JOHNSON WAGNER LEADS GREENBRIER CLASSIC BY TWO STROKES

 FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
In the third round of the The Greenbrier Classic, Johnson Wagner shot a 6-under 64 and leads by two strokes.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, West Virginia -- Amid a disappointing season, Johnson Wagner has found a comfort zone not far from his college stomping grounds.
Wagner shot a 6-under 64 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead after the third round of The Greenbrier Classic.

THE GREENBRIER

Full leaderboard Round 4 tee times Wagner makes U-turn  TOUR Report Video highlights Transcripts

Wagner was at 14 under on The Old White TPC course. Jimmy Walker also shot 64 and was second at 12 under.
Wagner has yet to post a top 10 finish this year. At The Greenbrier, he broke a string of seven consecutive early exits.
In his two previous tournaments, he had three birdies combined. He had seven of them on Saturday.
"I felt really comfortable all day," Wagner said. "I hit a lot of good golf shots. I've got a really clear picture of what I'm trying to do on every swing.
"Sometimes when you're playing bad, you forget who you are and you get down on yourself. The last couple of weeks, I've just trying to be positive and remember that I've won three times out here. I'm a little more comfortable with myself right now."
Wagner played golf at Virginia Tech less than two hours from The Greenbrier resort. Several members of his wife's family have joined them for the weekend, and hoots from Hokies fans could be heard around the golf course.
"It's great seeing a bunch of maroon-and-orange in the crowd," Wagner said.
He hopes they can see him wrap up his first win since the 2012 Sony Open in Hawaii.
The other two times Wagner held the lead going into the final round on TOUR, he won the 2008 Houston Open and the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Mexico.
But no third-round leader has gone on to win The Greenbrier Classic, now in its fourth year. The tournament has been decided by playoffs the past two years, and Stuart Appleby shot 59 in the final round to win by a stroke in 2010.
Wagner said he isn't going to stop being aggressive Sunday unless the wind picks up.
"I'm just going to try to make as many birdies as I can," he said. "This golf course, when it's firm and fast, may be one of my favourite places we play on TOUR."
Like Wagner, Walker also gets a cozy feeling at The Greenbrier. He finished one stroke out of a playoff in the 2011 Greenbrier Classic and tied for fourth in 2010.
"The golf course really seems to fit my eye," Walker said. "I like the tee shots, I like the second shots, and I feel comfortable. And when you feel comfortable at places ... I seem to play well."
Still searching for his first TOUR win, Walker woke up sick early Friday morning and still wasn't feeling well Saturday.
His swing certainly didn't suffer.

After seven straight pars on the front nine, Walker ran off five birdies down the stretch, including a 17-foot putt on the par-3 18th.
Walker is hoping to secure a spot in the British Open in two weeks. After The Greenbrier Classic, the leading five players not already exempt from inside the top 20 in the FedExCup points standings will earn a spot at Muirfield. Walker is 24th.
"I have a room booked," Walker said. "I might as well go use it."
Sweden's Jonas Blixt was four strokes behind Wagner at 10 under after shooting 67. Australians Matt Jones (66) and Steven Bowditch (69) and Texas teenager Jordan Spieth (67) were at 9 under.
Spieth overcame two early bogeys with birdies on three of the final four holes.
A win would give him his US PGA Tour membership and make him eligible for the FedExCup Playoffs this season. He's won more than $1.1 million this year and is assured of a TOUR card when the new season starts in October.
Six golfers at 8 under include Bill Haas, the winner at Congressional a week ago.
Second-round leader Matt Every bogeyed the first two holes and quickly fell off the leaderboard. He shot 74 and fell into a tie for 27th at 5 under.
Ten players were trimmed from the field after Saturday's round; 81 players had advanced after Friday's play.

After opening with under-par rounds of 68-69, Tom Watson struggled to a 2-over 72 on Saturday.
“Today wasn't as good as the first two days,” said Watson, who serves as the pro emeritus here. 
“I didn't hit the ball quite as well and I putted about the same. I shot a 72 and the rest of the guys out there, they're shooting some pretty low scores because, again, the golf course is pretty receptive to low scores. "I need to get that putter working a little bit. That putter's kind of frustrating me right now.” 
At 63, Watson still has an outside chance of becoming the oldest player in US PGA Tour history to claim a top-10 finish. 
He is four years younger than the late Sam Snead was when he  set the mark as the oldest player to make the cut in a US PGA Tour event at the age of 67.

TO VIEW ALL THE THIRD-ROUND SCORES
IN THE GREENBRIER CLASSIC

CLICK HERE 

YOUNG AND CRICHTON HALFWAY LEADERS IN CAMERON CORBETT VASE

The stage is set for an exciting final day's play in the Cameron Corbett Vase, this weekend's SGU 72-hole Order of Merit tournament at Haggs Castle Golf Club, Glasgow.

Perth player Daniel Young (Craigie Hill), pictured with Lynn University, Florida headgear, winner of the event last year when it was cut to two rounds because of flooding, shares the lead with the 2011 winner, Scott Crichton (Aberdour).

They are on the seven-under-par 137 mark, Young with rounds of 71 and 66, Crichton 66 followed by 71.

Hot on their heels is former Scottish amateur championship beaten finalist Daniel Kay (Dunbar) who had a pair of 69s to be one off the pace on 138.

Professional's son Jamie Savage (Cawder), winner of last week's East of Scotland Open at Lundin Links, is in fourth place on 139 with scores of 72 and 67.
A total of 47 players with aggregates of 149 and better qualified for Sunday's final 36 holes. The biggest "name" to miss the cut was Fraser McKenna (Balmore) with rounds of 76 and 75 for 151.

