RICHARDSON WINS IN MALAYSIA BY EIGHT SHOTS

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR 

Malacca, Malaysia: England’s Peter Richardson stamped his class by closing with a three-under-par 69 to win his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the PGM ADT Masters at A’Famosa by eight shots on Sunday.

The Englishman, who led after the second round, was a dominant figure throughout the week as he signed off with a winning total of 18-under-par 270.

Malaysia’s Rashid Ismail could not find the answer to close in on Richardson and had to settle for second place at the A’Famosa Golf Resort in Malacca.

Japan’s Go Nakauchi took third place on 279 while Singapore’s Mitchell Slorach finished in tied-fourth place alongside Japan’s Mitsuhiko Hashizume and Korea’s Kim Ji-hoon on 282 at the RM180,000 (approximately US$60,000) ADT event, which is the third ADT event to be staged this season.

Richardson started his round with an almost unassailable seven-shot lead.

He had an early scare when he bogeyed the par-five fourth but quickly regained his composure with birdies on the seven and nine holes to turn in 35.

The Englishman then birdied the 14^th hole before another closing birdie on the 18^th sealed his maiden ADT victory which will put him in good position of finishing in the top-three of the Order of Merit at the end of the season and earn an Asian Tour card for 2013.

“I was feeling confident at the start of the day already as I knew that I was playing well and I only had to keep my momentum going until the last day. It’s a great feeling to win my first ADT title, which is my biggest professional win so far, and I’ll always remember this week in Malacca,” said Richardson.

“My goal is to play on the Asian Tour and I’m glad that this win will go a long way towards helping me achieve that goal,” added the Englishman.

Meanwhile Rashid was disappointed that he could not surmount a late challenge to pip Richardson to the title.

The Malaysian was left to rue several costly birdie chances as he marked his card with four bogeys and six birdies.

“It was a roller-coaster day for me. There were several birdie chances which I failed to take advantage of and I think that cost me today,” said Rashid.

“Richardson played really well all-week and he’s the deserving winner,” added the Malaysian.

Leading final round scores

270 - Peter RICHARDSON (ENG) 67-65-69-69

278 - Rashid ISMAIL (MAS) 67-70-71-70

279- Go NAKAUCHI (JPN) 70-69-72-68

282 – Mitchell SLORACH (SIN) 72-69-74-67, Mitsuhiko HASHIZUME (JPN) 72-70-73-67, KIM Ji-hoon (KOR) 68-71-71-72

MARTIN LAIRD JOINT SECOND BEHIND MATT KUCHAR IN PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

FROM THE BBC SPORT.COM WEBSITE

American Matt Kuchar held his nerve on a tense final day to win the Players Championship at Sawgrass by two shots.

The 33-year-old, who started the round a shot behind leader Kevin Na, dropped a shot at the opening hole but hit four birdies for a 13-under total.
Scotland's Martin Laird and American trio Zach Johnson, Ben Curtis and Rickie Fowler were joint second.
Luke Donald needed a top-four finish in Florida to take over from Rory McIlroy as world number one but finished sixth.
Donald had started the final round back in 27th, eight shots behind Na, but he gave it a real go with a round of 66 for a nine-under total.
He also equalled the record for golf's richest event with a back-nine 30 containing six birdies.
==========================

Matt Kuchar facts

• Kuchar's previous best finish this season was joint third at the Masters in Augusta
• He won the US Amateur title in 1997
• He made his Ryder Cup debut at Celtic Manor in 2010

==========================

Kuchar, whose last win came in the 2010 Barclays Championship where he beat Laird in a play-off, saved a shot with a gutsy par putt at the third and then came close to an eagle at the fourth, but had to be content with a birdie. He then hit a lovely approach to the ninth, leaving him with a relatively easy putt before another birdie at the 12th.

He picked up another shot at the 16th and not even a dropped shot at the 17th could halt his charge as he claimed the biggest win of his career to move up to third in the US Ryder Cup standings.
Na, who had birdied the 18th to take a one-shot lead into Sunday's final day, was battling a form of the yips with his swing and he also struggled on the greens, dropping four shots in the space of five holes from the fifth to see his challenge disappear and he ended up with an eight-under total.
Laird went out in 33 with birdies at the second, seventh and ninth then went into the joint lead with Kuchar thanks to a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th.
But errors at the 14th and the long 16th as well as the bogey at the 18th left the 29-year-old Glaswegian two shots behind Kuchar.
Lee Westwood had also had an opportunity to finish the week as number one following McIlroy's missed cut, but the win he needed never looked likely for long before he closed with a 77.
It left Westwood four over and down in 60th place, while another disappointing tournament for Tiger Woods ended with him scoring 73 for one under and he was outside the top 30 for the third event in a row

+FOR THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE'S IN-DEPTH LOOK AT HOW MARTIN LAIRD PERFORMED IN THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

CLICK HERE

 

LEADING FINAL TOTALSPar 288 (4x72)

Players from US unless stated

275 Matt Kuchar 68 68 69 70

277 Martin Laird (Scotland) 65 73 72 67, Zach Johnson 70 66 73 68, Rickie Fowler 72 69 66 70, Ben Curtis 68 71 70 68

279 Luke Donald (England) 72 69 72 66

 

SELECTED TOTALS

285 Ian Poulter (England) 65 76 71 73, Phil Mickelson 71 71 70 73, Brian Davis (England) 68 70 72 75 (T25)

290 Justin Rose (England) 76 68 75 71 (T51)

291 Sergia Garcia (Spain) 73 71 68 79 (T56)

292 Lee Westwood (England) 71 70 74 77 (T61)

 

 

 

To view all the scores and scorecards

CLICK HERE

HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

   BRAEHEAD ALL THE WAY

It was Braehead’s night last Thursday when their golfers continued to plunder the County Golf Union titles.  In the Boys Match Play events, their junior golfers ensured a clean sweep of all the County Boys titles with two victories, and then about an hour later their Club team defeated Tulliallan to take the County Fours Championship.

