ALASTAIR FORSYTH WELL PLACED IN SAINT-OMER OPEN

REPORT BY SARAH GWYNN

 sgwynn@europeantour.com 

Alastair Forsyth was the highest-placed Scot in the Saint-Omer Open presented by Neuflize OBC after a one over par second round 72 left him one under overall at Lumbres, France.

The 36 year old had four birdies and five bogeys in wet and windy conditions at Aa Saint Omer Golf Club to lie five shots off the lead held by Korean Sihwan Kim.

Forsyth’s compatriot Raymond Russell was well placed after the first round, but struggled to a four over par 75 on day two to slip back to one over par overall, while Craig Lee signed for a 72 to go to two over, the same score as Lloyd Saltman, who had a 74.

Chris Doak was the only other Scottish player to make the halfway cut at five over, while Steven O’Hara, Jamie McLeary and Andrew McArthur were all forced to withdraw with injuries. 

Eleven days ago South Korean Sihwan Kim was ruing his bad luck at narrowly missing out on qualifying for this week’s US Open Championship, but he went some way in making up for that disappointment by taking the halfway lead in the Saint-Omer Open.

The 23 year old, who is playing his first season in Europe, was involved in a five-man play-off at Walton Heath, from which four spots to the year’s second Major were on offer. He was the unlucky one, however, and instead of heading to San Francisco, he went to Saint Omer, where he fired a two under par 69 in the second round to lead at six under.

Kim said: “I’ve been having horrendous luck for the last two weeks and I was really gutted to miss out in that play-off at Walton Heath. So I’m happy that I’m getting a bit luckier this week, and if I could do well here it would make up for it a bit. It would be nice to get some payback for that one.

“My score could have been a lot better, but I’ll just take what the course gives me. I didn’t feel that it was playing that hard, but the wind picked up over the last few holes and will definitely make the conditions tougher in the afternoon.” 

And so it proved as no player threatened the lead all afternoon as the wind and rain worsened. Joint overnight leaders Adam Gee and Simon Wakefield both battled to a one over par 72 to sit at three under, two shots behind second placed South African Darren Fichardt, who added a two under par 69 to his first round 68.

“I had a stupid three-putt at the seventh which was annoying as I’d started well,” said Fichardt. “But overall I’m pleased as it was very tricky out there. The wind was gusting and making club selection very difficult. I didn’t hit it close to many pins.”

Fichardt, who played in the World Cup in 2000 with Retief Goosen, enjoyed his best finish of the season in last week’s Nordea Masters – tied 14th – which has given him more confidence.

“I’ve put myself in good positions a few times this season but then have had really bad last rounds,” he added. “So it was pleasing to finish well last week in Sweden. It was a swing thing which I’ve corrected, and it should be more reliable when under pressure.

“Hopefully it will stand me in good stead for the weekend here. I’m looking forward to it.”

Gee is finding some promising form again after missing most of last season with a hip injury which required surgery. His challenge took a blow, however, when he triple-bogeyed the par five 14th hole – his fifth – but he rallied well and finished with two birdies in the last three holes.

“I can’t be too hard on myself as I played really well today, and one over is actually a pretty good score in these conditions,” he said. “This course is tough enough in nice weather, let alone in a hurricane.

“I’m pleased with the way I bounced back from the triple bogey and I’m still up there with a good chance going into the weekend.”

The €500,000 tournament is dual-ranked between The European Tour and the Challenge Tour, and prize money counts for both The Race to Dubai and the Challenge Tour Rankings.

The winner gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2013.

Eighty players made the cut at five over par 147

LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
136 Sihwan Kim (South Korea) 67 69
137 Darren Fichardt (South Africa) 68 69
139 Simon Wakefield (England) 67 72, Adam Gee (England) 67 72
140 Simon Thornton (Ireland) 71 69, Wil Besseling (Netherlands) 71 69
141 Alastair Forsyth (Scotland) 69 72, Andy Sullivan (England) 70 71, Andrea Perrino (Italy) 73 68, Justin Walters (South Africa) 73 68, Daniel Denison (England) 71 70, James Heather (England) 71 70.
OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
143 Raymond Russell 68 75 (T18)
144 Lloyd Saltman 70 74, Craig Lee 72 72 (T30)
147 Chris Doak 75 72 (T63)

