GOOD START BY McILROY, ROSE BUT POULTER HAS TO PULL OUT

FROM THE BBC SPORTS WEBSITE
By IAIN CARTER, BBC Golf Correspondent
Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose are two shots off the early pace at the Honda Classic, after Ian Poulter pulled out with pneumonia.
Rose and McIlroy, who will rise to World No 1 if he wins, both shot four-under-par rounds of 66.
American veteran Davis Love leads the tournament at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida after a 64.
Poulter, pictured, due to play with Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood, tweeted on Monday: "Just been for a chest X-ray - got pneumonia guys. Rest time for me."
McIlroy missed the chance to rise to the top of the world rankings for the first time when he lost to Hunter Mahan in the WGC Match Play final on Sunday.
But, with current No 1 Luke Donald resting this week, the Northern Irishman can move above his English rival if he wins at Palm Beach Gardens.
And he made a terrific start to his bid with three birdies before the turn in his opening round.
Starting on the back nine, McIlroy grabbed his first birdie after a 165-yard approach to five feet on the 14th.
Then he sank a 12-foot putt on the short 17th before two-putting the 556-yard 18th for an opening 32.
Further birdies came on the second and seventh, with his only dropped shot coming on the eighth when he three-putted from more than 50 feet.
Rose joined McIlroy after hitting back from an early double bogey with an eagle and four birdies.
A wild drive down the second ended in a six for the Englishman, but he immediately made amends with an eagle on the next from nine feet.
It triggered a hat-trick of birdies from the fifth to put him firmly into contention before picking up another at the 16th.
Poulter told his Twitter followers that he was feeling feverish just hours before the tournament started on Thursday and admitted that he might not be able to play.
After pulling out he added: "Sorry guys. Never been so disappointed pulling out of a tournament. Never felt so rough."
Poulter's place went to Argentinian rookie Miguel Angel Carballo.
Ryder Cup captain Love, who insists that he will play against Europe in September if he qualifies, enjoyed a superb day which included a hole-in-one on the 217-yard fifth.
Three successive birdies from the seventh helped him turn in 31 and another on the 17th cancelled out his bogey on the 10th.

EARLY FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 70
Players from US unless stated
64 Davis Love III
66 Rory McIlroy (N Ireland), Justin Rose (England), Ryan Palmer, Dicky Pryde, Martin Flores.
67 Tom Pernice junior, Ken Duke, Ben Crane, Keegan Bradley, Louis Oosthuizen (S Africa), Jimmy Walker, Bob Estes.

SELECTED SCORES
68 Brian Davis (England)
70 Lee Westwood (England), Ernie Els (S Africa), Padraig Harrington (Ireland) (T40)
71 Tiger Woods, Greg Owen (England) (T68)
73 Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain), Graeme McDowell (N Ireland), Darren Clarke (N Ireland), Gary Christian (England) (T107).