No doubt the golfers from the Club will be targeting the remaining Championships----- the County Match Play event, County Stroke play event and Mixed Fours

THRILLS AND SPILLS AT THE COUNTY FOURS

   The County Fours knock out tournament is well known for excitement--- the format of three pairs playing 18 holes and totalling holes up and down to decide the winning Club keeps interest going to the end.   There was an immediate shock in the first round at Braehead when Alva came from behind to beat holders Alloa by one hole, while home Club Braehead had an easier time winning  12 up against Tillicoultry.

    In the semi-finals, Alva couldn’t maintain their form and crashed out to Tulliallan by 10 holes.  In the other semi-final, Dollar looked to be in control against Braehead on the outward nine, but the tenacious home side fought back strongly as Dollar faded and won by 3 holes.

   The final last Thursday was played in wet conditions--- Finlay and Moffat the top couple for Braehead stayed in control of their match--- 3 up at the turn, finishing 2 up at 18.  The second couple had a roller coaster match oscillating between 2 up and 2 down, and eventually finishing all square. The final match was always close, and Braehead could allow a concession at the last knowing the title had been secured.

    SEMI FINAL 1    TULLIALLAN beat ALVA     10 HOLES (Tulliallan names first)

1. S Horne & M Crichton beta P Davidson & L Allan 10 holes.

2. J McAdam & I Boyd lost to A Flannigan & Gregor Kennedy 2 holes

3. R Stewart & D McKie beat S McIvor & A Aitken   2 holes.     

 

  SEMI FINAL 2   BRAEHEAD beat DOLLAR    3 HOLES (Braehead names first)

1.  D Findlay & Scott Moffat lost to D Hulston & V Allan 3 holes

2.  A Anderson & A Watson beat C Murray & K Christie 6 holes

3.  R Benvie & J Muir    all square  with  S McPherson & P Shearer.

  FINAL     BRAEHEAD beat TULLIALLAN 1 hole (Braehead names first)

1. David Finlay & Scott Moffat beat S Horne & M Crichton 2 holes

2. A Anderson & A Watson all square with J McAdam & G Ford

3. R Benvie & J Muir lost to R Stewart & D McKie 1 hole.

                           BRAEHEAD BOYS TRIUMPH IN FINALS

 In the Boys Match Play Final for the Ponton Shield, there was always going to be a Braehead winner----- the final was fairly ordinary for the first ten holes with both boys struggling in the wet conditions. At that point, Scott Beattie held a two hole lead against Grant Murray.  From the 11th, the match lit up--- Grant took charge ,covering the next 6 holes in one under par; Scott did well to contain Grant’s lead to one with two to play.  A half at seventeen took the match down the last where from a good drive Grant hit a seven iron second to the heart of the green securing a par and the 2012 Boys Match Play title.

   In the Junior Boys final, home player Ryan Blyth strolled to a 5 and 4 victory over Jonathan Clark taking the Anderson Trophy and securing both the Match and Stroke Play titles for 2012.

RESULTS    SENIOR BOYS    Grant Murray (Braehead) beat Scott Beattie (Braehead) 1 hole

                     JUNIOR BOYS    Ryan Blyth (Braehead) beat Jonathan Clark (Tillicoultry) 5/4

                         MIXED FORTUNES FOR TOP COUNTY GOLFERS.

  Scott Borrowman (Dollar) playing in the Irish Stroke Play over Royal Dublin missed the cut in the 72 hole event with scores of 80 and 76.  Alva’s Lawrence Allan did however make the cut in the Scottish Youths at Ladybank with rounds of 73 and 76.Finally Tulliallan’s Callum Macaulay in the European Tour event in Madeira missed the cut with rounds of 76 and 71--- his opening round left him too much to do in the event where he finished runner up a few years ago.

                                     GOLF FIXTURES AND RESULTS

   The full County Summer Meeting results will appear next week

       19th May.       Invitation   ( Sanny Todd)     Braehead

       19/20 May    Area Team Championship----- Rosemount and Lansdowne

        20 May         Mixed Open   Dollar   

ROBERT KARLSSON TAKES PAUL CASEY'S PLACE IN VOLVO MATCH-PLAY

Sponsor’s invite, Paul Casey has withdrawn from the Volvo World Match Play Championship due to injury. Sweden’s Robert Karlsson has been offered and accepted the invitation from Volvo to replace Casey.

