CHALLENGE TOUR REPORT AND SCORES

From Challenge Tour Press Officer Paul Symes 

 In-form Dane Joachim B Hansen scorched home in 31 strokes to grab the lead on the opening day of the ALLIANZ Golf Open Toulouse Metropole.

Hansen is currently in a rich vein of form, having finished inside the top 20 in each his last four appearances – a run which included two fourth places.

As a result of his recent exertions, Hansen is currently sitting pretty in 12th place in the Challenge Tour Rankings, but is desperate to climb into the top ten in order to secure more starts on The European Tour next term. And the 22 year old did his prospects of achieving his aim no harm whatsoever with a superb eight under par round of 63 at Golf de Toulouse-Seilh, in south-west France.

He said: “I was hitting it close and putted really well, so that’s always a pretty good combination. I holed almost everything I looked at, which doesn’t happen often so you have to enjoy it when it does. I holed some very good putts on the sixth for par and the ninth for birdie, which was a very nice way to finish a great round.

“My confidence is obviously very high after my results recently, so I just hope I can keep my form going for the rest of the season. The aim at the start of the season was to finish inside the top 20 of the Rankings, but now that I’m in 12th I really want to push into the top ten. If I can have a really good week here, it will take some of the pressure off so I can relax and enjoy the rest of the season.”       

Hansen’s playing partner, Daniel Vancsik, is in a five strong group of players sharing second place on six under par. The Argentine has risen to 16th place in the Rankings on the back of some highly encouraging recent results, and he continued his fine form with a round of 65 which included seven birdies and an eagle three at the 11th hole.

Earlier in the day, Alexandre Kaleka had delighted the locals by notching five birdies and an eagle in a round of 65. 

After following up his win in Russia with a top ten finish in Kazakhstan last week, the two-time Challenge Tour champion is within striking distance of Rankings leader Gary Lockerbie of England; and a second victory at Golf de Toulouse-Seilh – where he won the French Boys Championship in 2006 – could seal a rise to the summit.

Whilst Kaleka is not necessarily targeting the top of the Rankings, he admits it would be the perfect way to seal a swift return to The European Tour, having lost his playing privileges last season.

He said: “I’ve played well all season really, but of course getting the win in Russia has taken my confidence up another level. Winning the Rankings would obviously make it a very special year but my main focus is to try to win tournaments, and if I can win another one before the end of the season, that would give me a great chance.”

 

Italian Matteo Delpodio, England’s Simon Wakefield, South African Justin Walters made it a five way tie for second place.

 

First round scores:

63 J Hansen  (Den)

 65 A Kaleka  (Fra) , S Wakefield (Eng) , D Vancsik (Arg) , J Walters (RSA) , M Delpodio  (Ita) ,

 66 C Hanson (Eng) , M Nixon (Eng) , R Bland (Eng) ,

 67 O Wilson (Eng) , P Relecom  (Bel) , J Garcia Pinto (Esp) , B An (Kor) , C Doak (Sco) , L Saltman (Sco) , S O'Hara  (Sco) , S Walker (Eng) , C Brazillier  (Fra) , T Sluiter  (Ned) , R Russell (Sco) , J Brun (am) (Fra) ,

 68 J McLeary  (Sco) , J Bragulat  (Esp) , D Alonso (Esp) , A Hansen  (Den) , P Uihlein  (USA) , S Garcia Rodriguez (Esp) , F Calmels  (Fra) , A Snobeck  (Fra) , J Wahlqvist (Swe) , A Kaunas (Ltu) , S Jeppesen  (Swe) ,

 69 M Ford (Eng) , L Kennedy  (Eng) , N Meitinger  (Ger) , B Koepka  (USA) , J Busby (Eng) , M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) , N Bertasio (Ita) , P Edberg (Swe) , F McGuirk  (Eng) , J Lima  (Por) , I Giner (Esp) , P Archer (Eng) , M Madsen  (Den) , R Dinwiddie  (Eng) , C Moriarty (Irl) , J Gibb (Eng) , A Parr (Can) , C Monasterio (Arg) , V Riu  (Fra) , A Gee  (Eng) , B Ritthammer (Ger) , N Dougherty  (Eng) , E Espana (am) (Fra) ,

