FERRIER MISSES CUT IN EGOLF TOUR EVENT, THE COLOMBIA OPEN

Former Scottish boys match-play champion Paul Ferrier (Baberton) missed the halfway cut in this week's Egolf Tour event in South Carolina, the Colombia Open at Colombia Country Club, Blythewood.
Ferrier shot 72 and 71 over the par-71 course and his total of one-over 143 was two shots too many to beat the cut.
American Tanner Evans won the $17,000 first prize with a 16-under-par total of 268, scoring 67, 63, 67 and 71.
Joint runners-up, five shots behind, were Ireland's Seamus Power (67-67-72-67), Canadian Cam Burke (66-73-78-67) and American Jeff Curl (68-68-69-68), all on 273.   
They each earned $7,543

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ONLY SIX SCOTS SURVIVE HALFWAY CUT IN LYTHAM TROPHY

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) and Glenbervie's Graeme Robertson spearheaded Scotland's challenge at the halfway point of the 72-hole Lytham Trophy amateur golf tournament at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Lancashire today (Sat)

Smith had scores of 72 and 73 for a five-over-par toally of 145 - three shots behind the long-time leader, Nathan Kimsey (Woodhall Spa) from Lincolnshire

Robertson revived his fortunes with a second-round, one-under--par 69, eight shots better than his opening effort, to be on the 146 mark.

Ewan Scott (St Andrews), well in the picture with a first-day 72, fell back with a 77 for 159, one shot ahead of James Ross (Royal Burgess) (76-74) and Stirling student Cormac Sharvin (75-75).

The field was cut to the leading 50 and ties for Sunday's final two rounds which means that only six Scots with 36-hole tallies of 151 and better made it through.

CHECK OUT THE LIVE SCORING FROM THE FINAL
TWO ROUNDS 

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LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Par 140 (2x70) CSS 76

142 N Kimsey (Woodhall Spa) 68 74

144 P Kinnear (Formby) 72 72, A Plant (Rochester and Cobham) 72 72, K Johannessen (Nor) 70 74.

145 R O'Donovan (Lucan) 75 70, A Eckhardt (Fin) 73 72, M Smyth (Royal Troon) 72 73.

146 G Robertson (Glenbervie) 77 79, A Turner (Kenwick Park) 73 73.
147 Jack Hiluta (Chelmsford) 76 71, Reeve Whitson(Mourne) 75 72,  Toby Tree (Worthing) 75 72, Jerome Titcom (Knole Park) 74 73, Ben Loughrey (Wrag Barn) 74 73, Neil Raymond (Corhampton) 70 77, Paul Howard (Southport and Ainsdale) 69 78.
 

SELECTED SCORES

149 E Scott (St Andrews) 72 77 (T22)

150 J Ross (Royal Burgess) 76 74, C Sharvin (Stirling U) 75 75 (T32)

151 S Borrowman (Dollar) 77 74, P Moultrie (Royal Troon) 77 74, M Eggenberger (Stirling U) 74 77 (T40)

MISSED THE CUT
152 C Howie (Peebles) 80 72, D Kay (Dunbar) 78 74, M Daily (Erskine) 74 78 (T50)

154 N Henderson (Renaissance) 75 79, A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 79 75 (T67).

155 J Savage (Cawder) 81 74, A Culverwell (Dunbar) 80 75, A Dalgliesh (Haywards Heath) 77 78 (T82)

156 K McClung (Wigtownshire Co) 79 77 (T89)

157 Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 79 78, S Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 76 81 (T96)

158 J McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) 81 77, S Crighton (Aberdour) 76 82 (T104)

159 R Bell (Downfield) 80 79 (T113).
160 J White (Lundin) 79 81  (T118)

162 F McKenna (Balmore) 81 81 (T130)

164 M Clark (Kilmacolm) 79 85 (T136)

Retired: G Gordon (Newmachar) 84 -.

NORTH-EAST GOLF STALWART KEN BENNIONS DIES

Ken Bennions, a past president of the North-east District of the Scottish Golf Union, died today (Saturday) after a short illness.

He was a long-serving member of the NE District executive, secretary of the Buchan Seniors Golf Association and an avid follower of Peterhead Football Club's fortunes.

