MCKECHNIE AND WARDROP SHARE LEAD AT LOSSIEMOUTH

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE PGA EUROPRO TOUR

By NICK TEALE

Daniel Wardrop and Paul McKechnie share a one-stroke lead going into the final round of the Grant Property Investment Championship, an 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour event on the Old Course at Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth. 

A dream finish of birdie, eagle, birdie took McKechnie (Braid Hills Golf Centre) to seven under while Wardrop (Didsbury Golf Centre) started and finished with back-to-back birdies to claim his share of the lead on 135.

Heavy morning fog coming off the Moray Firth delayed play by one hour and 25 minutes on the second day of the tournament.

Despite carding four bogeys in his second round, Scot McKechnie - the first ever Order of Merit winner on the EuroPro Tour - signed for a 67 on day two at Lossie, with four birdies prior to those he shot at 16 and 18 on the par-71 course. 

Wardrop bogeyed the seventh, eighth and 15th on his way to a two-under-par second round, with a birdie at 14 as well as those on the first, second and the final two holes.

Will Roebuck (Woburn/Shirely Parsons Assc.) is one behind the leading pair on six under. He carded a five-under 66 on the opening day and added a 70 to that on Thursday to take his total to 136. 

Daniel Gavins, Richard Prophet and James Watts are tied fourth on five under, just two strokes behind McKechnie and Wardrop.

Overnight leader Graham Clark began his second round an six under and quickly moved that to eight better than par with birdies at the first and second. However, a triple bogey on the fifth and doubles at ten and 18 forced him to sign for a second-round 73, leaving him four under for the tournament

A cut to the leading 50 players plus ties has now been made, with the 55 golfers whose 36-hole score is two over par or better proceeding to play the final round on Friday (July 12). 

Spectator entry to the Lossiemouth course is free and Sky Sports will broadcast a two-hour highlights package from the event four times on Wednesday, July 24.

MORAY GOLF CLUB

Old Course, Lossiemouth

LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Par 142 (2x71)

135 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) 68 67, Daniel Wardrop (Didsbury) 66 69

136 Will Roebuck (Woburn) 66 70

137 Daniel Gavins (Oulton Hall) 69 68, Richard Prophet (Sandwell Park) 68 69, James Watts (Kingsway) 67 70

SELECTED TOTALS

138 Kris Nicol (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 73 65 (T7)

139 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) 70 68 (T10)

140 Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links) 69 71 (T15)

141 Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) 69 72 (T19)

142 Zack Saltman (Archerfield Links) 73 69, Gareth Wright (West Linton) 68 74, Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre) 71 71 (T26)

143 Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) 70 73, Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) 71 72 (T39)

144 Jordan Findlay (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 75 69 (T49)

MISSED THE CUT
145 Chris Kelly (Cawder) 73 76, Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 74 71 (T56)

147 Jonathan Mullaney (unatt) 74 73, Ross McConnachie (Peterculter) 73 74 (T72)

148 Gavin Hay (Grantown on Spey) (am) 70 78, John Gallagher (Duddingston) 75 73 (T80)

149 Steven Mackie (Dunnikier Park) 77 72 (T88)

150 Andrew Rollo (Moray) 74 76, Gavin Dear (Noah's Ark) 75 75 (T98)

151 Iain Stoddart (Uphall) 76 75, Paul McGhee (East Renfrewshire) 76 75 (T112)

152 James Dick (Duddingston) 78 74, Gregor Ramsay (unatt) 77 75 (T119).

155 Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) 77 78 (T130)

158 Malcolm Isaacs (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 75 83 (T135).

162 Steven Mann (Aspire in Gold) 81 81 (T140).

163 Martin Lawrence (Newmachar) 75 88.

165 Eric Walker (Burntisland) 83 82.

POWERFUL PARRY IS FIRST ROUND LEADER WITH A 64 AT CASTLE STUART

      JOHN PARRY driving to the lead. Picture by courtesy 

                                 of Getty Images(c)

FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Englishman John Parry continued his recent renaissance with an eight under par round of 64 to take the lead on the opening day of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Parry won in France en route to graduating from the Challenge Tour in 2010, but two years later he had to return to the Qualifying School in Spain, where he retained his playing credentials by winning the six-round marathon.