 70 G Watremez (Bel) , D Brooks (Eng) , A Perrino  (Ita) , B Chapellan (Fra) , J Senior (Eng) , C Macaulay  (Sco) , A Bernadet  (Fra) , M Hill (Fra) , E De La Riva  (Esp) , E Kofstad (Nor) , R Steiner (Aut) , M Kieffer (Ger) , J Huldahl (Den) ,

 71 E Pepperell (Eng) , A Tadini (Ita) , F Adarraga (Esp) , O David  (Fra) , D Nouailhac (Fra) , J Grillon  (Fra) , S Benson (Eng) , M Tullo (Chi) , J De Lope (Esp) , B Parker  (Eng) , S Davis (Eng) , D Gaunt (Aus) , S Pinckney (USA) , J Lopez Lazaro (Fra) , Å Nilsson (Swe) , A Otaegui  (Esp) , A Domingo (Esp) , C Russo (Fra) , S Kim (Kor) , A McArthur  (Sco) , J Remesy (Fra) , B Åkesson (Swe) , J Heath  (Eng) ,

 72 S Hutsby  (Eng) , A Levy (Fra) , L Jensen (Den) , D Perrier (Fra) , H Bacher (Aut) , T Remkes (Ned) , I Sanchez-Palencia  (Esp) , J Belot-Lacroix (Fra) , P Dwyer (Eng) , A Bossert (Sui) , P Barjon (am) (Fra) ,

 73 M Haastrup  (Den) , F De Vries  (Ned) , R Neil-Jones (Eng) , M Southgate  (Eng) , B Teilleria (Fra) , M Cryer (Eng) , R Bechu (Fra) , R Schneider (Fra) , W Besseling  (Ned) ,

 74 J Doherty  (Sco) , R Thuillier (Fra) , G Lockerbie  (Eng) , A Grenier  (Fra) , B Barham (Eng) ,

 75 J Adarraga Gomez  (Esp) , F Praegant (Aut) , G Houston (Wal) , A Tampion  (Aus) , M Haines  (Eng) ,

 76 C Aguilar  (Esp) , C Ford (Eng) , F Delamontagne  (Fra) ,

 77 S Bebb (Wal) , V Guillaume (Fra) , P Valmary (Fra) ,

 80 A Renck (Fra) , C Gane (Eng) , E Mercadier  (Fra) ,

 82 R Dupuis  (Fra) ,

 ** N Lemke (Swe) ,

 

Paul Symes

Press Officer

European Tour

MyGolfRanking.co.uk, Fife Golfing Association

 Week 37 ending 16 September 2012:

1 C Nelson (St Michaels) 993.18 pts

 2 G Cramb (Canmore) 982.17

3 AL White (New Club St A) 975

4 M Elvin (Forrester Park) 968.75

5 A Davidson (Charleton) 966.67

6 A Duncan (Drumoig) 950, 7 I Fleming (Auchterderran) 926.92, 8 E Davidson (Charleton) 918.8, 9 AR Medcraf (Balbirnie Park) 912.09

10 G Angus (Scotscraig) 911.63, 11 O McCue (Kirkcaldy) 910, 12= TW Corke (St Andrews GC) 908.33, G Lowe (Pitreavie) 908.33, 14 BAA Kinsley (St Andrews GC) 907.14

15 C Malcolm (Canmore) 897.57, 16= A Liddle (Cupar) 893.75, J Woods (St Andrews GC) 893.75, 18 D Paterson (Leven GS) 888.89, 19 DGG Begbie (Ladybank) 883.65, 20 J Henderson (Ladybank) 881.37.

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

GARY AND JANE TOUGH WIN MIDLAND ALLIANCE MIXED FOURSOMES

T

By LEE SUTHERLAND

This week the Midland Golfers’ Alliance was held two meetings. The annual Mixed Foursomes was held at St. Michaels Golf Club in Fife and their regular meeting was held at Pitlochry Golf Club in Perthshire. 

Gary Tough Edzell and Jane Tough Brechin won the mixed competition with a net score of 70.5. 

At Pitlochry Ballumbie Castle amateur George Finlay lead the way with a superb 3 under par 66. There was a tie for the handicap with Doug Mitchell Panmure (6) and Keith Bruce Edzell (2) both scoring net 68.