MyGolfRanking.co.uk, Fife Golfing Association

 Week ending 6 May

 1 M Rooney (Lundin) 900 pts

2 I Fleming (Auchterderran) 891.67

3 D N Watson (Kirkcaldy) 875

4 R Thomson (St Andrews) 852.83

5 N Jones (Scoonie) 850

6 P Taylor (Kirkcaldy) 837.5

7 G J Walker (Kirkcaldy) 825

8 C Dickson (Lochgelly) 800

9 J Haddow (Scoonie) 795.83

T10 H W Penman (Scoonie) 791.67

T10 R Stenhouse (Scoonie) 791.67

12 D Morton (Kirkcaldy) 775

13 G McLelland (Lochgelly) 766.67

14 AS Gove (Kirkcaldy) 761.67

15 A Jones (Kirkcaldy) 758.33

16 J Stenhouse junior (Scoonie) 754.17

17 J G Mitchell (Lochgelly) 750

18 A Hodge (Earlferry Th) 741.67

T19 R Kemp (Cupar) 733.33

T19 D Waddell (Kirkcaldy) 733.33

For ranking lists of participating clubs, the full Fife and Lothians ranking lists and How It Works, visit www.MyGolfRanking.co.uk

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR 

Gary Wolstenholme got his 2012 campaign off to a winning start with a two-stroke victory in the Mallorca Open Senior, the first event of the new European Senior Tour season. 

Wolstenholme, who had the distinction of being England’s most capped amateur before turning professional on reaching the age of 50, claimed his second Senior Tour title with final round of 69  at Pula Golf Club for an eight under par total of 205.

South African Chris Williams, Australia’s Mike Harwood and England’s Paul Wesselingh finished tied second, two strokes back.

Wolstenholme immediately goes to the top of the Senior Tour Order of Merit with his winner’s cheque for €30,000 and continues an impressive level of consistency in the senior ranks which has seen him win twice and finish in the top ten 12 times in his 28 appearances since turning 50.

“Everything just clicked into place,” said Wolstenholme. “I came with no expectations so I cannot tell you how delighted I am. This is a genuine bonus.”

Wolstenholme got off to the perfect start, holing from 25 feet on the first for a birdie and while he dropped a shot on the seventh, missing from six feet for par, a run of three birdies in five holes from the ninth lifted him clear of the chasing pack. A wrong club on the 14th cost him another shot but from there he was able to par in for the title.

“It has been a good week,” he added. “This is a top class venue and it's been a great final round. We had some wind coming from different directions and the pins were in tough places so it was hard for players to chase for score and overtake us.  But obviously this course fits my game.”

Wesselingh’s hopes of a title on his Senior Tour debut took a blow with a double bogey seven on the sixth and he ended his first event since graduating from the Qualifying School in January in a three-way tie for second place with a final round of 71. Williams made the biggest charge with six birdies en route to a four under par 67 to also shoot a 54 hole total of six under par 207, with Harwood completing the trio on that mark with a one under 70.

Juan Quiros closed with a level par 71 to finish the week as the leading Spaniard a further shot back.

FINAL TOTALS

Par 213 (3x71) 

205 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 70 66 69,

207 P Wesselingh (Eng) 68 68 71, M Harwood (Aus) 70 67 70, C Williams (RSA) 73 67 67,

208 J Quiros (Esp) 69 68 71,

209 B Lane (Eng) 71 69 69,

211 A Sherborne (Eng) 72 67 72,

212 G Banister (Aus) 74 71 67, R Drummond (Sco) 73 68 71, D Mast (USA) 68 72 72, A Franco (Par) 69 68 75, T Thelen (USA) 70 74 68, G Brand Jnr (Sco) 74 67 71, A Oldcorn (Sco) 70 71 71,

213 B Cameron (Eng) 71 72 70,

214 P Fowler (Aus) 69 71 74, D Russell (Eng) 68 72 74, S Van Vuuren (RSA) 74 68 72, R Chapman (Eng) 71 73 70, A Forsbrand (Swe) 74 70 70, G Manson (Aut) 73 70 71,

215 P Walton (Irl) 69 74 72, M Farry (Fra) 71 71 73, M Moreno (Esp) 69 70 76, M James (Eng) 69 72 74, B Longmuir (Sco) 72 71 72,

216 C Mason (Eng) 71 73 72, T Elliott (Aus) 71 71 74, R Gibson (Can) 72 72 72

217 M Mouland (Wal) 75 69 73, E Rodriguez (Esp) 72 71 74, A Takamatsu (Jpn) 72 71 74, D Hospital (Esp) 70 72 75,

218 M Martin (Esp) 78 72 68,

219 S Torrance (Sco) 69 73 77, S McAllister (Sco) 72 72 75, J Gould (Eng) 69 72 78, G Brand (Eng) 74 73 72, J Rivero (Esp) 74 74 71,

220 D Smyth (Irl) 74 74 72,

221 M Cunning (USA) 75 72 74, C Bolling  (USA) 74 75 72,

222 J Harrison (Eng) 76 70 76, P Mitchell (Eng) 73 75 74, G Ryall (Eng) 76 71 75, D O'Sullivan (Irl) 77 73 72, M Belsham (Eng) 76 72 74,

223 D Cambridge (Jam) 72 78 73, T Johnstone (Zim) 76 73 74, J Sallat (Fra) 72 72 79, J Heggarty (Nir) 71 81 71,

224 N Job (Eng) 80 73 71, M Piñero (Esp) 76 75 73, K Spurgeon (Eng) 73 76 75, D Wettlaufer (Can) 76 72 76, V Garcia (Esp) 78 71 75, S Cipa (Eng) 74 73 77

225 J Hall (Eng) 72 76 77, S Bennett (Eng) 74 76 75,

226 D Durnian (Eng) 76 75 75,

227 J Rhodes (Eng) 78 77 72,

228 E Darcy (Irl) 74 75 79, T Charnley (Eng) 77 75 76, G Ralph (Eng) 78 79 71,

229 J Chillas (Sco) 77 75 77,

230 J Cañizares (Esp) 77 74 79, A Garrido (Esp) 79 75 76,

231 T Burgoyne (Sco) 77 76 78,

232 G Cali (Ita) 79 75 78,

235 M Bembridge (Eng) 78 80 77,

246 F Fuentes Lopez (Esp) 84 83 79,

 ** I Woosnam (Wal) 69 76 Retired.

+Picture of Gary Wolsteholme with the trophy is by courtesy of Getty Images (c).

