DEFENDING CHAMPIONS FIFE FAIL TO MAKE TOP EIGHT QUALIFIERS

RENFREWSHIRE TOP SEEDS FOR AREA

TEAM MATCH-PLAY THIS WEEKEND

Renfrewshire are the leading qualifiers for the match-play stages of the GolfKings Scottish men's area team golf championship at Ranfurly Castle and Old Ranfurly.

They came out on top after the 36-hole stroke-play eliminator contested by the 16 areas' six-man teams. No 2 seeds are Perth and Kinross.
Defending champions Fife missed the cut by one place, Angus by two.
North and Ayr were bracketed for the last of the eight qualifying places on the 740 mark. 

Draw for first round of matchplay:

Renfrewshire (1) v North (8)

Lothians (4) v Glasgow (5)

Lanarkshire (6) v Stirlingshire (3)

Perth and Kinross (2) v Ayrshire (7)

QUALIFIERS FOR MATCH-PLAY
721 Renfrewshire 361 360
       139 Matthew Clark 71 68
        142 Gordon Stevenson 70 72
        145 Andrew Farmer 73 72
        148 Ronnie Clark 74 74
        149 Craig Watson 75 74
        149 Michael Daily 73 76 
723 Perth and Kinross 355 368
      141 Daniel Young 73 68
        144 Bradley Neil 70 74
        145 Mark Cameron 70 75
        148 Scott Michie 69 79
        149 Stuart Graham 73 76
        155 Phil Scott 80 75 
731 Stirlingshire 374 357
         139 Graeme Robertson 73 66
         146 Fraser Moore 73 73
         148 David Buchanan 77 71
         148 Ryan Campbell 74 74
         150 Stuart Irving 77 73
         162 Richard Johnston 83 79 
732 Lothians 359 373
       142 Benn McLeod 70 72
         146 Graham Robertson 72 74
         147 Greg Smail 71 76
         148 Calum Hill 73 75
         149 Allyn Dick 73 76
         152 Anthony Blaney 76 76
732 Glasgow 350 382
       142 Jamie Savage 71 71
         143 Gordon Miller 68 75
         147 John Laurie 69 78
         149 Barry Hume 71 78
         151 Gordon Sangster 71 80
         160 George Burns 79 81 
734 Lanarkshire 359 375
           139 Craig Ross 66 72
         148 Colin Baird 71 77
         150 Jamie Lamb 76 74
         150 Steven Rennie 75 75
         150 Ross Hinshelwood 73 77
740 Ayrshire 365 375
            144 Tommy McInally 71 73
         147 Robin Stuart 75 72
         149 John Shanks 74 75
         150 Malcolm Pennycott 72 78
         150 Keith Hamilton 73 77
         156 Michael Smyth 75 81
740 North 363 377
        144 Bryan Fotheringham (Inverness) 70 74
        147 Allan Cameron (Fortrose and Rosemarkie) 76 71
        150 Jeff Wright (Forres) 72 78
        151 Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) 73 78
        157 Jordan Shaw (Boat of Garten) 72 85
       160 Jordan Milne (Elgin) 84 76

FAILED TO QUALIFY
743 Fife 362 381
744 Angus 369 375
347 Dumbartonshire 370 377
351 South 376 375
351 North-east 364 387
         145 Barrie Edmond (Bon Accord) 68 77         147 Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 71 76
         154 Clark Brechin (Portlethen) 77 77
         155 Anthony Bews (Murcar Links) 75 80
         155 Gordon Munro (Fraserburgh) 73 82
         156 Bryan Innes (Murcar Links) 79 77
352 Argyll and Bute 375 377
356 Clackmannanshire 374 382
366 Borders 389 377

LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS

Par 140 (2x70)

138 Craig Ross (Kirkhill) 66 72

139 Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) 73 66, Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) 71 68

141 Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) 73 68

142 Jamie Savage (Cawder) 71 71, Benn McLeod (Musselburgh) 76 72, Scott Gibson (Southerness) 70 72, Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 70 72

143 Gordon Miller (Cawder) 68 75

144 Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) 70 74, Bryan Fotheringham (Inverness) 70 74, Tommy McInally (Loudoun Gowf) 71 73, Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) 72 72, Greg Watson (Dunaverty) 74 70

TO VIEW ALL THE INDIVIDUAL SCORES

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BYRON NELSON TOURNAMENT SECOND ROUND IN TEXAS

CASEY'S 63 AFTER COMING HOME IN 27

                   REPORT FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

• • By Mike McAllister, PGATOUR.COM
• Paul Casey's back-nine 27 was one shot off the PGA TOUR's nine-hole scoring record. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

HP BYRON NELSON: Scores | Rd. 3 tee times | Daily Wrap-up | Watch: Highlights | TOUR Report | Photo gallery

IRVING, Texas -- Shooting 27 for nine holes doesn't happen very often on the US PGA Tour. In fact, it's happened just eight times in Tour history. The only nine-hole score lower than that was Corey Pavin's 26 at the U.S. Bank Championship in 2006.
Cheltenham's former Ryder Cup player Paul Casey probably wouldn't have been your top pick to shoot 27 at this week's HP Byron Nelson Championship. After all, he had never seen the course. He had played just seven events this season.
In his 66 rounds on the Tour since 2012, he had just one eagle -- and that was two years ago. Generally, eagles are a fairly necessary element for challenging scoring records.
But there Casey was on the back nine Friday at the HP Byron Nelson Championship, the Englishman setting the course on fire, coming home in 27 that included the second of his two eagles on the day. He finished with a 7-under 63 that vaulted him into an eight-way tie for second at 6 under, two shots back of leader Brendon Todd.
Todd shot 31 on his back nine en route to a 64. He couldn't fathom how anybody could go four shots lower in that stretch.
"I don't see how you shoot 27 there," he said.
Here are four possible reasons to explain Casey's amazing stretch:
1. HE FOUND THE ZONE. On his second shot at the par-5 seventh, he faced a hanging lie, the ball above his feet, 217 yards from the pin. He hit a high cut with a 4-iron, his ball finishing inside 10 feet. "Couldn't have played it any better," said Casey, who was 2 over for his round at the time. "That certainly gave me a shot of confidence."
That was the first of his two eagles. It relaxed him, got his back to even par, and showed that maybe he could make something out of this round. One shot flipped the switch. His concentration level had reached its peak.
"It wasn't like it was the best ball-striking round you've ever seen," Casey said. "I missed fairways and shots, even on that 27. It was the fact that I was so into every single shot and I was in the moment. ... I was 'in the now.' "
How focused was he? Casey didn't even know what he shot on the back nine after he finished. His caddie finally had to tell him.
2. HIS BACK WAS AGAINST THE WALL. After that eagle, Casey gave back a stroke at the ninth when he three-putted. So as he stepped on the 10th tee, he was in danger of missing the cut. He no longer had any position to protect. He had to be aggressive.
"I think it's easier when your back is up against the wall," Casey said. "3-over through six holes isn't exactly a stellar position to be in. ... I was backed into a corner and had to do something."
3. HE GOT A BREAK. After a birdie at the 10th, Casey went for the green at the drivable par-4 11th. His shot came up short and forced him to adjust his stance so he wasn't standing in the greenside bunker. He aimed left of the flag but "sort of toe-shanked it." The ball didn't go where he was aiming, but he got lucky. He was left with a 24-foot birdie putt, which he made.
"I had my good breaks," Casey said. "I had my rub with the green."
4. HE STARTED VERBALIZING. Having watched Jordan Spieth lately on TV -- and having played a few holes with him earlier this week -- Casey noticed that Spieth does a lot of talking with his caddie, discussing his plans for every shot.
That's what Casey did for the last 12 holes Friday. Unfamiliar with the course, Casey decided to talk strategy with his caddie on every shot. "We verbalized everything," he explained. "Described everything I was going to do."
Added Casey: "It allowed me to be incredibly specific with what I was trying to do. I think when you're picking out such a small target, your misses are then smaller as well."