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STEPHEN GALLACHER FOUNDATION READY TO TEE OFF

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Stephen Gallacher, one of Scotland's leading professionals, has announced the launch of The Stephen Gallacher Foundation.
Two years in the planning, the Foundation aims to give children of all ages, backgrounds and ability the opportunity to pick up a golf club for the first time, through to assisting the very best to achieve all they can in the sport.
It also aims to help develop life skills along the way by teaching children the disciplines, control and honesty required, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle whilst still enjoying the game.
Initially in the Lothians and Borders regions, with a view to rolling out to more of Central Scotland in the future, there will be Under-10, Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 categories where everyone will be assessed along the way to ensure they are competing and taking part in line with their ability and potential.
The Under-10s and Under-12s will play predominantly in ‘Flag Days’, the Under-15s and Under-18s in stroke play.
Open to both boys and girls, a structured calendar of events is already taking shape and there will be a Finals day, to be known as the ‘Race to Dunbar’, taking place at Dunbar Golf Club on Sunday, September 30, 2012.
At the Foundation launch, Gallacher said: “I know a lot of people have taken an interest in the anticipation of me launching The Stephen Gallacher Foundation, and we are now able to get cracking in 2012.
“I’ve assembled what I believe to be a fantastic team around me, and we’re all committed to making the Foundation a roaring success. Scott Knowles, whom I have known and played with for many years, is responsible for leading the Foundation on a day-to-day basis and I know, like me, he can’t wait to get started.
“I have spoken to Paul Lawrie frequently over the last two years and taken a lot of advice on board, given the success of the work he does in the North- east.
“His help in getting things started in the correct manner has been invaluable. If, like me, you have kids of your own, you will know only too well that giving them options, whatever the sport or form of exercise, can only help prepare them for a healthy and disciplined lifestyle growing up.
“If we play our part in helping this, in any minute way, we will have deemed the Foundation successful.’
“The mission of the Foundation is to get as many young people playing golf as possible. It would be great to see someone who started out, or developed their golf with the Foundation, winning on tour, or ultimately, winning a Major championship. The most important thing, though, is for kids from all backgrounds to have the chance to at least try the sport. Hopefully they will go on to fall in love with golf and enjoy it as much as I have been able to.”
Paying tribute to the already impressive list of companies, private individuals and organisations that have given their support to the Foundation, Gallacher said: “I am delighted to already have the support and financial assistance of many corporate and private individuals, as well as the support and endorsement of The European Tour, The R and A and The Scottish Golf Union. I will be getting personally involved as much as my tournament schedule allows and plan to attend as many of the days that the calendar of events offers, as well as a number of fundraising and golf days we have planned.”
Former Open Champion Lawrie, who has the highly successful Paul Lawrie Foundation, was quick to lend his support.
He said: “Being away on Tour week in week out, Stevie and I have talked at length many times about the prospect of him launching his own Foundation. To see it now come to fruition is a massive credit to him and the people involved, and I am sure he will get as much satisfaction out of it as I have done with my Foundation over the years.
“I’m absolutely delighted that another home-grown player has decided to get involved in this way as I’m certain it will go a long way to help developing the whole game in Scotland’
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, also backed the new initiative.
He said: “We fully endorse and support Stephen in the launch of his foundation, and we wish him every success in developing a new generation of Scottish talent.
“Paul Lawrie has demonstrated what can be achieved in setting up a similar foundation, and we always encourage our players to give something back to the game at grass roots level. Stephen has been a magnificent ambassador for The European Tour over the years, and his knowledge and experience can only benefit children of all ages and backgrounds looking to follow in his footsteps.”
Scotland’s First Minister, The Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP added: “I am delighted to support any initiative that encourages the next generation of golfers in Scotland, and I therefore applaud Stephen Gallacher and the establishment of The Stephen Gallacher Foundation.
“Stephen is currently one of Scotland's top professional golfers and his efforts to put back into the game will provide opportunities for young golfers to gain the benefit of his experience as well as getting instruction from the Foundation's team of coaches.
“Foundations such as this, and the Paul Lawrie Foundation in the North-east of Scotland, are a welcome addition to Scottish golf. They will sit alongside the efforts of the Scottish Government's Clubgolf programme, giving our youngsters the opportunity to learn and enjoy playing the great game of golf."
Gallacher added: “The Stephen Gallacher Foundation represents a new and additional chapter to my career, and I am very excited to get everything under way and hope all those that take part get as much out of it as possible.”

For more information about Stephen's Foundation visit: http://www.sgfoundation.co.uk/

ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT NOW SPONSOR MARTIN LAIRD

NEWS RELEASE
PHILADELPHIA -- Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, the global asset management company, announces that the company will support Martin
Laird, a Scottish professional golfer, on the US PGA Tour. The Aberdeen logo will appear on Laird's left shirt sleeve.
The 29 year-old from Glasgow, Scotland claimed his first US PGA Tourvictory at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in 2009. This victory
secured his place on the tour in 2011, where he later claimed the biggest title
of his career at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.
This victory also marked the first-ever European winner at this Invitational. Laird has improved his money list position every year on the US PGA Tour since his rookie season in 2008. This past season he finished 23rd on the Money List.
Martin is currently No 33 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
After turning professional in 2004, Martin has continued to show incredible
determination to succeed in the professional game and most recently accepted an affiliate membership to the European Tour to try to qualify for the 2012 Ryder Cup taking place at Medinah GC in Chicago, Illinois from September 28 to 30.
Most recently, Laird reached the quarter-finals of the World Golf Championship
Tournament in Arizona and in January he finished second at the Hyundai
Tournament of Champions at the Kapalua Resort's Plantation Course, Hawaii.
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, the global asset management company with North American headquarters in Philadelphia, is a strong supporter of golf at all levels of the game, and also sponsors European Tour players Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie; OneAsia Tour professional Simon Yates; LPGA and LET regulars Catriona Matthew and Mhairi McKay, as well as both the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies Golf Association.
Commenting on the new deals, Martin Laird said: "As a Scottish golfer competing in the United States, I am over the moon about this new sponsorship agreement with Aberdeen Asset Management. Their support of Scottish golf, not just in Scotland, the home of golf, but throughout the world, is fantastic and I, for one, will be proud to wear their logo wherever I play in the U.S. and around the world.
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said:
"Martin is a player we've been admiring from afar for the past couple of years; thanks to his encouraging performance on the golf course, he's been doing a great job of flying the flag for Scotland in the US.
"With our business developing in the US, it makes perfect sense for us to strike up partnership with this fine Scottish golfer - we are proud to have Martin Laird as our Global Golf Ambassador in the United States and we wish him all the best for the forthcoming year."

STEPHEN GRAY WINS WEST ALLIANCE AT LANARK

WEST OF SCOTLAND ALLIANCE REPORT
 FROM MARGARET CARRELL
We were treated to another excellent day at Lanark Golf Course. Fresh from his win in Portugal, Stephen Gray was the winner on the day, shooting a 70 and scoring the 1st set of points in the West of Scotland 36 hole Championship.
The second round is in two weeks at Falkirk Tryst.
LEADING SCRATCH SCORES
70 Stephen Gray (Hayston)
72 Keith Baxter (Buchanan Castle), Gerry Reilly (Lochwinnoch), Robert Jenkins (Crow Wood)
LEADING HANDICAP
66 Scott Nicol (Hamilton) (13)
71 Ian Cameron (Crow Wood) (5)
72 Paul Mylet (Hayston) (10)
73 Allan Craig (Bonnyton) (4) 
SENIORS
73 James Kinloch (Cardross) (3)
74 Tom Wallace (Calderbraes) (15)

Next event on March 14 AT Falkirk Tryst

MATHIESON CLICKETY-CLICKS TO WIN MIDLAND ALLIANCE at Montrose

PGA Cup player Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) won today's (Thu) Midland Golfers' Alliance competition at Montrose Links with a very good score of four-under-par 66.

Matheson, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, won by a single stroke from fellow pros Paul Jamieson (Dunblane New), Kenny Hutton (Downfield) and home-course man Graeme Brown, with scratch amateur W Hutton (Pitlochry) making it a four-way tie for second place.

Chris Westland, who plays off 10 at Alloa, won the top handicap prize by three shots with a net 63.

LEADING SCRATCH

Par 70

66 C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst).

67 P Jamieson (Dunblane New), G Brown (Montrose), K Hutton (Downfield), W Hutton (Pitlochry).

68 R Stewart (Tulliallan), L Sutherland (Monifieth).

69 G Tough (Edzell), A J Webster (Edzell).

70 S Cargill (Arbroath).

LEADING HANDICAP

C Westland (Alloa) (10) 63; W Bell (Tulliallan) (6) 66; W Hutton (Pitlochry) (scr) 67; S Hills (Monifieth) (8), R Brownhill (Edzell) (5) 68;

G Tough (Edzell) (scr), R Redpath (Scotscraig) (5), D Thomson (Downfield) (6), B Webster (Edzell) (3) 69.

