JAMIE McLEARY SHARES COLOMBIA LEAD, SALTMAN MISSES CUT

Jamie McLeary is one of six players sharing the lead at the halfway stage of the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Classic.

McLeary, pictured, shot a second-round 69 (three under par) for a three-under 36-hole tally of 141 - a figure matched by England's Chris Hanson(72-69), Daniel Brooks (68-73) and Nick Dougherty (71-70).

But at the other end of the scoreboard Lloyd Saltman and Chris Doak fell out of the tournament.

Saltman had a second-round 78 for an eight-over tally of 152 - three shots too many to beat the cut.

Chris Doak had a nightmare tournament, bowing out with a horrendous total of 160, made up of rounds of 79 and 81.

REPORT FROM NEIL AHERN EUROPEAN TOUR PRESS OFFICER

 nahern@europeantour.com

Jamie McLeary and Raymond Russell will both be eyeing a tilt at the title at the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Classic after McLeary joined five others at the top of the leaderboard on three under going into the weekend, while Russell was just two shots off the pace.
McLeary’s performance was particularly impressive considering he double-bogeyed the par five fifth after a birdie on the first, before grinding his way back with six birdies and just one more dropped shot earning him a three under par round of 69.
The 2009 Scottish Hydro Challenge champion was delighted with the comeback, which included birdies at the seventh, eighth, 12^th, 15^th and the par five 18^th.
“I made a couple of mental errors at the start, especially that double-bogey,” he admitted. “I played pretty solid though, I holed a couple of decent putts, like you need to do on a day like today and I got up and down on some of the par fives.
“There were still a couple of shots I left out there but I'm sure it’s the same with everyone so I'm hoping the weekend goes well.
“I think the course suits me, I like playing in the wind, being from Scotland and having played so much links golf. I'm hopefully going to keep it going now at the weekend.”
Russell, meanwhile, has started 2012 on fine form after a tied sixth place finish at the season-opening Gujarat Kensville Challenge, where he threatened the leaderboard all week.
The European Tour winner has followed that up with a solid first two days in Country Club de Barranquilla, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, as he added to his opening round of 71 with a level par 72 to finish the day one under par for the tournament, in tied 14^th.
Having bogeyed the par three third hole, Russell then gained a shot at the par five seventh to reach the turn in 36 before he picked up another shot at the 11^th hole. A bogey immediately followed on the 12^th hole  and when another dropped shot at the 15^th took him to one over par for the day, he used his experience to bounce straight back with a birdie three at the 16^th.
“I had a funny day today,” he said, “I could have got it going but didn’t get it going, had chances and then got a couple of breaks.
“Par was about right, I probably didn’t deserve to shoot any better or any worse. It doesn’t look like it on the scorecard but there were highs and lows.
“You’re trying to get yourself into a position for nine holes left on Sunday. The wind is the same direction, it might change a little bit come Sunday but it’s been the same direction since we got here. That makes it a little bit easier but if it starts changing direction, that’s when it could get pretty interesting.
“I’ll fancy my chances if I’m there on Sunday, there are a lot of lads with lots of experience so it’s just a case of using your head and if I get a chance, hopefully I can play well enough and see where it gets me.”
Callum Macaulay (+1), Scott Henry (+2) and Jack Doherty (+5) were the other Scots to make the cut, which stood at five over par.
Meanwhile, Nick Dougherty proved that form is temporary but class is permanent as an impressive two under par round of 70 handed him a joint overnight lead alongside McLeary and four others.
The three-time European Tour winner joined McLeary along with Daniel Brooks, Espen Kofstad, Chris Hanson and Sebastian L Saavedra on three under par as the race for the title in the $250,000 event was poised for an exciting weekend with seven more players just one shot back.

SECOND ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 144 (2x72)

141 J McLeary  (Sco) 72 69, C Hanson (Eng) 72 69, E Kofstad (Nor) 70 71, S Saavedra  (Arg) 69 72, N Dougherty  (Eng) 71 70, D Brooks (Eng) 68 73

142 P Archer (Eng) 71 71, M Villegas (Col) 68 74, J Lima  (Por) 70 72, S Rivas (Col) 74 68, B Barham (Eng) 74 68, J Rivas (Col) 71 71

143 T Hatton (Eng) 73 70, M Cryer (Eng) 74 69, D Larrazabal (Ven) 71 72, M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) 72 71, R Russell (Sco) 71 72

144 L Goddard  (Eng) 72 72, S Kim (Kor) 72 72, C Suneson (Esp) 73 71, M Haines  (Eng) 69 75

145 C Macaulay  (Sco) 75 70, M Hurtado (Col) 74 71, F Damus (Arg) 75 70, P Pinto (Arg) 70 75, F Ojeda Racioppi (Arg) 73 72, S Fernandez (Arg) 74 71, M Carlsson  (Swe) 74 71, M Glauert (Ger) 72 73, A Hartø  (Den) 75 70, M Madsen  (Den) 76 69

