Monday, January 27, 2014

FLORIDA-BASED SCOT HAS TOPPED $1million IN EARNINGS ON US TOURS

RUSSELL KNOX FANCIES PLAYING IN 

SCOTTISH OPEN AT BALGOWNIE

Russell Knox has good memories of playing at Royal Aberdeen as an amateur. Picture by courtesy of Getty Images(c).
 
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Russell Knox's joint 10th finish and prizemoney of $135,216 on Sunday were personal bests in his "new" career on the US PGA Tour, the most lucrative in the world.
The 28-year-old from Inverness finished on six-under-par 282, only three shots behind the winner of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Scott Stallings, who earned over $1million from the one tournament.
At one point Knox was only a shot off the lead during the final round but could not get
the birdies he needed over the inward half
.
But Knox is now a million-dollar man as far as his career earnings are concerned on the Web.com Tour (and its predecessor, the Nationwide Tour)  and the US PGA Tour - $1,061,658 to be precise.
That does not take into account the money he made on the satellite tours after he turned pro in the States following four years on the American college circuit when he and Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) put Jacksonville University 

on the golfing map with outstanding performances.
player when one of his team-mates was Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey). They were rated on a par at that time.
Knox stayed on at Jacksonville Beach - his parents retired there - to flourish in Florida while Stewart came home to Scotland and has finally made it to the Challenge Tour. What if Duncan had also stayed on the States? An intriguing thought.
"I am very pleased with my start to 2014. I am be coming more comfortable on the PGA tour and starting to really believe in my talent," said Knox in an Email to Scottishgolfview.com
"I am focusing more on what makes me play great golf and not worrying about anybody else. Very excited about the rest of the year."
Will he come back to Scotland to play in the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen this summer?
"If I have secured my US PGA Tour card by that point in the season, I would love to play in the Scottish Open. I played Balgownie in the Scottish stroke-play when I was an amateur and I did pretty well, if I remember. Great links course."
Knox is currently 45th in the US PGA Tour money list with $243,101 opposite his name.
Knox's top 10 finish in California on Sunday has improved his world ranking by 27 places but, at No 200, he still has seven Scots head of him ... watch this space!


Stephen Gallacher is still the leading Scot by a considerable margin - 67th place with Martin Laird the next best at No 92.
Paul Lawrie has moved up 13 places with his good showing in the Qatar Masters and is now No 114.

LEADING SCOTS' RANKINGS
67 Stephen Gallacher
92 Martin Laird
114 Paul Lawrie
116 Marc Warren
124 Scott Jamieson
150 Richie Ramsay
191 Craig Lee
200 Russell Knox
325 David Drysdale.
331 Peter Whiteford
334 Chris Doak
344 Jamie McLeary

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FORMER COACH HANEY SAYS WOODS HAS GAINED EVEN MORE MUSCLE


TIGER SHOULD CUT DOWN HIS GYM,









PRACTISE HIS PUTTING INSTEAD

FROM THE GOLF TALK CENTRAL WEBSITE
Tiger Woods needs to curb his fitness enthusiasm, according to a former swing coach.
Hank Haney addressed a call-in question on his SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio show Sunday, regarding whether or not Woods works out too much.
“My opinion is he did too much of that. He does a lot of the gym stuff. I know you need to do some for golf, no doubt about it. You need to be in shape, you need to avoid injury, but my opinion is he really overdoes that,” Haney said. 
“He looks like he’s gained more muscle mass. When he was thinner and younger he was actually faster then. The strength maybe helps you get out of the rough but I’d agree that he’s overdone it. But he loves to work out.”
Haney worked with Woods from 2004-10, during which Woods won 31 US PGA Tour events. Haney’s comments came on the heels of Woods’ third-round missed cut at the Farmers Insurance Open, in which he shot 79.
In lieu of gym time, Haney suggested Woods work on his putting.
“He had five three-putts in 54 holes at Torrey Pines and you’re not going to fix that in the gym. Now Tiger Woods is the best lag putter I’ve ever seen,” Haney said. 
“For him to go out and three-putt five times at Torrey Pines, I can’t even believe it. There’s just no way that he put in the time on the putting green practising. It’s impossible. He’s too good. His stroke is too consistent. He’s too great a putter."