MISSED THE CUT (147 and better qualified)
148 Callum Macaulay 73 75
150 Scott Henry 75 75
Retired Steven O'Hara (first round), Andrew McArthur 76 ret, Jamie McLeary 81 ret.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

IAN BROTHERSTON NEEDS GOOD FINISH TO WIN EURO SENIORS TITLE

One very good final round could make Ian Brotherston (Dumfries and County) this year's European senior men's amateur golf champion! He goes into Saturday's third and last round at Achensee Golf Club, Austria in fifth place on three-over-par 145 after rounds of 72 and 73. But for three late bogeys, at the 15th, 17th and 18th, Brotherston could have been level with the leader, Sweden's Tomas Persson who is on 142 after a pair of 71s. Edzell's Keith Bruce is hanging on to a top-20 place after scores of 74-76 for 150 which makes him jt 18th with a round to go. Brian Grieve (King James VI) and Alistair Fiddes (Murcar Links) missed the cut on 160. Grieve scored 86-77 for 163 and Fiddes 89-84 for 173. The only Scottish entry in the women's championship, Christine McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar) missed the cut with scores of 84 and 90 for 174 - six shots too many. EUROPEAN SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS Achensee GC, Austraia LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS Par 142 (2x71) MEN 142 Tomas Persson (Swe) 71 71 143 Stefan Lindberg (Swe) 72 71, Adrian Morrow (Ire) 70 73 144 Bart Notte (Net) 72 72 145 Ian Brotherston (Sco) 72 73. SELECTED SCORES 150 David Lane (Eng) 74 76, Keith Bruce (Edzell) 74 76 (T18). 153 Dave Jessup (Eng) 77 76 (T30) 154 Barry Downing (Eng) 74 80  (T35) 155 Stephen Whymark (Eng) 80 75 (T38) 156 Henry Valarino (Eng) 79 77 (49th) 157 Robert Fox (Eng) 80 77 (T50) 158 Trevor Gray (Eng) 81 77 (T55) MISSED THE CUT (160 and better qualified) 161 Clive Woodford (Eng) 83 78. 163 Brian Grieve (Sco) 86 77. 173 Alistair Fiddes (Sco) 89 84. WOMEN 147 Rocio Ruiz de Velasco (Spa) 74 73 152 Isabelle Dumont (Ger) 79 73, Minna Kaarnalahti (Fin) 76 76. SELECTED SCORES 157 Jane Rees (Wal) 83 74 (T11) MISSED THE CUT (168 or better qualified) 174 Christine McAndrew (Sco) 84 90. ends

ABERDEEN TRADES FOURSOMES FRIDAY EVENING SCOREBOARD

FIRST ROUND (continued)

LICENSED TRADE bt LUMSDEN SECURITY at 19th

(R Nicol and S Cruickshank 0, S Hepburn and J Thomas 1; B Sim and J Gray 1, F Lawson and N Forbes 0).

LAWYERS bt ROYAL MAIL 2 by nine holes.
(W Barclay and J Christie 0, A Robertson and T Still 1; N Crilley and S Allan 10, R Cheyne and D Reid 0).

GARAGE TRADE w.o. BANCON CONSTRUCTION scr

MORRISON CONSTRUCTION bye into next round

 SECOND ROUND

TRANSOCEAN v TULLOCH RECRUITMENT - playing on Monday.

MEAT TRADE bye into next round.

LIVE SCORING FROM DAY TWO OF THE UNITED STATES OPEN

UNITED STATES OPEN - SECOND ROUND

TO VIEW THE US PGA TOUR'S LIVE SCORING SERVICE FROM THE OLYMPIC CLUB, SAN FRANCISCO

CLICK HERE

SCROLL DOWN FOR FIRST-DAY REPORTS AND SCORES

LATE FINISHER HUTCHEON DISLODGES CLUBHOUSE LEADER GRAY

The tussles - on paper - between Stephen Gray (Hayston) and Banchory's Greig Hutcheon were one of the features of last year's Tartan Tour. Gray won both the Order of Merit and the money title with Hutcheon in second place each time.

Hutcheon is determined to reverse the roles over the 2012 campaign and today's (Friday) victory for the Banchory man in the Kirkhill GC pro-am, Cambuslang was a step in the right direction.

Gray was the long-time clubhouse leader with a one-under-par 69 until late starter Hutcheon came sweeping through to victory by two shots with an impressive 69 in the later windy conditions.

Gray had had to contend with the miserably wet weather earlier in the day.

