ENGLISHMAN BRIAN WHO? SHARES RAIN-HIT SHELL OPEN LEAD

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
(with a few extra words by Colin Farquharson)
HUMBLE, Texas: Englishman Brian Davis - one of the lesser known Brits on the US PGA Tour - changed his life last year, and he's finally seeing the adjustments translate to better golf scores.
Davis, pictured, shot a 65 in his second round Friday and shares the lead at 11 under with former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen from South Africa at the rain-delayed Shell Houston Open.
The second round was suspended due to darkness at 7:36 p.m. local time with 70 players still on the course.
Houston resident Jeff Maggert was at 10 under, but he had eight holes left to play in his second round. Defending champion Phil Mickelson (70), J.B. Holmes (67), Tommy Gainey (67), and Greg Owen (69) finished their second rounds and were two shots behind the leaders at 9 under.
Three-time major champion Ernie Els, who must win to qualify for next week's Masters, was in the group at 5 under after a second-round 69.
A thunderstorm dumped 1 1/4 inches of rain Thursday, causing the backup. The players enjoyed sunny and calm conditions Friday, but the fairways were damp, and players were permitted to lift, clean and place.
Davis played a total of 32 holes on Friday, finishing a first-round 68 and then making seven birdies on his way to his best score of the year.
The 37-year-old Englishman from London, a pro since 1994 and winner of $9,525,765 from 227 US PA Tour events over a span of years, took a hard look at his life late last year after his father, Robert, died of cancer. He changed caddies, hired a sports psychologist and retooled his swing.
"Probably the highlight of the offseason and to this season was taking a look at everything I did on and off the golf course," Davis said. "I think I'm more prepared going forward now this year."
Davis, a father of three and ranked No 119 in the world but hardly a household name in golf, even in Britain, also worked with sports psychologist Bob Winters on managing his time more precisely.
"I really struggle when my kids say, `Can we do this?' and I should be practising," Davis said. "It's hard to juggle that around. You've got to give yourself some time as well. Obviously, we looked over that at the end of the last year and changed my practice routines, changed a lot of things."
Davis felt recharged at the start of the season, but missed the cut in three of his first four starts. He finally saw signs of improvement when he tied for 47th at the Honda Classic, then tied for 63rd in Puerto Rico the following week.
"It's one of them things, you've got to stay the course and keep at it," Davis said.
Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, is also making changes, though far less dramatic. He's tinkering with his swing and gone back to the driver he used when he won at St. Andrews.
The 29-year-old South African hit 11 of 14 fairways in his second round on his way to a 66.
"I hit it well at the Open in 2010, and I feel like I'm very close to hitting it like I did there," Oosthuizen said. "Swing-wise, I feel confident."
Mickelson finished a 65 on Friday morning and started his second round on No. 10 about an hour later. His afternoon round stalled after he birdied 13 and 15, the two par 5s on the back nine. He hit his tee shot over the green on the par-3 16th and bogeyed, then parred the next five holes.
"I played pretty well the second round, but I didn't get the score that I had hoped," Mickelson said. "I've got to light it up this weekend."
Mickelson played with Fred Couples, who won on the Champions Tour last week. Couples, who played at the University of Houston in his college days and has made 18 consecutive cuts at this event, is 4 under through two rounds.

DARREN CLARKE DOUBT FOR US MASTERS - SCROLL DOWN TO READ STORY

Couples moved within two shots of the lead, but dropped back when he dunked his tee shot in the water on the 488-yard, par-4 18th hole and took a double bogey. The 52-year-old Couples shot a 73 in the afternoon.
The Shell Houston Open became the run-up event to the Masters in 2007. Despite the delay, tournament director Steve Timms is hoping to finish the tournament by 5 p.m. Sunday to accommodate not only television, but also the players heading to Augusta.
Like Els, Davis must win here to earn an invitation to the Masters next week. Davis has five runner-up finishes in seven years on TOUR, but he's never won.
"Obviously, I'm well aware that I need to start winning," Davis said. "It's one of those things where you can't force it. You've just got to keep putting yourself in position."
Mickelson says he's prefers playing a tournament the week before a major to get into a "competitive frame of mind." Last year, he shot 63-65 over the weekend to win by three strokes over Chris Kirk and Scott Verplank.
The projected cut is for totals of 142 and better to qualify. On the wrong side of that figure is Russell Knox (71 for 143), Masters defending champion Charl Schwartzel (74 for 143) and Darren Clarke (71 for 143).

SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
+70 players have still to complete Round 2.
Par 144 (2x72)
133 Brian Davis (England) 68 65, Louis Oosthuizen (S Africa) 67 66
135 Tommy Gainey (US) 68 67, Greg Owen (England) 66 69, Phil Mickelson (US) 65 70, J B Holmes (US) 68 67.

SELECTED SCORES
139 Ernie Els (S Africa) 70 69 (T28)
142 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 69 73 (T66).

