CHRIS DOAK KEEPS HOPES ALIVE WITH SIX-UNDER 65 IN ROUND 2

CHRIS DOAK in action today in the Italian sunshine. Image by courtesy of Phil Inglis ©

CHALLENGE TOUR REPORT
FROM NEIL AHERN, Puglia, South Italy
nahern@europeantour.com
Chris Doak’s slim hopes of gaining a European Tour card for the 2012 season remained alive after a six under par round of 65 left him in tied 18th spot in the second round of the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final, while Craig Lee remains on course for the step up after a steady 66.
The two Scots have quite different goals this week, with Lee trying to break the Challenge Tour Rankings’ top ten from the 12th place he currently occupies, while Doak needs a big finish this week to climb from 36th and gain one of the 20 golden tickets available.
Doak was on superb form and threatened the top of the leaderboard early in the day after going six under through 12 holes but a double bogey followed on the 13th before he made amends with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th to finish the day eight shots off the lead set by the mercurial Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, who broke the course record with a sublime ten under par 61.
“It was going really well, six under to the 12th but that was just a long par three, 237 yards or so and you can get stuck in the fluffy stuff too,” said the 33-year-old Doak.
“I think the most important birdies were probably the two after that, at 15 and 16; it was good to get those two shots I lost back. But I hit a lot of shots close today, I hit it to a foot on the second and to a foot on the fourth so it was really pleasing.”
“I need first or second this week”, he continued. “In my position you’ve got to go for every shot and things like the double bogey at the 12th might happen and they might not, so everything to gain, nothing to lose.
“The way I'm swinging I think I have a chance. I’d like to see the wind come up a bit, having grown up in Scotland with the wind so it would give me more of a chance rather than it being just a putting competition.”
Lee, meanwhile, began with a bogey for the second time in two days but proceeded to card eight birdies and one more bogey for a six under par round that left him seven under par for the tournament and seven behind Fleetwood.
“It’s a very difficult hole to start with but that’s twice I've bogeyed it from the fairway so hopefully I can make amends over the next two days.
“I bogeyed the par three fourth as well which wasn’t great but I played really nicely for the rest of the way round. Didn’t really hole any huge putts until 17, where I holed a nice 30 footer that kept the momentum going.
“It was always going to be a ‘birdie-fest’ but hopefully we can get a bid of wind, that might help stop the scoring going dramatically low. ‘Birdie-fests’ aren’t really my cup of tea so I’d be quite happy if there was a bit of wind for the remaining two days.
“There’s a lot of good players this week who have come out with all guns blazing and the scoring is really good so five under has put me right up there, so I just have to keep plugging away and see what happens.”
Fleetwood, meanwhile, has been tipped as one of Britain’s brightest young golf talents and he added another thrilling chapter to what is fast developing into a sensational story by taking charge of the season finale with the lowest round to par on this year’s Challenge Tour.
The Southport star’s career low round, which smashed the course record at San Domenico Golf in Puglia, south Italy, contained eight birdies and an eagle three at the 15th hole.
His devastating display moved the supremely talented 20 year old to 14 under par and saw him open up a three-shot gap at the top of the leaderboard over local favourite Andrea Pavan, with two days of the €330,000 tournament remaining.

CHALLENGE TOUR SCOREBOARD

APULIA SAN DOMENICO GRAND FINAL

San Domenico Golf, Puglia, Italy

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Par 142 (2x71)

128 T Fleetwood  (Eng) 67 61,

131 A Pavan (Ita) 66 65,

132 J Guerrier  (Fra) 66 66, P Edberg (Swe) 69 63,

133 C Lloyd (Eng) 68 65, C Gane (Eng) 68 65, S Tiley (Eng) 67 66,

134 A Marshall (Eng) 67 67, F Praegant (Aut) 69 65, A Johnston (Eng) 67 67,

135 A Tadini (Ita) 69 66, J Campillo (Esp) 66 69, C Lee (Sco) 69 66, S Little (Eng) 67 68, V Riu  (Fra) 68 67, T Ferreira  (RSA) 72 63, R Santos  (Por) 66 69,

136 S Walker (Eng) 69 67, C Doak (Sco) 71 65, E Dubois (Fra) 70 66, C Russo (Fra) 68 68, B Hebert  (Fra) 67 69,

137 J Lima  (Por) 69 68, L Jensen (Den) 72 65, S Thornton (Irl) 67 70, B Grace  (RSA) 70 67,

138 F Colombo (Ita) 72 66, P Gustafsson (Swe) 71 67, J Quesne  (Fra) 69 69,

139 A Tampion  (Aus) 69 70, J Elson  (Eng) 67 72, E Kofstad (Nor) 70 69, M Baldwin (Eng) 69 70, D Denison  (Eng) 69 70, A Snobeck  (Fra) 69 70, M Bothma (RSA) 71 68, B Ritthammer (Ger) 69 70,

