COUPLES WOULD BE A GREAT RYDER CUP CAPTAIN, SAYS TIGER

FROM THE TIGER WOODS WEBSITE
It's hard to believe 2011 is almost over, and it was sure nice to get a victory! I played a lot of golf late in the year, and it was extremely satisfying to close out the season with a win at my own event, the Chevron World Challenge.
I basically did an exhibition tour right before the Australian Open. I played in Japan, Singapore, Perth and Melbourne, and then I went up to Sydney for the Australian Open. I did some clinics, and it was fun because I had to concentrate a bit because I was putting on exhibitions and had to play well.
It was nice to have a semi-competitive environment before I played in the Aussie Open. In Japan, I did an exhibition with JLPGA players that benefited earthquake relief and tsunami relief. The women played great, and it was rewarding doing this event for such a good cause.
The great thing about the Australian Open and The Presidents Cup was that's basically how I've been hitting the ball at home. It was nice to be able to take what I had been doing into a tournament situation and play well. Although I didn't win the Australian Open, I finished third and hit a lot of quality golf shots.
The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney was very challenging. It's very modern and has a good mixture of short and long holes. Royal Melbourne was definitely an old-style course where you can run the ball up, throw the ball up in air and do a variety of different things. And with the green speeds being what they were -- especially the first day when they were running at 14 -- it was a little tough.
When I got to Royal Melbourne for The Presidents Cup, it was quite interesting because the people who questioned me being on The Presidents Cup team were not the players; they wanted me on the team. So when we came together, it was pretty neat to receive a warm reception and see how excited they were to have me be there with them.
It was great for Fred Couples, too. Fred stuck his neck out for me, and I was very grateful that he made me a captain's pick. To be able to secure the clinching point for the U.S. and play as well as I did down there was special for both of us.
As for the team room, it was a great mix of younger guys and older guys. It was pretty interesting to have Fred and assistant captains Jay Haas and John Cook. I've been on Ryder Cup teams with those guys, so it was a different perspective and was pretty cool.
I've heard people question whether Fred would be a good Ryder Cup captain, and I just don't get it. I think that Fred is a great captain. Whether it's The Presidents Cup or the Ryder Cup, it doesn't matter.
The way he keeps us loose and how much fun we have -- it's just great to play for him. He's a lot more competitive than people realise. He just doesn't show it. He shows it with us around, but the public doesn't see it.
Matt Kuchar dominated in pingpong again. It's not even close. He is far and away the best player (at table tennis). Nobody can beat the guy.
I came home and played in my Foundation's tournament at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, and I'm so excited to have won for the fifth time. Equally important, I gave the $1.2 million first prize to my Foundation's programs, which will help get more underserved kids into college.
Coming into the week, I was basically just trying to continue doing what I was doing in Australia, and I did that. I hit the ball just as well and made a few putts. It was tough playing against Zach Johnson on Sunday afternoon because he doesn't back up. He put a lot of heat on me and had the lead starting the final round, so I had to go and get him.
Zach hit an absolutely great shot on the 14th hole on Sunday, where he nipped a 60-degree sand wedge on the green and was able to save par. It was a big momentum switch. If he had tried to putt it, he can't keep it on the green. If he goes at the hole, there's a little fall-off on the left part of the green. If he had played short with a putt, the best he could do was about 15 feet. I thought if he made bogey there and I made birdie, it would be a two-shot swing. It was a big moment.
The shot that he played -- that little spinner in there -- he had to cut it to hold the hill. When he made contact, I could tell from the sound that he pulled it off. Man, that was impressive. You have to expect him to pull it off, especially a guy with his talent.
I felt very comfortable in the tournament from start to finish. Golf doesn't change. You should be all-systems go on the first day until the last day. I felt nervous coming down the stretch -- absolutely! You want to feel nervous because it means you care. When I stop getting nervous, it's time for me to quit.
I really hit three nice shots the last two holes. And then I made two nice putts on top of that. The best part about winning was the reinforcement that all the training and hard work I have put in with Sean Foley paid off.
It was also nice to get my first 'W' with Joe LaCava on the bag. He's been awesome. He's definitely very calm out here. That's why it's fun to be out there with him. We just have a great time. We do talk a lot of sports. We talk a lot about the New York Yankees and New York Giants, his favourite teams. We just have a ton of fun out there. Joe also spent some time with one of our Earl Woods Scholars who was serving as a course reporter at Sherwood. She wanted to interview a caddie, so we set her up with Joe, and I am grateful he took time to do that.
Speaking of Sherwood, one of our participants -- Keegan Bradley -- was named US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, and Luke Donald was picked as Tour Player of the Year. I'd like to congratulate them both. They're two outstanding players and equally good guys. Well done.
I just visited our newest Learning Centre campus at Murray Middle School in Stuart, Florida. It's our fourth campus, and our first in Florida. It was a great afternoon, and I'm very pleased with how this model is allowing us to expand. Plus I always enjoy getting to spend an afternoon focused on science -- especially our Forensics class.
I did want to say the response I have received from the fans during my recent travels has just been fantastic. The people in Asia have always supported me my entire career. There's a level of excitement over there in golf; it's growing rapidly in these countries and other areas I went to, so it was great to be a part of it.
And of course, the fans in SoCal were tremendous. That's where I grew up, and it's always nice to play well in front of the home-town crowd. The reception I received coming up to the 18th green on Sunday at Sherwood Country Club felt very good. Really, since I've turned pro, fan support everywhere has been amazing. I want everyone to know how much that means to me. Needless to say, we did a little celebrating.
I debuted my new golf bag sponsor at my event in California. I'm very excited about Fuse Science and obviously the patents they have coming up and level of technology they're going to introduce. They're a game-changer in the energy, medicine and vitamin field, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it on the ground floor. Look for their new products to be introduced early next year.
I going to take a couple weeks off and let my body recover a little bit. And then I will start getting ready for 2012. My first event will be in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. HSBC has been a big supporter of my Foundation, and it sounds like they're going to have an excellent field. I've been to Dubai quite a few times, but never to Abu Dhabi. I'm looking forward to the experience.
Before I begin the new season, I will attend the Fiesta Bowl on January 2 in Arizona to watch Stanford play Oklahoma State. Cardinal head coach David Shaw asked me to be an honorary team captain, and I happily accepted. For Coach Shaw to think highly enough of me to be involved in the game and be able to talk to his kids is very special.
I'm very close to Stanford (University). They've done so much for me in my life. Everyone knows Coach Shaw and I had a class together. We go way back. It's neat to be able to come back and help him any way that I can.
That's it for 2011. Thanks to everyone for your continued support.
Happy holidays and best wishes in the New Year.

