KILMACOLM PLAYER IS MAN THEY HAVE TO CATCH IN BATTLE TROPHY

BANKER CLARK LANDS TELLING BLOW: Three

CLEAR AT HALFWAY

Kilmacolm banker Matthew Clark is in the driving seat at the halfway stage of the Battle Trophy 72-hole SGU Order of Merit event over the testing Craighead links of Crail Golfing Society.

Clark, a multiple winner of four-round tournaments, shot up from joint ninth after a first-round 73 with a three-under-69 on the second circuit to surge three strokes  clear of the field with a two-under-par tally of 142 for the Saturday session.

His closest challengers on 145 are defending champion Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) who equalled the course record of 68 in the benign conditions enjoyed by the early starters.

The wind gradually got up and made life difficult for most of the players.

The CSS for Round 1 was 76 (four more than par) and for Round 2 it soared to 77 (reductions only).

Robertson took nine more shots in the more difficult afternoon conditions, shooting a 77 for 145.

Also on this mark are Blairgowrie's Scottish boys champion Bradley Neil (70-75) and Greig Marchbank (Thornhill) who had a 76 in the first round but matched leader Clark's 69 in the second round.

Craigmillar Park Open champion Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) will have to play four rounds this week if he is to chalk up another SGU Order of Merit tournament victory. The former British amateur champion is 10 shots off the pace with scores of 77-75 for 152.

Scott Borrowman (Dollar), winner of the Scottish Champion of Champions title at Leven a couple of weekends ago and joint third behind Watson in Edinburgh last Sunday, will need a superhuman effort to add a Battle Trophy win to his CV.

He is on 154 after scores of 76 78.

Those players with aggregates of 158 and better qualified to return for the Sunday action.
One notable name who did not survive was Scottish amateur champion Alexander Culverwell (Stirling University and Dunbar). He shot 78-82 for 160 and missed out by two.

 TOTALS OF 158 AND BETTER

MAKE CUT FOR SUNDAY PLAY

DAVID ROY REPORTS FROM CRAIL

Matthew Clark demonstrated why he is a multiple Order of Merit winner by posting an impressive 69 in the second round of the Battle Trophy to leave him three shots clear at the half way stage. 

The banker from Kilmacolm coped best with the blustery conditions and has given himself a great chance to win an event he has played in ever since it became a 72-hole Order of Merit event. 

Sharing second spot is defending champion Graeme Robertson and the in-form Bradley Neil, along with Grieg Marchbank, the talented young player from Thornhill. 

Marchbank improved his morning score by a highly impressive 7 strokes, with a 69 for his second round.

Craig Watson is not quite out of the running but has much ground to make up, being ten strokes behind on 152, whilst the Champion of Champion, Scott Borrowman is probably out of contention on 154.

The cut mark was 158 and there were a few on that number that were almost disappointed to have to return tomorrow!

Craighead is not the longest course they will play at just over 6,600 but it is a great test for them.

I have to say, they are a pleasure to deal with. Very polite and very grateful for what we do for them.


THIRD ROUND TEE TIMES
07:10
Craig Howie 158
Marker
07:20
Paul Gault Jnr 158
Andrew Davidson 158
07:30
Steven Aitken 157
P H Moultrie 157
07:40
Fraser Carr 157
Campbell Donaldson 157
07:50
Alasdair Simpson 157
Andrew Campbell 155
08:00
David Oldham 155
Craig Ross 155
08:10 
John Duff 155
Greg Forrester 155
08:20 
Jack McDonald 154
Scott Borrowman 154
08:30
C D Hutcheon 154
Malcolm Pennycott  154
08:40 
Alex Moir 153
Connor Syme  153
08:50 
Scott Gibson 153
Benn McLeod  153
09:00 
Ryan Campbell 153
Alasdair McDougall 152
09:10
Ryan White 72 + 80 152
Jordan Shaw 75 + 77 152
09:20 
William Bowe  152
Craig Watson 152
09:30  
Daniel Young  151
Gordon Munro 151
09:40
Fraser Moore 151
Michael Daily 150
09:50 
Jeff Wright 150
Adam Dunton 149
10:00 
Andrew Wilson 148
Nick Macandrew 148
10:10 
Daniel Kay 147
Jamie Savage 147
10:20 
Graeme Robertson 145
Bradley Neil 145
10:30 
Greig Marchbank 145
Matthew Clark 142