It was Hutcheon's fifth win of the season, following one-day successes at Portpatrick, Gleneagles, Buchanan Castle and Kemnay.

The £1,315 prize was Hutcheon's biggest so far this season. He had six birdies - five of them in the space of a bogey-free nine holes in the middle of the round - and three bogeys.

Gray also had six birdies but five bogeys dragged him down.

Joel Hopwood (Royal Aberdeen) led the club trio of Alistair Ferguson (handicap 24), Sheila Ferguson (26) and John Dixon (12) to victory in the pro-am team event with a net score of 12-under-par 58.  Hopwood himself had an 84 which means his team played rather well!

KIRKHILL GC PRO-AM

Kirkhill Golf Club, Cambuslang

LEADING PRO SCORES

Par 70

67 Greig Hutcheon (Banchory).

69 Stephen Gray (Hayston)

70 Gareth Hardy (Belleisle), Mark Kerr (unatt)

71 Craig Ronald (Carluke), Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst).

72 Scott Herald (Means Caslte), Jason Mc Creadie (Buchanan Castle), Ian Graham (Crow Wood), Terry Burgoyne (Glencruitten).

73 Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), Samuel Cairns (Colville Park), Steven Duncan (Carnoustie), Stuart Kerr (Strathaven).

74 Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), Scott (Catlin (Greenburn), Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), Jonathan Lomas (unatt), Mark King (Kingsfield).

75 Duncan Wllliamson (Kirkhill), Scott Costello (Strathaven), Nick Waltgon (Glasgow), James McGhee (Duddingston), Mark Loftus (Mearns Castle), Patrick Walker ( Ballumbie Castle).

76 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar).

77 Ross Cameron (Saltire Energy), Heather MacRae (Gleneagles), Andrew McIntyre (Ranfurly Castle), Alan Reid (West Lothian), Scott Gillespie

(Burntisland), Andrew Marshall (Houston GR).

78 Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle), Scott Henderson (Kings Links).

79 Anthony Mackrell (Playsport Golf), Vincent B rown (Westerwood), Chris Kelly (Cawder), Christopher Currie (Caldwell), Alasdair McDonald (Dunnikier Park), Craig Gordon (Edinburgh GC).

 

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

KELLETT ADVANCES TO LAST ROUND, NICOL MISSES SAN ROQUE CUT

Motherwell's Ross Kellett has shot 10 birdies since he started the tournament with a double-bogey 6 and is lying joint 27th with one round to go in the Alps de Andlucia tournament over the San Roque New Course on Spain's Costa del Sol. But fellow rookie on the Alps Tour, Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh) missed the second-round cut by six shots with scores of 77-75 for 152.
Kellett birdied four of his last six holes for a second-round, four-under-par 68, an improvement of nine shots on his first-day effort and his tally of one-over 145 leaves him nine behind the Spanish leader, Alfedro Garcia-Heredia who has scored 70-66 for eight-under 136.

ALPS DE ANDALUCIA TOURNAMENT
San Roque New Course, Costa del Sol, Spain
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
136 Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (Spa) 70 66
137Juan Antonio Bragulat (Spa) 66 71.
138 Brendan McCarroll (Ire) 68 70, Alvaro Salto Johansson (Spa) 71 67

SELECTED SCORES
140 Steven Brown (Eng) 70 70 (8th)
143 Jack Senior (Eng) 69 74 (T14)
145 Ross Kellett (Sco) 77 68, Tom Sherreard (Eng) 72 73 (T27).
146 Andrew Cooley (Eng) 75 71, Rickie Neil-Jones (Eng) 74 72.

MISSED THE CUT (146 or better qualified)
152 Kris Nicol (Sco) 77 75.

