WEBB SIMPSON WINS US OPEN WITH ONE-OVER-PAR TOTAL

                      WEBB SIMPSON ... THE NEW US OPEN CHAMPION

 

FROM THE BBCSPORT.COM WEBSITE

By ROB HODGETTS

American Webb Simpson clinched his maiden major title with victory on an absorbing final day of the US Open.

The 26-year-old beat Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and fellow American Michael Thompson by one shot at a foggy Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Simpson shot 68 to set the target at one over and watched as 2010 champion McDowell missed a 25ft putt to force a play-off on the 18th.

Lee Westwood took 73 for three over, while Tiger Woods (73) was seven over.

Simpson, who climbs to fifth in the world, becomes the 15th different major winner in a row, the ninth straight first-time winner and the third consecutive American to win one of golf's grand slam events.

"I've never felt nerves like I felt today," said Simpson, who was pipped to the US money list title by England's Luke Donald last year. "I had to hit my legs because I couldn't feel them.

"I probably prayed more the last three holes than I ever did in my life."

Starting the final day four shots behind co-leaders McDowell and Jim Furyk, Simpson made his move with a spell of four birdies in five holes from the sixth.

Parring his way home, he bettered the clubhouse mark of first-round leader Thompson, who shot 67, and took the outright lead when Furyk, who had been in front all day and led by two at one stage, bogeyed 16.

Both 2003 champion Furyk and McDowell had a chance to force an 18-hole play-off on Monday, but the 42-year-old American finished with another bogey via the left bunker on 18 for a 74 to end two back and McDowell could only make par for a 73. 

------WEBB SIMPSON FACTFILE

• Age - 26
• Born - North Carolina
• Turned pro - 2008
• Joined US PGA Tour - 2009
• US PGA Tour wins - 3
• Major wins - 2012 US Open

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"It was grind and a slog, but I'll be back," said the 32-year-old McDowell, who had hoped to make it three Northern Irish wins in a row following Rory McIlroy's success last June.

"There's a mixture of emotions inside me right now, disappointment, deflation, pride but mostly just frustration."

Furyk, whose hooked drive on the par-five 16th sparked his downfall, said: "I don't know how to put that one into words, but I had my opportunities and my chances and it was right there.

"On that back nine, it was my tournament to win. I've only got myself to blame."

Ireland's Padraig Harrington put up a serious challenge for a fourth major title and first since 2008 with a run of five birdies in 11 holes. But needing a birdie at the last to join Thompson, he ran up a bogey five after finding sand with his approach and ended with a 68 to finish three over.

Americans David Toms (68), John Peterson (70) and Jason Dufner (70) also finished three over with 1994 and 1997 US Open winner Ernie Els on four over.

The South African, who was third to McDowell at Pebble Beach, was one stroke off the lead after 15 but bogeyed the 16th and 18th for a 72.

England's world number three Lee Westwood was in contention for his first major title at the 57th attempt, but was derailed when he lost a ball, seemingly stuck up a pine tree on the fifth. He was forced to go back to the tee and play another and ran up a double bogey from which he never fully recovered, despite an eagle on 17.

Woods, chasing a 15th major title and first for four years, began bogey-bogey-double bogey and dropped six shots in his first six holes. The former world number one fought back with birdies on the eighth, 14th and 17th but could only finish in a tie for 21st with, among others, England's Justin Rose (72).

"Overall, the way I struck the golf ball, the way I controlled it all week is something that's very positive going forward," said the 36-year-old Woods.

"I was just a fraction off just a couple yards here and there and that's all it takes. I had so many balls that landed in the fairway that went into the rough."

FINAL ANALYSIS by Andrew Cotter BBC golf commentator at Olympic

 

Amazingly, Webb Simpson becomes the 15th different winner of the last 15 majors - imagine that in tennis - which shows that in the post Woods-dominated world, it is very difficult to land one of the big four when so many players can win.