 

Emmar Textiles Mixed Foursomes

70.5 G.Tough Edzell & J. Tough Brechin (1.5)

74, J. Stevenson Braehead & V. Purdye Dunblane New (10)

76,  J. Paisley Lundin & J. Thompson Lundin (12)

79.5 J. McCormack Kirriemuir & A. Cameron Kirriemuir (18.5)

Pitlochry Meeting

Leading Scratch scores

66, G. Finlay Ballumbie Castle (+2) 

69, M. Pirie  Pitlochry (P) P. Jamieson Dunblane New (P) J. Jackson Pitlochry (AP)

70, A. Webster Edzell (P) K. Bruce Edzell (2) P. Brookes Pitrieve (P)

71, R. Stewart Tulliallan (1)

73, J. Watt  Edzell (2)

74, D. Mitchell Panmure (6) W. Crosbie Blairgowrie (5)

75, L. Sutherland  Monifieth (P)

Leading Handicap Scores

68, K. Bruce Edzell (2) D. Mitchell Panmure (6) G. Finlay Ballumbie Castle (+2)

 69, W. Crosbie Blairgowrie (5)

70, R. Stewart Tulliallan (1) C. Westland Alloa (11)

71, J. Watt  Edzell (2) D. Sievwright  Drumoig (13) H. Cowbrough Muckhart (5)

72, D. Spaven Pitlochry (9) R. Redpath Scotscraig (4) D. Redford Murrayshall (9)

 D. Adams Carnoustie (5) B. Bell  Tulliallan (5)

Qualifiers for the JTC Kitchen Express Midland Golfer’s Alliance Championship in April at Crieff

