2013 A SEASON OF CHANGE FOR US PGA TOUR

AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- A shorter season on the US PGA TOUR in 2013 will mean slightly larger fields for as many as nine tournaments.
It's a move designed to help players who earn their cards through Q School or the Web.com Tour. They are at the bottom of the priority rankings for getting into tournaments, and spots can be rare in the early part of the season with smaller fields due to limited daylight. If they didn't qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs, they at least had four Fall Series tournaments to make up ground to get into the top 125 and keep their cards.
But next year is all about transition. The US PGA Tour season ends with the Tour Championship by Coca-Cola, and after the three-tournament series that effectively replaces Q School, the new US season (2013-14) will start in October. 
The Fall Series will be the start of the new year.

"You have four fewer tournaments, and that puts a strain on playing opportunities," said Andy Pazder, the US PGA Tour's Chief of Operations.

Thus, the US PGA Tour's policy board is asking certain tournaments to expand their fields during the 2013 season (the request is not for subsequent years, when tournaments could return to their previous field size).
Tournaments in March and April typically have 144 players because of earlier sunsets. Some of them are being asked to expand those fields to 156 players.
Pazder conceded that it puts the tournaments in a "precarious position" to make the cut on Friday.
The pace is so slow at some spots that they can't make the cut by Friday even without expanding the fields. 
Among those expected to be left alone are the Northern Trust Open, the Sony Open in Hawaii and the AT and T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which recently reduced its field from 180 players to 156 players to improve pace of the pro-am format.
The limited-field events are not off the hook. The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, the AT and T National and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial are likely to go from 120 players to 132 players. Spared from the list is the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance, run by Jack Nicklaus, which recently agreed to ramp up its field from 105 players to 120 players.
That's not the only boost for the Q School and Web.com graduates.
Tournaments typically have eight sponsor exemptions -- two designated for Tour members not eligible (such as John Daly), two for Q School and Web.com graduates and four unrestricted. 

The formula for next year will be only two unrestricted exemptions, and four exemptions set aside for Q School and Web.com grads. 

The US Tour is also doing away with the commissioner's exemption for foreign players, which is not used very much, anyway.
In all, it should create close to 90 additional spots to help alleviate not having four Fall Series events at the end of the year

BLACK WEDNESDAY FOR FOUR SEEDS AT ROYAL DORNOCH

By Colin Farquharson
Colin@scottishgolfview.com

There are only two or the original eight seeds in the last 32 of the Scottish men's amateur championship at Royal Dornoch - top man Graeme Robertson(Glenbervie), pictured left by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm), pictured top right.
The survival rate of the "chosen few" was pretty good over the first two days - only Paul Shields going out on Day 1, and only Ross Bell making an early exit on Day 2 - but it was Black Wednesday as far as four more seeds were concerned.
Fraser McKenna (Balmore), the No 5 seed, who has been having an outstanding season on the domestic 72-hole circuit, went down by one hole to Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle).
Baird, by the way, lost in the next round.
Late in the day, Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie), beaten semi-finalist in the British Amateur at Royal Troon and the British universities champion, lost to Greig Marchbank (Dumfries and Co) in match that was always going to be a tough one for Stirling student McDonald. 
Eighteen-year-old Marchbank, winner of last week's Stephen Gallacher Foundation Scottish boys' stroke-play title, produced a hole-in-one at a critical moment of this cut-and-thrust third-round tie.
McDonald had just gone one up by winning the 12th when Marchbank holed his tee shot with a six-iron at the 180yd 13th hole. That square the contest but McDonald edged ahead again by winning the 14th.

Marchbank responded by levelling it at the 16th, and taking a winning one-hole lead at the next. The 18th was halved. 