140 M Erlandsson (Swe) 68 72, N Meitinger  (Ger) 73 67,

141 F Delamontagne  (Fra) 71 70, L Kennedy  (Eng) 70 71,

144 K Borsheim  (Nor) 72 72, P Archer (Eng) 73 71,

145 J Moul  (Eng) 73 72,

146 M Southgate  (Eng) 73 73,

DIRECT GOLF UK BUY SCOTTISH GOLF CENTRE'S TWO STORES

NEWS RELEASE
Direct Golf UK, the leading multi-channel golf retailer, has continued its national expansion with the acquisition of leading Scottish retailer, Scottish Golf Centre and its two stores in Dundee and Edinburgh.
Set to conclude the purchase in January 2012, Direct Golf UK will add the two sites to its ever-expanding portfolio and take its total number of retail stores to 19.
Neil Bell, Managing Director, commented: “We are delighted to be expanding into Scotland after a decade of great sales online and via telesales north of the border. We already have a great customer base and great following in Scotland – so it was only a matter of timing.”
The news follows another successful year for award-winning Direct Golf UK, which has bucked the trend of golf retailers in these tough economic times and already invested significantly into new sites in Cambridge, Farnborough, Reading, Milton Keynes and Peterborough. Add to this a new and improved website plus the creation of Direct Golf TV and the leading multi-channel golf retailer continues to expand and improve all aspects of their business.
Direct Golf UK Chairman, John Andrew, said: “I am delighted to be taking over two already successful golf stores as Scotland has been an area we have wanted to expand into for some time. We have thousands of customers in Scotland through our website and introduction of the two stores will now give those customers a great opportunity to experience one of our stores and the world class service we provide.”
The acquisition will mark the retirement of Scottish Golf Centre proprietor, Mike Grubb, following 15 years as Scotland’s leading golf retailer.
+Picture shows Neil Bell (left) with Mike Grubb.

LANCASHIRE PROS WIN AT COLONIAL COUNTRY CLUB, TEXAS

NEWS RELEASE
The world famous Colonial Country Club in Texas played host to the grand final of the TGI Golf Nike Oven four-ball championship that saw teams from England, Scotland and Ireland competing for the top prize.
English duo Simon Eaton and Paul Walker took the honours with a narrow victory, seeing off the challengers to lift the trophy during an all-expenses paid trip to the United States.
Eaton, PGA professional at Nelson Golf Club in East Lancashire, and Walker, pro at Knott End Golf Club, Lancs, were two of the eight competitors who made it through to the grand finale following national qualifying events held in the summer.
The Lancashire pairing, pictured above at the statue of Ben Hogan with Paul Walker standing and Simon Eaton crouching, just edged the victory over the pristine fairways of the renowned Colonial Country Club – former US Open and current Crowne Plaza Invitational host – winning the better-ball Stableford competition by just a single point from second placed father and son team of Leonard and Lee Owens of Killiney and Royal Dublin respectively.
Scots Alastair McLean (Duddingston) and Mark Patchett (Broomieknowe) finished third, while the wild-card pairing of James Whitaker (Moor Allerton) and Martyn Huish (North Berwick) came fourth.
It was the icing on the cake for Eaton who has enjoyed a fantastic year on the events circuit of the TGI Golf Partnership – Europe’s leading golf retail services group, owned by PGA professionals – having also represented the group at The Ashworth Cup.
“This was the first time I’ve entered the Nike Oven competition, so to win it is a great feeling and really tops off a memorable season for me,” he said. “It was an amazing opportunity given to us all by Nike and TGI. The trip was first-class and the hospitality was outstanding.
“The Colonial Country Club was, as you’d expect, an incredible golf course. I was told beforehand that it wasn’t the longest course on the US PGA Tour circuit – if that was the case I would dread to play the longest!”
During their week-long trip the TGI group were also treated to a two-day tour of The Oven – Nike Golf’s hi-tech research and development facility in Fort Worth, Texas, where they were given an exclusive preview of the new 20Xi Golf Ball.
“It was a wonderful experience from start to finish,” said former TGI chairman Ian Muir (Elie Sports Club) who accompanied the group. “Nike treated us like kings and they took great care of us. The Oven tour was fascinating and we were able to see and sample new products, including wedges, and have a custom-fitting session for the new Method putters.”
Phil Fox, Nike Golf UK and Ireland Category Sales Manager, added: “Nike Golf is extremely honoured to join forces with the TGI Golf Partnership in the second year of this wonderful competition. By taking six regional winners to The Colonial Country Club to contest the final, we were also able to incorporate a ‘once in a lifetime’ tour of our famous R and D hardware facility – an experience that, I am sure, will not be forgotten.
“It was a fantastic trip and a closely contested final,” Fox continued. “Congratulations to Simon and Paul on their superb performance. I feel encouraged the experience and trip will be discussed throughout the TGI Golf Partnership community for some time, and we look forward to seeing a strong field at the 2012 Nike Golf/TGI competition regional qualifying events.”

