DEARTH OF CANDIDATES TO SUCCEED NIGEL EDWARDS

 

COLTART'S PALMER CUP CAPTAINCY 

IS A POINTER TOWARDS PROS BEING 

APPOINTED WALKER CUP SKIPPERS

 

 By ALISTAIR TAIT

 FROM THE GOLFWEEKWEBSITE

The R and A could learn something from the Palmer Cup – consider Tour professionals for the GB and I Walker Cup captaincy. Andrew Coltart captained Europe to Palmer Cup victory at Walton Heath, and would be a great candidate to captain a future GB and I Walker Cup team. He isn’t the only ex-Walker Cup player turned professional who could do a good job. In fact, there are more good candidates in the professional ranks than there are in the amateur game.
Here’s Scot James Ross’s take on Coltart’s captaincy.
“He was an inspiration,” Ross said after Europe’s 18½–11½ victory. “He gave great team talks, he didn’t get down on us when we made bad shots and he was very comfortable with the team. 
"We all looked up to him because he’s been there and done it. We all respect that.”
GB and I has a huge problem with the Walker Cup captaincy. There is a dearth of candidates. Nigel Edwards will captain the GB and I team at Royal Lytham next year, assuming the role for an unprecedented third time. 
Who succeeds Edwards after that is the £64,000 question.
Scots Stuart Wilson (2003), Craig Watson (1997) and Ireland’s Jody Fanagan (1995) are all potential candidates. These former Walker Cuppers have all remained amateur. They are the exception to the norm.
“The problem is that very few Walker Cup players these days stay amateur,” said R and A chief executive Peter Dawson. “Most turn professional after the Walker Cup. It is a problem that has to be looked at going forward.”
Problem solved. Two-time European Tour winner Coltart is an ex-Walker Cup player (1991) who is excellent captaincy material. Ditto for countryman Dean Robertson.
Robertson played in the 1993 Walker Cup and, like 1999 Ryder Cup player Coltart, had a successful European Tour career. The 1999 Italian Open winner captained the 2009 and 2010 European Palmer Cup teams, winning the match in his debut. He is currently director of coaching for the Stirling University golf team.
The list of potential candidates doesn’t stop there. The R and A can call on the likes of ex-Walker Cup players Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie, Paul McGinley, Nick Dougherty, Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Bradley Dredge, Graeme McDowell and a host of others.
Imagine how inspired a future GB and I team would be if Rory McIlroy were GB and I captain?
I’m not saying the above would or should captain future teams while they are still playing full-time schedules.
That doesn’t apply to Coltart or Robertson, and it won’t apply to the aforementioned as they wind down their careers.
No doubt purists within the R and A and amateur game will scoff at this idea, but it provides a ready solution to a problem that’s only going to get worse as more Walker Cup players jump straight into the pro ranks.
I know for a fact Montgomerie and Harrington’s names were bandied about within the R and A before Edwards was chosen for a third term. So maybe my idea isn’t as daft as it sounds.
“What we’re really looking for is someone who is a good leader of men,” Dawson said before Edwards was selected for a third term.
Enter Andrew Coltart, Dean Robertson and many other professionals who would be inspirational captains.

US PGA TOUR REPORT AND SCOREBOARD

• CABRERA CELEBRATES ARGENTINA'S VICTORY BY WINNING THE GREENBRIER CLASSIC

  
  
  • US PGA TOUR WEBSITE REPORT BY HELEN ROSS, PGATOUR.COM
• Angel Cabrera holed out from the 13th fairway for eagle during his final-round 64 on Sunday. (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)

WHITE SULPHER SPRINGS, West Virginia -- A pair of aces created excitement early, then Angel Cabrera completed the fifth come-from-behind victory in the five-year history of The Greenbrier Classic when he closed with a 64 on Sunday.
Cabrera trailed Billy Hurley III by one entering the final round at the Old White TPC. The Argentine battled the former Navy officer mano y mano first, then pulled away from George McNeill, who was the leader in the clubhouse at 14 under, on the back nine.
When he holed a shot from 176 yards out in the fairway for an eagle at the 13th hole, Cabrera was three strokes ahead of McNeill, who closed with a red-hot 61 that included one of the aces. 
He promptly bogeyed his next two holes to add a little pressure down the stretch but a two-putt birdie at No. 17 all but sealed the win.
The victory was the third of Cabrera's US PGA Tour career and he might have been inspired to do it this weekend after Argentina qualified for the semi-finals of soccer's World Cup Finals.
The two-time major champion made a huge move in the FedExCup standings, too -- vaulting from 158th to 54th.
Webb Simpson, who shot a final-round 63, was alone in third. It was his seventh top-10 finish of the season.
Hurley shot 73 and ended up in a seven-way tie for fourth, matching his career-best finish on the US Tour.
He was joined at 9 under by Keegan Bradley, Brendon Todd, Chris Stroud, Cameron Tringale, Will Wilcox and Bud Cauley, who made the day's other ace at the 18th hole.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
 par 280 (4x70) players from USA unless stated
264 Angel Cabrera (Argentina) 68 68 64 64
266 George McNeill 70 67 68 61
270 Webb Simpson 71 69 67 73
271 Bud Cauley 69 68 70 64, Keegan Bradley 67 69 69 66,Brendon Todd 71 67 67 66, Chris Stroud 66 66 70 69, Cameron Tringale 72 66 64 69, Will Wilcoz 68 69 65 69, Billy Hurley III 68 63 67 73.

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

CLICK HERE

MELDRUM HOUSE MAN FINISHES 17 UNDER PAR AFTER A 64

           Chris Robb with the Cameron Corbett Vase. Picture by courtesy of Neal Stewart.

