BEN PARKER SCORES FIRST WIN AS A PRO ON EPD TOUR

FROM THE EPD (German PGA) TOUR WEBSITE
Ben Parker is the winner of the 2011 Land Fleesensee Classic. The 23 year old professional who has English roots (his father is a club pro in Germany and his sistere Florentyna plays on the L E T) and a British passport but lives in Hamburg/Germany for 22 years, this week celebrated his maiden victory on the EPD Tour – and as a professional.
With rounds of 67, 68 and 69, a total 12 under par, he finally was one shot ahead of Maximilian Glauert from Düsseldorf (68, 67, 70/-11) and claimed te first cash prize 5,000 Euros.
Third place was shared by Christoph Günther (Germany) and Janne Kaske from Finnland who both scored 9 under par for the 30,000 euro event in Göhren-Lebbin in Germany.
Scot Paul O'Hara has rounds of 69, 74 and 70 for three-under-par 209 which gave him a share of 19th place and a payslip for 426 Euros.
"I am very happy that I finally won my first trophy", Parker said. "This gives me a lot of confidence and I finally prooved myself that I am able to win tournaments."
Parker, who turned professional in 2007, was suffering a severe shoulder injury in 2008 and 2009 and was then fighting back his way to the leaderboards. After eight top 10 results in the 2010 season he finished last years Order of Merit as No. 10. He had one 3rd place in 2010 and came in second four times.
His victory on the Scandinavian Course in Göhren-Lebbin was a result of great consitency and a very strong performance especially during rounds 1 and 2. The 5000 euro prize money makes him move to 7th place of the 2011 EPD Tour Order of Merit.
Maximilian Glauert has regained 1st place again from Dutchman Reinier Saxton.

CLICK HERE FOR SCORES AND OTHER STATS

 FINAL RESULTS          EPD TOUR ORDER OF MERIT

HUTCHEON RETURNS TO TARTAN TOUR TO WIN £1,018 PRIZE

NEWS RELEASE
Banchory's Greig Hutcheon has won the first professional tournament to be held at the stunning new Colin Montgomerie-designed Rowallan Castle Golf Course.
Fresh from fantastic performances in the BMW PGA Championship and Welsh Open European Tour events, Hutcheon shot a brilliant 66 to take him to seven under par and lift the Skycaddie Challenge.  37-year-old Hutcheon from Banchory is currently Scotland’s top professional golfer in domestic competition.
He won the Tartan Tour Order of Merit last year for the third time. After his win at Rowallan Castle he is on course to achieve his goal of lifting that title for a fourth time.
Hutcheon said: “I’ve enjoyed my first two days here at Rowallan Castle. The Colin Montgomerie course is a great design. It has an interesting mix of treacherous par threes, reachable par fives and a couple of driveable par fours. A highlight for me was the fantastic 12th hole.
“The golf course is a lovely mix and a beautiful layout. The course is very mature considering it has only been open for a year. It’s been a great two days here, and it’s a fantastic facility. I look forward to returning for more events in the future.”Hutcheon clinched the title after rounds of 69 and 66 to win by one stroke from Jason McCreadie of Buchanan Castle, with first day leader Stephen Gray of Hayston coming in third.
The Rowallan victory caps a fantastic three weeks for Hutcheon. He made the cut in both the Saab Wales Open and  prestigious BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Hutcheon picked up more than £1000 for his one stroke victory at Rowallan, taking his earnings for the last three weeks to nearly £30,000.
This is the first major Scottish event to be staged at the picturesque Rowallan Castle parkland course that is fast gaining a reputation as one of the best courses in the country.
Set in 600 acres of one of Scotland’s most glorious country estates, the challenging 7000 yard Rowallan Castle course designed by 2010 European Ryder Cup winning Captain Colin Montgomerie, wends its way past two historic castles, and enjoys superb views of the famous islands of Ailsa Craig and Arran.
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES ON THE PGA SCOTLAND WEBSITE

CLICK HERE

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR SCOREBOARD

Allianz Open Cotes D’Armor – Bretagne
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 140 (2x70)130 R Steiner (Aut) 65 65,
135 K Sullivan (Wal) 66 69, A Högberg (Swe) 66 69, S Jeppesen (Swe) 67 68, T Fleetwood (Eng) 66 69, M Decottignies Lafon (am) (Fra) 68 67,

