TOP FIFTY IN MEN'S WORLD PRO RANKINGS

1 Rory McIlroy, Nir 9.29
2 Luke Donald, Eng 8.97

3 Lee Westwood, Eng 8.19

4 Martin Kaymer, Ger 6.02

5 Steve Stricker, USA 5.71

6 Webb Simpson, USA 5.07

7 Jason Day, Aus 5.03

8 Dustin Johnson, USA 5.02

9 Charl Schwartzel, SAf 4.99

10 Hunter Mahan, USA 4.97

11 Adam Scott, Aus 4.96

12 Phil Mickelson, USA 4.96

13 Bill Haas, USA 4.62

14 Matt Kuchar, USA 4.56

15 Graeme McDowell, NIr 4.40

16 Tiger Woods, USA 4.40

17 Nick Watney, USA 4.36

18 Sergio Garcia, Spain 4.09

19 Brandt Snedeker, USA 4.07

20 Keegan Bradley, USA 4.06

21 K.J. Choi, SKor 4.01

22 Justin Rose, Eng 3.71

23 Bubba Watson, USA 3.60

24 Mark Wilson, USA 3.53

25 Ian Poulter, Eng 3.40

26 Paul Casey, Eng 3.38

27 Peter Hanson, Swe 3.34

28 Alvaro Quiros, Spa 3.32

29 David Toms, USA 3.29

30 Thomas Bjorn, Den 3.28

31 Bo Van Pelt, USA 3.28

32 Louis Oosthuizen, SAf 3.26

33 Simon Dyson, Eng 3.26

34 Robert Karlsson, Swe 3.20

35 Martin Laird, Sco 3.20

36 Rickie Fowler, USA 3.11

37 Anders Hansen, Den 3.09

38 John Senden, Aus 3.09

39 K.T. Kim, SKor 3.07

40 Fredrik Jacobson, Swe 3.07

41 Jason Dufner, USA 3.05

42 Bae Sang-moon, SKor 3.04

43 Aaron Baddeley, Aus 2.97

44 Paul Lawrie, Sco 2.96

45 Francesco Molinari, Ita 2.92

46 Zach Johnson, USA 2.81

47 Ben Crane, USA 2.81 

48 Geoff Ogilvy, Aus 2.77

49 Kyle Stanley, USA 2.76

50 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Spain 2.71

JAIME DIAZ NAMED EDITOR-IN-CHEF OF GOLF WORLD MAG USA

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
NEW YORK -- Award-winning journalist Jaime Diaz, formerly senior writer for Golf Digest and Golf World, has been named Editor-in-Chief of Golf World magazine, it was announced today by Jerry Tarde, Editorial Director and Chairman of the Golf Digest Companies.
The change will be effective March 23, 2012.
"Jaime is the most respected golf writer of our generation, so it's fitting that he will lead golf's premier news magazine at this critical time when the game is exploding internationally and technologically," said Tarde.
"It is an honoUr to be named the editor of Golf World," said Diaz. "I'm tremendously excited by the opportunity to help enlighten and entertain a readership that loves the game and the best journalism in golf."
Mr Diaz will be honoUred next month by the PGA of America with its Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism. A veteran reporter having covered over 100 major championships, Diaz is a winner of six first-place awards from the Golf Writers Association of America. He has authored or co-authored five books, most recently collaborating with Hank Haney on "The Big Miss."



