Thursday, November 10, 2011

THAT'S MORE LIKE IT! TIGER ROARS INTO AUSSIE OPEN LEAD

FROM THE SKY SPORT WEBSITE
Tiger Woods stormed to the top of the Australian Open leaderboard at the halfway mark after shooting a five-under 67 in the second round at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney today.
The former world number one, who had posted a 68 on day one, kicked off his round with a birdie at the 10th and then added four birdies in six holes from the 13th.
He made his first bogey of the tournament at the third but responded by holing a 25-foot birdie putt at the fourth before slipping up again at the sixth.
The American bounced back again with a birdie at the eighth following a stunning 280-yard approach to move to nine-under 135.
Australian Peter O'Malley (66) is one shot behind on eight under with Woods' playing partner Jason Day (68) third on seven under. Overnight leader Jarrod Lyle is back on five under after a 74.
"I played well today," said Woods. "I could have been a little lower over my first nine holes. I felt like I really didn't miss a shot. Even though I shot five under today, it felt like it easily could have been eight or nine deep.
"But it feels good to actually be there playing properly instead of slashing the ball all over the place."

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PLAY HALTED AT SINGAPORE OPEN
 SECOND ROUND
 SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Play was halted halfway through the second round of the $6 million co-sanctioned Singapore Open on Friday due to a weather warning.
Shortly before midday local time a weather warning sounded due to a threat of thunder, and a heavy rainstorm an hour later ensured the players remained off the course with more than 50 players yet to start their rounds.
Joint overnight leader James Morrison was one of the early starters and the Englishman had pulled two shots clear of the field by the 14th hole on the Serapong Course, improving to 11-under for the tournament before the delay.
Italy's Edoardo Molinari, who fired a matching nine-under 62 on the easier Tanjong Course on Thursday to sit alongside Morrison at the top of the leaderboard, had yet to start his second round.

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HUNTER MAHAN WITHDRAWS FROM AUSTRALIAN OPEN

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
Hunter Mahan withdrew today from the Australian Open because of soreness behind his right shoulder, raising questions about whether he can play next week in The Presidents Cup.
Mahan said he fully expects to be play at Royal Melbourne, and believes he will be ready to go after a few days of rest.
The pain is nothing new, although he said typically it has been behind the left shoulder. He started feeling pain Wednesday night, and it gradually improved during his opening round at The Lakes when he shot 73 while playing with John Daly and Craig Parry.
"It wasn't great for nine holes, then they came out and popped my back and it was a little better," Mahan said. "It's just the rotation. It's fired up to the point that I can't get through the ball."
Mahan said he has kept U.S. captain Fred Couples apprised -- Couples also is playing the Australian Open. And while Mahan expects to be ready for the Presidents Cup, he left some doubt by saying, "If Fred has to call, then ... ."
That was reference to US PGA champion Keegan Bradley, who Couples has said would be the replacement if any of his players were injured.
Mahan leaves the U.S. team with two players whose health is in question. Steve Stricker has not played since September 25 at the Tour Championship because of a neck injury that has weakened his left arm.
Stricker chose not to play at Disney as his tune-up for the Presidents Cup, instead going to Arizona this week to practise. He has said he expects to play, and likely will be the partner again for Tiger Woods. They went 4-0 as a team last year.
Bradley just returned home to Florida after two weeks in Shanghai.
Mahan tried to play this morning. He said the pain tends to go away once he warms up, but that wasn't the case today. Physical therapists worked on his shoulder, and his shirt was untucked on the range as he debated playing. Ultimately, he decided it was better to rest.
"It came on Wednesday night, and Thursday it wasn't great," Mahan said. "Today was the worst it has been. The more I keep swinging, the worse it gets. But I don't see this being a long-term problem for next week."

