Saturday, September 03, 2011

LANARKSHIRE BOYS' MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

The first two rounds of the Lanarkshire boys' match-play championship will take place next Sunday, September 11th, at Hamilton Golf Club at 10 am and 3pm. Round One
1. J Bryce (Strathaven) v J Hainie (Bothwell Castle)
2. C Graham (Hamilton) v G Ramage (Kirkhill)
3. P Thomson (Mt Ellen) v C Kelso (Bellshill)
4. R Livingston (Colville Park) v S McLeod (Cambuslang)
5. R McLeish (Torrance) v B Scott (Hamilton)
6. R Gillan (Torrance) v C Boyd (Lanark)
7. D Dougan (Colville Park) v J Ruiz (Drumpellier)
8. C Harrison (Carluke) v B Murphy (Lanark)

Willie Sharpe
 President LGA

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SCOTT, SCHWARTZEL, WATSON SHARE US PGA TOUR LEAD

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
Australian Adam Scott fired an eight-under par 63 for a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston.
Scott shot the lowest round of the day and is on 10 under alongside Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and American Bubba Watson.
Schwartzel birdied six of seven holes after making the turn for a 66 while Watson managed a 64.
Brandt Snedeker is a shot back thanks to a hole-in-one at the par-three 16th.
World number one Luke Donald is on six under after dropping two shots over his last three holes.
The event is the second leg of the season-ending US PGA Tour play-offs which offer a $10m (£6.12m) top prize.
"This was a really solid round," Scott said. "I turned it around with the putter after yesterday and I'm happy to be back in the mix again."
Scott, who won last month's World Golf Championships event at Akron, had six birdies and an eagle and although he missed a 25-foot birdie putt at his final hole - the ninth - which would have given him the outright lead, the Australian was still pleased with his performance.
"This one is right up there," he said. "Hopefully the weather holds up and we have another good one tomorrow."
Schwartzel, who also started at the 10th, bogeyed the 11th before a birdie at the 16th. After a bogey at the 18th, he then birdied four holes in a row to challenge.
Watson managed six birdies, a bogey and, for the second day, an eagle on the par-five seventh.
There was also a hole-in-one at the 16th for Australian Greg Chalmers in a round of 65 that left him on five under.


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RESULTS OF EUROPEAN SENIOR MEN'S AND WOMEN'S FINALS

Results of the European senior team championship finals played today#



EUROPEAN SENIOR MEN - at Troia Golf Club, Portugal

FINAL - Sweden 3.5, Netherlands 1.5.

EUROPEAN SENIOR WOMEN - in Bulgaria

FINAL - France 3, Spain 2

THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF - Germany 3, Sweden 2


None of the home countries (Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales) competed in either championship due to economic reasons. They say they can afford to play only every second year as the European Golf Association agreed to stage the championships ... before changing their mind and reverting to every year.

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IT'S THAT MAN STEPHEN GRAY AGAIN! 62 TO LEAD AT D AND G

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
You can't keep Stephen Gray down at the moment!
First pro prize of £4,000 in the Aberdeen Asset Management Northern Open lifted the Hayston, Kirkintilloch man to the top of the Tartan Tour cash table and in the next event, the Kerr Investments pro-am at Dumfries and Galloway GC, Gray has shot to the front with a David Law-type round of eighth under par 62 to lead by two shots at the halfway stage of this 36-hole event.
His nearest rival is Carnoustie's Steven Duncan with a 64 and then there's a yawning gap of three shots to three players sharing third place on 67 - Craig Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) and Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs).
Gray had one eagle, seven birdies and one bogey in his great round.
He birdied the first, the long second, and then had an eagle 3 at the long fifth. That was folloed by birdies at the seventh and short eighth on his way to a six-under-par outward half of 30.
Gray got another birdie at the 10th before dropping his only shot of the round, at the 11th, but he soon picked up the birdie ways again with sub-par figures at the short 15th and 16th.

