DORNOCH MAN'S VICTORY BID TORPEDOED BY 7 AT 4TH

IT ALL GOES WRONG FOR JIMMY GUNN 

 

IN FINAL ROUND IN ARIZONA

It all went horribly wrong for Arizona-based Dornoch exile Jimmy Gunn in the final round of the All-American Gateway Tour 54-hole tournament at Wigwam Golf Resort, near Phoenix, Arizona.

Gunn was poised for a last round bid for the $16,500 first prize after rounds of 68 and 63 but he

slumped to a final circuit of five-over-par 75.

He had 10 birdies over the first 36 holes and only one in his final round which started disastrously with a triple bogey 7 at the fourth and further shots dropped at the short fifth and long sixth. Out in five-over 40, he then bogeyed the short 12th to kill off his hopes of even a top 10 finish.

His solitary birdie at the 16th helped him come home in 35 for a four-under-par total of 206.

That earned him joint 12th place and a payslip for $1,917, only a fraction of what was in the Web.comTour player's sights at the start of the day.

Winner of the $16,500 prize was Canadian Kevin Spooner who beat American Brock Mackenzie in a play-off after they had tied on 12-under 198, Spooner with scores of 62, 67 and 69.

Another Scot, California-based Andrew Gunson finished joint 34th on 213 with rounds of 69, 69 and 75. He earned $1,050.

ends

LAST EIGHT IN ACCENTURE WORLD MATCH-PLAY

COMEBACK KING GRAEME McDOWELL 

BEATS HUNTER MAHAN AT 21ST 

Graeme McDowell comes out of a bunker on his way to victory. Picture by courtesy of Getty Images(c)

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE For a third day running Graeme McDowell, came from behind late, very late in the round. This time the Northern Irishman did it to stun American Hunter Mahan and set up a quartrer-final clash against Frenchman Victor Dubuisson at the WGC-Accenture match-play championship at Dove Mountain, Arizona.
Having been three down with three to play against Gary Woodland in round one and two down with four holes remaining against Hideki Matsuyama before winning at the 18th, McDowell was again on the ropes at two down with two to play against Mahan, the player he famously beat to secure The Ryder Cup in 2010.
But two closing birdies saw the former US Open Champion force extra holes, and a 15 foot birdie putt at the third after Mahan found a greenside bunker sealed a last-eight spot for the Volvo World Match Play champion.
The only time the McDowell has led a match all week has been on the final hole and afterwards he said: "It's entertaining for sure but I'd much rather have it much easier, believe me."
"I can't get my head around it. I was pretty sure I was beaten against Gary Woodland, yesterday I thought I had a chance and today walking off the 16th green I thought I was beaten again.
"The par save on the second play-off hole was just ridiculous [he holed from 20 feet there]. I can't believe it really, I have just robbed three players at this tournament and I can't believe I am still in it."
France’s Dubuisson avoided a similar comeback in his tie with Bubba Watson – the Turkish Airlines Open winner clinging on for a one-hole victory after being three up with four to play.
The 23 year old Frenchman is making his World Golf Championships debut, and his good performance could help edge him towards another – at The Ryder Cup in September.
"I'm definitely ready because I have good experience of match play as an amateur," said Dubuisson, who started the week second in the points race. 
"I hope the three matches I have won will help me get into the team."
Definitely a candidate for a captain's pick.
Rickie Fowler and Jim Furyk also won by  one-hole margins to set up an all-American quarter-final in the Ben Hogan bracket.
Ernie Els produced a brilliant approach to within two feet at the 18th to see off Jason Dufner, and the South African will face another American, a younger one this time in rising star Jordan Spieth who  knocked out defending champion Matt Kuchar 2 and 1.
The day’s most comprehensive winner was South African Louis Oosthuizen, who recorded a 5 and 4 victory margin against American Webb Simpson and now faces Australian Jason Day.
Sergio Garcia bowed out after an extraordinary act of sportsmanship against Fowler, who ultimately birdied the 18th to seal a hard-fought victory.
Garcia had needed a drop away from a colony of bees on the edge of the sixth green, where he was heard saying to the rules official: "I don't want to hit the shot, I've had bad experiences with bees."
And clearly feeling that he had taken too long to play his second shot, Garcia then offered Fowler a half on the next hole, despite the Spaniard facing five feet for par and Fowler more than three times that distance.
Garcia did win the eighth to move three up, but Fowler went on to birdie the ninth, tenth, 16th and 18th.
"I don't regret it at all, he played much better than me on the last ten holes and he deserves the win," Garcia said. "This is a gentleman's game and lately it hasn't felt like it's been like that.
"This is the way I was brought up by my dad; I felt like my drop on six took too much time. If I had been in his position I would not have enjoyed waiting so long to hit my birdie putt after the great shot he hit.
"I thought it was the only thing I could do on seven to make myself feel better and not feel guilty about anything. I was playing as hard as I could and got three up but he started making birdies and I wasn't able to keep up."
Fowler admitted he was not initially sure what Garcia was proposing, adding: "I had to find out what he was asking or offering there, it took me a few (seconds) to kind of realise. It would be stupid not to take a half.
"He said, 'You wanna half?' I didn't know what he meant. I thought maybe he had a sandwich."