CORT RETAINS ASSISTANTS TITLE TO JOIN LEGENDS WEETMAN, REES

FROM THE PGA WEBSITE
Matthew Cort kept himself on course for an historic treble after becoming the first player in more than 60 years to retain the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship in association with FootJoy.
The 37-year-old Rothley Park assistant became only third player after Ryder Cup legends Harry Weetman (1949 and 1950) and Dai Rees (1935 and 36) to retain the trophy.
In a Titanic tussle, the second year assistant overhauled Kevin Harper (Sidmouth) and Tom Murray (Didsbury Park), who finished in a share of second place, on a day of drama at a windswept East Sussex National.
Cort, who won last year after a sizzling final round 64, carded a more conservative one-under-par 71 to end the week at five-under.
That was enough to give him a two-shot cushion over his rivals and a bumper pack of rewards including a cheque for £5,000, a place in the end-of-season Titleist PGA Play Offs and a spot in the Australian Futures Championship, which Cort won last year.
"It's great feeling to defend the title. I've won two now, which is amazing really," he said.
"I came here to retain it and to win and I knew if I played to my game I would have a really good chance. Someone could have played better and run away with it but it's amazing how it has turned out. These are the times you have got to remember.
"Qualifying for the Play-Offs is a big deal. Last year I got through to Wentworth via them and I went there last month and just missed the cut by a shot, which at the time was hard to take. But winning here has given me another chance to get there. It's a massive boost.
"As for Australia I wasn't sure about that when I won last year. I knew I'd got Turkey with the Play-Offs and Australia seemed too far to go but I did and really enjoyed it. Now I've got to speak with the boss and get time off as I've got to go to defend it."
Cort's victory heaped extra disappointment on Harper as it is the third successive year the Devonian has had to settle for the runners-up spot.
Harper, who was playing in his final Assistants' Championship having completed the PGA foundation degree, was three shots clear of his rivals after the eighth but a triple bogey at the ninth brought him level with his rivals before a double at 13 handed Cort the initiative, which he seized.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Harper, who carded a two-over-par 74, reflected positively on his three years competing in the tournament.
He said: "No-one should be disappointed with finishing runner-up, but the sore point is it's three years in a row and I had a really good chance to win it this year.
"But it's been a great championship for me - all three years. I had the opportunity to go to Australia, where I finished second.
"It's been a great experience and great tournament. I love this place every time I come here I play well. It was another great tournament and I would have loved to have won, especially with the incentive of the Play-Offs that would have been a big thing for me then as you never know what could happen from that."
Harper, who picked up a cheque for £2,475, now intends to compete on the PGA Europro Tour as he looks to return to playing full time.
Joint runner-up Murray, son of European Tour winner Andrew Murray, also intends to focus on playing having also completed his studies.
This was his first attempt at the championship and he intends to use the experience after reflecting on a tough day.
Murray, who also shot 74 and collected a cheque for £2,475, said: "It was a grind because of the weather and it was very difficult to be honest. I didn't play my absolute best and was a little bit short of where I wanted to be.
"The putts didn't drop for me and I had a little bit of bad luck. But it's been a good battle out there. Watching the scoreboards on the way round there were always only a couple of shots in it all the way round.
"But I can take the experience away with me as it's always good to be in contention."
Wales' Cennydd Mills (Ridgeway Golf Club) was the only other player under par. He closed with a 71 to finish one-under for the week

WEST KILBRIDE ASSISTANT EARNS £825

 

West Kilbride's Stuart Williamson earned £825 for a joint eighth place finish

Williamson had scores of 73, 75 and 73 for a five-over-par total of 221

He finished 10 strokes behind the winner for the second year in a row, Matthew Cort (Rothley Park) who earned £5,000 for scores of 69-71-71 for five-under 211.

Martin Lawrence (Newmachar) and Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) tied for 24th place on 227 and earned £291 each. Lawrence scored 77-75-75, Patterson 74-76-77.

Matthew Burt (Helensburgh) finished joint 34th on 229 (78-72-79) for a £245 pay-out and Iain McNab (Dundonald Links) scored 73-79-84 for 236 and a joint 43rd place finish. He earned £190.

All the assistants who completed 36 holes but did not qualify for the final round received £50. 

 

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 216 (3x72)

211 Matthew Cort (Rothley Park) 69 71 71 (£5,000).

213 Kevin Harper (Sidmouth) 67 72 74, Thomas Murray (Didsbury) 71 68 74 (£2,475 each).

 

SCOTS' SCORES

221 Stuart Williamson (West Kilbride) 73 75 73 (T8) (£825).

227 Martin Lawrence (Newmachar) 77 75 75, Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) 74 76 77 (T24) (£291 each).

229 Matthew Burt (Helensburgh) 78 72 79 (T34) (£245)

236 Iain McNab (Dundonald Links) 73 79 84 (T43) (£190).

 

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS IN THE POWERADE PGA ASSISTANTS CHAMPIONSHIP AT EAST SUSSEX NATIONAL

CLICK HERE

TEENAGER TABUENA SHARES LEAD IN THAILAND QUEEN'S CUP

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR

Samui, Thailand: Filipino teenager Miguel Tabuena produced a gutsy comeback with a battling one-under-par 70 to share the halfway lead with in-form Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant in the Queen’s Cup today.