146 C Lloyd (Eng) 73 73, S Henry  (Sco) 76 70, M Ruiz (Par) 74 72, J Huldahl (Den) 73 73

147 J Garrido (Col) 72 75, L Jensen (Den) 70 77, J Clavijo (Col) 73 74, G Clark (Eng) 73 74, S Tiley (Eng) 73 74, F De Vries  (Ned) 75 72, P Relecom  (Bel) 73 74, C Brazillier  (Fra) 74 73, C Ford (Eng) 74 73, J Osmar (Col) 73 74, D Gaunt (Aus) 76 71, C Ricardo (am) (Col) 72 75

148 A Butterfield (Eng) 74 74, C Paisley  (Eng) 77 71, A Echavarria (Col) 74 74, A Wagner (Arg) 75 73, S Franky (Col) 78 70, J Amaya (Col) 75 73, J Luna (Col) 73 75

149 J Abbott (Eng) 76 73, P Del Grosso  (Arg) 79 70, S Benson (Eng) 74 75, R Quiros  (Esp) 76 73, N Lemke (Swe) 79 70, P Dwyer (Eng) 76 73, C Monasterio (Arg) 76 73, D Lokke (Den) 77 72, D Vancsik (Arg) 77 72, E Aristizabal (Col) 75 74, J Doherty  (Sco) 73 76, A Knappe (Ger) 77 72, P Reed (USA) 73 76, H Cespedes (Par) 74 75, E Arrazola Jr (am) (Col) 73 76

 MISSED THE CUT

150 J Heath  (Eng) 77 73, U Weinhandl (Aut) 75 75, L Marelli (Arg) 78 72, S Piaget  (Mon) 77 73, A Perrino  (Ita) 74 76, V Riu  (Fra) 73 77, N Meitinger  (Ger) 73 77, Å Nilsson (Swe) 76 74, F Keenan  (Eng) 77 73, R Dinwiddie  (Eng) 74 76

151 J Fransson (Swe) 77 74, S Jeppesen  (Swe) 77 74, J Corchelo (Col) 73 78, B Parker  (Eng) 76 75, E Dominguez (Arg) 75 76, J Gibb (Eng) 75 76, E Argiro (Arg) 77 74, N Kearney (Irl) 79 72, L Posada (Col) 76 75

152 M Delpodio  (Ita) 79 73, M Kieffer (Ger) 75 77, J Busby (Eng) 74 78, A Parr (Can) 80 72, A Pinedo (Col) 76 76, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 79 73, C Slover (USA) 75 77, O Alvarez  (Col) 78 74, R Romero (Col) 75 77, L Saltman (Sco) 74 78, O Villada (Col) 78 74, M Relancio (Arg) 76 76

153 J Palmer (Eng) 80 73, R Schneider (Fra) 76 77, A Zarlenga (Arg) 78 75, O Patino (Col) 79 74, J Day (Eng) 83 70, J Monroy (Arg) 80 73, A Byeong-Hun (Kor) 79 74, D Suarez (Col) 75 78

154 C Arenas (Col) 78 76, E Calisto (Ecu) 78 76, E Gomez (Col) 76 78, R Neil-Jones (Eng) 79 75, B Chapellan (Fra) 74 80

155 A Gee  (Eng) 84 71, A John (Ger) 82 73, M Merizalde (Col) 81 74, O Suarez (Col) 77 78, H Dobson (Eng) 77 78

156 J Bastidas (Col) 80 76, J Hoyos (Col) 77 79, R Salazar (Col) 82 74,

157 R Steiner (Aut) 75 82

158 L Jimenez (Col) 80 78, R Echenique (Arg) 80 78, J Hansen  (Den) 81 77, R Barcelos (Bra) 82 76

159 J Gidney (Eng) 82 77, A Berrio (Col) 84 75, S Sojo (am) (Col) 81 78,

160 R Ruiz (Col) 76 84, C Doak (Sco) 79 81

161 J Albuquerque (Bra) 79 82

162 E Echeverri (Col) 83 79

164 G Lopez (Col) 81 83, S Giraldo (Col) 81 83, H Baquero (am) (Col) 83 81,

167 L Contreras (Col) 84 83

WILLIAM HARROLD BTS FLORIAN FRITSCH IN MATCH-PLAY FINAL

FROM THE HI5 PRO TOUR WEBSITE

The Finals of The Hi5ProTour Lumine Lakes Open showed all spectators the superb golf that our players could produce under great pressure.. The Greg Norman-designed Lakes course was still a great test of competitive golf allied to breezes and very tricky, slick greens. At times the surface of a as a new tournament.

The following players made it to the final.