PROJECTED CUT (142 and better to qualify)
143 Russell Knox (Scotland) 72 71, Charl Schwartzel (S Africa) 69 74, Darren Clarke (N Ireland) 72 71.
145 Ben Curtis (US) 71 74.

TO CHECK OUT ALL THE SECOND-ROUND SCORES AND THE PLAYERS WHO HAVE STILL TO FINISH 36 HOLES

CLICK HERE

DARREN CLARKE FITNESS DOUBT FOR MASTERS

Darren Clarke is facing a race against time to be fit to play in the Masters.

The Open champion limped off the course at the Houston Open on Friday, having strained a groin muscle during his second round of 71.

Clarke felt the injury while completing his rain-delayed first round on Friday morning but played on through the pain barrier to complete his second round.
"I wanted to keep going as I need to play all four rounds before the Masters," said Clarke.
Clarke's second round of 71 put him one under for the tournament and he looked certain to miss the cut by one.
Graeme McDowell completed his second round on Saturday and his 69 left him on five under and seven behind leader Jeff Maggert.
Padraig Harrington was on the projected cut mark of two under after a 73.

“I've had these type of injuries in the past and there's not much you can do but rest”

Clarke earned a five-year Augusta National exemption in winning last year's Open championship and he will be competing in the event for the first time since 2007, when he missed the cut.

On completion of his second round in Houston, it was suggested by Clarke's personal trainer that he attend a local doctor to assess the full extent of his injury, but he declined.
"I've had these type of injuries in the past and there's not much you can do but rest," Clarke insisted.
"It's a really long walk around this golf course and I could have come in after three to four holes this morning. It seemed okay when I finished my first round today but it just got progressively worse in the second round," he said.

GREIG HUTCHEON LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW SEASON

Greig Hutcheon in action at Murcar Links today. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

GREIG HUTCHEON LOOKS BACK ON HIS NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE
FOURSOMES SUCCESS EARLIER TODAY
(scroll down for a full report of both finals)

It was an interesting final with myself and David Fleming taking an early lead - four up through six holes - then complacency set upon us and Scott Larkin and Euan Kennedy, with the help of some birdies, had squared the match by the 12th tee.
We then got to three up again and  dormie. But they applied pressure, won a couple of holes, and the game went to 18.
I was blessed with a very tidy, sharp five-handicapper in Mr Fleming. Although we never played our best as a pair we were never far from par over the two days.
As for the Tartan Tour I'm greatly looking forward to the season teeing off. My big events are obviously the PGA championship at Wentworth and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
I unfortunately will need to request an invite to the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart but I'm hoping they will look upon my request favourably as I put up a good performance last year from the bad side of the draw, finishing 49th and beating two US PGA tour stars whom I was playing with during the final round on Sunday. Of course, I had to finish nine holes of my second round at the crack of dawn Sunday morning.
Nevertheless, greatly looking forward to the coming season and must take this opportunity to thank my local sponsors, Saltire Energy, Anderson, Anderson +Brown and Thistle Windows and Conservatories for their continued support. Without it, I could not endeavour to get a place back on the main tour.

Greig Hutcheon

LONG-LASTING MURCAR LINKS PARTNERSHIP STRIKES AGAIN

Lindsay Mitchell (left) and John McKay ... Murcar Links golfing partners for 24 years. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

colin@scottishgolfview.com

Lindsay Mitchell and John McKay recently won the 2011-2012 Murcar Links Golf Club Winter Fours for the Charles A Taylor Memorial Trophy.

Nothing extraordinary about that until I tell you that they last won the tournament 24 years ago and kept the same partnership every year since until they hit the jackpot again!

They first met at Aberdeen College of Commerce in 1977 whenLindsay, a former captain of Murcar Links (2002-2004), was a lecturer and a student.

"I was used to doing what he told me to do," said John, "so when he first suggested we play together in the Winter Fours tournament, I had to agree. But we do make a good pairing and this winter's victory proved that once again."

In fact, John is of the opinion it is easier to play golf with Lindsay than it used to be.

"The head came off his driver not all that long ago, so he had to get a new one - a Callaway. With his old driver he used to cut his tee shots but with his new Callaway, he hits it dead straight off the tee. So it's like playing with a new partner after all those years!"
It was a good job that Lindsay Mitchell was hitting the fairways in this most recent Winter Fours because in the quarter-finals they had to go the SEVENTH extra hole before beating Nigel Parker and Mike Duncan.
In the semi-finals, Mitchell and McKay won by 3 and 1 against Campbell Adie and David Elder.
In the final they were never in arrears as they beat Bruce Angus and Hebbie Gray 2 and 1.
Some very good partnerships have won the Murcar Links Winter Fours over the years, notably former Walker Cup player and another past captain Hugh Stuart and the late Ian Phillips.
So what's the secret of being good foursomes partners?
"Never complain, never explain!"
+Apart from reaching the final of a national TV quiz show with his daughter Joanne, Lindsay Mitchell has another claim to fame - his son Neil was a North-east District class player who turned pro for a spell and played on the EuroPro Tour. Now reinstated as an amateur Neil works out on the oil rigs.