But we shouldn't be too surprised at Simpson's victory. Twice a winner of big tournaments on the US PGA Tour last year he is part of the wave of younger American players which shows that however good European golf appears to be at the moment, things are fairly bright on the other side of the Atlantic as well. 

SCROLL DOWN TO READ ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

 FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

By Mike McAllister, PGATOUR.COM

SAN FRANCISCO – Jim Furyk didn’t make a birdie on Sunday but he did manage to hold onto the lead for most of the day. Graeme McDowell struggled to find a fairway, but he did manage to keep his hopes alive.

In the end, neither past winner of the U.S. Open could get the job done.

Both came to the 18th green needing to make birdie in order to force a playoff with Webb Simpson. McDowell missed his birdie attempt from 25 feet; Furyk found the bunker with his approach shot and had no chance.

A disappointing day for both players, who entered the final round with a share of a two-shot lead.

“There’s a mixture of emotions inside me right now,” McDowell said. “Obviously disappointment, deflation, pride. But mostly just frustration, just because I hit three fairways today.

“That’s the U.S. Open. You’re not supposed to do that. You’re supposed to hit it in some fairways.”

Furyk led for most of the day before suffering bogeys in two of the final three holes. His tee shot at the par-5 16th led to the bogey that dropped him out of the lead he was sharing with Simpson.

“I was tied for the lead, sitting on the 16th tee, with wedges basically if I hit good shots,” Furyk said. “I got wedges in my hand or reachable par-5s in my hand on the way in and one birdie wins the golf tournament. I’m definitely frustrated….

“I know I let one slide today and slip.”

Said McDowell: “I’m disappointed right now. But the way Jim did it, to play as well as he did and then just to kind of not get the job done coming in, that’s more disappointing for him.  I guess that the way I did it – I got off to a slow start and kind of battled back – I guess I feel a little better.”

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 280 (4x70)

Players from US unless stated

281 Webb Simpson 72 73 68 68

282 Michael Thompson 66 75 74 67, Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 69 72 68 73

283 David Toms 69 70 76 78, Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 74 70 71 68, John Peterson 71 70 72 70, Jason Dufner 72 71 70 70, Jim Furyk 70 69 70 74

284 Ernie Els (South Africa) 75 69 68 72.
 

SELECTED TOTALS

285 Lee Westwood (England) 73 72 67 73 (T10)

286 Martin Kaymer (Germany) 74 71 69 72, Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) 72 71 68 75 (T15)

287 Justin Rose (England) 69 75 71 72, Tiger Woods 69 70 75 73 (T21)
288 Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) 72 69 71 76 (T23)
290 Sergio Garcia (Spain) 73 71 71 75 (T38)
291 Ian Poulter (Engloand) 70 75 73 73 (T41)
293 Simon Dyson (England) 74 74 74 71 (T51)
295 Matthew Baldwin (England) 74 74 73 74 (T60)
296 Marc Warren (Scotland) 73 72 74 77 (T65)



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SCOTT HENDERSON WINS AT EDZELL - HIS SECOND SUCCESS IN NINE DAYS

Kings Links tour pro Scott Henderson scored his second win in nine days on the Tartan Tour with a six-under-par 65 to collect first prize of £1,056 in today's (Sunday) Edzell Golf Club pro-am.

Henderson, who had won at Kemnay, also within easy reach of his Aberdeen base, had six birdies - at the first, third, 10th, 11th, 16th and 18th (where he got down in two from 80yd) - and only one bogey, at the sixth, in halves of 34 and 31.

He won by a shot from the long-time clubhouse leaders Alan Lockhart (Ladybank) and Stephen Gray (Hayston) whose 66s earned them £739 apiece.

Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) finished fourth on 67 for which he receivged £475.

Gray led the "Early Birds" trio of Alan Benton (handicap 8), Brian Warrender (13) and Ian Hamilton (18) to victory in the pro-am team event with a net total of 20-under-par 122.

PRO SCORES

Par 71

65 Scott Henderson (Kings Links) (£1,056)

66 Alan Lockhart (Ladybank), Stephen Gray (Hayston) (£739 each).

67 Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) (£475)

78 Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) (£348 each).