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SPANIARD'S WIN SEES HIM JUMP UP TWO PLACES

SERGIO GARCIA IN WORLD TOP TEN

FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2009  

With a victory at the Qatar Masters on Saturday, Sergio Garcia jumped two spots to No. 9 in the Official World Golf Ranking released Monday, his highest placement in more than four years.
Still in search of his first career major win, Garcia was eighth in the world on Nov. 29, 2009. The Spaniard has been ranked as high as No. 2, but never held down the top spot.
Prior to this week, Garcia spent a combined 318 weeks in the world's top 10. The 34-year-old now owns 11 European Tour wins as well as 18 top-10s in 61 career majors as a pro and amateur.
In recent years, Garcia had dropped as low as 85th in the world as of March 13, 2011. He is currently third on the world points list for the European Ryder Cup team after his victory and is second in the Race To Dubai rankings, the European Tour's money list.
Scott Stallings, the winner Sunday at the Farmers Insurance Open on the US PGA Tour, jumped from 112th in the world to 53rd, likely earning him a spot in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February.
The top 64 in the OWGR make the field and cut-off is February 10, the day after the end of AT and T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.


REVISED WORLD PRO RANKINGS
1 Tiger Woods
2 Adam Scott
3 Henrik Stenson
4 Phil Mickelson
5 Justin Rose
6 Rory McIlroy
7 Zach Johnson
8 Matt Kuchar
9 Sergio Garcia
10 Jason Day
11 Steve Stricker
12 Ian Poulter

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MEDIA RELEASE FROM SCOTTISH GOLF UNION




Clubs Work Together at SGU Annual 

Conference to Benefit Future Health

 

Over 100 delegates gathered at the Scottish Golf Union’s Annual Conference over the weekend, with clubs invited for the first time to reflect the theme of working together. 


At the University of Stirling’s campus, the SGU and its 16 Area Associations welcomed affiliated clubs for an excellent education and networking opportunity as some of the key issues facing Scottish golf were considered. 

The 2012/13 financial year again proved a challenging one for the SGU, but was ultimately positive as the organisation continues to work across more areas of the golf industry than ever before to meet the demands of clubs and deliver its strategy.


The SGU increased turnover by 8% to £2.896 million and invested record levels in supporting clubs, at the same time as generating £1.38 for every £1 invested by member clubs, meaning subscriptions now equate to 42% of income to illustrate a wider spread of income across the organisation. 

Notably, the SGU continues to work with a strong portfolio of sponsors and partners to enhance its activities and, during the last financial year, sponsorship income increased by 23% to record levels despite the difficult financial climate.


While the SGU are acutely aware of the trend of declining golf club membership – a pressing issue across Europe – time was spent in Stirling discussing factors contributing to the decline, including changes in consumer and social behaviour, and how to counter them.

On Saturday, interactive sessions and case studies exploring best practice in golf clubs, as well as a key note speech from Troed Troedson, a renowned expert on understanding consumer behaviour who has worked with the Swedish Golf Federation, provided an invaluable insight to clubs.


Sunday’s activities continued the theme of working better together, while the SGU reported its activities for the year across its seven strategic pillars – More Golfers, More Members, Stronger Clubs, Talented Golfers, Outstanding Championships, Excellent Governance and Strong Partnerships – before proceedings concluded with the SGU Annual General Meeting. 


Ian Howarth, President of Stirlingshire Golf Union and a past member of the SGU Finance Committee, was elected as the 52nd President of the SGU and the first from his Area since 1997.


“I’m very honoured to take up this role,” said Ian, pictured right. “With Scotland privileged to host both the Commonwealth Games and The Ryder Cup, 2014 has all the hallmarks of being a hugely memorable year.” 

Two new board appointments – voluntary like all post-holder positions other than the chief executive –were also approved.


Sandy Anderson, past captain at Sandyhills Golf Club and a member of the Glasgow Golf Union Executive Committee, has been appointed to oversee Club Development, while Bill Buchan, a key driver in setting up Edinburgh Golf to deliver sustainable growth across the capital, has taken up the position to oversee Participation. 

