EAMON BRADLEY LEADS BY THREE IN SUTHERLAND CHALICE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Coatbridge 20-year-old Eamon Bradley is hot on the trail of his first victory in an SGU 72-hole Order of Merit event.

Home for the summer holidays after his first year at the University of Southeastern Louisiana, Mount Ellen Golf Club member Bradley, pictured,  is three strokes clear of the field at the halfway stage of the Sutherland Chalice tournament at Dumfries and Galloway.

Bradley has outstripped the field with back-to-back 66s fpr an eight-under-par two-round tally of 132.

He starts Sunday's third round three clear of the experienced Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) (66-69 for 135) and four ahead of the third-placed Craig Ross (Kirkhill) (66-70).
Royal Troon's Michael Smyth, one of the four joint leaders on four-under 66 at the end of the first round, which he started with an eagle, lost his way on the second circuit and finished with a 78 for 144.

Players with aggregates of 146 and better qualified for the final two rounds.

SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 140 (2x70) CSS 71 72

132 Eamon Bradley (Mount Ellen) 66 66

135 Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) 66 69

136 Craig Ross (Kirkhill) 66 70

137 Scott Crichton(Aberdour) 69 68, James White (Lundin) 69 68.

138 Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe) 72 66, Michael Daily (Erskine) 68 70, Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) 67 71, Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar) 67 71.

139 Anthony Blaney (Liberton) 71 68.

140 Alan Sutherland (Ladybank) 72 68, Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 71 69, Ross Bell (Downfield) 69 71, Steven Stewart (Clydebank Overtain) 69 71

141 Neil Henderson (Renaissance) 71 70, Daniel Thompsett (Aboyne) 71 70, Jamie Lamb (Lanark) 70 71, Fraser McKenna (Balmore) 70 71, Jamie Savage (Cawder) 69 72, Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) 66 78.

142 Lewis Bain (Turnhouse) 72 70, Conor O'Neil (Pollok) 70 72, Fraser Moore (Glenbervie) 70 72/.

143 Nick Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen) 77 66, Chris Corbett (Dumfries and Galloway) 71 72, Scott Brown (Turnberry) 70 73, Calum Cochrane (Dalmahoy) 67 76.
144 Liam Johnston (Dumfries and Co) 73 71, Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 71 73.
145 Liam Halliday (Cardross) 76 69, Angus Carrick (Douglas Park) 74 71, Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle) 74 71, Kenny MacAskill (Turnberry Staff), ColinColraine (Balmore) 72 73, Mark Owenson (Longniddry) 71 74, Scott Gibson (Southerness) 70 75; John Duff (Newmachar) 69 76, James Hendrick (Pollok) 69 76.
146 Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay, Arran) 76 70, Chris Robb (Meldrum House) 75 71, Tom Spencer (Meldrum House) 73 73, David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) 70 76, Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire Co) 69 77, Stuart Haddow (Falkirk) 69 77.
MISSED THE CUT
147 Stevem Rennie (Drumpellier) 74 73, Stuart McMehen (Falkirk Tryst) 72 75, Greig Marchbank (Dumfries and Co) 68 79. 
148 Fraser Johnston (Longniddry) 75 73, Brandon Burgess (Dumfries and Galloway) 74 74, Martin McNae (Lochmaben) 72 76, Richard Docherty (Bearsden) 72 76.
149 Dylan Joacobs (Kuilsrivier) 79 70, Paul Reilly (Kilmacolm) 78 71, Alasdair Maclennan (Kings Acre) 75 74, Clark Riddick (Southerness) 73 76
151 Michael Grunwell (Powfoot) 77 74, Christopher Wood (North Berwick) 74 77, Craig Smith (Pike Hills) 74 77, Robbie McBeth (Pines) 73 78.
152 Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 78 74, Keelan Africa (Riverside) 78 74, Mark Cox (Glenbervie) 76 76
153 Craig Hill (Pines) 80 73.
154 Michael Bacigalupo (Longniddry) 81 73, Ryan Walsh (Kirkcaldy) 79 75, Stuart McLaren (Bruntsfield Links) 76 78, Jordyn Rhind (Kingsfield) 76 78.
155 Scott Mann (Carnoustie) 75 80.
156 Ross Bryden (Bryuntsfield Links) 79 77, Andrew Grant (Dunblane New) 74 82.
159 Christiaan Rossouw (De Zalze) 81 78
160 Steven Maxwell (Windyhill) 75 85, Joubert Spies (Stellenbosch) 75 85.
Disqualified
Lee Jorgensen (Port Elizabeth) 77 dq.
Retired
Cameron Farrell (Cardross) 72 ret.
Keith Shanks (Golf House Club, Elie) ret.
Ryan Smith (Prestwick St Cuthberts) ret.
No Returns
Stuart Robin (Prestwick Nicholas) 72 NR
Kevin Duncan (Cruden Bay) 74 NR