The 26 year old missed seven of his first ten cuts this year, but finished in 14^th place in Madeira and tenth in Germany recently, and his improvement continued apace with a flawless display at Castle Stuart Golf Links, near  Inverness Airport.

Parry’s compatriot Simon Khan, who lost out in a play-off to Matteo Manassero in the BMW PGA Championship in May, is one shot back on seven under par whilst American Phil Mickelson shares third place on six under with leading Scot Chris Doak and five others.

Parry, who finished joint 28^th in the US Open after coming through Qualifying, said: “I think I know what it’s all about now. When I lost my card, maybe I panicked a bit coming into the last few events, because I knew I was struggling. You just have to make sure you do the right things all the time and you’ll get the results.

“I’ve been playing better lately. I think the US Open was the catalyst for me to start playing better, because it gave me the belief and confidence to know I could compete with the best players in the world.”

Mickelson, of course, came close to adding to his tally of four Major titles at Merion, only to lose out to Englishman Justin Rose.

But after claiming on the eve of this week’s £3million tournament that the scar tissue had healed, he promptly proved it with six birdies and an eagle at the 12^th hole.

“It was a good start,” said Mickelson, who missed the cut in the Greenbrier Classic last week on his first appearance since finishing runner-up in the US Open.

“We had perfect conditions for the first 14 or 15 holes, and there are opportunities on this course to make birdies and eagles. It’s an above average round, but there were opportunities to pick up three or four shots that I let go, so I have to get a little sharper.

“There was a good chance to go really low, but I’m pleased to get off to a good start because I’ve got off to poor starts the last two years here, and been struggling to get into contention.”

Khan, playing in the first group out at 7.30am, had set the clubhouse target on seven under par after closing his round of 65 with an eagle on the 18^th, but Parry birdied the same hole in the following group to overhaul his fellow Englishman.

 

ALL THE FIRST-ROUND SCORES

Par 72  

64 J Parry (Eng)

65 S Khan (Eng) 

66 T Jaidee (Tha) , K Aphibarnrat (Tha) , J Morrison  (Eng) , S Lowry  (Irl) , M Ilonen  (Fin) , P Mickelson (USA) , C Doak (Sco) 

67 M Delpodio  (Ita) , R Sterne  (RSA) , P Larrazábal (Esp) , T Olesen (Den) , D McGrane (Irl) , R Derksen (Ned) , G Lockerbie  (Eng) , P Uihlein  (USA) , P McGinley (Irl) , J Singh (Ind) , L Gagli  (Ita) , M Siem  (Ger) , K Horne (RSA) 

68 S Little (Eng) , T Levet (Fra) , S Gallacher (Sco), C Wood  (Eng) , P Waring  (Eng), D Howell (Eng) , D Willett  (Eng), J Van Zyl (RSA) , R Fisher (Eng) , E Goya (Arg) , C Lee (Sco) , A Quiros  (Esp) , C Lloyd (Eng) , G Bourdy (Fra) , V Dubuisson  (Fra) , M Nixon (Eng) , J Hansen  (Den) , R Jacquelin (Fra) , M Laird  (Sco) , B Wiesberger  (Aut) , S Webster (Eng) , L Jensen (Den) 

 69 A Levy (Fra) , E Pepperell (Eng) , A Kaleka  (Fra) , M Baldwin (Eng) , M Southgate  (Eng), S Benson (Eng) , D Horsey (Eng) , R Ramsay  (Sco) , S Kjeldsen (Den), P Whiteford (Sco) , D Lynn (Eng) , S Henry  (Sco) , G Maybin (Nir) , J Edfors (Swe) , F Molinari (Ita) , G Mulroy (RSA) , R Wattel  (Fra) , D Clarke (Nir) , S Thornton (Irl) , P Lawrie (Sco) , M Manassero (Ita) , M Fraser (Aus) , G Hutcheon (Sco) 