69 Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), David Patrick (Elie SC) (£253 each).

70 Mark Kerr (unatt), Chris Kelly (Cawder), Craig Gordon (Edinburgh GC) (£179 each).

71 Patrick Walker (Ballumbie Castle), Steven Duncan (Carnoustie GL), Alistair Webster (Edzell) (£137 each).

72 Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle), Andrew Marshall (Houston GR) (£110 each).

73 Lee Vannet (Carnoustie GL), Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), James Fenwick (Irvine), Mark King (Kingsfield GR), Andrew Fullen (Largs), Greg McBain (Gamola Golf) (£52 each).

74 Steven Moir (Aboyne), Christopher Currie (Caldwell), James McGhee (Duddingston), Craig Ronald (Carluke).

75 Craig Knowles (Panmure)

77 Terry Matheson (Murcar Links)

78 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills)

79 Graeme Brown (Montrose Links)

87 Michael McKenzie (Edzell).

JUSTIN HARDING WINS ZAMBIA OPEN

Justin Harding was unmatchable at the Indo Zambia Bank Zambia Open on Sunday and shot a final-round 68 to finish two shots clear of his nearest rival in the R1,2-million tournament.

“I was three-up playing 18, which was huge. It’s a good feeling, because my other wins were tight, so it was a bit different. I got to enjoy walking up 18 a little bit,” he said.

The 26-year-old began his Sunday round at Lusaka Golf Club one stroke clear of the field and stretched his lead throughout the day, reaching 12-under-par and coasting to his third Sunshine Tour win.

“I managed to keep it together,” he said. “At the beginning of the day I knew that if I could shoot a round under par I would have a chance. It was awesome walking up there (the 18th green) and seeing the crowds.

“I holed out well and kept it together, and at the end of the day come out ahead. I tried to just get the job done. I’ve been working on keeping cool, calm and collected.”

Throughout the week the Cape Town local looked comfortable in windy conditions – he broke par during all four days at Lusaka. On moving day he shot 69 to head into the last round at seven-under; one stroke clear of Divan van den Heever.

Harding’s Sunday 68 sealed the deal – he reached the 18th three strokes clear of the pack and calmly played his way to a first national open win.

“I’ve been hitting the ball pretty well for the past three days. If you just put it in play around this golf course then it is playable. I played the par-fives relatively well. The greens are good and I made my fair share of putts today, which hasn’t happened in a while,” he said.

His closest chaser, Van den Heever began the event with a disappointing 75, but salvaged his chances with a second-round 70. At the weekend he shot 68-69 to secure sole second and once again distinguish himself as a threat on the Tour.

Sunshine Tour veteran Des Terblanche shot the round of the day – 67 – to finish tied third at nine-under-par. The 16-time winner was very impressed by the tough conditions out there.

“The wind has been blowing for four days straight. It becomes difficult and players start making stupid mistakes because you make swing changes. It’s a great course and a great layout. It’s very tough, so it has a US Open type of feeling – there are some flags you can’t go for. I don’t think we get enough of that on our tour, so this week was very good,” he said. 

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS IN THE ZAMBIA OPEN


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DEESIDE v MURCAR LINKS IN PAUL LAWRIE ABERDEEN AND DISTRICT JUNIOR PENNANT LEAGUE FINAL

Deeside, last year's title winners, and Murcar Links will meet in the final of this year's Paul Lawrie-sponsored Aberdeen and District Junior Pennant League championship final at Auchmill Golf Club next Sunday (June 24).
In today's semi-finals, Deeside beat Peterhead 4-2 at a neutral venue, Murcar Links, while Murcar Links won a cliffhanger against Cruden Bay at McDonald Ellon GC.
After the match finished tied at three wins apiece, Murcar Links were declared the winners on a countback.
The Deeside line-up included Jamie Pryde who hurried back to the North-east to make himself available for the match after missing the cut in the Scottish Hydro Junior Tour event at Rowallan Castle, Ayrshire.
Craig Lawrie, who would normally have be in the Deeside team, was unavailable because he survived the halfway cut at Rowallan Castle. Younger brother Michael played in the victory over Peterhead.