LOTHIANS NAME THEIR TEAM FOR MONEYGATE SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP AT BLAIRGOWRIE

Lothians Golf Association secretary Allan Shaw has this evening E-mailed Scottishgolfview.com the names of the six-man squad chosen for the Moneygate Scottish men's area team championship at Blairgowrie Lansdowne next weekend. It is: Zander Culverwell (Dunbar) Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe) Danny Kay (Dunbar) Ross Noon (Craigielaw) Graham Robertson (Silverknowes) Stephen Simants (Dunbar) FROM THE LOTHIANS GOLF ASSOCIATION WEBSITE By MARTIN DEMPSTER THE final of the weather-hit Lothians Championship will be an all-West Lothian affair between Pumpherston's Paul Drake and Craig Deerness of Harburn. Drake, a former Lothians Order of Merit winner, beat Ratho Park's Neil Sneddon 4 and 2 in his semi-final while Deerness recorded a 3 and 2 win over Colin Swanston, the 1999 champion from Uphall. Earlier, Drake ended Keith Nicholson's bid for a fifth title after beating the Haddington player at the 20th in a fantastic match. The final will be played on Wednesday starting at 5pm.Results Quarter-finals Paul Drake (Pumpherston) bt Keith Nicholson (Haddington) at 20thNeil Sneddon (Ratho Park) bt Chris Wood (North Berwick) at 19th Craig Deerness (Harburn) bt Michael Bacigalupo (Longniddry) 3 and 2 Colin Swanston (Uphall) bt Sean Walter (West Linton) 6 and 5 Semi-finals Drake bt Sneddon 4 and 2Deerness bt Swanston 3 and 2

Martin Dempster

NAIRN RETAIN MORAY LEAGUE GOLF TITLE AFTER COUNTBACK

Hosts Nairn Golf Club retained the Moray and Nairn Golf League title but only after a countback of individual results. Nairn and Moray drew their title decider 4-4 today (Sunday) - the last match on the four-day programme. That meant both clubs finished with 6pt apiece, one ahead of third-placed Elgin. Nairn's big-margin wins over Nairn Dunbar, and Forres stood them in good stead in the countback. Results: THURSDAY - Nairn 7, Nairn Dunbar 1. FRIDAY - Elgin 2, Moray 6. SATURDAY - Forres 6 1/2, Nairn Dunbar 1 1/2; Elgin 4, Nairn 4; Moray 5, Forres 3; Nairn Dunbar 3 1/2, Elgin 4 1/2. SUNDAY - Nairn 6 1/2, Forres 1 1/2; Nairn Dunbar 4, Moray 4; Forres 1 1/2, Elgin 6 1/2; Moray 4, Nairn 4. HOW THEY FINISHED Nairn 6pt, Moray 6pt, Elgin 5pt, Forres 2pt, Nairn Dunbar 1pt.

TO VIEW ALL THE RESULTS ON THE MORAY AND NAIRN GOLF LEAGUE WEBSITE

CLICK HERE

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD MOYNIHAN WINS IRISH OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY TITLE

FROM THE IRISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE

Gavin Moynihan captured his first ever individual Irish title on Sunday as the schoolboy won the Irish AmateUr Open title at a wild Royal Dublin.

Just 17 years old, the fifth year student from Malahide Community School controlled his golf in 45kph gusts at the Dollymout links to win by one from Robin Kind (Netherlands) and in doing so, becomes the youngest ever Irishman to win the title. 

It's been a wonderful few months for Moynihan, who finished third at the Junior Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in the Autumn, while just last month he won the coveted Peter McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath near Birmingham, a title that Lee Westwood and Justin Rose have both won.

He also helped Malahide Community School to victory in the Irish Schools Match Play Championship in April at Loughrea.

Brian Casey (Headfort) deserves special mention and his performance over the last 54 holes was remarkable. Having opened with an 8 over par round of 80, he played the final 54 holes of the championship in 2 over par to give him third place outright behind Kind.

Mike Miller (USA) and Dan Huizing (Netherlands) - last weekend's Lytham Trophy winner by 11 strokes - finished in a tie for fourth place.

The joint 54 hole leader, alongside Moynihan, Richard Bridges had a final round to forget, carding 84 to end quite a way back.

Only two Scots survived the halfway cut.

Paul Shields (Kirkhill) finished joint 19th on 308 with scores of 74-74-83-77.