McCREADIE SCOOPS PORTPATRICK POOL WITH A SEVEN-UNDER 63

Jason McCreadie shot a seven-under-par 63 to win the £1,103 top pro prize in today's (Sat) Portpatrick Dnnskey pro-am in the Dumfries and Galloway southwest region of Scotland.

The Buchanan Castle pro had a bag of eight birdies over the 5,913yd par-70 course - at the second, sixth, eighth, ninth, 10th, 13th, 15th and 18th with just one bogey - at the long third - to prevent a flawless scorecard.

He had two strokes to spare from joint runner-up Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) and Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) who earned £772 apiece.

Fenwick had seven birdies and two bogeys. McKechnie bogeyed the seventh and then covered his last 11 holes in six-under-par.

Fenwick and his trio of amateurs won the team event with a 21-under-par total of 119. Representing R S Windows, they were: Derek Robinson (handicap 6), Andrew Chalmers (8) and Richard Little (14).

PORTPATRICK DUNSKEY PRO-AM

Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club, Dumfries and Galloway.

LEADING PRO SCORES

Par 70. Yardage 5,,913

63 Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), £1,103.

65 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), £772 each.

66 Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy), David Orr (Mearns Castle), Christopher Currie (Caldwell), £408 each.

67 Gareth Hardy (Belleisle), Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), James Erksine (Portpatrick Dunskey), Alan Tait (Marriott Dalmahoy) £218 each.

68 Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), Craig Ronald (Carluke), Iain Colquhoun (Dundonald), £126 each.

69 Patrick Walker (Ballumbi9e Castle), Scott Herald (Mearns Castle), Stephen McAllster (Renaissance), £77 each.

70 Christopher Robinson (Portpatrick Dunskey), Mark King (Kingsfield), Christopher Russell (RAW Golf Course Design).

71 Nigel Scott-Smith (Palacerigg), Graeme Brown (Montrose Links).

72 Paul Robinson (Largs), James McKi9nnon (Irvine).

73 James McGhee (Duddingston), Christopher Campbell (Trump International).

74 Scott McGrenaghan (Cochrane Castle), Jordan Gallagher (Douglas Park).

AMERICAN LEADS BY FIVE IN CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT IN ITALY

REPORT BY SARAH GWYNN
EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR STAFF

Brooks Koepka scorched into a five shot lead in the Montecchia Golf Open presented by POLAROID with a magnificent nine under par 62 in the third round.

The American played a “flawless” round at Golf Club della Montecchia and at 18 under par overall his nearest rivals heading into the final day are Spaniard Agustin Domingo, who also sparkled with a seven under par 64, and Frenchman Edouard Espana, who birdied five of the last six holes for a 67. 

Koepka is playing his first full season on the Challenge Tour but has already signalled his potential, winning the Challenge de Catalunya last September and taking 43rd spot in the 2012 Rankings despite only playing ten events.

The Floridian birdied the fourth and fifth before a stunning run from the ninth yielded five birdies and an eagle in seven holes. 

He needed to pick up two shots in the last three holes for an elusive sub-60 round, but parred his way home and then joked: “I choked.”

“It doesn’t get much better than that,” said Koepka, who turned 23 on Friday. “It was flawless golf. That run I got on from the ninth, I just holed everything. I was hitting it so close; I didn’t have a putt outside 15 feet. 

“I’ve still got to go out there and play 18 holes tomorrow and I can’t think about winning yet. Someone could have a round like I did today and force me to do something. I’ll be taking the same approach as I’ve had all week; there’s no point playing defensively.”

Koepka, who qualified for last year’s US Open Championship, added: “I might be American but right now I see my future in Europe. The goal is to get a European Tour car for next season and I would love to do that. In time I might go back to the States, but right now I’m loving life on the Challenge Tour.” 

Domingo and Espana - themselves three shots clear of the rest of the field - will have to produce something special on Sunday to prevent Koepka winning his second Challenge Tour title.

Domingo said: “Almost everything was perfect today. Obviously Brooks is far ahead but you never know in golf and the only thing I can do is play my best and see where I end up.”

Espana, who only turned professional in January and is playing this week courtesy of a sponsor’s invitation, added: “I found something with my putting on the back nine today so hopefully I can continue that tomorrow and finish as high up as I can. I won’t have many opportunities this year as I am relying on invites, so it’s important that I take my chances.”