Luke Donald on US PGA Player of the Year shortlist

Luke Donald could become the first British golfer to win the PGA Tour Player of the Year award after he was named on a five-man shortlist.
Americans Keegan Bradley, Bill Haas, Webb Simpson and Nick Watney are also in the running.
Tour professionals vote for the winner, with Donald already assured of the US PGA Tour money list title for 2011.
The Englishman, who has won two events and enjoyed 14 top-10 finishes, is favourite to lift the players' award.
Luke Donald also won the Vardon Trophy on the US PGA Tour this year for the lowest adjusted scoring average
Donald has already won the US PGA Player of the Year award for 2011, a more statistically-based award, presented by the PGA of America.
Since its inception in 1990, the US PGA Tour Player of the Year prize - also known as the Jack Nicklaus Trophy - has been claimed by the PGA Player of the Year on all but two occasions.
One of those to miss out on the double was Donald's fellow Englishman Nick Faldo, who failed to win the players' vote in 1990, while Corey Pavin missed out 12 months later.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington won both during his successful season in 2008, when he also won the USPGA Championship and the Open Championship.
Tiger Woods has been the US Tour's most successful player, winning both awards 10 times apiece.
Bradley has also been nominated for the US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award alongside Chris Kirk, Charl Schwartzel, Scott Stallings, Brendan Steele and Jhonattan Vegas.

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DEATH OF FORRES AND NORTH GOLF STALWART ROBIN THOMSON

FROM BRYAN FOTHERINGHAM
The very sad news from Forres is that on Wednesday, November 9, Robin Thomson (aged 75) passed away at home after a long battle with illness. Robin was a very accomplished golfer throughout his life, winning the club championship at Nairn an incredible five times in a row in the 1980s. He also won the North District Championship and played in the six-man team format of the area team championship for North for many years.
Robin was a member of both Cowglen and Dalmahoy golf clubs in his early years before moving to North of Scotland in the mid-1970s where he was a prominent member of both Nairn and Forres golf clubs.
A former captain, match secretary and latterly president of Forres Golf Club, Robin won most of the trophies at the club and in the area. Along with his contribution to Forres golf club, Robin was also on the North District Executive Committee.
The funeral is at St Laurence Church on Wednesday, November 16 at 10:30am.

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PHIL MICKESON TO GET WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME PLACE IN 2012

FROM THE SKY SPORTS WEBSITE
Four-time major winner Phil Mickelson is to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next year, it has been announced.
The American left-hander, who has three Masters wins and a USPGA success on his CV, became eligible for the honour after turning 40 last year.
In order to secure entry, proposed players must receive at least 65 percent of votes cast by journalists, historians and golf dignitaries. Mickelson polled 72 percent of the vote.
Mickelson said in Singapore, where he is currently competing at the Singapore Open:
"Being called a hall of fame golfer, it does make me sound a little bit old. But I don't feel old. I feel like I've got a lot of great golf ahead of me."
Mickelson has won a total of 39 tournaments since he turned professional in 1992.
However, while he has been ranked at number two in the world on several occasions, he has never claimed the number one spot to date in his illustrious career.
He insists he still retains plenty of goals in the game, the most pressing of which are to reach 50 victories and to win a US Open - an event in which he has five runner-up finishes - and also an Open Championship.
US PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem was quick to pay tribute to the left-hander, stating: "He is clearly one of the most exciting players ever to play the game.
"He's exactly what you like to see in a player. If everybody conducted themselves like Phil week in and week out, we'd be stronger yet."
Mickelson will be officially inducted on May 7 next year at the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Augustine, Florida.

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CALEY "NO" VOTE ENDANGERS FUTURE OF ABERDEEN LINKS GOLF

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Earlier this week it was revealed that members of Caledonian Golf Club had voted against the proposed amalgamation of the two other Aberdeen Kings Links golf clubs, Bon Accord and Northern, whose members had voted in favour of one club and one new clubhouse.
I asked Derek Johnstone, the Northern GC club captain, what happens now?
He said
"The honest answer is: I don’t know.
"Initially the result of the Caley ballot was a shock. However, every day there are new revelations about the conduct and tactics used by the Caley “no vote” campaigners – this was a well-orchestrated operation. 
"1 Using a social networking site to orchestrate their No campaign.
"2 Using questionable tactics, eg informing the Lady members there would be no Ladies Section which, of course is total nonsense.
The methods employed to achieve their goal are, in my opinion, unethical and unconstitutional and the Caley Committee need to sit down with legal representation to establish whether the result should stand.
"There are obviously other routes the Caley captain, David Forbes, and Committee can take to establish whether the result is a true reflection of the views of their total membership but that of course is up to them.  I do hope they take up the challenge because the survival of golf at the Kings Links depends upon it."