P. Jamieson Dundlane New (P) J. Jackson Pitlochry (AP) K. Bruce Edzell (2)P. Brookes Pitreavie (P)

Qualifiers for the JTC Kitchen Express McQueen Shield at Crieff in April

K. Bruce Edzell (2)

G. Finlay Ballumbie Castle (+2) 

Next Meeting 

Thursday, 27^th September

Alyth

8.30 - 12.30

TEE TIMES FOR MIDLAND ALLIANCE PRO-AM

Fraser Bros (Tyres) Pro-Am

Ladybank Golf Club

4^th October 2012

8.30, G. McLeod, J. Roy, N. McLeod, A. Saunders

8.38, M. Pirie, J. Seaton, M. Wilson, B. MacKay

8.46, T. McLevy, W. Hutton, I. Butchart, D. Spaven

8.56, S. Hill, M. Fraser, S. Patterson, K. Fraser

9.02, G. Ramsay, C. Brunton, E. Rae, G. Crighton

9.10, C. Mackie, J. Black, J. Rankin, N. Henderson

9.18, G. Tough, J. Gilchrist, R. McLean, G. Duncan

9.26, R. Ford, R. Redpath, R. Beatt

9.34, H. Wong, A. Mason, A. Black, A. Douglas

9.42, C. Armstrong, D. West, J. Edmiston, G. White

9.50, S. McLaren, R. Taylor, C. Copeland, G. McCartney

9.58, N. McGill, I. Wilson, I. Henderson, D. Vickary

10.06, C. Nugeny, B. Black, R. De Rose, T. McKenna

10.14, P. Jamieson, R. Lamont, A. Moir, A Thorburn

10.22, A. Martin, G. Hume, R. Tait,

10.30, P. Brookes, C. Westland, K. Thomson, J. Wilson

10.38, G. Jenkins, W. Crosbie, R. Baldie, S. McKenzie

10.46, R. Stewart, R. Barton, A. Didcock, W. Cunningham

10.56, M. Gay, N. Dalrimple, D. Sievwright, G. Taylor

11.02, Ladybank GC

11.10, M. MacKenzie, R. Brownhill, A. Smith, J. Watt

11.18, P. Wytrazek, H. Haldane, G. Muir, P. Rhind

11.26, H. Salmond, W. Bell, , J. Irwin, , G. Wilkie

11.34, R. Wallace, D. Mitchell, W. Miller, G. Paton

11.42, K. Salmoni, T. McIntyre, R. Sinclair, H. Cowbrough

11.50, B. Smith, I. McMurray, S. Robertson, A. Farquharson

11.58, N. Cameron, A. Duncan, D. Redford, J. Meddicks

12.06, D. Adams, J. Ward, A. Herd, G. Miller

12.14, J. Brown, J. Cree, J. Muir, J.cree

12.22, D. Herd, J. Graham, A. McLeod, D. Mason

12.30, G. Finlay, G. Collins, J. Craig, M. Watkins

12.38, J. Stevenson, J. Stevenson, D. Patrick, N. Westbrook

12.46, N. Anderson, A. Reid, S. Hills, S. Blady

12.54, L. Sutherland, G. Cant, R. McDonald, D. Wilson

1.02, F. Robertson, R. Mackie, R. Francy, C. Marr

1.10, J. McCormack, M. Arnold, J. Breen, W. Herron

1.20, A. McDonald, T. Jamieson, G. Mathieson, D. Morrison

Lee Sutherland

GREG MCBAIN WINS £5,000 FIRST PRIZE IN PAUL LAWRIE INVITATIONAL

Aberdeen-born Greg McBain scored the biggest win of his fledgling pro golf career when he claimed the £5,000 first prize in the Paul Lawrie Invitational tournament over 54 holes at Deeside Golf Club, Bieldside on the western suburbs of Aberdeen today/
McBain, a former Newmachar Golf Club member who is sponsored by Gamola Golf and works in their Market Street shop when not golfing, has been playing away steadily all season, learning the tour golf trade and this week it all came together with rounds of 67, 68 and 68 for seven under par 203,
As overnight leader Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) surprisingly dropped out of the hunt, finishing with a 73 for 207, so McBain got his nose in front and stayed there.
The former UHI student, who gained a golf management degree at Dornoch and turned pro as an assistant at Royal Dornoch in 2007, won by one stroke from the Glenmuir PGA champion Welshman Gareth Wright (West Linton) who had rounds of 68, 67 and 69 for 24. Wright's financial reward was £3,500.
Three players tied for third place on 205, including sponsor and Ryder Cup player Paul Lawrie (Carnegie Club) (70-68-67), Paul O'Hara (Colville Park) (71-66-68) and Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs Golf Range) (72-65-68).
Paul Lawrie said later: "I had a very frustrating day as I missed seven birdie putts from inside 6ft for birdies but still managed to shoot 67 and finish in a tie for third.
"But huge congrats to Greg McBain with his seven-under-par total.  The event has been brilliant again with everyone really enjoying the course and facilities."
 An even bigger and better Paul Lawrie Invitational is planned for next year at Deeside GC. WATCH THIS SPACE!
 
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 210 (3x70)
203 Greg McBain (Gamola Golf) 67 68 68 (£5,000)
204 Gareth Wright (West Linton) 68 67 69 (£3,500)
205 Paul Lawrie (Carnegie Club) 70 68 67, Paul O'Hara (Colville Park) 71 66 68, Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs) 72 65 68 (£2,166 each
206 David Orr (Means Castle) 70 70 66, Chris Kelly (Cawder) 69 69 68, Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle) 69 69 68 (£1,366 each)
207 Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) 68 66 73 (£1,150)
208 Scott Henderson (Kings Links) 69 68 71 (£1,050), Scott Borrowman (Dollar) (am) 74 69 65
209 Jordan Findlay (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 67 71 71
210 Patrick Walker (Ballumbie Castle) 71 71 68
212 Mark Kerr (unatt) 73 71 68, Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) (am) 72 71 69, Terry Mathieson (Murcar Links) 65 75 72
213 Jonathan Lomas (unatt) 71 74 68, David Law (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 73 71 69, Keir McNicoll (Gullane) 71 72 70