BATTLE TROPHY LEADING HALFWAY TOTALS

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Par 144 (2x72) CSS for Round 1: 76; Round 2: 77 (reduction only)

142 M Clark (Kilmacolm) 73 69.

145 G Marchbank (Thornhill) 76 69, B Neil (Blairgowrie) 70 75, G Robertson (Glenbervie) 68 77.

147 J Savage (Cawder) 74 73, D Kay (Dunbar) 72 75.

148 N Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen) 73 75, A Wilson (Darlingbton) 71 77, A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 74 75.

150 J Wright (Forres) 73 77,, M Daily Erskine) 70 80.

151 F Moore (Glenbervie) 77 74, G Munro Fraserburgh) 75 76, D Young (Craigie Hill) 74 77.

152 C R Watson (East Renfrewshire) 77 75, W Bowe (Workington) 75 77, J Shaw (Boat of Garten) 75 77, R White (Leven GS) 72 80, A McDougall (Elderslie) 71 81.

153 R Campbell (Falkirk) 77 76, B McLeod (Musselburgh) 76 77, S Gibson (Southerness) 75 78, C Syme (Dumfries and Co) 75 78, A Moir (Thornton) 71 82.

154 M Pennycott (Whiting Bay) 76 78, C D Hutcheon (Monifieth) 76 78, S Borrowman (Dollar) 76 78, J McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) 75 79.

155 G Forrester (Lundin) 79 76, J Duff (Newmachar) 78 77, C Ross (Kirkhill) 77 78, D Oldham (Crail GS) 76 79, A Campbell (Dumbarton) 76 79.
157 A Simpson (North Berwick) 78 79, C Donaldson (Downfield) 77 80, F Carr (Crail GS) 75 82, P H Moultrie (Royal Troon) 75 82, S Aitken (Leven GS) 75 82.
158 C Howie (Peebles) 77 91, P Gault jun (Westerwood) 79 79, A Davidson (Charleton) 80 78, J Bunch (Prestwick) 79 79 (retired injured from final two rounds).

MISSED THE CUT
159 W Bremner 77 82, O Roberts 81 78.
160 A J Sutherland 79 81, A Culverwell 78 82
161 C Neil 84 77, A Blaney 84 77, J Lamb 82 79, G Robertson 79 82, M Howard 76 85.
162 E Shannly 81 81, J A Wilson 80 82, S Rennie 79 83, D Mitchell jun 75 87. 
163 C MacLean 86 77, C Telfer 84 79, M Cox 80 83,
J Mathers 79 84, P Reilly 79 84.
164 C Baird 81 83.
165 T Watson 85 80
166 M Bacigalupo 81 85.
167 C Deerness 85 82, A Carrick 84 83
168 M Hislop 84 84
170 J Lamb 83 70

 Disqualified: T J Hogg 78 80.

No Returns:
A Dick 80 NR
J Pryde 81 NR
T Morrison 84 NR

TWO-ROUND STROKE-PLAY TO GAIN RANKINGS FOR 2015 SEASON

Germany's Pro Golf (EPD) Tour will have a 

 Qualifying School on October 13 and 14

The German PGA's Pro Golf Tour (also called the EPD Tour) will introduce a Qualifying School for the 2015 season.

The Q School will be a 36-hole stroke-play tournament, without a cut, at Golfsportclub Rheine/Mesum Gut Winterbrock in Rheine, Germany on October 13 and 14, 2014.

Professionals and amateurs who have not achieved a good classification through the 2014 season's final tour ranking list can compete for a tour category and in this way secure the right to tee off in particular at the tournaments that are regularly fully booked at the start of the season as well as tournaments with limited starting fields.