70 B Koepka  (USA) , E De La Riva  (Esp) , R Wallis (Eng) , B Åkesson (Swe) , D Drysdale (Sco) , F Aguilar (Chi) , G Havret  (Fra) , P Casey  (Eng) , T Pieters  (Bel) , R Gonzalez (Arg) , S Jamieson  (Sco) , R Green (Aus) , H Otto (RSA) , J Lara (Esp , H Stenson (Swe) , N Fasth (Swe) , S Dyson  (Eng) , R Santos  (Por) , C Cévaër (Fra) , A Cañizares  (Esp) , T Fleetwood  (Eng) , D Brooks (Eng) , C Paisley  (Eng) , M Madsen  (Den) , N Colsaerts  (Bel) , M Carlsson  (Swe) , P Harrington (Irl) , S Chowrasia (Ind) , K Kang (SKor) , D Fichardt (RSA)

71 J Kruger (RSA) , A Forsyth (Sco) , M Warren (Sco) , R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) , B Grace  (RSA) , M Foster (Eng) , R Coles (Eng) , L Slattery (Eng) , I Garrido (Esp) , D Higgins (Irl) , A Tadini (Ita) , E Grillo (Arg) , M Wiegele  (Aut) , G Orr (Sco) , R McEvoy  (Eng) , R Bland (Eng) , M Kieffer (Ger) , T Lewis (Eng) , J Lagergren (Swe) , S Wakefield (Eng)

72 E Els (RSA) , S Lyle (Sco) , M Thompson  (USA) , M Lundberg (Swe) , E Kofstad (Nor) , T Björn (Den) , R Finch  (Eng) , M Tullo (Chi) , R Rock (Eng) , S Arnold  (Aus) , J Campillo (Esp) ,

73 O Fisher  (Eng) , F Zanotti (Par) , G Storm  (Eng) , C Macaulay  (Sco) , M Lafeber (Ned) , T Aiken (RSA) , M Jiménez (Esp) , F Andersson Hed (Swe) 

74 W Liang (Chn) , K Broberg (Swe) , S Hansen (Den) , O Floren  (Swe) , J Sjöholm (Swe) , J Olazábal (Esp) , M Hoey  (Nir) ,

75 P Price (Wal), A Noren  (Swe), J Gonnet  (Fra) , A Sullivan (Eng) ,

76 A Snobeck  (Fra) , J Byrne  (Sco) , S Henderson (Sco) ,

77 A Dodt (Aus) , A Hartø  (Den) , G Murray  (Sco) , P Lawrie (Irl) ,

78 J Walters (RSA) 

79 M Lampert (Ger)

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

BEN PARKER COME SOUT OF THE DOLDRUMS WITH SEVEN-UNDER-PAR 64

CHALLENGE TOUR REPORT 

By SARAH GWYNN

 

Englishman Ben Parker finished with four consecutive birdies for a seven under par 64 in the first round of the Swiss Challenge to share top spot with Welshman Stuart Manley and Frenchman Julien Guerrier.

The trio lead by one shot from Italian Andrea Pavan, who won in Austria a fortnight ago, and it was a welcome change in fortunes for Parker, who has won just €5,000 from ten appearances so far this season. 

An improvement on the greens was main reason behind Parker’s low score at the picturesque Golf Sempachersee near Lucerne, and the 25 year old said: “I’ve been playing really well recently, but I haven’t holed anything. Thankfully that changed today. I’ve missed so many cuts even though I’ve been playing well, which has been frustrating.

“My long game was great today – I think I only missed one green. I holed a few good putts early on, but missed a couple of six-footers for birdie. Then I two-putted the 17^th for birdie, and on the last I holed a 20-footer with a huge left to right swing, so it was a great way to finish.” 

Manley was tied second here three years ago with four rounds in the 60s for a 21 under par total, and four birdies in his last five holes today meant he went one better than his lowest effort in 2010. The 34 year old also attributed his fine start to a hot putter.

“I putted great,” said the Aberdare man, who has had two top ten finishes this season to lie 30th in the Rankings. “I didn’t play well at the start – it was early and it was all a bit scruffy – but I made some great up-and-downs to keep the momentum going, and I holed some excellent putts on the back nine.

“It’s a lovely course. The set-up this year is fantastic. The way they’ve got the rough on the edges of fairways and greens is just what we want. We want it like this every week because it helps prepare us for European Tour courses, and that’s what we’re all striving for. Hats off to the greenkeepers here, they’ve done a great job.”

Manley is feeling the benefits of a new physique, honed from spending the last year working hard in the gym.