Tom Craig, the SGU Chairman, said: “Our Annual Conference, held in Stirling for the first time, proved hugely beneficial for all involved, especially for all the delegates who attended from across the country.


“It’s been another challenging year for all involved at the SGU, but everyone is working hard to support clubs and their members, and encourage more people into the game. 

“Over the coming weeks, we are undertaking further research among club managers, club members and casual golfers, looking at what the future golf consumer wants from a club, and continuing to support clubs, particularly with regard to business planning and good governance.”


Providing an update on the proposed amalgamation with the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA), Craig added: “The SGU and the SLGA continue to work very closely together, with much of our work now shared across both organisations.


“Our goal remains to amalgamate and the Amalgamation Working Group, independently chaired by Alastair Thornton, has made good progress. It is anticipated that a proposal for consultation will soon be available in 2014 as we seek to establish a governance structure for Scottish golf for the next 50 years and beyond.”
 
 

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RAIN CUTS SUENO PINES CLASSIC TO TWO ROUNDS

NICOL EARNS 1,213 EUROS IN TURKEY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Fraserburgh's Kris Nicol, pictured, playing out of the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, earned 1,213 Euros for a joint fifth place finish in the Sueno Pines Classic which was reduced from three to two rounds because of heavy rain on all three days of the tournament at Sueno Pines golf course, Belek in southern Turkey.
Nicol had rounds of 74 and 72 for two-over-par 146 - eight shots behind the four-stroke winner of the 5,000 Euros first prize, Nicolas Meitinger who had scores of 70-68 for six-under 138.
Nicol's team-mate Jordan Findlay tied for 42nd place with Anglo-Scot Brad Hannah on the 154 makr. Findlay scored 75-79, Hannah 80-74.
Conor O'Neil from Pollok shot 76-79 for 155, two ahead of Peterhead's Philip McLean ( Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) (76-81).
David Law (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) had scores of 84-75 for 159 and rookie Craig Lawrie totalled 160 with scores of 77 and 83.

SUENO PINES CLASSIC
Sueno Pines GC, Belek, Turkey
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72) reduced to two rounds 
because of bad weather
138 Nicolas Meitinger (Ger) 70 68
142 Anton Kirstein (Ger) 70 72
143 Sean Einhaus (Ger) 72 71
145 Philipp Mejou (Ger) 73 72
146 Kris Nicol (Sco) 74 72, Hurly Lang (Ger) (am) 72 74

SELECTED TOTALS
148 Jamie Abbot (Eng) 76 72 (T13)
149 James Wilson (Eng) 76 73 (T15)
OTHER SCOTS
154 Brad Hannah 80 74, Jordan Findlay 75 79
155 Conor O'Neil 76 79
157 Philip McLean 76 81
159 David Law 84 75
160 Craig Lawrie 77 83

ends

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SUENO PINES CLASSIC IN TURKEY REDUCED TO 36 HOLES

Thunderstorm trophy for Nicolas Meitinger

FROM THE EPD TOUR WEBSITE
Belek/TurkeyGermany's Nicolas Meitinger is the winner of the 2014 Sueno Pines Classic. The 29 year old from Cologne shot rounds of 70 an 68 on the par 72 golf course of Sueno Pines in Belek in Turkey for a four-shot win with a total of six-under-par 138.
Countryman Anton Kirstein (70-71) was runner-up on 142 with two more Germans, Sean Einhaus (72-71) and Philip Mejow (145) completing a Germany 1-2-3-4 on a tour that is organised by the German PGA
The tournament had to be reduced to 36 holes as heavy rain, thunder and lightning caused several interruptions during all three tournament days.

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SCOTTISH JUNIOR GOLF TOUR EVENT AT TURNBERRY


CARLUKE'S GRAEME GREER BEST WITH A 65
FROM WALTER BURNS
Here are the results from the Scottish Junior Golf Tour event at Turnberry yesterday on the Arran course. It was a level 2, 3 and 4 event.
We were close to calling off the event as the forecastwas not good, heavy rain and strong winds. However most of the families were keen to come so the event went ahead. Luckily the rain went off just before the first tee time and the juniors had it dry all the way round. 
The scoring was very good considering the strength of the wind. Another true grit test as all the juniors battled to the end against the wind. Graeme Greer had the best score of the day with three over par 65. Ruben Lyndsay had a fantastic score in the youngest age group, 69.