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SCOTS' MIXED FORTUNES AT ALPS TOUR Q SCHOOL STAGE ONE


By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
The fortunes of the five Scots involved in the First Stage of the Alps Tour Qualifying School at Toscana Golf Club, Italy today ranged from the (almost) sublime two-under-par 69 by Zack Saltman (Archerfield Links), which placed him in second place at the halfway stage, to the ridiculous 12 run up by John Henry (Clydebank) at the par-5 18th in a round of 10-over- 81, leaving him in joint 53rd place on a field of 64 at this venue.
Saltman, pictured, birdied the short eighth, the 12th and long 18th - John Henry's disaster hole - and dropped only one shot, at the par-3 11th.
Fraserburgh's Jordan Findlay is sharing 11th place after a 72 which included a double bogey 6 at the 17th. He had earlier dropped a shot at the fifth but birdied the long ninth. Findlay did not let his head go down after the 17th - he bounced back with a finishing birdie 4 at the long last hole.
Another Buchan player, Peterhead's Philip McLean, is in joint 15th place aftrer a 73 which included only one birdie, at the short eighth, a bogey at the fourth and a triple bogey 7 at the long 18th.
Carnoustie's Keir McNicoll is still searching for the form that once made him a +5 handicap amateur but has deserted him in the pro ranks. He had a 78 for a share of 45th place. The outward half cost him 42 blows with double bogeys at the short eighth and long ninth, having already bogeyed the first and short third.
A birdie 2 at the short 13th  was the only bright spot on Keir's card and his hopes nosedived again with bogeys at the short 16th and long 18th.
John Henry's brother Scott has done well on the Alps Tour but the Clydebank sibling doesn't look as if he is going to survive even the first stage of the Q School.
Apart from his 12 at the 18th, John's 81 included double bogey 6s at  the fourth and 14th and a bogey 4 at the short 13th. He did have two birdies, at the short third and long 15th, but he will need a lot more birdies in the second and final round if he is to qualify for next week's Alps Tour Final Qualifying School when fellow Scots Ross Kellett (Colville Park), David Law (Hazlehead), Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) and Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh) will enter the fray.
The number of qualifiers after 36 holes from the Toscana course will be 48 and from Punta Ala 45 to the Final Qualifying School over 54 holes from Monday to Wednesday next week at the end of which the top 35 will gain playing rights on the 2012 Alps Tour.

SCOREBOARD 
Stage 1 (36 holes)  - Italy.
TOSCANA GC
First round
Par 71
67 Dominigue Nouailhac (Fra).
69 Zack Saltman (Sco).
70 Jose Maria Garcia Chacon (Spa), Adrien Peres (Fra).
Other Scots' scores:
72 Jordan Findlay (T11).
73 Philip McLean (T15).
78 Keir McNicoll (T45)
81 John Henry (T53)
+Leading 48 to qualify after second round.
PUNTA ALA
First round leaders
Par 72
70 Anthony Pailler (Fra).
71 Romain Zwahlein (Fra), Jack Clarke (Eng), Jose Alejandro Quiros (Spa).
72 Matthew Criess (Aut), Adam Gray (Eng)
+Leading 45 to qualify after second round.

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ENGLAND SEND LOCKWOOD AND WALLACE TO ARGENTINA

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Paul Lockwood (Hessle, Yorkshire) and Matthew Wallace (Moor Park, Hertfordshire) will attempt to extend England’s fine record in the event when they represent the EGU in the Juan Carlos Tailhade Cup at Los Lagartos Country Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina from November 10 to 13.
The annual 72-hole stroke play championship in which the aggregate scores of both players count, has seen a number of English players taking the honours.
Nick Dougherty and Gary Wolstenholme won in 2000 and were succeeded in 2001 by Zane Scotland and David Skinns. Gary Lockerbie and Michael Skelton succeeded in 2003, Seve Benson and Ed Richardson in 2006, while Sam Hutsby and Chris Wood were runners-up in the following year.
There is also an individual award and Andrew Sullivan captured that last year after a play-off.
Lockwood, 19, a former boy cap, made his full international debut against Spain at The Berkshire last May. Runner-up in the Carris Trophy in 2010, he finished second in the Titleist/FootJoy EGU Boys Order of Merit last year and has enjoyed a successful 2011. Beside his full England cap, he finished joint third in the North of England Youths Championship, tied fourth in the Lee Westwood Trophy, fifth in the Riverswood Junior Open in Holland, sixth in the West of England Stroke Play Championship and equal eighth in the Lytham Trophy.
Like Lockwood, Wallace, 21, is a member of the England training squad for this winter and 2012, having emerged over the last two years. After topping the South East Qualifier and finishing third in the Tillman Trophy in 2010, this year has seen him finish runner-up in the Berkshire Trophy and the Czech Amateur. He also reached the second round of the British Amateur Championship at Hillside and finished tied tenth in the South of England Amateur at Walton Heath.
After the Tailhade Cup the pair will stay in Buenos Aires for the Argentine Amateur Championship at San Isidro Golf Club from November 15 to 20.
The Argentine Amateur has a 36-hole stroke play qualifying competition with the leading 64 players going forward to the match-play knock-out. Each round is over 18 holes with the final over 36. Luke Goddard won the title in 2008