Qualifiers for the JTC Kitchen Express Midland Golfer’s Alliance Championship in April at Carnoustie
B Webster (Edzell) (3)
W Bell (Tulliallan) (6)
C Westland (Alloa) (10)

Qualifiers for the JTC McQueen Shield in April at Carnoustie
C Westland (Alloa) (10)


Next Meeting
Wednesday, March 7
Burntisland Pro Am
Sponsored by E. Sherry
Tee Reserved: 8.30am - 1.30

TEE TIMES FOR BURNTISLAND PRO-AM

8.30 C Armstrong, J Edmiston, G White, A N Other
8.39 M Pirie, M Niven, A MacKay, R Bell
8.48 G Tough, J Gilchrist, R McLean, A McLeod
8.57 T McLevy, R Bell, D Spaven, A Aitken

9.06 C West, R Redpath, R Beatt, A N Other
9.15 N McGill, I Wilson, I Henderson, W Smeaton
9.24 S McLaren, K MacKenzie, D Ritchie, E Starrett
9.33 J Stevenson, M Gilmour, D Patrick, A N Other
9.42 R Walker, M Fraser, S Patterson, S Herd
9.51 D Mitchell, S Hills, G Paton, A Reid

10.00 P Wytrazek, G Muir, H Haldane, A N Other
10.18 R Stewart, R Barton, J McMurray, A Farquharson
10.27 A Webster, K Bruce, R Brownhill, A Smith
10.36 M MacKenzie, J Watt, B Webster, J Milne
10.45 A Duncan, D Redford, P Rhind, R Liddle
10.54 A N Other, B Black, R De Rose, T McKenna

11.03 S Clark, E Gourley, B Neil, T Watson
11.12 R Robertson, N Balingall, A Mason, R Kier
11.21 C Matheson, D Black, R Lamont, J Leddt
11.30 G Jenkins, R Baldie, H Hunter, G Smith
11.39 S Robertson, S Marshall, D Thomson, A Thomson
11.48 A N Other, W Smith, J Barnet, G Atkins

12.06 R Mackie, J Brown, C Marr, A Douglas
12.15 R Wallace, C Wallace, D Sievwright, G Taylor
12.51 H Salmond, J Irwin, G Wilkie, W Bell

1.00 L Sutherland, R McDonald, G Cant, D Wilson
1.09 M Arnold, J Breen, W Herron, E Sherry
1.27 T Jamieson, G Mathieson, A N Other, A N Other

Lee Sutherland

GAVIN DEAR CLOSING IN ON GOOD RESULT ON MOROCCO SWING

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Perthshire's Gavin Dear again showed that he is not far off stringing three good rounds together to go close to victory on the Morocco Swing of the EPD (German PGA) Tour.
The Murrayshall man, pictured, was one of the late finishers in today's first round of the the Amelkis Classic in Marrakesh.
But it was worth waiting for as the former top-12 world-ranked amateur shot a three-under--par 69, including an eagle 2 at the 12th and birdies at the long ninth, 15th and long 18th for joint sixth place behind local hero Younes El Hassani who spreadeagled the field with an amazing round of 10-under-par 62 (two eagles, seven birdies and one bogey).
North-east pair David Law (Aberdeen) and Ross Cameron (Ellon) are sharing 24th place on the 72 mark, Law cancelling out four birdies with four bogeys while Cameron went one better or worse with five birdies and five bogeys.
Peterhead's Philip McLean is joint 48th on 74 which looked like being a 72 until he bogeyed the 17th and 18th.
Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) had only one birdie in a 75 for a share of 58th place.
Motherwell's Paul O'Hara, normally vieing for top Scot honours, found himself at the bottom of the heap for a change with a 76 after he bogeyed the first three holes and later the 14th, 16th and 17th.

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
62 Younes El Hassani (Mor)
68 Samuel Tanfin (Fra), Bjorn Stromsky (Ger), Darren Wright (Eng), Max Tschinkel (Ger).
69 Nicolas Nube (Net), Sebastian Heiselle (Ger), Gavin Dear (Sco) (T6).
OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
72 David Law, Ross Cameron (T24).
74 Philip McLean T48).
75 Jordan Findlay (T58)
76 Paul O'Hara (T76).

