TILLICOULTRY MAN TOPS MY GOLF RANKING SCOTALND

Top 25, January 17 
1 Scott Hunter (Tillicoultry) 1185pt
2 Alistair Wastson (Langlands) 1175
3 Craig Meeks (Thornton) 1157
4 Lewis Blyth (Prestonfield) 1133
5 Gary Barclay (Torrance Park) 1125
6 Roger Leslie (Spey Bay) 1105
7 Ricky McNeill (Dunnikier Park) 1102
8 Douglas Taylor (Dunfermline) 1100
9 Kevin Wood (Prestonfield) 1085
10 Daniel Alexander (Kingsknowe) 1075
11 Alex McKenzie (Lothianburn) 1061
T12 Graeme Cox (Drumoig) 1058
T12 Jim Rice (Aberdour) 1058
14 Paul Page (Kingsknowe) 1056
15 John Douglas (Leven Thistle) 1055
16 John Boag (Blairgowrie) 1048
17 Greig Denton (Balfron) 1043
T18 William Barwood (Langlands) 1031
T18 James Batchelor (Kirriemuir) 1031
20 Peter Miller (Milngavie) 1029
21 Ian Gorn (Aberdour) 1021
22 Stan Thain (St Andrews New) 1019
24 Mark Evans (Lothianburn) 1017
25 John Mitchell (St Andrews GC) 1008
26 Sean Davidson (Craigie Hill) 1004
 

For up-to-date ranking lists of participating clubs, the full Regional, National and International Rankings and how it works, visit www.mygolfranking.net.

The MyGolfRanking service is free to clubs and members. Clubs wishing to participate should register on www.mygolfranking.net or email info@mygolfranking.net for information.

MURCAR MAY BAN FUTURE NE ALLIANCE FIXTURES AFTER DAMAGED DONE TO COURSE BY THOSE WHO DID NOT USE MTS TO PRORECT THE FAIRWAYS, FRINGERS AND TEES

MESSAGE FROM JOEL HOPWOOD
Captain of North-east Alliance
To all North-east Alliance members
Regrettably, we have received a phone call from Murcar Links Golf Club with some extremely disappointing news.

Following Wednesday's Alliance fixture there on Wednesday, Murcar officials have informed us that +Most fairways have had divots taken out of them
+Most fringes have divots removed.
+Par-3 tees all have divots removed and that fenced off surrounds of the greens have had regular and motorised trolleys run over them. 
All future North-east Alliance fixtures at Murcar Links are now in jeopardy. 
To lose Murcar as a venue would be a huge blow, considering our end-of-season foursomes match-play championship  is held there.
That the course damage caused by North-east Alliance members on Wednesday was to such an extent that Murcar Links officials would even give thought to such drastic action as banning us in future is an awful sequel to the out-of-order actions of some North-east Alliance members.
We cannot express how frustrating this is, as it directly influences our reputation and our future fixtures at Murcar Links - and at other clubs too if  the message gets round.
Considering the hard work that is clearly taking place at Murcar Links to maintain and improve their fabulous links, the lack of respect is especially sad.
The whole concept of a winter Alliance is to keep swinging through the off-season, enjoy golf socially with friends and compete on an even playing field. We pay discounted rates as golf courses will be shortened and, especially through these months, may require us to use mats.
If players DON'T use mats they are cheating the others in the field who do. They are showing a complete lack of respect for the golf course and their fellow competitors and they are putting the future of the Alliance at risk.
If we receive another call from a club with like minded complaints, we will have to seriously review what becomes of the North-east Alliance.
We appreciate that the majority reading this will use their mats and respect the courses that accommodate us, but for those who don't, you should be ashamed and you are cheating the rest of the field.
Please help us police the above by reporting anyone you see not using a mat, where they should be, so that these individuals can be BANNED from future North-east Alliance fixtures.
At Murcar there were signs in the locker room, on our Alliance desk and in the lounge and pro shop to alert Members and Visitors to the requirements of mats so there are no excuses.
We must take this opportunity to express how hugely disappointed we are at all of those who did not use a mat this week and can only hope you will take heed of these messages.