Ben Irving (Dumfries and Calloway) 77 NR

Stephen Cairns (Dumfries and Galloway) 78 NR  

ANDY FAIRBAIRN WINS BONNYTON OPEN AGAIN

REPORT AND PICTURE BY
WILLIE SHARPE

Andy Fairbairn of Cawder retained the Bonnyton Scratch Open with two excellent scores of 67 and 71 for an aggregate of six-under-par 138.

His five under par 67 tied the lead in the morning with Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) but he was slipping out of contention after going two over to the turn in his afternoon round.  

 However five consecutive birdies from the 13^th hole set him up for a 71 and a one shot victory over Andrew Farmer of Kilmacolm who shot 69,70. 

A closing six after bunker trouble did not prevent Andy from retaining his trophy. He also won in 2011 and the event was not played last year as Bonnyton hosted the Renfrewshire County Championship.

Bonnyton Captain, Jeremy Goldberg presented Andy with his trophy.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 144 (2x72)

1.     Andy Fairbairn        Cawder                 67, 71  138

2.     Andrew Farmer      Kilmacolm            69, 70  139

3.     Grant Beaton          Bonnyton              72, 70  142

4.     David Dickson         Eastwood              71, 72  143     BIH

5.     Derek Anderson     Eastwood               71, 72  143

6.     David Sibbald          Eastwood               71, 73  144

7.     Nicky Gold               Bonnyton                73, 71  144

8.     Gary Price                Paisley                     72, 73  144

9.     Ryan McKenzie       Erskine                     72, 73  145 

WHEN TO SEE THE STARS ON SUNDAY AT CASTLE STUART

		09.30     Lee SLATTERY	Thorbjørn OLESEN
	1	09:40	Craig LEE	Sam LITTLE
	1	09:50	Johan EDFORS	Richard GREEN
	1	10:00	Darren FICHARDT	Paul LAWRIE
	1	10:10	David HOWELL	Grégory BOURDY
	1	10:20	Scott HENRY	Marc WARREN
	1	10:30	Jorge CAMPILLO	Matthew BALDWIN
	1	10:40	Joakim LAGERGREN	Thongchai JAIDEE
	1	10:50	Chris LLOYD	James MORRISON
	1	11:05	Seve BENSON	Chris WOOD
	1	11:15	Bernd WIESBERGER	Paul MCGINLEY
	1	11:25	David DRYSDALE	Shane LOWRY
	1	11:35	Matteo MANASSERO	Gary ORR
	1	11:45	Richard BLAND	Matteo DELPODIO
	1	11:55	Victor DUBUISSON	Greig HUTCHEON
	1	12:05	Damien MCGRANE	Marcel SIEM
	1	12:15	Robert-Jan DERKSEN	Jaco VAN ZYL
	1	12:25	Simon DYSON	Søren KJELDSEN
	1	12:40	Francesco MOLINARI	Garth MULROY
	1	12:50	David HORSEY	Niclas FASTH
	1	13:00	Mikko ILONEN	Richard STERNE
	1	13:10	David LYNN	Morten Ørum MADSEN
	1	13:20	Kiradech APHIBARNRAT	Alvaro QUIROS
	1	13:30	Alejandro CAÑIZARES	Keith HORNE
	1	13:40	Ross FISHER	Chris PAISLEY
	1	13:50	Martin LAIRD	Ricardo GONZALEZ
	1	14:00	Brooks KOEPKA	Eddie PEPPERELL
	1	14:15	Nicolas COLSAERTS	Hennie OTTO
	1	14:25	Paul CASEY	Chris DOAK
	1	14:35	Matthew SOUTHGATE	Tommy FLEETWOOD
	1	14:45	Lorenzo GAGLI	Simon KHAN
	1	14:55	Raphaël JACQUELIN	Peter UIHLEIN
	1	15:05	JB HANSEN	Gareth MAYBIN
	1	15:15	John PARRY	Branden GRACE
	1	15:25	Henrik STENSON	Phil MICKELSON