Details available:

Peterhead 2, Deeside 4 
Peterhead names first.

Scott Philip and Declan Addison lost to Jamie Pryde and Benjamin Henderson 1 hole.
Curtis Stephen and Josh Bruce lost to Michael Lawrie and Calum Sutherland 3 and 1.
James Murray and Dave McKinnon lost to Jamie Hall and Ross Powell 5 and 4
Liam Stephen and Philip Robertson bt Samuel Duncan and Henri Charles 4 and 3
Mark Thompson and Sean Lawrence bt Finlay Simon and Adam Black 3 and
Stuart Burnett and Andrew Reid lost to Harry Howarth and Ryan Clark 3 and 1

LAWRENCE ALLAN WINS AT ROWALLAN CASTLE BY TWO SHOTS FROM CRAIG HOWIE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com Clackmannan's Lawrence Allan from the Alva club won the weekend Scottish Hydro Junior Tour Event No 3 at Rowallan Castle, Ayrshire by two shots from Scottish boys' match-play champion Craig Howie (Peebles). At the end of Saturday's miserable conditions of wind and rain, Allan and Howie were locked together in the lead on nine-over-par 151, both boys having two double bogeys apiece over the first nine holes. In Sunday's much improved weather, Allan forged four shots clear of his rival with a bogey-free, three-under-par 68 in the third round  and Howie could get only two of the defucut back with a final round of 70 to Allan's 72. Allan finished on seven-over-par 291 to Howie's 293, the pair outstripping the field. Paul Reilly (Lochwinnoch) finished third on 298 after a very good closing round of 69. FINAL TOTALS Par 284 (4x71) SS 74. CSS 77 76 73 74 291 Lawrence Allan (Alva) 78 73 68 72 293 Craig Howie (Peebles) 74 77 72 70 298 Paul Reilly (Lochwinnoch) 81 73 75 69 299 Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie) 83 74 68 74, Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) 78 74 73 74 300 Anthony Blaney (Liberton) 80 79 70 71, Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) 77 77 73 73, Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) 79 75 74 72 301 Alexander Wilson (The Renaissance) 78 77 73 73, Jordan Shaw (Kingussie) 78 77 74 72 302 Euan Bowden (The Glen) 80 81 69 72 303 Cameron Kirkwood (Bearsden) 80 76 76 71, Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) 75 78 75 75  304 Calum Hill (Muckhart) 76 78 73 77 305 Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) 81 77 71 76 308 Fraser Davren (Williamwood) 79 79 76 74, Adam Fisher (Inchmarlo) 78 75 81 74 310 Ryan Walsh (Kirkcaldy) 79 80 72 79 312 Alasdair McDougall (St Andrews New) 82 84 74 72, Calum Hill (Tantallon) 80 86 74 72 313 Alan Waugh (Cowglen) 82 80 80 71, Connor Cook (Caird Park) 79 84 74 76, Andrew Davidson (Charleton) 84 76 77 76 314 Craig Lawrie (Deeside) 79 81 75 79, Craig Anderson (Sandyhills) 81 78 76 79, Daniel Flannery (Peebles) 80 86 73 75 318 Colin Edgar (*Cochrane Castle) 80 83 77 78 319 Callum Gorrie (Kilmarnock Barassie) 82 81 80 76 322 Scott Murray (Inchmarlo) 85 79 77 81 327 Callum McGuigan (Comrie) 83 83 86 75, Gary Foley (Ralston) 81 83 80 83.

ALASTAIR FORSYTH JT 15th AFTER SHAMBLES OF A START

Report from Saint-Omer Open presented by Neuflize OBC

By Sarah Gwynn

sgwynn@europeantour.com

Alastair Forsyth was the highest placed Scot in the Saint-Omer Open presented by Neuflize OBC, despite struggling to a three over par 74 in the final round.