LEADERBOARD
Par 70
62 Stephen Gray (Hayston)
64 Steven Duncan (Carnoustie)
67 Craig Gordon (Edinburgh GC), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs).
68 John Ruth (Clydeway), David Orr (East Renfrewshire), Lee Harper (Archerfield Links), Christopher Currie (Caldwell), David Patrick (Elie SC), Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst), Graeme Brown (Montrose Links), Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills).
69 Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle), James McKinnon (Irvine), Colin Gillies (Kingsfield), Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), Ross Cameron (McDonald Ellon), Gareth Wright (West Linton), Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle)

SUNDAY SECOND ROUND TEE TIMES
(All from Tee 1)
7:15 AM Iain Colquhoun, Dundonald Links
7:24 AM David-Ross Nicol, Dundonald Links
7:33 AM Sean Thompson, Renaissance Club
7:42 AM Nigel Scott-Smith, Palacerigg Golf Club
7:51 AM Christopher Robinson, Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club

8:00 AM Ross Murdoch, Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club
8:09 AM Jamie Wales, Kings Acre Golf Course
8:18 AM Stephen Forbes, Deaconsbank Driving Range
8:27 AM Gordon Niven, PING
8:36 AM David Broadfoot, Dumfries and County Golf Club
8:45 AM Stuart Reekie, Blairgowrie Golf Club
8:54 AM Ewan Davie, Dunblane New Golf Club

9:03 AM Alan Lockhart, Ladybank Golf Club
9:12 AM Tom Buchanan, Duddingston Golf Club
9:21 AM Lee Vannet, Carnoustie Golf Links
9:30 AM Greg McBain, Gamola Golf
9:39 AM Spencer Edwards, Carrick on Loch Lomond
9:48 AM Scott Herald, Adam Hunter Golf
9:57 AM Clarke Lutton, Qatar Golf International

10:06 AM James McGhee, Duddingston Golf Club
10:15 AM Chris Kelly, Cawder Golf Club
10:24 AM Michele Thomson, McDonald Ellon Golf Club
10:33 AM Samuel Cairns, Colville Park Golf Club
10:42 AM Anthony Mackrell, Playsport Golf
10:51 AM Ross Dixon, Renaissance Club

11:09 AM Stuart Pardoe, Stuart Pardoe Golf
11:18 AM Craig Ronald, Carluke Golf Club
11:27 AM Neil Fenwick, Dunbar Golf Club
11:36 AM Sean O'Donnell, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
11:45 AM Graham Fox, Rowallan Castle Golf Club
11:54 AM Gareth Wright, West Linton Golf Club

12:03 PM Ross Cameron, McDonald Ellon Golf Club
12:12 PM Greig Hutcheon, Banchory Golf Club
12:21 PM Colin Gillies, Kingsfield Golf Range
12:30 PM James McKinnon, Irvine Golf Club
12:39 PM Steven Taylor, Bothwell Castle Golf Club
12:48 PM Paul McKechnie, Braid Hills Golf Range
12:57 PM Graeme Brown, Montrose Golf Links Ltd.

1:06 PM Scott Henderson, Kings Links Golf Centre
1:15 PM Craig Matheson, Falkirk Tryst Golf Club
1:24 PM David Patrick, Elie Sports Centre
1:33 PM Christopher Currie, Caldwell Golf Club
1:42 PM Lee Harper, Archerfield Links
1:51 PM David Orr, East Renfrewshire Golf Club

2:00 PM John Ruth, Clydeway Golf
2:09 PM Robert Arnott, Bishopbriggs Golf Range
2:18 PM Jason McCreadie, Buchanan Castle Golf Club
2:27 PM Craig Gordon, Edinburgh Golf Centre
2:36 PM Steven Duncan
2:45 PM Stephen Gray, Hayston Golf Club