 

THIRD-ROUND TOTALS

Par 213 (3x71) 
195 B Koepka  (USA) 66 67 62

200 A Domingo (Esp) 68 68 64, E Espana (Fra) 65 68 67

203 J Guerrier  (Fra) 68 65 70, A Rota (Ita) 66 67 70, S Little (Eng) 68 69 66

204 N Ravano (Ita) 71 67 66, A Levy (Fra) 66 69 69, P Edberg (Swe) 68 70 66, F Colombo (Ita) 68 70 66, J Moul  (Eng) 65 67 72, D Brooks (Eng) 70 66 68

205 N Quintarelli (Ita) 68 70 67, T Hatton (Eng) 70 67 68, S Benson (Eng) 71 64 70, M Korhonen (Fin) 69 69 67, E Johansen  (Nor) 68 69 68, G Shaw (Nir) 65 68 72, L Bjerregaard  (Den) 65 72 68, R Saxton (Ned) 70 67 68, C Russo (Fra) 64 69 72, S Arnold  (Aus) 67 70 68,

206 P Dwyer (Eng) 69 69 68, S Manley (Wal) 70 68 68, N Elvira  (Esp) 70 67 69, R McGowan  (Eng) 69 69 68, T Nørret (Den) 68 69 69, K Ferrie (Eng) 71 68 67, G Boyd  (Eng) 68 68 70, A Velasco (Esp) 67 69 70

207 J Lando Casanova  (Fra) 70 68 69, C Aguilar  (Esp) 66 73 68, D Vancsik (Arg) 67 71 69, T Haylock  (Eng) 66 71 70, J Dantorp (Swe) 67 72 68, D Griffiths  (Eng) 69 67 71, D Dixon (Eng) 68 71 68, R Paratore (am) (Ita) 70 67 70

208 D Ulrich (Sui) 65 72 71, C Macaulay  (Sco) 70 68 70, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 69 70 69, S Tiley (Eng) 68 71 69, J McLeary  (Sco) 69 69 70, P Oriol (Esp) 69 68 71

209 J Senior (Eng) 68 69 72, R McEvoy  (Eng) 71 68 70, S Thornton (Irl) 64 73 72, S Hutsby  (Eng) 67 71 71, M Crespi  (Ita) 68 71 70, A Romano (Ita) 71 68 70, M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) 70 69 70, J Ruth  (Eng) 70 66 73, D Wuensche  (Ger) 68 70 71

210 J Lima  (Por) 70 67 73, V Riu  (Fra) 68 69 73, B Dredge (Wal) 69 69 72, O Bekker (RSA) 69 68 73, F Calmels  (Fra) 68 71 71, G Stal  (Fra) 69 70 71

211 A Dunbar (Nir) 69 69 73, M Haastrup  (Den) 65 73 73, S Piaget  (Mon) 69 70 72

212 B Hebert  (Fra) 69 69 74

213 S O'Hara  (Sco) 71 68 74

 

SCOTS WHO MISSED THE CUT (139 or better qualified)
140 W Booth 67 73
141 L Saltman 71 70, A Forsyth 70 71, G Murray 68 73.
142 R Russell 72 70, J Doherty 69 73.
143 R Kellett 74 69, D Law 72 71
144 A McArthur 73 71
148 D Stewart 71 77.  

US GOLF TOUR OPERATORS IMPRESSED ON VISIT TO TRUMP LINKS

FROM GOLFWEEK
By MARTIN KAUFFMAN

ABERDEEN, Scotland – Trump International Golf Links is a triumph of design – a bold, stirring seaside layout that already is driving more golf tourists to the Scottish Highlands. But it also is a course that will need several years for its turf conditions to mature into a fast-running links.

That is the consensus of a group of U.S. tour operators with whom I played the course to cap a recent 10-day tour across Scotland. Most of the group, all of whom are members of the North American Golf Tour Operators Alliance (www.nagtoa.com), were seeing Trump International for the first time.

"It's a huge, majestic, big-time, major course," said Bill Hogan, president of Wide World of Golf. "It's a tough go for the higher-handicappers, but for the core golfers it's going to be a home run. It really needs five or six years to grow in. But how do you pick a signature hole? You can't. There are so many signature holes."

"I thought the course was fantastic, better than I even thought it would be, and I will 100 percent tell my customers to play it," said Jason Scarth, president of Britannia Golf.