William Harrold and Florian Fritsch

Florian Fritsch of European Tour experience played much great golf and it appeared, for a while, that the German golfer with Europes tallest Roller Coaster in the background, was playing golf like his Bavarian background, where the beer drinkers would get together and sing “Auf und nieder, immer wieder” (“up and down, again and again”).

 Florian demonstrated his approach skills by often getting down with a difficult pitch and a putt, we think that the up and down roller coaster inspired him.

William Harrold was meanwhile playing like a machine, hitting fairways and greens in regulation and in the end his constant pressure brought a challenging final to a 3 and 2 end where being on the edge of the monster 16th hole in two was the basis of his win. This win was William’s hat-trick of wins.

William is now off to play in the United States, but may also play a lot in Europe this year. He will do well wherever he goes.

The 3rd and 4th positions were fought out by the losing semi-finalists. In the end a match of inspired golf gave James Housby a 4 and 3 margin over Liam Connolly.

The Matchplay proved to be an outstanding success amongst the players and will be played again possibly when the Tour gets going again in the next winte

BUBBA THE BOMBER WATSON LEADS FROM JUSTIN ROSE AT DORAL RESORT

Left-hander Bubba Watson on his way to a second-round 62 in the WGC-Cadillac Championship. Image by courtesy of the US PGA Tour website.

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

By Larry Dorman, PGATOUR.COM

DORAL, Florida -- The TPC Blue Monster at Doral did not originally get its name for its punishing length. It was dubbed the Blue Monster by Miami golf legend, the late Frank Strafaci, as he peered at the windblown white caps on the lake next to the 18th hole shortly after the course opened in 1962.

But the golf course -- which this week is playing at 7,334 yards -- has remained true to its name largely because the key element to winning here has been the ability to bomb the tee ball, a formula borne out once again halfway through this week's World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.

The 36-hole leader at 12 under after a 62 on Friday, Bubba Watson, also leads the tournament in driving distance with a laughably long 323.5 average.

He has hit some monstrous tee shots over two days, including two drives of 373 yards -- downwind, of course -- at No. 1 on Thursday and at No. 2 on Friday.

Justin Rose, who trailed Watson by a stroke after two rounds, is the exception among the top six on the leaderboard. Averaging a modest 288.5 yards off the tee so far, Rose is among the middle tier in driving distance on the PGA TOUR, but is long enough to have found a way to shoot 11 under (64 in Round 2) while playing in the threesome with Watson alongside Mark Wilson.

Adam Scott, the first-round leader, is another bomber (299-yard average this week) and is another stroke back at 10 under after following his opening round of 66 with a 68.

The three players behind him are also long hitters. Peter Hanson (298 yards) is at 9 under while Keegan Bradley (303 yards) and Thomas Bjorn check in at 8 under. Bjorn is averaging 282 for the week, but can move it out when he wants to as his 339-yard blast at the 14th hole on Thursday attests.

The list of winners since this became a World Golf Championships venue in 2007 does not include any short drivers: Tiger Woods in 2007, Geoff Ogilvy in 2008, Phil Mickelson in 2009, Ernie Els in 2010 and Nick Watney in 2011.

Woods, tied for 15th in a group at 5 under and by no means out of contention this week, has a theory about why.

"When Raymond did the redo on the bunkers, at the time, 280 was a carry," said Woods, referring to Raymond Floyd's course renovation leading up to the 1997 Doral-Ryder Open. "Now, you know, most of the golf courses we play, it's 310 to 320. If we get normal wind, or no wind at all, these bunkers really are not in play.

"So the longer hitters, it's just drive it down there and you've got a wedge in your hand."

Wedge, or sometimes less. Watson had 57 yards remaining for his second shot at the 399-yard, par-4 second hole Friday. And Scott, after a 299-yard drive at the 467-yard, par-four 18th, when the wind had softened in the late afternoon, had just 7-iron in and birdied the hole with a 20-foot putt.

As good as Watson has looked so far, he will have his hands full winning this week. For one, he is not enamoured of the 18th hole nor the golf course overall -- even though the 62 matches his career low round, most recently at the 2010 Bob Hope Classic.

"You know, this golf course doesn't really suit me," he said. "My eye lines -- it's tough. It's tough for me. Not a big fan of No. 18. I normally play it really bad. Played it 1 under so far."

For another, in the nine events so far only two 36-hole leaders have gone on to win. Holding a lead here will depend on how the wind blows. It lessened on Friday, dropping some 10 mph to sustained winds of 15 or so. By the end of the day it was nearly flat calm. Saturday is not expected to be much different, but it might pick up again on Sunday.

Still, given the type of quality shots Watson has hit so far -- including the stinging 3-iron from 225 yards into the wind to set up an eagle at the par-5 eighth hole -- it's difficult to imagine him not being in the hunt this weekend. This golf course has, since the turn of the century produced just three champions who were not power players -- Jim Furyk in 2000, Joe Durant in 2001 and Scot Hoch in 2003.