The 17-year-old Tabuena was three-over through six holes on a wind-swept day at the Santiburi Samui Country Club before brilliantly fighting back with four birdies on his inward nine for a two-day total of five-under-par 137 in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.

Thaworn, former Asian Tour number one with 12 career wins, produced an impressive 67 to give himself a chance of tying countryman Thongchai Jaidee’s record 13 Asian Tour victories.

A solid 68 put Bangladeshi Siddikur, whose career first top-10 was achieved two years ago in Samui, in third place, one back, while India’s Anirban Lahiri, bound for the British Open next month, was a further stroke behind following a 68 as well.

Reigning Asian Tour number one Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines fired the day’s best of 65, thanks to an eagle at the last, to jump into contention on 140 alongside Thai duo Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Panuphol PIttayarat. Thailand’s 56-year-old Boonchu Ruangkit, who shared the overnight lead on Thursday, shot a 74 for 141.

Tabuena, the co-overnight leader, was delighted with the way he fought back from his tough start. “I just kept telling myself to hang on as anything can happen. It’s not easy to win and you’ve just got to grind. It was really hard … the wind was very strong but after six holes it started to calm down and that’s when I started to play better,” said the slightly built Filipino.

He spectacularly chipped in for birdie on 11 before producing a grandstand finish. A 20-foot conversion on 15 was followed by a six-foot birdie at the next hole. He then stuck a chip to two-feet at the last to give himself a chance at winning a maiden Asian Tour victory.

“I didn’t notice those three birdies at the end as when you’re in the zone, you’re just having fun,” said a smiling Tabuena, who is in his second year as a professional. “I think I’m on top of my game now. The first few events on Tour, I was very emotional but you learn as you play more and bigger events. I know now what it takes to win,” he added.
Thaworn, who has one of the most unorthodox golf swings in the game, has been on form on the domestic circuit with two wins and a runner-up finish. He also won a regional tournament in Laos during the four-week run.

“I just enjoy myself. I’m relaxed and I like to play,” said the 45-year-old, who posted six birdies against two bogeys.

“I hit a lot of good tee shots. The winds were blowing but I made a lot of fairways, only missed one on 17. I have the confidence to win. I’m not too concerned about the record wins as anyone can break it. I haven’t chased it. I’m just trying my best but I would like to win the Queen’s Cup.”

With his straight hitting game, Siddikur stayed in the hunt for a second Asian Tour victory, thanks to four birdies against a lone bogey. “It was good, especially my putting,” said the Bangladeshi.

The strong winds sent scores soaring, with only nine players being in red figures after two rounds, but India’s Lahiri felt right at home in Samui with an impressive display. “When I was practising in Bangalore last week, it was surprisingly windy, much windier than here. I’ve been working a lot on controlling my ball flight which is the key on this course,” said Lahiri, a two-time Asian Tour winner.

SECOND ROUND TOTALS

Par 142 (2x71) Yardage 6,815

137 Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 67-70, Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 70-67.

138 SIDDIKUR  (BAN) 70-68.

139 Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 71-68.

140 Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 68-72, Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 72-68, Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI) 75-65.

141 Boonchu RUANGKIT (THA) 67-74, BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) 68-73.

142 Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 73-69, Sam CYR (USA) 72-70, Himmat RAI (IND) 70-72, Guido VAN DER VALK (NED) 70-72.

143 Varut CHOMCHALAM (THA) 72-71, Javi COLOMO (ESP) 70-73, Masanori KOBAYASHI (JPN) 74-69, Guy WOODMAN (ENG) 72-71, Pattaraphol KHANTHACHA (THA) 73-70, Wasin SRIPATTRANUSORN (THA) 72-71.

ABERDEEN AND DISTRICT MEN'S PENNANT LEAGUE SCOREBOARD

SPONSORED BY THE CULTS HOTEL

Murcar Links don't lose many home matches in the Aberdeen and District Pennant League, sponsored by the Cults Hotel.

So quite an achievement last night when Portlethen won 3-2 at Murcar Links.

Details:

MURCAR LINKS 2, PORTLETHEN 3

Clark Brechin and Anthony Bews bt Ian Craik and Graham Innes 1 hole.