"I think it will end up being one of the best links courses anywhere in the world. I think it probably needs a couple more years to mature, but you knew that going in."

That was a common theme: The layout is tremendous, but it will get even better as the linksland matures.

Debbie Bussey, who runs Absolutely Golf & Travel and chairs NAGTOA, said she "was blown away by the beauty of the course." At this point, however, she said it is "very much like a parkland course stuck in sand dunes. . . . It will mature in a few years."

"It's a special course, and I think it in time it will become a very special place," said John Gosselink of Fore Seasons Golf Tours. "It will probably not in our lifetime get the true approbation of being a links course in the sense of (Royal) Dornoch and (Royal) Aberdeen, but it's a wonderful golf course that could host any tournament. . . . The grow-in conditions will take several years, at least, but I think the bones are there. It could host any championship."

While Trump Links is situated near Royal Aberdeen and Murcar Links, Ed Holofcener, president of Golf Zoo, saw some similarities with courses that are more familiar to Americans.

"It's a links course, but it reminded me a lot of the southwestern U.S. – Arizona, Las Vegas," he said. "Instead of the big, massive dunes (Trump) has, it's the mountains, the rocks, that kind of topography – some of the courses that I would describe as more canyon golf than dunes golf. But I think it's a great course."

I played in Holofcener's group at Trump Links, but didn't discuss the course with him until after the round. Ironically, though, I separately had made a similar observation to one of our playing partners, John Flannagan of Flannagan's Golf Tours, after hitting my second shot on the par-5 fourth hole. Looking up the hill toward the green, I was reminded of some of the mountainous desert courses I've seen over the years. That might reflect the impressiveness of the dunes – at times, it really does feel as though you're walking through canyons – or the fact that the rough was so brown coming off of a harsh winter. The fact that the young turf was playing more like a target course than a links underscored that perception.

Bussey and Gosselink shared a concern about pace of play. "The most important thing I'll tell (clients) is to expect 4 1/2-hour rounds, and it's a long walk from greens to tees," Bussey said.

Before playing Trump Links, our group had speculated as to how many golf balls we might lose, having heard some horror stories from others who had played it. 
That turned out not to be much of a problem, despite a shifting, two-club wind. The rough is penal, but the fairways tend to be quite generous.

"I decreased or eliminated a bias I had about the Trump course," said Peter Hellman of Classic Golf Tours. "I came into this thinking it was going to be very difficult, impossible to play in many regards, the type of course that you would play once and never again, and possibly something that over the years would not be on anyone's itinerary. To my surprise and delight, I found the course very playable, a lot of fun, and I'm definitely going to include it in our itineraries."

On this point, Bill Campbell of Campbell Euro Golf Tours was less sanguine.

"I was really impressed by it, but it's not ready for my clients, and it won't be for maybe four or five years," he said. "It's a difficult course. I don't think it's a course for the average golfer, the 20-handicapper. I thought the layout was fantastic, the views are awesome – probably one of the most scenic golf courses I've ever seen or played. But the conditioning is an issue. . . . It's probably going to be one of the finest golf courses in the world at some stage, but that's probably five years off."

Flannagan was among those who speculated that Trump Links might help the Highlands siphon golf tourists away from better-known destinations, such as the Ayrshire Coast.

"People want to go to Trump, and they're (also) going to play Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay rather than Prestwick, Troon and Turnberry," he said.

Whether that happens remains to be seen. St. Andrews is far and away Scotland's biggest draw for golf travelers, with Aberdeen among the regions queuing up to lure those who want to explore more of the country. And the quality of the lodging in the Aberdeen area appears to be catching up with the golf offerings – in part a reflection of the fact that the city is home to Scotland's oil industry.

"For the (tourism) industry, (Trump is) adding another night for sure onto the Aberdeen area," Hogan said. "If you spend three or four days in St. Andrews and three or four days in the Highlands, you have to come around here to get in Royal Aberdeen and definitely stay for a day at Trump."

"For clients, (Trump) wholeheartedly will be endorsed," said Graham Spears of Sterling Golf Tours. "I've already had clients play it. I've had more inquiries for that particular area of Scotland than any area other than St. Andrews and maybe Dornoch. It's a must-play."