Professional's son Jamie Savage (Cawder) claimed the scalp of the No 2 seed and South African open amateur champion Brian Soutar (Leven GS) with a 4 and 3 second-round victory.
But Savage was beaten by Fraser Moore in just about the last match to finish on a long, long day.
In Round 3, Craig Ross (Kirkhill) toppled the seeded Paul Ferrier (Baberton) by 2 and 1.
The two seeds who are alive and well in terms of the championship are Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), the No 1, who beat Alasdair MacLennan (Kings Acre) 3 and 2 to reach the fourth round, and Matthew Clark, the banker from Kilmacolm and winner of the Newlands Trophy 72-hole event at Lanark recently.
Clark beat Fraserburgh's Justin Duff by 4 and 3.

THE LAST 32 IN THE FOURTH ROUND

Top half of draw

Charlie MacNeal v Graeme Robertson (No 1 seed)

Craig Deerness v Scott Crichton.

James White v Gordon Stevenson

Keith Shanks v Bryan Fotheringham

Craig Ross v Callum Trahan

Scott Moffat v Darren Watson

James Ross v Alexander Culverwell

Richard Docherty v Stuart Robertson.

Lower half of draw

Ross Hinshelwood v Elliot Wilson

Ian Rennie v Daniel Young

Lewis Mutch v Jamie Aitken

Christopher Young v Greig Marchbank

Matthew Clark (No 7 seed) v Donald Macandrew

Grant Forrest v Stewart Henderson

Greg Smail v Daniel Flannery

Fraser Moore v Michael Smyth 

TO VIEW ALL THE RESULTS SO FAR
ON THE SGU WEBSITE

CLICK HERE 

DUNCAN STEWART CLICKETY-CLICKS WITH A LEADING 66 AT ROWALLAN CASTLE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Highlander Duncan Stewart's investors, who include Paul Lawrie, will be rubbing their hands in anticipation of a big dividend after the Grantown on Spey man's bogey-free, five-under-par 66 to lead the Eagle Orchid Scottish Masters 54-hole tournament at Rowallan Castle GC, Ayrshire today.
Stewart, pictured, won one of the PGA EuroPro Tour's £10,000 jackpot prizes last season and he's the front-runner for this one, although only a shot ahead of Banchory's James Byrne and Irishman Michael McGeady on the 67 mark.
Stewart, who sold 150 "shares" at £100 a time in himself, promising to pay out a dividend at the end of the season if he ended up making a profit, birdied the fourth, short eighth, 12th, long 13th and 14th in halves of 34-32 for the par-71 circuit.
Byrne, a Walker Cup hero at Balgownie last September but whose fledgling pro career has hardly got off the launching platform, also got round without a bogey. He birdied the short second, fourth, long ninth and 14th for his 67 (32-35).
Chris Kelly (Cawder), who parred the first 10 holes, finished up matching the par of 71 to be joint ninth in the big field overnight.
Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links) bogeyed four holes in a row from the eighth on his way to a 73 where he joined fellow Scots Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy), Fraserburgh's Jordan Findlay and David Law (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre). They are joint 26th.
Mark Rae (Alyth) had a 74.
If Byrne's pro career is stalling, Walker Cup team-mate Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) can hardly get his pro engine started. He had a six-over-par 77 which included two double bogeys and is languishing in joint 83rd place.
A Walker Cup player of an earlier vintage, Wallace Booth (Comrie), beaten in a recent EuroPro Tour play-off, had a 78
Booth, starting at the 10th, took 44 blows for his first nine holes, running up a double bogey at the short 10th and a triple bogey 8 at the long 16th.

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 71
66 Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey).
67 James Byrne (Banchory), Michael McGeady (Ire)
68 James Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale),
69 Billy Fowles (Wentworth), Scott Fallon (Eng).
70 Dan Wait (The Wisley), Graham Benson (Leighton Buzzard).