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BARRY IN THE FAST LANE FOR SUNDAY WIN AT WOBURN

FROM THE EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR WEBSITE
Barry Lane overcame a dramatic final hole, in which he lost his ball amidst heaving crowds, to maintain his shared lead in the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters at Woburn Golf Club alongside Boonchu Ruangkit.
The Englishman fired a three under par 69, including six birdies, to finish on top of the pile for the second day running, having shared a first round lead with Sam Torrance.
Lane, who is chasing a second successive European Senior Tour victory after his win at the Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open two weeks ago, looked to have suffered a disastrous end to a superb round when he attempted to drive the green at the par four 18th.
The huge gathering crowds were on the edge of their seats as he looked to have made it, only for his ball to hit the trees and disappear out of sight, but he did manage to get up and down from his provisional tee shot to rescue a hugely important bogey.
“Obviously I wanted to go for the green and it was off the right so I teed up on the left side of the teebox and I actually hit it absolutely fantastic but it was a foot right of where I wanted it to go and it just clipped the trees,” explained the 51 year old.
“I presume it’s till up the tree somewhere! There were so many people around and it didn’t seem to drop but it was a good five in the end.”
Despite that hiccup, Lane was happy with his round, which started perfectly thanks to birdies at the first and second holes.
A bogey on the third hole meant he briefly dropped off the top of the leaderboard in a dramatic day which had many twists and turns, but he managed to book himself a place in the final group for tomorrow’s last round at Woburn thanks to birdies on the 13th, 14th and 17th holes.
He will join Ruangkit, who carded for a bogey free round of 68 after birdies at the second, 10th, 16th and 17th holes put him in a perfect position to challenge for his first title of 2011 after such a stunning debut season last year.
The Thai, however, dismissed suggestions that his return to form had anything to do with the fact that he picked up three Senior Tour Awards, the 2010 John Jacobs Trophy, the 2010 Rolex Player of the Year Award and the 2010 Rookie of the Year Award, at the Senior Tour Awards Dinner on the eve of this tournament.
“I felt nothing different this week to previous weeks but I went out there today to just play with a game plan, to get the ball on the green in regulation and give myself plenty of birdie chances and be patient with my putting,” said Ruangkit.
“I’m very happy to be playing well in front of all of these fans and my game has felt really good this week.”
Gordon Brand Jnr shot a four under par 68 to put himself to within a shot of the lead after he hit five birdies and just a single bogey in an outstanding front nine at the Buckinghamshire venue before a level par back nine saw him finish on seven under par.
His fellow Scotsman, Torrance, fell four shots behind having shared the first round lead with Lane after a back nine that included bogeys at the 13th and 15th holes and a double bogey at the 16th.
Senior Tour Order of Merit leader Peter Fowler was two shots behind Brand Jnr and tied for fourth place alongside Welshman Mark Mouland and Juan Quiros on five under for the tournament.

Tournament Leaderboard
Pos Player name Nat Hole Par
T1 RUANGKIT, Boonchu THA 18 -8
T1 LANE, Barry ENG 18 -8
3 BRAND JNR, Gordon SCO 18 -7
T4 FOWLER, Peter AUS 18 -5
T4 MOULAND, Mark WAL 18 -5
T4 QUIROS, Juan ESP 18 -5