By Matthias Lettenbichler
Munich – "We have decided to take this step to introduce a serious sporting element into awarding starting places at our tournaments," says Rainer Goldrian, Managing Director of the Pro Golf Tour. "The Qualifying School guarantees maximum fairness with the awarding of starting places, it also ensures consistently high quality starting fields and last but not least gives all players much better planning security for the whole tournament season," continues Goldrian.
The Pro Golf Tour, the majority of which is run by Professional Golf AG and co-partner Langer Sport Marketing GmbH, is becoming increasingly popular. 
The starting fields are full in spring particularly and the waiting lists are sometimes long. However, to attain one of the coveted promotion places for the Challenge Tour at the end of the year it is practically essential to compete for the whole season and in all tournaments, as the level of performance is in the meantime so high and close. The Qualifying School guarantees that the strongest new players who are planning a full season on the Pro Golf Tour can really tee off at all tournaments.

The categories are being modified for the 2015 season. The Top 10 at the Qualifying School will receive a high-ranking category, a guaranteed right to tee off at all tournaments and players ranked from 11 to 50 receive an excellent classification in the system. 

Tour players and amateurs with a handicap of -3.5 or better are entitled to tee off at the Qualifying School.
Q-School: 36 holes on the demanding course of Rheine/Mesum in Germany
The golf course in Rheine is an extremely challenging, selective championship course. The club also has experience in important qualifications: the qualification tournament for Golf Team Germany was held at Gut Winterbrock for many years.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE'S 70 LEAVES HIM FIVE BEHIND SPANIARD

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ LEADS WITH 

A 65 ON US SENIOR TOUR DEBUT

FROM THE US CHAMPIONS' TOUR WEBSITE
DULUTH, Georgia (AP) -- It would be an understatement to say that Miguel Angel Jimenez's first round on the Champions Tour went well.
After one eagle, five birdies and a tournament record 65, the Spaniard from Malaga  proclaimed "I love it!" and then departed in search of a couple of his usual staples.
So far, life is good for the Spaniard on the 50-and-over Tour.
Avoiding a post-Masters letdown - he finished fourth in the first Major of the season -  Jimenez led the cold, soggy Greater Gwinnett Championship by three strokes at the end of the first day Friday
"Very good start," Jimenez said.
"Now it's time for a nice, warm shower, a nice fat cigar and a glass of Rioja. ... I'm desperate to find one of my cigars and have a glass of wine."
Jimenez was 6 under on his first nine holes, including an eagle on No. 18. He added another birdie on No. 2 and closed with seven straight pars at TPC Sugarloaf.
Bernhard Langer set the previous tournament record with a 66 while winning the 2013 inaugural championship.
Langer, Steve Pate and Kenny Perry are three strokes behind Jimenez.
Perry said he thought Jimenez might have a letdown after his strong finish in Augusta.
"It's funny, you go from the PGA Tour to the Champions Tour and find it's so much more laid back and relaxed over here," Perry said. "The atmosphere is different. I actually didn't know what he'd do today. Honestly, I didn't think he would shoot 65. I thought he'd be more the other way, after a fourth-place Masters finish, it'd be a letdown this week.
"Jimenez is an amazing character. He's fun to watch. He's a great player."
The 65 came six days after Jimenez shot the low round of the Masters, a third-round 66.
Jimenez is focused on making the European Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles in September and may have limited time on the Champions Tour this year. 
Perry, the 2013 Player of the Year, said Jimenez will be good for the US SeniorTour.
"Yeah, we need guys like that out here," Perry said. "I mean, he's a huge fan favourite. He brings a lot of flair and class to golf and he just has a good time."

Jimenez tried to sneak through the interview room as Perry was talking with reporters. Perry stopped to call out to Jimenez "Hope to see you tomorrow. Don't beat us too bad, OK?"
After Jimenez mentioned wine and cigars in his reply, Perry laughed and said "That guy has too much fun."
Asked if Jimenez might spark a Champions Tour trend with his well-known passions, Perry said: "If it works. If it's not broke, don't change it."
Fred Couples shot a 69, including a double bogey on No. 9, his finishing hole. Jeff Sluman also shot a 69.
Though light rain began soon after the round began and became more intense in the afternoon, there was no delay.
"It was as cold and ugly as you can get," Langer said. "It never stopped raining on us for two minutes."
Jimenez said the weather was just a nuisance.
"It's not easy because all day is wet," Jimenez said. "Not hard rain but these little things coming and coming, sometimes quicker."
Pate called his 68 "kind of unexpected" and a product of "smoke and mirrors." He said he struggled more with the temperatures, which dropped to about 50 by the end of his round, than with the rain.
"At a certain point I just got cold and it was hard to move," Pate said. "We're old. We don't like cold weather.
"This is really not my wheelhouse. I like it when it's about 95 degrees and I'm sweating."
Colin Montgomerie was part of a group of four at 70.  
FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 71 Players from USA unless stated
65 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain)
68 Kenny Perry, Bernhard Langer (Germany), Steve Pate.
69 Fred Couples.