SIX SHARE LEAD AT HALFWAY IN SICILIAN OPEN

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Maarten Lafeber was delighted to return to form as the Dutchman claimed a share of the halfway lead at the Sicilian Open.
The 37-year-old, a former Dutch Open winner, had to return to Qualifying School last season after finishing 149th on The Race to Dubai.
And although Lafeber successfully regained his card, his last top-ten finish came back in August 2010.
However, on a fascinating day at Verdura Golf Resort and Spa, Lafeber’s second straight 68 was enough for a share of a six-way tie for the halfway lead, with Jamie Donaldson, David Lynn, Pelle Edberg, Simon Wakefield and first-round leader Peter Lawrie also on eight under par.
“Yesterday I probably played my best round for a couple of years, and today again I was very solid,” said Lafeber.
“I’ve been disappointed with my putting, because I’ve created so many chances. Yesterday I hit 18 greens in regulation, and today was much the same. But I’m struggling to find the right line on the greens, so to shoot five under today was very good.
“Last year my long game was horrible – I was hitting it all over the place. I haven’t played well enough for the last two years, and to go to Tour School for the first time since 1997 was a bit of a strange experience. So I’m happy to be back playing well again.”
It could have been even better for Lafeber, who took the outright lead with his seventh birdie of the day at the 17th, only to then bogey the final hole.
“The bogey on the last was disappointing, but I made a bad swing and if you do that then you get punished,” he added.
“It’s looking pretty bunched at the moment. Jamie Donaldson is playing very well, and there’s some good players up there so it won’t be easy. It’s important for me to get off to a good start, and hopefully I can take more of the chances which come my way over the weekend.”
The leading six have just three European Tour titles between them, Lawrie’s win at the 2008 Open de España the most recent, while Lynn and Lafeber’s only victories came in 2004 and 2003 respectively.
Donaldson boosted his hopes of a first win at the 249th time of asking. The 36 year old, whose third-place finish in Morocco last week was his 32nd top ten on The European Tour, added a 71 to his opening 65.
Like Lafeber, Donaldson could have led on his own. He led for long spells of the morning session but bogeyed the ninth, his last.
That came after he mixed three bogeys with three birdies on his outward nine, birdied the sixth from ten feet and had a second straight birdie at the par five seventh.
Edberg had six birdies, two bogeys and an eagle at the par five 11th as the Challenge Tour graduate seeks a first win on The European Tour.
“I played pretty well all day,” said the 32 year old. “It was quite cold first thing this morning, but I’m used to that! Then when it warmed up a bit the ball started flying a bit further, and I was able to make a few birdies.
“I’ve felt my form was close for a while now, but you never know in this game. Just when you think you’ve got it cracked, it all goes wrong. But I’ve been practising well out in Thailand for the past three months, and hopefully the work’s going to pay off.”
Lynn holed a 50 footer at the ninth for one of four birdies in a 69, while his compatriot Wakefield, who had the fourth runner-up finish of his career in Austria last season, signed for a bogey-free 67.
“It was just one those days when everything went right,” said Wakefield. “I hit every shot I wanted to hit, and managed to hole my fair share of putts, so I’m delighted.
“The company’s been great, the weather’s perfect and there aren’t many more scenic places like this to play golf, so I’ve really enjoyed myself. It makes you feel a bit more relaxed, and I play my best golf when I am relaxed.”
Lawrie was unable to build on his course record 64 in the first round, mixing three birdies with three bogeys in a level par 72.
No fewer than 25 players ended the day within two shots of the lead, amongst them American Major winners John Daly and Rich Beem.
Former US PGA Championship winner Beem had a second straight 69 for a six under halfway total, while Daly charged into a share of the lead before dropping two shots in his last three holes.
“Anybody can win this tournament, because there are so many players close to the lead,” said Daly. “So that makes it really exciting."

HALFWAY LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
136 David Lynn (England) 67 69, Jamie Donaldson (Wales) 65 71, Peter Lawrie (Ireland) 64 72, Pelle Edberg (Sweden) 70 66, Martin Lafeber (Netherlands0 68 68, Simon Wakefield (England) 69 67.

SCOTS' SCORES
139 Gary Orr 66 73, Alastair Forsyth 67 72, Lloyd Saltman 71 68 (T26).
140 Richie Ramsay 71 69 (T41).
141 Scott Jamieson 68 73 (T53).

MISSED THE CUT (141 or better qualified)
142 Richie Ramsay 68 74, Marc Warren 71 71.
144 Peter Whiteford 73 71.
147 Steven O'Hara 75 72.

McLEARY AND HENRY ONLY SCOTS TO MAKE KENYA OPEN CUT

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR

Scot Jamie McLeary found it tougher going in the second round of the Barclays Kenya Open, where he carded a two over par 73 to slip down the leaderboard.