Joel Hopwood
On behalf of the North-east
Alliance committee
Dave Wilson (jt sec)
Dave MacKay (jt sec)
David Fleming (Portlethen)
Colin Nelson (Mackenzie Shop)

SERGIO GARCIA CLEARED OF ANY RULE INFRINGEMENT BY EUROPEAN TOUR

FROM THE GOLFTALK CENTRAL WEBSITE

By WILL GRAY
One day after cameras caught Sergio Garcia tapping down an area in front of his putting line at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, the Spaniard was cleared of any wrongdoing by European Tour officials.
During his opening-round 76, Garcia was seen using his putter to flatten out an area just in front of his ball mark on the 18th green at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. 
If the area in question was a spike mark, the action would have resulted in a two-shot penalty.
Garcia insisted, though, that it was an old pitch mark - which can be repaired without penalty. 
On Friday, Tour official John Paramor met with Garcia to review the footage and ultimately agreed with the 34-year-old's explanation.
"John Paramor is satisfied with Sergio's version of the matter and that is the end of the issue," read a statement released by the Tour.

---

The potential violation is a hot-button issue in Europe, where Simon Dyson came under fire when he tapped down a spike mark with his ball during an event in October. After facing a disciplinary hearing, the Englishman received a probationary sentence (and a big fine) and could be suspended from competition should he commit another rules violation within the next 18 months. Despite the controversy and a difficult opening round, during which Garcia received medical attention for a shoulder injury and called the rough at the National Course "dangerous," the Spaniard bounced back Friday to card a bogey-free 68 and make the cut on the number. 
After completing play, he didn't mince words over being associated with one of golf's most dreaded terms - "cheating" - based on what he felt was an innocuous move to repair a ball mark.
"It's fine to call in when you can see that someone has cheated. But to say that about someone without knowing all the facts is wrong," he said, according to Golf Digest.
 "Being related to that word is the most disgusting thing that can happen to any golfer. So it was a little disappointing. I'm happy it was cleared up with John and I was able to play today."

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS REPORT, SCORES

Craig Lee, chasing first win on European Tour

  Today's action picture by courtesy of Getty Images(c

CRAIG LEE SHARING HALFWAY LEAD IN ABU DHABI CHAMPIONSHIP

Stirling’s Craig Lee edged closer to his first title triumph on the European Tour when he moved into a share of the lead with Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello at the halfway stage of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship today. 

The duo finished the day on nine-under-par 135 after Lee posted a 67 to Cabrera-Bello’s 68 on the immaculate National Course. They have a one-stroke lead over England’s Danny Willett who provided the pick of the second-day cards with a stunning 63 for eight-under-par 136.

Lee has come close in recent times, most notably last September when the 36 year old from Stirling was denied silverware by veteran Thomas Björn in a play-off for the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland.
The spectre of the Great Dane looms large again in the desert as Borg moved into a share of fourth place with Rory McIlroy and Ricardo Gonzalez.

But Lee continued to remain focused on the task in hand. 
“Obviously there are a lot of leaderboards out there and I’m not one of those golfers who shies away from looking at them – I like to know what’s going on and who’s around me,” said the Scot, who posted seven birdies in total to counteract his two bogeys. 

“Coming in from the winter, you never know just how rusty you are going to feel or how your game is going to be. I did hit a few loose shots here and there but I managed to get by holing a few good putts – I think Santa definitely brought me a good putting stroke for Christmas.”

Joint leader Cabrera-Bello, one of three pacesetters after round one, had a chance to lead outright but dropped only his second shot of the day at the ninth hole – his 18^th – to slip back alongside Lee. 

“All in all, I’m pretty happy with the way things are going,” said the two time European Tour champion, whose last victory came in nearby Dubai in the Desert Classic two years ago. 
“I’m putting the ball in the fairway and pretty confident with all the clubs in my bag.”

In third spot going into the weekend, Englishman Willett owed the prominence to his lowest round to par in his European Tour career; his nine under par 63 featuring seven birdies and an eagle three at the eighth where he pitched in from 50 yards. 

But he – and the two leaders – are being pursued by an imposing chasing pack, led by two time Major Champion and former World No. 1 McIlroy and 15 time European Tour champion Björn, the current leader of The Race to Dubai.

McIlroy posted a 67 - which included a double bogey six at the fourth – and professed himself more than content with his day’s work.
“Yep, really happy with that,” said the Northern Irishman. “I gave myself a target of four under par for my back nine which I thought would get me into contention for the weekend, and I went one better. It’s great to be in the mix going into the last 36 holes.” 

Björn matched McIlroy’s 67 but, unlike his younger competitor, did most of his damage on the front nine where five birdies helped him cover the stretch in 31 blows. “It was a good day’s work,” he said. “When I hit the ball the way I did today, the numbers on the card suddenly get better. Hopefully I can keep it going into the weekend.”