HENRIK STENSON LEADER BY TWO AFTER THREE ROUNDS AT CASTLE STUART

  
      HENRIK STENSON ... Came home in 32 for third-round 66 at Castle Stuart
                                   Picture by courtesy of Getty Images(c)

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE  
Henrik Stenson will take a two-stroke lead into Sunday's final round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open after a third-round 66 at Castle Stuart Links near Inverness today.
The Swede came home in a brilliant 32 to reach 16 under par, but will have to fend off American World No 8 Phil Mickelson in the final round.
The left-hander matched Stenson’s 66 to secure a place in the last pair out tomorrow, sitting level with South African Branden Grace, Dane J B Hansen and England’s John Parry in second place.
Twenty-one players are within six shots of Stenson. Mickelson felt that the final round could become a 20-man shootout - but the 37 year old Stenson is relishing being the man with a target on his back as he seeks an eighth European Tour title.
"I always prefer to be in front than one behind because if I shoot a decent score the guys are going to have to play even better to beat me," said Stenson.
"It's great to be back in the mix and getting the adrenalin going again. I have always enjoyed playing with the best players in the world and trying to measure myself against them.
"I've played with Phil a few times and against him in The Ryder Cup so I will need to bring my good game again. But it's not just about the two of us, there are a lot of other players and if someone gets hot on this course they can shoot, six, seven or eight under. I have to keep my head and my foot down."
Stenson won his first European Tour title in 2001 but then went through the first of two career slumps, the second coming in 2011 and leaving him 230th in the Official World Golf Ranking at the start of last year.
"I had a lot of experience from going through 2001-03 so the slump in 2011 was nowhere near as bad," he added.
"I found some form at the end of last year and it was good to get back in the winners' circle in the South African Open at the end of the year.
"The biggest difference is that I have put down some long-term goals; when you are struggling you go for the quick fix. I still think I have a few good things in me and winning a major would be one of them. I have won so much more than I could have dreamed of but there is one thing missing so that's what I am striving for."
The first regular European Tour event being shown live on American television could have an appropriate winner if Mickelson can overhaul Stenson, the four-time Major winner recovering from a slow start with six birdies in his last 11 holes.
"The last 11 holes were a lot of fun," the 43 year old left-hander said.
"The first seven holes I got off to a bit of a slow start and I was really behind when I needed to make up ground.
"On the eighth I tried to slow it down and be patient, got one putt to drop and that seemed to ignite the rest of the round. I think I will be a couple back (at the end of the day) but I've got myself in a good position for tomorrow and I am really looking forward to it."
Victory tomorrow would be Mickelson's first individual win on British soil - he was part of the American team that won the Dunhill Cup at St Andrews in 1996 - but he added: "Any victory over here would be terrific but we are getting ahead of ourselves.
"There's a packed leaderboard so it will take one good round of a shootout between 15 and 20 guys that are right there. Being in position and shooting that good round today feels terrific but I've got to go out tomorrow and duplicate it.
"I haven't thought about the TV coverage. I've wanted to play well here because I want to play well, I love playing links-style golf and this is a great start for me to play a style that I want for The Open Championship next week."
Overnight leader Chris Doak struggled to a 73 that left him five off the lead in joint 12th position, with England's Matthew Southgate one shot better off despite getting his round off to a nightmare start.
The 24 year old lost his opening tee shot in heavy rough to run up a double-bogey 6, but battled back to return a 71.
"That showed character and I am proud of myself for that," said Southgate, who was working in a local snooker club just three years ago.
"I really enjoyed myself and the goal has to be to learn as much as possible and finish as high as possible.
"It was a bit of a sad finish with bogeys at the last two holes - I nearly hit a couple of policemen (with my ball) on the 17th and said to my caddie that would have been an unusual way to get nicked - but I am still in a good position in the tournament."


THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)

200 H Stenson (Swe) 70 64 66

202 J Parry (Eng) 64 72 66, J Hansen  (Den) 68 65 69, B Grace  (RSA) 71 65 66, P Mickelson (USA) 66 70 66

203 G Maybin (Nir) 69 70 64, P Uihlein  (USA) 67 66 70, R Jacquelin (Fra) 68 70 65

204 S Khan (Eng) 65 69 70, M Southgate  (Eng) 69 64 71, L Gagli  (Ita) 67 67 70

205 C Doak (Sco) 66 66 73, P Casey  (Eng) 70 67 68, T Fleetwood  (Eng) 70 67 68

206 R Gonzalez (Arg) 70 68 68, H Otto (RSA) 70 70 66, C Paisley  (Eng) 70 65 71, B Koepka  (USA) 70 68 68, M Laird  (Sco) 68 69 69, E Pepperell (Eng) 69 69 68, R Fisher (Eng) 68 65 73, N Colsaerts  (Bel) 70 68 68

207 M Ilonen  (Fin) 66 71 70, K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 66 73 68, K Horne (RSA) 67 73 67, D Horsey (Eng) 69 67 71, G Mulroy (RSA) 69 67 71, D Lynn (Eng) 69 70 68, F Molinari (Ita) 69 66 72, A Cañizares  (Esp) 70 69 68, R Sterne  (RSA) 67 69 71, M Madsen  (Den) 70 67 70, N Fasth (Swe) 70 66 71, A Quiros  (Esp) 68 71 68

208 S Dyson  (Eng) 70 69 69, R Derksen (Ned) 67 69 72, J Van Zyl (RSA) 68 69 71, M Siem  (Ger) 67 69 72, D McGrane (Irl) 67 69 72, S Kjeldsen (Den) 69 69 70, V Dubuisson  (Fra) 68 66 74

209 R Bland (Eng) 71 69 69, G Orr (Sco) 71 69 69, J Morrison  (Eng) 66 68 75, C Wood  (Eng) 68 70 71, C Lloyd (Eng) 68 69 72, G Hutcheon (Sco) 69 71 69, M Delpodio  (Ita) 67 73 69, M Manassero (Ita) 69 70 70, S Benson (Eng) 69 69 71, D Drysdale (Sco) 70 69 70, S Lowry  (Irl) 66 73 70, P McGinley (Irl) 67 72 70, B Wiesberger  (Aut) 68 70 71

210 J Lagergren (Swe) 71 67 72, T Jaidee (Tha) 66 71 73

211 M Warren (Sco) 71 68 72, J Campillo (Esp) 72 67 72, M Baldwin (Eng) 69 71 71, S Henry  (Sco) 69 69 73

212 G Bourdy (Fra) 68 70 74, D Howell (Eng) 68 71 73

213 R Green (Aus) 70 69 74, J Edfors (Swe) 69 71 73, P Lawrie (Sco) 69 71 73, D Fichardt (RSA) 70 70 73, S Little (Eng) 68 71 74,

 214 T Olesen (Den) 67 69 78, C Lee (Sco) 68 69 77

 217 L Slattery (Eng) 71 66 80

 

JAMIE McLEARY ON LEADER RIU'S TAIL IN SWISS CHALLENGE

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR REPORT
FROM SARAH GWYNN
 

Frenchman Victor Riu put himself in pole position to win his maiden Challenge Tour title with a magnificent nine under par 62 in the third round of the Swiss Challenge.

The 28 year old leads by four shots at Golf Sempachersee near Lucerne thanks to seven birdies and an eagle, with Scotland’s Jamie McLeary the nearest challenger at 14 under par after a 65 which featured five straight birdies to finish. 

Italian Andrea Perrino also shot 65 to be another shot back at 13 under, while it was a less enjoyable day for overnight leader Jamie Elson, who signed for a 73 to slip back into the pack.   

Wallace Booth from Comrie is a second Scot in the leading 10. He is joint eighth on 203.

Riu, who was tied third in Germany last week and tied seventh at Saint-Omer last month, said: “It was another great day where everything seemed to go right. I holed many putts, and on the ninth I had some luck when I holed my second shot from the rough from about 140 metres for an eagle two. 

“I learned a lot from last week, because it was my first time playing in the last group on a Sunday and being in contention.

“I was very stressed and thinking too much about winning, and I looked at the leaderboards too much, so tomorrow I’m going to try to focus more on my game and on keeping the feelings that I’ve had the last three days. 