James White (Lundin) finsiehd opn 315 with scores of 74-77-79-75 

FINAL TOTALS

Par 288 (4x72) 

295 G Moynihan (The Island) 74 70 76 75
296 R Kind (Netherlands) 73 71 77 75
298 B Casey (Headfort) 80 72 74 72
299 D Huizing (Netherlands) 74 70 78 77, M Miller (USA) 71 73 79 76
300 H Diamond (Belvoir Park) 73 70 81 76
301 E McCormack (Galway) 77 70 79 75
303 E Arthurs (Forrest Little) 75 75 76 77
304 G McDermott (Co. Sligo) 78 74 76 76, A Kearney (Castlerock) 76 70 79 79, R Bridges (Stackstown) 75 72 73 84, D McElroy (Ballymena) 71 74 79 80
305 P O'Kane (Moyola Park) 77 74 75 79, M McAlpin (Royal Portrush) 76 73 78 78, A Dunbar (Rathmore) 75 73 74 83, R O'Donovan (Lucan) 74 76 78 77
306 R McNamara (Headfort) 76 70 77 83, S Ward (Co. Louth) 70 75 81 80
308 C Selfridge (Moyola Park) 78 74 76 80, Q Carew (Edenderry) 77 73 80 78, M Sinclair (Knock) 76 76 79 77, R Whitson (Mourne) 74 76 82 76, P Shields (Scotland) 74 74 83 77, T McLarnon (Massereene) 70 77 82 79
310 B Walton (The Island) 77 75 76 82, A Hogan (Newlands) 76 76 78 80
311 G Lenehan (Portmarnock) 75 75 75 86, C Campbell (Warrenpoint) 74 71 81 85, K McDonagh (Athlone) 72 76 80 83
314 R Burke (Castle) 74 77 80 83, C Doran (Banbridge) 73 72 79 90
315 K McCarthy (Kinsale) 78 74 83 80, M Shanahan (Castlemartyr) 75 72 87 81, J White (Scotland) 74 77 79 85
317 G Bohill (Co. Louth) 78 74 85 80, J Greene (Portmarnock) 78 73 84 82
318 T Grava (France) 76 76 84 82, E Smith (Ardee) 75 75 85 83, M Durcan (Co. Sligo) 75 75 84 84, J Evans (England) 74 73 82 89
320 M Trappel (Austria) 73 72 87 88
323 A Cooper (Australia) 78 74 84 87

Retired S McConnell (Ballyclare) 73 78 78 RTD
Withdrew J Carvill (Banbridge) 76 75 79 WTD
Disqualified J De Poyen (France) 75 71 DQ

