MICKELSON, BRADLEY SHARE THIRD-ROUND LEAD IN CALIFORNIA

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
By Staff and wire reports
PACIFIC PALISADES, California -- One shot clipped an ash tree and kept Phil Mickelson out of worse trouble than he was in. Another landed behind a Bottle Brush, blocking his path to the 10th green at Riviera. On yet another hole, Mickelson had to thread a 9-iron through the limbs of five eucalyptus trees.
So when he walked into the gallery to find his tee shot on the 15th hole and saw a man flat on his back, Mickelson assumed the worst.
"It wouldn't be the first time, so I thought for sure I took him out," Mickelson said Saturday.
Instead, the spectator was being still because the ball was inside the hem of his shorts.
Despite all these adventures, Mickelson managed a one-under 70 Saturday to share the lead with US PGA champion Keegan Bradley (pictured) at the Northern Trust Open.
On a day when "routine par" was not part of his vocabulary, Phil was thrilled.
"This was a great round for me because I did not play well, and I shot 1-under par and I'm atop the leaderboard," Mickelson said.
"Usually when I win, I'll have two good rounds and I'll have two rounds that aren't so great that I've got to keep somewhere in it to give myself a chance."
The last two days weren't his best. He still has a great chance to end his West Coast Swing with back-to-back wins.
The toughest part might be ahead of him.
Bradley took only five putts over the last five holes, including a 10-footer for par on the last hole that got him into the final group, for a five-under 66 and his best chance at a win since he captured the US PGA Championship in August.
What made the par so meaningful was getting a chance to play with Mickelson, whom he considers a mentor. Mickelson invited Bradley in on one of his money games before The Players Championship, where Mickelson graciously showed him the nuances of the TPC Sawgrass, until they reached the last green and the cash was on the line.
Mickelson told Bradley and Brendan Steele to get out their wallets, and then he poured in a putt.
"He's a very competitive guy, but he's very helpful at the same time," Bradley said. "I thank him for his advice and help. But he's going to try to beat me tomorrow, and I'm going to have to try to do the same."
Even so, this is hardly a two-man race at Riviera.
Mickelson and Bradley are at seven-under 206, one shot ahead of Pat Perez (70), Jonathan Byrd (69) and Bryce Molder (66). Mickelson wasn't the only player on a wild ride along the fabled course off Sunset Boulevard.
Molder one-putted the last eight greens, five of them for par. Perez three-putted from 10 feet on No. 3, and on the next hole took four putts from 60 feet on the fringe, the last three from inside 5 feet. Byrd took only 21 putts in 18 holes, courtesy of only hitting six greens in regulation.
"My short game was marvellous," Byrd said.
Defending champion Aaron Baddeley had a 66, while Dustin Johnson chopped up the end of his round before a birdie on the 18th that gave him a 67. They were in the group two shots behind, along with FedExCup champion Bill Haas, who had a 68.
Johnson three-putted from just outside 3 feet on the par-5 17th and made bogey.
"I'm going to come out tomorrow and give it everything I've got," Johnson said.
Twelve players are within three shots of the lead, so it could be anyone's game on Sunday. Mickelson still likes his position.
"I was six back last week, so I prefer where I'm at this week," he said.
Mickelson rallied with a 64 in the final round at Pebble Beach, and a win at Riviera would make him the first player to win consecutive US PGA Tour events since Tiger Woods in August 2009.
Mickelson's only regret was not taking advantage of birdie putts, missing from inside 8 feet on the ninth and 16th holes, and not giving himself a chance on the par-5 17th when his wedge rolled off the front of the green.
Nothing was more entertaining, however, than his journey into, through and over the trees.
He pulled his tee shot so far right on the par-3 sixth that it was headed for the ivy-covered fence until clipping the ash tree and dropping down. Then, instead of hitting a lofted chip that could run to the pin, he chose to chip some 25 feet past the hole, have it run up the bank and come down. It rolled 12 feet past the hole, and he made it for a par.
On the par-4 eighth, which gives players the option of two fairways, Mickelson found his own route. He blasted a tee shot so far left it went over a white fence and landed at the base of the stairs of a corporate tent. After getting a free drop, he threaded a 9-iron through five eucalyptus trees to 12 feet.
It would have been one of the more amazing birdies in his career, except he missed the putt.
He was introduced to a Bottle Brush on the 10th. That was the name of the tree between the pin and where his tee shot landed. Mickelson caught a tiny branch and didn't reach the green, but hit a skilful pitch to 3 feet for par.
"I'll get it turned around," said Mickelson, who spoke to Butch Harmon after his round and headed to the practice range before his private jet commute home to San Diego.
"Today was a big day, because if I didn't fight hard and make pars from some of the places I was at, then I'd be trying to play catch-up to a lot of guys.
"Now, there's a lot of players that are right in it, within a couple of shots of the lead," he said. "And it's going to take a good round tomorrow. But I'm pleased that I put myself in it."
About the leaders
• Phil Mickelson has won 21 of 30 times when holding the third-round lead/co-lead, including three of his last four. He has won the last three times he has held the outright lead after 54 holes.
• Of Mickelson's 40 wins on the US PGA Tour, 15 came when he held the 54-hole lead, eight came when he held a share of the 54-hole lead and 17 came when he trailed going into the final round.
• Rookie of the Year in 2011, Keegan Bradley matched Bryce Molder and defending champion Aaron Baddeley for the low round of the day at Riviera on Saturday with a 5-under-par 66.
• Both of Bradley's victories have come when he trailed through three rounds. Bradley's best previous standing through 54 holes is third at last year's US PGA Championship, which he won.
• At 25 years, 8 months and 13 days, Keegan Bradley would miss out on being the tournament's youngest winner by a little over a year. Pat Fitzsimmons won the 1975 event at the age of 24 years, 2 months and 8 days.