DALMAHOY-ARCHERFIELD DUO WIN EAST ALLIANCE GREENSOMES

By ALAN GREENSHIELDS

Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance secretary 

Despite a weather warning, overnight rain, wind, etc. the EESGA Invitational Greensomes at The Braids were played in reasonable conditions on Wednesday.

Thanks go to Derek McLeod and his greens staff for allowing the 48 players to enjoy the competition for The Richardson and Brownlee Trophy.

Victors on a composite winter course made up of 14 Braids No 1 holes together with four holes from the Princes Course, equating to a par 69, were the duo of Robert Cunningham, who plays off 12 at Dalmahoy, and Darren Love, an 11-handicapper at Archerfield Links.  They combined for a suberb net 62.6 (74 less 11.4).

In the group ahead Jordan Lamb (6) and Daniel Flannery (+1) of Peebles posted what looked like a good target with a net 65.2 (66 less 0.8). However their gross score of 66, including a trio of 2s, easily secured the top scratch prize.

Second spot for the scratch prizes went three ways via Professional/Amateur combinations  with gross 72s, namely:

George Wither (Lothianburn) and John Gallagher (Swanston New)

Andy Marshall (Houston Driving Range) and Stuart Mason (Cawder)

Alastair MacLean (Duddingston) and Keith Millar (Duddingston)

 Handicap second prize went in a local direction to Harrison stalwart Mike Robson and  partner Graeme Millar (Swanston New) with net 66.6 (68 less 1.4).