Andrew Campbell and Iain Galbraith halved with Ryan Donaldson and Keith Horne

Duncan Raitt and Alan Holbrook lost to Lewis Shand and Ben Murray 2 and 1

Adrian Styles and Ronnie Brechin halved with Stephen Cook and Kevin Dalglish

Ian Powell and Gregor Stewart lost to Sean Lawrie and Sam Kiloh 3 and 2

FATHER AND SON SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS ... 25 YEARS APART

 Connor Syme, winner of the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish schoolboys championship at Murrayshall, Perth on Monday - and his father Stuart, the Dumfries and County Golf Club professional who won the same title 25 years ago at Carnoustie, writes Colin Farquharson.We had to wait a few days before it was possible to have the picture taken on Connor's return to Dumfries with the trophy because he was confined to bed with tonsillitis which he must have picked up from the 100-odd pupils from all over Scotland who converged on the Perthshire venue.
Connor Syme's victory extended a remarkable sequence of victories for boys representing the Dumfries and Galloway schools region. He was the fourth victor in a row, coming hard on the heels of Scott Gibson, Liam Johnsion and Daniel McConnachie.
Dumfries and Galloway also won the boys' team title for the sixth time in recent years.

So why does Dumfries and Galloway, with comparatively fewer golfing boys than is the case, say in the heavily populated Edinburgh or Glasgow school areas, continually "punch above its weight?"

Although Stuart Syme is too modest to say so himself, there is little doubt that he and his coaching colleagues in Dumfries are getting the best out of a small crop of talented boys.
"These things go in cycles," said Stuart who is an Advanced PGA Professional and vice-chairman of the PGA in Scotland. "The boys spark off each other and the older ones are very good at encouraging the younger ones to do better."
So what about Stuart's own schoolboys' championship success, obviously before 16-year-old Connor was born.
"It was at Carnoustie 25 years ago and though I cannot recall if they were in the field that I beat that day, guys like Andrew Coltart and Dean Robertson 
were contemporaries of mine."
Both played for GB and I in Walker Cup matches, Coltart in 1991 and Robertson in 1993. Coltart also played in the Ryder Cup match of 1999.
So does Master Syme also want to follow in his father's footsteps as a PGA professional?
"Connor would love a career in professional golf so we will see how things go over the next 2-2.5 years to see if going to a US College becomes an option for him," said Stuart.
"The plan certainly is for him to go to the States. I think for player-development it is the best way forward at the moment. Interestingly, Martin Laird's name is on the cup, having won the Scottish schoolboys championship in 1999. So there is a very real link from where Connor is to today, achieving the same success as Martin Laird did as a teenager and following the route he went down.
"Progress has been intentionally measured so far but now Connor needs to kick on and start to show he's got what it takes.  As you know, you can't beat being the winner so hopefully this win and his win last week in a Scottish Junior Golf Tour event in Ayrshire, will give him a big boost."
No doubt about it, Connor could not have a better PGA pro role modeal than his own dad who is a PGA Advanced Professional at Dumfries and County Golf Club, a Nike Golf Ambassador, a TGi Board member and vice-chairman of the PGA in Scotland.

ABERDEEN LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOARD

HANDICAP SHIELD
First round: D. Mair (N) (6) bt S. Doig (C) (8) 3 and 1; D. Oliver (C) (7) bt R. Davidson (C) (8) 1 hole; J. Inglis (N) (7) bt A. Mitchell (N) (9) 3 and 1; P. Cheyne (N) (9) bt G. Geddes (N) (6) 3 and 1; G. Meade (C) (6) bt W. Shand (BA) (9); M. Rimmer (C) (6) bt G. Bond (N) (7) 6 and 5; E. M. Leslie (BA) (8) bt W. Guyan (B) (9) 8 and 7; W. Smith (BA) (5) bt G. Nicholson (N) (8) 2 and 1.

MURRAY CUP
Second round: S. Kennedy (N) (10) bt R. Jones (N) (14) 1 hole; R. Leslie (BA) (12) bt D. Stewart (C) (13) 6 and 5; C. Dunn (BA) (16) bt R. Urquhart (BA) (21) 6 and 5; F. Kennedy (C) (13) bt R. Dunn (BA) (11) 7 and 6; S. Meade (C) (12) bt B. Lumsden, jun (N) (19) 2 holes; R. Sellar (N) (15) bt S. Barclay (N) (10) 4 and 2; M. Winton (C) (16) bt S. Kemp (C) (22) 5 and 3; R. Anderson (C) (11) bt D. Robb (N) (15) 3 and 2.