The Edinburgh man had opened with a 67 at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi to be three shots off the overnight lead, but bogeys at the fifth, 12^th and 15^th meant he fell back into a tie for 11th place.

“It was difficult out there today,” said the 30 year old. “Yesterday all three of us in the group played well and we pulled each other along; today none of us played that well.

“Nothing was really working – it wasn’t one thing in particular, just in general. Some of the greens were rock solid and some were soft so it was tricky. The wind got up this afternoon as well, so that made it more difficult as well.”

Fellow Scots Chris Doak, Andrew McArthur, Gavin Dear (who shot a 69 to miss out by one stroke on 145), and Jack Doherty all missed the cut, but Scott Henry made it on the limit mark of of two-over 144.
Morten Orum Madsen maintained his position at the top of the leaderboard as a battling one over par 72 left him one shot clear.

The Dane reached six under par, just ahead of England’s Seve Benson and local favourite Dismas Indiza, who was the only player from the top three to shoot under par in tougher conditions today compared with the first round.

Madsen opened brightly with a superb birdie on the par five tenth, his first hole, after finding heavy rough from the tee, but found the second day a much more challenging test.

“It was a struggle today,” he admitted. “The wind was up a little more than yesterday and I didn’t play well. I was out of bounds on the 18th which was a silly mistake, and I made a bad bogey on the ninth – my last – which leaves a bad a taste in the mouth. I had a bad lie in the rough from my tee shot and could only hit it 20 yards forward.

“I hung in there, so I’m not too unhappy with one over. The greens are tricky and it’s tough to pick the right club because of the altitude, so there are a lot of factors making it quite a challenge. I’m not surprised there weren’t many low scores out there today, and I’m happy to still be in a good position heading into the weekend.”

 Madsen, who was runner-up in the last Challenge Tour event, the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Classic, added: “I can now regroup and get ready for tomorrow – I’m looking forward to hopefully challenging for the title like I did in Colombia.”

While Madsen stayed out in front for the majority of the day, Kenyan Indiza was drawing the most attention, with the local crowds out in force in support of the 44 year old.

He duly impressed, posting birdies at the 15th, 18th and fifth holes for a one under par 70.

“I’m very happy to be in this position,” he said. “I was very nervous today so to shoot one under par is very satisfying. The course is great, but it’s very different from the one I played last week, which was wet with soft greens. Here it’s difficult to stop the ball on the greens because they are so hard.”

 One of the highlights of the day came at the par five 18th, Indiza’s ninth, where his second shot came within millimetres of dropping into the hole for an albatross, drawing huge cheers from the galleries.

“I hit a great shot in and all the people watching went crazy – that was fantastic,” he said. “But I missed the short eagle putt, which was very frustrating.

“I missed a short one on the 17th and then another on the first, so I was shaking and thinking I was throwing away the tournament with bad putts. But luckily I held it together for the last few holes and I’m delighted to be up there near the top of the leaderboard going into the weekend.”

Benson also found it tougher going after an opening round of 66 and, while he could not overtake Madsen, his four birdies and four bogeys meant he signed for a level par 71 to close the gap from two shots to one.

“It was a mixed round - some good and some bad,” said Benson, a two time Challenge Tour winner. “I really didn’t sleep well last night and probably only got about four hours, so I was shattered this morning when I teed off.

“I made a shocking start with bogeys at the first, sixth and seventh, but I managed to make up for it a bit on the back nine and get back to level par.

“It was just a question of hanging in there, and I managed to hole some nice putts. It felt like the course was playing longer today because it was colder and there was no wind, so it was tricky. It’ll be interesting to see if anyone goes low this afternoon. I’m in a decent position and overall I’m pretty happy with the start I’ve made.”

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 142 (2x71).
A total of 66 players made the cut at 144 or better
136 M Madsen (Den) 64 72

137 D Indiza (Ken) 67 70, S Benson (Eng) 66 71

138 B Njoroge  (Ken) 68 70, G Lockerbie  (Eng) 69 69, S Norris  (RSA) 69 69, J Walters (RSA) 68 70

139 R Echenique (Arg) 70 69, T Ferreira  (RSA) 73 66, M Ford (Eng) 67 72

140 N Dougherty  (Eng) 70 70, L Jensen (Den) 69 71, J McLeary (Sco) 67 73, R Quiros  (Esp) 68 72, D Wright (Eng) 69 71, T Leon (USA) 71 69, S Manley (Wal) 72 68, M Cryer (Eng) 69 71

141 K Benz (Sui) 73 68, M Bremner (RSA) 72 69, F Keenan  (Eng) 72 69, L Goddard  (Eng) 71 70, J Gibb (Eng) 71 70, J Dantorp (Swe) 74 67, S Engell Andersen  (Ken) 74 67, J Robinson (Eng) 68 73, C Suneson (Esp) 73 68