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
71 Chris Kelly (Cawder) (T9).
73 Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links), Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy), Jordan Findlay (unatt), David Law (Paul Lawrie GC) (T26)
74 Mark Rae (Alyth) (T33)
75 Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) (T56)
76 Malcolm Isaacs (Nairn Dunbar) (T68)
77 Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), Ed Wood (Crow Wood), Lorne Kelly (ProDream USA) (T83)
78 John Gallagher (Turnhouse), Wallace Booth (Comrie) (T93)
79 Zack Saltman (Archerfield Links), Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) (T106)
80 Greg Nicolson (Mortonhall) (T113)
81 John Henry (Clydebank and Dist) (T119)
84 Myles Cunningham (Longniddry) (T120)

Spectator entry is free throughout the 54-hole stroke-play event.  
A cut to the top 50 players plus ties will be made after Thursday’s second round.
Live scoring is available throughout the event on this website and directions to the course are available here: 
www.rowallancastle.com/contact

SECOND ROUND TEE TIMES AT ROWALLAN CASTLE

No admission charge for spectators 

                  TWO-TEE START

07:30	9	Mark Ramsdale  Formby Golf Club  Steve Uzzell  Hornsea Golf Club  Adam Keogh  Boston West
07:40	9	Daniel Wardrop  Didsbury Golf Club  Robert Harris  Francis Kirk & Son  Liam Burns  Sundridge Park
07:45	1	Steven Fawcitt  Morpeth  Ryan Newman  Brookmans Park GC  Jamie Howarth  De Vere Mottram Hall
07:50	9	Tom Haylock  Red Golf Management  Paul Cutler  Portstewart  Noel Fox  Portmarnock
07:55	1	Matthew Evans  Rotherham Golf Club  James Westwood  Eaton Golf Club  Daniel Gavins  Wheatley Golf Club
08:00	9	Andy Shakespear  Shakey Investment Club  Mark Penny  Morpeth Golf Club  Luke Collins  Mendip Spring Golf Club
08:05	1	Wallace Booth  Comrie Golf Club  Zane Scotland  Woodcote Park GC/Princes GC  Paul Grannell  Vale Royal Abbey
08:10	9	Jason Dransfield  De Vere Wychwood Park  Stuart Archibald  media-tactics  Graham Benson  Leighton Buzzard Golf Club
08:15	1	Ryan Thomas  Aberdare  Billy Hemstock  Teignmouth  Tom Way-Rider  Eaton Golf Club
08:20	9	Zack Saltman  Archerfield  Luke Joy  Broadstone (Dorset) Golf Club  Sam Matton  Bowood GC
08:25	1	Matthew Tottey  North Wales Golf Club  Michael McGeady  McCambridge Duffy  Jonathan Caldwell  Clandeboye
08:30	9	James Housby  Penrith Golf Centre  Duncan Stewart  Grantown on Spey  Nick McCarthy  Moortown
08:35	1	Alexander Holmes  Gorleston Golf Club  Steven Hackett  colemangolf.ie  Mark Chamberlain  Hockley Energy Inc
08:40	9	Matt Allen  Berkshire GC / First Rate FX  Dale Marmion  Eaton Golf Club  Ed Wood  Crow Wood Golf Club
08:45	1	Joseph Feather  Leeds Golf Centre  Dave Coupland  Sharp Sports Golf Management  Nicholas Garland  Toft Hotel Golf Club
08:50	9	Sandeep Grewal  Heswall Golf Club  Darryn Lloyd  Acrabuild Ltd/W.Ash & Sons  Elliot Saltman  Archerfield Links
08:55	1	Chris Kelly  Cawder Golf Club  Gareth Evans  Crow Nest Park Golf Club  Stuart Manley  Machynys Peninsula
09:00	9	Martin LeMesurier  South Winchester Golf Club  Dan Seymour  Newbury Golf Centre  Scott Fallon  Lightning Packaging Supp Ltd