EWAN SCOTT WINS GOLF DATA LAB SCOTTISH YOUTHS TITLE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com Ewan Scott from St Andrews is the new Golf Data Lab Scottish Youths (Under-21s) open amateur champion - four weeks after the disappointment of losing to Craig Howie in the final of the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish boys championship at Murcar Links. The 16-year-old pupil - he will be 17 this coming week - at Madras College really made his winning move over the Ladybank, Fife course  with a bunch of late birdies for a four-under-par 67 in Saturday's second round which lifted him two shots clear of the field on 139. Sunday's wind and rain, which made a par round of 71 almost an impossibility, failed to blow Scott off course although he did drop shots early in his third round. . He maintained a Sunday lunchtime lead of two shots after a third-round 75 for 214 and a solid 74 to finish with for a four-over-par total of 288 saw him the champion by a three-shot margin. Runner-up was the top Blairgowrie prospect Bradley Neil who had a pair of 74s - very good golf in Sunday's conditions - to climb up the field while the leader's earlier challengers dropped back. The best rounds on Sunday were one-over-par 72s  and Kirkcaldy's Ryan Walsh claimed them both to surge up to joint third place alongside Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie), winner of the British Students' Tour title in Lancashire recently and before that the 2009 Scottish boys' open stroke-play title over the same Ladybank course. Walsh was on 149 after two rounds and made the cut with only one shot to spare. Musselburgh's Cameron Marr, who was Scott's closest challenge at the halfway stage on Saturday evening, dropped to a final placing of 13th with third and fourth round scores of 78 and 82 for 301. Defending champion Lyle McAlpine (Royal Dornoch) was eliminated at halfway after rounds of 78 and 75 for 153 - three too many. FROM THE SGU WEBSITE GOLF DATA LAB SCOTTISH YOUTHS CHAMPIONSHIP Ewan Scott defied the difficult conditions to go one better than the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Boys Championship and claim glory in the Golf Data Lab Youths Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Ladybank Golf Club. Ahead of turning 17 on Wednesday, the St Andrews teenager gave himself an early birthday present in the prestigious Under-21 national event, winning by three strokes from his SGU National Boys’ Squad team-mate Bradley Neil after 72 holes. Scott, who posted a four-over-par total of 288 in the testing weather of strong winds and driving rain, joins the likes of Stephen Gallacher, Martin Laird, Gregory Bourdy and Paul McGinley on the championship’s impressive roll of honour. The Madras College pupil, juggling his Higher exams with golf at present, was runner-up to Peebles’ Craig Howie at the Scottish Boys but has quickly atoned for any lingering disappointment from losing 7&6 at Murcar Links. Scott held a two-shot lead after the first 36 holes at Ladybank and looked set to extend his advantage only to drop three shots in the last five holes of his third round. Still holding a two-stroke advantage over Craig Ross and Jack McDonald going into the final round, Scott produced steady golf for the first 13 holes to take total control of the event. However, a triple bogey at the demanding par-4 14th, played straight into the teeth of the wind, gave the field hope, especially Neil, who was suddenly only two strokes behind. But Blairgowrie’s Neil, like Scott a former English Under-14 champion, dropped a shot at the final hole, while the leader regained his composure to par the last four holes and ease to his three-shot win. Scott said: “It’s great to win. After the rain delay on Friday, I came back on Saturday morning and didn’t have a bogey for a number of holes. I played really solid golf, nothing stupid. “It was brutal conditions today, some of the toughest weather I’ve played in wind-wise, it was swirling and it was hard to commit to a shot. “I took 7 at the 14th, but I knew I had a wee cushion. It made it a bit easier to take. That was my worst hole of the week, but you are always going to have one. “The win continues my great start to the season, as I’ve not really had a bad finish yet.” Neil, still aged only 16, was pleased with his efforts to finish seven-over and added: “It was tough due to the weather, but I’m still pretty happy. I can’t be disappointed. “Myself and Ewan are punching above our weight really at this level so it’s good for us both. “I’ve been playing well this season and have a bit of momentum. I’m striking the ball well.” Ayrshire teenager Jack McDonald, the Kilmarnock (Barassie) player who won the Scottish Boys’ Stroke-Play Championship over Ladybank in 2009, and Ryan Walsh (Kirkcaldy) claimed the bronze medals at nine-over-par. The event was delayed due to heavy rain on Friday, but the superb efforts of the Ladybank greenkeeping team ensured the course remained in excellent condition. Ladybank GC, Fife FINAL TOTALS Par 284 (4x71) 288 Ewan Scott (St Andrews) 72 67 75 74 291 Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) 71 72 74 74 293 Ryan Walsh (Kirkcaldy) 78 71 72 72, Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) 73 71 72 77 297 Craig Ross (Kirkhill) 70 72 74 81 298 Angus Carrick (Douglas Park) 71 74 77 76, Eamon Bradley (Mount Ellen) 76 69 73 80 299 Connor Syme (Dumfries & Co) 74 74 77 74, Jamie Harrison (Rotherham) 72 72 78 77, Anthony Blaney (Liberton) 69 77 78 75, Cameron Mitchell (Lundin) 69 75 77 78, Greig Marchbank (Dumfries & Co) 70 74 78 77. 301 Cameron Marr (Mueeselburgh) 72 69 78 82. 302 Tom Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar) 78 70 76 78, Lawrence Allan (Alva) 73 76 76 77, Samuel Sloman (Taunton & Pickeridge) 74 74 75 79, Ryan Campbell (Falkirk) 77 71 77 77, Victor Lebeck (Sweden) 76 70 78 78. 303 Thomas White (Kinross) 72 71 78 82, Simon Fairburn (Torwoodlee) 71 72 82 78. 304 Kit Holmes (Hunstanton) 74 76 78 76, Jake Hogg (Duke's) 72 76 77 79. 305 Connar Cook (Caird Park) 71 77 80 77, Nigel Colbeck (Moor Allerton) 74 72 82 77 306 Martian Ducler (France) 73 76 76 81, Daniel McConnachie (Dumfries & Co) 77 72 75 82, Timothee Guin (France) 71 76 77 82, Mike Howard (Royal Birkdale) 75 73 76 82, Jamie Savage *Cawder( 73 75 80 78. 307 Greg Nicoll (Glenbervie) 75 73 83 76 308 Scott Wearing (Bishopbriggs) 74 75 76 83. 309 Gus Mottershead (Hampton Court Palace) 73 75 81 80. 310 Alasdair McDougall (St Andrews New) 77 73 81 79, Calum Hill (Tantallon) 75 71 81 83 311 Niall McMullen (Lochgelly) 76 72 77 86, Fraser Grant (Ralston) 75 73 82 81, Oliver Roberts (Hong Kong) 75 71 82 83 314 Gordon Munro (Fraserburgh) 78 71 81 84, Jamie Sutherland (Galgorm Castle) 77 69 84 84. 316 Nick Newbold (Kedleston Park) 75 73 86 82. MISSED THE CUT (150 and better qualified) 153 Lyle McAlpine (Royal Dornoch) 78 75. Retired: Daniel Phillimore (Manor House) 80 80 83 ret.

RED-HOT PEPPERELL WINS FIRST PRO EVENT ON CHALLENGE TOUR

From Challenge Tour Press Officer Paul Symes

+Picture of Eddie Pepperell with trophy by Bruno Torrubia

Eddie Pepperell overcame Denmark’s Jeppe Huldahl at the first extra hole to claim his debut professional title at the ALLIANZ Open Côtes d’Armor Bretagne.
The Englishman – who had forced the play-off with a quite brilliant back nine at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André, in the Bretagne region of northern France – took advantage of Huldahl’s wayward tee shot at the first extra hole to claim the €25,600 first prize with a par four. 
Pepprell’s hopes of taking the title had appeared remote earlier in the day, when he bogeyed two of his first five holes to fall back to one over par for the tournament. But the 21 year old from Oxford showed commendable resolve by notching four birdies in his final 12 holes to sign for a round of 68 and set the clubhouse target on three under par.
That mark was subsequently met by Huldahl, whose double bogey seven on the 11^th hole had appeared to put paid to his hopes of securing his second Challenge Tour title.
But a dramatic late charge, which included gains at the 13^th, 17^th and 18^th holes, set up a grandstand finish, only for the Dane to bogey the 18^th second time around.  
Pepperell’s maiden victory as a professional enables him to play a full season on the Challenge Tour this year, having come into this week’s €160,000 event with limited playing opportunities due to his lowly category.  
The winner’s cheque also moved Pepperell up to eighth place in the Challenge Tour Rankings, and gives him a golden opportunity of gaining a European Tour card just one year after joining the professional ranks.
Pepperell, who becomes the fifth English winner of the tournament in six years, said: “It feels like I’ve won twice! To be honest I thought I’d done enough first time round, but credit to Jeppe for taking it to a play-off. I was handed a life-line with Jeppe finding the bushes off the tee, but I told myself not to get defensive because I thought he’d still probably make a five at worst. So I’m just delighted to get the job done, because this win will open up so many doors for me.
“Being able to plan my schedule is priceless, because before this week I didn’t know where I’d be playing next. So to be able to pick and choose which tournaments I play in is a huge bonus. I’m just relieved more than anything. Winning your first tournament as a pro is always special, but to do it after a play-off and with a back nine like that makes it even more special. I’m just so pleased, not only for myself but for all the members back at Frilford Heath Golf Club who have supported me. I can’t wait for the rest of the season now.”
After closing with a level par round of 70, former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker of England finished in third place on one under par.