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WINLESS WELSHMAN DONALDSON LEADS BY ONE IN SWITZERLAND


FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Welshman Jamie Donaldson, still to taste European Tour success after 237 events going back a decade, takes a one stroke lead into the final round of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
But if the 35 year old is to end his long wait for victory he is going to have to come through the stiffest test of his career.
One behind is World No 2 Lee Westwood after a best-of-the-day 64, and two back is US Open champion Rory McIlroy - no doubt fired up to make amends for bogeys at two of his last three holes.
Just when it was shaping up to be a shoot-out between the two Ryder Cup stars Donaldson grabbed four birdies in the closing six for a 65 and 14 under par total of 199.
"It will be awesome going up against two of the best players in the world at the moment," said Donaldson.
He turned professional after partnering Luke Donald and Paul Casey to second place in the 2000 World Amateur Team Championship.
But while they became instant hits in the paid ranks he suffered a serious back injury and had to go back to the Qualifying School five years ago.
Last season, though, he had no fewer than nine top-ten finishes and is poised now to break back into the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Westwood and McIlroy were quickly off the scene after their rounds to see other sporting interests at work on TV.
At Haydock Park Westwood's `Hoof It` finished a very close third in the Betfred Sprint Cup, while McIlroy's girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, the World No 1 women in tennis, was first on court at the US Open.
The 22 year old, himself sixth in the rankings, was no doubt hoping she would close things out better than he did in his third round.
"It was not the greatest way to finish," he said after three-putting the 16th and then going over the green from a fairway bunker at the 17th - after taking an iron off the tee for safety.
One of four joint-overnight leaders, McIlroy had jumped into a two stroke advantage with a 30ft eagle putt from the fringe of the seventh green.
He then stayed out in front by matching Westwood's birdies at the 14th and 15th, but now is playing catch-up again.
"I'm still in there with a chance and I'll be looking for a fast start and putting a bit of pressure on the boys," added the Northern Irishman from Holywood near Belfast.
"I feel the way my game is there's a 61 or 62 out there."
Three years ago he was four clear with a round to go, but lost in a play-off after missing from five feet on the final green and from barely two feet at the second extra hole against France's Jean-Francois Lucquin.
Westwood finished off a front nine 31 with four successive birdies, but his only gains on the inward half came at the two par fives.
Back from a holiday in Barbados, he is fighting a head cold and said: "It's affecting my balance a bit.
"I played only six holes the last two weeks, which is not really the right preparation. But at some point in the year you have to take a break and recharge your batteries.
"It was nice not to have any fives on the card and no bogeys, especially on this course because it can trip you up."
Last week's winner Thomas Björn and England's Gary Boyd are only three behind - Björn triumphed at Gleneagles from the same position.
First-round leader Nick Dougherty, whose 63 set him up to make his first cut in 22 starts going back to last November, fell from one behind to 25th on six under with a second successive 72.

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 213 (3x71)
199 Jamie Donaldson (Wales) 68 66 65.
200 Lee Westwood (England) 67 69 64.
201 Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 65 69 67
202 Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) 68 68 66, Gary Boyd (England) 65 69 68

SCOTS' SCORES
203 Stephen Gallacher 70 66 67 (T6)
208 Richie Ramsay 70 70 68, Paul Lawrie 69 69 70 (T34).
210 Gary Orr 69 70 71 (T44).
212 Steven O'Hara 73 67 72 (T56).
214 George Murray 70 69 75 (T66)

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EUROPEAN MASTERS THIRD ROUND LIVE SCORING

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ED WOOD OFFERING TO SELL SHARES IN HIMSELF TO RAISE CASH




By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
It's been done before but I cannot remember an instance lately and not one concerning a Scottish pro golfer.
Ed Wood from Crow Wood, coming up to the end of his rookie pro season as a competitor on the PGA EuroPro Tour, is prepared to sell shares in himself in a bid to raise money to enhance his future as a pro golfer.
More of that later.
With just one regular season event remaining - at Hunley Hall - Ed has a highest placed finish of fourth in Event 3 at Bovey Castle as well as being the leader going into the final round at the first event. Ed also played in the Challenge Tour event at Spey Valley.
On his achievements this year Ed said: “This was really a season about finding out if I could compete on the pro circuit, and I feel I have more than proved that.
“Everyone can come away from an event feeling they left shots out there and I’m no different. However, I feel I have laid a very stable platform on which I can undoubtedly build.”
Finances are a major factor in any professional’s planning and Ed is offering a unique opportunity to invest in his talents through a share scheme.
Shares can be bought for just £100, and you can buy as many as you like.
Over the 12 month period of from October 1, 2011 – to September 30, 2012, 50% of Ed’s prize money will go back to the shareholders.
Ed said: “I’ll use the money to pay for entry fees, travel, accommodation, coaching and any equipment upgrades needed, basically all the costs associated with playing tournament golf.”
Currently placed 42nd on the PGA EuroPro Order of Merit, his playing rights are secured for 2012.
Ed is also planning on going to Alps Qualifying School to further his playing opportunities as well as increase his chances of making the transition to the Challenge Tour.
There are a maximum of 300 shares available – all interested parties interested in supporting him should make contact via golfedwood@gmail.com  or phone him at 07511 903 173.