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HONDA CLASSIC BREAKS ITS OWN ATTENDANCE RECORD

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida -- The 2012 Honda Classic, buoyed by the presence and stellar play of champion Rory McIlroy as well as Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood, shattered its former attendance records at PGA National Resort and Spa.
The event attracted 161,700 confirmed spectators between Monday's Fins Cup Pro-Am and Sunday's final round which saw McIlroy rise to the No. 1 spot in the World Golf Rankings with his two-stroke victory over Woods.
The total marks almost a 45 percent increase over the 111,950 fans who attended in 2011 and is more than a 60 percent increase over the 101,200 who attended The Honda Classic just two years ago.
"This was our vision when we brought The Honda Classic to PGA National six years ago," Honda Classic Executive Director Kenneth R. Kennerly said. "I can't thank the players enough for their support of our event. Rory McIlroy, who first came here four years ago and has come back every year and brought other top players like Lee Westwood with him. Tiger Woods, who played our event for the first time this year, and created a buzz on the property and in the community unlike anything that anybody has ever seen.
"We couldn't be more excited about the tournament we just had or about the future. It was fantastic to have American Honda announce that they were renewing the longest-running sponsorship on the US PGA Tour for another four years because we think this is only the beginning for this event.
"You add 50,000 new fans this year who go home and tell their friends about the great time that they had at The Honda Classic and it can only help increase the numbers even further next year."
Kennerly and his team have already invested time analysing where additional spectator seating and pavilions can be added in 2013 to accommodate the surging crowds. The private hospitality areas at The Bear Trap, the stretch of holes from Nos. 15-17, sold out on Sunday for the first time in tournament history.
"People love that party atmosphere while they are watching the golf so we have to decide if there are other areas of the golf course where we can begin creating similar experiences to what we have been able to develop at the 16th and 17th holes," Kennerly said.
"We clearly have established ourselves now as one of the elite events of the year on the US PGA Tour and look forward to continued growth."

MOROCCO TO SPAIN MOVE PAYS OFF FOR PAUL O'HARA

Paul O'Hara moved up from Morocco at the weekend to Spain's Costa Dorada - and it was a move that paid a handsome dividend in the first round of the Hi5 Pro Tour event, the Lumine Hills Open over a Greg Norman-designed course an hour from Barcelona.
The Motherwell man shot a two-over-par 74 in very windy weather to share the lead with Patrick O'Neill (Denmark).
Conditions were so testing that only seventh of the field broke 80 and one pro walked in from the turn, having taken 45 shots to get that far.
O'Hara limited the damage into the wind to 40 shots and birdied the long 11th, 13th and 15th with only one bogey, at the short 14th, in an inward 34.
The joint leaders are two shots clear of England's William Harrold in what is a two-day 36-hole event.
Leading first-round scores
Par 72
74 Paul O'Hara (Sco), Patrick O'Neill (Den).
76 William Harrold (Eng).
78 Soren Schulze Pettersson (Den).
79 Andrei Bashkrirov (Swi) (am), Florian Fritsch (Ger).

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TOP 20 MONEY-WINNERS ON US PGA TOUR THIS YEAR

Leading money winners on the 2012 PGA Tour on Monday (U.S. unless stated):


Players from United States unless stated otherwise
1. Kyle Stanley $1,938,515
2. Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) $1,876,000
3. Mark Wilson $1,802,970
4. Phil Mickelson $1,789,931
5. Hunter Mahan $1,760,840
6. Bill Haas $1,661,659
7. Johnson Wagner $1,660,293
8. Brandt Snedeker $1,477,879
9. Steve Stricker $1,282,000
10. Keegan Bradley $1,151,642
11. John Huh $1,073,400
12. Ben Crane $1,060,228
13. Martin Laird (Scotland) $1,040,539
14. Lee Westwood (England) $763,600
15. Charlie Wi (South Korea) $754,426
16. Spencer Levin $741,248
17. John Rollins $727,668
18. Tiger Woods $699,000
19. Kevin Na $685,116
20. Dustin Johnson $674,910