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Par 144 (2x72) CSS 73 73

137 Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) 71 66, Scott Crichton (Aberdour) 66 71

138 Daniel Kay (Dunbar) 69  69
139 Jamie Savage (Cawder) 72 67
140 Michael Daily (Erskine) 74 66, James White (Lundin) 72 68, Scott Gibson (Southerness) 69 71.

141 Scott Robertson (Newmachar) 72 69, Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe) 66 75.

142 John Mathers (Haggs Castle) 74 68, Kyle Godsman (Moray) 74 68, Greg Smail (Craigielaw) 73 69, Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 71 71, Steven Rennie (Drumpellier) 69 73.

143 Colin Baird (Bothwell) 72  71, Craig Ross (Kirkhill) 71 72, Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) 70 73, Ross Bell (Downfield) 70 73.

144 Steven Maxwell (Windyhill) 70 74

145 Steven Stewart (Clydebank) 73 72, Chris Robb (Meldrum House) 73 72, Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie) 73 72, George Burns (Williamwood) 70 75.

146 Fraser Grant (Ralston) 76 70, Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire Co) 75 71, Ewan McKinnon (Corrie) 73 73, Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 72 74.
147 Lawrence Allan (Alva) 76 71, Neil Henderson (Renaissance) 73 74, Craig Howie (Peebles) 73 74, Alexander Culverwell) 73 74, Eamon Bradley (Mount Ellen) 71 76
148 Charlie Macneal (Prestwick|) 77 71, Lyle McAlpine (Royal Dornoch) 77 71, Fraser Moore (Glenbervie) 76 72, Jeff Wright (Forres) 76 72, Oliver Roberts (Hong Kong) 76 72, Fraser Davren (Williamwood) 74 74, Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 73 75.
149 Daniel Flannery (Peebles) 77 72, Anthony Blaney (Liberton) 76 73, Tom Spencer (Meldrum House) 75 74, Michael Bacigalupo (Longniddry) 74 75, Craig Chalmers (Cawder) 74 75, John Shanks (Irvine) 74 75, Kris McClure (Clydebank) 72 77, Richard Docherty (Bearsden) 72 77.

MISSED THE CUT
150 Kevin Duncan (Cruden Bay) 80 70, Steven Higgins (Gourock) 77 73, James Hendrick (Pollok) 75 75, Conor O'Neil (Pollok) 75 75, Paul Reilly (Kilmacolm) 74 76.
151 Jordan Milne (Elgin) 79 72, Gordon Munro (Fraserburgh) 75 76, Andre Draslar (Heidental) 75 76, Fraser McKenna (Balmore) 75 76.
152 Angus Carrick (Douglas Park)_ 81 71, Ryan Campbell (Falkirk) 78 74, Daniel Thompsett (Aboyne) 78 74, Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) 77 75, Robert Prior (Burhill) 76 76.
153 Steven Smith (Dalmahoy) 80 73, Jordan McColl (Scotscraig) 78 75, Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas) 74 79, John Duff (Newmachar) 77 76, Cameron Farrell (Cardross) 74 79.
154 Ryan Smith (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 81 73.

155 Nick Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen) 73 82.
156 Scott Wearing (Bishopbriggs) 79 + 77 156
157 Kenny Macaskill (Turnberry) 79 + 78 157
158 Chris Low (Tantallon) 76 + 82 158
159 Malcolm Pennycott (Arran) 78 81, Keelan Africa (Riverside) 76 83.
161 Dylan Jacobs (Kuils River) 86 75, David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) 81 80.
162 Keith Shanks (Elie) 81 81.
163 Joshua Jamieson (St Andrews) 81 82, W Craig Morrison (Haggs Castle) 78 85.
NRs James Steven (Bothwell) 74 NR, Scott Brown (Turnberry) 81 NR.

FORREST DROP OUT SEES PROMOTION FOR NEIL AND KINSLEY

 FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE

Grant Forrest, the reigning Scottish men's mateur champion, has taken the decision to withdraw from the Scotland side for next week’s European men’s amateur team championship in Denmark.

Instead, Forrest, pictured right, wants to focus his energies on preparing at home in East Lothian for The Open Championship at Muirfield, having topped Local Final Qualifying at Dunbar on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old Craigielaw Golf Club member and San Diego University, California student was due to fly to Denmark today  as part of Scotland’s six-man team for the event at Silkeborg, which runs from next Tuesday until Saturday (July 9 to 13).

The Open Championship is being held at Muirfield from July 18 to 21

The place vacated by Forrest in the Scotland team goes to the first reserve, Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie), the Scottish Under-18 boys' match-play champion, who had already been selected for the Scotland squad for the European boys' team championship at Murcar Links next week.

Neil’s place in the Scotland boys' team for the Under-18s European championship goes to first reserve Ben Kinsley, 17, of St Andrews.

“At the start of year, this wasn’t one of my goals so I’m delighted to be in the team,” said Neil. 

“I was looking forward to playing at Murcar, but now it’s a great opportunity for me in Denmark to do well.”

Revised Scotland Team for European men’s team championship:

Scott Borrowman (Dollar)
Jack McDonald  (Kilmarnock (Barassie))
Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie)
Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie)
James Ross (Royal Burgess)
Ewan Scott (St Andrews) 

Revised Scotland team for European boys’ team championship:

Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden)
Calum Hill (Tantallon)
Ben Kinsley (St Andrews)
Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten)
Connor Syme (Dumfries and County)
Euan Walker (Kilmarnock (Barassie))

LAWRIE, GALLACHER LAUNCH FOUNDATIONS CUP ON SEPTEMBER 19-20

Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher have announced the launch of The Foundations Cup, a two-day Ryder Cup-style event to be played at The Renaissance Club, near Gullane on September 19 and 20.