SELECTED SCORES
70 Colin Montgomerie (Scotland)
71 Roger Chapman (England), Jay Haas, Duffy Waldorf
75 Sandy Lyle (Scotland). 

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES AND THE LIVE
SCORING SERVICE FROM ROUND TWO

CLICK HERE

BATTLE TROPHY FIRST-ROUND NEWS FROM CRAIL

GRAEME ROBERTSON STARTS TITLE

DEFENCE WITH IMPRESSIVE 68

Defending champion Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) is the first-round leader at the Battle Trophy SGU 72-hole Order of Merit event over the Craighead Links of Crail Golfing Society.
Robertson went on to win the title last year despite an opening round in the 80s, so he must have an excellent chance of retaining the title.

 

DAVID ROY REPORTS FROM THE 

COURSE:

Despite the very benign conditions for the early starters, with almost no wind, most competitors found the course tough today. The CSS was 76 and only six players were under par.

Graeme Robertson was among the early starters and shot a sparkling 68, equalling the lowest score recorded on the Craighead Links.

Michael Daily (Erskine) and Blairgowrie's  Bradley Neil each posted highly respectable scores of 70. Directly behind them were Alasdair McDougall, Alex Moir and Andrew Wilson with the only other sub-par rounds of 71.

Those teeing off later experienced stronger winds and Craigmillar Park Open winner Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) scored 77, with Champion of Champions winner  Scott Borrowman (Dollar) only one better on 76.

There were very few birdies and sadly, two one-hole scores of 10 were recorded! 

FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72 CSS 76

Graeme Robertson (v)		68	Glenbervie Golf Club
Michael Daily (v)		70	Erskine Golf Club
Bradley Neil (v)		70	Blairgowrie Golf Club
Alasdair Mcdougall (v)		71	Elderslie Golf Club
Alex Moir (v)		71	Thornton Golf Club
Andrew Wilson (v)		71	Darlington Golf Club
Ryan White (v)		72	Leven Golfing Society
Daniel Kay (v)		72	Dunbar Golf Club
Nick Macandrew (v)		73	Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Jeff Wright (v)		73	Forres Golf Club
Matthew Clark (v)		73	Kilmacolm Golf Club
Adam Dunton (v)		74	McDonald Golf Club
Jamie Savage (v)		74	Cawder Golf Club
Daniel Young (v)		74	Craigie Hill Golf Club
William Bowe (v)		75	Workington Golf Club
Steven Aitken (v)		75	Leven Golfing Society
J McDonald (v)		75	Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club
David Jnr Mitchell (v)		75	Leven Thistle Golf Club
Jordan Shaw (v)		75	Boat of Garten Golf Club
P H Moultrie (v)		75	Royal Troon Golf Club
Fraser Carr		75	Crail
Gordon Munro (v)		75	Fraserburgh Golf Club
Connor Syme (v)		75	Dumfries and County Golf Club
Scott Gibson (v)		75	Southerness Golf Club
Michael Howard (v)		76	Royal Birkdale Golf Club
Scott Borrowman (v)		76	Dollar Golf Club
Benn McLeod (v)		76	Musselburgh Golf Club
Andrew Campbell (v)		76	Dumbarton Golf Club
David Oldham		76	Crail
C D Hutcheon (v)		76	Monifieth Golf Club
Greig Marchbank (v)		76	Thornhill Golf Club
Malcolm Pennycott (v)		76	Whiting Bay Golf Club
Craig Howie (v)		77	Peebles Golf Club
William Bremner (v)		77	Edzell Golf Club
Ryan Campbell (v)		77	Falkirk Golf Club
Fraser Moore (v)		77	Glenbervie Golf Club
C R Watson (v)		77	East Renfrewshire Golf Club
Campbell V Donaldson (v)		77	Downfield Golf Club
Craig Ross (v)		77	Kirkhill Golf Club
Alasdair Simpson (v)		78	North Berwick Golf Club
Alexander Culverwell (v)		78	Dunbar Golf Club
John Duff (v)		78	Newmachar Golf Club
T Jake Hogg (v)		78	New Golf Club St Andrews
Paul Gault Jnr (v)		79	Westerwood Golf Club
James Bunch (v)		79	Prestatyn Golf Club
Graham Robertson (v)		79	Silverknowes Golf Club
John Mathers (v)		79	Haggs Castle Golf Club
A J Sutherland (v)		79	Ladybank Golf Club
Paul Reilly (v)		79	Kilmacolm Golf Club
Greg Forrester (v)		79	Lundin Golf Club
Steven Rennie (v)		79	Drumpellier Golf Club
Andrew Davidson (v)		80	Charleton Golf and Country Club
Allyn Dick (v)		80	Kingsknowe Golf Club
Mark Cox (v)		80	Glenbervie Golf Club
James A Wilson (v)		80	Balmore Golf Club Ltd
Edward Shannly (v)		81	Linlithgow Golf Club
Jamie Pryde (v)		81	Deeside Golf Club
Colin A Baird (v)		81	Bothwell Castle Golf Club
Michael Bacigalupo (v)		81	Longniddry Golf Club
Oliver Roberts (v)		81	Hong Kong
Joey Lamb (v)		82	Wilpshire Golf Club
Jamie Lamb (v)		83	Lanark Golf Club
Craig Telfer (v)		84	Prestwick St Cuthbert Golf Club
M Hislop (v)		84	Glenbervie Golf Club
Connor Neil (v)		84	Blairgowrie Golf Club
Anthony Blaney (v)		84	Liberton Golf Club
Angus Carrick (v)		84	Douglas Park Golf Club
Thomas Morrison (v)		84	Kilsyth Lennox Golf Club
Craig Deerness (v)		85	Harburn Golf Club
Tom Watson (v)		85	St Andrews Golf Club
Chris Maclean (v)		86	Balmore Golf Club

RUSSELL KNOX MAKES CUT EASILY IN RBC HERITAGE

STEPHEN GALLACHER NOSEDIVES OUT

OF US PGA TOUR EVENT WITH AN 81

Stephen Gallacher crashed out of this weekend's US PGA Tour event, the RBC Heritage, when the rain-hit second round was completed at Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina this morning (local time).
The Scot followed up his promising first-round 71 with an 81 for 152 - six shots over the cut mark.
Martin Laird was another Scottish casualty with a 153 aggregate made up on 72 and 81. Sir Nick Faldo also hit the 153 mark with 77-76.
But Russell Knox is in the mix with rounds of 69 and 72 for a share of 22nd place on 141.

COMPLETED LEADERBOARD AFTER TWO ROUNDS
Players from USA unless stated
137 K J Choi (S Korea) 70 67, Jim Furyk 71 66, BNen Martin 69 68
139 Scott Langley 66 73, Luke Donald 70 69, Billy Hurley 70 69, Scott Brown 70 69, John Huh 71 68, Ted Potter jun 70 69, Matt Kuchar 66 73, Chesson Hadley 72 69, Matt Every 69 70, Bo Van Pelt 69 70, Richard H Lee 70 69.