---

Most weeks, Morgan Hoffmann puts a Bose speaker in his golf bag during Tuesday practice rounds. Then he and his caddie, Ryan Rue, sing along to the music.

The last few Tuesdays, they were playing reggae music.
On Friday, they started singing during the middle of his round. "Being as stupid as possible," Hoffmann said.
And what exactly were they singing? Hoffmann thinks it was, 'Here Comes the Hotstepper" (For those unfamiliar with the song, it's by Jamaican reggae artist Ini Kamoze. And yes, we had to Google the information).
Hoffmann shot a bogey-free 66 on Friday, moving him into a tie for second. He was definitely feeling the good vibes.
"Definitely trying to stay positive," Hoffmann said. "Ryan and I are trying to have as much fun as

SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD 
Par 140 (2x70) Players from USA unless stated
132 Brendon Todd 68 64
134 Graham DeLaet (Canada) 68 66, Morgan Hoffman 68 66, Martin Kaymer (Germany) 67 67, Mike Weir (Canada) 68 66, Paul Casey (England) 71 63, Tim Herron 68 66, Marc Leishman (Australia) 66 68, Charles Howell 68 66
135 Gary Woodland 68 67, Retief Goosen (S Africa) 70 65, Tyrone Van Aswegen (S Africa) 67 68, Ryan Palmer 67 68, Boo Weekley 67 68

SELECTED SCORES
136 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 68 68, Louis Oosthuizen (S Africa) 68 68, Matt Kuchar 69 67 (T15)
137 Jordan Spieth 70 67 (T19)
141 Brian Davis (England) 70 71

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

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EUROPEAN TOUR REPORT AND SCORES

RAMSAY, LAWRIE IN TOP TEN AT 

HALFWAY IN SPANISH OPEN

Aberdeen's Richie Ramsay and Paul Lawrie are in the leading 10 at the halfway stage of the Spanish Open.
Ramsay is joint fifth behind Belgian leader Thomas Pieters (69-69 for 138) with scores of 69 and 72.
Lawrie, making a comeback after a prolonged absence because of a neck injury is tied eighth on 142 with rounds of 70 and 72.

BELGIAN THOMAS PIETERS LEADS
FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE 
Qualifying School graduate Thomas Pieters from Belgium continued his love affair  with PGA Catalunya Resort to claim the halfway lead at the Open de España.
The 22 year old, who secured his place on The Race to Dubai when he took the 20th card at this venue in November, overcame three bogeys in his
first four holes to record a second consecutive 69.
That gave Pieters a six under halfway total, one ahead of first round leader Eddie Pepperell and Dutchman Joost Luiten.Luiten fired his approach to three feet to pick up another shot on the ninth - his final hole - to card a second round of 69 and join Oxfordshire's Pepperell on five under par.
Pepperell had carded an opening 68 to claim a one-shot lead overnight and was five shots clear of the field when, after starting on the back nine, he birdied the tenth and 11th and eagled the 12th.
However, he then ran up a double-bogey 6 on the 14th and bogeyed the 18th to be out in 35, with two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine, meaning the 23 year old from Oxford had to settle for a 71.
"The game's been pretty good for two days and five under puts me in a really nice spot for the weekend," said Pepperell, who finished 76th on The Race to Dubai in his rookie season last year.
"I expected to be caught today but I'm not too worried, if I keep doing what I'm doing I hope to have a shot at it come Sunday afternoon."It was a great start and I hit some really nice shots early. I had  three ten footers for birdie, birdie and eagle and I holed them all. But it was an up and down day for me. I hit some good shots in the early part of the round, but there were also some poor ones.
"Unfortunately, I made a double bogey where I played aggressively and it didn't come off. I didn't get the pace of the greens and had a couple
of three putts when I bombed my first past the hole."
Francesco Molinari was two shots off the lead after six birdies and one bogey gave him a round of 67.

Belgian Qualifying School graduate Thomas Pieters continued his love affair with PGA Catalunya Resort to claim the halfway lead at the Open de España.

The 22 year old, who secured his place on The Race to Dubai when he took the 20th card at this venue in November, overcame three bogeys in his first four holes to record a second consecutive 69.

That gave Pieters a six under halfway total, one ahead of first round leader Eddie Pepperell and Dutchman Joost Luiten.

Luiten fired his approach to three feet to pick up another shot on the ninth - his final hole - to card a second round of 69 and join England's Pepperell on five under par.

Pepperell had carded an opening 68 to claim a one-shot lead overnight and was five shots clear of the field when, after starting on the back nine, he birdied the tenth and 11th and eagled the 12th.

However, he then ran up a double-bogey six on the 14th and bogeyed the 18th to be out in 35, with two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine meaning the 23 year old from Oxford had to settle for a 71.

"The game's been pretty good for two days and five under puts me in a really nice spot for the weekend," said Pepperell, who finished 76th on The Race to Dubai in his rookie season last year.

"I expect to be caught today but I'm not too worried, if I keep doing what I'm doing I hope to have a shot at it come Sunday afternoon.

"It was a great start and I hit some really nice shots early. I had three ten footers for birdie, birdie and eagle and I holed them all. But it was an up and down day for me. I hit some good shots in the early part of the round, but there were also some poor ones.

"Unfortunately, I made a double bogey where I played aggressively and it didn't come off. I didn't get the pace of the greens and had a couple of three putts when I bombed my first past the hole."