THE ED WOOD FILE

Age: 29
Lives: Glasgow.
Turned Professional: 2011
PGA EuroPro Tour Ranking: 42nd.
Earnings: £2,663
Unusual Fact: Ed fancies himself as a bit of a Gordon Ramsey in the kitchen.

So if you meet Ed, don't say "Hello," say "What's cooking?"


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BAYRON'S LATE BIRDIES LAND HIM ABOITIZ INVITATIONAL

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOURCebu, Philippines, September 3: Jay Bayron of the Philippines soared to victory at the US$65,000 Aboitiz Invitational presented by ICTSI with a flawless final round six-under-par 64 today.
Bayron, who finished second at the ICTSI Philippine Open in May, birdied four of his last six holes to defeat Jonathan Moore of the United States and Filipinos Antonio Lascuna, Elmer Salvador and Marvin Dumandan by five shots at the Cebu Country Club.
Bayron turned in 34 and birdied the 10th hole before saving a pivotal save for par on 11 from 21 feet. He then cruised with birdies on 13, 15, 16 and 17. He pocketed US$11,375 for his win.
“The par save was crucial because I was tied with Salvador and Moore. I was more confident after that and the birdie on the 13th hole gave me a three-shot cushion which was nice,” said Bayron, who closed with a winning total of two-under-par 278.
Overnight leader Moore failed to mount a title charge in a round of 70 where he shot two birdies against as many bogeys but his runner-up finish propelled him to the top of the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit.
The top three players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn elusive 2012 Asian Tour cards.
“Jay is fun to watch. He had a great round of golf today. A 64 was really special and I enjoyed watching how well he played being alongside with him,” said the American, who won the Impian Classic in Malaysia in May.
The Aboitiz Invitational is staged in partnership with the Philippine Golf Tour. It is the seventh and penultimate leg of the 2011 ADT season.
Leading final totals
Par 280 (4x70)278 - Jay BAYRON (Phi) 71-74-69-64
283 - Marvin DUMANDAN (Phi) 70-75-71-67, Antonio LASCUNA (Phi) 73-74-69-67, Elmer SALVADOR (Phi) 71-71-71-70, Jonathan MOORE (USA) 72-71-70-70
284 - Cassius CASAS (Phi) 71-73-72-68
286 - Rufino BAYRON (Phi) 73-71-71-71
287 - Ebarra QUIACHON (Phi) 76-72-69-70
288 - Jonel ABABA (Phi) 73-73-71-71, Mithun PERERA (Slk) 74-71-71-72
289 - Matt DOCKING (Aus) 73-73-74-69, Mars PUCAY (Phi) 77-73-69-70, Anthony FERNANDO (Phi) 73-72-71-73
290 - Ferdinand AUNZO (Phi) 74-74-73-69, T.J. KIM (Kor) 75-75-68-72