The competition will see the two European Tour winners lead their respective Foundation teams – made up of prominent business people and Foundation supporters – in four-balls on the first day followed by a round of singles matches, where Gallacher and Lawrie will also go head-to-head, on the Friday.

MARTIN LAIRD'S 200O MEMORIES A SPUR FOR NEXT WEEK'S SCOTLAND BOYS' TEAM AT MURCAR LINKS

FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE

Ahead of Murcar Links hosting the European boys’ team championship from Tuesday to Saturday next week (July 9 to 13), Martin Laird talks exclusively in our Q and A feature about being part of the winning Scotland side 13 years ago.

The three-time winner on the US PGA Tour and Scotland’s second-highest ranked golfer is looking forward to playing on home soil at next week's Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, but the Glasgow exile hopes his young countrymen can also enjoy success at Murcar.

What are your memories of Scotland’s European boys' team win in 2000?

Martin Laird: “I still have great memories of winning the European boys' team championship back in 2000. I remember we had a great team and were playing Ireland in the final with the deciding game going to extra holes. David Inglis made par  to win the championship.

“We were all obviously following that game down the first and celebrated there when we won it. Looking back, I realise that those moments when you win as part of a team are some of the best and most fun times you have playing golf.

“We had a great group of guys and had a lot of fun competing all week. It’s always great to represent Scotland and to win a major tournament like that is something I will always remember.”

How good an event was that to win at that stage in your career? 

Martin Laird: “It was a fantastic event to compete in and win at that stage in my career. Anytime you get to play against the best players from all around Europe and end up on top at the end, it lets you know that you have the game to compete on a big stage.

“It can only help your confidence and motivate you to keep working hard and try and experience that success again. Wins like that are all little stepping stones in your career that you need to keep improving.”

How good is the event in terms of helping players develop?

Martin Laird: “It’s a fantastic event for players development as they get to go head to head with the best players in Europe at their age.

“You not only get to see how good everyone is from all over Europe but you get to see how different people prepare and practice. You pick up little pieces of information that you can use to get better.”

Is that win among your best amateur memories, or are there other highlights? Scottish Youths win in 2003?

Martin Laird: “Winning the European boys' team title  is definitely among my best amateur memories, as for me the team events as an amateur were always the most enjoyable.

“Making the Scotland team was what I practised for all year, so to make the team and win the European boys' championship  is definitely up there with my best times as an amateur.

“My Scottish youths win is obviously also a fantastic memory for me as it was my only individual national title and that is something I will always have. My dad also caddied for me that week which made it even more memorable.”

Can you provide an update on how your year is going and what are your hopes for the rest of 2013? How much are you looking forward to Castle Stuart next week?

Martin Laird: “My year has been mixed so far. I have played some great golf as well as some poor weeks. I struggled with my game at the start of the year but have been hitting the ball great for the last few months and just need to become a little more consistent on the greens.

“Anytime you win it’s a good year so I don't have any complaints so far. I’m really looking forward to getting back for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

“I enjoy playing at Castle Stuart and the crowds have been fantastic the past couple years when we have played there so I am excited to play in front of a home crowd again. Hopefully I can get myself in the mix on Sunday and give the crowds a home win.”

KENNY WALKER, THE MAN FROM SIAM, COMES HOME TO WIN HAYSTON PRO-AM

Kenny Walker, who comes home to Scotland from his base in Thailand to play on the Tartan Tour over the summer months, won the Hayston Charity Classic today with an excellent round of six-under-par 64, which included three 2s among his eight birdies.
Walker picked up the £1,251 first prize in his fifth outing since his return, winning by a shot from Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle).
Taylor covered the last six holes in four under par with an eagle 3 at the long 16th and a birdie 3 at the 17th. He earned £1,025.
Third placed was Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) who won the Newmachar Fairways pro-am on Friday.
Craig Gordon, Edinburgh Golf Centre pro, led the Hayston Golf Club No 1 team of John McGlade (handicap 16), Allan Roome (13) and Steve Gibbins (18), to victory in the pro-am team event with a net score of 17-under-par 53.
Fenwick won the Newmachar first prize with a very good score of seven-under-par 65 over the Dave Thomas-designed Hawkshill course.
He had four shots to spare at the finish which underlines just how good a round it was.
Runners-up on 69 were James McGhee (unattahced), Christopher Currie (Caldwell) and Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs) who eached earned £593.
Greg McBain (Gamola Golf) piloted the Concept Group Ltd trio of amateurs to victory in the pro-am team event with a 15 under par total of 129.
 Scroll down past the Hayston results below to read the Newmachar scores.