“I’ve lost a couple of stone in the last 12 months,” he said. “I’ve been trying to get in better shape. I’ve been in the local gym – Breeze’s – and there’s a woman there who’s a Commonwealth gold medallist in powerlifting. She’s won medals everywhere and has been great with helping me.”

Guerrier has made a promising return from injury in 2013, notching two top ten finishes  from eight appearances following a long spell out of the game. 

“I played perfectly and holed some long putts, which you usually need to do for a 64,” said the 28 year old. “I hit some really good approach shots pretty close. I really got it going around the turn – I birdied the 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th – which gave me a lot of confidence on the front nine, my back nine.”

 FIRST SCOREBOARD 

Par 71 

64 B Parker  (Eng) , J Guerrier  (Fra) , S Manley (Wal) 

65 J Elson  (Eng) , A Pavan (Ita) 

66 M Rominger  (Sui) , D Griffiths  (Eng) , M Trappel  (Aut) , A Bernadet  (Fra) , A Gee  (Eng) 

67 C Aguilar  (Esp) , G Molteni (Ita) , N Quintarelli (Ita) , S Kim (SKor) , T Nørret (Den) , A Ahokas (Fin) 

68 R Kellett (Sco) , D Nouailhac (Fra) , B Hebert  (Fra) , J Huldahl (Den) , D Wuensche  (Ger) , R Saxton (Ned) , F De Vries  (Ned) , M Crespi  (Ita) , S Tiley (Eng) , C Hanson (Eng) 

69 J Lando Casanova  (Fra) , T Murray (Eng) , N Floren (Swe) , A Johnston (Eng) , J Doherty  (Sco) , F Bergamaschi (Ita) , W Booth  (Sco) , N Ravano (Ita) , V Riu  (Fra) , P Edberg (Swe) , A Velasco (Esp) , J Carlsson (Swe) , J Lima  (Por) , R Steiner (Aut) , C Brazillier  (Fra) , D Huizing (Ned) , B Ritthammer (Ger) , L Bjerregaard  (Den) 

70 D Ulrich (Sui) , D Vancsik (Arg) , G Snow  (Ken) , G Shaw (Nir) , P Relecom  (Bel) , J Glennemo (Swe) , B Paolini (USA) , J McLeary  (Sco) , P Oriol (Esp) , R Dinwiddie  (Eng) , G Cambis  (Fra) , M Sell  (Eng) , R Russell (Sco) , C Blaesi  (Sui) , R Enoch  (Wal) , N D'Incau  (Sui) ,

71 A Maestroni  (Ita) , E Espana (Fra) , P Gustafsson (Swe) , S Garcia Rodriguez (Esp) , D Stewart (Sco) , J Lerchedahl (Den) , E Johansen  (Nor) , F Laporta (Ita) , X Ruiz Fonhof  (Ned) , N Elvira  (Esp) , M Laskey  (Wal) , A Perrino  (Ita) , C Kim (USA) , M Ford (Eng) , F Svanberg  (Sui) , F Praegant (Aut) , T Pulkkanen  (Fin) , J Clément  (Sui) 

72 G Boyd  (Eng) , J Fahrbring (Swe) , O Henningsson  (Swe) , J Maurer  (Aut) , S O'Hara  (Sco) , S Walker (Eng) , L Weber (Fra) , R Kakko  (Fin) , D Im (USA) , Å Nilsson (Swe) , R De Sousa (Sui) , T Remkes (Ned) , J Frazer (Wal) , J Johnson (Eng) , C Ford (Eng) , D Geminiani (Ita) , J Gibb (Eng) , O Wilson (Eng) , T Fournier  (Fra) , S Piaget  (Mon) 

73 A Engell  (Nor) , J Garcia Pinto (Esp) , D Palm (Swe) , A Rota (Ita) , S Whiffin (Eng) , D Frittelli (RSA) , J Pastor Lopez (Esp) , Z Scotland  (Eng) , K Cobb (USA), D Salisbury (Eng) , H Bacher (Aut) , J Howarth (Eng) , B Hemstock (Eng) , N Thommen (am) (Sui) 