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GRAEME ROBERTSON MAKES TOP 20 IN PORTUGUESE AMATEUR

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Stirling University student Graeme Robertson achieved a top 20 finish in his first internationally competitive outing of 2012 - the 82nd Portuguese men's amateur international championship at Montado Golf Resort, Lisbon today.
The Glenbervie GC member's opening round of three-under 69 promised more than the Scot was able to deliver in the end.
His middle two rounds added up to eight-over-par 150 (77 and 73) while his first and fourth rounds added up to four-under-par 140 (69 and 71). Why should that be? You will have to ask Robertson for the answer to that one.
Germany provided two of the first three finishers - champion Moritz Lampert (ranked 386 in the world compared with Robertson's No 257 WAGR) and joint second Marcel Sneider who tied with France's Adrien Saddier.
Lampert finished on nine-under 279 with scores of 68, 74, 65 and 72.
Sneider made up six shots on the winner over the last 18 holes with a 66 which was not only the round of the day, but the round of the tournament.
The leading British player was England's Greg Payne who tied with sometime-leader Eddie McCormack (Ireland) for eighth place on one-under 287.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
279 Moritz Lampert (Germany) 68 74 65 72.
281 Marcel Sneider (Germany) 71 68 70 66, Adrien Saddier (France) 72 70 70 69
Selected totals
287 Greg Payne (England) 74 69 74 70, Eddie McCormack (Ireland) 69 71 73 74 (Ti).
289 Jack Hiluta (England) 72 74 73 70, Nicholas Grant (Ireland) 78 67 71 73(T16).
290 Eddie Richardson (England) 77 70 73 70, Graeme Robertson (Scotland) 69 77 73 71 (T18).

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CURRENT SCOTS' RATINGS IN THE WORLD AMATEUR RANKINGS

257 Graeme Robertson.
282 James Ross (student at Houston University)
304 James White.
324 Greg Paterson
338 Paul Shields
358 Brian Soutar
403 Daniel Young (student at Lynn University, Florida);
417 Daniel Kay.
431 Stuart Ballingall (based in Norwich).
435 Paul Ferrier (student at UNC Charlotte)
491 Matthew Clark.
Also:
634 Scott Crichton.