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES AND PRIZEMONEY

CLICK HERE

ALL THE NORTHERN COUNTIES CUP RESULTS FROM BALGOWNIE

Newmachar, represented by the four players who have won the Northern Counties Cup in 2010 and again last year, made a winning start to their bid for the treble at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club today FIRST ROUND Deeside bt Newmachar 2 by two holes A Ross and S Cruickshank 3, E Kennedy and R Lamb 0 J Pryde and A Gall 0, A N Other and B Robson 1 Cruden Bay 2 lost to Banchory 2 by three holes D Milne & D King 0, D Brand & S Strachan 4 R Willox & N Metcalf 1, A Lindsay & L Morrice 0. Duff House Royal w.o. Peterhead scr Royal Dornoch 1 lost to Forres by three holes D McIntosh & M Munro 0, G Stuart & J Wright 2 A Macdonald & D Pearson lost to C MacKay & R McKerron 1 Nairn bt Tain at the 20th F Fotheringham & R Burgess 3, M Ferries & F Mackle 0 B Thomson & R Smith 0, B Ferries & R Jack 3 Nairn Dunbar 1 lost to Fraserburgh by four holes G Burnett & R Johnston 0, J Duff & J Mitchell 2 F Brown & B Watson 0, G Munro & M Thomson 2 Murcar Links 1 bt Banchory 1 by 10 holes A Bews & C Brechin 6, L Smart & J Harling 0 D Raitt & B Innes 4, D Read & I Miller 0   Orkney 2 lost to Meldrum House 2 by 11 holes A Milne & P Kemp 0, K Riley & G Cooper 6 E Donaldson & J Thomson 0, G Brodie & S Green 5 SECOND ROUND Newmachar 1 bt Nigg Bay 1 by two holes C Simpson & M McKechnie 1, R Nielsen & R Wood 0 J Duff & R Barr 1, J Duff & P Burnett 0 Meldrum House 1 scr, Fortrose & Rosemarkie 2 w.o. McDonald Ellon bt Inverness 2 by 15 holes R McKen & K Duncan 4, C Black & J Keith 0 A Dunton & C Gilbert 11, J Treasurer & G Forsyth 0 Royal Aberdeen 1 bt Elgin by nine holes D MacAndrew & W Park 3, J Milne & D Ramsay 0 B Barclay & A Reith 6, S Johnston & D Hector 0 Moray 1 bt Murcar Links 2 by four holes M L MacLemam & K Thomson 6, A Campbell 0 A W Mair & R J Shiels 0, N McKinnon & L Vettese 2 Royal Dornoch 2 lost to Cruden Bay 1 by six holes B Urquhart & D O'Brien 0, L L Phillips & M Buchan 2 B Nicholson & P Lee 0, J Godward & A Duff 4  Orkney 1 bt Turriff by three holes M Fleet & G Fleet 0, S Reid & C Clarihew 2 E Rendall & P McKinlay 5, J Robertson & J Williamson 0 Nigg Bay 2 w.o. Torvean scr Inverness1 bt Deeside by two holes B Fotheringham & E Forbes 2, A Ross & S Cruickshank 0 J Forbes & B Fraser 0, J Pryde & A Gall 0 Royal Aberdeen 2 lost to Banchory 2 at the 21st M Wilson & L Watson 0, D Brand & S Strachan 0 J Johnston & A Buchan 0, L Morrice & A Lindsay 0 Moray 2 lost to Duff House Royal at 19th P McPherson & I Geddes 1, D Morrison & G Wilson 0 B Harris & M MacLeman 0, G Mitch & A J Smith  1 Nairn Dunbar 2 lost to Forres by seven holes M Britovsek & G Robins 0, G Stuart & J Wright 2 D Lamb & B Ford 0, C MacKay & R McKerron 5

WOODEN SPOON FOR SCOTS SENIORS

Scotland finished last of four in the Senior Men's Home Internationals at Southerdown Golf Club, South Wales. The Scots, who had earlier lost 6-3 to England and gone down 5-4 to Ireland finished their programme with a 5-4 defeat by Wales. England broke Ireland's stranglehold on the over-55s title by beating them 6-3 in the deciding match between the two teams with 100 per cent recores after two days' play. Results: Day 1 - Ireland 7.5, Wales 1.5; England 6, Scotland 3. Day 2 - England 6, Wales 3; Ireland 5, Scotland 4. Day 3 - England 6, Ireland 3; Wales 5, Scotland 4.

MONTY DAY AT KINGS BARNS RAISES OVER £40,000 FOR MAGGIE'S CENTRES

NEWS RELEASE

Scottish golf legend Colin Montgomerie has expressed his delight at the funds raised for the foundation set up in his mother's name by a special golf day at Kingsbarns Golf Links.

More than £40,000 was raised for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation from the event on Monday, September 17 which was sponsored by the John Clark Motor Group.

The foundation was established in 2007 in memory of Monty's mother and is currently working to raise £4 million for two new Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres in Scotland which provide support for individuals and families affected by cancer. The centres are scheduled to open in 2013 in Aberdeen and Lanarkshire.