SELECTED SCORES
140 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 71 69, Martin Kaymer (Germany) 73 67 (T15)
141 Paul Casey (England) 74 67, Russell Knox (Scotland) 69 72 (T22)
142 Matthew Fitzpatrick (England) (am) 71 71 (T31)
143 Jordan Spieth 69 74 (T37) 
145 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spain) 74 71, Ernie Els (S Africa) 72 73 (T58)
146 Brian Davis (England) 71 75 (T68)

MISSED THE CUT (146 and better qualified)
152 Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) 71 81
153 Martin Laird (Scotland) 72 81, Sir Nick Faldo (England) 77 76

PAUL LAWRIE GOLF CENTRE DIRECTOR OF GOLF MOVING ON

ROBBIE STEWART TO BE ROVING 

TEACHING PRO, BASED AT NEWBURGH-

ON-YTHAN GOLF CLUB

NEWS RELEASE FROM 
NEWBURGH-on-YTHAN GC
 Robbie Stewart is to start a new phase of his professional golf career as a roving teaching professional.

From May 1, his base will be Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club, Aberdeenshire, where he will be able to provide both indoor and outdoor lessons for both visitors and members. 
Robbie, pictured above (right) with Newburgh club captain Jeff Winslade, will be involved in membership development at the club and also be responsible for organising and hosting corporate events.
His experience in PGA management will be a great asset, says Newburgh club captain, Jeff Winslade.
“We look forward to working with Robbie to build a long, lasting and fruitful relationship with him.” Stewart will also have teaching commitments with the Scottish Golf Union's clubgolf whose aim is to develop junior golf in Scotland. 
It involves teaching youngsters to play golf and providing a development programme from entry level through to the highest level of achievement with the long-term objective of providing the next generation of adult golfers.
Robbie said, “I am delighted about the opportunity offered to me here at Newburgh and look forward to making a positive contribution to the club through providing golf instruction and in addition assisting the club with its marketing activities.”
Lossiemouth-born Robbie Stewart has been a PGA professional since 1980. He started his career as an assistant professional at Gleddoch House and Country Club. He then moved to Largs Golf Club as the PGA club professional and stayed there for nine years. 
In 1992, he joined Cruden Bay Golf Club and held various posts over his 20 year stay, firstly as the Head PGA Professional and for the last two years he was the PGA Director of Golf.
In August 2012, Robbie joined his long-time friend Paul Lawrie as the PGA Director of Golf at the The Paul Lawrie Golf Centre on the South Deeside Road at Ardoe, two or three miles from Aberdeen's Old Bridge of Dee.
Robbie is a past captain of the North-east Golfers' Alliance and Newburgh regularly hosts
NE Alliance fixtures.

Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club, situated at the mouth of the River Ythan, celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2013 and in the same year, Golf World magazine ranked it as the sixth best course in Aberdeenshire. 
The 18 hole course is 6,423 yards in long with a par of 72. It is located on the Aberdeenshire coastline between Trump International Golf Links to the south and Cruden Bay Golf Club to the north and is situated next to the Ythan Estuary with stunning views over the river and the Forvie National Nature Reserve.

Website: http://www.newburghgolfclub.co.uk

STEAMING HOT DAY AT KUALA LUMPUR SEES LEE'S LEAD CUT

WESTWOOD NOW ONLY A SHOT AHEAD 

OF SULLIVAN IN MALAYSIAN OPEN

REPORT FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Lee Westwood will take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Maybank Malaysian Open after posting a one under par 71 for 14-under-par 202 on day three at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. 
The 40-year-old, 6ft Englishman from Worksop - 41st birthday on April 24 - has led since early on Thursday, and was at one stage five shots clear, but bogeyed the last today.

The world number 36 was two-under for the day through 11 holes before the birdies dried up.  He parred the next six holes but missed a par putt on 18 to allow Sullivan to get to within one of the lead.

 Westwood, a winner 12 times in the region is bidding to end a two-year title drought which dates back to the 2012 Nordea Masters in Sweden.
Former Walker Cup player Andy Sullivan, 26, from Nuneaton is one behind Westwood, thanks to a sublime 66 for 203.
Frenchman Julien Quesne is third on ten under after a 69 for 206. Nicolas Colsaerts slipped to five shots off the pace with a level par 72, a birdie at the last one of only three gains on a sweltering day in the Malaysian capital. 
Quotes
Lee Westwood “It was tricky out there. I didn’t play as well as I did the first two days, but there were some difficult flags and it was really hot. "That’s as hot as I’ve been on a golf course for quite some time. It was a real grind.
“But I’m leading going into the last round so I’m quite happy with that.” 