TWO LATE DOUBLE BOGEYS KNOCK WHITEFORD OUT OF LEAD

FROM  THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Jbe Kruger will take a one-shot lead into Sunday's final round of the Avantha Masters, but a host of players will fancy their chances at DLF Golf and Country Club, India where just three shots separate the top 15.
The South African had two eagles and two birdies in a round of 66 which left him 11 under, one stroke ahead of halfway leader Peter Whiteford, Germany’s Marcel Siem and France’s Jean Baptiste Gonnet.
On a day of fluctuating fortunes, Kruger’s consistency over the third round eventually proved the decisive factor as the 25 year old kept his card bogey free.
In contrast, Siem fought back brilliantly after double bogeys at the first two holes, Whiteford double bogeyed the sixth and 17th – the latter costing him the outright lead – and Gonnet did well to recover from four bogeys in his first 12 holes with a run of five birdies in the last six holes.
Kruger’s first eagle came at the par five sixth when he holed a 20 foot putt, and he was even more impressive at the driveable 15th, holing a putt from off the green after his five wood finished short of the putting surface.
Allied with birdies at the fourth and 18th, the former amateur star has a tremendous opportunity to collect his maiden European Tour title on Sunday.
“I’m going to try to play how I played today,” he said. “If it’s meant to be my week, it’ll be mine, so I don’t want to think too far ahead yet.
“The putts need to go in and I think that’s what defines the winner. I’ve been reading the greens a little better as I’ve been struggling with it during the week.
“My putting has been good and if I can see the line, I’m confident my putts will go in. I’m improving and I’m a lot more experienced, and I think that will give me the edge.”
Asked about his eagles, Kruger added: “I got a little bit lucky on the sixth. I used a six iron and it landed about 20 feet away, and I managed to sink it. That was the longest putt I made today and I was lucky it went in.
“On the 15th, I just drove it a little short of the green and I made a pretty simple putt from about 12 metres. I managed to judge it to perfection and sink it.”
Scot Whiteford led by three when he birdied the first from 15 feet, but he needed four shots to find the green at the 486 yard fifth, then missed his bogey putt after chipping to three feet.
At that stage the 31 year old was locked in battle with compatriot Marc Warren, and birdies at the sixth and ninth looked to have restored Whiteford’s momentum.
Two bogeys and three birdies followed over the next six holes and a comfortable lead looked likely for the former Challenge Tour star, but his approach to the short 17th came up short and found the water.
“I’m raging, I’ve let everyone back in it with that score,” said Whiteford. “If I’d managed a three or four under, I would have had a good lead, and I gave myself enough chances to shoot a lower score.
“It could’ve been a two or three horse race, but now everyone’s in it. It was disappointing on the 17th because my tee shot landed in a divot and I came up short with a nine iron. I had enough birdies to keep positive, but overall it’s disappointing.”
Siem’s nightmare start was followed by seven birdies, two bogeys and an eagle at the last after a magnificent four iron approach.
“It was a crazy day,” said the 31 year old, who finished fourth in Dubai last week. “The first hole I hit it left and tried to hit my second shot over the trees, but it hit a trunk and went into the trap on the 18th.
“It was plugged and I ended up taking double bogey, then the next hole I hit another tree, didn’t get on in three and had a chip and two-putt for another double. So all of a sudden I was four over, but luckily I kept my head and came back with eight birdies and an eagle. It was pretty cool today. It showed a lot of heart to come back from a start like that and keep going.”
José Manuel Lara matched the best-of-the-week 64 to leap 38 places into a tie for fifth on nine under, alongside Warren (68), Italy’s Andrea Pavan (67), Australian Marcus Fraser (69), Thai Prom Meesawat – who chipped in at the last for a 71 – and former Ryder Cup Vice Captain Paul McGinley.
The Irishman has been plagued by knee problems over the years, but was delighted to show signs of his vintage form in a round of 68.
“This is only my second tournament this year because I had a knee injury at the end of last season which I’m still coming back from,” said Europe’s hero from the 2002 Ryder Cup victory at The Belfry.
“I haven’t been able to play a full schedule this year so far because of the rehabilitation, but hopefully as the season goes on I’ll be able to play more and more.
“It’s a pleasant surprise to be in contention because I’ve played so little golf. It was nice to finish birdie-birdie, and I nearly eagled the last – I hit a four iron to about 20 feet but just missed the putt. I played nicely and 68 is a good score.”