BRETT RUMFORD LEADS BY ONE IN VOLVO CHINA OPEN

TIANJIN, China, May 4 - Australian Brett Rumford scrambled to a three-under-par 69 on Saturday to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the OneAsia co-sanctioned Volvo China Open at Tianjin Binhai Lake Golf Club and the chance of winning back-to-back victories on the European Tour.

Rumford is 12 under for the 20 million yuan (U.S. $3.2 million) tournament, helped in part by Finnish playing partner Mikko Ilonen (73) blowing his share of the lead with a bogey on the last after finding water with his tee shot.

Spain's Pablo Larrazábal (69) was third, a shot further behind, while Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat (72) found his putter turned cold and was alone in fourth at nine under. 

Rumford, who ended a six-year drought on the European Tour with victory at the Ballantine's Championship in Korea last week, missed six greens during Saturday's round, but scrambled par each time.

"That was a tough day, a really tiring day, I really started to feel it on the back nine," the 43-year-old said. 

"I was fortunate enough to make some good up-and-downs today, but a lot of the areas where I was missing it were seemingly pretty easy to get up and down. I holed some good putts too, but it's just one of those things when you're mentally in it."

Rumford is seeking to become the first player to claim back-to-back titles on the European Tour since South African Branden Grace won twice at home last year. Grace, the defending champion here this week, is tied for 22nd at three under after shooting level par.

Ilonen started with a bogey that he repaired the next hole and did the same again at six and seven before parring everything until the last.

"Overall I still played pretty well, I just didn’t give myself enough birdie chances," he said, "but I hung in there nicely, and I’ve still got a good chance tomorrow." 

Ilonen hasn't won since lifting two titles in 2007 and is looking forward to continuing his duel with Rumford in the final round.

"It was a good fight out there. His short game today was incredible and his confidence is obviously very high -- especially on the greens.  I’m going to have to play very well to beat him tomorrow," he said.

France's Victor Dubuisson made the biggest charge of the day with a 66 that lifted him to a share of sixth place at seven under with first round leader Robert-Jan Derksen (73).

Teenage amateur Dou Zecheng put in another excellent performance, finishing the third round with a level par 72 to stand two under for the tournament. 

Dou, 16, made it into the tournament via regional qualifying and was the only amateur to make the cut  --  as well as the youngest in the event's 19-year history.

"I had some good iron shots and my putting was especially good today, but I still need to improve on my  distance," he said afterwards.

"It was a very enjoyable round."

On Thursday another qualifier, 12-year-old Ye Wocheng, became the youngest player ever to start a European Tour or OneAsia event -- shattering the record set by compatriot Guan Tianlang last year when he was 13.

Ye missed the cut by 14 after shooting a pair of 79s.

  THIRD ROUND TOTALS

Par 216 (3x72) Yardage 7,667

204 Brett RUMFORD (AUS) 68-67-69.

205 Mikko ILONEN (FIN) 69-63-73.

206 Pablo LARRAZABAL (ESP) 71-66-69.

207 Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 68-67-72.

208 Joost LUITEN (NED) 73-67-68.

209 Victor DUBUISSON (FRA) 71-72-66, Robert-Jan DERKSEN (NED) 66-70-73.

210 Ricardo SANTOS (POR) 70-72-68, PARK Sang-hyun (KOR) 69-70-71.

211 Ricardo GONZALEZ (ARG) 73-71-67, Thomas BJORN (DEN) 70-73-68, Matthew BALDWIN (ENG) 70-71-70, Paul LAWRIE (SCO) 69-72-70, Steve WEBSTER (ENG) 73-67-71, Paul CASEY (ENG) 71-68-72, Lee SLATTERY (ENG) 69-68-74.

212 Felipe AGUILAR (CHI) 71-73-68, Stephen GALLACHER (SCO) 70-71-71, Damien McGRANE (IRL) 73-66-73, Richie RAMSAY (SCO) 71-68-73, Graeme STORM (ENG) 70-68-74.

213 Andreas HARTO (DEN) 72-71-70, Gregory HAVRET (FRA) 72-70-71, JB HANSEN (DEN) 73-69-71, Soren HANSEN (DEN) 72-69-72, Tommy FLEETWOOD (ENG) 71-70-72, Branden GRACE (RSA) 74-67-72, Paul WARING (ENG) 72-68-73, Aaron TOWNSEND (AUS) 69-70-74.