74 J Mommo  (Fin) , J Timmis (Eng) , M Kramer  (Ger) , L Goddard  (Eng) , D Perrier (Fra) , B An (SKor) , C Russo (Fra) , P Archer (Eng) , A Bossert (Sui) , R Wiederkehr (Sui), M Nichols (Eng), S Grant  (Irl) , A Otaegui  (Esp) , S Hutsby  (Eng) 

75 D Gaunt (Aus) , J Senior (Eng) , M Novy  (Cze) , S Surry (Eng) , A Domingo (Esp) , N Bertasio (Ita) , J Ruth  (Eng) , L Tintera  (Cze) ,

76 J Nodér (Sui) , S Davis (Eng) , S Hansen (Nor) , T Haylock  (Eng) , C Del Moral (Esp) 

77 I Korvenmaa (Fin) , F Colombo (Ita) , B Etchart  (Esp) , G Houston (Wal) , J Barnes (Eng)

78 A Hortal  (Esp) , N Meitinger  (Ger) , J Girrbach (am) (Sui) ,

79 P Gal  (Cze) , J Schmid (Sui) , J Jeong (SKor) 

80 F Mruzek (Cze) , L Canter (Eng) 

81 A Marshall (Eng) , M Harradine (am) (Sui) 

83 A Rajmont (am) (Cze) 

84 Y Kafelnikov (Rus)

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

SCOTS MEN BEAT GERMANY TO REACH EUROPEAN SEMI-FINALS

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Scotland, thanks to wins in the singles by Graeme Robertson, Bradley Neil and Scott Borrowman, beat Germany 4-3 to earn a semi-final against France in the European men's amateur team golf championship at Silkeborg GC, Denmark.

After the foursomes were shared 1-1, Robertson won the top singles by 3 and 1 against Max Mehles.

Jack McDonald lost his tie 4 and 3 but then Scottish boys champion Neil from Blairgowrie rose to the occasion - he was a late inclusion in the team in place of Grant Forrest - by beating Max Rotthuff  3 and 2.

Borrowman clinched Scotland's overall victory with a one-hole win over Max Roehrig.

SCOTLAND 4, GERMANY 3

Foursomes (1-1)

Graeme Robertson and Jack McDonald bt Dominic Foos and Max Rotthuff 1 hole.

Ewan Scott and James Ross lost to Martin Keskari and Max Roehrig 1 hole.

Singles (3-2)

Robertson bt Max Mehles 3 and 1.

McDonald lost to Foos 4 and 3.

Bradley Neil bty Rotthuff 3 and 2.

Scott Borrowman bt Roehrig 1 hole.

Ross lost to Keskari 3 and 2.

OTHER RESULTS:

France 5 1/2, Austria 1 1/2

England 5, Denmark 2.

Netherlands 4, Ireland 3.

FRIDAY'S SEMI-FINALS

Scotland v France

England v Netherlands.

 NEIL AND BORROWMAN PULL SCOTS MEN OVER QUARTER-FINAL HURDLE


NEWS RELEASE FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

Ed Hodge at Murcar Links

PR and Media Executive 

Scotland’s Men’s side will meet France on Friday) in the semi-finals of the European Amateur Team Championships – but there was disappointment for the Boys at Murcar Links.

At the demanding tree-lined layout of Silkeborg in Denmark, the Scots – the 2012 Home Internationals winners – came out on top 4-3 in a nail-biting clash with Germany, booking their place in the last four of the 16-team event. 

After the foursomes ties finished 1-1 – with Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) and Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) shining as a pairing once more to win their match – the Scots edged home thanks to late joy in the singles.

Robertson continued his form with a 3 and 1 win over Maximilian Mehles, but the talented teenager Dominic Foos replied for Germany with a 4 and 3 success over McDonald.

With Martin Keskari in charge against James Ross (Royal Burgess), seeing out a 3 and 2 triumph, it was all down to Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil and last year’s SGU Men’s Order of Merit champion Scott Borrowman.

Neil, a late replacement for Grant Forrest as he prepares for his Open debut at Muirfield next week, finished strongly for a 3 and 2 win against Maximilian Rottluff, before Dollar’s Borrowman held his nerve on the 18th to defeat Maximilian Roehrig by a hole.

“It’s one of the best feelings I have had on a golf course,” admitted Borrowman, 26. “It was really good to get over the line as a team after such a tight match all the way. 