HAYSTON CHARITY PRO-AM
Hayston Golf Club, Glasgow
Par 70
64 Kenny Walker (Castle Park).
65 Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle)
66 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar).
67 Chris Kelly (Cawder), Patrick Walker (Ballumbie Castle).
68 Graeme Brown (Montrose Links), Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf), Chris Currie (Caldwell), Greig Hutcheon (Banchory).
69 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), Norman Huguet (Musselburgh), Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst), Jonathan Lomas (Caprington)
69 Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), Scott Henderson (Kings Links).
71 Scott Herald (Mearns Castl4e), Anthony Mackerell (Playsport Golf), Garry Forrester (St Andrews Golf School), Paul Betty (Hamilton), Steven Duncan (Carnoustie Links), Nigel Scott-Smith (Palacerigg), David Patrick (Kingsfield), James McKinnon (Irvine).
72 Neil Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh), Iain Colquhoun (Dundonald Links), Jonathan Sharp (Carrick on Loch Lomond).
73 Mark King (Kingsfield), James McGhee (unatt), Gordon Law (Uphall), Scott Gillespie (Burntisland), Stephen Gray (Hayston), Craig Ronald (Carluke).
74  Gareth Hardy (Belleisle)
75 Scott Gillespie (Burntisland), Brian Mason (Callaway Golf).
76 Craig Gordon (Edinburgh GC), Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs)]77 Alistair Brown (Archerfield Links), Christopehr Russell (RAW golf course design)
78 Calum Lawson (Kirkcaldy), Peter Kerr (Hayston)
79 James Erskine (Portpatrick Dunskey). 

FAIRWAYS PRO-AM AT NEWMACHAR
FRIDAY, JULY 5 
Hawkshill Course, Par 72
65 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) £900
69 James McGhee (unatt), Christpher Currie (Caldwell), Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs) £533 each.
70 Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), David Patrick (Kingsfield) £275 each.
71 Graeme Brown (Montrose Links), Jonathan Lomas (Caprington), Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Greg McBain (Gamola Golf) (£187 each.
73 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), Stepohen Gray (Hayston), Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) £116 each.
74 Andrew Cooper (Newmachar), Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle).
75 Chris Kelly (Cawder) £83.
76 Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) £75.
+Team event was won by Greg McBain and the Concept Group Ltd trio of amateurs.

McDOWELL AND STERNE SHARE LEAD GOING INTO LAST DAY OF FRENCH OPEN

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Graeme McDowell and Richard Sterne share the lead going into the final round of the Alstom Open de France as both players seek their second European Tour titles of the season.
McDowell, who has either won or missed the cut in each of his last seven events, has the chance to maintain that odd streak at Le Golf National.
The Northern Irishman carded a third round of 70 to finish five under par and share the lead with South Africa's Sterne as the 2018 Ryder Cup venue again proved a tough proposition.
England's David Howell, Austria's Bernd Wiesberger and Australian Richard Green are a shot behind, with Denmark's Thomas Björn only three off the lead despite hitting two tee shots on par threes into water and covering the back nine in 40 in a round of 74.
Only 18 players finished the third round under par and, asked  about the prospect of securing a third win of the season on the closing stretch tomorrow, McDowell said: "I hadn't really thought about it but thanks for pointing that out!
"I hope I have the opportunity. It's going to be phenomenal come 2018. The last four holes are as dramatic a risk-reward finish as you could imagine with a combination of a natural ampitheatre.
"The 15th and 18th are two phenomenal holes, especially the pin position on 15 today. When the caddie in the group in front put the pin back in the hole on 15 I thought he'd missed the green with it. It looked like it was in the water."
McDowell, who won the RBC Heritage on the US PGA Tour the week after missing the cut in the Masters Tournament and also claimed the Volvo World Match Play Championship in May, added: "I played very nicely today and continued on from where I left off on Thursday and Friday.
"This course demands fairways and greens; most courses do but this one even more so. Shots off line here get punished heavily. The greens are very firm. I described it earlier this week as a Scottish or Irish links meets the Players Championship at Sawgrass.
"It's got the risk-reward with the water and it's fast and firm like a links course. It's a great combination."
McDowell, who stayed on at Carton House to practise - along with compatriot Rory McIlroy - after missing the cut in last week's Irish Open, added: "It's been a rough couple of months, a few weekends off to contemplate what's going on, but it's done nothing but motivate me to work harder and harder and be more hungry for days like tomorrow so I will be excited and looking forward to it."
Sterne, a winner on home soil earlier in the year, recovered from a double bogey six at the fifth - where he chipped from one side of the green off the other into a bunker - to card a 71 and said: "I'm very pleased with 71 in the end. This course can bite you in a lot of places and the finish here is probably the toughest on the tour.
The leading total of five under is the same posted by Anders Hansen after the opening day and Sterne added: "This golf course tends to do that. Guys don't keep on going low.
"There are a lot of guys bunched up. Someone can come from further back but hopefully I get off to a good start again tomorrow and keep it going."
Howell's 69 was one of the better scores of the day but the former Ryder Cup star admitted it was hard work as he looks to claim a first European Tour title since 2006.
"It was not that pretty to be honest today, I could not have got much more out of that round," Howell said. "I dodged a few bullets and did not feel particularly comfortable so I'm delighted to get round in 69."
The 38 year old might feel even more uncomfortable later this year with the news that wife Emily is expecting twins in December, adding: "It's very daunting. That was a shock to the system a couple of weeks ago.
"We are tired already with one, we are going to be so tired aren't we with three."

