INJURED FOX IN THE HUNT ON GLENEAGLES FIRST DAY
By RON MARSHALL
PGA Scottish Region Press Officer
A rib injury sustained during a practice round at Gleneagles last week almost put paid to Graham Fox's chances of playing in the Gleneagles PGA Scottish Championship.
But the old adage, beware the injured golfer, certainly held true for the Ayrshireman, who, bolstered by strong painkillers, signed for an opening three-under 68 on Monday over the King's Course, to share the lead with fellow Ayrshireman, Jim McKinnon, and Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy).
The 35-year-old Fox, originally from West Kilbride, slipped and fell awkwardly on the second tee during a practice round last Wednesday, and had to leave the course. Painkillers were prescribed, and it was touch and go whether he would travel to the famed Perthshire resort.
Losing, he reckoned, about 15% on his distance, he nevertheless grabbed five birdies, offset by two bogeys, and expressed himself happy with his current form, tutored by fellow pro, Ross Aitken, at Rowallan Castle GC.
McKinnon unleashed a searing run just after the turn, with birdies at the 10th, 11th , where he chipped in from 20 yards, the 12th, and topped off by an eagle at the short par-four 14th, where he drove to 10 feet and holed the putt.
On greens affected by the recent heavy rain, McKinnon three-putted the fourth and 16th, but he had no complaints, and has every intention of improving on his previous best performance here, 11th place five years ago.
Kerr's record in the championship is impressive - third last year and fourth in 2009. "I can't be disappointed at coming third last year, but winning this event gives you something that can't be taken away, and it's good for your cv."
Yesterday the 29-year-old played steadily - "no highlights or dramas" - carding four birdies and a bogey. And after this week, he begins his preparation for Stage 2 of the European Tour School by heading to Spain to play in a couple of Hi5 events before the big school test in early December.
Four players are on 69, one shot off the lead - Nigel Scott-Smith (Palacerigg), Alan Reid (West Lothian), Craig Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre), and former champion, Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle
to the
Pre-tournament favourite Stephen Gray (Hayston), leader of the Tartan Tour's money table and Order of Merit, started with a one-over-par 72 which was made up of birdies at the long 10th and 14th plus three bogeys.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 71
68 Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), James Mckinnon (Irvine), Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy).
69 Nigel Scott-Smith (Palacerigg), Alan Reid (West Lothian), Craig Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle).
70 David Orr (East Renfrewshire), Chris Kelly (Cawder) Chris Currie (Caldwell), Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), Greg McBain (Gamola Golf).
71 Craig Ronald (Carluke), Graeme Brown (Montrose Golf Links), Ross Cameron (McDonald Ellon), Gareth Wright (West Linton), Alan Lockhart (Ladybank), Mark King (Kingsfield), Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs Golf Range), James McGhee (Duddingston), Grant Smith (Gleneagles Hotel).
72 Paul Jamieson (Dunblane New), Ian Brown (Newent), Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), Tom Buchanan (Duddingston), Paul Wardell (Whitekirk), Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Stephen Gray (Hayston), Ronan Rafferty (Roxburghe), Samuel Cairns (Colville Park).
73 Fraser Dunlop (Gleneagles Hotel), Alastair Mackenzie (Renaissance Club), Ross Dixon (Renaissance Club), Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), Paul Wilson (Cawder), Colin Gillies (Kingsfield), Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst).
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES ON THE PGA SCOTLAND WEBSITE
CLICK HERE
PGA Scottish Region Press Officer
A rib injury sustained during a practice round at Gleneagles last week almost put paid to Graham Fox's chances of playing in the Gleneagles PGA Scottish Championship.
But the old adage, beware the injured golfer, certainly held true for the Ayrshireman, who, bolstered by strong painkillers, signed for an opening three-under 68 on Monday over the King's Course, to share the lead with fellow Ayrshireman, Jim McKinnon, and Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy).
The 35-year-old Fox, originally from West Kilbride, slipped and fell awkwardly on the second tee during a practice round last Wednesday, and had to leave the course. Painkillers were prescribed, and it was touch and go whether he would travel to the famed Perthshire resort.
Losing, he reckoned, about 15% on his distance, he nevertheless grabbed five birdies, offset by two bogeys, and expressed himself happy with his current form, tutored by fellow pro, Ross Aitken, at Rowallan Castle GC.
McKinnon unleashed a searing run just after the turn, with birdies at the 10th, 11th , where he chipped in from 20 yards, the 12th, and topped off by an eagle at the short par-four 14th, where he drove to 10 feet and holed the putt.
On greens affected by the recent heavy rain, McKinnon three-putted the fourth and 16th, but he had no complaints, and has every intention of improving on his previous best performance here, 11th place five years ago.
Kerr's record in the championship is impressive - third last year and fourth in 2009. "I can't be disappointed at coming third last year, but winning this event gives you something that can't be taken away, and it's good for your cv."
Yesterday the 29-year-old played steadily - "no highlights or dramas" - carding four birdies and a bogey. And after this week, he begins his preparation for Stage 2 of the European Tour School by heading to Spain to play in a couple of Hi5 events before the big school test in early December.
Four players are on 69, one shot off the lead - Nigel Scott-Smith (Palacerigg), Alan Reid (West Lothian), Craig Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre), and former champion, Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle
to the
Pre-tournament favourite Stephen Gray (Hayston), leader of the Tartan Tour's money table and Order of Merit, started with a one-over-par 72 which was made up of birdies at the long 10th and 14th plus three bogeys.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 71
68 Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), James Mckinnon (Irvine), Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy).
69 Nigel Scott-Smith (Palacerigg), Alan Reid (West Lothian), Craig Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle).
70 David Orr (East Renfrewshire), Chris Kelly (Cawder) Chris Currie (Caldwell), Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), Greg McBain (Gamola Golf).
71 Craig Ronald (Carluke), Graeme Brown (Montrose Golf Links), Ross Cameron (McDonald Ellon), Gareth Wright (West Linton), Alan Lockhart (Ladybank), Mark King (Kingsfield), Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs Golf Range), James McGhee (Duddingston), Grant Smith (Gleneagles Hotel).
72 Paul Jamieson (Dunblane New), Ian Brown (Newent), Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), Tom Buchanan (Duddingston), Paul Wardell (Whitekirk), Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Stephen Gray (Hayston), Ronan Rafferty (Roxburghe), Samuel Cairns (Colville Park).
73 Fraser Dunlop (Gleneagles Hotel), Alastair Mackenzie (Renaissance Club), Ross Dixon (Renaissance Club), Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), Paul Wilson (Cawder), Colin Gillies (Kingsfield), Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst).
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES ON THE PGA SCOTLAND WEBSITE
CLICK HERE
Labels: Tartan Tour
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Monday, October 10, 2011
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