Francesco Molinari was two shots off the lead after six birdies and one bogey gave him a round of 67.
Read more at http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014038/news/newsid=223089.html#jHuJuOIA0B78yvqO.99

Belgian Qualifying School graduate Thomas Pieters continued his love affair with PGA Catalunya Resort to claim the halfway lead at the Open de España.

The 22 year old, who secured his place on The Race to Dubai when he took the 20th card at this venue in November, overcame three bogeys in his first four holes to record a second consecutive 69.

That gave Pieters a six under halfway total, one ahead of first round leader Eddie Pepperell and Dutchman Joost Luiten.

Luiten fired his approach to three feet to pick up another shot on the ninth - his final hole - to card a second round of 69 and join England's Pepperell on five under par.

Pepperell had carded an opening 68 to claim a one-shot lead overnight and was five shots clear of the field when, after starting on the back nine, he birdied the tenth and 11th and eagled the 12th.

However, he then ran up a double-bogey six on the 14th and bogeyed the 18th to be out in 35, with two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine meaning the 23 year old from Oxford had to settle for a 71.

"The game's been pretty good for two days and five under puts me in a really nice spot for the weekend," said Pepperell, who finished 76th on The Race to Dubai in his rookie season last year.

"I expect to be caught today but I'm not too worried, if I keep doing what I'm doing I hope to have a shot at it come Sunday afternoon.

"It was a great start and I hit some really nice shots early. I had three ten footers for birdie, birdie and eagle and I holed them all. But it was an up and down day for me. I hit some good shots in the early part of the round, but there were also some poor ones.

"Unfortunately, I made a double bogey where I played aggressively and it didn't come off. I didn't get the pace of the greens and had a couple of three putts when I bombed my first past the hole."

Francesco Molinari was two shots off the lead after six birdies and one bogey gave him a round of 67.

Read more at http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014038/news/newsid=223089.html#jHuJuOIA0B78yvqO.99

Belgian Qualifying School graduate Thomas Pieters continued his love affair with PGA Catalunya Resort to claim the halfway lead at the Open de España.

The 22 year old, who secured his place on The Race to Dubai when he took the 20th card at this venue in November, overcame three bogeys in his first four holes to record a second consecutive 69.

That gave Pieters a six under halfway total, one ahead of first round leader Eddie Pepperell and Dutchman Joost Luiten.

Luiten fired his approach to three feet to pick up another shot on the ninth - his final hole - to card a second round of 69 and join England's Pepperell on five under par.

Pepperell had carded an opening 68 to claim a one-shot lead overnight and was five shots clear of the field when, after starting on the back nine, he birdied the tenth and 11th and eagled the 12th.

However, he then ran up a double-bogey six on the 14th and bogeyed the 18th to be out in 35, with two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine meaning the 23 year old from Oxford had to settle for a 71.

"The game's been pretty good for two days and five under puts me in a really nice spot for the weekend," said Pepperell, who finished 76th on The Race to Dubai in his rookie season last year.

"I expect to be caught today but I'm not too worried, if I keep doing what I'm doing I hope to have a shot at it come Sunday afternoon.

"It was a great start and I hit some really nice shots early. I had three ten footers for birdie, birdie and eagle and I holed them all. But it was an up and down day for me. I hit some good shots in the early part of the round, but there were also some poor ones.

"Unfortunately, I made a double bogey where I played aggressively and it didn't come off. I didn't get the pace of the greens and had a couple of three putts when I bombed my first past the hole."

Francesco Molinari was two shots off the lead after six birdies and one bogey gave him a round of 67.

Read more at http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014038/news/newsid=223089.html#AT2Llfso6BUi8Rx7.99

Belgian Qualifying School graduate Thomas Pieters continued his love affair with PGA Catalunya Resort to claim the halfway lead at the Open de España.

The 22 year old, who secured his place on The Race to Dubai when he took the 20th card at this venue in November, overcame three bogeys in his first four holes to record a second consecutive 69.

That gave Pieters a six under halfway total, one ahead of first round leader Eddie Pepperell and Dutchman Joost Luiten.

Luiten fired his approach to three feet to pick up another shot on the ninth - his final hole - to card a second round of 69 and join England's Pepperell on five under par.

Pepperell had carded an opening 68 to claim a one-shot lead overnight and was five shots clear of the field when, after starting on the back nine, he birdied the tenth and 11th and eagled the 12th.

However, he then ran up a double-bogey six on the 14th and bogeyed the 18th to be out in 35, with two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine meaning the 23 year old from Oxford had to settle for a 71.

"The game's been pretty good for two days and five under puts me in a really nice spot for the weekend," said Pepperell, who finished 76th on The Race to Dubai in his rookie season last year.

"I expect to be caught today but I'm not too worried, if I keep doing what I'm doing I hope to have a shot at it come Sunday afternoon.

"It was a great start and I hit some really nice shots early. I had three ten footers for birdie, birdie and eagle and I holed them all. But it was an up and down day for me. I hit some good shots in the early part of the round, but there were also some poor ones.

"Unfortunately, I made a double bogey where I played aggressively and it didn't come off. I didn't get the pace of the greens and had a couple of three putts when I bombed my first past the hole."

Francesco Molinari was two shots off the lead after six birdies and one bogey gave him a round of 67.

Read more at http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014038/news/newsid=223089.html#AT2Llfso6BUi8Rx7.99

SPANISH OPEN 
Second-round leaders
par 144 (2x72)
138 Thomas Pieters (Belgium) 69 69
139 Eddie Pepperell (England) 68 71, Joost Luiten (Netherlands) 70 69
140 Francesco Molinari (Italy) 73 67
141 Richard Bland (England) 73 68, Alvaro Quiros (Spain) 74 67, Richie Ramsay (Scotland) 69 72
142 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 69 73, Paul Lawrie (Scotland) 70 72

SELECTED SCORES
143 Sergio Garcia (Spain) 69 74 (T10)
145 Marc Warren (Scotland) 75 70, David Drysdale (Scotland) 74 71 (T26)
148 Craig Lee (Scotland) 73 75 (T63)

SCOTS WHO MISSED THE CUT
(148 and better qualified)
149 Peter Whiteford 74 75
151 Jack Doherty 76 75
152 Alastair Forsyth 77 75
153 Chris Doak 75 78
154 Scott Jamieson 74 80, Jamie McLeary 77 77
165 Scott Henry 82 83 

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

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Belgian Qualifying School graduate Thomas Pieters continued his love affair with PGA Catalunya Resort to claim the halfway lead at the Open de España.

The 22 year old, who secured his place on The Race to Dubai when he took the 20th card at this venue in November, overcame three bogeys in his first four holes to record a second consecutive 69.

That gave Pieters a six under halfway total, one ahead of first round leader Eddie Pepperell and Dutchman Joost Luiten.

Luiten fired his approach to three feet to pick up another shot on the ninth - his final hole - to card a second round of 69 and join England's Pepperell on five under par.