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BRIAN SOUTAR THROUGH TO FINAL OF SOUTH AFRICAN CH/SHIP

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
On-form Brian Soutar, of Leven Golf Society, will tomorrow bid to follow quickly in the spike marks of countryman Michael Stewart after reaching the final of the 2012 Sanlam South African Amateur Championship following two remarkable wins earlier today.
The 27-year-old Fifer drew on all his experience and battling qualities to claim impressive quarter-final and semi-final scalps, setting up a final 36-hole duel with South Africa’s No 1 Brandon Stone at Mowbray Golf Club, Cape Town.
Soutar is now bidding to emulate Stewart, the Walker Cup hero now in the professional ranks, who was the first ever Scot to win the title last year.
Soutar was one down to Louis Taylor on the 18th hole of their quarter-final but the gritty Scotland international took advantage of a poor tee-shot from the South African to reach the 18th in two and square the match. It took him another two holes to clinch his semi-final spot.
Further drama followed in Soutar’s semi-final against Southern Cape’s Shaun Smith, a player who won his last-eight tie 8 and 6. The Scot was two down with five to play but produced another late rally to win the 14th, 15th and 18th holes – after Smith had claimed the 16th – to take the match to extra holes. Soutar again held his nerve, this time prevailing at the 19th.
The Scot holed an excellent putt from 25 foot to square the match at the 18th before Smith was plugged in a bunker at the first extra hole. Soutar had two putts for par and won the match.
Having fought his way through a quality, international field after 36 holes of stroke play qualifying and five match play rounds, Soutar is now out to deny South Africa’s leading amateurs a home title for a third year running.
Not since Ryan Dreyer beat Adrian Ford in the 36-hole final at Benoni Country Club in 2009 has a local golfer lifted the country’s most prestigious amateur title.
Two years ago, Englishman Laurie Canter secured the coveted silverware with victory over Allen Versfeld at East London Golf Club, and last year the final of the country’s oldest amateur tournament was contested between two Scots, with Stewart (Troon Welbeck) defeating Kirkhill’s Paul Shields at Vaal de Grace.
Soutar, a member of the Fife side who won a first-ever Moneygate Scottish Area Team Championship crown last year, could now etch his name on a trophy that includes South African greats Ernie Els and Retief Goosen and claim a place in the European Tour’s South African Open Championship in November.
National Coach Ian Rae said: “The golf Brian has played has been absolutely tremendous, especially fighting back in both games today.
“To win the 18th in both matches and then win after extra holes is absolutely awesome, a tremendous performance from Brian.
“This is a big event and Brandon (Stone) will want to win his national title. He is a very good player and Brian faces a tough game. But Brian is a very good player as well and there is no reason why he can’t win.”
Soutar can draw inspiration from the fact team-mate Scott Crichton (Aberdour) defeated Stone three times in the SGU's Test Match success over the host nation last month. But Stone has shown his own battling qualities, winning at the 19th in both his quarter-final and semi-final.
The South African Amateur Championship is part of an eight-week winter performance programme for the SGU National Men’s Squad. The programme is supported by Aberdeen Asset Management and South African businessman Johann Rupert.