The 36 year old endured a nightmare start to the day, bogeying his opening five holes, and although four subsequent birdies helped restore some pride, he was disappointed to have finished tied 15th and not higher up the leaderboard.

“It was a shambles of a start,” said Forsyth. “You go out looking to finish in the top five which would’ve got me into the BMW International Open next week, but after four or five holes that’s gone out the window.

“You just have to keep plugging away, but my game’s not good enough at the moment, simple as that. I’m dropping crazy shots and it’s becoming very frustrating.”

Fellow Scots Raymond Russell (73), Lloyd Saltman (71), Craig Lee (73) and Chris Doak (75) finished tied 23rdtied 36^th, tied 50^th and tied 62^nd respectively.

South African Darren Fichardt withstood another day of high winds and the challenge of English duo Simon Wakefield and Gary Lockerbie to claim his third European Tour title

Having started the day five shots clear of his nearest rival, Fichardt’s two over par round of 73 was enough to seal the victory at five under, three strokes ahead of Lockerbie, who signed for a 69, and four from Wakefield, who bogeyed the last for a 72.

It became something of a three-horse race on the final day at Aa Saint Omer Golf Club, which was battered by strong winds over the weekend, as the trio were the only players to finish under par for the tournament.

Fichardt’s lead was down to two at one point when he bogeyed the third to Wakefield’s birdie, but a double bogey for the Englishman at the fifth and four more bogeys on the back nine put paid to his challenge.

Lockerbie birdied the 16^th and 17^th to make a late charge, which ultimately proved good enough for second place on his own as Wakefield could not get up and down from the back of the green at the 18^th.

Fichardt admitted there were “no heroics” in his round, and he was just grateful to hang on for the win.

“It was messy today,” said the 37 year old. “It definitely wasn’t pretty. I was absolutely terrified and I was happy we didn’t have to play any more holes.

“To win is awesome. The last four years I’ve had injuries and missed out at the Qualifying School a couple of times, and you wonder if you’ll ever make it back. So it was amazing to get my card last year back at Q School, and to win on my ninth start this season is a dream come true. The exemption for next season is very welcome.”

Fichardt won the 2001 Sao Paulo Brazil Open and the 2003 Qatar Masters and played in the 2000 World Cup alongside Retief Goosen, and he drew on his vast experience to see out the victory in France.

“I’ve been in the lead before going into the final round, so I was familiar with the feeling,” he said. “But this golf course has a lot of trouble, and if you try and play safe you can just end up in even more trouble, so I was happy to get the job done in the end.

“I was struggling with the lines and pace of putts on the greens, and my club selection was out today, but in the end I got it round and made a few good putts to save par.”

Lockerbie was delighted with his finish, saying: “I haven’t had much luck in the past here, so this is a welcome change. I knew Darren would have to have a complete disaster for anyone else to win, but I knew second place was up for grabs and I’m very pleased I was able to finish well.

“This tournament is like a Major for the Challenge Tour so I’m delighted with my performance.”

 

SAINT-OMER OPEN
Aa Saint Omer Golf Club, Lumbres, France
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4x71)
279 Darren Fichardt (SAf) 68 69 69 73.
282 Gary Lockerbie (Eng) 69 75 69 69
283 Simon Wakefield (Eng) 67 72 72 72
286 Charlie Ford (Eng) 74 69 73 70, Adam Gee (Eng) 67 72 75 72, Pelie Edberg (Swe) 70 72 72 72, Wil Besseling (Net) 71 69 73 73
287 Bjorn Akesson (Swe) 75 72 70 70, Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 73 72 71 71, James Heath (Eng) 71 70 74 72.
288 Justin Walters (SAf) 73 68 77 70, Chris Paisley (Eng) 71 76 72 69, Simon Thornton (Ire) 71 69 75 73, Mark Tullo (Chile) 78 68 67 75.