142 T Mordt  (RSA) 66 76, C Ford (Eng) 75 67, A Versfeld (RSA) 72 70, A Shah (Ken) 71 71, M Tullo (Chi) 68 74, B Åkesson (Swe) 72 70, F De Vries  (Ned) 69 73, C Lloyd (Eng) 71 71, F Calmels  (Fra) 75 67, A Hartø  (Den) 74 68, B Barham (Eng) 73 69, A Butterfield (Eng) 71 71, P Archer (Eng) 71 71

143 F Praegant (Aut) 68 75, U Weinhandl (Aut) 70 73, J Wahlqvist (Swe) 73 70, N Rokoine  (Ken) 75 68, B Etchart  (Esp) 70 73, J Van Der Vaart (Ned) 67 76, J Barnes (Eng) 69 74, C Monasterio (Arg) 70 73, G Giddie  (Ken) 70 73, L Bond (Wal) 74 69

144 T Hatton (Eng) 75 69, B Evans  (Eng) 76 68, L Bjerregaard  (Den) 72 72, D Gaunt (Aus) 70 74, J Hansen  (Den) 71 73, O Farr (Wal) 69 75, O Bekker (RSA) 70 74, J Huldahl (Den) 72 72, T Feyrsinger  (Aut) 71 73, S Henry  (Sco) 72 72, C Brazillier  (Fra) 71 73, X Poncelet  (Fra) 72 72, S Jeppesen  (Swe) 73 71, D Vancsik (Arg) 74 70, J Harding  (RSA) 68 76, R Dinwiddie  (Eng) 71 73

MISSED THE CUT

145 L Canter (Eng) 72 73, J Busby (Eng) 71 74, G Dear (Sco) 76 69, D Lokke (Den) 72 73, D Higgins (Irl) 73 72, A Rota (Ita) 71 74, M Kieffer (Ger) 72 73, G Stal  (Fra) 72 73, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 73 72, B Chapellan (Fra) 71 74, J Lorum  (Ken) 69 76, L Claverie (Esp) 74 71

146 P Relecom  (Bel) 71 75, J Kagiri  (Ken) 71 75, G Clark (Eng) 72 74, F McGuirk  (Eng) 71 75, J Grillon  (Fra) 74 72, J Abbott (Eng) 72 74, R Steiner (Aut) 76 70, P Dwyer (Eng) 73 73, Å Nilsson (Swe) 70 76, D Brooks (Eng) 72 74, M Glauert (Ger) 72 74, M Omondi (am) (Ken) 74 72

147 J Heath  (Eng) 68 79, G Houston (Wal) 75 72, B Parker  (Eng) 79 68, A Knappe (Ger) 73 74, A Kimani  (Ken) 73 74, M Bothma (RSA) 74 73, D Odhiambo  (Ken) 73 74, R Charania (Ken) 76 71, J Palmer (Eng) 68 79, S Buhl (Ger) 75 72

148 J Kaske (Fin) 76 72, M Delpodio  (Ita) 74 74, G Snow  (Ken) 77 71, B Easton (RSA) 75 73, A Perrino  (Ita) 72 76, L Tintera  (Cze) 75 73, R Schneider (Fra) 78 70, F Ojeda  (Arg) 73 75, D Wakhu  (Ken) 74 74

149 S Muthugia (Ken) 74 75, K Timbe  (Ken) 70 79, A John (Ger) 73 76, N Cheetham (Eng) 70 79, A Kaleka  (Fra) 72 77, B Simwa (Ken) 77 72, J Doherty  (Sco) 71 78, E Kofstad (Nor) 74 75, S Garcia (Esp) 74 75, A Bossert (Sui) 75 74

150 N Ravano (Ita) 71 79, S Tiley (Eng) 75 75, T Whitehouse  (Eng) 76 74, C Doak (Sco) 72 78, G Bentley (Zim) 78 72, A McArthur  (Sco) 73 77, M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) 79 71, J Kiondo (Ken) 79 71, D Opati (am) (Ken) 75 75

151 C McNamara (Irl) 73 78, R Ainley (Ken) 74 77

152 C Paisley  (Eng) 72 80, P Njagi (Ken) 75 77, F Nkya (Tan) 75 77, J Senior (Eng) 78 74, R Harris  (Eng) 78 74, J Okello (Ken) 73 79, S Piaget  (Mon) 68 84, J Karanja (am) (Ken) 76 76