The cut fell at level par 144, the most notable casualties being last year’s Race to Dubai champion Henrik Stenson, whose second round 72 saw him end his first tournament of 2014 on two over par 146, and Ryder Cup player Paul Lawrie (80-73 for 153).

It was the first missed cut on The European Tour for Stenson since the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October 2012.

 

SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD

  Par 144 (2x72)

135 C Lee (Sco) 68 67, R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 67 68

136 D Willett  (Eng) 73 63

137 R Gonzalez (Arg) 71 66, R McIlroy  (Nir) 70 67, T Björn (Den) 70 67

138 G Coetzee (RSA) 68 70, J Luiten (Ned) 68 70, T Fleetwood  (Eng) 73 65

139 M Baldwin (Eng) 67 72, P Larrazábal (Esp) 69 70, M Siem  (Ger) 69 70

140 T Jaidee (Tha) 70 70, D Fichardt (RSA) 70 70, P Hanson (Swe) 70 70, R Karlsson (Swe) 73 67, T Hatton (Eng) 69 71, M Hoey  (Nir) 69 71, A Cañizares  (Esp) 71 69, G Bhullar (Ind) 72 68, P McGinley (Irl) 68 72

141 A Quiros  (Esp) 71 70, C Montgomerie  (Sco) 73 68, M Jiménez (Esp) 73 68, O Fisher  (Eng) 69 72, H Otto (RSA) 70 71, D Van Der Walt (RSA) 68 73, M Kaymer (Ger) 70 71, M Warren (Sco) 68 73, T Lewis (Eng) 71 70, E Molinari  (Ita) 70 71, J Jeong (SKor) 70 71

142 E Pepperell (Eng) 70 72, W Ormsby (Aus) 69 73, R Santos  (Por) 70 72, N Elvira  (Esp) 72 70, D McGrane (Irl) 70 72, S Webster (Eng) 69 73, M Kieffer (Ger) 71 71, M Carlsson  (Swe) 71 71, R Wattel  (Fra) 67 75, B Stone (RSA) 71 71

143 J Donaldson (Wal) 73 70, A Sullivan (Eng) 73 70, P Mickelson (USA) 73 70, L Donald  (Eng) 70 73, B Grace  (RSA) 73 70, P Casey  (Eng) 72 71, S Gallacher (Sco) 70 73, D Clarke (Nir) 74 69, J Lima  (Por) 68 75, J Quesne  (Fra) 71 72, S Benson (Eng) 73 70, G Maybin (Nir) 73 70, S Kapur (Ind) 71 72, J Carlsson (Swe) 73 70, A Levy (Fra) 74 69, R Jacquelin (Fra) 71 72, T Aiken (RSA) 70 73

144 J Singh (Ind) 69 75, P Whiteford (Sco) 74 70, E Grillo (Arg) 72 72, E De La Riva  (Esp) 70 74, C Wood  (Eng) 71 73, T Olesen (Den) 74 70, S Garcia  (Esp) 76 68, J Campillo (Esp) 72 72, D Howell (Eng) 73 71, M Manassero (Ita) 71 73, J Olazábal (Esp) 74 70, P Waring  (Eng) 73 71, R Bland (Eng) 71 73

MISSED THE CUT 

145 P Harrington (Irl) 71 74, P Uihlein  (USA) 74 71, M Foster (Eng) 72 73, A Saddier (Fra) 72 73, K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 76 69, D Horsey (Eng) 73 72, J Parry (Eng) 76 69

146 H Stenson (Swe) 74 72, S Thornton (Irl) 71 75, D Huizing (Ned) 75 71, G Havret  (Fra) 72 74, R Green (Aus) 76 70, S Kjeldsen (Den) 73 73, M Fraser (Aus) 72 74, R Dinwiddie  (Eng) 71 75, B Wiesberger  (Aut) 73 73, R Fisher (Eng) 74 72, A Wall (Eng) 76 70, L Slattery (Eng) 73 73, R Rock (Eng) 72 74, F Calmels  (Fra) 74 72, S Dyson  (Eng) 73 73

147 P Lawrie (Irl) 73 74, C Doak (Sco) 75 72, M Crespi  (Ita) 74 73, J Kruger (RSA) 76 71, S Lowry  (Irl) 76 71, G Stal  (Fra) 74 73,