136 C Macaulay (Sco) 67 69, P Archer (Eng) 69 67, B Chapellan (Fra) 65 71, D Nouailhac (Fra) 67 69,

137 A Willey (Eng) 67 70, F Praegant (Aut) 66 71, B Evans (Eng) 69 68, T Fournier (Fra) 69 68,

138 J Lucquin (Fra) 69 69, C Russo (Fra) 69 69, P Dwyer (Eng) 70 68, F Delamontagne (Fra) 67 71, T Raillard (Fra) 66 72, C Suneson (Esp) 69 69, L Kennedy (Eng) 71 67, P Golding (Eng) 68 70, J Lando Casanova (am) (Fra) 69 69,

139 J Caldwell (Nir) 67 72, J Moul (Eng) 66 73, J Billot (Fra) 67 72, O Whiteley (Eng) 69 70, G Houston (Wal) 67 72, A Johnston (Eng) 69 70, M Erlandsson (Swe) 67 72, B Hemstock (Eng) 71 68, J Quesne (Fra) 69 70,

140 L Jensen (Den) 69 71, B Bozio (Fra) 74 66, J Grillon (Fra) 73 67, M Cryer (Eng) 70 70, A Bernadet (Fra) 68 72, A Hansen (Den) 70 70, J Kelly (Nor) 73 67, N Joakimides (Fra) 68 72, J Roos (RSA) 69 71, M Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 68 72,

141 S Piaget (Mon) 73 68, A Coltart (Sco) 70 71, M Ford (Eng) 68 73, V Almstrom (Swe) 72 69, I Ridgway (Eng) 68 73, A Snobeck (Fra) 69 72, K Le Sager (Fra) 70 71, M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 72 69, S Tiley (Eng) 70 71, C Lee (Sco) 67 74, R Eyraud (Fra) 69 72, S Hutsby (Eng) 71 70, T Rice (Irl) 73 68, V Riu (Fra) 71 70,
142 B Nicolay (Fra) 65 77, S Robinson (Eng) 70 72,B Ritthammer (Ger) 70 72, D Lokke (Den) 70 72, F Marty (Fra) 74 68, D Whitnell (Eng) 73 69, A Domingo (Esp) 67 75, D Brooks (Eng) 71 71, J Legarrea (Esp) 70 72, J Heath (Eng) 69 73, E Chaudouet (Fra) 70 72, L Richard (Bel) 74 68,
MISSED THE CUT
143 M Baldwin (Eng) 73 70, J Lopez Lazaro (Fra) 69 74, T Linard (Fra) 67 76, B Hebert (Fra) 71 72, J Estevez (Arg) 72 71, R Hjelm (Den) 67 76, N McCarthy (Eng) 72 71, A Bihan (Fra) 76 67, B Teilleria (Fra) 71 72, T Sherreard (Eng) 72 71, F Calmels (Fra) 73 70, T Whitehouse (Eng) 74 69, I Keenan (Eng) 72 71, J Hepworth (Eng) 69 74, L Claverie (Esp) 70 73,
144 R Bechu (Fra) 76 68, R Blaum (USA) 72 72, C Brazillier (Fra) 72 72, J Garcia (Esp) 75 69, L Canter (Eng) 69 75, N Kearney (Irl) 71 73, H Bacher (Aut) 73 71, N Bollini (USA) 72 72, J Guerrier (Fra) 69 75, J Palmer (Eng) 72 72, L Westerberg (Swe) 72 72, J Van Der Vaart (Ned) 74 70,
145 D Perrier (Fra) 73 72, J Little (Eng) 72 73, D Wuensche (Ger) 71 74, M Hill (Fra) 76 69, M Van Hauwe (Fra) 73 72, J Camargo (Esp) 73 72,
146 J Robinson (Eng) 75 71, J Ruth (Eng) 70 76, F Svanberg (Sui) 71 75, X Poncelet (Fra) 69 77, A McArthur (Sco) 70 76, S Davis (Eng) 70 76, R Santos (Por) 71 75, S Surry (Eng) 78 68, S Harrington (USA) 73 73, M McGeady (Irl) 69 77, G Cambis (Fra) 74 72,
147 M Evans (Eng) 74 73, M Laskey (Wal) 74 73, A Campanile (Ita) 77 70, P Grannell (Eng) 75 72, G Rosier (Fra) 76 71, M Cobo (Esp) 69 78, C Paisley (Eng) 70 77, J Guillet (Fra) 75 72,

148 T Stewart (Aus) 76 72, M Palm (Swe) 74 74, J Morgan (Eng) 76 72, F Valera (Esp) 73 75,

149 B Miarka (Ger) 73 76, P Relecom (Bel) 73 76, S Garcia Rodriguez (Esp) 72 77, J Campillo (Esp) 74 75, I Sanchez-Palencia (Esp) 74 75, M Lundberg (Swe) 73 76,