THIRD-ROUND RESULTS
Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona

L Oosthuizen (S Africa) bt W Simpson (USA) 5 and 4.

J Day (Australia)  bt G Coetzee (S Africa) 3 and 1.

E Els (S Africa) bt J Dufner (USA) 1 hole

J Spieth (USA) bt M Kuchar (USA) 2 and 1.

G McDowell (N Ireland) bt H Mahan (USA) at 21st.

V Dubuisson (France) bt B Watson (USA) 1 hole.

J Furyk (USA) bt H English (USA) 1 hole.
  R Fowler (USA) bt S Garcia (Spain) 1 hole.

SATURDAY NIGHT (UK time) QUARTER-FINALS

OOSTHUIZEN v DAY
ELS v SPIETH
McDOWELL v DUBUISSON
FURYK v FOWLER

SCOTS IN THE MIX AT THE AL MAADEN OPEN IN MARRAKESH

                       David Law, nine birdies in a second-round 66

FINDLAY AND LAW IN TOP TEN IN

MOROCCO WITH A ROUND TO GO

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Paul Lawrie Golf Centre team-mates Jordan Findlay and David Law are both in the top 10 of the Al Maaden Open field as the German PGA developmental tour event moves into its third and final round at Marrakesh, Morocco on Saturday.
Findlay is lying joint sixth after steady scores of 67 and 70 for seven-under-par 137 - five shots beind the German leader, Moritz Lampert (66-66). Starting at the 10th, the Fraserburgh-based player birdied the 11th, short 15th, long 16th and 17th before marking up a double bogey 6 at the 18th, as so many players have done at this difficult hole.
But Findlay, out in two-under 34, kept his nerve and covered the first nine in 36 for two-under 70.
Law, a previous winner in Morocco and Turkey, followed up his first-round 72 with a sparkling 66 which included nine birdies, giving him a bag of 14 birdies over the first 36 holes.
The Aberdonian's second-round birdie blitz featured the first, second, fourth, fifth, seventh, eighth, 14th, 15th and 16th holes in halves of 31 and 35. He jumped up from joint 45th to joint ninth.
Peterhead's Philip McLean, also playing out of Paul Lawrie GC, dropped 14 places to joint 27th after a 71 for 140. Highlight of his card was an eagle 3 at the long seventh.
Pollok's Conor O'Neil (144) and Craig Lawrie (Paul Lawrie GC) (145) missed the cut to the leading 40 and ties, which fell at two-under 142. O'Neill had rounds of 74 and 70 while rookie Lawrie's second-round 70 was easily his
best on foreign soil and should give his confidence a big boost.
Lawrie was six under par for his first seven holes in the second round with an eagle 3 at the long fourth and birdies at the first, short sixth and long seventh. He had two double bogey 6s - at the eighth and 18th in halves of 33-37.
LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES
Par 144 (2x72)
132 M Lampert (Ger) 66 66
134 R Saxton (Net) 70 64, M Kramer (Ger) 65 69
135 R Kind (Net) 67 68
136 E Espana (Fra) 71 65
137 P Mejow (Ger) 67 70, M Glauert (Ger) 67 70, J Findlay (Sco) 67 70.
SELECTED SCORES
138 D Law (Sco) 72 66, J Wilson (Eng) 65 73 (T9)
140 P McLean (Sco) 69 71, N Kimsey (Eng) 72 68 (T27)
144 C O'Neil (Sco) 74 70 (T58)
145 C Lawrie (Sco) 75 70 (T63)

MY GOLF RANKINGS FROM DAVID MOIR

MyGolfRanking International, Week 2014/07

1 Toni McDonagh (Fortwilliam, N Ireland) 1217pts

2 Scott Hunter (Tillicoultry) 1185

3 Alastair Wastson (Langlands) 1175

4 Craig Meeks (Thornton) 1157

5 Lewis Blyth (Prestonfield) 1133

6 Adam Jobes (Seacroft) 1129

7 Gary Barclay (Torrance Park) 1125

8 Roger Leslie (Spey Bay) 1105

9 Ricky McNeill (Dunnikier Park) 1102

10 Douglas Taylor (Dunfermline) 1100

11 Kevin Wood (Prestonfield) 1085
12 Daniel Alexander (Kingsknowe) 1075
13 Alex McKenzie (Lothianburn) 1061
T14 Graeme Cox (Drumoig) 1058
T14 Jack Owens (Bangor) 1058
T14 Jim Rice (Aberdour) 1058
17 Paul Page (Kingsknowe) 1056
18 John Douglas (Leven Thistle) 1055
19 John Boag (Blairgowrie) 1048
T20 Greig Denton (Balfron) 1043
T20 Laura McGeachy (Windyhill) 1043
22 John Nelson (Massereene, N Ireland) 1036
23 Russell Bracey (Ashridge Artisans) 1034
T24 William Barwood (Langlands) 1031
T24 James Batchelor (Kirriemuir) 1031.