148 M Madsen  (Den) 75 73, G Storm  (Eng) 74 74, K Phelan (Irl) 72 76, N Fasth (Swe) 71 77,

149 M Ilonen  (Fin) 74 75, V Riu  (Fra) 74 75, A Pavan (Ita) 77 72, H Wen-Yi (Chn) 76 73,

150 S Hansen (Den) 78 72, K Broberg (Swe) 73 77, B Koepka  (USA) 77 73

151 A Otaegui  (Esp) 77 74, M Nixon (Eng) 79 72

152 F Zanotti (Par) 73 79, G Mulroy (RSA) 77 75

153 P Lawrie (Sco) 80 73, T Pieters  (Bel) 76 77, J McLeary  (Sco) 78 75

154 B Rumford (Aus) 75 79, J Hansen  (Den) 77 77

155 C Del Moral (Esp) 75 80

156 S Kim (SKor) 78 78

157 M Campbell (Nzl) 78 79

158 T Levet (Fra) 82 76

162 A Almusharrekh (UAE) 82 80

 ** J Walters (RSA) DQ  0,

 

NEWS RELEASE FROM SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

SGU Squad Seek Success in South Africa

 

Ewen Ferguson, the British boys' champion, hopes to continue his development as part of a new-look Scotland squad bound for South Africa tomorrow for the competitive stage of winter performance training. 

Thanks to the continued support of national team sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management, South African businessman Johann Rupert and the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation, coupled with funding from sportscotland, 10 players will journey to South Africa, including six teenagers. 

The programme will include three major events on the South African circuit, a Test Match against the host nation and a training camp to allow players to work on short game, swing and general fitness with support staff.
 Compared to previous years, the programme is shorter and some players will return early.

Bearsden’s Ferguson, who became the first Scot in almost 10 years to land the British boys' crown last year, is joined by his fellow Great Britain and Ireland boys caps Bradley Neil of Blairgowrie, Connor Syme (Dumfries and County) and Glencruitten’s Robert MacIntyre on the trip.

Teenage duo Jamie Savage (Cawder) and Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) also make up the young group, with Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) and Scott Gibson (Southerness) joining them. 

The experienced pair of Graeme Robertson from Glenbervie, who has opted to stay amateur this season, and Dollar’s Scott Borrowman complete the squad.

Ferguson, who hopes to build on his work with the SGU in Dubai and Abu Dhabi late last year, said: “I had a good winter. I’ve just been trying to bulk up a little, get stronger, as I’m going to play more men’s events this year. Since last year, I’ve got so much hunger to win more and I think I can compete.

“It was amazing going away with the men’s team to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It gave you a good insight into what it’s actually like on the professional circuits, with all the early starts, gym work, stretching and yoga, practice and golf. 

"There was a lot of hard work, but I felt lucky to be there. I hope I can continue to progress in South Africa.”

The winter training programme in South Africa follows the great success of past trips, with Scots regularly returning with silverware. In 2011, Michael Stewart defeated Paul Shields in the all-Scottish final of the South African international amateur championship, emulating past victors like Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, while David Law captured the Northern amateur championship crown after losing out in a play-off for the South African amateur stroke play title.

A year later, Fifer Brian Soutar kept the South African amateur title in Scottish hands, while Paul Shields was joint-winner of the Northern Amateur. Twelve months ago, St Andrews’ Ewan Scott caught the eye and reached the semi-finals of the South African amateur.

This year, the players begin their competitive action at the North Gauteng Open on January 24, before the South African Stroke Play commences on February 4.
 A Test Match between the hosts and the visiting nation takes place on February 18-19, before the South African Amateur follows three days later.

Steve Paulding, Scottish Golf Performance Manager, added: “Returning to South Africa provides valuable experience for our players, especially the younger ones, on and off the course. It also gives them competitive opportunities at this time of year ahead of the new domestic season.

“A number of players in last year’s Men’s Squad didn’t reach the standards we had hoped in leading individual events at British and European level, and we hope to see an improvement in 2014.

“We have an exciting group of young players coming through and they, like our more experienced players, will be looking to challenge for a place in our Eisenhower Trophy team in Japan in September.”

South Africa competition calendar:

January 24-26: North Gauteng Open (Silver Lakes).
February 4-7: South African Stroke Play Championship (Benoni).

February 18-19: South Africa v Scotland Test Match, Leopard Creek)

February 22-28: Sanlam South African Amateur Championship (Hermanus).

 

SGU Squad for South Africa 
Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 26

Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) 17

Scott Gibson (Southerness) 21

Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) 17

Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) 17

Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) 18

Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) 25

Jamie Savage (Cawder) 19

Connor Syme (Dumfries and Co) 18

Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) 22

 *All 10 players to compete in North Gauteng Golf Union Open and South African Stroke Play Championship.