Third prize went to Prestonfield pair Willie Laing and Joe Riddell  with a net 67 (74 less 7).

The Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance now have a festive break with play resuming in East Lothian on January 11 at Gullane No 3.

SCRATCH TOTALS
1 Jordan Lamb Peebles Daniel Flannery Peebles 66
2 Mike Robson Harrison Graeme Millar Swanston New 68
3 George Wither Lothianburn John Gallagher Swanston New 72
4 Andy Marshall Houston DR Stuart Mason Cawder 72
5 Alastair MacLean Duddingston Keith Millar Duddingston 72
6 Justin White Harrison Scott Knowles Kingsknowe 73
7 Willie Laing Prestonfield Joe Ridell Prestonfield 74
8 Ian Taylor Royal Burgess Alan O'Neill West Lothian 74
9 Ian Stavert Duddingston Stuart Smith Duddingston 74
10 Robert Cunningham Dalmahoy Darren Love Archerfield 74
11 Ryan Buckley Craigielaw Myles Cunningham Longniddry 74
12 Steven Lees Dalmahoy Robert Carson Dalmahoy 76
13 Jamie Morris Peebles Kevin Wood Peebles 76
14 Steve Dand Pumpherston Gary Anderson Pumpherston 76
15 Hinton Bootland Duddingston Duncan Ireland Duddingston 77
16 Stuart Davidson Dundas Parks Murray Hogg Dundas Parks 77
17 Scott Watson Leven Colin Campbell Dundas Parks 79
18 Hugh Fraser Niddry Castle Steven Cherry Niddry Castle 79
19 Steve Gilhooley Duddingston Robert Binnie Duddingston 80
20 Gordon Bell Gullane David Beveridge Bruntsfield 82
21 Alex Mills Lothianburn Paul Logan Lothianburn 83
22 Peter Ritchie Bathgate James Cunningham Ratho Park 83
23 Ron Comber Uphall Peter McMillan Uphall 84
24 Gordon Brown Baberton Peter Belcher Lothianburn 87

NET SCORES

1 Robert Cunningham Dalmahoy Darren Love Archerfield 74 11.4 62.6
2 Jordan Lamb Peebles Daniel Flannery Peebles 66 0.8 65.2
3 Mike Robson Harrison Graeme Millar Swanston New 68 1.4 66.6
4 Willie Laing Prestonfield Joe Ridell Prestonfield 74 7.0 67.0
5 Stuart Davidson Dundas Parks Murray Hogg Dundas Parks 77 9.4 67.6
6 Steve Dand Pumpherston Gary Anderson Pumpherston 76 6.4 69.6
7 Justin White Harrison Scott Knowles Kingsknowe 73 2.8 70.2
8 Scott Watson Leven Colin Campbell Dundas Parks 79 8.6 70.4
9 Andy Marshall Houston DR Stuart Mason Cawder 72 1.6 70.4
10 Steven Lees Dalmahoy Robert Carson Dalmahoy 76 4.8 71.2
11 George Wither Lothianburn John Gallagher Swanston New 72 0.4 71.6
12 Peter Ritchie Bathgate James Cunningham Ratho Park 83 11.0 72.0
13 Alastair MacLean Duddingston Keith Millar Duddingston 72 0.0 72.0
14 Hinton Bootland Duddingston Duncan Ireland Duddingston 77 4.0 73.0
15 Ian Taylor Royal Burgess Alan O'Neill West Lothian 74 0.8 73.2
16 Ron Comber Uphall Peter McMillan Uphall 84 9.4 74.6
17 Steve Gilhooley Duddingston Robert Binnie Duddingston 80 5.2 74.8
18 Jamie Morris Peebles Kevin Wood Peebles 76 0.4 75.6
19 Hugh Fraser Niddry Castle Steven Cherry Niddry Castle 79 3.2 75.8
20 Ian Stavert Duddingston Stuart Smith Duddingston 74 -2.0 76.0
21 Gordon Bell Gullane David Beveridge Bruntsfield 82 6.0 76.0
22 Gordon Brown Baberton Peter Belcher Lothianburn 87 10.2 76.8
23 Alex Mills Lothianburn Paul Logan Lothianburn 83 5.2 77.8
24 Ryan Buckley Craigielaw Myles Cunningham Longniddry 74 -4.8 78.8

IMG SIGN UP RISING STAR FROM ARGENTINA, EMILIANO GRILLO

    EMILIANO GRILLO in action at the European Tour Final Q School. Image by courtesy of Getty Images (c).