09:05	1	Paul Doherty  Vale Hotel  Daniel Perrett  Purplegolf.com  James Byrne  IMG
09:10	9	John Henry  Clydebank and District  Francisco Pintor Smith  Comunidad Valenciana de golf  Jonathan Gidney  Church Stretton
09:15	1	Paul O'Hanlon  The Curragh G.C.  Kevin Harper  Exeter Golf & Country Club  Paul Reed  Bristol & Clifton Golf Club
09:20	9	Lorne Kelly  Prodream USA  Oliver Farr  Worcester GCC  George Cowan  Westerhope Golf Club
09:25	1	Tim Dykes  Penrith Golf Club  Dodge Kemmer  The Calafornia Golf Club  Philip Ridden  City of Newcastle Golf Club
12:30	9	Andrew Willey  Notts Golf Club  Cian Curley  Team Ireland Golf
12:40	9	Levi Desmond  www.levidesmondgolf.co.uk  Dan Waite  The Wisley  George Parker  The London Club
12:45	1	Aaron Rai  DCD Group  Miles Collins  Stoke by Nayland  Mark Kerr  Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel
12:50	9	Ross Oliver  Carrickfergus Golf club  James Robinson  Southport & Ainsdale  Michael Lindfield  Sovex Ltd
12:55	1	Jack Harrison  Wildwood Golf Club  Henry Knight  Kirby Muxloe Golf Club  Maxim French  RAC
13:00	9	Justin Sloan  Brough Golf Club  James Ruth  St Mellion International  Mark Raven  The Wisley
13:05	1	Charlie Lidyard  Leatherhead  Craig Housden  Channels  Jack Winer  Woolston Manor Golf Club
13:10	9	Jack Brooks  Pleasington, CHC, Serious Law  David Law  Paul Lawrie Golf Centre  Greg Nicolson  Mortonhall Golf Club
13:15	1	Shaun McAllister  Craigielaw golf club  Tim Rice  Limerick  Ben Storey  Pennings Group
13:20	9	Tom Shadbolt  Brocket Hall  Liam Hunt  High Legh Park  James Watts  The Sports Academy/East Herts
13:25	1	James Ruebotham  Welwyn Garden City GC  Wayne Telford  Rathmore Golf Club  Charlie Simpson  Lake Nona Golf & Country Club
13:30	9	Matthew Tweddell  Belmont Golf Club  Paul Maddy  Gog Magog  Michael Stewart  Troon Welbeck
13:35	1	Jon White  Saunton Golf Club  Steven Capper  Caldy Golf Club  Martin Edge  www.heskethgolfclub.co.uk
13:40	9	Ian Keenan  Royal Liverpool  Alex Belt  The De Vere Club  James Scade  Ingrebourne Links
13:45	1	Jordan Findlay  Unattached  Richard Tagg  Sherwood Forest Golf Club  Malcolm Isaacs  Project Solutions Ecosse
13:50	9	Alex Christie  Tyrrells Wood  Westley Wray  Lords Golf & Country Club  Scott Arnold  NSW Golf Club
13:55	1	Jeff Pitt  bet365  Myles Cunningham  Longniddry Golf Club  Mark Rae  Aberdeen Door Systems
14:00	9	David Rawluk  The Island  James Webber  Regiment Way Golf Centre  John Gallagher  Turnhouse Golf Club
14:05	1	William Harrold  Sheringham Golf Club  Todd Adcock  The Nevill Golf Club  Dane Bairstow  Bingley St Ives
14:10	9	Billy Fowles  Wentworth  Mark Laskey  Brocket Hall  James Hepworth  Ilkley Golf Club
14:15	1	Ruaidhri McGee  Golfhub / Las Colinas  Ryan O'Neill  Penwortham Golf Club  Rika Batibasaga  Indoorpilly GC
14:20	9	Neil Chaudhuri  www.specialisteyes.co.uk  Nick Flynn  Burhill Golf Club  Richard Edginton  Royal Wimbledon/Effingham
14:25	1	Neil Dean  Minchinhamton Golf Club  Michael Downes  The San Roque Club  James Maw  Abbeydale Golf Club
14:35	1	Gary Shilliday (a)  Unattached  Stephen Grant  The Heritage  Darren Wright  Rowlands Castle Golf Club

ASHMAN KNOCKS OUT BEN STOW IN ENGLISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