150 RNeil-Jones (Eng) 75 75, G Jackson (Eng) 73 77, C Gallois (Fra) 73 77, V Simoni (Fra) 75 75, J Abbate (Arg) 75 75, P Kaensche (Nor) 71 79, G Lockerbie (Eng) 76 74, J Bragulat (Esp) 70 80,
151 M Delpodio (Ita) 72 79, A Grenier (Fra) 74 77, J Relecom (Bel) 71 80, C Judlin (Fra) 74 77,
152 F Elli (Ita) 81 71, G Murphy (Irl) 77 75, T Leon (USA) 78 74, L Seinger (Fra) 74 78,

154 S Walker (Eng) 75 79, O Maire (Fra) 75 79, O David (Fra) 78 76,

155 S McDonagh (Eng) 80 75,

156 G Dear (Sco) 80 76,

157 G Leriche (Fra) 80 77, R Dupuis (Fra) 81 76,

159 C Smith (Wal) 80 79,

** F Keenan (Eng) 80 WD, M Southgate (Eng) 76 WD,

OLDCORN TAKES ROUTE 66 TO sHARE LEAD AT SLALEY HALL

Action study of Andrew Oldcorn during his fine round at Slaley Hall today. Image by courtesy of Getty Images.

By PAUL SYMES, Press Officer
England’s Matt Briggs and Scotland’s Andrew Oldcorn took advantage of more benign playing conditions to open up a one shot advantage on the second day of the De Vere Club PGA Seniors Championship.
Oldcorn, still searching for his maiden Senior Tour title after recording his second runner-up finish at last week’s ISPS Handa Senior Masters presented by The Stapleford Forum, signed for a best-of-the-day round of 66 to move to five under par, one stroke clear of England’s Barry Lane.
The 51 year old from Edinburgh has finished inside the top 12 in all four or his appearances on the regular 2011 Senior Tour Schedule, but labelled his display at De Vere Slaley Hall in Hexham, England, the best of the current campaign.
Oldcorn said: “I just got into the zone today, and felt like I could birdie even the hard holes. The first day was a bit of a slog for us all really in the conditions. I was four over par after nine yesterday so I was up against it, but for the last 27 holes I’ve played really well.
“I’ve been playing well now for the last two or three weeks. My irons especially have improved, but so have all aspects of my game. I had my coach with me last week, and he spotted a few things. My iron play improved dramatically, and I ended up finishing second. Of course I want to get my first win on the Senior Tour under my belt – I’m not going to deny that. But for that to happen a lot of things have to go my way, so we’ll just wait and see what the next two days bring.”
Despite bogeying his last two holes, Briggs joined Oldcorn on five under par to continue a fine run of form which has taken even the man himself by surprise.
As on the opening day, Briggs had seemed destined to record a flawless round, only for two late blemishes to blot his copybook. But a round of 66 still kept him on course to contend for his first Senior Tour victory.
He said: “I’m as surprised as anyone to be leading the tournament. I had a bit of a sticky ending again, but overall I have to be delighted with how I’m playing, and the position I’m in. I wasn’t able to take advantage of the par fives today, which was a bit disappointing. But I managed to birdie a few of the tougher holes, including the eighth, so I can’t complain.”
Briggs and Oldcorn will be joined in the final group by Lane, who surged up the leaderboard with a stunning round of 67. Lane is currently 13th on the Senior Tour Order of Merit, but will have high hopes of improving his position after five birdies and an eagle at the fourth hole moved him to four under par.
Lane said: “When I thinned my shot over the back of the green and made a bogey on my first hole, I didn’t think it was going to be the best of days! But after that blip I went on to play some very solid golf – my only other bogey was a three putt on the 18th. Holing my bunker shot for an eagle at the fourth was a big bonus, and parring the ninth was a great way to finish, because it’s a very tough hole.”
Australian Noel Ratcliffe is currently in fourth place on three under par after mixing seven birdies and three bogeys in a round of 68. The 66 year old from Sydney reached the turn in level par 36, but roared home in 32 strokes to move into contention to capture his ninth Senior Tour title.
The English duo of Bob Cameron (71) and Kevin Spurgeon (69) are a further shot back on two under par alongside Australian Mike Harwood, who birdied the fiendishly tough 18th hole in a round of 70. After carding rounds of 71 the Scottish duo of Gordon Brand Jnr and Sandy Lyle, currently second on the Order of Merit, share ninth place on one under par alongside record-breaking Englishman Carl Mason.


SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)139 M Briggs (Eng) 71 68, A Oldcorn (Sco) 73 66,
140 B Lane (Eng) 73 67,
141 N Ratcliffe (Aus) 73 68,
142 B Cameron (Eng) 71 71, M Harwood (Aus) 72 70, K Spurgeon (Eng) 73 69,
143 C Mason (Eng) 72 71, S Lyle (Sco) 72 71, G Brand Jnr (Sco) 72 71,
144 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 74 70,
145 P Allan (Eng) 72 73, M Mouland (Wal) 72 73, R Drummond (Sco) 72 73, P Fowler (Aus) 77 68, P Hinton (Eng) 73 72, D Merriman (Aus) 71 74,
146 A Franco (Par) 71 75, G Manson (Aut) 75 71,
147 M James (Eng) 76 71, S Cipa (Eng) 79 68, I Woosnam (Wal) 75 72,
148 S Torrance (Sco) 75 73, A Sowa (Arg) 74 74, M Farry (Fra) 75 73, D Smyth (Irl) 73 75, P Smith (Sco) 75 73,
149 A Fernandez (Chi) 76 73, M White (Sco) 74 75, C Williams (RSA) 76 73, B Lincoln (RSA) 81 68, D Johnson (USA) 74 75, M Belsham (Eng) 77 72, J Sallat (Fra) 74 75, M Cunning (USA) 76 73, L Carbonetti (Arg) 75 74,
150 G Banister (Aus) 77 73, R Green (Eng) 72 78, D Durnian (Eng) 76 74, D O'Sullivan (Irl) 77 73, P Mitchell (Eng) 75 75, M Williams (Zim) 73 77, N Job (Eng) 76 74, J Stuart (USA) 74 76, W Grant (Eng) 78 72,
151 D Cambridge (Jam) 75 76, S Bennett (Eng) 72 79, S McNally (Eng) 78 73, P Barber (Eng) 78 73, R Davis (Aus) 74 77, J Harrison (Eng) 78 73, K Tomori (Jpn) 79 72, J Quiros (Esp) 78 73, F Mann (Sco) 78 73, M Moreno (Esp) 78 73,
152 J Hall (Eng) 77 75, J King (Eng) 77 75, K Phillips (Eng) 74 78, G Townhill (Eng) 74 78, W Grady (Aus) 77 75,
MISSED THE CUT
153 H Carbonetti (Arg) 76 77, L Fickling (Eng) 76 77, G Krause (Eng) 79 74, S Van Vuuren (RSA) 77 76, B Smit (RSA) 72 81, J Chillas (Sco) 76 77, F Illouz (Fra) 81 72, A Sherborne (Eng) 79 74, B Ruangkit (Tha) 81 72, T Charnley (Eng) 76 77, M Lord (Eng) 75 78,
154 J Heggarty (Nir) 77 77, L Stephen (Aus) 75 79, S Shields (Eng) 78 76, A Webster (Sco) 80 74, T Planchin (Fra) 79 75, T Allen (Eng) 76 78, G Farr (Wal) 78 76, P Harrison (Eng) 77 77,
155 P Dahlberg (Swe) 78 77, C Elliott (Sco) 76 79,
156 R Masters (Eng) 78 78, J Bruner (USA) 80 76, P Brostedt (Swe) 77 79, C Hall (Eng) 79 77, J Lower (Eng) 79 77, R Mugglestone (Eng) 77 79, K Tarling (Can) 78 78, T Rastall (Eng) 81 75,
157 F Kiddie (Eng) 76 81, D Gavrilovic (Eng) 79 78, G Brand (Eng) 77 80, J Gould (Eng) 77 80, J Rivero (Esp) 81 76, M Deeley (Eng) 78 79, G Ralph (Eng) 82 75,
158 J Stansberry (USA) 80 78, D Padgett (Eng) 79 79,
159 C Acutis (Ita) 84 75, M Morbey (Eng) 81 78,
160 M Poxon (Eng) 80 80,
161 R Mann (Eng) 85 76, B Hardwick (Can) 83 78, D Russell (Eng) 80 81,
162 D Young (Eng) 82 80, G Davies (Wal) 84 78, E Alessandrini (Ita) 81 81, M Desmond (Eng) 86 76,
163 G Bothwell (Eng) 81 82, S Ball (Eng) 85 78,
165 R Webster (Sco) 83 82, C Linstead (Eng) 83 82,
167 S Smith (Eng) 81 86, M Gray (Sco) 87 80,
170 J Heggarty (Eng) 90 80,
177 S Bonham (Eng) 92 85,
** I Mosey (Eng) 83 WD, I Parker (Sco) 82 WD, M Miller (Sco) 87 WD, G Ryall (Eng) RT 0,

ITALIAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS

FOR NEWS FROM THE ITALIAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, LOG ON TO THE
EURUPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

CLICK HERE

RENFREWSHIRE COUNTY SENIORS' CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE RENFREWSHIRE GOLF UNION
Donbremner@ranfurly9.freeserve.co.uk
The competitors at the Renfrewshire County Seniors’ Championship at Paisley Golf Club had to contend with some heavy showers but this did not affect the quality of the golf on display. One exception might be last year’s champion, David Manderson from Renfrew, who failed to mount a challenge and finished well down the field.

For the first time, the competition was split into two handicap categories and the contenders for the overall championship all came from the lower section. Erskine’s John Wilson was three over at the turn and a birdie at the fourteenth gave him a real chance of topping the leader board. However, the sixteenth hole, which caused problems all day, claimed a bogie and John had to settle for a net 69. Peter Dickie from Ranfurly Castle seemed to have been out of it with three bogies in the first four holes but birdies at the sixth and seventh soon repaired the damage. Almost flawless golf was on display from Peter until the dreaded sixteenth where a bogie 6 looked as if it would blunt the challenge. A birdie at the seventeenth par 3 made sure that this did not happen and Peter recorded a net 68 to take the Division 1 trophy and the Championship Cup.

In Division 2, it was a very close run battle for the trophy with Pat Fenlon from Cochrane Castle fighting off a challenge from his club mate Ian Richmond to record a net 72, one less than Ian.

Full results were:
Peter Dickie Ranfulry Castle – 74 less 6 = 68
John Wilson Erskine – 76 less 7 = 69
Gordon Sadler Cochrane Castle – 84 less 13 = 71

Pat Fenlon Cochrane Castle – 89 less 17 = 72
Ian Richmond Cochrane Castle – 87 less 14 = 73
John Davies Gleddoch – 96 less 22 = 74


Picture show Peter Dickie being presented with the trophy by Don Bremner, RGU President

BIG OVERSEAS ENTRY FOR 39th EAST OF SCOTLAND OPEN

NEWS RELEASE
The 39th East of Scotland Open Amateur Championship, which is being presented for the next three years by Golf in DUBAi, begins at Lundin on Saturday June 25 with a large overseas entry.
Although entries do not close until midnight on Monday 13 June, the new name sponsor has helped the organisers to attract an appreciable world-ranked overseas entry. This is essential to the standing of “The East” as many of the top Scots are nominated by SGU to play in the English Stroke Play Championship which starts on the Thursday prior.
In addition to the strong GB and I entry, the field presently includes amateur golfers from Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Nigeria, Spain, Switzerland and USA – all vying for the coveted Denholm Trophy and WAGRanking points.
Past US Open Champion, Geoff Ogilvy, USPGA Tour winners, Mathew Goggin and Martin Laird, and present European Tour players, Scott Jamieson, George Murray, Gary Orr, Richie Ramsay, Elliot & Lloyd Saltman and Lundin member, Peter Whiteford, have all played in “The East”.

Last year another Lundin member, Peter Latimer, who plays out of St Andrews New, was triumphant, having lost to Australian, Rohan Blizard, “the Blizard of Oz”, two years earlier in a three man play-off with former Amateur Champion, Craig Watson.

This win resulted in Latimer being chosen to represent Scotland in the 2010 Home Internationals at Ashburnham in Wales. He also played for Fife in the victorious Scottish Area Team Championship win at Prestwick earlier this year.

Come the 25 June, Peter and fellow Fife team members, Kevin Blyth (Lundin), Scott Crichton (Aberdour), Brian Soutar (Leven GS) and Scott Stewart-Cation (The Dukes) will be striving to keep the title of East of Scotland Champion in The Kingdom of Fife.