Around 60 golfers took part and were greeted by the victorious European Ryder Cup captain at the renowned modern links in the East Neuk of Fife. Monty gave the golfers some swing advice during his golf clinic and played with them at the par three 8th hole.

Speaking from Kingsbarns, Monty, the eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner, said: 

"I'm delighted to see such a good turnout at the golf day which will raise a fantastic amount for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation. Providing support to people who have been affected by cancer is so important and events like this give a great boost to our fundraising efforts. 

"I hugely appreciate the support we have received from Kingsbarns Golf Links in donating the course for the day and John Clark Motor Group in sponsoring it. To play golf at Kingsbarns on such a beautiful day is a pleasure and I'm sure everyone taking part has enjoyed themselves enormously."

Alan Hogg, the Chief Executive of Kingsbarns Golf Links, said: "Colin has been a great friend of Kingsbarns over the years and we are proud to be able to support his fundraising efforts for the foundation. It is an extremely worthy cause and we are delighted to back it along with a number of smaller charities we support throughout the year. The course is in excellent condition as we look forward to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and I'm sure the golfers relished the opportunity to play it ahead of some of the world's leading golfers."

 

John Downie, Group Marketing Director at John Clark Motor Group, commented: “We have had some fantastic feedback about the event and about the golf course. We would like to thank the golfers who took part for their generous contributions which have given a considerable boost to our wider fundraising efforts.”

 

MICHAEL AND DUNCAN STEWART IN EURO TOUR Q SCHOOL ELIMINATOR IN ENGLAND

Scots Michael Stewart (Troon) and Duncan Steward (Grantown onSpey) are competing in this week's European Tour School Stage B eliminator at Wychwood Pari.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES FROM YESTERDAY, AND LATER TODAY, THE SECOND-ROUND SCORES

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PAUL LAWRIE, LEE WESTWOOD HEAD HOME CHALLENGE AT ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWS RELEASE
Scotland’s top golfer Paul Lawrie and England’s world No 4 Lee Westwood lead the home challenge for this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.
Both players are former winners but they will be up against a strong field which includes no fewer than 11 Major champions.
England’s Lee Westwood, who won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2003, said: “I'm hoping for two memorable weeks. Victory for the Ryder Cup team in the United States and then back to St Andrews for a second Dunhill victory. My last Dunhill win was very important for me and it would be great to repeat that. It's always a terrific tournament to play in and it's on three fantastic links courses, so I am looking forward to it.”
And Scotland’s Paul Lawrie said: “I’m really enjoying my golf and things have been going very well for me recently. Winning the inaugural Dunhill Links in 2001 was a very important victory for me, and of course I know Carnoustie very well after my Open win in 1999, so I’m hoping I can have a good four days – it will be nice to play with my son Craig and relax a little after the stresses of the Ryder Cup.”
Current Open champion and four-time Major winner Ernie Els leads a strong South African contingent, including 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and 2011 US Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.
Northern Ireland’s 2011 Open champion Darren Clarke, a superlative player of links golf courses, will be at St Andrews trying to win his first Alfred Dunhill Links title.
Ireland’s three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington will be back to see if he can win a unique third Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, having taken the title in 2002 and 2006, and Germany’s Martin Kaymer who won in 2010, the same year he won the USPGA Championship, will be looking for a repeat victory.
Other Major winners in the field include Americans Rich Beem, the irrepressible John Daly and Shaun Micheel, plus New Zealand’s Michael Campbell.
Also in the field, bolstering the home challenge, will be Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Martin Laird and England’s Paul Casey, Simon Dyson, winner in 2009, and Ross Fisher.
Defending champion Michael Hoey from Northern Ireland wil l be returning to St Andrews, hoping to become the first golfer to win back-to-back Alfred Dunhill Links titles.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which celebrates links golf at its finest, is played over three of the world’s best known and respected links courses – the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie and the highly regarded Kingsbarns Golf Links

With a prize fund of US$5 million, the championship incorporates two separate competitions - an individual professional tournament for the world's leading golfers and a team event in which the professionals are paired with some of the most celebrated amateur golfers which creates a unique atmosphere.