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY I M G
Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo has signed with IMG, the world’s leading sports, fashion and media company, for worldwide management and marketing representation.
Grillo secured his card for the 2012 European Tour season yesterday afternoon at the final stage of Q-School in Girona, Spain, with a 69 to finish in tied eighth position and, at 19 years old, will be the second youngest holder of a full European Tour Card behind Matteo Manassero.
He has enjoyed a stellar amateur career rising up through the IMG Leadbetter Golf Academy programme in Florida before turning professional in September. He won numerous titles including the 2009 PING Invitational, 2010 Copa de las Americas and 2011 Terra Cotta Invitational and was Two-time First Team Rolex Junior All-American. (2009, 2010)
Entering European Tour Qualifying School for the first time, he fought his way through all three stages, shooting a 62 in the third round of second stage to propel him to Final Stage where a fifth round 65 and final round of 69 saw him finish tied eighth and win his place on the 2012 European Tour.
Grillo, who recently signed up with Callaway, explained, “I am very excited to have won my European Tour card for next year and also to be announcing that I am going to be managed by IMG. Now that I have my playing rights sorted, I want to concentrate on playing great golf while IMG, with all its experience and expertise, look after everything else.
"I know from my time at IMG Academies that IMG have offices all around the world and represent so many of the best players in the world so I have always hoped that I would be able to sign with IMG one day. IMG is also growing their business in South America which is important to me and I hope that I can play a part in that by being successful on the course while they work hard for me off course.”

Clarke Jones, Co-Managing Director of IMG Golf Americas and Global Director of Golf Clients, “Emiliano is a wonderfully exciting prospect and we are very happy that he has chosen to work with IMG. He is a charismatic talented young man like a fellow South American that we work with in Camilo Villegas. "Emiliano has delivered at the first time of asking in securing his European Tour Card in such style and I believe he has a very successful career ahead of him. As we continue to develop our business in South America, we feel sure Emiliano will play a big part in our strategy and will only benefit from the re-introduction of golf into the Olympics in 2016 in Brazil.”

LUKE DONALD WILL DEFEND SCOTTISH OPEN AT CASTLE STUART

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR

Luke Donald, the most successful golfer on the planet right now, has today confirmed that he will return to Castle Stuart Golf Links next July to defend the Scottish Open title which helped him make golfing history in 2011.

The 34 year old Englishman, who ends the year as Number One in The European Tour’s Race to Dubai, top of the US PGA Tour money list and Number One in the World, acknowledged that winning the Scottish Open title in July played a huge part in his success in The Race to Dubai, which ended on Sunday.

Donald shot a stunning final round of 63 to complete a four-stroke victory over Sweden’s Fredrik Andersson Hed to collect his first Scottish Open title and the World’s Number One said today: “Of course, I’m over the moon to know that the Scottish Open is going back to Castle Stuart, a course I very much enjoyed.

“I had a great time there a few months ago and picking up the trophy was a huge step in my career. The Scottish Open is one of the favoured tournaments on The European Tour and I can’t wait to get back there. Staging the event on a links encouraged a better field and to have some preparation on this type of course the week before The Open is what everyone is looking for.  

“It’s a huge event on the Tour schedule and having already won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth it gave me a significant lead in The Race to Dubai. Every little helps – and winning the Scottish Open was a massive help.”