                   NEWS RELEASE FROM ENGLAND GOLF

James Ashman pulled off the shock of round one of the English men's amateur championship, supported by Abacus, with a 3 and 2 victory over international Ben Stow in the rain at Silloth-on-Solway today.
The 19-year-old from Bognor Regis in Sussex (image © Tom Ward) paid scant heed to his opponent's glowing reputation as he raced into a three-hole lead through six, but then faced a backlash from the Wiltshire man, who levelled the contest after 13.  However, Ashman eagled the long 14^th then took the next two holes with pars to run out a comfortable winner.
“I’m delighted,” he said. “I got away early and I’m playing really well. I’d heard a lot about Ben but my coach Steve Rolley told me to do the best I could and my mum, Pat, pulled my trolley and gave me great support.
“I was happy to get into the tournament and to make the qualifying so we’ll just see how far I can go,” added the teenager from the Worthing club.
Stow’s England team-mate Neil Raymond came through unscathed with a 4 and 3 win over Sam Robertshawe.
“The scoreline flatters me, to be fair,” said Raymond. “I played poorly for the first seven holes and we gave each other holes in that spell. But I birdied eight and nine to go one up and for the final 11 holes I played fantastic.

“I’m delighted to get through the first round as I’ve usually struggled in the early rounds. This is the first time I’ve gone past the first round since Woodhall Spa in 2008.”

Seb Crookall-Nixon gave local fans plenty to cheer about when he comfortably won his first round match.  With a gallery following his every move, the 18 year old from Workington romped to a 5 and 3 victory over Alex Lodge from Berkshire as the rain lashed down on the testing Cumbrian course.
Showing that he has made a remarkable recovery from a serious car accident at nearby Carlisle two months ago, Crookall-Nixon birdied the second and third holes to go 2-up, added to that at the fifth and also birdied the 12^th to be four ahead.  When he won the 13^th with a par, it was just a matter of time before the contest was wrapped up and when was at the 15^th, he was four under par.
Crookall-Nixon, who is a member of Silloth and Seascale as well as Workington, said: “I’m playing good again and playing before a home crowd gives you an edge. After the accident I didn’t think I’d come out alive, let alone be back so soon.”

Boy cap Matthew Fitzpatrick from Yorkshire also survived with a 2 and 1 win over Hertfordshire’s Matt Wallace which he described as an ‘up and down round’.

“I had six birdies but he also played well,” said Fitzpatrick. “I was one down after seven, level at the next, ahead at the tenth and two-up after 11 with a birdie. Then Matt lost a ball at 14 and when I lipped out for eagle at 17 it was over.”
Reigning English County Champion of Champions Jamie Rutherford admitted: “I played too many bad shots,” after going out 3 and 2 to Sussex-based Peter Tarver-Jones, while boy cap Nathan Kimsey had an easy passage when his opponent Tom Wilde retired with an injured shoulder.
Ed Richardson, an England international six years ago but back after battling serious illness, progressed with a string of birdies against Oxfordshire’s Ben Cotton.  The Kent man won the first hole with a bogey but had four front nine birdies to be three-up and two more on the homeward stretch saw the 44 year old to a 5 and 4 success.
More information and results at the Men's English Amateur can be found on the Championships section of the England Golf website.

Lynne Fraser
Marketing and PR Manager
Email: l.fraser@englandgolf.org
Tel: 01526 354500

EURO EVENT IN IRELAND HITS FIELD FOR LEVEN GOLD MEDAL

Flashback to August last year as Ross Bell, with the Leven Gold Medal round his neck, is congratulated by the captain of the Leven Golfing Society. 

Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency. 