It may or may not be Watson who prevails, but history favours someone who can overpower the Monster.

 the Doral Resort, Miami, Florida.

There were also good rounds by Luke Donald (68 for 138), Tiger Woods (67 for 139), Graeme McDowell (67 for 142), World No 1 Rory McIlroy (69 for 142),  Martin Kaymer (64 for 137) and Lee Westwood (67 for 143).

But Paul Lawrie went backwards with a 74 for 144 - a shot ahead of the other Scot in the field of 74, Martin Laird, who had a 73 for 145.

HALFWAY LEADERBOARD

Par 144 (2x72)

Players from US unless stated

132 Bubba Watson 70 62.

133 Justin Rose (England) 69 64.

134 Adam Scott (Australia) 66 68.

135 Peter Hanson (Sweden) 70 65.

136 Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) 68 68, Keegan Bradley 69 67.

137 Charl Schwartzel (S Africa) 68 69, Martin Kaymer (Germany) 73 64, Charles Howell III 70 67.

138 Jason Duffner 66 72, Zach Johnson 70 68, Bo Van Pelt 73 65, Kyle Stanley 69 69, Luke Donald (England) 70 68.

SELECTED SCORES

139 Tiger Woods 72 67 (T15).

140 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 69 71 (T21).

142 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 75 67, Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 73 68 (T28).

143 Phil Mickelson 72 71, Hunter Mahan 71 72, Lee Westwood (England) 76 67 (T34).

144 Paul Lawrie (Scotland) 70 74 (T45).

145 Martin Laird (Scotland) 72 73, Robert Rock (England) 74 70 (T54).

146 Simon Dyson (England) 74 71 (T58).

147 Phil Casey (England) 76 71 (T62).

148 Darren Clarke (N Ireland) 74 74 (T65).

153 Ian Poulter (England) 76 77 (73rd).

TO VIEW THE COMPLETE SCOREBOARD

CLICK HERE

RUSSELL KNOX MISSES CUT IN PUERTO RICO OPEN

Russell Knox is not having the best of starts to his debut season on the US PGA Tour. He missed another cut today in the tour's Puerto Rico Open, shooting 75 and 74 for 149 - four shots too many to play in the weekend rounds.

Australian Matt Jones (67 for 11-under 133) has opened up a three-shot lead over American George McNeill (70 for 136).

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
By Staff and wire reports
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico -- Matt Jones shot a 5-under 67 in windy conditions Friday to open a three-stroke lead over George McNeill in the US PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com.
Jones, tied with McNeill for the first-round lead, had a bogey-free round to reach 11-under 133 on the Trump International course. The Australian is winless on the US Tour.
"I've been putting really well and chipping unbelievably well," Jones said. "My ball-striking was much better yesterday. I missed a few greens today."
The wind increased throughout the day, gusting to 23 mph (37 kph) in the afternoon.
"It started to kick up maybe around the eighth, ninth hole, but compared to yesterday, I didn't really feel it," Jones said. "Growing up in Australia, we're used to playing in the wind. It's nothing uncommon, and I actually, more often than not, enjoy playing in the wind because it makes you not worry about score so much. You worry about hitting the shots one shot at a time, and you play a little smarter."
McNeill had a 70 for 136.
Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa, playing the event for the first time after failing to qualify for the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship at Doral, was four strokes back at 7 under after a 67.
"Short game today was very good, and approach shots and putting," Ishikawa said. "Everything went well. That resulted in birdies and some nice par saves. So, the short game was the key thing."
He also played in the calmer morning conditions.
"I was lucky, but as I progressed toward the end, the wind got stronger and the conditions got tougher," Ishikawa said. "But under the strong wind conditions, I understood the difficulty of the course better. So I appreciate the design of the course more now."
Todd Hamilton shot a 69 to join Ishikawa at 7 under.
"I'm pleased with the way I've played," Hamilton said. "I haven't played very well for a long, long time, and it's nice to see not just a good nine holes, but a good 18 that I had yesterday and then another good 18 the following day."
Andres Romero (67) was 6 under along with Boo Weekley (68), Kevin Stadler (69), Daniel Summerhays (70), Roberto Castro (69) and Kevin Kisner (70).
Michael Bradley, the winner in 2009 and 2011, was 1 under after a 71.

LEADING HALFWAY TOTALS

Par 144

Players from US unless stated

133 Matt Jones (Australia) 66 67.

136 George McNeill 66 70.

137 Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) 70 69, Todd Hamilton 68 69.

138 Andres Romero (Argentina) 71 67, Daniel Summerhays 68 70, Roberto Castro 69 69, Boo Weekley 70 68, Kevin Stadler 69 69, Kevin Kisner 68 70.