FINAL TOTALS

Par 280 (4x70)

277 E Pepperell (Eng) 67 71 71 68, J Huldahl (Den) 72 68 67 70

279 P Baker (Eng) 73 64 72 70

280 C Aguilar  (Esp) 69 66 70 75, I Elvira  (Esp) 69 69 70 72, M Korhonen (Fin) 68 69 73 70

281 G Molteni (Ita) 68 70 71 72

282 R Hjelm (Den) 71 67 71 73

283 K Broberg (Swe) 70 72 69 72, D Nouailhac (Fra) 69 70 74 70

284 G Stal  (Fra) 69 70 73 72, J Dantorp (Swe) 74 63 74 73

285 G Lockerbie  (Eng) 72 70 71 72, F De Vries  (Ned) 68 74 72 71, M Evans (Eng) 71 71 74 69

286 O Farr (Wal) 73 68 77 68, J Abbott (Eng) 71 68 77 70, N Lemke (Swe) 70 71 74 71

287 D Wright (Eng) 71 71 72 73, W Roebuck (Eng) 71 70 76 70, J Howarth (Eng) 76 65 72 74, A Levy (Fra) 74 66 79 68, M Quiros (Esp) 73 68 76 70, D Perrier (Fra) 69 69 74 75

288 B McCarroll  (Irl) 70 73 72 73

289 F Calmels  (Fra) 76 67 71 75, K Samooja (Fin) 71 71 70 77, N Bertasio (Ita) 75 65 72 77, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 74 68 77 70, E Chamaulte (Fra) 71 72 75 71, B Hafthorsson (Isl) 73 69 72 75, S Manley (Wal) 71 72 75 71,

290 K Le Sager  (Fra) 71 70 75 74, J Ruth  (Eng) 73 70 74 73, B Pastore (Ita) 71 67 74 78, K Benz (Sui) 70 74 78 68

291 W Ormsby (Aus) 69 71 76 75, D Law (Sco) 77 64 72 78, A Knappe (Ger) 74 69 74 74, S Grant  (Irl) 67 73 74 77, M Cryer (Eng) 73 70 80 68,

292 N Mourlon (Fra) 73 70 76 73, T Leon (USA) 69 70 78 75, F Ojeda  (Arg) 74 70 79 69

293 A Haig (RSA) 69 72 75 77,

294 A Bihan (Fra) 74 70 73 77, C Monasterio (Arg) 70 72 78 74, J Barnes (Eng) 71 72 70 81

295 I Giner (Esp) 74 69 75 77

296 C Hanson (Eng) 67 73 76 80, M Higley (Eng) 71 73 80 72, M Haines  (Eng) 73 71 71 81, L Claverie (Esp) 71 73 78 74

297 J Adarraga Gomez  (Esp) 71 72 81 73,

298 T Mordt  (RSA) 74 69 81 74

300 S Lewton (Eng) 75 67 81 77, B Mannix (Eng) 75 68 81 76

301 C Devlin (Nir) 73 71 78 79

303 I Sanchez-Palencia  (Esp) 71 71 87 74

305 G Watremez (Bel) 76 68 80 81

306 D Geminiani (Ita) 74 70 75 87

Paul Symes

Press Officer

European Tour

ROOKIE RICARDO SANTOS SEALS FAIRYTALE HOME VICTORY

   RICARDO SANTOS in action on his way to victory. Picture by Getty Images (c)

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR 

Ricardo Santos fired a stunning nine under par 63 on home soil in the final round of the Madeira Islands Open – Portugal to claim his maiden European Tour title.

The 29 year old delighted the home crowds as he overhauled overnight leader Carlos Del Moral and withstood the challenge of Andreas Hartø to finish four shots clear on22 under par – a record low total for the event.

Del Moral started the day three shots ahead, but his challenge faltered with a triple bogey seven at the ninth and ultimately signed for a 73 to finish tied fourth, while Hartø reached the turn in six under par, but could not maintain the momentum. Three bogeys in four holes from the 12th proved costly, and he had to settle for third place, one shot behind Magnus A Carlsson, who finished on 18 under thanks to a 67.

Santos, a 2011 Challenge Tour graduate, produced a nerveless, flawless performance when it mattered most, however, sinking a monster putt on the 17th to all but guarantee victory and then adding gloss to the finish with another birdie at the last.

He is the first Portuguese player to win a European Tour event in his home country, and he said: “It is very emotional and I haven’t got the words to describe how I feel.