THIRD ROUND TOTALS

Pat 213 (3x71)

208 R Sterne  (RSA) 68 69 71, G McDowell  (Nir) 69 69 70

209 B Wiesberger  (Aut) 70 71 68, R Green (Aus) 69 70 70, D Howell (Eng) 69 71 69

210 S Dyson  (Eng) 70 68 72, S Kjeldsen (Den) 69 68 73

211 G Storm  (Eng) 70 68 73, H Otto (RSA) 71 71 69, T Björn (Den) 68 69 74, M Warren (Sco) 69 72 70, J Donaldson (Wal) 70 70 71, J Campillo (Esp) 74 69 68, E De La Riva  (Esp) 72 67 72, L Slattery (Eng) 71 70 70

212 G Bourdy (Fra) 69 73 70, S Khan (Eng) 71 73 68, F Molinari (Ita) 71 74 67

213 M Kaymer (Ger) 68 76 69, M Jiménez (Esp) 69 76 68, I Poulter (Eng) 73 71 69, D Drysdale (Sco) 70 74 69, C Doak (Sco) 71 70 72, I Garrido (Esp) 75 70 68, S Gallacher (Sco) 68 70 75, R Ramsay  (Sco) 69 71 73

214 R Fisher (Eng) 70 73 71, F Zanotti (Par) 68 68 78, K Broberg (Swe) 72 69 73, J Parry (Eng) 74 70 70, R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 70 72 72, F Aguilar (Chi) 68 72 74

215 S Henry  (Sco) 73 68 74, G Maybin (Nir) 71 73 71, R Derksen (Ned) 72 70 73, G Shaw (Nir) 72 69 74, M Manassero (Ita) 73 69 73, L Donald  (Eng) 71 73 71, J Luiten (Ned) 71 71 73, M Nixon (Eng) 68 73 74

216 D McGrane (Irl) 70 72 74, C Lloyd (Eng) 70 73 73, S Hansen (Den) 75 67 74, J Morrison  (Eng) 69 72 75, R Wattel  (Fra) 67 75 74, S Benson (Eng) 71 72 73

217 M Lundberg (Swe) 71 74 72, T Pieters  (Bel) 70 72 75, G Fernandez-Castaño  (Esp) 74 71 72, A Dunbar (Nir) 70 75 72, M Hoey  (Nir) 69 74 74

218 M Kuchar  (USA) 70 75 73, A Snobeck  (Fra) 76 69 73

219 M Madsen  (Den) 71 71 77, S Jamieson  (Sco) 69 70 80, T Aiken (RSA) 71 74 74, R Finch  (Eng) 75 70 74, M Lafeber (Ned) 76 69 74, A Hansen (Den) 66 78 75, V Dubuisson  (Fra) 68 75 76

220 L Gagli  (Ita) 73 72 75, A Levy (Fra) 69 76 75, A Cañizares  (Esp) 71 69 80

221 E Goya (Arg) 68 76 77

225 S Chowrasia (Ind) 76 67 82

 

Draw Round 4: click here

LUNA AND WOLSTENHOLME STILL LOCKED IN LEAD AT SWISS SENIORS OPEN

SENIOR PROS TOUR REPORT
FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

Santiago Luna and Gary Wolstenholme will resume their head-to-head battle in the final round of the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open after the pair once again proved inseparable in the Swiss mountains.

The Spaniard and the Englishman carded second round scores of two under 68 to move to eight under and into a two stroke lead over former Masters Champion Ian Woosnam with 18 holes to play at the stunning Golf Club Bad Ragaz. 

Woosnam’s second consecutive 67 enabled the Welshman to move into third place on his own, ensuring a final round date with Luna and Wolstenholme in Sunday’s final three ball.

Wolstenholme looked likely to be on the same six under mark as Woosnam after a double bogey on the 15^th hole saw him drop two strokes, but a fine birdie on the 16^th was followed by a brilliant seven iron approach to three feet on the last to bring him level with the Spaniard. 

“It was a lot more difficult today,” said Wolstenholme. “The wind was stronger and playing late in the day makes a big difference; the greens were firmer and very difficult to read actually. So under those circumstances I think both Santi and I kept it together very well this afternoon.

“There are always going to be bigger moves from the earlier starters and we knew that and knew we probably just had to maintain our scores and we did that and I think that’s a credit to how we both played today. 

“I was pretty solid all day and didn’t do a lot wrong really when I made the double bogey at the 15th, it just got away from me a little. But having done that I knew I especially wanted to finish strong and I managed to do that with birdies at the 16th and 18th so that was a pleasing way to respond to the disappointment.

“I was very impressed with Santi. I’ve never played with him before but have watched him on television and he was very impressive. Very, very few errors and steady play all round. 

“But we were relaxed this afternoon, we had a nice time and a laugh on the way round. It will probably be a little more serious tomorrow afternoon but I am sure whoever lifts the trophy will be a worthy winner.”

ALL THE SECOND ROUND TOTALS

 Par 140 (2x70)

132 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 64 68, S Luna (Esp) 64 68

134 I Woosnam (Wal) 67 67

135 B Cameron (Eng) 67 68, J Quiros (Esp) 67 68, D Russell (Eng) 70 65, P Jonas (Can) 66 69

136 K Spurgeon (Eng) 68 68, P Golding (Eng) 66 70, P Linhart (Esp) 67 69

137 C Mason (Eng) 67 70, N Ratcliffe (Aus) 69 68, P Wesselingh (Eng) 71 66, G Manson (Aut) 67 70

138 G Brand Jnr (Sco) 70 68, G Ryall (Eng) 66 72,

139 P Fowler (Aus) 70 69,

140 P Mitchell (Eng) 73 67, J Spence (Eng) 71 69, A Sherborne (Eng) 70 70, J Lindberg  (Swe) 70 70, G Norquist (USA) 70 70, C Williams (RSA) 67 73,

141 J Gould (Eng) 75 66, A Forsbrand (Swe) 68 73, M James (Eng) 67 74, J Bruner (USA) 70 71, S Cipa (Eng) 69 72, A Franco (Par) 71 70, B Longmuir (Sco) 68 73, A Fernandez (Chi) 72 69, M Bembridge (Eng) 68 73, A Murray (Eng) 71 70

142 C Rocca (Ita) 73 69, R Thompson (USA) 73 69, T Thelen (USA) 70 72, S McAllister (Sco) 72 70, M Martin (Esp) 76 66, D Smyth (Irl) 73 69, S Tinning (Den) 73 69