SELECTED SCORES

139 Brian Davis (England) 69 70 (T11).

MISSED THE CUT (145 or better qualified)

146 David Duval 72 74, Gary Christian (England) 73 73.

149 Russell Knox (Scotland) 75 74.

TO VIEW THE COMPLETE SCOREBOARD

CLICK HERE

SCOTTISH CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS' DRAW

Sponsored by John Smith’s

LEVEN GOLFING SOCIETY, APRIL 7 and 8

TEE TIMES FOR SATURDAY'S FIRST TWO ROUNDS

There is no cut. All competitors play four rounds.

08:00 and 12:30
Greg Forrester (Balbirnie Park), Thomas White (Milnathort).
08:08 and 12:38
Clark Brechin (Portlethen) and Jamie Morris (Peebles).
08:16 and 12:46
Tommy Morrison (Kilsyth Lennox) and Alan McKie (Glencruitten).
08:24 and 12:54
William Fleming (Ballochmyle) and Gordon Miller (Cawder).
08:32 and 13:02
George MacMillan (Machrihanish) and Kevin Blyth (Lundin).
08:40 and 13:10
Mark O'Donnell (Hamilton) and Graeme Rowan (Ballochmyle).
08:48 and 13:18
Raymond Perry (Monifieth) and Stephen Machin (Cowglen).
08:56 and 13:26
Ross Bell (Downfield) and Graham Robertson (Silverknowes).
09:04 and 13:34
Bryan Fotheringham (Inverness) and Daniel Kay (Dunbar).
09:12 and 13:42
Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) and Conor O'Neil (Pollok).
09:20 and 13:50
Scott Crichton (Aberdour) and John Duff (Newmachar).
09:28 and 13:58
Brian Soutar (Leven GS) and Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie).
09:36 and 14:06
Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar) and Scott Stewart-Cation (The Duke's).
09:44 and 14:14
Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) and Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm).
09:52 and 14:22
Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie) and Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire County).
10:00 and 14:30
Josh Jamieson (St Andrews New) and Fraser Moore (Glenbervie).
10:08 and 14:38
George Crawford (Williamwood) and Scott Borrowman (Dollar).
10:16 and 14:46
James White (Lundin) and Fraser McKenna (Balmore).
10:24 and 14:54
Lee Jenkins (Elderslie) and Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton).
10:32 and 15:02
Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe) and Paul Shields (Kirkhill).
10:40 and 15:10
Hugh Nelson (Kilsyth Lennox) and Brian Graham (Kelso).
10:48 and 15:18
Scott Moffat (Braehead) and David Wylie (Lenzie).
10:56 and 15:26
Gary Sharp (St Andrews) and Scott Brown (Turnberry).
11:04 and 15:34
Christopher Mooney (Gourock) and Stephen Simants (Dunbar).

STUART WILSON TO CAPTAIN EUROPE IN JUNIOR RYDER CUP MATCH

Forfar Golf Club secretary Stuart Wilson has been named as captain of the European team for this year’s Junior Ryder Cup Match at Olympia Fields, Illinois.
The Junior Match takes place on September 24-25, a few days before the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, also in Illinois.
The event, like its adult counterpart, features teams from Europe and the United States, but here each team comprises six girls and six boys. Previous competitors include Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy, who have gone on to represent Europe in The Ryder Cup, Italian teenager Matteo Manassero, Solheim Cup player Suzann Pettersen and Hunter Mahan, the 2012 WGC-Accenture World Match Play champion.
Wilson, pictured above by Cal Carson Agency in his Forfar Golf Club office, who won the Silver Medal as the leading amateur at the Open Championship in 2004, takes over from Austrian Gary Stangl and will be assisted by Kristin Gunhildrud. Wilson will also take charge for the 2014 match, which will be held in Scotland.
Wilson, 34, has an impressive CV as an amateur, participating in the Walker Cup in 2003, the Bonallack Trophy in 2002 and 2004, the St Andrews Trophy and the Eisenhower Trophy in 2004, and the European Team Championship in 2003. He was also British Amateur Champion in 2004, won the Lytham Trophy in 2003 and represented Scotland between 2000 and 2005. He captained the Scotland boys’ team in 2010 and 2011.
“I am thrilled to be appointed as the Ryder Cup Junior Match captain and delighted to have Kristin as assistant captain,” said Wilson. “Hopefully I can bring my years of experience as both a player and captain in a team environment to pass on to the juniors selected.
“This format of match play golf has always been my favourite and one that has given me successful moments in my golfing life and created many great friendships and memories. I look forward to working with all involved and watching the results closely over the next few months and to build towards a team that will have a good chance of winning in America.
“I hope that the juniors involved will get as much from their golf as I have had in the past.”
Assistant captain Gunhildrud from Norway has extensive experience working with young people - particularly girls - in golf. She founded the Tinius Cup, a tournament where Norwegian girls aged 13-16 take on a similar team from Sweden, and also set up Knøttegolf, a special program to introduce children under the age of 12 to the sport.
She has won the gold medal for the Ladies Team in the 1998 Norwegian Championship, and the bronze medal in both the following two years. She has been involved with the Norwegian Golf Federation since 1995, and captained the European team which took on Great Britain and Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy last year.
“It’s an honour to be appointed the Assistant Captain for the Ryder Cup Junior Match,” said Gunhildrud. “I hope I can bring my experience with girls to this team. And I’m looking forward to working with Stuart as he has great experience as a match play specialist.
“The most important thing for the team is to have fun, both on and off the golf course. I think if you are in good mood you play much better. So I hope I can help with that too. I’m looking forward to meeting all the wonderful juniors and we are going to give America some exciting matches.”