“It’s the first time I’ve led going into a final round, but I will try to be as relaxed as possible and treat it as just another round.”

McLeary said: “To finish that way was great, and that putt for birdie at the last was the longest of the lot. I hit some great approaches coming in. 

“I kept looking behind and I didn’t need to see a leaderboard to know that Victor was playing well, and his game is very well suited to this course. All I can do tomorrow is play my best and hope it’s enough.

“No lead is safe in this game. I remember a few years ago Peter Whiteford was leading by nine in the last round and it got cut down to two at one stage. So four shots is not a lot and things can change very quickly.” 

Perrino has made just four cuts from ten appearances this season and his best finish of 2013 is tied 41st, but a recent technical adjustment to his swing is paying dividends.

“I’ve hardly made any money all season and it was becoming so frustrating,” he said. “I needed the help of my coaches to make a few changes to the swing, and I’m so glad it’s working. 

“I’ve played really nicely today and yesterday, and it’s a welcome change being in contention tomorrow. That hasn’t happened since last year, so I’m not sure how I will feel, but I’ve got my wife on the bag and we’ll just try to do our best and see what happens.”

Young American Brinson Paolini, playing his first tournament as a professional, made progress with a 64 to reach ten under par and a share of eighth place.

 THIRD ROUND SCOREBOARD

 Par 213 (3x71)

195 V Riu  (Fra) 69 64 62

199 J McLeary  (Sco) 70 64 65

200 A Perrino  (Ita) 71 64 65

201 A Gee  (Eng) 66 69 66

202 J Carlsson (Swe) 69 66 67, M Crespi  (Ita) 68 68 66, P Edberg (Swe) 69 66 67

203 B Paolini (USA) 70 69 64, W Booth  (Sco) 69 69 65, S Kim (SKor) 67 66 70, S Tiley (Eng) 68 65 70

204 J Glennemo (Swe) 70 68 66, D Huizing (Ned) 69 66 69, J Elson  (Eng) 65 66 73, N Ravano (Ita) 69 69 66, T Nørret (Den) 67 69 68

205 C Hanson (Eng) 68 68 69, P Oriol (Esp) 70 69 66, D Im (USA) 72 68 65, A Pavan (Ita) 65 71 69

206 F De Vries  (Ned) 68 68 70, Z Scotland  (Eng) 73 66 67, B Parker  (Eng) 64 71 71, B Ritthammer (Ger) 69 70 67

207 D Geminiani (Ita) 72 64 71, R Kakko  (Fin) 72 68 67, A Ahokas (Fin) 67 71 69, A Velasco (Esp) 69 70 68, S Manley (Wal) 64 73 70, J Guerrier  (Fra) 64 69 74

208 M Rominger  (Sui) 66 73 69, J Maurer  (Aut) 72 67 69, J Lima  (Por) 69 69 70, J Frazer (Wal) 72 67 69, G Cambis  (Fra) 70 68 70,

209 G Boyd  (Eng) 72 66 71, J Lando Casanova  (Fra) 69 70 70

210 E Espana (Fra) 71 68 71, A Maestroni  (Ita) 71 70 69, M Trappel  (Aut) 66 72 72, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 73 68 69, N Quintarelli (Ita) 67 73 70, A Johnston (Eng) 69 71 70

211 C Kim (USA) 71 68 72, T Remkes (Ned) 72 69 70, A Bernadet  (Fra) 66 71 74, R Dinwiddie  (Eng) 70 70 71, S Whiffin (Eng) 73 66 72, J Doherty  (Sco) 69 72 70, J Pastor Lopez (Esp) 73 68 70

212 S Garcia Rodriguez (Esp) 71 65 76, D Nouailhac (Fra) 68 71 73, R Steiner (Aut) 69 68 75, P Relecom  (Bel) 70 71 71, R Saxton (Ned) 68 70 74, D Griffiths  (Eng) 66 69 77

213 D Stewart (Sco) 71 70 72, T Murray (Eng) 69 71 73, D Frittelli (RSA) 73 67 73

214 J Huldahl (Den) 68 69 77, N Floren (Swe) 69 71 74, D Palm (Swe) 73 68 73, T Pulkkanen  (Fin) 71 70 73

215 L Bjerregaard  (Den) 69 72 74

216 C Aguilar  (Esp) 67 73 76, N Elvira  (Esp) 71 70 75, B An (SKor) 74 67 75

217 L Goddard  (Eng) 74 67 76

220 J Clément  (Sui) 71 68 81

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

FOUR SHARE LEAD ON FOUR-UNDER 66 IN SUTHERLAND CHALICE

Four players tied with four-under-par 66s in some hot scoring in the first round of the Sutherland Chalice - this weekend's SGU 72-hole Order of Merit event - at Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club.

Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm), Craig Ross (Kirkhill), Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) and Eamon Bradley (Mount Ellen) all tied for lead, but only a shot ahead of Daniel Young (Craigie Hill), repeat winner of the Cameron Corbett Vase four-rounder at Haggs Castle last weekend, Alexander Culverwell (Nairn) and Calum Cochrane (Balmore).

Aberdour's Scot Crichton, third beind James Ross and Ross Bell last year, started with an 8 - playing five off the tee but still managed to get it round in one-under-par 69. 
In contrast Michael Smyth began with an eagle on his way to a 66.

FIRST ROUND LEADERS

Par 70 CSS 71

66 M Clark (Kilmacolm), C Ross (Kirkhill), M Smyth (Royal Troon), E Bradley (Mount Ellen).

67 D Young (Craigie Hill), A Culverwell (Dunbar), C Cochrane (Balmore).

68 G Marchbank (Dumfries and Co), M Daily (Erskine).

69 S Crichton (Aberdour), J Hendrick (Pollok), R Bell (Downfield, K McClung (Wigtownshire Co), S Haddow (Cardross), J Savage (Cawder), J White (Lundin), J Duff (Newmacahr), S Stewart (Clydebank).

REST OF FIRST ROUND SCORES
Mr Conor O'Neil (v) 70
Mr Scott Gibson (v) 70
Mr Jamie Lamb (v) 70
Mr Fraser McKenna (v) 70
Mr David Wilson (v) 70
Mr Fraser Moore (v) 70
Mr Scott Brown (v) 70
Mr Adam Dunton (v) 71
Mr Mark Owenson (v) 71
Mr Neil Henderson (v) 71
Mr Gordon Stevenson (v) 71
Mr C Corbett 71
Mr Daniel Thompsett (v) 71
Mr Anthony Blaney (v) 71
Mr Richard Docherty (v) 72
Mr Lewis Bain (v) 72
Mr Cameron Farrell (v) 72
Mr Colin Colraine (v) 72
Mr Stuart Robin (v) 72
Mr Allyn Dick (v) 72
Mr Alan Sutherland (v) 72
Mr Stuart McMehen (v) 72
Mr M Mcnae 72
Mr Kenny MacAskill (v) 72
Mr Clark Riddick (v) 73
Mr Robbie McBeth (v) 73
Mr Tom Spencer (v) 73
Mr Liam Johnstone (v) 73
Mr B J Burgess 74
Mr Steven Rennie (v) 74
Mr Kevin Duncan (v) 74
Mr Angus Carrick (v) 74
Mr Christopher Wood (v) 74
Mr Craig Smith (v) 74
Mr Andrew Grant (v) 74
Mr Colin Baird (v) 74
Mr Chris Robb (v) 75
Mr Fraser Johnston (v) 75
Mr Joubert Spies (v) 75
Mr Scott William Mann (v) 75
Mr Alasdair MacLennan (v) 75
Mr Steven Maxwell (v) 75
Mr Mark Cox (v) 76
Mr Liam Halliday (v) 76
Mr Jordyn Rhind (v) 76
Mr Malcom Pennycott (v) 76
Mr Stuart McLaren (v) 76
Mr Sam Binning (v) 77
Mr Nick MacAndrew (v) 77
Mr Lee Jorgensen (v) 77
Mr Michael Grunwell (v) 77
Mr B S Irving 77
Mr Paul Reilly (v) 78
S Cairns 78
Mr Keelan Africa (v) 78
Mr Ross Bryden (v) 79
Mr Dylan Jacobs (v) 79
Mr Ryan Walsh (v) 79
Mr Craig Hill (v) 80
Mr Michael Bacigalupo (v) 81
Mr Christiaan Rossouw (v) 81
Mr Keith Shanks (v) N/R
Mr Ryan Smith (v) N/R

SCOTS PIPPED BY ENGLAND FOR EURO MEN'S TITLE IN DENMARK

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE SGU MEDIA RELEASES

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com

England beat Scotland 4 1/2-2 1/2 in the final of the European men's amateur team golf championship at Silkeborg Golf Club, Denmark today (Saturday).