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KEVIN KISNER LEADS NATIONWIDE TOUR EVENT AFTER A 62

FROM THE US NATIONWIDE TOUR WEBSITE
CANONSBURG, Pennsylvania -- Defending champion Kevin Kisner matched the course record with a 9-under 62 Friday afternoon and grabbed sole possession of the 36-hole lead at the Mylan Classic in suburban Pittsburgh. Kisner rallied from a slow start and dunked an 8-iron from 160 yards on the final hole for his second eagle in six holes and moved to the top of a surprising leaderboard.
After two trips around the Southpointe Golf Club, Kisner stands at 13-under par, matching his winning total of a year ago.
"If the wind doesn't blow, the guys are going to shoot low no matter where we play," said Kisner, who tied Brad Adamonis' course mark set a few hours earlier. "If it doesn't blow, there's no telling. Good fairways, soft greens hitting wedges to holes."
England's Gary Christian (63) buoyed by a pair of eagles as well and is at 11-under 131, holding down the second spot. First-round leader Josh Broadaway (68), Scott Brown (64) and former Navy Lieutenant Billy Hurley (65) share third place at 10-under, three back
Kisner moved into position to become the first player in the Nationwide Tour's 22-year history to repeat as champion. This is the 643rd tournament since the Tour's inception in 1990 and Kisner now has the chance to be the first to successfully defend a title. Michael Clark II came the closest, losing a playoff to Kevin Johnson at the 1997 Puget Sound Open.
"I seem to play it well. I don't know why," Kisner said of the course located about 15 miles south of downtown Pittsburgh. "I guess it fits my eye off the tee. I drive it pretty well here and put myself in position to make birdies."
The whole field seemed to be making birdies, quite a contrast from a year ago when Jeff Curl's final-round 63 was the only score below 65 in four days. Adamonis and Kisner posted 62s on Friday. Gary Christian, John Mallinger, Charles Warren, Lee Williams and Miguel Carballo carded 63s. Scott Brown and Adam Meyer had 64s on a day when the scoring average dipped to 69.835.
"Once you get going in that kind of deal you just keep the pedal to the metal, especially on this Tour," said Kisner, a rookie on the PGA TOUR this year who made only seven cuts in 20 starts. "There's no looking back because you'll get lapped in a heartbeat."
• Kevin Kisner will be attempting to do something no player has ever done in the 22-year history of the Nationwide Tour -- repeat as champion. Several players have come close to successfully defending a title but none have managed to repeat. Here is a list of the best defenses of a title by a tournament winner since the Tour's inception in 1990:
• Sponsor pick John Daly (69-67) is at 6-under par 136. Daly is playing well because of his ability to scramble around the course. Through 36 holes he has hit 16 of 28 fairways and 25 of 36 greens. Daly is T12 heading into the weekend and looking for his first top-10 finish on this Tour in nearly 21 years. Daly's last top-10 came at the 1990 Santa Rosa (CA) Open, where he was T4.
• Several weeks ago Daly finished T9 at the RBC Canadian Open for his first top-10 on the PGA TOUR since he lost a playoff to Tiger Woods at the 2005 WGC-American Express Championship at Harding Park in San Francisco (a span of 104 starts).
• This is Daly's second start of the year -- he finished T32 at last week's News Sentinel Open in Knoxville, Tennessee
• Brad Adamonis set the Southpointe Golf Club course record with a 9-under 62. The old mark of 63 was set by Jeff Curl in the final round last year. For Adamonis, it's his best score since posting a 10-under 62 in the second round at the 2009 Bob Hope Classic.
• Several hours later, defending champion Kevin Kisner holed out an 8-iron from 160 yards on the final hole for an eagle and a round of 62 to match Adamonis.
• Charles Warren moved up the leaderboard with an 8-under 63 today. "I need to see if I can check back into my hotel," said Warren, who shot a 3-over 74 in the first round. "All my stuff is in the car. I was expecting to just watch football all day tomorrow."
• A total of 72 players made the 36-hole cut, which came at 2-under 140. Last year's cut was 1-under 141.