143 J Rivero (Esp) 73 70, G Ralph (Eng) 70 73, W Grant (Eng) 74 69, S Bennett (Eng) 70 73, E Darcy (Irl) 76 67, M Farry (Fra) 73 70, P Walton (Irl) 70 73, M Cunning (USA) 74 69

144 L Carbonetti (Arg) 70 74, J Laforce (Can) 76 68, S Van Vuuren (RSA) 72 72, G Cali (Ita) 71 73

145 J Harrison (Eng) 75 70, A Oldcorn (Sco) 74 71, S Brown (Eng) 75 70

146 N Job (Eng) 72 74, M McLean (Eng) 72 74, R Drummond (Sco) 71 75, P Way (Eng) 73 73,

147 G Banister (Aus) 76 71, J Carriles (Esp) 74 73,

148 M Piñero (Esp) 75 73, M Moreno (Arg) 73 75,

149 D O'Sullivan (Irl) 71 78, G Brand (Eng) 73 76,

151 D Westermark (Swe) 77 74,

152 D Durnian (Eng) 77 75, V Garcia (Esp) 80 72,

153 D James (Sco) 74 79,

155 D Creamer (Eng) 80 75, A Garrido (Esp) 80 75,

156 H Schumacher (Sui) 80 76,

 

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

PAVAN LEADS CHALLENGE TOUR FIELD BY ONE INTO FINAL ROUND

CHALLENGE TOUR REPORT

FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

Andrea Pavan will take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Bad Griesbach Challenge Tour by Hartl Resort after a Saturday 66 in Germany.

The Italian is 15 under par and a single stroke clear of France’s Victor Riu, who had led after the first two rounds, while Dutchman Daan Huizing is also handily placed a shot further back in third.

Pavan has finished in the top five the last two weeks on the Challenge Tour, and that fine form has continued in Bad Griesbach so far through three rounds.

“It’s funny, because the scorecard doesn’t always show what your game is like,” said Pavan. “Before the round I was struggling a little with my grips, so I asked my caddie to clean them as they were a bit slippy. 
"I struggled a little at the beginning of the round, but my wedge game was sharp, and I made a couple of good putts, which helps.”

“I didn’t take too many risks off the tee, and just tried to give myself as many chances as I could, and I’m happy that I did that.

“I’ve been in this position a few times and would love to win tomorrow, but I can’t control that and I just have to go out and put it in play, hit it close, and make as many putts as I can.”

In second place is Riu, who got off to a slow start in the third round after a few problems with his putter, and an early bogey at the fourth had seen the overnight leader fall back into the pack.

The Frenchman rallied round the turn though, carding three birdies in a row from the tenth to get himself right back into contention, and pars coming in on the tricky finishing holes mean that he will start the final day a shot back of Pavan in second place.

A shot further back is Daan Huizing, who is another man in good form after a tie for second last week at the Karnten Golf Open presented by Mazda, having only turned professional last October.

While the round of the day was reserved for England’s Kenneth Ferrie, as the two time European Tour winner carded a seven under par 65 early on Saturday morning, including a bogey at the last, to haul himself into contention at ten under par.

 

THIRD ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 216 (3x72)

201 A Pavan (Ita) 68 67 66

202 V Riu  (Fra) 63 69 70

203 D Huizing (Ned) 66 68 69

204 E Dubois (Fra) 69 67 68, E Johansen  (Nor) 68 66 70, M Crespi  (Ita) 69 69 66

206 L Kennedy  (Eng) 70 67 69, K Borsheim  (Nor) 67 72 67, T Pilkadaris (Aus) 68 68 70, K Ferrie (Eng) 67 74 65

207 J Huldahl (Den) 68 68 71, C Hanson (Eng) 65 74 68, P Relecom  (Bel) 65 72 70

208 S Manley (Wal) 69 68 71, C Aguilar  (Esp) 69 70 69, B An (Kor) 68 69 71, L Weber (Fra) 68 69 71, L Bjerregaard  (Den) 68 71 69, R Kind (Ned) 66 71 71,

209 J Carlsson (Swe) 70 69 70, A Bernadet  (Fra) 72 69 68, A Johnston (Eng) 69 72 68, L Goddard  (Eng) 70 72 67, D Palm (Swe) 67 68 74, J Mommo  (Fin) 70 72 67, S Kannler (Ger) 67 73 69, A Gee  (Eng) 67 73 69, R Kakko  (Fin) 70 71 68, J Dantorp (Swe) 69 69 71, O Farr (Wal) 70 72 67

210 J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 72 68 70, F Praegant (Aut) 71 69 70, J Lando Casanova  (Fra) 66 69 75, S Kim (Kor) 72 69 69

211 N Quintarelli (Ita) 69 68 74, S Heisele (Ger) 68 72 71, M Trappel  (Aut) 69 67 75, D Stewart (Sco) 69 68 74, R Harris  (Eng) 67 72 72, R Steiner (Aut) 72 69 70, P Maddy (Eng) 71 71 69, B Hemstock (Eng) 70 71 70, J Lerchedahl (Den) 72 66 73, N Kearney (Irl) 68 71 72

212 A Bossert (Sui) 71 70 71, M Glauert (Ger) 70 71 71, F McGuirk  (Eng) 75 66 71, N Meitinger  (Ger) 65 72 75

213 B Ritthammer (Ger) 68 70 75, C Kim (USA) 71 71 71, W Besseling  (Ned) 72 69 72, P O'Keeffe  (Irl) 72 66 75, S Garcia Rodriguez (Esp) 70 70 73, B Hebert  (Fra) 71 71 71, F Bergamaschi (Ita) 71 68 74, N Henriques  (Por) 69 73 71, M Rominger  (Sui) 69 68 76