It was a tighter match than the scoreline suggests.

The Scots lost the foursomes 2-0 but clawed their way back in the singles with wins by Walker Cup team place contender Graeme Robertson and Scotland boys champion Bradley Neil - a late call-up in place of Grant Forrest who withdrew so that he could get in extra practice for next week's Open - and a halved match by Ewan Scott.
It went down to the wire with Scott Borrowman losing at the 19th to Max Orrin in the decisive final singles match. Borrowman had been three up after 11 holes and was still two up after 15.

SCOTLAND  2 1/2, ENGLAND 4 1/2

Foursomes (0-2)

James Ross and Ewan Scott lost to Neil Raymond and Garrick Porteous 4 and 2.

Graeme Robertson and Jack McDonald lost to Max Orrin and Callum Shinkwin 4 and 2.

Singles (2 1/2-2 1/2)
Robertson bt Shinkwin 1 hole.
McDonald lost to Porteous 3 and 2.
Bradley Neil bt Toby Tree 2 holes.
Scott halved with Nathan Kimsey.
Scott Borrowman lost to Orrin at 19th.

Scotland team who finished eighth in the European boys' team championship at Murcar Links. Picture by courtesy of Kenny Smith.
                                   
France beat Norway 4-3 in the final of the European boys' team championship at Murcar Links. It is the first time France has won the Under-18s' title in 25 years.
A week or two ago, it was a French player who won the Scottish Under-16 boys' open stroke-play title at Portlethen. He was not in the France team at Murcar Links.
Italy beat England 4 1/2 to 2 1/2 to claim the bronze medals.
Scotland completed an disappointing downward spiral in the match-play stages after a fine performance to qualify as the third seeds from the 36-hole stroke-play test at the start of the week.
They lost all three matches, concluding with a poor display in going down 4 1/2 to 1/2 at the hands of Sweden and so finishing last of eight in the top flight.
Would it have made a big difference if Bradley Neil and Ewan Scott had been playing for the Under-18 team instead of the men's team in Denmark? Who can tell but if you take your best two players out of any team, it is bound to weaken it.

SCOTLAND 1/2, SWEDEN 4 1/2
Foursome:
Ewen Ferguson and Ben Kinsley lost to adam Blomme and Fredrik Nilhen 1 hole.
Singles:
Calum Hill lost to Marcus Kinhuilt 4 and 3
Euan Walker lost to Hampus Nilsson 6 and 4.
Robert MacIntyre halved with Tobias Eden
Connor Syme lost to Jesper Olsson 3 and 1.

OTHER MURCAR LINKS RESULTS
France 4, Norway 3
England 2 1/2, Italy 4 1/2
Ireland 3, Denmark 2.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

England Edge Thriller Against Scotland 

to Win Euro Men's Team Title

  By ED HODGE, PR and Media Executive, SGU

Scotland’s bid to claim the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship for the first time in four years came up agonisingly short, as England won an epic ‘Auld Enemy’ battle in Denmark.

After a superb week at Silkeborg GC, the home club of Ryder Cup stalwart Thomas Bjorn, the Scots were just unable to cross the winning line – losing 4.5-2.5 after a closely-fought, tense contest that went right to the wire.

“There was nothing in it at the end and the guys should be so proud,” said Ian Rae, Scotland’s National Coach. “England had five players from the top-34 in the world in their team and we didn’t have anybody here in the top 100. The whole team contributed for us this week and there are so many positives.”

Having finished fifth in stroke play qualifying at the 16-team event, the Scots held their nerve to defeat Germany and then France, the top qualifiers, in tight quarter-final and semi-final matches.

A final showdown with England, boasting Amateur champion Garrick Porteous among their six-player number, certainly got the juices flowing – but the action began badly from a Scottish perspective.

Ewan Scott (St Andrews) and James Ross (Royal Burgess) lost the first six holes in the opening foursomes tie to Porteous and St Andrews Links winner Neil Raymond. Despite a mini-Scots fightback, the English duo held on for a 4 and 2 win.