NACHIMUTHU, MAMAT SHARE MASTERS LEAD AT KUALA LUMPUR

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR
Kuala Lumpur: Local favourite R. Nachimuthu was joined at the top of the halfway leaderboard by Singaporean Mardan Mamat at the RM180,000 (approximately US$60,000) PGM-CCM-Impian Masters today.
Nachimuthu, the reigning Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour No 1, battled to a three-under-par 69 at the Impian Golf and Country Club on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur in the season-opening event of the Asian Development Tour.
Mardan, fresh from a third Asian Tour victory at last month’s ICTSI Philippine Open, tied Nachimuthu on 11-under-par 133 thanks to a 67 which was sprinkled with six birdies against his first bogey of the tournament.
Newcomer Neill Reilly of England fired his second straight 67, which included three stunning eagles, to lie in third place on 134 while Asian Tour Qualifying School graduate Dodge Kemmer of the United States stayed in the title hunt with a 68 to lie two behind the leaders going into the weekend rounds.
The 44-year-old Mardan is enjoying a rich vein of form as he also successfully qualified for his third British Open appearance through qualifying in Thailand last week.
“The one and a half months of work that I put in straight after our final event last year is paying off,” said Mardan, who is competing on a sponsor’s invite this week.
“I was solid from tee to green and holed some putts. On this course, you can make a score. I dropped my first bogey of the week with a bad drive (on the first hole) but considering it’s my only bogey so far, I’m quite happy.”
After an opening 64, Nachimuthu produced a card which included five birdies against two bogeys. With a proven Asian Tour champion standing in his way of a maiden Asian Development Tour title, the Malaysian is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m not going to worry about Mardan. He’s a good player but I’m just going to focus on my own game and the golf course,” said Nachimuthu, who triumphed three times on the PGM Tour last season.
“I started nicely on the front nine but missed some putts coming in. My game feels good, I’m in control of my shots and golf swing. I’m looking forward to playing in the weekend.”
Malaysia’s S. Sivachandran, the inaugural Asian Development Tour Order of Merit champion in 2010, shot a 67 to move up to tied fifth place on 137 alongside Filipino Gerald Rosales, who carded a 69.
Danny Chia of Malaysia is bunched on 138 with amongst others Filipino Jay Bayron, England’s Peter Richardson, Australia’s Anthony Choat and Japan’s Hirotaro Naito.
SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
133: R. Nachimuthu (MAS) 64-69, Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 66-67
134: Neil REILLY (ENG) 67-67
135: Dodge KEMMER (USA) 67-68
137: Gerald ROSALES (PHI) 68-69, S. Siva Chandhran (MAS) 70-67
138: Muhammad Al-Warith (MAS) 70-68, Peter RICHARDSON (ENG) 70-68 , Jay BAYRON (PHI) 68-70, Danny CHIA (MAS) 68-70, Hirotaro NAITO (JPN) 72-66, Anthony CHOAT (AUS) 68-70, Senroku ISA (JPN) 68-70, Glenn JOYNER (AUS) 66-72

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

HARROLD v FRITSCH IN MATCH-PLAY FINAL ON HI5 PRO TOUR

FROM THE SPANISH Hi5 PRO TOUR WEBSITE

The Quarter Finals of The Hi5 ProTour Lumine Lakes Open gave all competitors the excellent chance to enhance their  match-play skills. The Greg Norman designed Lakes course is built on a nature reserve and its many reed edged lakes provide a safe haven for thousands of water loving birds.
The final eight competitors were hoping (if they won their match) to play a rare competitive 36 holes.  The fitness that these young pros have is an important factor for a long day’s success.
Eight players (four matches)  started the round under the watchful eye of Chief Referee David Ashton, who knew that many competitors were meeting match-play as a new tournament.  All players had to fight hard, but the matches were very, correct and friendly.