SECOND MONTY'S MONTHLY MEDAL LAUNCHED AT GLENEAGLES

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Club golfers across Scotland are being given the dream opportunity to play with Colin Montgomerie with the launch today of the second Monty’s Monthly Medal event to raise funds for the building of a new Maggie’s Centre in Lanarkshire.
The Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association are once again joining forces to stage the event in support of the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, the charity set up by the eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner as a legacy to his late mother, who sadly died of cancer 21 years ago.
Last year’s Monty’s Monthly Medal final saw 60 club golfers from across Scotland play with the victorious Ryder Cup captain in the final at The Carrick, described as a ‘truly memorable experience’ by those who took part, helping to raise thousands of pounds for the development of Maggie’s Centres in Aberdeen and Lanarkshire.
Every affiliated SGU and SLGA golf club in Scotland will be invited to take part by running a qualifying competition alongside an existing medal stroke-play event on their fixture list, open from March through to Sunday 22 July. Entry to the qualifying competition is just £3, with the leading 72 players, based on their net medal scores, winning a place alongside Monty in the final, which will take place on Monday, August 20 at a leading Scottish venue.
Inverness golfer Alistair Henry was the inaugural victor of the event in 2011 and Montgomerie is looking forward to growing the competition and increasing participation numbers this season.
Speaking at the Gleneagles launch, the highly-respected Scot said: “It was great to have so many golfers and golf clubs supporting the event last year, from as far north as Inverness down to Dumfries in the south of the country.
“The feedback I got from the players who took part in the final was fantastic. I really enjoyed meeting all the competitors and they’ve all gone back to their clubs to promote the event so hopefully we can get many more clubs and golfers involved this time around.”
“The cause is obviously one which is very close to my heart, but one which affects so many people in Scotland. We want to ensure as much support as possible for those suffering from cancer, and their families, so I’m sure the golfing community will help us towards our fund-raising goals.” added Montgomerie.
Proceeds from this year’s SGU and SLGA supported event will go towards the Maggie’s Centre project in Lanarkshire, which is just £200,000 short of its overall target.
Hamish Grey, Chief Executive for the Scottish Golf Union, said: “We had a great response from clubs for the first staging of Monty’s Monthly Medal last season, but we would encourage as many clubs as possible to take part this year.
“We are very proud to support such a fantastic cause, with the great incentive of playing with Colin as a reward for the finalists. We’ve changed the format slightly this year to make it easier for clubs to host a qualifying competition, starting from now through to the end of July and hopefully we can grow the event year on year.”
Details of how clubs can take part are available on the SGU’s website at www.scottishgolf.org or clubs can contact the SGU Events Department on 01334 466477 to find out more, while qualifying competition packs will be mailed out to all clubs.
+Colin Montgomerie is pictured at Gleneagles with Lauren Bryden and Lynsey Knowles of the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation (Image by courtesy of Andy Forman).

HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL COUNTY GOLF DINNER

Braehead Golf Club was the venue for the Clackmannan County Golf Union Golf dinner and presentation of prizes. County president George Kay was highly pleased with the turn-out, saying:  “ It was good to see around 70 local golfers, officials and the major 2011 prize-winners  at Braehead, with all six clubs in the Union well represented.  

"An excellent meal was provided and hopefully those present obtained a bit of motivation for the new season”

Chairman Tom Paterson did an excellent job introducing the guest speaker Jimmie Stirling, with the presentation of prizes following on.

Top prize-winner for 2011 was undoubtedly Lawrence Allan (Alva) who became the youngest winner of the county championship (pictured above receiving trophy from county president George Kay).
Fellow club member Michael Robertson won the Order of Merit title for the third time, and also won the Harrower Trophy (best scores in county meetings).

Braehead’s Scott Moffat took the match-play title, and team prizes were won by Alloa (County Fours, County League) and Dollar  (County Mixed Fours). 

A special award was given to Tulliallan’s Bob Stewart, the leading Clackmannan Senior golfer.

Lawrence Allan and Scott Moffat will go forward to represent Clackmannanshire at the Champion of Champions event held at Leven Links in April.

WORLD AMATEUR GOLF RANKINGS

In the latest R&A World rankings, Alva’s Lawrence Allan at 1598 stays in the top 50 Scottish golfers, while Dollar’s Scott Borrowman is further back at 2011.

MIDLAND ALLIANCE

After a quiet spell, Clackmannan locals made an impact at the latest Midland Alliance event held over Montrose Links with Clackmannanshire players taking the top handicap places.

Alloa’s Chris Westland led the way with a net 63, three shots ahead of Tulliallan’s Billy Bell.  In the scratch section, Bob Stewart continues to grind out the scores, and his 68 gave him sixth position among mostly professional golfers.

In the amateur prize lists, Chris Westland lies fifth and Bob Stewart ninth equal, while on the professional side Braehead’s Jamie Stevenson is in second equal position.

COLOMBIA CALL FOR CALLUM

Tulliallan’s Callum Macaulay makes the long trip this week with six other Scots to South America to play in his second Challenge Tour event over the 6827yard par 72 course at Barranquilla Country Club.