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2012 OPEN AT ROYAL LYTHAM TICKETS ON SALE NOW

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R AND A
Be the first to book your place at the 2012 Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes and buy your daily or season ticket in time for Christmas.
The Open sees a return to the Lancashire venue for the first time since 2001, when the USA’s David Duval finished three ahead of Sweden’s Niclas Fasth and a chasing pack that included current Open Champion Darren Clarke to lift the Claret Jug for his only Major victory to date.
Lytham holds many great golfing memories, not least as the venue for two (1979, 88) of the late Seve Ballesteros’ three Open victories.
Local fans have now waited 20 years since Nick Faldo’s 1992 victory to herald an English winner and will see Tony Jacklin’s 1969 triumph over the famous links as a good omen.
Spectators who purchase now can take advantage of daily tickets at early season prices - as much as £10 less than 2011 prices for practice days – while ensuring they arrive in time for December 25.
Season tickets offering entry on all eight days of the Championship are available at the price of £230 - £10 less than the cost on the gate this year at Royal St George’s.
Early purchase reductions also apply to concessionary tickets for 16-21 year-olds. As with every Open Championship since 1997, Under-16’s will continue to be admitted free of charge.
Tickets purchased before December 15 will arrive in time for Christmas.
The R and A’s Chief Executive Peter Dawson said: “We are pleased to be able to offer early season prices on most ticket types for next year’s Open.
“We always enjoy enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowds when the Championship visits the north-west of England and I am looking forward to the Championship being played in a wonderful atmosphere again next year.”
The 2012 Open sees the return of the popular Fairways Club which allows spectators access to a private marquee offering a lounge bar, snack facilities along with complimentary tea and coffee. Fairways Club access on each of the four Championship days costs £50 and must be accompanied by a valid ticket permitting course access.
The Greenside Club ticket will once again provide admission to the course, access to a private marquee and reserved seats within the Greenside Stand at the 18th, which provides unparalleled viewing of The Open’s 72nd hole. Inside the marquee, televisions offer uninterrupted live footage and real-time scores from the course and complimentary newspapers, tea and coffee will be provided.
Tickets will continue to be available to purchase on the day at the gate. A daily ticket purchased on arrival at the course on the four Championship days (July 19-22, 2012) will cost £70.
For further information and to purchase tickets visit https://tickets.randa.org/
Official hospitality packages are also now on sale. Details are available from http://www.opengolfofficialhospitality.com/

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SEARCH BEGINS FOR NEW SPONSOR OF SCOTTISH SENIOR OPEN

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOURThe Scottish Senior Open is seeking to launch a new chapter for its 20th anniversary edition in 2012 following the conclusion of Cleveland Golf/Srixon’s three-year term as title sponsor.
The Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews has hosted the prestigious event since 2009 when the title was won by Englishman Glenn Ralph, before back-to-back victories in 2010 and 2011 for former Ryder Cup player Barry Lane.
Now the European Senior Tour is inviting interest from potential new title sponsors for 2012 and is offering the unique opportunity to take the event through to Scotland’s staging of The 2014 Ryder Cup.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “Discussions are progressing between all parties, including EventScotland and Fairmont St Andrews, and we look forward to exploring new opportunities with a view to securing the event for the future.
“We greatly appreciate the support and commitment of Cleveland Golf/Srixon over the past three years, but we have now targeted a new and exciting era in the 20 year history of the event.”
Recent past champions of the Scottish Senior Open include Sam Torrance (2006), José Rivero (2007) and Peter Mitchell (2008). The event was first played in 1993 at Royal Aberdeen when Tommy Horton was the winner.