RESULTS
QUARTER-FINALS
Liam Connolly bt Michael Wolf 2 holes.
Florian Fritsch bt Sascha Elender 3 and 2
William Harrold bt Moltas Mattson 3 and 1
James Housby bt Florian Elender 6 and 5

SEMI-FINALS
The four players in the afternoon semi-finals found a differently playing course because of strong testing winds and much drier greens. Excellent skill and experience was required and shown by all who played and especially the 2 finalists. Results:
Florian Fritsch bt Liam Connolly at 20^th
William Harrold bt James Housby 6 and 4

William Harrold from Norfolk via the US college golf circuit is the in form player, seeking his third Hi5 Pro Tour triumph in a row! He beat an also in form player and fellow Englishman, James Housby by  6 and 4.
William is the favourite on paper, but he is facing in the final, Florian Fritsch of Germany, a European Tour experienced pro who had to pull out all his huge experience to fight off a future star, the determined (never give up!) English player, Liam Connolly.  Florian managed to bring out short shots of great touch to edge out Liam on the 20^th.
The losing semi finalists will also play for third and fourth places.

Match Play finalists,left Florian Fritsch and William Harrold

RUSSELL KNOX STRUGGLES TO A 75 IN PUERTO RICO OPEN

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico -- Matt Jones and George McNeill topped the leaderboard at 6-under 66 in strong wind Thursday in the US PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com.
"It was very windy. Just had to judge it right," Jones said.
The Australian eagled the par-5 second hole and had five birdies and a bogey on the Trump International course.
"I had unbelievable ball-striking," Jones said. "I think I was pin high every hole except 17, when I wanted to be a bit short of it, then I made good putts, had a good eagle to get started and had a great day."
McNeill, the former Florida State player who won the 2007 Frys.com Open for his lone US Tour title, had a bogey-free round.
"It's just like Florida, so it felt comfortable, and I happened to play well," McNeill said. "Obviously, I hit it pretty well and putted pretty well, and the few greens that I missed, I chipped then close and had tap-ins and everything else, so I avoided the mistakes."
Former (British) Open champion Ben Curtis was a stroke back at 67.
"With the windy conditions, the big thing is to keep the ball in play, keep it in the fairway and hit a lot of greens and that's what I did," Crane said. "I just tried to make a lot of controlled swings and hit the ball solid and get it going in the right direction."
Jeff Overton, Todd Hamilton, another past (British) Open champion, Kevin Kisner and Daniel Summerhays followed at 68.
"It was hard," Overton said. "A lot of wind."
He made a double bogey after hitting into the water on the par-4 12th, his third hole of the day, then finished the round by holing a 7-iron from 147 yards for eagle on the par-4 ninth.
"The wind was howling off the right, and I started 25 yards right of the hole, and I hit a draw and I thinned it just a little bit, which kept the ball down, otherwise I think the ball would have overhooked and went in the bunker," Overton said. "I really was just hoping it was going to be somewhat close, and the thing came down and just one-hopped in the hole. I didn't know it went in, because you couldn't see it."
Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa, playing the event for the first time after failing to qualify for the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship at Doral, shot a 70.
Michael Bradley, the winner in 2009 and 2011, opened with a 72.
+Russell Knox has an uphill struggle ahead to beat the cut after a three-over-par 75 in which he bogeyed the first, third, fourth and sixth holes. He starts the second day in T95 position.

LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72
Players from US unless stated
66 Matt Jones (Australia), George McNeill
67 Ben Curtis
68 Jeff Overton, Kevin Kisner, Todd Hamilton, Daniel Summerhays
SELECTED SCORES
69 Brian Davis (England) (T8)
72 David Duval (T53)
73 Gary Christian (England) (T65).
75 Russell Knox (Scotland) (T95)

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RAYMOND RUSSELL LEADING SCOT IN COLOMBIA CLASSIC

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR
By NEIL AHERN
Raymond Russell’s positive start to the season continued as he carded a one under par 71 to finish the opening round of the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Classic just three shots off the lead set by local favourite Manny Villegas.
Russell began his season on the Challenge Tour with a tied sixth finish at the Gujarat Kensville Challenge in India and he continued that form with just two bogeys and three birdies in difficult conditions at Country Club de Barranquilla, just outside the city of Barranquilla on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, to end the day in tied ninth.
“I played pretty good, pretty solid,” he said. “You’ve just got to try and hit the middle of the fairways and the greens and take your chances from there but I’ve been on holiday for couple of weeks in Barbados and it was pretty windy where I was so that helped in these conditions.
“In India it was a bit breezy too, par’s your friend in these conditions. It was frustrating in India, I had a chance on the Sunday and I let it slip a bit. This week though, it’s just a case of making the right decisions, trusting your clubs and going with it.”
Jamie McLeary was the next best Scot a shot further back in tied 14th after he recovered from a bogey on the first hole to card three birdies on the front nine, with another bogey at the sixth meaning he reached the turn in one under. A dropped shot at the 13th was his only blemish on the back nine as he signed for a level par 72.
Jack Doherty was tied 22nd on one over par and Lloyd Saltman tied 39th on two over par while Callum Macaulay was just above the projected cut line on three over par after a 75.
Scott Henry had a 76 and Chris Doak a 79.
Meanwhile, Villegas delighted the home fans as a four under par round of 68 landed the Colombian a joint overnight lead alongside Englishman Daniel Brooks after the opening round.
Villegas, who is backed by the tournament sponsors Pacific Rubiales and is the brother of US PGA Tour star Camilo, was on superb form as he made light of the windy conditions to card five birdies and just a single bogey.
Earlier in the day, Nick Dougherty had laid down an early marker on his Challenge Tour debut, and return to action after a torrid season in 2011, with a one under par 71 which earned him an early clubhouse lead and left him tied ninth by the end of the day’s play.

FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
68 M Villegas (Col), D Brooks (Eng)
69 M Haines (Eng), S Saavedra (Arg)
70 P Pinto (Arg), L Jensen (Den), J Lima (Por), E Kofstad (Nor)
71 D Larrazabal (Ven), R Russell (Sco), J Rivas (Col), N Dougherty (Eng), P Archer (Eng)
72 J Garrido (Col) , M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) , J McLeary (Sco) , L Goddard (Eng) , M Glauert (Ger) , S Kim (Kor) , C Hanson (Eng) , C Ricardo (am) (Col) ,
73 J Huldahl (Den) , V Riu (Fra) , S Tiley (Eng) , J Doherty (Sco) , F Ojeda Racioppi (Arg) , G Clark (Eng) , J Clavijo (Col) , C Lloyd (Eng) , J Corchuelo (USA) , J Luna (Col) , T Hatton (Eng) , P Relecom (Bel) , P Reed (USA) , N Meitinger (Ger) , J Osmar (Col) , C Suneson (Esp) , E Arrazola junior (Col) (am)
74 J Busby (Eng) , R Dinwiddie (Eng) , M Carlsson (Swe) , B Chapellan (Fra) , H Cespedes (Par) , C Brazillier (Fra) , B Barham (Eng) , S Fernandez (Arg) , M Ruiz (Par) , L Saltman (Sco) , S Benson (Eng) , M Cryer (Eng) , C Ford (Eng) , A Perrino (Ita) , S Rivas (Col) , M Hurtado (Col) , A Echavarria (Col) , A Butterfield (Eng)
75 F Damus (Arg) , R Steiner (Aut) , C Slover (USA) , U Weinhandl (Aut) , A Hartø (Den) , J Amaya (Col) , J Gibb (Eng) , M Kieffer (Ger) , A Wagner (Arg) , D Suarez (Col) , C Macaulay (Sco) , E Aristizabal (Col) , E Dominguez (Arg) , F De Vries (Ned) , R Romero (Col) 
76 J Abbott (Eng) , P Dwyer (Eng) , D Gaunt (Aus) , Å Nilsson (Swe) , R Schneider (Fra) , B Parker (Eng) , M Madsen (Den) , A Pinedo (Col) , L Posada (Col) , R Ruiz (Col) , S Henry (Sco) , R Quiros (Esp) , C Monasterio (Arg) , M Relancio (Arg) , E Gomez (Col)
77 F Keenan (Eng) , J Heath (Eng) , C Paisley (Eng) , D Lokke (Den) , H Dobson (Eng) , O Suarez (Col) , S Jeppesen (Swe) , J Hoyos (Col) , D Vancsik (Arg) , A Knappe (Ger) , E Argiro (Arg) , S Piaget (Mon) , J Fransson (Swe)
78 O Villada (Col) , C Arenas (Col) , O Alvarez (Col) , A Zarlenga (Arg) , L Marelli (Arg) , E Calisto (Ecu) , S Franky (Col)
79 O Patino (Col) , N Kearney (Irl) , C Doak (Sco) , P Del Grosso (Arg) , A Byeong-Hun (Kor) , M Delpodio (Ita) , J Garcia Pinto (Esp) , R Neil-Jones (Eng) , J Albuquerque (Bra) , N Lemke (Swe) 
80 J Monroy (Arg) , L Jimenez (Col) , A Parr (Can) , J Palmer (Eng) , J Bastidas (Col) , R Echenique (Arg)
81 G Lopez (Col) , S Giraldo (Col) , M Merizalde (Col) , J Hansen (Den) , S Sojo (am) (Col)
82 R Barcelos (Bra) , J Gidney (Eng) , R Salazar (Col) , A John (Ger)
83 J Day (Eng) , E Echeverri (Col) , H Baquero (Col) (am)
84 A Gee (Eng) , A Berrio (Col) , L Contreras (Col)