The 2011 Scottish Open  boasted one of the strongest fields on The European Tour International Schedule, with many of the world’s best players in action just a few days before The Open Championship, and the scene is set for a repeat performance in 2012 the week prior to The Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

 Following the eagerly-anticipated announcement of the Scottish Open’s return to the widely acclaimed Castle Stuart Links, tickets are now on sale at substantial winter discounts on www.europeantour.com/tickets

LEE WESTWOOD HALFWAY LEADER BY 11 SHOTS IN THAILAND

FROM THE ASIAN TOUR WEBSITE
Chonburi, Thailand:
England’s Lee Westwood maintained his dazzling form at the inaugural Thailand Golf Championship shooting, a superb eight-under-par 64 to extend his lead to a staggering 11 shots.
The world number three, who flirted with a 59 on Thursday before settling for a 60, produced another master class at the Amata Spring Country Club to match the Asian Tour’s 36-hole record of 20-under-par 124 held by Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat.
The 38-year-old produced eight birdies on a windy day in the US$1 million Asian Tour’s season finale but found greater satisfaction with an eight-foot par save on his last hole at the ninth which kept him bogey-free over two rounds.
At one time, early finisher Westwood was 14 shots clear of the field in the clubhouse.
Later Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and American Michael Thompson shot matching 66s for tied second place on 135 while two-time Major winner John Daly was a further shot back in fourth position following a 73.
India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar are amongst those on 139.
Westwood, chasing his fourth title of the season and second in three weeks, is set to eclipse the largest winning margin on the Asian Tour of 13 shots held by Ernie Els of South Africa at the 2005 BMW Asian Open in China.
He was amazed how far he has forged ahead of the chasing pack. “Outrageous isn’t it?” said a delighted Westwood. “It’s still a long way to go. But at the same time, I’m looking forward to the weekend. I’m playing great and I’m feeling in total control. Every aspect of my game feels good.”
With a stiff breeze blowing over the highly rated par 72, 7,453-yard Amata Spring course, Westwood showed his class once more. He said his second round effort felt better than his opening round’s 60, which tied the Asian Tour’s 18-hole record.
“Strange really. Today almost felt better than yesterday. It was quite tough out there. The scoring is pretty tricky. 64 is a really good score. Not that 60 wasn’t a good score yesterday! I hit a lot of good shots again and hit it close. Delighted with two days’ work,” said Westwood.
“I’ll try to keep the lead irrelevant and keep on playing as I’ve been playing. The most satisfying shot of the day was making that eight or nine footer I holed at the last to keep the bogey off the card the last two days.
“I won two weeks ago at the Nedbank (South Africa). I’ve got myself into a great position here. It would be nice to win four times in a year.”
Schwartzel, who is also in good form following five straight top-10s in his last five events, fired and eagle, six birdies and two bogeys to stay a distant second behind Westwood. The slender South African conceded the field faced an uphill task in preventing the runaway leader from the inaugural Thailand Golf Championship title.
“I feel like Lee is playing his own tournament and we are playing something else. Halfway through it now, I still feel like I’ve got a very outside chance. I need to. I feel a good score out there. I can see eight or nine under if I play decent without the bogeys,” said the 27-year-old.
“I mean it’s difficult to chase 11 shots. You can’t make up in 18 holes, you need a lot of holes. We’ve got 36 holes to go and we’ve all played this game before. It’s half from over. I need a 14 under weekend to have a sniff.”
Daly, who shot three birdies against four bogeys, waved the white flag of surrender.
“Playing for second is all I can do. If you told me somebody would be 20-under after four rounds, I would have been shocked but after two? He (Westwood) is just in the zone. He is putting it so good.
"Nobody is going to catch him so I think the thing for me to do is to go out and shoot under-par in the last two days. The course is not that easy. He is making it easy but it is not that easy for us,” said the American veteran.
The halfway cut was set at 147 with 74 players progressing into the weekend rounds. Open champion Darren Clarke (76), Spanish star Sergio Garcia (71) and Japanese talent Ryo Ishikawa (77) made the cut on the number.
Walker Cup hero Michael Stewart, the rookie pro from Troon, finished 34 shots behind Westwood over 36 holes. Michael had a pair of 79s for 14-over 158.