Under 16s
65 Graeme Greer (Carluke)
66 Aidan Husenne (Haggs Castle)
71 Matthew Dalrymple (Lochwinnoch)                   
72 Jack Williams (Sandyhills)
76 Brett McNaught (Longniddry)
Under 14s        
70 Ben McKay (Crail)
74 Craig Jackman (Dunblane)
79 Craig Stirling (Troon Welbeck)
Under 12s         
69 Ruben Lyndsay (Belleisle)
81 George Cannon (Falkirk)
82 Cameron Johnstone (Troon Welbeck), Anna McKay (Crail),  Aamar Saleem (Ladybank)
84 Sebastian Sandin (Dunblane)                   
The handicap prize was won by Liam Kirkham (Troon Welbeck).
The skill challenges were won by Sebastian Sandin.
Next event level 5 at Drumoig.
 

Walter Burns
Scottish Junior Golf Tour
 
Mob: 07951 103 827
 

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US PGA TOUR REPORT AND FINAL TOTALS

SCOTT STALLINGS BIRDIES THE LAST 

TO WIN AT TORREY PINES

Scott Stallings with the trophy. Picture by courtesy of Getty Images (c)
FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
SAN DIEGO -- Scott Stallings was in the 18th fairway at Torrey Pines, 222 yards from the front of the green, needing a birdie to give himself a shot at outright victory Sunday in the Farmers Insurance Open. That's when his caddie told him, "Let's see what you've got."
Above all, he had experience.
One year and one week ago, Stallings was in a similar situation at the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation. He hit a 6-iron from 220 yards, forgetting to account for a hanging lie until the ball sailed left and bounded into the water, the final mistake on a day he blew a five-shot lead.
He didn't make the same mistake twice.

Stallings hammered a 4-iron that narrowly cleared the water and set up two putts from 40 feet for a birdie. It gave him a 4-under 68 and a one-shot lead that turned into a victory when no one could catch him.
"I don't think one would happen without the other," Stallings said. "I actually thought about 18 at Humana the whole time on 18 today. Not that I was like, `Oh, don't hit it in the water.' But it was, `Just make sure you pay attention to everything that's going on.'"
His final birdie capped off a wild day at Torrey Pines, one that didn't include Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson for the first time in two decades. Nine players had a share of the lead at one point. Eight players still had a reasonable chance in the final hour.
Stallings emerged the winner with one big shot, and now he's headed back to the Masters.
K.J. Choi had the best score of the week on the South Course with a 66 and was among five players who tied for second. The pins were set up in favorable positions for birdies, making the course play the easiest it had all week.
But that didn't make it easy -- not for Gary Woodland, Jordan Spieth, Pat Perez and so many others who squandered a good chance to win.
Woodland appeared to have the best chance to catch Stallings. He was one shot behind -- with plenty of length to reach the 18th in two -- until he chose fairway metal off the tee on No. 17 and hooked it into the canyon. He felt he had to make his 45-foot par putt to have any chance, and three-putted for double bogey. Woodland, who had a one-shot lead going into the final round, missed an easy birdie attempt on the 18th and closed with a 74.
"This will be hard to swallow," Woodland said. "I felt like I kind of gave one away today."
Marc Leishman of Australia had the last chance to force a playoff, but his drive on the 18th went well right and bounced off the cart path and a fan. He had no chance to even consider going for the green in two. His wedge for an eagle stopped a few feet to the side of the hole, and a tap-in birdie gave him a 71.
Stallings finished at 9-under 279.
Jason Day (68) and Graham DeLaet of Canada (68) each made birdie on the last hole to tie for second. So did Perez, the San Diego native who grew up at Torrey Pines and whose father is the long-time starter on the first tee at the Farmers Insurance Open. 
Perez missed a 10-foot birdie chance on the 17th. He closed with a 70.
"It's great and bad," Perez said about his runner-up finish. "This is the one I want to win more than anything in the world, and I came up short. ... I thought today would have been my day. I would like to be in that position again."
Spieth didn't make a birdie over the last 15 holes, and he fell back with back-to-back birdies late in the round. The 20-year-old Texan made a meaningless bogey on the last hole that only cost him a spot in the top 10. By then, his day was over. He closed with a 75.
"I just lost control of the golf ball," Spieth said.
He also revealed that he tweaked his ankle Friday and felt it kept him from getting into the right position on his back swing.
Stallings, who started the final round three shots behind, won for the third time in his career. Two of those were tournaments that Woods played, yet Woods wasn't around on Sunday either time. He missed the cut in the Greenbrier Classic and did not make the 54-hole cut at Torrey Pines.
Stallings made six birdies over his last 11 holes, along with a pair of bogeys. Most remarkable is that he managed to hit only four fairways in the final round. But one that he did was important -- the 537-yard closing hole, giving him a chance to get home in two for a birdie at worst.
He never considered laying up and trying to make birdie with a wedge in his hand.
"You don't get very many opportunities to win golf tournaments on this tour," he said. "I didn't necessarily understand the situation I was in as far as the score, but I did know I had an opportunity. ... I was playing to win."
Charley Hoffman, another San Diego native, made a hole-in-one on the third hole and closed with a 67 to tie for seventh, along with Ryo Ishikawa of Japan and Will MacKenzie, who each had a 70.