Pepperell had carded an opening 68 to claim a one-shot lead overnight and was five shots clear of the field when, after starting on the back nine, he birdied the tenth and 11th and eagled the 12th.

However, he then ran up a double-bogey six on the 14th and bogeyed the 18th to be out in 35, with two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine meaning the 23 year old from Oxford had to settle for a 71.

"The game's been pretty good for two days and five under puts me in a really nice spot for the weekend," said Pepperell, who finished 76th on The Race to Dubai in his rookie season last year.

"I expect to be caught today but I'm not too worried, if I keep doing what I'm doing I hope to have a shot at it come Sunday afternoon.

"It was a great start and I hit some really nice shots early. I had three ten footers for birdie, birdie and eagle and I holed them all. But it was an up and down day for me. I hit some good shots in the early part of the round, but there were also some poor ones.

"Unfortunately, I made a double bogey where I played aggressively and it didn't come off. I didn't get the pace of the greens and had a couple of three putts when I bombed my first past the hole."

Francesco Molinari was two shots off the lead after six birdies and one bogey gave him a round of 67.
Read more at http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014038/news/newsid=223089.html#jHuJuOIA0B78yvqO.99

Belgian Qualifying School graduate Thomas Pieters continued his love affair with PGA Catalunya Resort to claim the halfway lead at the Open de España.

The 22 year old, who secured his place on The Race to Dubai when he took the 20th card at this venue in November, overcame three bogeys in his first four holes to record a second consecutive 69.

That gave Pieters a six under halfway total, one ahead of first round leader Eddie Pepperell and Dutchman Joost Luiten.

Luiten fired his approach to three feet to pick up another shot on the ninth - his final hole - to card a second round of 69 and join England's Pepperell on five under par.

Pepperell had carded an opening 68 to claim a one-shot lead overnight and was five shots clear of the field when, after starting on the back nine, he birdied the tenth and 11th and eagled the 12th.

However, he then ran up a double-bogey six on the 14th and bogeyed the 18th to be out in 35, with two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine meaning the 23 year old from Oxford had to settle for a 71.

"The game's been pretty good for two days and five under puts me in a really nice spot for the weekend," said Pepperell, who finished 76th on The Race to Dubai in his rookie season last year.

"I expect to be caught today but I'm not too worried, if I keep doing what I'm doing I hope to have a shot at it come Sunday afternoon.

"It was a great start and I hit some really nice shots early. I had three ten footers for birdie, birdie and eagle and I holed them all. But it was an up and down day for me. I hit some good shots in the early part of the round, but there were also some poor ones.

"Unfortunately, I made a double bogey where I played aggressively and it didn't come off. I didn't get the pace of the greens and had a couple of three putts when I bombed my first past the hole."

Francesco Molinari was two shots off the lead after six birdies and one bogey gave him a round of 67.
Read more at http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014038/news/newsid=223089.html#jHuJuOIA0B78yvqO.99

CHALLENGE TOUR REPORT AND SCORES

                OLIVER FARR ....  leads in Turkey. Picture by courtesy of Getty Images (c)