214 J Legarrea (Esp) 75 66 73, P Edberg (Swe) 68 73 73, J Abbott (Eng) 67 73 74, J Elson  (Eng) 71 68 75

215 R Russell (Sco) 73 69 73

216 J Fahrbring (Swe) 71 70 75, Å Nilsson (Swe) 70 72 74, M Laskey  (Wal) 67 74 75

217 D Wuensche  (Ger) 67 74 76, S Hutsby  (Eng) 71 71 75, P Archer (Eng) 70 71 76

219 M Brier (Aut) 71 71 77

220 J Barnes (Eng) 71 71 78,

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

CAMERON CORBETT VASE FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD

Former winners of the tournament, Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe) and Aberdour's Scott Crichton set a hot pace in the first round of the Cameron Corbett Vase, this weekend's SGU 72-hole Order of Merit event, at Haggs Castle, Glasgow.
Both hit the six-under-par mark of 66 and opened up a three-stroke lead over Steven Rennie (Drumpellier, Scott Gibson (Southerness) and Daniel Kay (Dunbar).

ALL THE FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par  72  CSS 73

Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe)  66
Scott Crichton (Aberdour) 66
Steven Rennie (Drumpellier) 69
Scott Gibson (Southerness)  69
Daniel Kay (Dunbar)  69
Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) 70
Ross Bell (Downfield) 70
Steven Maxwell (Windyhill) 70
George Burns (Williamwood) 70
Eamon Bradley (Mt Ellen) 71
Daniel Young (Craigie Hill)  71
Craig Ross (Kirkhill)  71
Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 71
Scott Robertson (Newmachar)  72
Kris McClure (Clydebank) 72
Gordon Stevenson(Whitecraigs)  72
Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle)  72
Richard Docherty (Bearsden) 72
James White (Lundin) 72
Jamie Savage (Cawder) 72
Neil Henderson (Renaissance)  73
Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar)  73
Nick Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen)  73
Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 73
Chris Robb (Meldrum House) 73
Greg Smail ( Craigilaw) 73
Steven Stewart (Clydebank)  73
Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie) 73
Craig Howie (Peebles)  73
Ewan McKinnon (Corrie) 73
John Shanks (Irvine) 74
James Steven (Bothwell Castle) 74
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas) 74
Kyle Godsman (Moray) 74
Craig Chalmers (Cawder)  74
Michael Bacigalupo (Longniddry)  74
John Mathers (Haggs Castle) 74
Cameron Farrell (Cardross) 74
Fraser Davren ( Williamwood) 74
Paul Reilly (Kilmacolm) 74
Michael Daily (Erskine)  74
Fraser McKenna (Balmore)  75
Andre Draslar (Heidental)  75
Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire Co) 75
Gordon Munro (Fraserburgh)  75
James Hendrick (Pollok)  75
Tom Spencer (Meldrum House) 75
Conor O'Neil (Pollok) 75
Chris Low (Tantallon) ( 76
Oliver Roberts (Hong Kong) 76
Fraser Grant (Ralston) 76
Lawrence Allan (Alva) 76
Robert Prior (Burhill) 76
Anthony Blaney (Liberton) 76
Keelan Africa (Riverside) 76
Jeff Wright (Forres) 76
Fraser Moore (Glenbervie) 76
Charlie Macneal (Prestwick|) 77
Steven Higgins (Gourock) 77
Lyle McAlpine (Royal Dornoch)  77
Daniel Flannery (Peebles)  77
John Duff (Newmachar)  77
Michael Smyth (RoyalTroon) 77
Ryan Campbell (Falkirk) 78
Jordan McColl (Scotscraig) 78
Malcolm Pennycott (Arran) 78
Daniel Thompsett (Aboyne)  78
W Craig Morrison (Haggs Castle)  78
Scott Wearing (Bishopbriggs) 79
Kenny Macaskill (Turnberry)  79
Jordan Milne (Elgin) (v) 79
Kevin Duncan (Cruden Bay) (v) 80
Steven Smith (Dalmahoy) (v) 80
Ryan Smith (PrestwickStCuth) (v) 81
Angus Carrick ( Douglas Park) 0 (v) 81
Scott Brown (Turnberry) (v) 81
Keith Shanks (Elie) (v) 81
Joshua Jamieson (St Andrews) (v) 81
David Wilson (Troon Welbeck (v) 81
Dylan Jacobs (Kuils River) (v) 86
Jake Hogg (St Andrews) (v) 87