IAN BRATTON TO HAVE WRIST OPERATION TO EASE THE PAIN

Newburgh, Aberdeenshire club pro Ian Bratton, winner of Wednesday's North-east Alliance, reveals to http://www.scottishgolfview.com/ readers today that he has been playing through pain "for a long time now, possibly the last two years."
Ian Bratton says, in an E-mail:
"It has been diagnosed as Carpal Tunnell in my left wrist. I will get a one-inch inch cut on the inside of the wrist to relieve pressure on one of the nerves.
"I am awaiting news from the hand surgeon about a date. Will not be able to play for four to six weeks. Hopefully it will happen soon get it over and done with (hopefully when the snow comes and I don't miss too many alliances)
"I maybe shouldn't have gone for the 17th in two yesterday at Montrose and played for a 5 (the hole cost him a double bogey 6).
"Then, at the 18th, I hit a perfect drive that went two yards too far into a pot bunker 80 yards form the green up against the face.
"So it was nice to see the last two holes (double bogey-bogey) didnt affect the result."

Ian Bratton,
PGA Professional,
Newburgh on Ythan Golf Links,
Tel: 01358 789058

Paul Cormack still has positive thoughts on tour pro career in United States

LETTER (E-mail actually) FROM AMERICA

By PAUL CORMACK, formerly of Inchmarlo, Banchory

I split my time now between Orlando, Florida and Hilton Head, South Carolina. I actually spend a lot of time with Joel Hendry in Hilton Head. Joel (Elgin exile and twice Scottish youths champion) and his wife (who have just recently had a little girl) have been kind enough to rent me the upstairs of their house to me. So during the summer months this is pretty much my base.

It makes traveling to the NGA Tour (formerly the Hooters Tour) events a lot easier. I played a pretty much full schedule on this tour all year, with limited success. Unfortunately my game the past few seasons has not been good enough but there were a lot of encouraging signs at certain points during the year.

I now have a solid base to get my game back to where I know it can and will get eventually. I have a solid team around me as regards to a swing coach and the mental side of the game.

Have just been in contact with a woman who is held in high regard with the Titleist Performance Institute in regards to what I should be doing fitness wise in season and off.

I would be the first to admit the last two items on that list I have neglected over the past few years. Playing on a tour with such a high level of competition these are areas that can benefit you massively, as we have seen with the success of Russell Knox over the past year or so.

Russell was actually the one who recommended along with my father that I should go and visit the Vision54 ladies whom Scott Jamieson and Marc Warren also work with. They are based in Arizona so a month or so ago I was out there and spent a few days working with them.

As you can imagine all of this is not cheap and I have been fortunate enough to have sponsorship and the help of my parents to help be the best player I can and accomplish in golf what I believe I can.

There is no quit in this old dog yet. I believe being out here (in America) playing with some past and present Nationwide and US PGA tour winners like we do on the NGA tour week in and week out can do nothing but help you improve as a golfer.

Yes my golf has been poor over the last couple of years or so but I believe that with what I am working towards over the winter that I will start to have success here in the near future.

Players like Ritchie Ramsay, Russell Knox and Scott Jamieson have to be our bench mark and if i have to talk to these guys for advice I am more than willing to do so.

I have actually just missed Ritchie a couple of times when he has been over here at his home in Atlanta but hopefully if he is over here in the winter months we can get together and get a game.

With regards to Mr Jimmy Gunn (ex-Royal Dornoch) I actually spent some time with him when I was in Arizona. He is doing well and has just got a new sponsor. He will be playing the National Pro Golf Tour I think during the winter which is primarily based in the Scottsdale area.

I'm hoping to meet up with Jimmy again either in Arizona or he may be coming to Florida for some golf before he heads back to the lovely Scottish weather for Christmas!

Paul Cormack

MORE FROM PAUL CORMACK ON SCOTTISHGOLFVIEW.COM TOMORROW

+If you want to get in touch with Paul, or ask him any questions about his game, making the grade in America, etc, send me your E-mail address and name and I will pass them on to him.

KEEGAN BRADLEY SHOOTS A 65 TO LEAD BY TWO IN SHANGHAI

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

Keegan Bradley's dream rookie year continued as he began the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai with a seven under par 65.

The 25 year old American, whose play-off victory at the US PGA Championship in August came in the first Major of his life, had an eagle and five birdies in a flawless display.