		Friday May 16, 2014
SO FAR, SO GOOD FOR OLIVER EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS REPORT Oliver Farr is vying for a maiden European Challenge Tour title at the Turkish Airlines Challenge after a five under par second round of 67 earned him the lead going into the weekend at National Golf Club. In perfect conditions at the Belek venue on Turkey’s south coast, the 26 year old reeled off seven birdies to move to the top on five under par, despite a poor start to day two. Farr bogeyed the tenth – his first – to drop to one over for the tournament, following a level par opening round 72, but a birdie at the par three 11th was a much more accurate representation of what was to come. Four birdies in the space of six holes from the 15th put him right in the mix at the top of the leaderboard and, while his second bogey of the day came at the sixth hole, he picked up two more shots at the seventh and ninth to move one clear of first round leader Guillaume Cambis. “It was just one of those rounds where I hit a lot of good shots, which you have to do around this course,” said Farr, who won the satellite EuroPro Tour Rankings last year. “If you’re slightly off you can be punished. I hit two bad shots today and I had two bogeys from them. “Other than that I was really in control and I holed some good putts, so five under is a score I'm really happy with out there. “I think the greens yesterday afternoon were very baked out and firm so I found it hard to control the shots.  "My chipping was quite good yesterday to shoot level but today I had a lot of wedge approach shots, which was nice, and I controlled them really well. “I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend. I haven’t looked at the scoreboards much today but five under is pretty good after two rounds so I'm happy with that. “I've just got to continue what I did today and that’s my goal. I might work on a couple of things before the third round but barring that, I’ll just try what I did for the first two days. “It’s a course I do like. I like the tree-lined courses and I feel it suits my game a little bit better than the wide open courses." Cambis signed for a level par round of 72 to stay on four under par and the Frenchman had a birdie at the 18th to thank after a one under front nine was soon followed by a double-bogey at the 12th. Germany’s Bernd Ritthammer, completed a remarkable comeback as he followed his six over opening round of 78 with a six under par 66, a course record, to move to within five of the lead. SECOND-ROUND TOTALS Par 144 (2x72) 139 O Farr (Wal) 72 67, 140 G Cambis  (Fra) 68 72, 141 D Coupland (Eng) 71 70, S Arnold  (Aus) 70 71, 142 J Lando Casanova  (Fra) 71 71, N Quintarelli (Ita) 72 70, B An (Kor) 70 72, B Åkesson (Swe) 71 71, M Jonzon (Swe) 69 73, J Harrison (Eng) 71 71, C Paisley  (Eng) 69 73, 143 A Johnston (Eng) 70 73, J Fahrbring (Swe) 73 70, N Ravano (Ita) 75 68, E Espana (Fra) 72 71, W Booth  (Sco) 71 72, 144 J Huldahl (Den) 76 68, B Hebert  (Fra) 73 71, B Ritthammer (Ger) 78 66, G Lockerbie  (Eng) 73 71, L Corfield  (Eng) 73 71, R McEvoy  (Eng) 72 72, 145 N Lemke (Swe) 74 71, M Ford (Eng) 69 76, C Hanson (Eng) 74 71, J Makitalo  (Fin) 73 72, J Lagergren (Swe) 71 74, P Figueiredo  (Por) 71 74, A Marshall (Eng) 74 71, R Coles (Eng) 70 75, N Kearney (Irl) 72 73, 146 M Delpodio  (Ita) 71 75, G Woolgar (Eng) 73 73, R Steiner (Aut) 73 73, R McGee (Irl) 73 73, M Orrin (Eng) 72 74, P Edberg (Swe) 72 74, M Lampert (Ger) 74 72, S Tiley (Eng) 75 71, A Tadini (Ita) 73 73, M Rominger  (Sui) 76 70, 147 B Chapellan (Fra) 72 75, O Stark (Swe) 71 76, N Kimsey (Eng) 72 75, G Shaw (Nir) 77 70, A Björk (Swe) 74 73, 148 P Widegren  (Swe) 74 74, C Bouniol (Fra) 77 71, T Linard (Fra) 74 74, A Bernadet  (Fra) 73 75, L Nemecz (Aut) 73 75, J Barnes (Eng) 73 75, 149 T Sluiter  (Ned) 78 71, S Little (Eng) 73 76, M Wiegele  (Aut) 71 78, K Samooja (Fin) 74 75, J Sjöholm (Swe) 75 74, A Snobeck  (Fra) 75 74, C Mivis  (Bel) 74 75, L Jensen (Den) 74 75, L Goddard  (Eng) 76 73, W Besseling  (Ned) 74 75, F Bergamaschi (Ita) 73 76,    MISSED THE CUT 150 P Maddy (Eng) 76 74, D Stewart (Sco) 73 77, D Ulrich (Sui) 74 76, J Palmer (Eng) 70 80, A McArthur  (Sco) 74 76, D Geminiani (Ita) 78 72, S Matus  (Cze) 74 76, H Joannes  (Bel) 75 75, J Garcia Del Moral (Esp) 77 73, P Dwyer (Eng) 76 74, E Johansen  (Nor) 74 76 151 D Vancsik (Arg) 77 74, R Enoch  (Wal) 74 77, S Brown (Eng) 75 76, S Grant  (Irl) 76 75, A Altuntas (am) (Tur) 77 74,  152 T Pulkkanen  (Fin) 78 74, G Wright  (Wal) 78 74, L Claverie (Esp) 75 77, P McKechnie (Sco) 76 76, M Lafeber (Ned) 74 78, 153 D Frittelli (RSA) 75 78, G Watremez (Bel) 76 77, W Huang (Chn) 72 81, J Winther (Den) 82 71, C Lloyd (Eng) 79 74, R Davies (Wal) 72 81, C Russo (Fra) 77 76, D Gaunt (Eng) 80 73, P Archer (Eng) 75 78, J Kennegard  (Swe) 74 79, A Rota (Ita) 74 79, R Russell (Sco) 74 79, 154 J Legarrea (Esp) 76 78, O Wilson (Eng) 76 78, S Hutsby  (Eng) 75 79, T Lee (USA) 75 79, D Law (Sco) 80 74, N Raymond (Eng) 79 75, T Remkes (Ned) 76 78, B Karatas (Tur) 82 72, 155 C Ford (Eng) 76 79, J Gonnet  (Fra) 77 78, F Praegant (Aut) 79 76, T Nørret (Den) 76 79, N Johansson (Swe) 80 75, M Trappel  (Aut) 72 83, D Gavins (Eng) 78 77, B Evans  (Eng) 77 78, L Kennedy  (Eng) 73 82, 156 R Kind (Ned) 79 77, L Gagli  (Ita) 78 78, G Porteous (Eng) 71 85, J Rask (Swe) 81 75, M Grönberg (Swe) 79 77, S Garcia Rodriguez (Esp) 79 77, M Haines  (Eng) 78 78, 157 P Gal  (Cze) 80 77, C Kelly (Sco) 76 81, R Hahn (Hun) 78 79, B Virto  (Esp) 80 77, O Floren  (Swe) 82 75, H Esmer (am) (Tur) 76 81, 158 D Kemmer (USA) 83 75, O Henningsson  (Swe) 78 80, B Kara (Tur) 80 78, K Benz (Sui) 77 81, N Thommen  (Sui) 82 76, C Brazillier  (Fra) 80 78, 159 A Korinek (Cze) 78 81, H Sayin (Tur) 75 84, G Murray  (Sco) 79 80, H Yamac (Tur) 80 79, 160 C Macaulay  (Sco) 78 82, 161 U Karatas (Tur) 80 81, M Glauert (Ger) 81 80, S Akarsu (am) (Tur) 83 78, 162 J Elson  (Eng) 81 81, M Guner (am) (Tur) 83 79, 163 S Bay (Tur) 80 83, O Aydin (Tur) 83 80, 164 A Perrino  (Ita) 86 78, 165 M Hensby (Aus) 86 79, -

FIFER SLUMPS FROM FIRST-ROUND 68 TO SECOND-ROUND 78

JAMES WHITE AMONG SCOTS WHO

MISS ALPS TOUR CUT IN ITALY

Four of the five Scots in the field failed to beat the second-round cut in the Alps Tour 54-hole event at Colli Berici Golf Club, northern Italy today.
Biggest surprise was the elimination of Fifer James White who was within striking distance of the first-round lead with an opening 68.
But he had a disastrous second-round 78, which included three double bogeys, and missed the cut by one stroke.
Ross Kellett from Motherwell also had a 146 aggregate, made up of rounds of 74 and 72.
Other Scots on the wrong side of the cut (145 and better qualified) were John Gallagher on 149 (73-76) and Michael Stewart on 150 (79-71)
The only Scot in the final round draw is John Henry from Clydebank and District. He had a second-round 70 for 143 and is joint 23rd, eight shots behind the Norwegian leader Stian Hansen (69-66 for 135).

ALPS TOUR: COLLI BERICI OPEN
Colli Berici GC, Northern Italy.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND SCORES
Par 144 (2x72)
135 Stian Hansen (Nor) 69 66
136 Alessio Bruschi (Ita) 66 70, Borja Etchart (Spa) 67 69
138 Brendon McCarroll (Ire) 66 72

SCOTS' SCORES
143 John Henry 73 70 (T23)

MISSED THE CUT
146 James White 68 78, Ross Kellett 74 72
149 John Gallagher 73 76
150 Michael Stewart 79 71



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SCOTS 1-2 AT FOXHILLS GOLF RESORT