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

The quality of entries for the Leven Gold Medal, the oldest amateur stroke-play tournament in the world - first played in 1870 -  and the 12th event on this year's SGU 72-hole Order of Merit circuit, has been badly hit by a clash of dates with the European men's individual amateur championship.
The Leven Gold Medal will be played on Saturday and Sunday, August 11-12 while the European four-round championship is being played over the Montgomerie course at Carton House, Maynooth in Ireland's Co Kildate from next Wednesday to Saturday.
The Scots who are bound for Ireland are all the country's frontline amateurs, most of whom would have played in the Leven Gold Medal. They are:
Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie), Brian Soutar (Leven GS), Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), Paul Ferrier (Baberton), Scott Crichton (Aberdour), Paul Shields (Kirkhill), Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm), James White (Lundin), Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon), Fraser McKenna (Balmore) and Liam Johnston (Dumfries and Co).
But Ross Bell (Downfield), winner of the Leven Gold Medal last year, must have felt honour-bound to defend the title at the Fife links. He heads a field which contains last year's bronze-medal winner James Ross (Royal Burgess) and the 2010 winner, Scott Larkin (Royal Aberdeen).
Former Scottish youths champion and Palmer Cup player Scott Borrowman (Dollar), whose form has been steadily improving all season, has also committed to the Leven event.
So too has former Scottish amateur champion and past Walker Cup player Graham Gordon (Newmachar), who was reinstated as an amateur at the start of the season after a short pro career plagued by illness and injury.

DEER PARK MASTERS DECIDED ON ONE ROUND AFTER RAIN

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

The professionals' final round of the 36-hole Muir Deer Park Masters tournament was cancelled by Scottish PGA Tournament Director Roy Murray, pictured, after overnight rain on an already sodden Livingston course rendered it unfit for play at a pro level.  

No Order of Merit points were awarded but a reduced prizefund was allocated on the basis of first-round scores.

Paul McKechnie's 10-under-par 62 earned the Braid Hills Golf Range professional £1,375.

Runner-up with a 65, Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle) earned £1,099 and joint third finishers Gareth Wright (West Linton) and James McKinnon (Irvine) each received £721.

For the benefit of sponsors and their clients, some of whom had travelled from as far away as Aberdeen, two shotgun start pro-ams were played but the pros did not return scores.

Leading team after the morning groups had finished was "Greentech," who had Chris Currie (Caldwell) as their pro and returned a net score of 14-under-par 58.

The amateur trio were Brian Cruickshank (handicap 13), Trevor Kelly (6) and Robert Marshall (9).

But there were two better net totals - both 57 - from the afternoon starters.

Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs Golf Range) led the amateur trio of Deer Park GC members, Greig Rutherford (handicap 11), Bruce Rutherford (18) and Craig Geekie (10), to victory.
They had a better inward half than the team led by Hayston pro Stephen Gray, who also totalled 57

ABERDEEN QUAICH SHORT OF ENTRIES AT HAZLEHEAD

The Aberdeen Quaich competitions for men, women, juniors and senior men and women at Hazlehead municipal golf courses is desperately short of entries.

There are sections for each different group.
The competitions start on Thursday and end on Sunday.
Entries can be phoned to the Hazlehead Golf Club, the organisers, at 01224 310711

GARCIA OFF FORM, EUROPE RYDER CUP TEAM MIGHT NOT HAVE A SPANIARD IN LINE-UP FOR CHICAGO

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By JAMES CORRIGAN
The Ryder Cup qualifying race is entering its final lap with the Europe captain keeping a concerned eye on his continent’s most enigmatic performer
Fortunately for José Maria Olazábal he understands what makes Sergio Garcia tick.

Starting on Thursday with the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, there are only three events until the automatic 10 competitors are decided and Olazábal must name his two wild cards. Garcia is in 10th place and out of form. His mood is like his putting: erratic.

“Sergio is changeable,” Olazábal told Telegraph Sport. “He’s getting very down on himself at the moment. He’s a very emotional guy. But knowing Sergio, if he has something to focus on, it’s good for him. He’s loved the Ryder Cup from the first time he played it. The camaraderie – he loves to be a part of that. Sergio won’t want to miss it.”
As a leader and, as a ­Spaniard, Olazabal will not want Garcia to miss it either.

There is a real danger that, for the first time since the Great Britain and Ireland team became Europe in 1979, Spain will be without a member on the team. And with players such as Ian Poulter and Padraig Harrington outside the automatic berths (Poulter is in 12th, with Harrington 20th) Garcia is not guaranteed a wild card. No matter how close his relationship with el capitan.