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MORRISON AND MOLINARI LEAD AT SINGAPORE OPEN WITH 62s

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
James Morrison and Edoardo Molinari returned to form in spectacular style to lead after the first round of the Barclays Singapore Open today.
With only three top-ten finishes between them all season, the pair both carded nine under par rounds of 62 on the Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club to lead former US PGA Championship winner Y E Yang by one.
Ryder Cup star Molinari, who has not had a top-ten finish since coming eighth in Bahrain back in January, carded ten birdies including a fantastic approach to the last with one bogey.
Last year’s Madeira Islands Open winner Morrison joined him in the lead courtesy of a run of four consecutive birdies from the tenth – he still had a chance of The European Tour’s first 59 at that stage, before a bogey at the 16th ended his hopes.
Molinari, who won twice last year to earn selection for the European Team at The Celtic Manor Resort, put his improved showing down to a better putting display.
“The putting was finally excellent out there today which is probably the first good round of putting that I have had in a while,” said the 30 year old.
“I have been working on the same things, but I had a really good session on the putting green on Tuesday afternoon and I was just trying to work on the same feelings out on the course and today it was very good.
“I probably had 25 or 26 putts today but the most important thing was that I holed everything inside ten feet which is what you have to do on this course, because it is very short and important to make a good score here.
“I usually struggle on Bermuda greens but this is a little different this week because the greens are not so grainy so I really like putting in these greens.
“It was a very good round of golf. I would have been happy with five or six under at the start of the day so I am very happy with it.”
Morrison, whose fine approach to the 15th left him needing three closing birdies for a 59 only to miss the green at the par three next, said: “It is a tough day out on the golf course when one is hard and one is a little bit easy.
“You always try and chase from the start. I stayed patient and played great all the way around and holed a few putts.”
World Number 42 Yang eagled the sixth from 15 feet and had six birdies in a blemish-free round, but the South Korean was quick to point out that the more difficult Serapong Course awaits the leading trio on Friday.
“Tomorrow and the final rounds are going to be played on a different course (The Serapong) so it is going to be like a new tournament for me,” he said. I’m not thinking of the title just yet.”
Japan’s Daisuke Maruyama is fourth on seven under, while South African Jbe Kruger had the best round of the day on the Serapong layout to sit six under alongside Sung Lee, Athaphon Prathumanee and Rahil Gangjee.

SCOTS' SCORES

TANJONG COURSE
Par 71. Yardage 6,625
67 Colin Montgomerie
70 James Byrne.

SERAPONG COURSE
Par 71 Yardage 7,357
69 Richie Ramsay
72 Steven O'Hara
73 Stephen Gallacher
76 Paul Lawrie

Paul Lawrie quotes from his website:
"I had a poor day shooting 76 (+5). There were two reasons. I had an 8 at the par-5 seventh hole from the middle of the fairway and I putted awful (36)   It was very hot and sticky but I actually felt alright. There are two courses this week, one is really short with plenty of chances and the other is a good test.   I played the tougher one today so I'll need to go low tomorrow.