Among the amateurs who have played in the Championship have been film an d TV stars Hugh Grant, Greg Kinnear and Kyle MacLachlan and music legends Huey Lewis and Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres. There is always a strong sporting feel to the amateur field, which has included Olympic legends Sir Matthew Pinsent and Sir Steve Redgrave, Dutch football legends Johan Cruyff and Ruud Gullit, former England player Jamie Redknapp and Scottish defender Alan Hansen, a strong team of cricketers in Sir Ian Botham, Andrew Strauss, Steve Waugh and Shane Warne and rugby’s Morné du Plessis and Gavin Hastings.

Entrance to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will be FREE at all three courses on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A ticket price of £15 (concessionary £10) will be charged for the final day’s play over the Old Course on Sunday, October 7.  Entry for under 16s and students is free.   Tickets are available through the ticket hotline on 0844 581 4922 or at the ent rance gates. 
Website: http://www.alfreddunhilllinks.co

IKEDA LEADS PANASONIC OPEN WITH A NINE-UNDER 62

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR

Hyogo, Japan, September 20: Japanese star Yuta Ikeda put himself in a strong position of ending a string of runner-up finishes as he shot a sensational nine-under-par 62 for the opening round lead at the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open on Thursday.

Ikeda, a nine-time winner in Japan, opened up a two-shot lead over veteran golfer Hiroyuki Fujita, a two-time Asian Tour winner, Yusaku Miyazato, who finished tied 20^th at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, Katsumasa Miyamoto, Koumei Oda and Kazuhiro Yamashita at the Higashi Hirono Golf Club

Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines, Jeev Milkha Singh of India, a two-time number one in Asia, and Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil carded matching 67s for 11^th place at the 150 million Yen (approximately US$1.9 million) event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

Ikeda, who finished tied sixth at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic on the Asian Tour in April, played bridesmaid in the last three weeks in Japan but he is fired-up to win his first title this season.

“I will give myself 80 or 90 points for my round. I was really close in the last three weeks but I’m still proud with what I achieved. I started off very well and the momentum started to build. Everything went smoothly so I guess that’s why I have no bogeys,” said Ikeda.

“I did have some up and downs with my shots but when I got in trouble, I recovered very well. I guess that’s the key to my good score,” added the 26-year-old.

At the age of 46, Fujita is showing no signs of slowing down. He has won three titles on home soil this season, including one last week, and is on track for a fourth victory after riding on a hot putter where he was bogey-free.

“This is the best I’ve putted this year. This is a difficult golf course but I was expecting to do well. I won’t say that I can win my fourth title yet because it is only the first day but I believe I have a good chance of shooting a lower score and give myself a chance,” said Fujita.

Despite playing with an injured finger, Singh was inspired by the presence of his father, a former Olympic sprinter and his wife, who cheered him on for 18 holes.

“They walked with me and that was nice. They will be with me for five weeks. They walked full 18 and I’m impressed with my father. He is 82 and walked on this hilly course!” said Singh, a six-time Asian Tour champion.

“The finger hurt a bit because the rough is thick but I can manage. I’m taking care of it (finger) and nursing it well. I’m putting a lot of balm and doing other stuff to make sure it does not swell,” added Singh, who won the Scottish Open in July.

Pagunsan got off to a birdie and bogey start but immediately responded with three birdies on holes 14, 17 and 18 before trading two further birdies against one blemish on his homeward nine.

“If you miss the greens, it will be very difficult to hit your second shots. I’ve been hitting it good in the last couple of months so I hope I can continue the momentum. I’m feeling more confident now because of how I’m playing. It won’t be easy to chase down the lead but there are still three days more,” said Pagunsan.

Chinnarat, the youngest champion on the Asian Tour when he won in 2005 at the age of 17 years and five days, soared with an eagle three on the 550-yard 18^th hole when his rescue iron approach shot landed three feet from the hole.

“My game hasn’t come together. I never had a tournament where my driver, putting and irons have been good. If it does, then it will be perfect and I can win again,” said Chinnarat, a three-time Asian Tour winner.

He credited a new driver for his solid start. “I haven’t played so good this year but I keep trying my best. I wasn’t hitting it good with my driver earlier this year but it is getting better now. I changed my driver last month because I didn’t improve even after practising!”

Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan started his title defence with a 68 and was bunched up with Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and Prayad Marksaeng, Kieran Pratt of Australia, Berry Henson of the United States, Australian Darren Beck, Shiv Kapur of India and Rikard Karlberg of Sweden. They are all Asian Tour winners.

 

Leading first round scores

Par 71. Yardage 7,020

62 - Yuta IKEDA (JPN).