214 Emiliano GRILLO (ARG) 73-71-70, Alexander NOREN (SWE) 70-73-71, DOU Ze-cheng (am, CHN) 70-72-72, Andy SULLIVAN (ENG) 74-68-72, Rafael CABRERA- BELLO (ESP) 72-70-72, Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 72-69-73, Soren KJELDSEN (DEN) 72-68-74, Mark FOSTER (ENG) 70-69-75, Matthew GRIFFIN (AUS) 70-68-76.

215 Moritz LAMPERT (GER) 72-72-71, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 74-69-72, Peter WHITEFORD (SCO) 73-69-73, Johan EDFORS (SWE) 73-69-73, Markus BRIER (AUT) 71-71-73, AN Byeong-hun (KOR) 73-68-74, Raphael JACQUELIN (FRA) 68-72-75, LEE Hyung-joon (KOR) 70-70-75, Joel SJOHOLM (SWE) 74-65-76.

216 Magnus A CARLSSON (SWE) 71-73-72, Edoardo MOLINARI (ITA) 75-68-73, Chris LLOYD (ENG) 71-72-73, Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 69-73-74, Kristoffer BROBERG (SWE) 74-67-75, Richard FINCH (ENG) 71-70-75, Michael HENDRY (NZL) 74-67-75.

217 Phillip PRICE (WAL) 76-68-73, Fabrizio ZANOTTI (PAR) 71-69-77.

218 Estanislao GOYA (ARG) 70-74-74, Garrett SAPP (USA) 70-74-74, Richard BLAND (ENG) 72-71-75, Eddie PEPPERELL (ENG) 75-68-75.

219 LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 74-70-75, Niclas FASTH (SWE) 73-68-78, Nick CULLEN (AUS) 72-69-78.

220 Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 76-68-76, Andrew DODT (AUS) 72-71-77.

221 Scott JAMIESON (SCO) 73-71-77.

223 HUANG Wen-yi (CHN) 74-69-80.

 

ERNIE ELS POISED FOR LAST-ROUND SURGE IN INDONESIAN MASTERS

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR

Jakarta, May 4: Little known Japanese Daisuke Kataoka shot a solid six-under-par 66 to lead by one-shot over a relentless Ernie Els of South Africa and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger in the third round of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters on Saturday.

Kataoka birdied the last two holes for 11-under-par 205 to steal the limelight from reigning Open Championship winner Els, who shot a 68 at the US$750,000 full field Asian Tour event.

Wiesberger, who finished tied seventh in last year’s edition, carded a 67 to stay in the title hunt while Asian Tour rookie Richard T. Lee of Canada was a further shot back in fourth place after he signed for a 67 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

The 24-year-old Kataoka shot the best round of the day highlighted by eight birdies against two bogeys to lead an Asian Tour tournament for the first time since turning professional in 2007.

“I’m striking the ball very good. My putting was normal on the first two days but it was great today. I never changed anything, somehow I just felt more confident with my putting. I’ve mastered the speed of the greens and that made my round slightly easier,” said Kataoka, an Asian Tour member since 2011.

The Japanese hopes to preserve his lead and win his first Asian Tour victory but knows that it will be a close call as four other players are within four shots of his lead.

“This is the first time I’m leading a tournament. When I looked at the scores, I saw many good players chasing me so I hope to have some luck to win! It won’t be easy,” said the Japanese, who played baseball before reverting to golf.

South Africa’s Els bounced back from jetlag to shoot five birdies, including one on the last, against one bogey to put himself in prime position of winning his first title this year.

“My body felt good and my concentration was pretty good as well. I just try to hang in there. I hit a lot of good shots, missed a lot of putts and in the end I grinded out a 68,” said Els, who has won over 60 titles worldwide.

“I was pretty consistent the whole day. I played well and it was one of those days where I tried to stay in the tournament. I was trying to get to 12-under but that didn’t quite happen. I’m one shot behind and I just wanted to stay in the mix which I managed to do.”

The world number 24 was surprised to be in contention as overnight leader Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand slipped back to tied sixth place following a 75.

“Thongchai played well yesterday but thankfully for us chasing him, he had a slow day and we now have a host of players that can win tomorrow. So it should be a great day. It’ll be tough to break away from the chasing pack and it’s important to stick to your game plan. It’ll be interesting to watch,” he smiled.