SCOTS' TOTALS
289 Alastair Forsyth 69 72 74 74 (T15)
290 Raymond Russell 68 75 74 73 (T23)
292 Lloyd Saltman 70 74 77 71 (T36)
294 Craig Lee 72 72 77 73 (T50)
296 Chris Doak 75 72 74 75 (T62)
MISSED THE CUT (147 and better qualified)
148 Callum Macaulay 73 75
159 Scott Henry 75 75.
Retired: Steven O'Hara (during first round), Andrew McArthur 76 ret, Jamie McLeary 81 ret.

ALLAN LEADS BY FOUR WITH A ROUND TO GO AT ROWALLAN CASTLE

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LAWRENCE ALLAN GOES FOUR SHOTS CLEAR

WITH A THREE-UNDER-PAR 68 IN ROUND 3

Alva's Lawrence Allan took advantage of the much improved Sunday morning conditions for the third round to shoot a three-under-par 68 fro 219.

Allan, pictured, who had two double bogeys in his first nine holes of the first round, played in the worst of the wind and rain on Saturday, had no bogeys at all in his third round - 15 pars and birdies at the long third, seventh and 13th in hanlves of 33 and 35.

The only other player to return a 68 this morning was Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie) who moved up to a share of third place on 225 with Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie).

LEADERBOARD AFTER 54 HOLES

219 Lawrence Allan

223 Craig Howie

225 Euan Walker, Alasdair McDougall

227 Calum Hill, Bradley Neill

228 Ben Kinsley, Alexander Wilson, Ewen Ferguson.

229 Paul Reilly, Anthony Blaney, Robert MacIntyre, Jordan Shaw

That broke the tie at the top of the leaderboard because overnight joint leader Craig Howie, the Scottish boys match-play champion from Peebles, had to be content with a72 for 223.

 

13th ASIAN TOUR WIN FOR THAWORN WIRATCHANT IN QUEEN'S CUP

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR

Samui, Thailand: Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant secured a record-equalling 13^th Asian Tour title with a battling three-shot victory at the Queen’s Cup today.

The 45-year-old veteran held off the combined challenges from Bangladeshi Siddikur and reigning Asian number one Juvic Pagunsan, clinching his first title in nearly two years with a glorious eagle at the last hole for a three-under-par 68 at a blustery Santiburi Samui Country Club.

Thaworn, who was also victorious in Samui in the 2008 Bangkok Airways Open, matched countryman Thongchai Jaidee’s record number of triumphs on the region’s elite circuit with a winning total of seven-under-par 277 and earned US$47,550.

Siddikur, chasing a second Asian Tour title, missed a costly par putt from two feet at the 15^th hole while he was one ahead of Thaworn and could not prevent the Thai hero from racing home to victory with a five-foot birdie on 16 before his 12-foot eagle conversion at the 18^th hole.

Pagunsan closed with a solid 68 to finish tied second in what is the 11^th leg of this season’s Asian Tour.

The week belonged to Thaworn, who entered the Queen’s Cup in hot form after winning two domestic tournaments and another in Laos over the past month. “This means a lot as it’s the first time I have won the Queen’s Cup as an Asian Tour event,” said a delighted Thaworn.

“There was pressure from the first tee as I didn’t hit a good tee shot and made bogey. I’m very happy as I have worked hard in the past few weeks. My experience helps with the mental game. It helps me calm down and not get nervous. I can control that.”

Tied for the third round lead with Siddikur, countryman Varut Chomchalam, who eventually finished tied sixth after a 73 and Filipino teenager Miguel Tabuena, who settled for joint 10^th after a 76, Thaworn battled the elements and a dogged Siddikur all day.

But his experience came through in the end. “This week, it was tiring, it was tough. You fight with the course and conditions. The turning point was the 15^th hole when Siddikur missed his putt. Any time you have a chance, you have to make birdie and I did (on 16).

“On 18, I was teeing off first and I couldn’t afford to make any mistake. I hit a good drive and I was quite confident. I could then smile after that,” said Thaworn, who was decked in his trademark all-black Sunday outfit.