Bradley, pictured right, leads by two from compatriot Bo Van Pelt - winner in Malaysia on Sunday - and Swedes Alex Noren and Fredrik Jacobson.

Justin Rose and Thongchai Jaidee were amongst those to go round in a 68, while Lee Westwood, runner-up last year, shot 69, the same score as Martin Kaymer, Simon Dyson and Graeme McDowell.

This time last year Bradley was graduating from the Nationwide Tour in the United States, but he is now a star of the game.

Only last month he beat the season's other Major winners Rory McIlroy, Charl Schwartzel and Darren Clarke to lift the PGA Grand Slam and he continued that form in only his second WGC event.

Playing with Westwood and Australian Adam Scott, he started with a birdie on the 401 yard tenth, added another on the long 14th and then holed a 15 foot eagle putt at the 538 yard 18th.

Further shots were then picked up on the second and fifth.

“Any time you can play well in a group like that, with Lee Westwood and Adam Scott, it feels very good,” said Bradley. “Especially in a tournament like this, the HSBC World Golf Championships.

“I'm just very proud of the way I played, and it's just a very rewarding round.

“It's my first time playing with Lee, and I've played with Adam before I played with him the first round of the Tour Championship. I played well there, too.

“For me, every week I'm amazed at who I'm around. To be in a group like that in this tournament and to play like that on this course, is very rewarding and it means a lot to me.”

Noren bogeyed the first but came back with six birdies, and having won twice on The European Tour in 2011 the 29 year old feels he is ready to start contending in Majors and WGC events.

“I need to play a bit more in these events and in the Majors,” he said. “Because you can play in the top European tournaments, and so I think that's the next step for me.

“I've got to play and see that I can compete with them on tough courses. I did play okay at the US PGA and the US Open, but on the toughest courses the best get better, so you've got to start playing these tough courses and against these fields.”

Westwood came close to an albatross at the 594 yard 14th, his approach over the water hitting the flag and stopping less than two feet away.

McDowell had a real rollercoaster ride - reaching four under early on, triple-bogeying the short 17th after hitting his tee shot into the bushes, but then came back from a bogey at the first with three birdies in the next four.

Italian Francesco Molinari, the defending champion, was five under with two to go, but found water on both of them and fell back to two under.

Paul Lawrie, the only Scot in the field, finished with a par-matching 72.

He writes on his website:

"I got off to a terrible start this morning - +4 after six holes  - which was about right as I hit some awful shots early on.   I made good birdies at the seventh and the eighth but three-putted nine from nowhere to be out in 39 (+3).  

"I hit it much better on the back nine, shooting 33 (-3) to finish with a level par 72 which was a good effort after the start.   I also struggled off the tee today which was a surprise as I've been driving it well lately."

TO VIEW THE FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD

CLICK HERE

THE SPIRIT SCOREBOARD IS ON www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

SCORES FROM THE FIRST DAY OF THE SPIRIT INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR TOURNAMENT AT WHISPERING PINES GC, HOUSTON, TEXAS ARE AVAILABLE ON http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/

THAT SPLIT - IT'S ALL ABOUT MOVING ON UP, SAYS RORY McILROY

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
Rory McIlroy says he remains "very close" to former manager Andrew "Chubby" Chandler and insists there was nothing personal in his decision to drop him from his management team.
Northern Ireland's US Open champion walked out of the stable which had four of the last six major winners, plus world No 2 Lee Westwood, to join Dublin-based Horizon.
"It's a decision I didn't take lightly," McIlroy said on the eve of this week's WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
"I thought long and hard about it and had a lot of chats with my Mum and Dad. Sometimes to go forward in your career you just need to make decisions."
McIlroy told Chandler, head of International Sports Management, he was leaving prior to last week's Shanghai Masters, where he then scooped the biggest first prize in the sport - £1.25million - after a play-off with American Anthony Kim.
"For four years I felt Chubby was the best guy and ISM were fantastic for me, but sometimes to progress you need to have a fresh view on things.
"It's about me trying to play my best golf and that's all there is to it.
"I feel like a new environment around me it might enable me to play even better and I feel like I'm moving on to the next stage of my career.
"Chubby's been there for me since day one and it was very difficult for me. I remain very close to him - it was a purely business decision and nothing personal at all.
"I've got all the time in the world for Chubby and everyone involved at ISM."
Last week's event did not count towards the European money list, but this week's world championship does and, with world number one Luke Donald pulling out to await the birth of his second daughter, McIlroy can cut his lead at the top from £1.12 million to £404,000.
The 22 year-old still has the Hong Kong Open on December 1-4 and the following week's Dubai World Championship to come, but Donald will be back for the second of those.