Olazábal has found himself reaching out to down-at-heart professionals other than Garcia. At times he must have felt less like the man entrusted with the hopes of European golf and more like its sports psychiatrist.

Paul Casey occupied Olazábal’s couch as long ago as April, recovering from a dislocated shoulder and a divorce.

“Paul’s match-play record is great, but he has had a bad run of injuries and that’s been a problem,” Olazábal said. “There were other issues off the course which happened last year which didn’t help him at all. It’s not only physical but mental. That’s the way golf is. So I got in contact with him at Augusta, met up and had a chat. That’s what I have to do with guys who need the encouragement.”
In truth, Casey has no chance, unless something remarkable was to happen this week at Firestone or at next week’s USPGA Championship at Kiawah Island. That does not seem likely with yesterday’s news that his caddie, Craig Connelly, has switched bags to return to Martin Kaymer.
Certainly Olazábal will not have the luxury of being able to carry any passengers to Chicago in the last week of September.
With Tiger Woods top of the American qualifying list after three wins this year and with the three of the past four major-winners in Davis Love’s ranks, America’s captain appears to hold most of the golfing aces. Love must name his four wild cards the day after the USPGA. Such is the strength of his hand, there are players of the quality of Steve Stricker and Rickie Fowler sweating.
In contrast, many of Europe’s top players, including Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, are off the boil. Olazábal is willing them to rediscover their mojo in the next fortnight.
“I always expected it to be a tough match anyway with Chicago right behind them, but the Americans are flying,” Olazábal said. “They have players who are really hot. Am I concerned? No. But the Europeans are not all winning, I must say. It’s important for them to do so. If you have players who have been winning they are full of confidence.”
Whatever happens in this next month, Olazábal can count on having to make a difficult decision come Monday, August 27. He has already gone against the European Tour’s wishes and stalled naming his vice-captains until after he knows the make-up of his team; and he is plainly prepared to select that team on form rather than reputation.
"The one thing I learnt when I was the assistant to Nick [Faldo, when Europe lost in 2008] was that whatever you do as captain, whatever the outcome, there will always be two sides of the story,” Olazábal said, talking in his role as a Nespresso ambassador.
“Look at Ian Poulter. Nick was criticised by all the media for picking him ahead of Darren Clarke, but then, after Ian had been the best player on the team, nobody stopped to praise his selection.
"So I know what it’s going to be like. I am ready. I’m not going to please everyone and it would drive me mad trying to.”
Garcia should take note.

NEWS FROM THIS WEEK'S BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL

FOR NEWS FROM THE BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL AT FIRESTONE COUNTY CLUB (South Course), AKRON, OHIO


CLICK HERE

TRANSITION FROM BELLY PUTTERS COULD BE DIFFICULT FOR SOME

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE

By ALEX MICELI
AKRON, Ohio – Most of the players on the range this week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational know that the "anchoring" putting stroke likely will be banned after the USGA and R and A meet in September.
The fact that the change won’t go into effect until 2016, with the next edition of the Rules of Golf, will help some players. But for the growing number of players on the major professional tours who have been anchoring a putter to their belly or sternum for much of their careers, the transition could be difficult.
“A lot of the ones now are good putters to begin with," said instructor Dave Stockton, the two-time PGA champion who is regarded as a putting guru. 
“These kids I don't think will have any problem adjusting, I really don't.”
Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Ernie Els are three of the four current major winners who used a belly putter in those victories. Els and Bradley have said they would do what was needed if the stroke were to be deemed illegal.

In fact, here on the Firestone Country Club range, Bradley showed a method of putting, using his current belly model and not having the handle touch or anchored to his stomach.