Alistair McDonald, Secretary, Lundin Golf Club - +44 (0) 1333 320202
David Moir, East of Scotland Championship Convener - +44 (0) 7789 373216

PAUL LAWRIE INVITATIONAL AT DEESIDE GC NEXT WEEK

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY PGA SCOTLAND
The field of 66 players who will compete in Paul Lawrie’s inaugural Invitational event at Deeside Golf Club, Aberdeen, next week is almost complete.
Amongst those lining-up alongside the 1999 Open Champion will be fellow European Tour player Kenneth Ferrie, who led the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot for 3 rounds and this year shot a European Tour record-equalling 60 at the Malaga Open de Andalucia – the event eventually won by Paul Lawrie.
Also hoping to make an impact close to home is the Tartan Tour Order of Merit winner in 2010, Greig Hutcheon. The PGA’s top player last year and current Northern Open Champion will look to build on the good form that has seen him make cuts at both the BMW PGA Championship (Wentworth) and the Wales Open at Celtic Manor in recent weeks; a run that was continued when he landed the Skycaddie Challenge at Rowallan Castle as he returned to Tartan Tour business this week. Hutcheon will be joined by Scott Henderson and Peter Smith who will spearhead the local challenge
The Invitational was born out of Paul’s desire to provide an opportunity for young, aspiring golfers to test themselves against more seasoned Professionals and to experience “tournament golf”. To this end, the field also includes some of the Tartan Tour’s most promising Young Professionals – Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), Gareth Wright (West Linton) and Greg McBain (Royal Dornoch).
Played over 3 days (54 holes) from 15-17 June, a cut will be made following the second round with 30 players progressing to the final round. An added incentive for those taking part is a spot in the Scottish Hydro Challenge Tour event to be staged at Spey Valley, Aviemore, the following week. The highest placed finisher (provided they finish within the top 3) will gain a spot in the Scottish Challenge.
Despite his recurring foot injury flaring-up again, Scotland’s top placed Scot in this year’s Race to Dubai rankings is in buoyant mood ahead of his new event:
“I’m really happy with the mix of players we’ve got for the field – there’s a nice balance of youth and experience. I’m looking forward to playing in the event and building-it-up in the years to come. It’s an exciting thing to be involved in!”

HUTCHEON RETURNS TO TARTAN TOUR TO WIN £1,018 PRIZE

Banchory's Greig Hutcheon, back on the Tartan Tour after playing quite well in two events on the European Tour, won the Rowallan Sky Caddie 36-hole tournament at Rowallan Castle Golf Club, Ayrshire.
Hutcheon had rounds of 69 and 66 for a seven-under-par total of 135 to win the £1,018 top prize.
Runner-up, beaten by a shot, was Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) with scores of 70 and 66 for 136. His cash prize was £909.
Stephen Gray (Hayston), after a good performance on the PGA EuroPro Tour, finised third on 137 with scores of 67 and 70. He won £808.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES ON THE PGA SCOTLAND WEBSITE

CLICK HERE

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING AT HILLSIDE, HESKETH

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R AND A
Hillside, Southport: The 116th Amateur Championship begins next week at Hillside and Hesketh Golf Clubs, with 288 world-ranked amateur golfers from 35 countries competing for the coveted trophy, a place in this year’s Open Championship and an invitation to the 2012 Masters Tournament.
Former Major Champions and Ryder Cup team members including Jack Nicklaus, Jose Maria Olazabal, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Henrik Stenson and the reigning Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen, have all played in the Amateur Championship.
And the last time the Amateur was played in the north west, at Formby in 2009, Matteo Manassero, then just 16, became the event’s youngest-ever champion. He went on take the Silver Medal at The Open Championship and the low amateur Silver Cup at the Masters Tournament, before turning professional and becoming the youngest winner on the European Tour.
This year, Manassero’s fellow Italian, Domenico Geminiani, the youngest player to contest a tournament on the European Tour, will attempt to emulate his compatriot. Geminiani is currently playing in the Italian Open for the second time, at Royal Park I Roveri in Turin.
The last four Boys Amateur Champions are also due to compete. Spaniards Adrian Otaegui (2010) and Emilio Cuartero (2007) will play, along with Pedro Figueiredo (2008) and England’s Tom Lewis, who once again proved his links pedigree in winning the St Andrews Links Trophy, last weekend. His 2009 Boys Amateur Championship victory came at Royal St George’s.
Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard is already certain of his place at Royal St George’s in The Open, thanks to his European Amateur Championship victory last year, but he will be attempting to earn a second Major Championship start at Hillside and Hesketh.
“The prospect of seeing golfing legends in the making is a compelling spectacle for golf fans,” said The R and A’s Assistant Director - Championships, Johnnie Cole-Hamilton. The opportunity to see these talented, young players taking on the challenge of two great north west courses should not be missed.
“There is always an enthusiastic following, whenever the Amateur comes to this part of the world, and we look forward to welcoming large numbers of spectators to Hillside and Hesketh, next week.”
Adding local interest is Heysham’s Jack Senior, who is currently ranked 30th in the world and a member of the 2011 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Squad. Joining him will be fellow GB&I squad members including Andrew Sullivan, ranked 12th in the world, Tom Lewis, ranked 21st, and Scotland’s James Byrne, the current world number 24, who finished runner-up to Jin Jeong in last year’s Amateur Championship at Muirfield.
The stroke-play stage of the Championship, on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 June 2011, is played over both Hillside and Hesketh, with 64 players and ties contesting the final match-play stage over four days at Hillside, from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 June 2011.
Admission and parking is free at both venues and a frequent train service from Liverpool Central runs direct to Merseyrail’s Hillside station, a short walk from the course. Public catering is available at both clubs, with spectator facilities also available on course at Hillside.
Full details including the draw, leaderboard and end-of-day highlights can be found on RandA.org. Television highlights will be broadcast on Sunday 19 June 2011 on Sky Sports.