153 S Brown (Eng) 77 76, K Eriksson (Swe) 74 79,

154 J Hakizimana (Rwa) 79 75, S Ngige (Ken) 77 77, N Kearney (Irl) 79 75,

155 N Meitinger  (Ger) 79 76, C Thethy (Ken) 76 79, N Lemke (Swe) 75 80, F Matilo (am) (Ken) 78 77,

156 R De Sousa (Sui) 79 77, A Högberg (Swe) 77 79,

157 N Ngugi (Ken) 80 77, J Schmid (Sui) 81 76,

158 M Chiluba (Zam) 79 79, J Karanja (am) (Ken) 81 77,

159 J Clément  (Sui) 75 84, H Thethy  (Ken) 80 79,

171 R Owiti (am) (Ken) 84 87,

JAMES BYRNE DROPS BACK IN SECOND ROUND OF INDIAN OPEN

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
New Delhi: Siddikur of Bangladesh birdied the last hole for a five-under-par 67 to pull clear from the chasing pack after the halfway stage of the Panasonic Open India today.
Banchory rookie James Byrne dropped back to one-over 145 after a second-round, three-over 75.
Siddikur, who is the first Bangladeshi to play and win on the Asian Tour, fired six birdies against one bogey for a six-under-par 138 total at the US$300,000 event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and PGTI.
Thailand’s Prom Meesawat (69), currently third on the Order of Merit, was a further shot back with Indians Gaganjeet Bhullar (67), a two-time Asian Tour winner, Shankar Das (69), Ashok Kumar (69) and Manav Jaini (67) at the venerable Delhi Golf Club.
Siddikur, who won his maiden Asian Tour title in 2010, credited his hot putter for the solid round where he made 24 putts highlighted by a monster 30-foot birdie putt on the third hole.
“My putting was so good. My caddy was telling me that I needed to hole the birdie putt on the last hole (12 feet) to lead the tournament and I was very confident because I had a good line,” said Siddikur, who has taken golf in Bangladesh to new heights with his solid performances on the Asian Tour.
Siddikur said his game has been on the upswing since taking a one-week lesson at a golf academy at the renowned TPC Sawgrass in the United States.
“I’ve been struggling with distance in the last couple of years so I decided to try an American coach (Todd Jones) in Florida to help me. I went for a week and it was great for my game,” said Siddikur, who finished fifth at the SAIL-SBI Open last month.
Bhullar did not miss a single fairway in a round where he sank a 30-foot chip in birdie on hole 13 followed by an eagle-three on 14 when his accurate six-iron approach shot landed six feet from the hole.
“I hit the ball really close which was different compared to yesterday. This season has just started and if I compare this season and the last, I feel that I’m hitting the ball better. I did a few changes in my swing and that has been helping in my ball striking,” said Bhullar.
The big-hitting Prom, nicknamed the “Big Dolphin”, put himself in position of erasing his play-off defeat to Anirban Lahiri at the Delhi Golf Club last month. He also had a birdie on the last hole to stay in touch with the leader.
“It was definitely a better finish with a birdie on the last hole. You can’t be aggressive on this course. I know I can reach the par fives in two but I’m avoiding that. I don’t want to get into trouble,” said Prom, whose last Asian Tour victory was in 2006.
Wade Ormsby of Australia, a former European Tour player, fired a flawless 67 but conceded that his short game could be sharper as he trailed Siddikur by two shots going into the penultimate round.
“I’m not that happy with my chipping and putting. Normally that’s the best part of my game. I’m hitting all my tee shots strongly which is good for me but I wouldn’t mind giving my 20 or 15 footers more chance,” said the Asian Tour Qualifying School graduate.
“I’m quite happy with my score. Obviously yesterday was a tough day and I had to come out and make the most of these conditions,” he added.
Overnight leader and defending champion Anirban Lahiri of India struggled to get his round going as he returned with a 75 to lie in tied 17th place.
The halfway cut was set at five-over-par 149 with a total of 65 players making the weekend rounds.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72) Yardage 6,983
138 SIDDIKUR (BAN) 71-67.
139 Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 72-67, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 70-69, Shankar DAS (IND) 70-69, Manav JAINI (IND) 72-67, Ashok KUMAR (IND) 70-69.
140 Wade ORMSBY (AUS) 73-67.
142 Peter KARMIS (RSA) 75-67, Niall TURNER (IRL) 73-69, Sanjay KUMAR (IND) 70-72.
143 Digvijay SINGH (IND) 70-73, S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) 71-72, Adam GROOM (AUS) 70-73, Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 73-70, Atthaphon PRATHUMMANEE (THA) 74-69, Harmeet KAHLON (IND) 72-71.
144 Ben FOX (USA) 73-71, Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 69-75, CHRIS RODGERS (ENG) 75-69, Shamim KHAN (IND) 72-72, Mukesh KUMAR (IND) 75-69, Scott BARR (AUS) 70-74, Kunal BHASIN (AUS) 71-73.
145 PARK Hyun-Bin (KOR) 74-71, Mithun PERERA (SRI) 75-70, James BYRNE (SCO) 70-75, Boonchu RUANGKIT (THA) 71-74, Randhir GHOTRA (IND) 72-73, Vijay KUMAR (IND) 73-72.