PAUL LAWRIE NAMED EUROPEAN TOUR GOLFER OF THE MONTH

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY EUROPEAN TOURPaul Lawrie’s victory at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy – the seventh of an illustrious European Tour career – has earned the Scot The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month award for February.
Lawrie moved back into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking after cruising to a four-shot win over Australian Jason Day and Sweden’s Peter Hanson, courtesy of a superb closing round of 65 at Doha Golf Club.
It was the second time that Lawrie had lifted the coveted Mother of Pearl trophy, pictured by Getty Images(c),  following his triumph at the Qatar Masters in 1999 – the same year he became a Major winner at The Open Championship at Carnoustie.
Lawrie’s victory earned him a place in last week’s WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, where he capped a fine month by defeating Justin Rose and Ryo Ishikawa to reach the last 16, before falling to his compatriot Martin Laird.
The 43 year old Aberdonian edged out Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello, winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, for the monthly award, which is voted for by a panel comprising members of the golfing media.
Derek Lawrenson, Golf Correspondent of The Daily Mail newspaper, said: “As ever, it was hard to separate the leading candidates for February. I was torn completely between Rafael Cabrera-Bello’s stirring win against a strong leaderboard in Dubai, and Paul Lawrie’s equally compelling success in Qatar.
“What was better, the Spaniard holding his nerve under pressure from Lee Westwood, or Lawrie’s brilliant final round to finish clear of a quality field? By the narrowest of margins I, and the panel, went with Lawrie, and furthermore he followed up his victory with a good showing at the Accenture.”
The panel also commended the performances of South African Jbe’ Kruger, winner of the Avantha Masters; his compatriot Keith Horne, who captured the Telkom PGA Championship on the Sunshine Tour; and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, who just missed out on becoming the new World Number One after finishing tied fifth in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and runner up in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
Lawrie is the second monthly winner of 2012, following January’s Golfer of the Month Branden Grace, of South Africa. Both players will join the subsequent monthly award winners, who will be considered for The 2012 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year, which was won last year by Englishman Luke Donald.

MIGUEL ANGEL MARTIN WINS HI5 TOUR PLAY-OFF

FROM THE Hi5 PRO TOUR WEBSITE
In a fantastic finish at Lumine Lakes today (Wednesday) after both players were tied on (-8) after 36 holes, Miguel Angel Martin (Spain) birdied the first playoff hole to win the Lumine Lakes Open from European Tour Player Jordi Garcia (Spain). James Housby (England) had an excellent tournament and took third place at even par. The top amateur was Jens Geweke (Germany).
Hi5 Pro Tour continues on Friday with another 36 hole stroke play event at Lumine Lakes

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LAHIRI, MOORE SHARE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS IFQ ASIA

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Chonburi, Thailand: Anirban Lahiri of India continued his solid form by shooting an opening round four-under-par 68 to share the lead with Jonathan Moore of the United States at The Open Championship International Final Qualifying (IFQ) – Asia today.
Lahiri, who won his second Asian Tour title at the SAIL-SBI Open on home soil last week, was cruising on six-under before dropping a bogey on 16 and a costly double bogey on the signature 17th hole at the Amata Spring Country Club, where players must take a boat ride to the green after their tee shot. He recovered with a birdie on the last hole.
Moore, winner of the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit last year, enjoyed a hot putting day highlighted by an eagle three on the 15th hole.
Kwanchai Tannin of Thailand, Kodai Ichihara of Japan, Australian Scott Barr and Japanese amateur Hideki Matsuyama were a further shot back in the IFQ, where the top-four players at the end of the two-day qualifier will earn tickets to The Open Championship in July.
“I’m really happy with the way I played. I drove the ball really well. I’m happy with the way I’m swinging it. All and all it was a good round. I would have loved to finish better,” said Lahiri.
Lahiri was delighted to be in the running of earning a Major debut despite hitting his wedge shot into the water on 17.
“I love watching all The Opens. I remember watching Tiger (Woods) go out with his two-iron and smashing it around St. Andrews. He would kill the field and that was fantastic. Hopefully if I can play well tomorrow, I can be a part of that,” said the 24-year-old.
Moore, who played on the back nine, sank a huge eagle putt on the 15th hole from the edge of the green from 50 feet before carding three straight birdies from the first hole.
“My form hasn’t been great. My set up has been quite off. I’m slowly working on it and I felt like it got better out there. The reward is very cool. I feel like I’m in it. It is actually good experience and it will kind of feel like playing in the weekend rounds tomorrow,” said Moore, who played in the US Open in 2006.
Kwanchai, who is aiming to qualify for his first Major appearance, put his local knowledge to good use as he returned with five birdies against two bogeys.
“I like this golf course. I played well here at the Thailand Golf Championship except on the last day. It was an okay round for me. It would be a dream come true to be able to qualify for The Open. That’s every professional golfers’ dream,” said Kwanchai, who finished in 58th place on the Order of Merit last year.
Barr of Australia was on five-under after 16 holes and but failed to maintain his momentum as he returned with two closing bogeys. He will be aiming to make his second appearance in The Open since making his Major debut in 2004.
“I played previously in 2004 and the atmosphere and crowd were good. It was a good experience. Hopefully I can get back out there. My form is okay, I’m hitting and putting okay. I’m doing pretty well and hopefully I can hang in there,” said Barr, who finished third at the SAIL-SBI Open in India last week.
The Open Championship will be played at the Royal Lytham and St Annes from July 19 to 22, 2012.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72. Yardage: 7,441
Amata Spring CC course
68 Anirban LAHIRI (IND), Jonathan MOORE (USA).
69 Kwanchai TANNIN (THA), Kodai ICHIHARA (JPN), Scott BARR (AUS), Hideki MATSUYAMA (am, JPN).
70 David GLEESON (AUS), Chapchai NIRAT (THA), Kunal BHASIN (AUS), Masatsugu MOROFUJI (JPN).
71 Prom MEESAWAT (THA), Mardan MAMAT (SIN), KIM Si-woo (SKOR) (am), Sushi ISHIGAKI (JPN), WU Ashun (CHN), Scott HEND (AUS), LAM Chih Bing (SIN).