“I was one down after 14 having lost a ball off the tee there, but made a birdie on 15 and had a birdie conceded on 16 to turn it around. The 18th is an intimidating hole, 450 yards, but I made a good par-4 there after a nice chip when I needed it.

“In individual play your head can go down from time to time, but not in team golf. You never give up, especially when you are playing for Scotland. We’ll give it our best shot against France.” 

However, on home soil on another glorious day at Murcar, a disappointing afternoon session saw the young Scots lose out 4-3 to Norway in the European Boys Team Championship.

Having won the morning foursomes ties 2-0, the hosts looked in good shape – only for Norway to stage a brilliant fightback. 

Calum Hill (Tantallon) was the sole singles winner for the Scots, with Connor Syme’s match against Viktor Hovland ultimately proving decisive.

The Norwegian went out of bounds at the 18th to mean the match went to extra holes. Syme, on the day of his 18th birthday, missed a chance from six feet at the 19th for victory, before the Dumfries and County player saw his hopes end after driving near the edge of a bush at the 20th. 

Italy, France and England progressed with Norway to the semi-finals. Scotland now play Ireland, after they lost to England.

 

 

ENGLAND THRO TO FINAL FOUR OF EUROPEAN MEN'S TEAM CHSHIP

ENGLAND GOLF PRESS RELEASE England have continued in their pursuit of the European Team title by beating hosts Denmark in the quarter finals of the championship today.  Following the morning foursomes it was all square in today’s match but the first point of the day did go England's way from a 4/2 win by Northumberland's Garrick Porteous and Hampshire's Neil Raymond. The second game was not as clear cut with Kent's Max Orrin and Sussex's Toby Tree battling to the 22nd hole before losing to their Danish opponents. The afternoon singles proved to be much more favourable for England with Hertfordshire's Callum Shinkwin securing a confident win 4/3. The next game saw the teams only loss of the afternoon when Lincolnshire’s Nathan Kimsey went down 2/1. Any resulting England nerves were quickly settled by Porteous and Raymond who followed their morning success with both of their games ending in 3/2 wins. The score of the day went to Orrin (photo copyright Tom Ward), who was clearly not effected by the morning's extended game and finished the final pairing with an empathic 9/7 victory. England will now play The Netherlands or Ireland in one half of the semi-finals while France and Scotland will contend the other match. For full scores visit the championship website.: Press Office England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 01526 354500

Web: www.englandgolf.org Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EnglandGolf Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnglandGolf

SCOTS BOYS SQUEEZED OUT AT 20TH BY NORWAY IN QUARTER-FINALS

        CALUM HILL ... Scotland's only winner in the singles  Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Third seeds Scotland nosedived out of the title hunt by losing 4-3 to Norway in a cliff-hanger of a quarter-final in the European boys' team championship at Murcar Links late this afternoon.
Having won the morning foursomes 2-0, captain Scott Knowles' squad looked set fair for a place in the semi-finals.
But Ewen Ferguson lost by 5 and 4 followed by a 4 and 3 defeat for Ewan Walker.
That levelled the scores at 2-2 overall with three singles to finish.
At one point Scotland led in one, through Calum Hill, were all square in the second (Connor Syme) and trailed in the third (Robert MacIntyre).
Hill duly delivered his point, winning by 3 and 1, but Scottish youths champion left hander Robert MacIntyre went down by 3 and 2.
That meant it was 3-3 with the  Syme v Viktor Hovland match to finish.
It was Syme's 18th birthday today and he had already won his foursome in the morning, with Hill. But there was to be no birthday double for the young man from Dumfries who has won the Scottish schoolboys title for the past two years.
He had a 6ft putt for birdie but missed it and then lost at the 20th and Scotland were beaten 4-3, having lost the singles 4-1. The best they can do now is to finish fifth in the championship flight.
Would it have been in any different in such a tight finish if Bradley Neil and Ewan Scott - Scotland's top two boys who are playing for the men's team in Denmark - had been in the home line-up at Murcar Links? Who can say?
Sixth qualifiers Norway go forward to a semi-final meeting with second seeds England who were in rampant mood in outclassing Ireland 6-1.
The other semi-fial is between No 1 qualifiers Italy and No 4 seeds France. 