LEADING THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
205 Jbe Kruger (S Africa) 70 68 66.
206 Marcel Siem (Germany) 69 69 68, Peter Whiteford (Scotland) 66 68 72; Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (France) 68 69 69.
207 Jose Manuel Lara (Spain) 74 69 64, Andrea Pavan (Italy) 69 71 67, Paul McGinley (Ireland) 70 68 68, Marc Warren (Scotland) 72 67 68.

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
217 George Murray 70 74 73 (T54).
218 Scott Jamieson 69 72 77 (T58).
220 Ross Bain 74 70 76 (66th).

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KEVIN McALPINE SCORES FIRST WIN AS A PRO IN FLORIDA

E-Mail from Kevin McAlpine,
in Florida 

(Former Scottish amateur match-play and stroke-play champion from Alyth)

I am living in Naples, Florida again for the winter. I came over mid-October and have been working as a caddy at The Old Collier Golf Club. This is my second season here and its a great place to be at this time of year as it allows me to make some money and play more golf than I would be able to do back home.

We are at a very busy time of the season and I have not played much of late. I have, however, played three events in my time here and I'm very pleased to say that i had my first victory as a professional about a month ago.

My first event here was on the West Florida Golf Tour about two months ago where I finished a respectable 10th. My win came at a small pro-am event with local (older pros) and one Nationwide Tour player at Quail Creek golf course in Naples where i shot 67 (-5) to win by two shots.
I followed that up with a win at Old Collier in the Member/Pro two-day event two weeks ago with scores of 72 (level par) and 65 (-7). My 65 was rather unconventional with two bogeys in the first three holes, then a run of eagle, par and six birdies in a row to finish! 

I ended up winning by four shots from former US am champ and current Champions (Seniors) Tour player John Harris. Peter Jacobsen, who is a member at Old Collier, was one shot further back and Bobby Clampett one behind him. Former US PGA Tour player and Golf Channel correspondant Mark Lye was also in the field.

I finished second in the same event last year which was won by current US PGA tour player Jason Kokrak and one of Scotland's current European Tour players, George Murray.
Although these were small competitions I have learned so much from how i played and taken many positives from scores I posted. More than anything i believe it has given me some of my confidence back which seemed to have vanished over the last three years! 

I now have my sights set on playing the Canadian Tour this year and am waiting on the schedule being finalised next week before making any definite plans. 

I regularly check the golf news from back home via http://www.scottishgolfview.com/. Keep up the good work!

Regards

Kevin McAlpine

+If, like the Editor, you have lost touch with Kevin, E-mail Colin@scottishgolfview.com and I'll send you his E-mail address.

IAN REDFORD, senior LONG TERM GOAL IS SENIORS' TOUR CARD

EDITOR: Our reports and scores services from the Hi5 Pro Tour in Spain has brought one or two inquiries, regarding Ian Redford, the former footballer who is playing on that circuit as a PROFESSIONAL. Some have suggested were are confusing father with son of the same name who is also a golf professional.

Here's an article by the Scottish golf writers' champion which should clear it all up:

By GORDON BANNERMAN, Perthshire Advertiser
HE was once Scottish football’s most expensive signing and an internationalist who bagged medals with Rangers, Dundee United, Dundee and Raith Rovers.
Now, at the age of 51, one-time St Johnstone attacker Ian Redford has his sights set on a unique sporting challenge.
The Errol-born and Perth-educated sportsman has joined teenage son Ian junior in the ranks of professional golfers.
In an honours-strewn footballing career, Redford overcame adversity, including deafness in one ear, to claw his way to the top. But he freely admits his latest challenge is a different ball game entirely.
One-time Perth High School pupil Redford signed for Dundee after his raw talents were spotted at Errol Rovers, alongside Ray Stewart, who went on to play for Dundee United and West Ham.
His impressive CV includes U18 and U21 caps and a full Scotland squad call-up for Rous Cup games with England and Brazil, a record £210,000 move from Dens Park to Rangers in 1980, a Scottish Cup and two League Cup winners’ medals from his Ibrox days and a UEFA Cup runners-up medal at Tannadice.
He helped United defeat Barcelona in the Nou Camp and was also part of the Raith Rovers team which famously won the 1995 League Cup, shocking Celtic in the final.
But football is a thing of the past for the former manager and agent, with golf now grabbing his attention.
Redford’s ambitious plans began to take shape during a November trip to Spain when he was earmarked to join his 19-year-old son for a Hi5 Pro Tour event. But the teenager’s worrying viral problems counted him out.
Redford explained: “The decision was made after spending a lot of time on tour with Ian and I’ve got the backing of my wife Janine. I began to think it might be fun and a real challenge to join Ian, who is the one with the real talent, and play instead of caddying for him or hang around at tournaments.
“I have enjoyed my golf since I hung the boots up and at one stage I was virtually off scratch. My last handicap playing out of the New Club at St Andrews was 1.5.
“I didn’t think there was much point competing as an amateur so I turned professional. I’m under no illusions and I am well aware the golf circuit is fiercely competitive and cut-throat at any level but I have always believed in setting the bar high in terms of ambitions. My longer-term goal, maybe two years down the line, is to get a Seniors Tour card.
“My game certainly isn’t ready to attempt Senior Tour School so to this season I aim to test myself on the Hi5 Tour, the Optical Express Tour in Scotland and then the Jumega Tour with events in England and in Spain to test and develop my game.”
Redford has also signed-up with Spanish based property and golf company Hacienda Golf Properties, based at the smart Hacienda Del Alamo Resort in Murcia, combining his embryonic pro career with a UK marketing director role to tap into the Scottish golf travel market.
“I played with a couple of Senior Tour guys at a Hi5 event last year and they gave me plenty of encouragement. That was a steep learning curve," he said.
“Now that Ian has got over the healthy worries which laid him low year we’re heading out to Murcia next month. Hacienda del Alamo is a stand-out golf resort, one of the finest in Spain, and managing director John Green is also a pro golfer who is giving me help.”
Green noted: “Ian and I have played golf both socially and competitively. It’s a major coup for a developing company like ours to get Ian on board. He will be a great asset.”
Redford, now based at Drumoig, recalls dabbling in Rangers’ corporate days but at 35 he was allocated an official 16 handicap at Gleneagles.
“I enjoyed my golf but never got the chance to take things further. Now it has replaced the gap left by football," he said.
“I know certain aspects of my game have to improve substantially and I require more consistency – but that was the same in my days as a young footballer. I never saw myself as a particularly gifted footballer but I loved practising my technique and made the most of it. My approach to golf is the same.
“I remember a Perth High School teacher scoffing at the notion of becoming a professional footballer and some people will be doing much the same about the golf.
“But it’s all about the challenge for me and a bit of an adventure. I’m still as competitive as in my footballing days. I have experience of the professional side of sport and standing over a penalty is much the same as facing a crucial putt.
“I worked hard on my game as a footballer and that took me a long way. I know I have set myself demanding targets. Believe me, I’m aware of that. But I will enjoy competing and taking my game to another level. If I enjoy some success that would be a real bonus. But it will also be a chance to compete in some of the same tournaments as young Ian along the way.
“Many people don’t realise it but as a footballer I had to overcome adversity in the shape of being deaf in one ear since childhood. As a youngster it was embarrassing and I tried to cover it up.
“At one stage after surgery I was advised not to play contact sport in case it caused irreparable damage to the other ear. It was a real problem during big games trying to identify where team mates’ shouts were coming from. And there was times I would take stick in the dressing room.
“It could be quite hurtful. The more I tried not to make an issue of it, you’d find someone trying to make life difficult. But you come through these experiences stronger. You learn to cope and the mental side of golf certainly holds no fears for me.
“Football showed me how far I could take my game if I tapped into my strengths. I was never a Lionel Messi and I won’t be a Nick Faldo. But I believe you should try to be the best you can be.”