Print This Story   LEADING FINAL TOTALS
     Par 288 (4x72) players from USA unless stated
279 Scott Stallings 72 67 72 68 ($1,098,000)
280 K J Choi (S Korea) 74 70 70 66, Graham DeLaet (Canada) 70 73 69 68, Jason Day (Australia) 66 73 73 68, Pat Perez 67 71 72 70, Marc Leishman (Australia) 66 71 72 71  ($366,000 each)
SELECTED TOTALS
282 Russell Knox (Scotland) 71 67 74 70 (T10) ($135,216)
284 Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) 69 67 75 73 (T19)

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE ABOUT RUSSELL KNOX'S FINAL ROUND AND
THE EUROPEAN PLAYERS' TOTALS

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

CLICK HERE


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NORTH GAUTENG OPEN AMATEUR STROKE PLAY

BRADLEY NEIL FINISHES JOINT THIRD  IN SOUTH AFRICA

Blairgowrie teenager Bradley Neil, 18, on his first trip to South Africa as a member of the Scottish Golf Union Squad, finished third equal in the North  Gauteng open amateur stroke play at Silver Lakes Country Club, Pretoria, a weather-delayed 72-hole tournament that ended on Sunday.
Last year's Scottish boys' match-play champion had scores of 73, 72, 69 and 70 for four-under-par 284 - two shots behind the South African winner, Keegan De Lange (72-70-73-67) and one behind the runner-up, also South African, Thriston Lawrence (74-67-76-66)Jamie Savage (Cawder) finished joint eighth in a field of 138 with scores of 73, 71, 69 and 74 for 287.
Daniel Young (Craigie Hill), Scott Gibson (Southerness) and Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) tied for 21st place on 294.
Young had rounds of 77, 76, 69 and 72; Gibson 74, 77, 72 and 71; MacIntyre 68, 74, 74 and 78.
Scott Borrowman (Dollar) finished T26 on 295, a shot ahead of Glenbervie's Graeme Robertson (T30) and two shots ahead of Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) and British boys champion Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden), tied for 33rd place. 

Next big competition for the squad is the South African amateur championship, beginning on February 4.

  NORTH GAUTENG OPEN STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Silver Lakes CC, Pretoria, South Africa
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Players from South Africa unless stated
Par 288 (4x72)
282 Keegan De Lange 72 70 73 67
283 Thriston Lawrence 74 67 76 66
284 Bradley Neil (Scotland) 73 72 6970, N J Arnoldi 72 74 70 68.
 
 OTHER SCOTTISH TOTALS
287 Jamie Savage 73 71 69 74 (T8)
294 Daniel Young 77 76 69 72, Scott Gibson 74 77 72 71, Robert MacIntyre 68 74 74 78 (T21)
295 Scott Borrowman 76 76 70 73 (T26)
296 Graeme Rob ertson 81 72 70 73 (T30)
298 Ben Kinsley 76 76 74 72, Ewen Ferguson 74 78 68 78 (T33)
Field of 138 players 


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