TONIGHT'S MATCHES

LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
Quarter-finals (5pm start, 6min intervals)
M. Greig (BA) v S. Smith (C)
D. Grieve (BA) v L. Morrice (C)
A. Cruickshank (C) v S. Finnie (C)
B. Edmond (BA) v B. Reid (C).

HANDICAP SHIELD
Quarter-finals: (5.24pm start, 6min intervals)
D. Mair (N) (6) v D. Oliver (C) (7)
J. Inglis (N) (7) v P. Cheyne (N) (9)
G. Meade (C) (6) v M. Rimmer (C) (6)
E. M. Leslie (BA) (8) v W. Smith (BA) (5).

MURRAY CUP
Quarter-finals (5.48pm start, 6 min intervals)
S. Kennedy (N) (10) v R. Leslie (BA) (12)
C. Dunn (BA) (16) v F. Kennedy (C) (13)
S. Meade (C) (12) v R. Sellar (N) (15)
M. Winton (C) (16) v  R. Anderson (C) (11).

TIGER WOODS IN THE US OPEN HUNT AS THOMPSON LEADS AT OLYMPIC

FROM THE BBCSPORT.COM WEBSITE

By ROB HODGETTS

Tiger Woods launched his bid for a 15th major title in impressive fashion as he took a share of second place in testing conditions on day one of the US Open.

Woods's one-under 69 was only eclipsed by a stunning 66 from fellow American Michael Thompson but the former world number one looked in ominous form.
Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, David Toms and Nick Watney were also at one under but some big names struggled.
Phil Mickelson carded 76, Rory McIlroy shot 77 and Luke Donald took 79.

World number one Donald finished on the same score as Chinese 14-year-old Andy Zhang, who was eight over after his first five holes at the firm, fast-running Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Lee Westwood, the world number three, was playing with defending champion McIlroy and Donald but fought back from a double-bogey start to card a respectable 73 as only six players broke par.
Woods, back up to fourth in the world after his recent win at Memorial, looked in complete control of his game as he looks to win a first major since the 2008 US Open.

• Clubhouse scores in full 

The 36-year-old, who also won before the Masters but ended tied 40th at Augusta, began with five straight pars after starting at the ninth before dropping a first shot at the par-four 14th.

He made amends with a birdie at the 522-yard par-five 17th and fired back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth, the latter courtesy of a 30-foot putt, before a final bogey on the sixth.
"I played well - I felt like I had control of my game all day and stuck to my game plan," said Woods who hit 10 out of 14 fairways - some achievement given their narrow, sloping nature. But it is far too early to say that this might be a procession to a long-awaited 15th major. His 69 was good, but he will have to deal with the more difficult conditions as an afternoon starter in round two.
The later 69s of Justin Rose and Graeme McDowell were perhaps more impressive and after a day of struggles even Lee Westwood hasn't done himself much damage after a 73.

"We knew it was going to be quick, but we didn't think it was going to happen overnight.

"I was very pleased with every facet of my game and I stayed very patient."
Masters champion Bubba Watson, who took 78, said of his playing partner's display: "That was the old Tiger. That was beautiful to watch.
"That's what we all come to see. That's what we all want to watch and that was awesome to see him strike the ball."
On his own wayward performance, the left-hander added: "The course beat me up today. It's a lot better than I am - it beat me by eight."
Thompson, a qualifier who reached the final of the US Amateur at the San Francisco course five years ago, was two over after six but made six birdies to leave the field trailing.
"This is one of my favourite golf courses, so I've got good feelings coming in here," said the 27-year-old, who is in his second year on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy, who won by eight strokes and broke a host of scoring records at Congressional last year, said: "I tried to approach it like any other tournament I play and tried to go out there and shoot the best score I could.
"It wasn't my greatest day, but hopefully I can come out and try and shoot a good one and at least try to be here for the weekend."

Donald, who in part blamed his putting , added: "The top three in the world [with McIlroy and Westwood] and we make three birdies between us - it shows how tough it is."

Five-time runner-up Mickelson lost a ball with his first shot and his day continued in a similar vein.
"I didn't play very well, obviously," said the four-time major champion. "I've got a tough challenge just to get to the weekend. I will see if I can shoot under par - maybe that will get me there."