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MICKELSON IN PICTURE BUT MATTESON LEADS DEUTSCHE BANK

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
NORTON, Massachusetts (AP) — Phil Mickelson caused a minor commotion with his pants (trousers) and his putter.
The Deutsche Bank Champion began Friday with two players on opposite ends of the world ranking - Luke Donald at No. 1, Troy Matteson at No. 207 - having their lowest opening round of the year on the PGA Tour that was important to both of them for different reasons.
Matteson, facing elimination from the FedEx Cup playoffs, overcame a bogey on the first hole for a 6-under 65 and the outright lead after the first round. Donald, struggling of late to get off to a good start, had a 66 and was among those one shot behind.
Through it all, Mickelson brought attention to himself for two items that looked out of place.
The day after he took batting practice at Fenway Park and wore a Red Sox jersey while throwing out the first pitch before the Yankees' 4-2 win, Mickelson wore pinstripes at the TPC Boston.
"Lost a wager with a friend and had to wear these today," Mickelson said. "What can you say? I've got to suck it up and bear it."
Stranger still was the sight of Mickelson sticking the grip of a long putter into his gut.
Mickelson became the latest to try a belly putter, and while he still missed his share of putts in a round of 70, he sounded as though he was willing to stick with it - at least for the rest of the week.
"I thought it went well," said Mickelson, who opened with back-to-back birdie putts of just inside 10 feet. "I feel that I'm probably putting better with that putter than I would be the short putter, so I'll end up using it for the rest of the tournament I would anticipate. But I don't know if it's a short term or long term thing. But it feels good."
Matteson understands the short term.
He is No. 97 in the FedEx Cup standings, knowing that only the top 70 advance to the third event outside Chicago, and that he'd better play well this week or he'll be heading home for the rest of the playoffs.
His expectations were not terribly high, and they kept sinking when he had a poor session on the practice range, then took bogey on the first hole. It all turned around so suddenly.
"If I don't play well, then I'm not going to play next week," he said. "I look at it like the end of the school year. The end of the school year is almost here, so let's just see what happens. Your expectations probably lower a little bit. Then all of a sudden, you make a few birdies and it's like, 'Well, that's not too bad.' Then you make a few more.
"By the end of the day, you're thinking, 'Gosh, how in the world did that day turn out the way it did?'"
The 65 was his best opening round of the year, and he can only hope it leads to better things. He had a playoff loss in Puerto Rico and only one other top 10 this year.
Matteson was one shot clear of Donald, Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, former US PGA champion Y E Yang and Jerry Kelly. The group at 67 included Nick Watney, a two-time winner this year, while Dustin Johnson followed his playoff win at The Barclays with a 68 that left him disappointed - he made bogey on both par 5s on his back nine.
Despite having such a stellar year that took him to No. 1 in the world, Donald has been struggling of late to get off to a good start. It looked as though that might be the case again until he made three straight pars saves on the back nine, starting at No. 12, which allowed him to keep his momentum until the end.
"I think it was the putting," Donald said. "I feel like tee-to-green, I've been a lot more solid this year, and even the last few months. The putter has been a little bit cold. It hasn't been terrible, but just not as good as I would expect. And today was a lot better."
The biggest gallery of the morning belonged to US PGA champion Keegan Bradley, who grew up in the area and was followed along by his father, his famous aunt - LPGA great Pat Bradley - and more friends and family than he could count. The ticket request was so great that he asked for 30 to 50 a day, and turned everything over to his mother.
Bradley opened with a 68, a good performance in front of a hometown crowd.
"It was a little more intense just because I want to play well in front of these guys, in front of my family," Bradley said. "But I had a good round. I had such a good group today. It was very relaxing."
Schwartzel has a chance to become the third player in the five-year history of the FedEx Cup to win the $10 million by skipping the first playoff event. Tiger Woods did it in 2007, as did Jim Furyk a year ago, though not on purpose. He overslept and missed his pro-am time, making him ineligible to play The Barclays.
Schwartzel has a big finish to his year, so he wanted some time off. He didn't think it was the worst idea, especially when an earthquake and hurricane hit New Jersey in the same week.
"I was sitting in South Africa in the sunshine and watching the guys struggle through the hurricane and all the things happening out here," he said. "In that sense, it was maybe a good choice. But by missing an event, you put yourself back a little bit on the back foot."
Schwartzel started at No. 21 and slipped to No. 28 by not playing. He doesn't know all the details of the FedEx Cup, only that a win in any of the opening three events will give him as good a shot as anyone at the big prize.
There wasn't much movement around the bubble. William McGirt, who barely got into the playoffs and barely made it through to Boston, opened with a 69 and kept alive his hopes of still playing.
Two players whose season ended Friday were Scott Verplank, who has been battling wrist issues all year; and Trevor Immelman, who learned after the round that his wife's grandfather had died. Both withdrew.

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