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SGU ANNOUNCE MUCH-CHANGED NATIONAL SQUADS FOR 2011-2012

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
The Scottish Golf Union today announce a much-changed national squad for 2011-12, with Scottish Golf Performance Manager Steve Paulding relishing the prospect of working with a new wave of talent.
Paul Shields, Conor O’Neil, Brian Soutar and Scott Gibson – all members of last year’s Men’s Squad – retain their places, while further talented players come into a new-look group.
Graeme Robertson, pictured, who pushed James White all the way in the 2011 Order of Merit race, earns a deserved spot while Grant Forrest is promoted from the Boys’ Squad. Daniel Kay, Scott Crichton and Fraser McKenna complete the Men’s line-up.
The promising Boys’ pool features the rising stars of Scottish Golf. Reigning Order of Merit winner Greig Marchbank, Anthony Blaney, Bradley Neil, Jamie Savage and Ewan Scott retain their squad spots from 2011. Scottish Boys champion David Wilson, Calum Hill, Ben Kinsley and Euan Walker all come into the Boys’ group.
As a result of Walker Cup hero James Byrne, Scottish Amateur champion David Law and Fraserburgh pair Jordan Findlay and Kris Nicol all turning professional in recent weeks, a changing of the guard has taken place within the national ranks.
Michael Stewart, another Walker Cup star at Royal Aberdeen in September, is also expected to turn pro after he plays in the South African Open on The European Tour later this month, courtesy of his victory in the South African Amateur in March.
Fifer Greg Paterson, meanwhile, is retaining amateur status but has made the decision he needs to work outside of the game and can’t commit to the full training and competition programme. He is still in discussions regarding his place in the team for next year.
The ever-improving Shields of Kirkhill – runner-up to Law in the South African Amateur - Pollok’s O’Neil, Soutar (Leven GS) and Southerness’ Gibson, now based at East Tennessee State in America, are back in the Men’s group by virtue of their 2011 performances.
Three others – White, Philip McLean and Ross Kellett – are still amateurs but they’re weighing up professional careers as they prepare for either the second stage of the European Tour School in early December or the Alps Tour Qualifying, which begins today. If White, McLean and Kellett remain amateur, they will be retained in the national Men’s Squad.
Glenbervie’s Robertson, the European Universities Men’s’ champion, Kay of Dunbar – runner-up to Law at the Scottish Amateur – Aberdour’s Crichton and McKenna (Balmore) make up the pool, along with Craigielaw’s Forrest, now also based overseas in the USA at San Diego University.
Of the Boys, Marchbank (Dumfries and County), Neil of Blairgowrie, Lothians star Blaney and Scott (St Andrews) earn more plaudits, after all four were selected for warm weather winter training in Abu Dhabi later this month.
Hill (Tantallon), a semi-finalist in the Scottish Boys, St Andrews’ Kinsley, the Scottish Boys Under-16 Open Stroke Play champion, and the consistent Savage of Cawder also feature. Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Wilson (Troon Welbeck) complete the Boys’ group.
Paulding has faced a number of challenges to form the squads for the next 12 months and, although still not completely finalised, the Men’s and Boys’ groups have been put in place to help players and the SGU coaching team prepare for next year.
He said: “The players have achieved their places in the squad through hard work, determination and talent. We have players very able to compete at the highest level, who can commit to the full programme, representing Scotland on the European and World stage.
“We also have younger up-and-coming players who show the potential to reach that stage within the next few years. The challenge of having a number of your top players move on has to be encountered. It adds a different dimension to consistently progressing and developing talent to reach the highest level. I’m excited by the year ahead.”
The National Squads are supported by national team sponsors, Aberdeen Asset Management and TaylorMade-adidas Golf.

National Men’s Squad 2011 - 2012
Scott Crichton (Aberdour)
Grant Forrest (Overseas)
Scott Gibson (Overseas)
Daniel Kay (Dunbar)
Fraser McKenna (Balmore)
Conor O’Neil (Pollok)
Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie)
Paul Shields (Kirkhill)
Brian Soutar (Leven GS)

National Boys Squad 2011 - 2012
Anthony Blaney (Liberton)
Calum Hill (Tantallon)
Ben Kinsley (St Andrews)
Greig Marchbank (Dumfries and County)
Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie)
Jamie Savage (Cawder)
Ewan Scott (St Andrews)
Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie)
David Wilson (Troon Welbeck)