The straight-hitting Siddikur, who achieved his career first top-10 in the Queen’s Cup two years ago, was disappointed his putter went cold on the back nine. He missed a short par putt on 10 and another makeable birdie chance on 11 but his title hopes eventually ended with the bad miss on 15.

“I’m really disappointed. I was almost there. Unfortunately, the last moment, I don’t what happened. On 15, I don’t know what happened. I was gone after that. I couldn’t make birdie,” said Siddikur.

“I was trying to be aggressive but my ball striking was a bit off even though I was in the lead after 13 holes. I just played my own game, fairway, greens, fairway greens, but messed up on the greens.”

Pagunsan produced some glorious golf to move into contention but was eventually forced to settle for tied second place. “It’s a great round. The winds were too strong. You just have to keep your focus on every shot. That’s what I did today,” said the smooth-swinging Filipino.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 284 (4x71) Yardage 6,815

277 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 70-67-72-68.

280 Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI) 75-65-72-68, SIDDIKUR  (BAN) 70-68-71-71.

281 Himmat RAI (IND) 70-72-72-67, Guido VAN DER VALK (NED) 70-72-69-70.

282 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 69-75-69-69, Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 71-68-72-71, Varut CHOMCHALAM (THA) 72-71-66-73.

284 Boonchu RUANGKIT (THA) 67-74-73-70.

285 Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 76-70-75-64, Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 67-70-72-76.

286 Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 71-73-71-71, Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 68-72-74-72, BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) 68-73-70-75, Jonathan MOORE (USA) 72-72-67-75.

287 Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 73-69-71-74.

SELECTED TOTALS

291 Guy Woodman (England) 71 72 75 73 (T28)

292 Steve Lewton (England) 72 76 79 75 (T66)

MISSED THE CUT (149 and better qualified)

151 Ross Bain (Scotland) 76 75.

157 Derek McKenzie (Scotland) 79 78.

MyGolfRanking.co.uk, Fife Golfing Association

Week ending 10 June 2012

1 A Jones (Kirkcaldy) 1121.43 pts

2 M Rickard (Cupar) 1092.86

3 I Fleming (Auchterderran) 1031.25

4 K Lowey (Kirkcaldy) 1013.50

5 G Brooksbank (Falkland) 992.86

6 M Clark (Thornton) 953.33

7 B McGowan (Thornton) 952.83

8 M Rooney (Lundin) 950

T9 T G Caldwell (Burntisland GH) 941.67

T9 E M Diston (Ladybank) 941.67

11 M Elvin (Forrester Park) 935.71

12 J Woods (St Andrews GC) 925

13 B A A Kinsley (St Andrews GC) 907.14

T14 A Cannon (St Andrews GC) 900

T14 G Walker (Earlsferry Th) 900

16 G Hay (Dunnikier Park) 885.71

17 J Lamb (Dunfermline) 883.33

18 M Miller (Canmore) 878.57

19 J Henderson (Ladybank) 875

20 S C Simpson (St Andrews GC) 866.67

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

MARCUS RICKARD A NAME TO NOTE

 Marcus Rickard (Cupar), who is lying second in the Rankings, is just 14 years old.

Marcus reached his Club Championship Final recently, losing only by 2 and 1 to Alan Gardiner.

Alan, who has been club champion several times in the past, runs the Cupar junior section.

 

GRAEME McDOWELL, JIM FURYK SHARE US OPEN LEAD AFTER THREE ROUNDS

FROM THE BBCSPORT.COM WEBSITE

By Rob Hodgetts

Graeme McDowell surged into contention for a second US Open title in three years going into day four at Olympic. The 32-year-old Northern Irishman shot 68 to finish one under alongside 2003 champion Jim Furyk (70) with Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson (68) one back.

Lee Westwood made his move for a first major with a 67 for two over with two-time champion Ernie Els (68), Nicolas Colsaerts (71) and Blake Adams (70).