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE ABOUT THE US OPEN FIRST DAY

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 70
Players from US unless statede
66 Michael Thompson
69 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland), Nick Watney, Justin Rose (England), Tiger Woods, David Toms.
70 David Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Ian Poulter (England), Beau Hossler (am), Jason Bohn, J B Park, Robert Karlsson (Sweden), Alistair Presnell (Australia).
SELECTED SCORES
73 Lee Westwood (England), Sergio Garcia (Spain), Marc Warren (Scotland) (T40).
74 Simon Dyson (England), Peter Lawrie (Ireland), Martin Kaymer (Germany), Matthew Baldwin (England), Padraig Harrington (Ireland) (T52)
75 Ernie Els (S Africa), Robert Rock (England) (T74)
76 Phil Mickelson (T93)
77 Rory McIlroy (N Ireland), Martin Laird (Scotland) (T109)
78 Bubba Watson (T126)
79 Luke Donald (England) (T140)

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

TO READ THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE REPORTS ON THE FIRST DAY

CLICK HERE

ONLY SIX BREAK PAR ON FIRST DAY OF UNITED STATES OPEN

FROM THE BBCSPORT.COM WEBSITE

World number three Lee Westwood called the Olympic Club course, San Francisco "indescribably" difficult after a first round that saw only six players break par on the opening day of the United States Open championship.

Westwood carded a creditable three-over-par 73, seven off the lead but six shots better than fellow Englishman and world number one Luke Donald.
Northern Ireland's defending champion Rory McIlroy carded a chastening 77.
Westwood said: "It's set up hard, the greens are very firm, there's a breeze. It's a very difficult golf course."

The 39-year-old, chasing his first win in a major tournament, stopped short of calling the course unfair, but added: "You hit a lot of good drives that don't end up on the fairways."
Westwood, McIlroy and Donald, the world numbers three, two and one respectively, were expected to comprise one of the low-scoring threesomes on the opening day.
But Westwood opened with a double-bogey six before bogeys at three and six took him to four over par.
However, he settled the ship with a birdie at the short par-four seventh and a second birdie at 17 kept him very much in contention.
While Westwood trails leader Michael Thompson by seven shots, there are only 23 players ahead of him and the punishing conditions suggest the winning score could be above par.

Unheralded American Thompson fired a first-round 66 but he leads by three shots from a group of five players, including Tiger Woods, on one under par. Another Englishman Justin Rose also ended one under alongside Northern Ireland's 2010 champion Graeme McDowell, while Rose's friend and compatriot Ian Poulter was level par.

Westwood added: "I don't give up, I keep battling. You've just got to try to get as much out of your rounds as you can.
"It's a case of not giving in and trying not to make too many mistakes. You don't want to play chasing golf around here, firing at the pins. I'm pleased with three over par after the start."
Donald, also looking for a maiden major title, had nine bogeys and no birdies in a torrid first round, while McIlroy had eight bogeys and only one birdie.
"My putter kind of went cold, otherwise I could have probably ground out some more respectable score," said Donald.

"The top three in the world and we make three birdies between us - it shows how tough it is. I tried to stay patient, tried to stay positive, but when I had those opportunities on the greens I couldn't take them."

Asked whether the trio had tried to gee each other up he added: "We were focused on ourselves mostly.
"There was a little bit of chat out there, but not too much. The US Open demands your full attention and obviously Lee had a good back nine (one under after all three turned in four over), but Rory and I both struggled."
McIlroy missed only 10 greens in regulation during the entire tournament 12 months ago but in his opening round on Thursday, he missed 12.
"I tried to approach it like any other tournament I play," he said. "I tried to go out there and shoot the best score I could.
"It's just so tough here if you put yourself out of position at all. Too many times I just was in the wrong position off the tee or with my second shot.
"When you're trying to play catch-up on this golf course it's very hard.
"It wasn't my greatest day, but hopefully I can come out tomorrow morning and try and shoot a good one and at least try to be here for the weekend."
Rose, winner of a world championship event in Miami in March, said: "It was fun out there. You had to hit great shots to keep it in play and to get it close to the hole.
"You can't get ahead of yourself for one second out there. It's going to be a long, hard week ahead of all of us and that's really my mindset.
"It's sort of sadistic fun. Mediocre stuff gets penalised for the most part."