"I was leaking out there a little bit. You can get glazed up and lose your concentration quite easily. But I’m leading going into the last round so I’m quite happy with that

“It will be hot again on Sunday so I’ll have to try to keep control of my swing, the ball and my emotions. It is easy to get wound up when it is as hot and humid as this”

Andy Sullivan

“I played well again and tried to limit my mistakes. I only made one mistake but I got it back straight away. I’m delighted with the way I finished.

“I felt myself getting a bit tired coming up 15 and 16. I made a couple of sloppy swings but I didn’t drop any shots. I holed a good putt on 16 to keep the momentum going.”

Nicolas Colsaerts

“Nothing went right today. I didn’t play that well and I putted awfully. It was a lot warmer today. It was probably the worst it has been all week and I couldn’t beat the heat. I didn’t cope with it.”

Talking Points

• Italian Matteo Manassero celebrated his 21^st birthday with a five under par 67 to move up to 14^th place.

SCOTSWATCH: Scott Jamieson is just outside the top 10 after a 70 for 209 - seven behind leader Westwood. David Drysdale (75), Craig Lee (73) and Peter Whiteford (72) are all on 217. Marc Warren toiled in the sweltering temperatures and returned a 75 for the second day in a row. He is on 219.

• THIRD ROUND TOTALS
•  Par 216 (3x72)

202 L Westwood (Eng) 65 66 71

203 A Sullivan (Eng) 70 67 66

206 J Quesne  (Fra) 68 69 69

207 N Colsaerts  (Bel) 66 69 72

208 E De La Riva  (Esp) 69 68 71, R Karlberg  (Swe) 72 69 67, M Kawamura (Jpn) 68 70 70, G Mulroy (RSA) 71 68 69, R Santos  (Por) 67 71 70, D Willett  (Eng) 70 66 72

209 T Lewis (Eng) 70 71 68, L Oosthuizen  (RSA) 72 68 69, S Jamieson  (Sco) 68 71 70

210 A Lahiri (Ind) 72 72 66, M Manassero (Ita) 71 72 67, B Wiesberger  (Aut) 69 71 70, W Ormsby (Aus) 70 71 69

211 T Pieters  (Bel) 75 67 69, J Knutzon (USA) 75 67 69, P Marksaeng (Tha) 69 72 70, J Kruger (RSA) 68 71 72, R Bland (Eng) 73 69 69

212 G Bourdy (Fra) 73 70 69, T Jaidee (Tha) 72 70 70, R Lee (Can) 69 76 67, S Hend (Aus) 70 70 72, R Gangjee (Ind) 74 68 70, P Larrazábal (Esp) 74 68 70, A Lascuna (Phi) 70 65 77, S Chowrasia (Ind) 71 70 71

213 E Molinari  (Ita) 69 73 71, A Quiros  (Esp) 73 69 71, M Hoey  (NIr) 67 73 73, M Kieffer (Ger) 70 74 69

214 P Junhasavasdikul (Tha) 73 71 70, S Lewton (Eng) 71 69 74, A Vongvanij (Tha) 70 71 73, S Kapur (Ind) 76 69 69, J Walters (RSA) 71 72 71, S Kjeldsen (Den) 75 68 71, S Thornton (Irl) 74 68 72

215 P Meesawat  (Tha) 70 71 74, C Pigem (Esp) 71 71 73

216 N Tantipokhakul (Tha) 76 69 71, A Da Silva (Bra) 72 72 72, H Otto (RSA) 79 66 71, B Easton (RSA) 70 74 72, N Fung (Mas) 72 71 73

217 M Siem  (Ger) 72 71 74, D Drysdale (Sco) 71 71 75, J Hansen  (Den) 72 72 73, S Dyson  (Eng) 73 71 73, C Lee (Sco) 69 75 73, A Dodt (Aus) 76 67 74, P Whiteford (Sco) 73 72 72