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MyGolfRanking .co.uk

MyGolfRanking for Fife Golfing Association and its participating Clubs
Week 12, 25 March 2012
           Ranking Name Club Points

1 Drew Waddell Kirkcaldy 666.67
2 Andy Hodge Earlsferry Thistle 525.00
3 John Paisley Earlsferry Thistle 516.67
4 Brian Ramsay Drumoig 400.00
5 Colin Edwards Kirkcaldy 383.33
T6 G H Le Maitre Royal and Ancient 375.00
T6 A J N Loudon Royal and Ancient 375.00
8 Greg Walker Earlsferry Thistle 366.67
9 T W Corke St Andrews GC 341.67
10 David Redpath Earlsferry Thistle 333.33
T11 G Cooper Thornton 333.33
T11 Dwayne Johnson Leven G S 333.33
13 Bill Aitken Kirkcaldy 325.00
14 Paul Taylor Kirkcaldy 320.83
T15 J S Clark St Andrews GC 300.00
T15 Andrew W Graham Kirkcaldy 300.00
T15 H Niall Scott St Andrews GC 300.00
T15 David N Watson Kirkcaldy 300.00
19 Alex Cushnie Thornton 300.00
T20 C R Blair St Andrews GC 291.67
T20 William Turner Kirkcaldy 291.67
T22 D A Comb Royal and Ancient 283.33
T22 K Gilmour Kirkcaldy 283.33
T22 Ronald W Goodsir Kirkcaldy 283.33
T22 Douglas Morton Kirkcaldy 283.33
T22 H J Thomson Royal and Ancient 283.33

For up-to-date ranking lists of participating Clubs, the full Fife ranking list and How It Works, please visit
www.MyGolfRanking.co.uk

ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT TO SPONSOR SCOTTISH OPEN

Paul Lawrie, Martin Gilbert, Alex Salmond and George O'Grady with the Scottish Open championship trophy on the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle. Image by Chris Watt (c).


NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
The European Tour is delighted to announce that global investment management group, Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, is the new title sponsor of the Scottish Open.
European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady CBE, Aberdeen Asset Management Chief Executive Martin Gilbert and the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, Scotland’s First Minister, revealed details of the three-year agreement at a press conference held in the historic setting of the Queen Anne Room in Edinburgh Castle.
As well as Aberdeen Asset Management’s title sponsorship, the package includes Scottish Government funding to ensure the tournament continues to bring economic and sporting benefits to the whole of Scotland and helps nurture the next generation of golfing talent by linking the event to a programme of junior golf activities. This funding will also help the Scottish Government meet its obligations to back European Tour tournaments in the run-up to The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
The prize fund for the 2012 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be £2.5 million, rising to a minimum of £3 million for the 2013 and 2014 tournaments.
The first tournament under the new title of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be played this summer at Castle Stuart Golf Links near Inverness from July 12-15, with the three-year agreement seeing the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open also take its place on The European Tour International Schedule in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
The full focus of everyone involved is dedicated to ensure that this year’s tournament is a resounding success. The agreement with Castle Stuart is a three-year one, split into two guaranteed years with an option to continue for a third year, and therefore no decision will be taken about the venue for 2013 or 2014 until the conclusion of this year’s event.
George O’Grady said: “We are delighted to welcome Aberdeen Asset Management, an eminent global company based in Scotland, as title sponsor of the Scottish Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule which, this year, will once again be played on the spectacular links layout at Castle Stuart.
“We are also extremely pleased to welcome Scottish Government support. This commitment is another example of Scotland’s strong backing for European Tour events, and is part of the strong partnership that has developed in the build-up to The 2014 Ryder Cup.”
The global reach of the Scottish Open was a significant factor in Aberdeen Asset Management’s decision to take title sponsorship of the event. With the key objective of building the brand in the USA and across Europe, the tournament’s established reputation as a leading professional European Tour event proved a natural fit for the global asset manager.
The announcement also enhances Aberdeen Asset Management’s existing golf portfolio which currently includes the sponsorship of European Tour Members Martin Laird and Paul Lawrie and leading female professional Catriona Matthew in addition to the backing of the Scottish Men’s and Ladies amateur golf teams.
Martin Gilbert said: “We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. As a loyal supporter of Scottish golf for nearly 15 years, we are proud to be involved in sponsoring this globally recognised tournament.”
Last year saw Castle Stuart Golf Links become the seventh Scottish course to host the tournament since 1972; following in the footsteps of Downfield, St Andrews, Haggs Castle, Gleneagles, Carnoustie and Loch Lomond.
The Inverness venue – co-designed by managing partner Mark Parsinen and golf course architect Gil Hanse – debuted at number 56 in Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World and received universal praise last July for the test it provided the world’s best golfers.
Fittingly, it was the Number One golfer in the world – England’s Luke Donald – who walked away with the 2011 trophy at the end of the week, a victory which not only enhanced his position at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking but also helped him lay the foundations for topping The Race to Dubai at the end of the season.
Donald has already confirmed he will be back to defend his title in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in July. “The Scottish Open is one of the favoured tournaments on The European Tour and I can’t wait to get back there,” he said.
 “Staging the event on a links course encourages a better field and to have some preparation on this type of course the week before The Open is what everyone is looking for.”
Supporting the announcement, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said: “The Scottish Open is one of the flagship events on The European Tour as well as a jewel in the crown of the Scottish sporting calendar that attracts keen interest from golf fans across the world.
“I am therefore delighted to announce that Scottish Government funding, alongside major sponsorship from Aberdeen Asset Management, has helped secure the future of this prestigious tournament for Scotland.
“This fantastic event brings significant benefits to the whole of Scotland, both in terms of tourism revenue and the priceless television exposure around the world to golfers and others interested in travelling to our shores. Last year's tournament alone was worth more than £5m to the Scottish economy.
“Not only will today's announcement ensure these benefits continue, but our agreement to link the tournament to a programme of junior golf events and our innovative ClubGolf programme will also help our efforts to drive participation in the sport and unearth the next generation of Scottish golfing stars.
“Scotland is already recognised worldwide as the Home of Golf, and with The Ryder Cup set to be played at Gleneagles in 2014 as well as the new commitment to the iconic Scottish Open announced today, everyone in this country can look forward to a bright future for Scottish golf.”