64 - Katsumasa MIYAMOTO (JPN), Koumei ODA (JPN), Yusaku MIYAZATO (JPN), Hiroyuki FUJITA (JPN), Kazuhiro YAMASHITA (JPN).

65 - KIM Do-hoon (752) (KOR).

66 - Tomohiro KONDO (JPN), Masamichi UEHIRA (JPN), Shigeru NONAKA (JPN).

67 - Hiroo KAWAI (JPN), Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA), Ryuichi ODA (JPN), Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI), K.T. KIM (KOR), Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND), Hideto TANIHARA (JPN), Toru TANIGUCHI (JPN), Daisuke KATAOKA (JPN), LEE Seong-ho (KOR), Cameron SMITH (am, AUS), Shiv KAPUR (IND), HWANG Jung-gon (KOR), WU Ashun (CHN), Hidemasa HOSHINO (JPN).

68 - Prom MEESAWAT (THA), Prayad MARKSAENG (THA), LEE Dong-hwan (KOR), Kieran PRATT (AUS), Tetsuji HIRATSUKA (JPN), Michio MATSUMURA (JPN), Berry HENSON (USA), I.J. JANG (KOR), Darren BECK (AUS), Tjaart VAN DER WALT (RSA), S.K. HO (KOR), Rikard KARLBERG (SWE), Yoshinobu TSUKADA (JPN), Yoshikazu HAKU (JPN), CHAN Yih-shin (TPE).

 

NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE TEE TIMES FOR ABOYNE

Wednesday 26 September 2012 at Aboyne.

Game No. Start Time Tee

2 08:07 1 Brown, David Manson, Ritchie Morgan, Lewis

3 08:14 1 Watson, Keith Cassie, Charlie Mitchell, Graham

4 08:21 1 Clark, Fraser Munro, Gordon Fitzpatrick, Ryan

5 08:28 1 ............................ ............................ ............................

6 08:35 1 Nicolson, John cornfield, Paul Mackie, Scott

7 08:42 1 Nelson, Colin Dalgarno, John Prouse, L

8 08:49 1 Roulston, Harry Roger, Leslie Prouse, Clair

9 08:56 1 Hamilton, John Rendall, Michael Borthwick, John

10 09:03 1 Kennedy, Euan Lamb, Christopher Taylor, Ian

11 09:10 1 Dunton, Adam Merchant, Manson ............................

12 09:17 1 ............................ ............................ ............................

13 09:24 1 ............................ ............................ ............................

14 09:31 1 Davidson, S Brown, Raymond Brown, Mike

15 09:38 1 Winton, Mike Thomson, stuart George, David

16 09:45 1 Forster, Martin Graham, Loren hopwood, joel

17 09:52 1 McIntosh, Paul Emslie, jim McNaughton, Hamish

18 09:59 1 Gall, Alan Stewart, Norman Forrest, Jackie

19 10:06 1 Fleming, David Fowler, Les Pirie, Alexander

20 10:13 1 Leslie, David Homer, Gary Shaw, Willie

21 10:20 1 Adams, Eric Cheyne, Peter Wright, Dick

22 10:27 1 Chisholm, Neish Jessiman, John Petrie, Alister

23 10:34 1 Smith, I.D. Duncan, Jim Milne, Gordon

24 10:41 1 Grant, Ian Smith, Mike ............................

25 10:48 1 Nelson, David Beveridge, Keil Graham, Alister

26 10:55 1 Duncan, Keven Lamb, Robert Duff, John

27 11:02 1 Leech, Peter May, Martin ............................

28 11:09 1 Allan, Graham Nicolson, Brian Bisset, Fergus

29 11:16 1 Bisset, David Murray, Jim Randall, Derek

30 11:23 1 Albiston, Mark Scott, Steve ord, Colin

31 11:30 1 Lawrie, Mark Collie, Tommy Guthrie, Peter

32 11:37 1 ............................ .......................

33 11:44 1 ............................ .......................

34 11:51 1 ............................ .......................

35 11:58 1 ............................ ............................

36 12:05 1 ............................ ............................

37 12:12 1 Mckay, David Finnie, Stewart ............................

38 12:19 1 ............................ ......

39 12:26 1 ............................ ............

40 12:33 1 Wilson, David Carnegie, Craig Bratton, Ian