 MGR Scotland Men Top 25, 2014/07

1 Scott Hunter (Tillicoultry) 1185pts
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 (New Club, St Andrews) 1019
23 Mark Evans (Lothianburn) 1017
24 John Mitchell (St Andrews GC) 1008
25 Sean Davidson (Craigie Hill) 1004.

MyGolfRanking, Scotland Ladies, 2014/07

1 Laura McGeachy (Windyhill) 1043 pts

2 Emily Aird (Blairgowrie) 1010

3 Rosemary Macintyre (Fort William) 1000

4 Susan Baldwin (Scotscraig) 996

5 Pat Magill (Newton Stewart) 981

6 Hilary Brown (Scotscraig) 979

T7 Alison Maillardet-O’Neill (Kingsknowe) 969

T7 Fay Paterson (Kinghorn) 969

9 Kay Cuthbertson (Swanston New) 967

10 Claire Ross (Tain) 965

11 Joyce Mackay (Drumoig) 962
12 Cathy Thomas (Carrbridge) 958
13 Edith Mathieson (Aigas) 957
14 Dianne Watson (Ladybank) 956
15 Fiona Sim (Stonehaven) 940
T16 Shona Cunningham (Lundin Ladies) 933
T16 Hazel Sturrock (St Michaels) 933
T18 Carol Muir (Craigie Hill) 925
T18 Judy Proudfoot (Taymouth Castle) 925
20 Christine Steedman (Pitreavie) 918
21 Louise Lowe (Lundin Ladies) 917
22 Kay Kennedy (Spey Bay) 900
23 Rosemary Schutz (Colvend) 893
24 Rosemary Scott (Aberdour) 889
T25 Helen Campbell (Pitreavie) 886
T25 Anne Falconer (Balbirnie Park) 886. 

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.

ELLESMERE PORT GOLF CLUB HONOUR PETER BAKER

Issued 21st February, 2014 Deaf golfer makes history as club captain A Cheshire golfer who was born deaf has just made history by becoming a golf club captain. Peter Baker, the new captain at Ellesmere Port Golf Club, is thought to be the first pre lingual deaf person to hold the office – someone who was either born deaf or became deaf before learning to speak. “I’m really proud of becoming captain of Ellesmere Port Golf Club and becoming the being the first deaf-from-childhood person to captain a mainstream club,” he said. “I would advise any deaf golfer to get on the club committee and help out and show the hearing world that we are equal as them,” he added. Jamie Blair, the England Golf Disability Officer, commented: “England Golf would like to congratulate Peter and wish him success in his role as captain of his club. “It is fantastic to see deaf and disabled people fulfilling a wide range of roles within clubs and their importance to the success of the sport is recognised not just in their play on the course but in their skills off it.” England Deaf Golf has also congratulated Peter on his achievement and said: “This offers Peter the opportunity of becoming more involved with and become better known to the members at his golf club as well as the local community.”Ellesmere Port Golf Club secretary Dave Sewell outlined the challenges which Peter has faced, including communication barriers with his teammates, competitors, club officials – and the particular problem of not knowing when another player has shouted a warning ‘fore.’  But he commented: “Being deaf is certainly not a barrier to Peter as he seems to take everything in his stride. “He fully deserves his appointment, he is a truly remarkable, popular and inspirational member of the golf club and the members are very proud of him.” He added: “With Peter’s help, we at Ellesmere Port will continue to work to emphasise the importance of equality and diversity within golf.” When Peter became captain he asked his playing partner, and club treasurer, Mike Smith, to read his speech for him.  “He’s my spokesman and sorts out any problems for me, but I’m hoping I can manage to solve things for myself. People understand me and during committee meetings everyone talks slowly,” he commented. Peter has been a sportsman all his life although his mainstream running and cricket ambitions were thwarted by his deafness.  However, he has represented Great Britain at athletics in deaf European and world championships and Olympics. He’s also run from John o’Groats to Lands End and in the New York marathon. He’s represented England Deaf Golf, competing in events including the world and European deaf golf championships - and currently plays off five handicap. For more information on England Deaf Golf please click here Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193

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

NOW 27 EVENTS ON EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR 2014

ROMA CHALLENGE IN EARLY OCTOBER

NEWS RELEASE

The European Challenge Tour’s 2014 schedule has been strengthened further by the return of the Roma Challenge, which will take place from October 2-5.

This latest addition means the Challenge Tour will now take in 27 tournaments in 21 different countries this year. 

Olgiata Golf Club will once again play host as the race for a European Tour card gathers pace, with the top 15 at the end of the season graduating to The Race to Dubai.

The stunning venue, located to the north of Rome, has undergone some major course changes since it last hosted a Challenge Tour event, and will pose a different test for the players having previously allowed for plenty of birdies.