Ken Hutton: Tremendous finish to win. Picture  by courtesy of the PGA

KEN HUTTON WINS £5,250 PRIZE AS 

SENIOR PGA CHAMPION

Dundee’s Kenny Hutton saved the best to last to clinch a dramatic one-stroke victory in the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Foxhills Resort in Surrey.
The Downfield-based pro, who hails from Muir of Ord, north of Inverness, holed a clutch putt for birdie on 16, chipped in for another birdie on the par three 17th and then splashed out a 75 foot bunker shot at the last to two-and-a-half feet for par to pip fellow Scot, Albert MacKenzie, originally from Lossiemouth, and claim the Bernard Hunt Memorial Trophy plus a cheque for £5,250.
It meant heartbreak for Saunton pro MacKenzie who had surged to four under through eight holes only to bogey three of the last four holes including the last when he missed a five footer for par.
Hutton, who has relinquished day to day duties at his Dundee club for an advisory role, ended the 54-hole tournament at two under par but walked off the course thinking he was in a play-off.
The 50 year old Scottish PGA captain heralded the achievement as the biggest of his career and hopes it can be a springboard to further playing success.
“I don’t think I’ve played three better closing holes in my life including definitely the bunker shot of my career when you consider what was at stake,” said Hutton who earned a place in next month’s ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at Stoke by Nayland.
“For me this is massive. I’ve done okay in Scotland but I’ve never even won an order of merit on the Tartan Tour.
“To win something as huge as this, this is the pinnacle for club pros over 50.
“Hopefully it could be a springboard and build my confidence. Half my problem has been people say I should be doing better and I’m probably the only one who doesn’t believe it. Something like this might just kick me off.”
Despite his disappointing finish, MacKenzie was generous in his praise for Hutton while also taking some positives out of his own performance too.
“I played absolutely fantastic to be four under through eight holes and then three putted nine and ten,” said the Devon-based pro.
“I made an awful bogey at 15, my tee shot hit the trees but the thing I’m pleased with is that at 16, 17 and 18 I hit five good golf shots. Unfortunately there were a couple of three putts that punished the good shots and unfortunately that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
“I felt as comfortable as you can expect to do coming into the home stretch. I’m a great friend of Kenny’s and as disappointed as I am not to win I think his bunker shot to get up and down at 18 is the sign of a worthy champion so I congratulate him.
“I thought I’d shed the bridesmaid’s tag today but we’ll regroup and I’m thrilled to be going to the PGA Seniors Championship at Stoke by Nayland. I just feel today this was the one that got away.”
Glyn Davies (Glyn Davies Golf), Stephen McNally (Sunderland Golf Centre), Bernard White (Sutton Green) and Gary Emerson (Remedy Oak) tied third at level par and along with the top 20 all qualify for the PGA Seniors Championship at Stoke by Nayland.
 

Fraser Mann, now attached to Carnoustie Golf Club, finished seventh on 220 and earned £1,275. His scores were 75, 74 and 71.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 218 (2x73, 1x72)
216 Ken Hutton (Downfield) 70 73 73 (£5,250)
217 Albert MacKenzie (Saunton) 71 74 72 (£3,850)
219 Glyn Davies (Wal) 74 73 72, Stephen McNally (Eng) 74 73 72, Gary Emerson (Eng) 74 70 75  (£2,125 each)
OTHER SCOTS' TOTALS
220 Fraser Mann (Carnoustie) 75 74 71 (T7) (£1,275)
227 Martin Gray (unatt) 80 72 75 (T29) £313))
228 Stephen McAllister (S McAllister Golf) 79 72 77 (T33)  (£287)
229 Stephen Craig (Craig Golf) 76 75 78 (T39) (£265).

DRIVING RANGE WITH INDOOR, OUTDOOR BAYS; PAR-3 SIX-HOLE COURSE

Left to right: Pitlochry Golf Club pro Mark Pirie, Neil Panton (94), Daniel Kearney (3) and captain Ron Bell watch Perthshire North MSP John Swinney tee off from the club’s new driving    range.
PITLOCHRY EYE FUTURE RYDER CUP 

STARS AS ACADEMY UNVEILED

NEWS RELEASE

Pitlochry Golf Club unveiled its visionary Golf Academy today with officials believing it could help them produce a Ryder Cup star of tomorrow.

Neil Panton, brother of the club’s last Ryder Cup player, the late John Panton, was in attendance as the facility, and the generations set to benefit, were paraded.

Current club junior and Highland Open champion Blair Stephen (19) and future star and club regular Daniel Kearney, only three years old, joined Mr Panton (94) at the driving range.

Perthshire North MSP John Swinney was also among the guests touring the range, the indoor training area and the new six-hole Lettoch Links, due for completion in June.

Mr Panton, an honorary member, believes the facility is now the best in Perthshire outside this year’s official Ryder Cup venue of Gleneagles.

With the club’s emphasis on development and participation for all, he feels it can help Pitlochry produce another major player like his late brother.

“I would certainly think it’s possible,” he said. “The opportunity is definitely there with this new facility. I joined as a member in 1932 and we never had anything like this when we were young. You worked with what you had and you did your best in those days. I just wished we had this development 50 years ago.”

The new golf academy, built with assistance from Perth and Kinross Council, Sportscotland and landlord Charles Butter, comprises a driving range with six indoor and five outdoor bays.

There are teaching bays where the latest sporting technology programmes are being used by club pros Mark Pirie and Graeme Leggat to help players with technique.

The new par-3, six-hole Lettoch Links, still to open, will enable golfers, including visiting non-members and first timers, to practise their short game or swing a club as a beginner.

There is already tangible evidence across the age range that the biggest development in the course’s 105-year history is paying dividends.

Since elements of the facility have come online, club members have secured both Perth and Kinross county boys' and men's championship titles.

“It’s testament to the vision we had for this academy,” says director Stephen Carruthers. “The facility is unrivalled for a club of our size in Scotland and, I believe, with the exception of Gleneagles itself, it is the best in Perthshire.

“It caters for those looking for their first taste of the game, right up to tour pro level. You don’t need to be a member to play. It’s family friendly, open to all and it’s a very relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere here, which people respond to.

“The fact our junior players are doing very well is not just about the academy, it is also the coaching ethos of the pros and the volunteer members who help to train the kids.”

As part of the opening celebrations, directors will host an Open Day on June 29 when the facilities can be sampled free of charger

Those joining as a member for 2014 on the day will also receive membership for 2015 free of charge.

Jackie Davidson, ClubGolf Scotland Manager, said: “We’re delighted to see this facility opening and hopefully it encourages more young players to continue their golf development.

“It is an excellent facility in the area and we would encourage all golfers to make use of it.”

PHILIPPINE OPEN REPORT AND LEADING SCORES

AUSTRALIA’S BOTH BACK TO HIS BEST

NEWS RELEASE FROM ASIAN TOUR

Manila: Marcus Both of Australia rediscovered some of his old magic when he charged into the halfway lead with a flawless six-under-par 66 at the ICTSI Philippine Open today.

The two-time Asian Tour winner lost his Tour card last season after an uncharacteristic run of poor form but showed glimpses of his best golf when he fired six birdies for an eight-under-par 136 total at the challenging Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

Joint overnight leader Chan Kim of the United States bogeyed his last two holes for a 72 to sit in second, two shots behind Both, while Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh was in third position following a 73 at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.

A total of 66 players qualified for the weekend rounds as the cut was set at five-over-par 149.