“I'm not sure how to react to it, to be honest,” Els said to any potential anchoring discussion. “If they want to ban it, that's fine. I'll play a different way. It's helped me with the shorter putts, and it's helped me regain my confidence in my stroke.”
But Els who has gone back and forth between belly and conventional strokes, wonders about the younger guys who have come of age with the belly stroke.
“It's different with guys who had putting problems and go to the long putter because it helps them out, whether it's their nerves or whatever it is,” Els said. “But guys like Webb and Keegan, who've been putting with it since they were teenagers, that's going to be difficult for them to go to a short putter.”
Jim Furyk, a PGA Tour Policy Board member, suggested in a news conference at the RBC Canadian Open that if the anchoring stroke were to be outlawed, then the Tour might have to consider whether to abide by the rule.
Steve Stricker, who also is on the Policy Board, said the membership will have a voice.

Historically, the US PGA Tour has conformed with USGA rules changes, including the shift to smaller iron grooves three years ago.

At most US PGA Tour events, a local rule regarding loose impediments in a bunker effectively negates the Rules of Golf. According to the USGA and R and A, a player cannot remove the impediment in a bunker. But at many events, the US Tour uses a local rule that permits the removal of a loose impediment without penalty.
But in almost every other instance, the US PGA Tour and the Rule of Golf are in lockstep. So if the US PGA Tour were to deviate from the Rules of Golf in anchoring, one of the arguments is that the decision could open a Pandora’s box of requests to make numerous changes, depending on the different constituency, and that could be a problem for the US Tour.
“I really don't understand why bifurcation couldn't work," Furyk said in Canada. “I'm sure someone could give me a good idea why. I just haven't heard it yet, if that makes sense. I honestly think you should play from a different set of rules than issued. I have no problem with that.”

TWO HOLES IN ONE IN THREE WEEKS ... ANOTHER STAR RISING IN RORY McILROY COUNTRY?

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH WEBSITE

By Amanda Poole

The latest boy wonder to emerge from Holywood Golf Club, near Belfast, is 15-year-old Jon McClements.

Within three weeks, the 5ft 1in Lagan College pupil, who plays off a nine handicap, has bagged a hole-in-one — TWICE!
The first was at the ninth hole on July 6, amazing himself and others, and the second was at the 10th hole last Sunday.
Like Rory McIlroy, who also honed his skills at Holywood, Jon started playing with plastic golf clubs when he was just three years old.
Decked out in his Fred Daly (former Open winner from Northern Ireland) top , Jon explained to the Belfast Telegraph the circumstances of his rare achievement on the par three holes. 
“The first time I was with three of my friends in a juvenile competition,” Jon said. “It was a blind tee shot. I hit a seven iron up and it was looking like a good shot.
“We walked up and couldn’t find it and then my friend said ‘someone has had a hole in one’. Someone shouted the ball number and it was me.
“Everyone was laughing. John the ranger was there and everyone was cheering for me.
“The second time, it was also a blind tee shot. I couldn’t believe it and I started laughing.”
Jon’s proud firefighter father, Tony, who plays on the senior team at Holywood Golf Club, is thrilled for his ‘ace’ son and is encouraging him to pursue his dream of being a pro-golfer, just like Rory
“Some of the guys from the club have been playing for 50 years and have never had one, never mind two,” Tony said.

MUIR DEER PARK MASTERS SCORES FROM LIVINGSTON

TO VIEW THE FINAL-ROUND SCORES, FROM LUNCHTIME ONWARDS, FROM THE MUIR DEER PARK MASTERS AT THE LIVINGSTONE VENUE


CLICK HERE

EUROPRO TOUR NEWS FROM ROWALLAN CASTLE

TO VIEW YESTERDAY'S INDIVIDUAL PRO SCORES IN THE EUROPRO TOUR PRO-AM AT ROWALLAN CASTLE


CLICK HERE


SCORE UPDATES WILL FOLLOW LATER IN THE DAY

DAY 3 SCOTTISH AMATEUR RESULTS AT ROYAL DORNOCH

It's Day 3 in the Scottish men's amateur championship at Royal Dornoch's classic links.
To access the Scottish Golf Union website's results service


CLICK HERE