SELECTED SCORES
72 Ross Bain (Scotland) (T18)
81 Niall Turner (Ireland) 67th.
Total field: 68 players

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TIGER WOODS RUBBISHES HANK HANEY BOOK ABOUT HIM

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By OLIVER BROWN
Tiger Woods responded witheringly when pressed on claims by Hank Haney, his former coach, that he had considered giving up golf to become a Navy Seal.
While journalists attending Woods’s press conference at the Honda Classic yesterday were instructed not to mention Haney’s book, The Big Miss, to be published on March 27, one reporter asked whether he had planned to abandon the game for a career in the military.
Woods began by making reference to earlier remarks, where he described Haney’s decision to write about their six years together as “unprofessional and very disappointing”.
He said: “It’s still the same. Nothing has changed in that regard at all.”
When a follow-up question was put by Golf Channel’s Alex Miceli, he replied, tersely: “I’ve already commented on everything. You’re a beauty, you know that? Have a good day.”
Haney’s revelations have created anger and a deep sense of betrayal in the Woods camp. Mark Steinberg, the former world No 1’s agent at Excel Sports Management, lambasted the book as “ridiculous” and “armchair psychology”, while claiming that Haney was only interested in self-promotion.
In an excerpt published by Golf Digest, Haney wrote that Woods had wanted to be part of the Seals, the US Navy’s elite fighting unit. Woods’s father, Earl, had served as a green beret in the US Army, completing two tours during the Vietnam War.
“I didn’t know how he’d go about it, but when he talked about it, it was clear he had a plan,” Haney recalled. “I thought, 'Wow, here is Tiger Woods, greatest athlete on the planet, maybe the greatest athlete ever, right in the middle of his prime, basically ready to leave it all behind for a military life.’”
Steinberg dismissed the account as “clearly false”. He said in a statement: “His armchair psychology about Tiger, on matters he admits they didn’t even discuss, is ridiculous. Because of his father, it’s no secret that Tiger has always had high respect for the military, so for Haney to twist that admiration into something negative is disrespectful.”
Haney also wrote that Woods had undertaken a “dry run” of training, to see if he could cope with the demands of being a Seal: “To my knowledge, he did training in parachuting, self-defence, urban-warfare simulations and shooting.”
But a spokesman for the Seals denied yesterday that Woods had ever trained with them. Captain William Fenick confirmed to FoxSports.com that Woods had visited the Naval Special Warfare Centre on Coronado Island, off the coast of San Diego, on “a couple of occasions” but not since 2006:
“We never understood his visits to mean he was interested in becoming a Seal.”
Woods tees off in the Honda Classic near Miami today alongside England’s Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
Westwood, talking about his ongoing duel with Rory McIlroy, said: “If I am going to have a rivalry with anyone, I would like it to be with Rory, because he’s arguably the hottest player on the planet at the moment.”
Westwood explained: “I’ve been around a long time now and there have been various rivalries thrown at me during my career. I really don’t pay much attention to them.”