He ran up a quadruple bogey 8 at the ninth on his way to an outward 41. He had one birdie, at the 15th, surrounded by bogeys at the fifth, 12th, 14th and short 17th.
If it's any consolation to young Michael, experienced compatriot Ross Bain also had a second-round 79 and missed the cut with a 150 total.
SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARDPar 144 (2x72) Yardage 7,453
124 Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) 60-64.
135 Charl SCHWARTZEL (RSA) 69-66, Michael THOMPSON (USA) 69-66.
138 John DALY (USA) 65-73.
139 Kenichi KUBOYA (JPN) 72-67, Simon DYSON (ENG) 69-70, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 70-69, Gregory BOURDY (FRA) 68-71, Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 71-68, Miles TUNNICLIFF (ENG) 70-69.
140 Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 72-68, Kwanchai TANNIN (THA) 69-71, Guido VAN DER VALK (NED) 71-69, LU Chien-soon (TPE) 69-71.
141 Daisuke MARUYAMA (JPN) 73-68, Charley HOFFMAN (USA) 71-70, Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 72-69, Frankie MINOZA (PHI) 72-69, Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 68-73.

MISSED THE CUT (147 or better qualified)
150 Ross Bain (Scotland) 71 79.
158 Michael Stewart (Scotland) 79 79.

TO VIEW ALL THE HALFWAY TOTALS

CLICK HERE

POULTER, FEELING ILL, REGAINS AUSSIE LEAD WITH LATE BIRDIES

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- England's Ian Poulter overcame a bout of food poisoning to birdie the final two holes for a three-under 68 and a two-stroke lead after the second round of the Australian Masters today.
Poulter, who woke up feeling ill this morning after taking a one-shot lead in the first round, had a nine-under 133 overall halfway tally at Victoria Golf Club.
Matthew Giles was in second place after a 68, while fellow Australian Ashley Hall was third after a 70.
Top-ranked Luke Donald of England was at three under after a 70, while defending champion Stuart Appleby was forced to withdraw due to a painful back injury.
Greg Chalmers, also three under after a 70, is trying to become the second player to complete the Australian Triple Crown after winning the Australian Open and Australian PGA last month. Robert Allenby accomplished the feat in 2005.
Poulter lost his overnight advantage before regaining it with consecutive birdies on the two closing par-five holes.
He said the weather over the final two days would be the key for players at the head of the field.
"Wind is the protection for this golf course. If it blows a strong 30 (miles per hour) and they put the pins in tricky positions, the scoring's not really going to go anywhere."
Poulter said he was ill before he drove to the course for the start of the second round.
"I woke up this morning and wasn't good at all," he said. "Must have had something bad to eat unfortunately so I felt a bit weak out there today.
"And it showed. I hit it terrible, got myself out of position a number of times, but my short game was on and I holed a few nice putts so to look back at the round I would have taken that score."
Poulter's steady round included birdies at all three par-fives and just the one bogey.
US-based New South Welshman Matthew Giles (68) is alone in second place at seven-under, while Victorian Ashley Hall is outright third at minus six after a 70.
But there are a host of big names within touch, including local hope Geoff Ogilvy, two-time Masters champion Peter Lonard and world No.1 Luke Donald.
Ogilvy looked flat early in his round before springing to life at the par-five 9th with a chip in for eagle from the back of the green.
Four more birdies - along with one dropped shot - followed on the back nine for the Victorian as he finished the day tied with Brendan Jones, Nathan Green, Brent McCullough, Kieran Pratt and Lonard at five-under.
It looked like Lonard was going to finish higher up the leaderboard when he birdied his 8th and 9th holes, the 17th and 18th, to move into a share of the lead at seven-under, but the 44-year-old dropped three shots in a row on his back nine to finish with a 70.
Donald endured an up-and-down day that could have been considerably better, but ended up signing for a 70 to be among a host of players tied for 14th at three-under.
The Englishman actually got to four-under early in his round when he made back-to-back birdies at two of the most difficult holes on the golf course - the par-four 6th and short par-three 7th - but he found trouble at the eighth and gave back both shots immediately.
Despite his inconsistent round, Donald still thinks he remains a threat.
"I hit a lot of good shots today but I've been struggling on the greens," said Donald.
"I'm finding it hard to see the line and missing my fair share of chances for birdie."
"Hopefully I'm saving them all for the weekend."
"I'm still in a decent position, I just need to get that putter going and get on a roll."
The story of the day goes to Queenslander Steven Bowditch, who managed back-to-back eagles at consecutive par-fours to kick-start his round.
Bowditch drove the green at the short 1st and then chipped in for two at the next hole to complete the unlikely feat.
That was the highlight of Bowditch's day, with the 28-year-old finishing with a 69 to sit at three-under.
While Bowditch's story was a good one, the one of Victorian Richard Green was not.
Green was on his way to the pointy end of the leaderboard when he birdied his 11th hole, the 2nd, to move up to five-under, but he self destructed at the end of his round.
Green dropped six strokes in five holes to move back to one-over, before a birdie four at the par-five 9th allowed him to sign for a 74 and finish the day at level-par.
Italian drawcard Matteo Manassero fared much better on the second day, with the 18-year-old posting a round of 67 to follow his disastrous 76 on Thursday, while playing partner Robert Allenby carded 17 pars and one birdie to finish with a 70.
The duo finished the day in joint 47th position at one-over, one shot ahead of the cut that was made at plus two (144).
Notable players that missed the cut and won't be seen at Victoria over the weekend include veteran Australians Peter O'Malley and Paul Gow, plus New Zealander Michael Campbell and American Jeff Maggert.
Also out of the tournament is Banchory rookie James Byrne with rounds of 74 and 75 for 149.