DAVID MATHIS FIRST-TIME LEADER OF A US PGA TOUR EVENT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — David Mathis is leading a US PGA Tour event for the first time, and pressure is not one of his concerns.
His focus is on three more days of golf.
Mathis matched his best round ever on the PGA Tour, shooting a 5-under 65 Thursday to grab the lead at the St. Jude Classic. The 37-year-old North Carolina native is only in his second year on the PGA Tour and had to play his way back by finishing 13th on the Nationwide Tour money list last year.
He jumped to the top of the leaderboard late in the first round, finishing with six birdies and one late bogey. He hadn't shot 65 on tour since 2009 when he went that low three different times.
"I don't feel stressed or uncomfortable in the position," Mathis said. "I know there's tons of golf left. I'm just trying to keep poise about me I guess I would say while I play and recognize that, 'Hey, there's lots of holes to play between now and Sunday,' and so just take it for what it is. Be thankful for a good round and try to reproduce it for the next three days."
Robert Karlsson, who lost a four-hole play-off here a year ago, shot a 66 and was tied with John Merrick, Kris Blanks, Colt Knost and Kevin Kisner. Knost had the only bogey-free round of the day.
Keegan Bradley and Fabian Gomez each had 67s. Bradley is among the few here who could play their way into the U.S. Open by winning at the TPC Southwind for a second tour victory since the last Open. Bradley won the Byron Nelson Championship two weeks ago.
Retief Goosen and Boo Weekley were among a group with 68s. Defending champion Lee Westwood opened with a 69.
Mathis turned pro in 1997 after leaving Campbell University. He started playing mini tours and was on the Canadian tour before switching to the Nationwide circuit. He first joined the PGA Tour in 2009 when he posted a pair of top-25 finishes, including a tie for 23rd in Memphis.
But he wound up back on the Nationwide Tour last year. St. Jude, sponsored by FedEx, is his 14th event on the PGA Tour this year and No. 45 for his career.
"Somebody asked me the other day, 'How long you been playing? Like 13 years or something like that?' I was like, 'Really?" Mathis said. "So anyway obviously the time flies, but you know it's been an enjoyable ride coming from that ... makes me appreciate playing out here for sure."
Mathis, who is from Winston-Salem, N.C., credited a visit with his coach Patrick Kelley this week for helping straighten out his line when putting. He noticed the difference almost immediately when he started on the back nine and rolled in a 9-footer to save par.
"That just kind of jump-started my day and you know just had some confidence," Mathis said. "I was driving the ball in the fairway and hitting irons in spots I was looking to hit them and you know just added up to a 65 thankfully."
He made a birdie putt on the par-3 No. 11 from just inside 19 feet, plus 8-footers for birdies on Nos. 13 and 16. He converted a 15-footer for birdie on No. 2 to join the pack tied at 4 under.
Mathis had the lead to himself when he hit a wedge on the par-5 No. 3 to within 13 feet, then made another birdie. He padded his advantage with a four-footer on No. 5 for his sixth birdie.
His lone bogey came on No. 8, when he three-putted from within 8 feet.
Karlsson started off the front nine with three birdies on his first six holes. But the Swede hit his tee shot on the par-4 No. 13 into a fairway bunker and wound up bogeying the hole to fall back to 2 under
He got the stroke back with a birdie on the par-3 No. 14, rolling in from 18 feet. He also had a 19-footer for birdie on No. 15, but came up a couple feet short.
Merrick has made six of eight cuts this year, with his best finish a tie for 11th at Puerto Rico. He took advantage of an early tee time to take the early clubhouse lead.
He said the key Thursday was hitting shots closer to the hole.
"It's definitely been something that's been hurting me," he said. "I've been hitting greens but not really getting it close. Today I hit some good shots and had some decent looks at birdies that were inside 10 feet."
Kisner is a rookie in his 13th event on tour this season. He started this tournament with only his fourth round in the 60s this year, taking advantage of a morning tee time with little wind. The South Carolina native who went to the University of Georgia hasn't finished better than a tie for 39th, and Kisner said his biggest challenge is learning the courses.
"The courses are much more difficult than the Nationwide," he said. "You really have to know where you're going to miss it and places to be. It's all just part of learning. It's why they call you a rookie."
DIVOTS: Sergio Garcia may have a chance for an early arrival at Congressional. He opened with a 78 that featured an 11 on the par-5 No. 3. Garcia was 2 over for the back nine before hitting three times into the water running along much of the right side of the third fairway. He hit his ninth shot into a greenside bunker before blasting out to within 3 feet and finally sunk that putt for his 11. ... J.B. Holmes did not start.