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TIGER WOODS THREE BEHIND AUSSIE OPEN LEADER JARROD LYLE

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
Tiger Woods played his first bogey-free round in nine months on the opening day of the Australian Open where he trails leader Jarrod Lyle by three shots.
Cancer survivor Lyle held off a powerful American contingent, including Woods , to card a seven-under 65 in an unblemished round that included an eagle 3 at the 14th and five birdies.
Lyle, who must go through qualifying school next month to avoid playing in the secondary Nationwide Tour next season after losing his US PGA Tour card with a 161st finish on the money list, was pursued by Americans, Dustin Johnson and Nick Watney, a shot back on 66.
Woods, who has not won a tournament for two years precipitating a slump in his world ranking from 1 to 58, wrestled with gusty afternoon winds to keep in touch, three shots off the lead.
His 68, which included four birdies, was his first bogey-free round in nine months.
"I hit it really good today, that was exactly how I have been hitting it at home, so that's good and I've taken it to the golf course in these conditions and hit all the shots," Woods said.
"I just grinded, I was very patient all day and just took advantage when I could.
"With these conditions it's easy to make a couple of bogeys in a row and get it going the wrong way and I just had to be patient, there wasn't going to be a lot of guys in the afternoon hitting 60s."
World No 5 Dustin Johnson, at the Australian Open ahead of next week's Presidents Cup as the top-ranked American player, hit eight birdies in his six-under round.
"I made a lot of good putts, some tap-ins and some three-four footers, and I played really solid all day and made some great iron shots," said Johnson, who reeled off five consecutive birdies from the 12th hole.
"I was a little rusty at the start, it was the first time I've been in competition for five-six weeks now, but then got it going pretty well."
Watney carded five birdies in his closing six holes in the afternoon to finish with an impressive six-under.
Lyle, 30, who finished only once in the top 10 on this year's US PGA Tour, carded an unblemished round that included an eagle three at the 14th and five birdies.
"That's the lowest score I've shot all year, I've played solid all year, but just haven't achieved anything," Lyle said.
Former US Masters champion Fred Couples, who will be the non-playing captain of the US team at next week's Presidents Cup teams event against the Internationals at Royal Melbourne, was among a quartet on five-under 67, two shots off the lead.
Couples, 52, who has 53 tournament victories in his 30 years as a professional, carded six birdies and a bogey playing with his US team assistant John Cook, who had a 69.
World No 17 Bubba Watson, another member of next week's US team, chimed in with a four-under 68 with an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys.
Australian Adam Scott, who said he didn't make a putt in his three-under 69, hit a spectacular albatross 2 at the par-five eighth when he holed a six-iron from 199 metres.
It was only his second career albatross or three-under-par-shot since his junior days.
Compatriot and world No 7 Jason Day had five birdies and two bogeys playing with Woods to be equal 16th with Scott at three-under.

JOHN DALY FACING DISCIPLINARY ACTION

FOR WALKING OFF COURSE AT 11th HOLE

John Daly walked off the course and out of the tournament after hitting at least five or six balls - officials aren't sure of the number - into the water on the 11th hole at The Lakes.Daly was seven over par after 10 holes in the first round after becoming upset with a ruling on the 10th that penalised him two strokes. He casually putted out on the 10th and took a triple-bogey 7.
On the 11th, he hit ball after ball into the water, some landing in the centre of the pond, before a tour official joined him. Moments later, Daly shook hands with playing partners Craig Parry of Australia and American Hunter Mahan and walked off the course.
In a Twitter message, Daly said: "when u run out of balls u run out of balls. yes, I shook my player's partners hands and signed my card w/rules official."
Trevor Herden, Golf Australia's director of tournaments, called Daly's actions "unprofessional" and said action needed to be taken against him. And Herden said running out of balls was no excuse for walking off the course.
"If you run out of golf balls, and you are acting in a professional manner, you will call a rules official and we will get the type of ball he is playing with and replenish his stock," Herden said. "We can do that. For him to treat it as 'that's it' and 'see you later,' that's not good enough."
Herden said Daly appeared to become upset after hitting the wrong ball out of a bunker on 10 - apparently there were two there, one from the nearby practice range.
"I believe he has gone down 11, hitting five or six balls in the water - I am not exactly sure," Herden said. "Anyway, he walks right off the golf course, with his son behind him, got in the courtesy car and went straight back to his hotel."
Herden said he was "bitter and disappointed" by Daly's actions.
"It is very disappointing for the tournament ... that he has treated the championship this way," Herden said. "It is a bit of a habit, but it is unacceptable and I certainly hope all the tours deal with it in an appropriate manner this time."
Asked why the Australian Open would have paid him appearance money to be here, Herden replied: "I am not going to talk about appearance money, but he likes to come back this time of year to Australia.
"He is a major winner, we have to pay him some respect, too, even though his times have moved on slightly. But I would say this will be the last time we will see John Daly (in the Australian Open)."
The PGA Tour of Australasia later issued a statement saying no appearance fees had been paid to Daly. It also said Daly's actions Thursday would be referred to a disciplinary committee.
Daly, now ranked 666th in the world, was scheduled to play at the Australian PGA Championship at the Hyatt Regency course at Coolum in two weeks.
"I think you might find that might change," Herden said, and the statement later said that the tour had withdrawn its offer for Daly to play at Coolum.
"The Australian PGA does not need this kind of behaviour tarnishing the achievements of other players and the reputation of our tournaments," the statement said. "John is not welcome at Coolum."
In 2002, after taking a triple-bogey 7 on his last hole at the Coolum course, Daly threw his putter and ball into a greenside pond and later failed to sign for a 78 on his scorecard, disqualifying himself from the tournament. He was later fined $5,600 by the Australasian tour and was ordered to write a letter of apology to a tour official he verbally abused. Two years ago at the Australian Open, he smashed a spectator's camera into a tree at Royal Sydney's ninth hole. He was given a suspended fine by Golf Australia.
In 1998 in the US PGA Tour's Bay Hill Invitational, Daly hit a shot with a three-wood into the water six times in the final round, took an 18 on the par-5 sixth hole and shot an 85.
In the 2000 U.S. Open, he had a 14 on the par-5 18th hole and withdrew after an opening-round 83. Daly dumped three balls into the Pacific Ocean and hit another into a backyard adjacent to the fairway.


FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
Players from Australia unless stated
65: Jarrod Lyle.
66: Nick Watney (US), Dustin Johnson (US).
67: Greg Chalmers, Steven Jones, James Nitties, Fred Couples (US).
68: Tiger Woods (US), Jake Higginbottom, Matthew Millar, Woo-hyun Kim (SKor), Bubba Watson (US), Andrew Tschudin.
69: Adam Scott, Nick O'Hern, Stephen Allan, Matthew Jones, Jason Day, Rohan Blizard, Damon Welsford, David Mckendrick (US), John Cook (US), Craig Hasthorpe, Leigh Mckechnie, Paul Sheehan.
70: Rodney Pampling, Chris Gaunt, Kurt Carlson, John Senden, Anthony Summers, Ryan Haller, Craig Hancock, Geoff Ogilvy, Ronald Harvey (Can), Jason Norris, Henry Epstein, Craig Parry, Anthony Brown, Ashley Hall, Jamie Arnold, Peter O'Malley.
71: Andrew Martin, Michael Hendry (NZ), Kelly Kraft (US), Michael Wright, Terry Price, Wittawat Sae-ung (Tha), Greg Norman (US), Matthew Griffin, Luke Hickmott, Steve Collins, Scott Arnold, Geoff Drakeford, Terry Pilkadaris, Gareth Paddison (NZ), Daniel Nisbet, David Bransdon.
72: David Toms (US), Peter Cooke, Bryden Macpherson, Doug Holloway (NZ), Josh Carmichael, Wisut Artjanawat (Tha), Bill Haas (US), Steven Conran, Scott Laycock, Phil Tataurangi (NZ), Kyle Stanley (US), Tim Wood, Nick Cullen, Peter Senior, Cameron Smith, Gary Simpson, Alistair Presnell, Richard Green, Bronson La'cassie.
73: Paul Spargo, Marcus Cain, Rodger Davis, Stephen Leaney, Brent McCullough, Adam Crawford, Aaron Baddeley, Hunter Mahan (US), David McKenzie, Leigh Deagan, Peter Shaw, Joon woo Choi (SKor).
74: Ryan Mccarthy, Mahal Pearce (NZ), Daniel Fox, Won Joon Lee, Adam Bland, Kim Felton, Brad Kennedy, David Klein, James McClean (US), Aaron Townsend, Steve Alker (NZ), Mitchell Brown, Peter Nolan, Luke Bleumink, Matt Kuchar (US), Chang-won Han (Kor), Brendan Smith, Matt Jager, Matthew Stieger.
75: Shih-Chang Chan (Tpe), Steven Bowditch, Robert Allenby, Mathew Goggin, Brad McIntosh, Marc Leishman, Ewan Porter, Heath Reed.
76: Dean Meagher, Ren Han (Chn), Daniel Beckmann, Brad Shilton (NZ), Brad Smith (Eng), Andre Stolz, Adam Stephens, Tai Fu (Chn), Stuart Appleby.
77: Rory Bourke, Michael Campbell (NZ), Jordan Sherratt, Neven Basic, Josh Younger, Tony McNaughton, Ben Wharton, Michael Long (NZ), Troy Cox.
78: Tungshu Hsieh (Tpe), Craig Scott, Steven Jeffress, Darren Tan, Peter Wilson.
79: Andrew Kelly, Michael Curtain, Kurt Barnes.
80: Alex Katholos, Aaron Cox, Quan Yang (Chn), Andrew Evans, Qisheng Liu (Chn).
81: Tristan Lambert, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Tha), Zhi Xie (Chn), Sam Brazel, Byron Meth.
83: Andrew McKenzie.
84: Lejun Deng (Chn), Nicholas Piani.
85: Ning Bo (Chn).
Retired: John Daly (US).


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