  

LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Par 144 (2x72) Yardage: 7,222

136 Marcus Both (Aus) 70-66.

138 Chan Kim (USA) 66-72.

139 Siddikur Rahman (Ban) 66-73.

140 Chawalit Plaphol (Tha) 69-71, Wang Jeung-hun (SKo) 72-68.

142 Rupert Saragoza (Phi) (am) 71-71, S S P Chowrasia  (Ind) 71-71, Miguel Ochoa (Phi) 73-69, Nathan Holman (Aus) 71-71, Lionel Weber (Fra) 72-70.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

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TEE TIMES FOR PRO-AMS AT LARGS, STRATHAVEN AND KEMNAY

FAIRBAIRN BMW PRO-AM
LARGS GOLF CLUB, MAY 30

 Tee  Time      Name
  1   8:30 AM   Scott McGrenaghan
  1   8:40 AM   Andrew Fullen
  1   8:50 AM   David Nicol
  1   9:10 AM   Derek Watters
  1   9:20 AM   Liam Neeson
  1   9:30 AM   Scott Herald
  1   9:40 AM   Stephen McAllister
  1   9:50 AM   David Orr
  1   10:00 AM  Kevin Campbell
  1   10:10 AM  Greg Paxton
  1   10:20 AM  Christopher Currie
  1   10:30 AM  Andrew Marshall
  1   10:40 AM  Paul Brookes
  1   10:50 AM  Paul Robinson
  1   11:00 AM  Ian Graham
  1   11:10 AM  Colin Gillies
  1   11:20 AM  Mark King
  1   11:30 AM  Colin Robinson
  1   11:40 AM  Jason McCreadie
  1   11:50 AM  Craig Ronald
  1   12:00 PM  Robert Arnott
  1   12:10 PM  Scott Henderson
  1   12:20 PM  Greig Hutcheon
  1   12:30 PM  Chris Kelly
  1   12:40 PM  Greg McBain
  1   12:50 PM  Stephen Gray
  1   1:00 PM   Craig Matheson
  1   1:10 PM   Mark Kerr
  1   1:20 PM   Graeme Brown
  1   1:30 PM   Steven Taylor
  1   1:40 PM   James McKinnon
  1   1:50 PM   David Broadfoot
  1   2:00 PM   Gareth Hardy
  1   2:10 PM   Ross Dixon
  1   2:20 PM   Mark Loftus
  1   2:30 PM   Jonathan Lomas
  1   2:40 PM   Graham Fox
  1   2:50 PM   Norman Huguet

Strathaven Golf Club pro-am JUNE 3 Tee Time Name 1 8:40 AM Craig Ronald, Carluke Golf Club 1 8:50 AM Duncan Williamson, Kirkhill Golf Club 1 9:00 AM Andrew Carlton, Paisley Golf Club 1 9:10 AM Scott Herald, Mearns Castle Golf Academy 1 9:20 AM Gary Dingwall, Royal Dornoch Golf Club 1 9:30 AM Mark King, Kingsfield Golf Range 1 9:40 AM Gordon Robertson, Airdrie Golf Club 1 9:50 AM Anthony Mackrell, Playsport Golf 1 10:00 AM David Orr, Mearns Castle Golf Academy 1 10:10 AM James McKinnon, Irvine Golf Club 1 10:20 AM Steven Taylor, Bothwell Castle Golf C 1 10:30 AM Stephen Duncan, Cathcart Castle Golf Club 1 10:40 AM Grant Smith, Gleneagles Hotel 1 10:50 AM Jonathan Lomas, Caprington  1 11:00 AM Kenneth Walker, Castle Park  1 11:10 AM Iain Stoddart, Uphall  1 11:20 AM Chris Kelly, Cawder  1 11:30 AM Scott Costello, Strathaven  1 11:40 AM Craig Matheson, Falkirk Tryst Golf Club 1 11:50 AM Graeme Brown, Montrose Links. 1 12:10 PM Christopher McMaster, Panmure  1 12:20 PM Greig Hutcheon, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre 1 12:30 PM Scott Henderson, Kings Links Golf Centre 1 12:40 PM Ross Dixon, Renaissance Club 1 12:50 PM Jason McCreadie, Buchanan Castle Golf Club 1 1:00 PM Norman Huguet, Musselburgh Golf Club 1 1:10 PM Iain McNab, Dundonald Links 1 1:20 PM Craig Gordon, Edinburgh Golf Centre 1 1:30 PM Mark Kerr, Marriott Dalmahoy  1 1:40 PM Christopher Currie, Caldwell  1 1:50 PM Ryan Buckley, Royal Musselburgh  1 2:00 PM David Patrick, Kingsfield Range 1 2:10 PM Graham Fox, Clydeway Golf 1 2:20 PM Gary McFarlane, Clober  1 2:30 PM Gareth Wright, West Linton  1 2:40 PM Ian Anderson, Colville Park 1 2:50 PM Greg McBain, Kemnay Golf Club 1 3:00 PM Mark Loftus, Mearns Castle Golf Academy 1 3:10 PM Stephen Gray, Hayston  1 3:20 PM Iain Colquhoun, Loch Lomond

 Kemnay Pro-Am pro tee times for June 7

 Tee  Time      Name

  1   9:00 AM   Greg McBain, Kemnay 
  1   9:10 AM   Graeme Brown, Montrose Links 
  1   9:20 AM   Lee Vannet, Craibstone 
  1   9:30 AM   Craig Ronald, Carluke 
  1   9:40 AM   Chris Brown, Carrick on Loch Lomond
  1   9:50 AM   Michael Mackenzie, Edzell
  1   10:00 AM  Stephen Gray, Hayston 
  1   10:10 AM  James McKinnon, Irvine 
  1   10:20 AM  Jason McCreadie, Buchanan Castle Golf Club
  1   10:30 AM  Craig Matheson, Falkirk Tryst Golf Club
  1   10:40 AM  Jonathan Lomas, Caprington Golf Club
  1   11:00 AM  Christopher Currie, Caldwell Golf Club
  1   11:10 AM  Alan Tait, Marriott Dalmahoy Golf & Count
  1   11:20 AM  Greig Hutcheon, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre
  1   11:30 AM  Scott Henderson, Kings Links Golf Centre
  1   11:40 AM  Malcolm Isaacs, Newmachar Golf Club
  1   11:50 AM  Chris Kelly, Cawder 
  1   12:00 PM  David Brown, Kemnay 
  1   12:20 PM  Mark Kerr, Marriott Dalmahoy 
  1   12:30 PM  Graham Fox, Clydeway Golf
  1   12:40 PM  Tom Dingwall, Kemnay 

Complete information is available at Tournament Information Page (TIP)

NORTH-EAST DISTRICT TEAM READY FOR THE FRAY AT RANFURLY

North-east District team ready for the fray in the Scottish men's amateur team championship which starts today with the first of two stroke-play qualifying rounds at Ranfurly Castle and Old Ranfurly.