FIRST ROUNDhttp://www.pgatour.com/r/leaderboard/
Par 70
Players from US unless stated
65 David Mathis.
66 John Merrick, Kris Blanks, Kevin Kisner, Robert Karlsson (Swe).
67 Keegan Bradley, Fabian Gamez (Arg).
SELECTED SCORES
69 Lee Westwood (England) (T20).
70 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) (T33).
71 Brian Davis (England) (T54).
78 Sergio Garcia (Spain) (T149).

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES ON THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

CLICK HERE

ROCK AND WOOD LEAD BY ONE IN BMW ITALIAN OPEN

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Compatriots Robert Rock and Chris Wood lead the way at the BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi after the playing partners spurred each other on at Royal Park I Riveri.
Both seeking their first European Tour titles, the English duo both carded eight under par rounds of 64 to lead by one from Scotland’s Scott Jamieson, Spaniard Rafael Cabrera Bello and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen.

“We seem to be drawn together quite a lot, probably four or five times already this year,” said Rock, who birdied his last five holes.

The 34 year old, who came nearest to breaking his victory drought when he lost a play-off to Shane Lowry at the 2009 Irish Open, produced a stunning finish that included ten foot birdie putts at the seventh and ninth (his 16th and final holes).

“Nine birdies and one bogey was good,” he said. “I love this course and it was good to be in a group where someone else was knocking them in and I enjoyed playing with Chris.

“I holed quite a lot of putts today, which is something that has been testing me over the last couple of months.

“Tee to green my game has been good. Driving the ball well for a long time and my iron play has been okay. My short game hasn't been so hot, and at Wentworth I was bottom of the putting stats for the whole week and that was disappointing.

“I've been trying a lot of things and speaking to everyone to try and find something that will make a bit of improvement, so thank you to everyone who has helped!”

Rock was not the only one enjoying the company - Wood incredibly bettering Rock’s inward 30.

“It was good playing with Rocky and we seemed to fire off each other. It was a good round without a bogey - always nice to play that way,” said the 23 year old, who turned in a one under par 35 but needed just 29 shots on the front nine.

He started with a hattrick of gains from the first, birdied the long fifth, holed a 12 foot eagle putt after a magnificent second on the par five eighth and struck a fine approach to five feet on the ninth to set up another birdie.

Wood narrowly missed out on his first victory last month when Darren Clarke overhauled his four shot final round lead in Mallorca, but a back injury has been causing him problems since.

“I wasn't expecting to go that low,” said the World Number 111, who finished third here last year. “I withdrew last week with a little injury and had been struggling a little bit but sometimes it pays not to do a lot of practice. It took me a while to get going with eight pars in a row and then a birdie on the 18th then 29 on the back nine.

“I've been struggling with my back for a while, a little on-going problem that I have at the moment - I am feeling it.”

Jamieson, who recently topped the Category 11 re-rank, was delighted to pick up five shots in four holes at the start of his back nine.

“I couldn't have asked for a better start to the back nine - birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie - and that got me going,” he said.

“My form disappeared for a couple of weeks but nice to get back into the swing of things and hope I can kick on. It happens when you are trying to swing a club around your head at 100mph and half a degree here or there can make a big difference.

“My coach was with me in Wales and hopefully this is the start of another run of form. Nice to get a check up and see if everything is where it should be - and it wasn't!”

Olesen and Cabrera Bello both produced bogey-free rounds to lie one ahead of a group that includes home favourites Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero.

“From tee to green it was brilliant,” said Challenge Tour graduate Olesen. “I holed a one and a half metre putt at the sixth for my third birdie in a row and I started to think it was going to be a good day! I've struggled for the last few months but I am close to finding my game again.”

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72

CHECK OUT ALL THE SCORES ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

CLICK HERE