Wiesberger, winner of the 2012 Ballantine’s Championship in Korea, is confident his consistent ball-striking will guide him to victory.

“I’m pretty sure I’m one of the best ball strikers here so I know that I’m not going to miss a lot of fairways. I’m going to give myself lots of opportunities so I don’t see why I won’t win,” said the towering Austrian.

Thongchai struggled to stretch his overnight two-shot lead. He needs a top-three finish this week to jump inside of the top-60 on the Official World Golf Rankings and give himself a strong chance of qualifying for the U.S. Open next month

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD

Par 216 (3x72) Yardage 7,340 

205 Daisuke KATAOKA (JPN) 70-69-66.

206 Bernd WIESBERGER (AUT) 67-72-67, Ernie ELS (RSA) 68-70-68.

207 Richard T. LEE (CAN) 72-68-67.

208 HUNG Chien-yao (TPE) 70-68-70.

209 MO Joong-kyung (KOR) 72-69-68, Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 71-69-69, Shiv KAPUR (IND) 70-69-70, Jake HIGGINBOTTOM (AUS) 69-69-71, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 69-65-75.

210 David LUTTERUS (AUS) 68-73-69, Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 72-69-69, Ryan MCCARTHY (AUS) 70-70-70, HWANG Inn-choon (KOR) 66-74-70, Unho PARK (AUS) 68-72-70, Angelo QUE (PHI) 70-70-70, Wade ORMSBY (AUS) 69-68-73.

211 Simon DYSON (ENG) 69-74-68, Joonas GRANBERG (FIN) 73-69-69, Arnond VONGVANIJ (THA) 68-74-69, Jason KNUTZON (USA) 68-74-69, Gunn CHAROENKUL (THA) 69-72-70, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 71-68-72, Scott HEND (AUS) 66-72-73, Scott BARR (AUS) 68-68-75.

212 Kodai ICHIHARA (JPN) 73-70-69, Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 70-73-69, Zaw MOE (MYN) 70-73-69, Adam BLYTH (AUS) 71-71-70, Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 69-73-70, Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 72-73-67.

213 Iain STEEL (MAS) 70-73-70, Anthony KANG (USA) 73-71-69, Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 68-73-72, Kieran PRATT (AUS) 70-68-75.

 

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RUSSELL KNOX SHARES LEAD ON WEB.COM TOUR

Russell Knox is sharing the lead at the halfway stage of this weekend's Web.Com Tour event, the Stadion Classic at the University of Georgia golf course.
The Inverness-born player, pictured, has had rounds of 69 and 66 for 135 and is in the joint pole position with Michael Putnam (67-68).
On 136 are Daniel Chopra (Sweden) 68-68, Matt Bettencourt 69 67, Tim Wilkinson 67 69 and Brendon Todd 66 70.

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MICKELSON LEADS BY TWO AT HALFWAY IN WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Phil Mickelson has figured out the secret to the greens at Quail Hollow. Or maybe he's just had a lot of good bounces for two days.