HUTCHEON AND FLEMING WIN NE ALLIANCE SCRATCH FOURSOMES

 Greig Hutcheon (left) and David Fleming in front with Scott Larkin and Euan Kenndy behind. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Banchory's Greig Hutcheon, runner-up to Stephen Gray in both the domestic Order of Merit and money table last year, sharpened up for the start of the new Tartan Tour season at Dundonald on April 11, by winning the North-east Alliance match-play foursomes at sunny but quite windy Murcar Links today.
Hutcheon and his amateur partner, Portlethen five-handicapper David Fleming (Portlethen) beat the all-amateur pairing of Scott Larkin, who plays off +2 at Royal Aberdeen, and one-handicapper Euan Kennedy (Newmachar) by two holes in the final.
The handicaps did not come into the equation in this the scratch final for the Evening Express Shield but gives one an idea of the quality of the amateurs who were not overawed by competing with and against  a Tartan Tour star
Hutcheon and Fleming won the first three holes and were four up after six but had been pulled back to square by the 12th. Larkin and Kennedy birdied the seventh and eighth and the ninth was halved in birdies, leaving Hutcheon and Fleming two up at the turn.
Larkin and Kennedy won the 10th and 11th to get back on terms for the first time in the match but lost the 12th, 13th and 15th to be three down with three to play, the 14th having been halved in birdies.
Larkin and Kennedy once more really and won the 16th and 17th to be one down on the 18th tee.
Unfortunately, Kennedy drove into a bunker on the right at the last and Larkin, up against the face, could only splash out sideways.
On in two, Hutcheon and Fleming doubled their margin of victory with a par 4.
The winners were roughly one or two over par, not bad scoring in the wind.
Hutcheon earned £130 for his success, small beer by Tartan Tour standards but neverthless a morale-boosting victory as he shapes up for a new Scottish season in which he seeks to regain his No 1 status.
Former Scottish tennis champion and past P and J Editor Harry Roulston (Stonehaven) and Alister Petrie (Oldmeldrum) were beaten 5 and 4 in the handicap final for the Press and Journal Shield by Mark Lawrie (Kemnay) - no relation to Paul - and Paul Cornfield (Auchmill) who won the first five holes.
Roulston, who has his 70th birthday last Monday, and Petrie won each of the three holes at which they had to concede a stroke but they were always playing catch-up golf following Lawrie and Cornfield's one-under-par opening run which put them five up on the sixth tee.
Cornfield, despite his 15-handicap rating, hit the fairway with each of his seven alternate-shot drives. Roulston and Petrie three times cut their deficit to four holes - at the sixth, eighth and 10th - but it was a case of so far and no further.
Wins by Lawrie and Cornfield at the 11th and 12th, making them six up, left Roulston and Petrie with "mission impossible" and the tie ended with a half on the 14th green.

Joint North-east Alliance secretary David Wilson (centre), flanked by Press and Journal Shield winners Paul Cornfield (left) and Mark Lawrie, with beaten finalists Harry Roulston (extreme left) and Alister Petrie (extreme right) also in the picture.

RESULTS

SCRATCH - Final - G Hutcheon (Banchory) and D Fleming (Portlethen) bt S Larkin (Royal Aberdeen) and E Kennedy (Newmachar) 2 holes.

HANDICAP - Final - M Lawrie (Kemnay) (7) and P Cornfield (Auchmill) (15) bt H Roulston (Stonehaven) (7) and A Petrie (Oldmeldrum) (10) 5 and 4.

DAVID SKINNS SHARING LEAD IN HOOTERS TOUR EVENT

It's been a good Hooters Tour event so far this week with former US college circuit player David Skinns from Lincoln sharing the lead with two Americans on five-under-par 139 (71-68) and Gyles Robin (Jersey) joint fourth on 141 (69-72) as well as Chris Cannon from Brighton in joint ninth position on 142 with a pair of 71s.
Check it out ..

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