I'm still learning, says James Byrne after missing
cut in Australian Masters

By JAMES BYRNE (in an E-mail from Australia)
Naturally I'm disappointed with the week but I'm not too down on myself. I've not been at my best this week nor in recent weeks but I am still learning at this stage in my career.
The fields I have been played in have been strong with some of the best players in the world, so it's difficult to compete with them when I'm not on top of my game.
Travelling around Asia and Australia has not been easy but golf is expanding globally and the trip will no doubt serve me well for the future.
My next event is Asian Tour School in January in Hua Hin, Thailand, so I'm looking forward to a few weeks off and the opportunity to start 2012 afresh. I'd have liked to have finished 2011 stronger, but at the same time I've played some good golf and can certainly be pleased with the year.
I saw this morning before I left to the course that Scott Pinckney (American golfing friend who was at Arizona State University at the same time as Byrne) had started well at the European Tour Final Q School, but he was still down in about 50th place.
But I told him before the last of the six rounds  that anything is possible, and for him to shoot 65 in that much pressure to secure a European Tour card is phenomenal. I can't say I'm particularly surprised as Scott excelled many times for Arizoma State in pressure situations, so I half expected him to do whatever was required.
You'll remember that in the summer of 2009 he stayed with me at Banchory and shot 64 63 at the weekend in the East of Scotland Open at Lundin Links so I think he has good memories of playing in Europe.
He will have no problems competing on the European Tour and hopefully I'll be playing alongside him a few times next year.
JAMES BYRNE



SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 142 (2x71)
Players from Australia unless stated
133 Ian Poulter (England) 65 68.
135 Matthew Giles 67 68.
136 Ashley Hall 68 70.
137 Brent McCullough 71 66, Kieran Pratt 67 70, Peter Lonard 67 70, Geoff Ogilvy 71 66, Brendon Jones 69 68, Mathan Green 69 68.
SELECTED SCORES
139 Luke Donald (England) 69 70 (T14).
143 Matteo Manassero (Italy) 76 67 (T47)

MISSED THE CUT (144 or better qualified)
145 Jeff Maggert (US) 70 75 (T65).
146 Peter O'Malley 72 74 (T69).
148 Michael Campbell (New Zealand) 72 76 (T89).
149 James Byrne (Scotland) 74 75 (T95).