*Borrowman and MacIntyre will not play in the Test Match or South African Amateur due to work and school commitments respectively. 
*Neil and Robertson will not compete in South African Amateur due to playing commitments in early March.

 

SCOTTISH SENIOR OPEN AT FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS FOR SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW

NEWS RELEASE
The SSE Scottish Senior Open will return to the stunning Fairmont St Andrews for the sixth consecutive year from August 15-17, when Santiago Luna will defend the title he claimed in dramatic circumstances. 
The Torrance Championship Course has played host to some breath-taking action and great champions since the SSE Scottish Senior Open first moved to the coastal venue outside the town of St Andrews, often referred to as the ‘Home of Golf’. 
Sam Torrance himself came close to claiming the title for a second time last year, over the course he designed, but narrowly missed out to Spaniard Luna, who earned his maiden Senior Tour title 15 years after he defeated Tiger Woods at the Home of Golf during the Dunhill Cup. 
The lead exchanged hands several times during the final day last August before the rookie from Madrid claimed a one-shot victory over former Ryder Cup Captain Torrance and Irishman Denis O’Sullivan. It was a thrilling finish worthy of one of the Senior Tour’s longest-running and most prestigious events, one which Englishman Barry Lane won back to back in 2010 and 2011, before Anders Forsbrand also created history by lifting the trophy in 2012, becoming the Tour’s first Swedish winner. This year’s will be the 22nd edition of the SSE Scottish Senior Open, which was first won by England’s Tommy Horton in 1993. He claimed the title for a second time in 1997 while Neil Coles, Bill Longmuir and José Rivero have all added their names to the prestigious roll of honour. Rookies on the Senior Tour this year include Ronan Rafferty, the 1989 European Tour Number One who was twice a member of the winning Irish team in the Alfred Dunhill Cup at the nearby St Andrews Old Course, as well as Miguel Angel Jiménez, also a two-time Alfred Dunhill Cup winner with Spain, and Switzerland’s André Bossert.

DOWN TO LAST EIGHT IN AUSSIE MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

FROM THE GOLF AUSTRALIA WEBSITE

Zach Murray in action during victory over Ryan Ruffels

 

The final eight players to compete for the Australian men's amateur championship have been decided at Grange Golf Club, Adelaide.
Two Victorians, two New Zealanders, two Americans, a Western Australian, a South Australian and a New South Welshman have all booked their places in Saturday's quarter-finals.
Zach Murray overcame Ryan Ruffels 3 and 2 in an all-Victorian third round match while Cameron Davis (NSW) defeated Taylor MacDonald (Queensland) 2 and 1 to progress to the last eight.
Curtis Luck (West Australia) beat last year's runner-up Geoff Drakeford (Victoria) on the 18th green while Americans Max Buckley and Daniel Snyder accounted for Grant Booth (New South Wales) and Blair Riordan (New Zealand) respectively.
Local favourite and Grange Golf Club member Anthony Murdaca (South Australia) flew the home town flag into the quarter finals while Victorian Todd Sinnott and New Zealander Tae Koh also won through to the final eight.
MEN'S QUARTER FINAL LINE-UP
Zach Murray (VIC) v Todd Sinnott (VIC)
David Snyder (USA) v Curtis Luck (WA)
Max Buckley (USA) v Tae Koh (NZL)
Cameron Davis (NSW) v Anthony Murdaca (SA)
The quarter finals and semi finals are held on Saturday before the 36 hole final which takes place on Sunday.
RESULTS AND DRAW - Australian Men's Amateur Championship

FORMER R AND A JUNIOR OPEN WINNER PATRICK REED LEADS WITH 63

RUSSELL KNOX SHOOTS NINE BIRDIES IN 65 AT LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE 

with additional words by Colin Farquharson

In the opening round of the 2014 Humana Challenge, American Patrick Reed, winner of the R and A Junior Open at Heswall in 2006, leads with a super round of nine-under-par 63 at La Quinta, California. 

He is a shot ahead of fellow Americans Ryan Palmer, Justin Hicks, Daniel Summerhays and Charley Hoffman on a day of low scoring over the PGA West (Palmer couse). 
Inverness-born Russell Knox (pictured above) had nine birdies in a 65 for a share of sixth place alongside Zach Johnson.
Fellow Scot Martin Laird had six birdies in his 69 for T48 place.