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EDDIE PEPPERELL LEADS WITH FOUR-UNDER 68

RICHIE RAMSAY, PAUL LAWRIE IN THE 

MIX AFTER SPANISH OPEN ROUND ONE 
FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Oxfordshire's Eddie Pepperell emerged from a tightly packed leaderboard to claim the outright lead after the first round of the Open de España.
Pepperell carded an opening four under par 68 at PGA Catalunya Resort to finish a shot ahead of a group of eight players, including Aberdeen's Richie Ramsay - who started with a hat-trick of birdies,  pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia and fellow Spaniards Miguel Angel Jiménez and Rafael Cabrera-Bello.
Another eight players were a shot further back on two under 70, including Ryder Cup hopeful Joost Luiten and former Open champion Paul Lawrie, who was making his first appearance since the end of January after back and neck problems.
Pepperell finished 76th on The Race to Dubai in his rookie campaign last year, but so far this season has made just three halfway cuts in ten events, with a best finish of joint 45th in Abu Dhabi in January.
"Seemingly it's come out of nowhere looking at my results but it's very similar to last year," said the 23 year old, whose best finish in 2013 was a tie for sixth in the flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
"This time last year I started working with Mike (Walker, who also coaches Lee Westwood) and he made a big difference instantly. Then I went and did a couple of my own things, which was a bit silly and cost me a bit of time this year but I feel like I am back on the straight and narrow.
"I back my ability and I know when I am playing well I can shoot good scores. I'm just not at the stage in my career yet when I am playing well enough consistently enough, but hopefully I will get there and today is a good sign.
"It was really tricky when it was flat calm and when I got on the tenth tee all of a sudden the wind came up out of nowhere and was blowing for the whole of the back nine."
Garcia had enjoyed the calmer morning conditions as he set about justifying his billing as pre-tournament favourite with an opening 69.
Fresh from his third place in the Players Championship at Sawgrass on Sunday, Garcia shrugged off a bad night’s sleep as he looks to win his national open for the second time, 12 years after his previous success.
The World No 7  carded three birdies, an eagle and two bogeys.
"I'm happy with my round," Garcia said. "I didn't have the greatest night last night and only slept for about four hours with the jet lag.
"I didn't feel extremely well with my swing but I managed to put it in play and give myself some good chances at birdies. The course is tough and the fairways are some of the tightest we have played all year.
"With the grass they have in this rough as soon as you miss the fairway it's a guessing game."
Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen partly had a hole-in-one on the fifth to thank for his 69 - he holed out with a five iron from 211 yards.
SCOTSWATCH
Aberdeen's Richie Ramsay would have hoped for even better than his 69 after birdies on his first three holes. He turned in three-under 33 and then got to four-under-par with a birdie at the 15th but a bogey at the 17th was a late disappointment.
Paul Lawrie shot a 70 after birdied the long third, long seventh and ninth - one bogey, at the short fifth - in a two-under-par outward half of 34.
He had nine straight pars after the turn to be joint 13th, not a bad return after a stretch of uncompetitive weeks due to a neck injury, but Paul
always seems to play well on Spanish courses.
 Not all the Scots played as well as Paul and several are in danger of missing the cut which is forecast to be around one under par 143, maybe lower.
Craig Lee had a 73, one ahead of David Drysdale, Peter Whiteford and Scott Jamieson.
Marc Warren and Chris Doak are on the 75 mark, one ahead of Jack Doherty.
Alastair Forsyth and Jamie McLeary are toiling on 77 and poor Scott Henry, after losing a play-off in the weather-shortened Madeira Open, comes here and shoots an abysmal 82.
FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 72
68 Eddie Pepperell (England)
69 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain), Sergio Garcia (Spain), Richie Ramsay (Scotland), Jose-Filipe Lima (Portugal), Peter Uihlein (USA), Thomas Pieters (Belgium), Robert-Jan Derksen (Netherlands).
70 Joost Luiten (Netherlands), Paul Lawrie (Scotland), Jordi Garcia Pinto (Spain), Danny Willett (England), Ross Fisher (England), Jbe Kruger (South africa).
OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
73 Craig Lee
74 David Drysdale, Peter Whiteford, Scott Jamieson
75 Marc Warren, Chris Doak
76 Jack Doherty
77 Alastair Forsyth, Jamie McLeary
82 Scott Henry


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SCORING FROM THE SECOND ROUND


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England's Eddie Pepperell emerged from a tightly packed leaderboard to claim the outright lead after the first round of the Open de España.

Pepperell carded an opening four under par 68 at PGA Catalunya Resort to finish a shot ahead of a group of eight players, including pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia and fellow Spaniards Miguel Angel Jiménez and Rafael Cabrera-Bello.

Another eight players were a shot further back on two under, including Ryder Cup hopeful Joost Luiten and former Open Champion Paul Lawrie, who was making his first appearance since the end of January after back and neck problems.

Pepperell finished 76th on The Race to Dubai in his rookie campaign last year, but so far this season has made just three halfway cuts in ten events, with a best finish of joint 45th in Abu Dhabi in January.

"Seemingly it's come out of nowhere looking at my results but it's very similar to last year," said the 23 year old, whose best finish in 2013 was a tie for sixth in the flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

"This time last year I started working with Mike (Walker, who also coaches Lee Westwood) and he made a big difference instantly. Then I went and did a couple of my own things, which was a bit silly and cost me a bit of time this year but I feel like I am back on the straight and narrow.

"I back my ability and I know when I am playing well I can shoot good scores. I'm just not at the stage in my career yet when I am playing well enough consistently enough, but hopefully I will get there and today is a good sign.

"It was really tricky when it was flat calm and when I got on the tenth tee all of a sudden the wind came up out of nowhere and was blowing for the whole of the back nine."

Garcia had enjoyed the calmer morning conditions as he set about justifying his billing as pre-tournament favourite with an opening 69.

Fresh from his third place in the Players Championship at Sawgrass on Sunday, Garcia shrugged off a bad night’s sleep as he looks to win his national open for the second time, 12 years after his previous success.

The World Number Seven carded three birdies, an eagle and two bogeys.

"I'm happy with my round," Garcia said. "I didn't have the greatest night last night and only slept for about four hours with the jet lag.

"I didn't feel extremely well with my swing but I managed to put it in play and give myself some good chances at birdies. The course is tough and the fairways are some of the tightest we have played all year.

"With the grass they have in this rough as soon as you miss the fairway it's a guessing game."

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen partly had a hole-in-one on the fifth to thank for his 69 - he holed out with a five iron from 211 yards - while Scotland's Richie Ramsay would have hoped for even better than his 69 after birdies on his first three holes.

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