Tiger Woods struggled from the start and carded a 75 to end four over.

Also on three over were 17-year-old amateur Beau Hossler, fellow Americans Jason Dufner, Webb Simpson, John Peterson and Kevin Chappell and Australian John Senden. McDowell (pictured above) clinched his maiden, and so far only, major title down the California coast at Pebble Beach in 2010 and was followed to US Open glory by countryman Rory McIlroy last year. 
Victory for the man from Portrush would also mean a fourth major title in three years for Northern Irish players after Darren Clarke won the Open last year.

McDowell followed eight opening pars with a bogey on the 449-yard ninth at a hot and sunny Olympic Club in San Francisco.

But on the more scoreable back nine he holed putts of four feet on the 10th, 10 feet at the short 13th and then another four-footer for birdie at the last.

"It was hard work getting the right mindset," said McDowell, who clinched the winning point for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in 2010.

"I can draw a lot from [Pebble Beach]. My emotions were the same as two years ago. If I can keep preparing for majors like I am doing, I'll put myself in position to win others so tomorrow's not the be all and end all."

The 42-year-old Furyk, who won his sole major at Olympia Fields nine years ago, was the joint third-round leader with Woods and David Toms (76) and held firm as his fellow Americans slipped back.

Woods, bidding for a 15th major title four years after his last, could not match the control and putting prowess of the previous two days and dropped four shots inside his first eight holes. A solitary birdie on the ninth was followed by bogeys at 16 and 18.

The 36-year-old has never won a major coming from behind going into the final round, but Lee Janzen came from five strokes back to win the last time the US Open was staged at Olympic in 1998. The biggest final-round comeback in US Open history was Arnold Palmer's seven shots at Cherry Hills in 1960.

"It was frustrating," said Woods. "I struggled on the greens quite a bit - they looked quick, but they putted slow.

"It was just one of those days where I was right in between clubs on about every single shot.

"I'm just going to have to shoot a good round, post early and see what happens.

"It's not like where you have to go out there and shoot 62 and 63. This is a US Open - you just need to hang around.

"I'm definitely still in the ball game. I'm only five back and that's certainly doable on this golf course for sure."

Westwood, playing in his 57th major, was four over through his first six holes on Thursday playing alongside McIlroy and Luke Donald but as the world's top two players missed the cut, the Worksop star edged his way into the tournament.

The 39-year-old followed up his opening 73 with a 72 before making his move from tied 29th, mixing two bogeys with five birdies including a 40 footer on the 18th.

Westwood missed out on the play-off by a shot in the 2008 US Open, and has had six other top threes in majors since then, including third behind McIlroy at Congressional last year.

"I think every time you get yourself in contention you learn something new," Westwood said, who was tied seventh at Olympic in 1998.

"I've been in contention a lot in different kinds of positions, leading, coming from behind. And in this tournament and other tournaments, the Masters, I finished third, so I was in contention there.

"I pick little bits out of all of those, but the main thing is just to go out there and believe that I'm good enough."

The last Englishman to win a major was Nick Faldo in 1996, while the only US Open winner from England was Tony Jacklin in 1970.

Jacobson, 37, who won his maiden PGA Tour event last year, has a best finish of tied fifth in a US Open, behind Furyk in 2003.

South Africa's Els, who chipped in for an eagle on the 17th, won the tournament in 1994 and 1997 and would break the record for the longest gap between US Open titles should he win on Sunday. Julius Boros (1952-63) and Hale Irwin (1979-1990) hold the record at 11 years.

ANALYSIS: Andrew Cotter BBC golf commentator at Olympic

It's a great final-round draw for both Graeme McDowell and Jim Furyk - two similar players and former champions who were in each other's company for the first two rounds as well.
And Tiger Woods will no doubt draw some of the crowd away as he tees off over an hour before them. You would certainly have to favour the final group if you were to look for a winner, but if Lee Westwood can start to hole just a few of the 10-15 footers that Furyk drops so regularly then perhaps, at last, he can join the major club.

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