SPIDER MILLER NAMED USA WALKER CUP CAPTAIN FOR 2015 AT ROYAL LYTHAM

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
By RON BALICKI
For more than a dozen years, the name John “Spider” Miller has been absent within the national amateur circles.
After winning his second U.S. Mid-Amateur title in 1998, Miller pretty much dropped out of sight, focussing his time on his family and his beer distributor business in Bloomington, Indiana.
That is about to change. Miller will soon be back in the limelight of amateur golf in America and will stay there for a while.
Even though the 2013 Walker Cup is still two months away -- September 7-8 at National Golf Links of America in Southampton, N.Y. -- and the 10-man U.S. team has yet to be named, the 2015 captaincy of the U.S. Walker Cup team is now in place.
Miller has been selected to follow current captain Jim Holtgrieve and lead the American side against Great Britain and Ireland when the 2015 matches take place September12-13 at Royal Lytham and St. Annes Golf Club, Lancashire.
“I’m as excited as I can be,” Miller, 63, said of his appointment. “For an amateur golfer, being Walker Cup captain is the ultimate. It’s one of the highest honours and I’m very humbled. This is something you always hope for, but you never really know if it will ever happen.
“I know I have a lot of work in front of me, but I’m really looking forward to it,” Miller said. “These next few years are going to be an exciting time in my life.”
Miller, who attended the 2011 Walker Cup in Ireland and plans to be present at this year’s matches as well, said he will keep a pretty low profile until this year’s competition is finished, but he’ll start talking to, and picking the brains, of some former U.S. captains.
“I’m pretty good friends with Downing (Gray, captain 1995 and ‘97), Bob (Lewis, 2003 and '05), Buddy (Marucci, 2007 and ‘09) and Jim (Holtgrieve (2011 and ‘13) so I’ll definitely be reaching out to them,” Miller said. “Hopefully they’ll tell me what worked for them and what didn’t work and help give me a blueprint for getting started.”
Miller was a member of the 1999 U.S. Walker Cup team and posted a 2-0 foursomes and 0-1 singles record in a 15-9 loss to GBandI at Nairn  Golf Club.
Miller won his first U.S. Mid-Amateur title in 1996, defeating Randy Lewis, 3 and 2, at Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, Conn. When he defeated Chip Holcombe, 1-up, in 1998 at the NCR Club in Dayton, Ohio, he became (at the time) the oldest U.S. Mid-Am champ at 48.

JOHN DALY MISSES OPEN WITH ELBOW INJURY THAT NEEDS SURGERY

John Daly will miss this month's Open championship at Muirfield after revealing he faces a four-month injury lay-off.

Daly pulled out of the Greenbrier Classic on Friday with an elbow injury after playing three holes in West Virginia.
The 1995 Open champion - at St Andrews -  later tweeted that he would undergo surgery next week and followed up by saying he had a ''bionic new arm coming soon.''
Daly has played in eight US PGA Tour and Web.com events this year and missed the cut or withdrawn from five.

MICKELSON MISSES CUT AS EVERY LEADS GREENBRIER CLASSIC

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, West Virginia -- The first page of The Greenbrier Classic leaderboard is filled with golfers who'll get to do something they're unaccustomed to lately: Playing on the weekend.

Matt Every shot an 8-under 62 on Friday for a one-stroke lead over five other players midway through The Greenbrier Classic.
Every needed just 26 putts during his best round of the year and is at 9 under for the tournament on the Old White TPC. He missed four putts inside 12 feet that could have made his bogey-free second round even more special.
"I played really well tee to green, finally made some putts," Every said. "I haven't made anything all year and it just finally happened today. Been waiting for it."
Every has been in this position before, leading after the first round of the 2012 Texas Open and tying for the third-round lead at the 2012 Sony Open, yet the 29-year-old is still looking for his first PGA TOUR victory.
"I know I can win out here," he said.
One stroke behind him at 8 under are Russell Henley (65), Bill Lunde (66), Daniel Summerhays (67), Steven Bowditch (67) and first-round co-leader Johnson Wagner (70).
Four others are two shots behind at 7 under. Ben Curtis and Greg Owen each shot 66, Jonas Blixt had a 67 and first-round co-leader Tommy Gainey a 71.
The posh Greenbrier resort is in a small town named for its hot spring waters that the locals have touted for centuries for their healing qualities. It seems as though The Greenbrier Classic is doing wonders for some golfers, too.
Prior to this week, Wagner went seven straight tournaments without advancing to the third round. Other streaks that were broken this week were five straight for Lunde, four for Bowditch and three for Summerhays.
Every had missed cuts in four of his last five tournaments, and Owen and Curtis had in three in their last four. Gainey made the cut for only the 10th time in 23 tries.
"It's coming down to the end of the year," Every said. "It's a big week for a lot of people. If you play good it can change your life."
Henley is an exception with one missed cut in his last four tournaments, which includes a sixth-place finish at the Memorial.
He's 16th in the FedExCup points standings. Every (104th) and Summerhays (123) are the only other players within two shots of the lead who are in the top 125 in the FedExCup standings.
The playoffs are less than two months away.

"It's crunch time," Wagner said. "We've got to make these playoffs. It's a short year. Fortunately I'm exempt for next year due to my win at the (2012) Sony Open, but I still want to finish in that top 125 and have a chance to win the FedExCup. I'm sure a bunch of guys up there are kind of in the same position I am -- really needing to have some good weeks to extend our years."
The tournament could be shaping up for another close finish. It has been decided by playoffs the last two years, and Stuart Appleby won by a stroke in the inaugural tournament in 2010 after shooting a 59.
Among a group of six golfers at 6 under includes Jordan Spieth, the 19-year-old Texan in search of an elusive win that would give him his PGA TOUR membership and make him eligible for the FedExCup playoffs. He's won more than $1.1 million this year and is assured of a tour card when the new season starts in October.
Others advancing to the weekend include Kenny Perry at 5 under and Tom Watson at 3 under.
Because 81 players made the cut Friday at 1 under, there will be a 54-hole cut to get to the top 70 scores, plus ties.
Phil Mickelson is already assured of getting the weekend off. He shot 68 on Friday and finished at 2 over.
It marked the first time in his career that Mickelson missed three consecutive cuts at one tournament. Mickelson blamed his lacklustre showings at The Greenbrier Classic on estimating distances with his iron shots.
"They end up not just a yard or two off from where I figure, but they're 10 or 12 yards off from where I figure," he said.