Zach Johnson asked his short-iron approach on the par-4 18th to "Do something right, baby." It did.
With just a hint of a draw, Johnson's shot landed to the right of the right-side pin and spun to 2 feet to set up a birdie Thursday that left him tied sixth on 65, two strokes behind first-round leader Reed.

HUMANA

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Thriving on great driving, even better wedge play and putting, Johnson has three worldwide wins in his last seven starts.
He began the run in the BMW Championship during the 2013 FedExCup Playoffs, and beat Tiger Woods in a playoff in December in the World Challenge after holing a wedge for par on the final hole of regulation. Johnson followed that with a victory two weeks ago at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
"I don't think I'm the best," Johnson said when asked if he's the best wedge player.
He pointed to Ryder Cup teammate Steve Stricker.
"He's the first one that comes to my mind," Johnson said. "Phenomenal wedge player. ... But my wedges are clean. ... I've worked on it a lot. I've worked on it in a number of different ways, but the main way is really just trying to dial in yardages and trajectories."
Johnson finished with a 7-under 65, hitting all 14 fairways at La Quinta Country Club -- the most-demanding driving layout in the three-course event. He hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation and had 27 putts in his bogey-free round.
"The greens over there are, I don't even know how to explain them, it's like carpet," Johnson said. "I mean, they're just so good. I don't know what they do over there, but they look artificial. They're like this every year, but they're as good as I've ever seen."
Johnson has 11 US PGA Tour victories. Dating to his rookie season in 2004, only Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh have more.
"It means that I'm doing something right," said Johnson, the top-ranked player in the field at No. 6.
Reed had a 9-under 63 in perfect scoring and weather conditions. He ran off five straight birdies in the middle of his bogey-free round on PGA West's Arnold Palmer Private Course and tied his career low.
"The course is in perfect shape," said Reed, the Wyndham Championship winner in August. "The rough isn't very high, the fairways are perfect and the greens are rolling very true."
Reed started on the back nine and birdied Nos. 16-18 and 1-2 to get to 7-under. He added birdies on Nos. 6 and 7.
Russell Knox birdied the long second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh, 11th, short 12th, short 17th and 18th for his bag of nine birdies in halves of 33 and 32. He bogeyed the fifth and ninth.
FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 72
Players from USA unless stated
63 Patrick Reed
64 Ryan Palmer, Justin Hicks, Daniel Summerhays, Charley Hoffman.
65 Russell Knox (Scotland), Charlie Wi (South Korea), Zach Johnson, Matt Every, Huydson Swafford, Bill Haas, Brendon Todd.
SELECTED SCORES
69 Martin Laird (Scotland), Brian Davis (England) (T48)

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"I was really confident with my irons, kept hitting greens and all of a sudden, 10-, 12-, 15-, 20-foot putts started going in."
With wife Justine pregnant with their first child, her brother, Kessler Karain, is subbing as Reed's caddie. Justine has walked every hole with her husband this year and plans to rejoin him inside the ropes after the baby girl arrives. The due date is Memorial Day.
"We can't wait for that," Reed said. "I'm excited to be a dad."
Ryan Palmer, Justin Hicks, Daniel Summerhays and Charley Hoffman shot 64.
Palmer birdied his final six holes and nine of his last 12 on the Palmer course, the site of the final round Sunday.
"I wasn't making a whole lot of long putts, just hitting it close," Palmer said.
Hicks had an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey on the Jack Nicklaus Private Course.
"Just trying to give myself as many opportunities as I can," Hicks said.
Hoffman, the 2007 winner, had an eagle and six birdies at La Quinta.
"I love this golf course," Hoffman said. "I think this is probably one of the better tracks we play all year when it's said and done."
Summerhays birdied seven of his last 10 on the Nicklaus course.
"It's fun to make birdies," Summerhays said. "That's one of the fun things about this tournament is that the courses are a little easier. They're in perfect shape, which makes them almost even easier."
With a high temperature in the mid-80s and only a gentle morning breeze off the Santa Rosa Mountains, the players averaged 69.692 on the Palmer course, 69.431 on the Nicklaus layout, and 70.192 at La Quinta.
Keegan Bradley opened with a 69 at La Quinta in his first start of the year. He's fighting a cold and struggled with his distance control and accuracy.
"I'm still a little tired. Getting better every day," said Bradley, paired with Johnson the first three days. "I'm happy with today's round for the first round of the year."
Defending champion Brian Gay also had a 69 at La Quinta.