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Mickelson, pictured, opened with a pair of 15-foot birdie putts, dropped in a 40-foot putt at the turn and made back-to-back birdies late in his round Friday. He finished with a 5-under 67 for a two-shot lead going into the weekend at the Wells Fargo Championship.
Quail Hollow, renowned for pristine conditions, had everything go wrong with spring and wound up with putting surfaces that are mostly choppy with brown patches where the grass has died. Two greens were entirely replaced by sod last week.
Despite that, Mickelson has taken only 50 putts in two rounds. And the most staggering statistic of all? He hasn't missed from inside 10 feet.
"I think that the greens are putting very, very good, obviously, because I've putted them well," Mickelson said. "But with them being slower, we're able to putt them aggressively. We're able to take some of the break out without fear of racing it way by. 
"And I've made a concerted effort to leave uphill putts, which has allowed me to putt even more aggressive and play even less break. And that's made a big difference in my putting."
For a tournament that already has had six major champions win in the 10-year history, Mickelson is missing from the list. And it's a title he dearly wants. He was at 9-under 135 heading into the weekend, though there is plenty of star power around him.
Nick Watney played with Mickelson the opening two rounds and looks efficient, going bogey-free on the back nine. He had a 70 and was at 7-under 137, along with George McNeill (68) and Scott Gardiner, the 37-year-old TOUR rookie who had missed eight straight cuts coming into the Quail Hollow. Gardiner, the first Aboriginal Australian to become a pro golfer, ran off four straight birdies at the turn and had a 67.
Rory McIlroy struggled with the speed of the greens -- he felt they were much faster than Thursday -- but rallied on the front nine with three birdies for a 71. Lee Westwood twice hit into the water on the par-5 seventh and still escaped with a bogey by making a 25-foot putt. He had a 68. They were in a group at 6-under 138 that included Rod Pampling, the ninth alternate and last man in the field.
Sergio Garcia twice made news for his work on the greens.
Garcia used his wedge to knocked in a 5-footer on the third hole, only this wasn't any protest about the overall conditions of Quail Hollow. He had a scrape mark left by cleats, which he described as 3 inches long and nearly an inch high.
"I thought the only way I could make this putt was to get lucky," Garcia, and he wasn't feeling lucky on this day. The prudent move was to hit a 52-degree wedge, chip it just over the rough turf, and he pulled it off beautifully. It was a throwback to the days of the stymie, when players didn't mark their golf balls, or to a generation ago in summer events when spike marks could be an inch high.
Garcia didn't sign for his 68 -- he was five shots behind -- until talking to rules officials and going over the videotape. A TV viewer said it appeared Garcia did not replace his ball in the same spot where he marked it on the 17th.
Garcia, demonstrating later for reporters, said he slid the coin to the side of the ball, and turned his hand around when he replaced the ball so he wouldn't brush the coin. He said it appeared his ball was a fraction of an inch away from the original spot.
US PGA TOUR rules officials signed off on it, and Garcia said they even called the USGA to confirm.
"I said, `If you guys feel like I gained something by moving it -- I don't know how much, like a centimeter or couple centimeters, whatever it is -- I'm fine with the two-stroke penalty. I'd rather take the two-stroke penalty than come out here like I was a cheater,'" Garcia said. 
"Obviously, they felt that wasn't the case. I told them exactly what I did, and they felt it was fine."
Garcia also said he tweaked his back on a tee shot at the 10th and would get treatment on it, uncertain he would play, depending on how it felt Saturday.
Saturday figures to be a busier day than expected. A couple of late bogeys and one double bogey dropped the cut to 2-over 146, allowing more than a dozen players back into the tournament. That means there will be another cut on Saturday.
Through it all, there was plenty of aggravation. Bubba Watson opened with a three-putt from 10 feet, added a four-putt from about 65 feet on the 12th hole, and had another three-putt from 15 feet.
But it was like that for everyone, which is why McNeill had a peculiar answer when asked what the winner had to do well this weekend.
"It's the guy who keeps control of his emotions the best," McNeill said. "The greens will have an effect on you. You've just got to keep positive. You're going to have good putts that miss, and you might have some bad putts that go in."
Mickelson is less concerned with his run of amazing putting than with getting the ball in play. He has hit only 11 fairways going into the weekend, though he found something in his alignment early on the back nine and was hitting it where he was aiming the rest of the way.
"It's fun to be in contention. It's fun to be in the mix," Mickelson said. `It's great to be leading, but we're only halfway home. There is a lot of golf left. I have to come out and play very well. But I've been putting very well this week, and I've been driving the ball very well before I got here. And I think if I drive the ball the way I've been before I got here, and not the way I did the first few days, I think it's going to be a fun weekend."

HALFWAY LEADERBOARD
 Par 144 (2x72)
Players from US unless stated
135 Phil Mickelson 68 67.
137 Scott Gardner 70 67, Nick Watney 67 70, George McNeill 69 68.
138 Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 67 71, Lee Westwood (England) 70 68, Rod Pampling (Australia) 69 69, Jason Kokrak 68 70, Derek Ernst 67 71.

SELECTED SCORES    
140 Sergio Garcia (Spain) 72 68 (T13)
141 Ross Fisher (England) 70 71 (T21)
146 Brian Davis (England) 72 74

MISSED THE CUT (there will be another one after Round 3)
147 Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) 70 77, Jesper Parnevik (Sweden) 72 75, Martin Laird (Scoland) 72 75.
155 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 80 75, Greg Owen (England) 77 78.

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