Minutes later Max Orrin and Nathan Kimsey wrapped up the same margin of victory, ending the winning five-match foursomes run of Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson and last year’s Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year, Jack McDonald of Kilmarnock Barassie.

“England played awesome in the foursomes, Porteous and Raymond were five-under-par for the first nine holes,” noted Rae.

Two-nil down ahead of the five singles ties in the afternoon, the Scots faced an uphill task but they simply refuse to throw in the towel. Indeed, going into the closing four holes, three games were all square with each country holding slender one-up leads in the other two matches.

Robertson, who won all six points in Scotland’s Home Internationals win last year, again impressed to defeat Callum Shinkwin by a hole. After five wins in six match play games in Denmark, Robertson has further enhanced his Walker Cup selection claims for the match at The National Golf Links of America, Southampton, New York in September.

Porteous saw off McDonald 2 and 1, but Scottish Boys champion Bradley Neil recorded his third singles win of the week in defeating Toby Tree by two holes.

It was 3-2 England, with the final two games incredibly going to extra holes – after Scott Borrowman, the hero against Germany, lost a two-hole advantage with four to play against Orrin.

It was Orrin, currently ranked eighth in the world, who saw England home with victory at the 19^th, meaning Scott and Kimsey picked up their balls for a half each in the game ahead.

Still, it proved a fine week for the Scots as a whole – especially after Blairgowrie’s Neil, still only 17, was a late call-up following Grant Forrest’s withdrawal to focus on preparing for his Open debut at Muirfield on Thursday. Like Neil, Scott is still a National Boys Squad player. 

“It was a great effort to get to the final,” concluded Rae. “We beat Germany and France and beating England was always going to be a tall order. I’ve been with our teams at these events for a number of years and it would have been one of the best wins we had ever achieved, as it would have been slightly unexpected.”

 

 Click here for final scores from the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship

SGU MEDIA RELEASE   France Secure Euro Boys Title For First Time in 25 Years   By ED HODGE, SGU PR and Media Executive France were this evening crowned European Boys’ Team champions for the first time in 25 years after a thrilling comeback to beat  Norway at Murcar Links. After a superb five days’ golf in the North-east, the French came  through a brilliant match to emulate their 1988 success – ironically also in Scotland, when they beat the home nation in the final at  Renfrew Golf Club. “I’m so pleased for two reasons,” said French Boys’ captain Francois Dubrule after the 4-3 win. “Firstly, because it has taken us 25 years to win, so it’s a nice anniversary. In fact, one of our  players, Paul Elissalde said to me this morning that his player  number was 25 so that was an omen. “Secondly, I was not selected in 1988 and my friends were calling  me at night after they had won. I was so happy for them. “I took over the captaincy two years ago and, at that time, I said we would be ready for Scotland in 2013. We finished fifth last year and  third in 2011, so we’ve been getting closer. I captain extremely  well-prepared talented golfers.” France, whose players warmed up for the fast-running links test at Murcar Links by playing the likes of St Andrews and Royal St George’s in recent weeks, found themselves two-nil down at lunch as  Norway – conquerors of Scotland and England – again thrived. However, on a breezy, cool day at the seaside, the French warmed to  their task in the afternoon and Nicolas Manifacier, Pierre Mazier,  Joris Etlin and Romain Langasque all claimed singles victories for a  storming fightback. Meanwhile, Scotland finished the 16-team event eighth overall after   suffering another loss on the final day, going down 4.5-0.5 to Sweden. Having qualified in third place from the 36 holes of individual stroke  play on Wednesday, hopes were high among the Scots for the match  play stage. However, after surrendering a 2-0 lunchtime lead to lose 4-3 to  Norway on Thursday, the Scots were beaten by Ireland and then  the Swedes. Glencruitten’s Robert MacIntyre, the Golf Data Lab Scottish Youths  champion, was the only Scot to avoid defeat today. “We made a good start, but we just didn’t get going in the match play,”  said Tantallon’s Calum Hill, one of the Scots’ best performers during the  event. “I’m not too sure why, but maybe we were just outplayed. “You also need a little luck around this golf course and maybe we  didn’t get it at times. At the start of the week, we thought we could win the  event – we certainly felt good enough. “It’s my final time playing in the European Boys so it’s a shame to end like  this.” >> Click here for final scores from the European Boys’ Team Championship