 QUARTER-FINALS
ITALY 5, SWEDEN 2
FRANCE 6, DENMARK 1

SCOTLAND 3, NORWAY 4
Foursomes (2-0)Connor Syme and Calum Hill bt Kristogger Reitan and Kristian Johannsen.
Robert MacIntyre and Euan Walker bt Andreas Halvorsen and Kristoffer Ventura 3 and 2.
Singles (1-4)
Ewen Ferguson lost to Halvorsen 5 and 4.
Syme lost to Viktor Hovland at 20th.
Hill bt Reitan 3 and 1.
MacIntyre lost to Johannsen 3 and 2.
Walker lost to Venture 4 and 3.

ENGLAND 6, IRELAND 1

        CONNOR SYME ... Disappointment on 18th birthday, beaten at the 20th in decisive tie.
                            Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency at Murcar Links this afternoon

NEWS RELEASE BY ENGLAND GOLF Singles sweep sees England boys through to semi-finals at Murcar Links England boya secured their place in the semi-finals of the European boys' team championship Team with a victory over Ireland today.  The morning foursomes were both close games with Lincolnshire's Ashton Turner and Sussex’s Marco Penge losing out on the last hole. But at the end of the morning the scores were even as Hampshire’s Jack Singh Brar and Bradley Moore from Derbyshire (image copyright Tom Ward Photography),  took their Irish opponents to the 19th hole before securing the win. The afternoon singles turned out to be a clean sweep for the England team and it began with a convincing 5&3 win by Cumbria's Adam Chapman who was first out. The reigning English Amateur Champion Harry Ellis, also from Hampshire, secured the next game with Moore gaining the important fourth point that would take the team through to the semi-finals with a 3&1 win. Penge again demonstrated confident golf in his 4 and 3 win and the successful afternoon concluded with a 2 and 1 victory for Turner. England will face Norway in the semi-finals, who beat Scotland today. The other semi-final match will be contested by Italy and France. For full scores visit the championship website. Press Office England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 01526 354500

PARRY SETS PACE WITH A 64 IN AAM SCOTTISH OPEN AT CASTLE STUART

Englishman John Parry is setting the early pace with an eight-under-par 64 in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open championship at the vulnerable Castle Stuart links between Nairn and Inverness.

EARLY LEADERBOARD
Par 72
64 John Parry (England).
65 Simon Khan (England)
66 Shane Lowry (Ireland), Mikko Ilonen (Finland), Phil Mickelson (US), James Morrison (England), Pablo Larrazabal (Spain).

SELECTED SCORES
68 Stephen Gallacher (Scotland), Craig Lee (Scotland).
69 Scott Henry (Scotland), Peter Whiteford (Scotland), Paul Lawrie (Scotland), Greig Hutcheon (Scotland).

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES AS THEY COME IN

CLICK HERE

VIP HOSPITALITY TICKETS FOR FRIDAY AND SUNDAY AT MUIRFIELD OPEN

NEWS RELEASE

 

Pine Hill Club still has a couple of VIP hospitality tickets at a 50% discount rate, available for Friday (July 19) and Sunday (July 21) at the 142^nd Open Championship at Muirfield, Gullane.

These VIP tickets give you access to the exclusive Hospitality Village overlooking the ninthth hole.

 

Benefits:

·         VIP Parking (1 per 2 guests) and VIP Entrance

·         Exclusive elevated views of the ninth green

·         Official Open Championship admission ticket & TV coverage of play

·         Private tables available for 4-12 guests

·         Full complimentary bar and gourmet cuisine served throughout the entire day

·         Welcome lounge and hospitality hosting staff

·         Access to the exclusive hospitality Skillzone

 

Price per VIP ticket for each day: £430 per ticket (ex VAT) or 

€ 495/ticket (ex TVA)

In addition, we can organise tee-times for you and your members to play North Berwick July 18 and Gullane No 1 on July 20  In case you require accommodation in Edinburgh, this is something that we can arrange also.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in tickets, or if you have any further questions.

 

Jessica Cipa

Events Coordinator - Pine Hill Club

Office: +44 1322 30 55 30

Fax:     +44 1322 30 30 33

jessica@pinehillclub.com

www.pinehillclub.com