a vintage moment, dropping an 8-iron from the sky on the final hole Sunday inside 3 feet for what looked to be a sure victory.
Just not this year.
The clutch shots and happy endings belonged to U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell (picture copyright of AFP).
The man from Northern Ireland capped off his greatest season with the biggest comeback ever against Woods. He rallied from a four-shot deficit in the Chevron World Challenge, then upstaged Woods at his own tournament.
McDowell holed a 20-foot birdie putt to force a play-off, then beat Woods on the first extra hole with another birdie from a little bit longer.
"They're the kind of putts that you make them, and you can't really believe it afterwards," McDowell said. "They were the stuff of dreams - 2010 has been the stuff of dreams. It's been that kind of year."
Woods might have known what to expect, considering how his year has gone.
Without a trophy for the first time since he can remember, Woods appeared ready to embark on a new chapter after a year of personal turmoil and shocking scores. A four-shot lead turned into a two-shot deficit. He rallied to tie McDowell, then watched the U.S. Open champion deliver the winning shots.
It was the first time Woods has lost a tournament when leading by at least three shots going into the final round.
And it was the first time anyone could recall Woods feeling good after a loss.
"It was a great week, even though I didn't win," Woods said. "I'm proud of today, even though I lost."
Woods lost his big lead with a pair of three-putt bogeys, imploded with a double bogey on the par-5 13th to see his one-shot lead turn into a two-shot deficit, then got new life when McDowell made a couple of mistakes down the stretch.
McDowell won with two birdies on the 18th, but he might have won the tournament with a bogey. With a one-shot lead on the par-3 17th, he pulled his 8-iron into grass so high that he took a penalty drop on the 18th tee and pitched over the trees to 7 feet. Woods missed his birdie putt, and McDowell made his putt to stay even with Woods going to the final hole.
It was only the fourth time in 15 years that Woods has lost in a playoff.
But he had reason to look ahead to next year with growing confidence. After making a mess of his life off the course that ended in divorce, and rebuilding his swing for the fourth time, for the first time all year he looked like a No. 1 player.
In contention for the first time, however, old swing flaws crept into his game under the pressure of trying to win. Woods figured he did well to steady himself for the final few holes, and he did everything right except make a 15-foot putt to extend the playoff.
"The way I'm playing right now, yeah, I would like to continue playing," Woods said. "Even though I lost and made countless mistakes in the middle part of the round, it said a lot for me to come back and put my swing back together again."=
It was great theatre. And for the first time all year, Woods was part of the act.
"He used to appear invincible," McDowell said. "Of course, he's made himself appear more human in the last 12 months. But there's something a bit special about his golf game, and I fully expect that mystique to return as the golf clubs start doing the talking again."
McDowell closed with a 69, while Woods shot a 73 to match him at 16-under 272. They were four shots clear of Paul Casey, who had had a 69 to finish alone in third.
"We had a good battle out there," Woods said.
Woods was shaky early on with the putter to quickly lose his four-shot cushion, but he didn't fall out of the lead until the 13th.
He took his hand off the club on a poor tee shot that went into the left rough, forcing him to lay up. Then came another poor swing, again letting the club fall from his hands, as his wedge sailed over the green. He chipped through the green, chipped back 6 feet long and missed the putt to make double bogey.
McDowell reached the green in two for a birdie, which was a massive three-shot swing. It was the first time Woods trailed in the tournament since the 13th hole of the opening round, a stretch of 54 holes.
Woods probably should have lost the lead earlier.
He holed a tough, downhill putt from 8 feet for par on the sixth to stay one ahead. And on the par-3 eighth, after a flop shop from deep rough sailed 15 feet onto the fringe, Woods again made a key par putt to keep the lead.
Woods was grinding to keep his game together, which was not unusual considering it had been one year and 20 days since he last played in the final round of a tournament with the lead. He never got it back, thanks to the clutch putting from McDowell.
A year ago, McDowell was a last-minute alternate to this tournament when Woods' personal life began to collapse. He finished second and earned enough world ranking points that he eventually got into the U.S. Open, which he won at Pebble Beach.
At a party Saturday night, McDowell asked tournament director Greg McLaughlin if he could at least try to win the tournament. Woods and a four-shot lead used to be a given. Upon seeing McLaughlin after winning, McDowell joking apologised.
It may have ruined a good story for Woods.
It capped a dream season for McDowell, who won $1.2 million and moved up to No. 7 in the world.
Paul Casey finished third with a closing 69 for 276, four shots behind the play-off participiants. Northern Ireland could be proud of the fact that TWO men from Ulster finished in the leading four with Rory McIlroy having the second-best last round of 68 to finish fourth on 277.
*Five of the top eight finishers were British. Seven of the last eight were Americans. Since the Ryder Cup, Brittania Rules!
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
272 Graeme McDowell 66 69 68 69, Tiger Woods 65 66 68 73 (McDowell won play-off at first extra hole).
276 Paul Casey 73 65 69 69
277 Rory McIlroy 66 70 73 68
278 Hunter Mahan 72 67 70 69
279 Stewart Cink 69 75 68 67, Ian Poulter 72 67 71 69
283 Luke Donald 70 66 73 74
284 Zach Johnson 75 67 70 72, Sean O'Hair 72 67 70 75
288 Jim Furyk 72 73 71 72
289 Steve Stricker 72 76 70 71
290 Nick Watney 72 67 71 80
291 Camilo Villegas 70 75 76 70, Bubba Watson 76 69 74 72
292 Dustin Johnson 69 72 80 71, Anthony Kim 79 66 74 73
295 Matt Kuchar 75 71 74 75