218 R Wattel  (Fra) 71 72 75, F Molinari (Ita) 71 74 73, K Kheng Hwai (Mas) 72 72 74, J Janewattananond (Tha) 73 72 73

219 M Crespi  (Ita) 71 73 75, T Wiratchant (Tha) 69 75 75, M Warren (Sco) 69 75 75, C Kumar (Ind) 74 70 75, G Green (am) (Mas) 74 70 75,

220 S Rahman (Ban) 73 70 77, R Khan  (Ind) 72 72 76, R Derksen (Ned) 72 73 75, A Kang (USA) 71 74 75

221 S Hansen (Den) 69 76 76, C Plaphol (Tha) 74 71 76

222 C Phadungsil  (Tha) 74 71 77

223 M Carlsson  (Swe) 74 69 80
Withdrew: K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 71 71--

RBC HERITAGE REPORT AND LINK TO SCORES

• K J CHOI LEADS BEFORE HEAVY 

  
  

  RAIN STOPS PLAY FOR THE DAY 

  
  

  FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

   Scores | Tee times | Wrap-up | Projected FedExCup
  HILTON HEAD ISLAND, South Carolina -- K J Choi took advantage of an early tee time Friday at Harbour Town, making six birdies en route to a 67 and a one-shot lead at 5 under before heavy rain forced play to be suspended for the day at the RBC Heritage tournament.
  Australian Robert Allenby is a shot back, though he only got in five holes before the horn sounded.
  “I'll just pick it back up (Saturday) and hopefully I can just keep going the way I'm going,” Allenby said. “I feel like I'm playing well and hitting the ball well and making a few putts here and there.”
  Despite making just five of 14 cuts this season, Allenby had it going Friday with birdies on each of his first two holes.
  For the week, the Aussie has hit 18 of 23 greens and taken just 36 putts through his first 23 holes.
  Five others, including former world No. 1 Luke Donald, are tied for third at 3 under. Of that group, only three of them completed the second round.
  Donald was one of them.
  “It's nice to get that good draw sometimes,” said Donald, who had a 69. “Usually it evens itself out over the course of a year. But it looks like I'm on the right side of the draw this week.”
  Only half the field completed the second round and play is scheduled to resume at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday. Rain, however, is expected to continue throughout the night and well into the next day.
  Eight other players, meanwhile, are currently 2 under, including defending champion Graeme McDowell, who opened with a 71 and was 2 under through his first six holes Friday.
  
  
  

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  WATSON’S SCOUTING REPORT: Tom Watson’s hopes of making the cut faded quickly Friday with two bogeys in his first five holes. He made a few birdies along the way, too, however, and shot a very respectable 2-over 73.
  Then again, Watson is arguably the greatest bad weather player of all-time, so maybe that shouldn’t come as a surprise, even at 64 years old.
  “My game was pretty sporadic, but I made a few birdies out there,” said Watson, who was in red figures on the par-3 17th and fourth holes as well as the par-5 second. “I can't complain.
  “I still couldn't handle 18 into the wind today. That was a tough hole for old folks.”
  His real purpose this week, however, was to familiarize himself with the game’s youth since some of the game’s rising young stars will be on his Ryder Cup team this fall.
  Watson played his first two rounds alongside Jordan Spieth, who entered the week fourth in the Ryder Cup standings and figures to be a lock for the roster. He came away impressed with the 20-year-old.
  “I saw a mature young man playing golf,” Watson said of Spieth. “I watched his swing up close to see how he maneuvered the ball and how he chipped the ball and how he putted the ball.”
  The Ryder Cup captain also played nine holes in a practice round with Patrick Reed, who is fifth in the standings and is all but a lock for the team this September at Gleneagles as well.
  Said Watson: “He's got a solid golf game, solid fundamentals, also.”
  This figures to be one of many scouting trips for Watson, and he’ll need them. Four players currently in the top 10 of the standings have no Ryder Cup experience, while another six ranked 11 through 20 have also never played in the matches.
  
  
  

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  HAAS STREAK COMES TO END: A wrist injury forced Bill Haas to withdraw from the RBC Heritage prior to the start of his second round on Friday.
  It marked the first time in 251 career starts on the PGA TOUR that Haas has pulled out of an event.
  The 2011 FedExCup champion was 1 over following a 72 in the opening round.
  

  
  

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