Callum had a good finish earlier in India to give him second place in the rankings and he will be keen to hang on to this position.

LEFT-HANDED LOAR HOLDS ON TO WIN NATIONWIDE TOUR EVENT

FROM THE US NATIONWIDE TOUR WEBSITE
By Joe Chemycz, Nationwide Tour staff
PANAMA CITY, Panama -- Edward Loar rolled in a six-foot par putt on the final Sunday to win the Panama Claro Championship by one stroke over four others. Loar, who held a four-stroke after 54 holes at the Panama Golf Club, gave all of the lead back early and then battled his way to the win despite a 4-over 74.
The 34-year Dallas resident finished at 4-under 276, one better than the quartet of Cameron Percy (67), Ryan Armour (68), Luke List (68) and Brian Smock (69). The win is the first significant win for Loar since he captured the 2004 Korean Open on the Asian Tour. He also collected a first-place cheque for $99,000.
"I really haven't played that good out here," said Loar, who is a rookie on the US PGA Tour this year and will head to the Puerto Rico Open next week. "Hopefully this will give me some gratification that I actually belong out here."
Loar certainly made Sunday's finale interesting. The big-hitting lefty stretched his lead to five shots early with a birdie at No. 4 and appeared to be on cruise control.
"Yeah, I was nervous," he said. "It was the first time in a while that I'd been in the lead, especially on a stage like this. I think anybody that said they weren't is crazy. On a course like this anything can happen as it's shown all week. Unfortunately it came up and bit me a couple of times."
Loar three-putted the par-3, 6th hole to fall to 7-under but was still in control. The wheels came off at No. 7 when he pushed his tee shot into the water and eventually three-putted for a triple-bogey 7.
"The triple was just bad shots followed by bad shots. I was thinking I was glad I had a four-shot lead to start with," he said with a chuckle. "I obviously let a lot of people back in the tournament, but that's why you play 72 holes."
With Loar in full reverse, several made small charges up the board.
Percy polished off a bogey-free weekend with a 3-under 67 was the first in the clubhouse at 3-under.
"Absolutely I thought I'd have a chance today," said Percy, who was eight back to start. "Once the wind was up I thought I could win because I knew how hard it was going to be to hold onto a lead out there. It's hard to hold on."
Percy waited and hoped for the tournament's second playoff in the nine-year history.
Armour had got to five-under with a birdie at No. 13 but stumbled with a pair of bogeys down the stretch, including one at 18. He was seven back to start the day.
"There's always a chance on this golf course," he said. "We all try to play as many bogey-free rounds as we can out here and this is a golf course where you jump up the leaderboard if you do it."
Armour's par putt on 18 hung on the lip but refused to drop, leaving him at 3-under as well.
Next it was List's turn. He rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt at No. 18 to make it three at 3-under.
Smock made it a quartet with a birdie-par finish.
At that point, Loar was also at 3-under and in a five-way tie for the lead.
When he absolutely needed, Loar stepped up. He rolled in a 25-foot birdie putt from the fringe to regain the lead.
"I knew what it meant," he said.
After a routine at the short, par-3, 17th he needed only a par to win but his tee shot on the 465-yard hole clipped a tre and left with 240 yards to the pin.
"I just tried to put myself in a place where I could get it up-and-down," he said. "I didn't think I had a chance for the green. I just hit a really good chip shot."
"I just tried to stick to my routine and I hit it right in the middle," he said. "I really struggled. I had pretty good control and then a couple of slip ups, followed by another slip-up and all of a sudden it was tight and I really had to fight and dig deep. I made some unbelievable up-and-downs coming in to win this tournament."
Aberdeen-born Australian Michael Sim improved from T85 to T43 over the final round. He had scores of 76, 68, 73 and 69 for 286.

Fourth-Round Notes
• Sunday's weather: Mostly sunny and windy. High of 92. Winds N 10-20 mph.
• Edward Loar's winning score of 276 was the second-highest in tournament history. Scott Dunlap was 3-under when he won in 2008.
• With his win Edward Loar becomes only the sixth left-handed winner in Nationwide Tour history.

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