“To win my first European Tour event in my own country is very special. The putt on the 17th was unbelievable, and I knew then that victory was mine.

“It was a sensational round – definitely the best of my career. It was amazing to have the crowds here supporting me. It would be difficult to imagine a better win than this.

“I didn’t have many bad moments in the round, but the supporters were always there to pick me up and keep me going. This is a huge moment in my career.

“I just played very solidly all the way round. I kept hitting fairways and greens and trying to hole putts, and luckily my putting was incredible today.”

Santos was 105th in The Race to Dubai heading into this event, largely thanks to finishing tied tenth in the Avantha Masters in February, but rises to 50th with the €112,500 earned for this victory.

He added: “This will now mean I’ll definitely be playing Wentworth, because before this I was only sixth reserve, and I can’t wait for that. I will have to have another look at my schedule and maybe re-think where I am going to play.”

Hartø was disappointed to have come up just short, but overall was happy with the way he played throughout the week.

“The front nine was incredible today,” said the 23 year old. “I holed some really, really long putts. Unfortunately I just couldn’t keep it going and I missed some short ones on the back nine.

“There was a point where I saw a leaderboard and saw I was in front, and it’s hard not to think about winning. I tried to put it out of my head and just concentrate on playing the next shot.

“But this is a great week for me. It’s like a Major on the Challenge Tour so it’s important to finish well, and I’ve done that with two great rounds at the weekend. There are many positives to take from this.”

SCROLL DOWN FOR LEADING FINAL TOTALS AND HOW THE SCOTS SCORED

Ricardo Santos – With This Win

• His first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 23^rd European Tour event.
• Moves to €186,637 in The Race to Dubai.
• Beats his previous best European Tour finish of tied tenth, in the 2011 Madeira Islands Open – Portugal and the 2012 Avantha Masters.
• The first rookie to win on The 2012 European Tour. The last rookie to win on The European Tour was Tom Lewis at the 2011 Portugal Masters.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS and PRIZEMONEY

Par 288 (4x72) Prizemoney in Euros

266 Ricardo Santos (Portugal) 68 67 68 63 (112,500)

270 Magnus A Carlsson (Sweden) 66 66 71 67 (75,00)

271 Andreas Harto (Denmark) 67 71 66 67 (42,255)

272 Carlos Del Moral (Spain) 69 67 63 73, Joakim Lagergren (Sweden) 66 66 70 70, Mikael Lundberg (Sweden) 69 70 64 69, John Parry (England) 71 70 65 66, Oliver Wilson (England) 66 65 72 69 (24,624 each)

273 David Dixon (England) 68 68 70 67, Alastair Forsyth (Scotland) 69 68 70 66 (14,310 each)

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES

275 Gary Orr 69 69 68 69 (T11) (11,030)

276 Chris Doak 70 68 70 68 (T16) (8,606)

279 Lloyd Saltman 68 73 72 66 (T28) (6,005)

281 Jamie McLeary 69 69 73 70 (T39) (4,320)

282 Andrew McArthur 70 68 74 70, Raymond Russell 71 70 69 72 (T43) (3,780 each).

KIM BIO-O ROMPS TO VICTORY IN MAEKYUNG OPEN

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR

SEOUL, May 13 - Kim Bi-o underscored his tremendous talent by cruising to a five-stroke victory on Sunday in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship at Namseoul Country Club in the South Korean capital.
The 21-year-old South Korean shot a four-under-par 68 for a final 15-under 273 on the hilly 6,964 yard (6,368 metre) course, the third stop on the 2012 OneAsia circuit.
"I have always dreamed of winning this tournament more than any other in Korea," said a delighted Bi-o. "People who win here tend to go on to greater things".
It was Bi-o's second victory of a professional career that started just three years ago, and also his second on OneAsia having claimed the Nanshan China Masters last year following a four-man play-off.

It earned him 200 million Korean won (U.S. $171,146.42) and puts him in second place in the OneAsia Order of Merit behind Australian Nick Cullen, winner of the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open.
Korean Ryu Hyun-woo closed with a final round 66 to grab second place on Sunday, a shot ahead of ahead of countryman Kang Kyung-nam.
Bi-o leapt into the spotlight last year as the youngest player on the PGA tour, but he found it a struggle in the big league and lost his card.
He admits to having been a bit star-struck.
"I was a little bit too eager," he said. "I was playing with all the best players in the world and I was trying too hard to keep up."
Bi-o will stay in South Korea for next week's SK Telecom Open, also on OneAsia, before returning to the United States and the Nationwide Tour in hope of regaining a place at the top table. His is currently 25th on the money list, with the top 25 graduating to the PGA tour at the end of the season.
With the kind of maturity Bi-o displayed this week, he will be a different prospect second time around.Nattily dressed in loud check trousers and a black shirt, Bi-o started Sunday with a nervous bogey before settling his nerves with a birdie on the second.He then put on a flawless display with four more birdies that left the field scrambling in his wake.Bi-o nearly secured victory with a 30 foot (10 metre) putt from off the green on the last, but was left with a tap-in that his playing partners jokingly made him mark as they holed out.Defending champion Kim Kyung-tae had an out-of-sorts week summed up by a triple bogey on the seventh and three bogeys on the last three holes that saw him finish on two under and a share of 15th place.Best of the non-Koreans in the field was Australian Jamie Arnold, who recovered from two opening bogeys to close with a 69 for a three-under total and share of 12th.