CHRIS ROBB FOLLOWS UP EAST VICTORY WITH FOUR-SHOT WIN 

AT HAGGS CASTLE 

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Chris Robb, winner of the East of Scotland Open by eight strokes seven days earlier, continued his brilliant form at Haggs Castle GC over the weekend to win a second SGU 72-hole Order of Merit event, the prestigious Cameron Corbett Vase.

The 23-year-old Banchory man, a member at Meldrum House Golf Club, Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire, surged past the faltering halfway leader, Nick Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen) with an eight-under par 64 - only one shot outside the amateur course record - to go three shots clear of the field.

His 64 included nine birdies with only one blemish, a bogey at the 12th.

Robb, whose earlier rounds were 71 and 68, added a final round of 68 for an impressive, professional- standard 17-under-par aggregate of 271 over a quality course for victory by four shots from Fraser Moore (Glenbervie) who had third and fourth rounds of 68 and 69 for a total of 275.
Greig Marchbank (Thornhill) started slowly with rounds of 73 and 72 on Saturday but he produced his Sunday best with scores of 68 and 65 to finish third on 278

Robb, who won the Scottish schoolboys championship at Inchmarlo in his home town of Banchory, before he went off for four years to  the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and played the US college golf circuit with some success.

He won the 72-hole North-east District Open at Newmachar in August 2012 during his summer holidays back home. He has played for Scotland at boys and schoolboys level but not at men's international level - yet!

Robb's plan now is to continue playing amateur golf for the rest of the season and then to turn pro.

"I am definitely a better player now after four years playing in US college golf tournaments. I hope to make it to the European Tour Qualifying School with perhaps the Asian and Sunshine Tours other options," said Robb

Macandrew, winner of the Battle Trophy 72-hole Order of Merit event at Crail in April and five shots clear of the field at Haggs Castle after rounds of 65 and 69, subsided to Sunday scores of 77 and 76 for a total of one-under-par 287. He had a triple bogey at the 14th in his third round.
Surprise non-qualifier for the Sunday rounds was Dollar's Scott Borrowman.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72) CSS 73 72 72 72
271 Chris Robb (Meldrum House) 71 68 64 68.
275 Fraser Moore (Glenbervie)  68 72 66 69
278 Greig Marchbank (Thornhill) 73 72 68 65
280 Craig Ross (Kirkhill) 71 68 68 73, Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 75 69 69 67, Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) 72 68 73 67.
281 Alan Sutherland (Ladybank) 71 71 68 71
282 Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) 70 72 68 72
283 Michael Bacigalupo (Longniddry) 72 71 69 71, Kyle Godsman (Moray) 69 74 70 70, Steven Rennie (Drumpellier) 72 70 72 69
284 Craig Chalmers (Cawder) 70 69 72 73
285 Barry J Hume (Haggs Castle) 73 70 70 72, Daniel Kay (Dunbar) 70 72 71 72
286 Anthony Blaney (Liberton) 73 73 66 74, Greg Smail (Craigielaw) 74 68 70 74, John Shanks (Irvine) 75 73 67 71, John Duff (Newmachar) 67 77 72 70
287 Nick Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen) 65 69 77 76, Ryan Campbell (Falkirk)  69 77 71 70.
288 Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie) 71 74 70 73, Callum Cochrane (Dalmahoy) 72 75 73 68
289 Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) 73 72 73 71, Liam Johnston (Dumfries and Co) 72 74 74 69, James Steven (Bothwell Castle) 68 77 77 67
290 W Craig Morrison (Haggs Castle) 78 70 71 71
291 Ben Ferguson (Australia) 70 73 74 74, James Newton (Prestbury) 77 71 72 71
292 Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) 74 74 71 73
293 Scott Grant (Downfield) 67 77 77 72, George Duncan (Windyhill) 70 75 77 71.
294 Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay, Arran) 70 74 71 79, Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 72 71 78.
296 Glen Burrett (Haggs Castle) 72 74 74 76
297 Kenny Gallacher (East Kilbride) 70 74 76 77.
298 Greg Forrester (Lundin) 75 72 73 78, Will Porter (Carnoustie) 72 72 77 77
299 Jordan Shaw (Boat of Garten) 72 71 75 81, Robert Johnson (Helensburgh) 75 72 72 80
300 Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) 77 70 72 81
301 Oliver Roberts (Hong Kong) 75 73 73 80
307 Craig Stephen (Aboyne) 73 75 77 82

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE R AND A

KARLSSON, HOEY AND RIU SECURE 

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP PLACES

Robert Karlsson of Sweden, Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland and France’s Victor Riu secured places in the 143^rd Open Championship at the Alstom Open de France at Le Golf National near Paris today.

Karlsson, Hoey and Riu will join winner Graeme McDowell in the field for golf’s oldest and most international Major Championship when it is played at Royal Liverpool from 17-20 July. The Alstom Open de France is part of the Open Qualifying Series which gives players from the world’s leading Tours a chance to qualify for The Open.

Karlsson is a veteran links competitor and is set to make his 17^th Open appearance since 1989. The 44-year-old delivered his best result in 1992 when he tied for fifth at Muirfield and is looking forward to playing his second Open at Hoylake.

“I have a nice collection of Open players’ badges and I have really good memories from Hoylake in 2006. It’s a very nice golf course and it looks like it won’t be as dry as when we played there last time but if the wind is up it’s going to be very difficult,” said Karlsson, who has won eleven times on the European Tour.

McDowell’s successful defence of his Alstom Open de France title coupled with Hoey’s Open qualification made it a notable day for Northern Irish golf.
Hoey, from Belfast, is a former Amateur Champion (2001) and has twice played in The Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2001 and 2012.
He believes his experience playing links golf helped him deal with the wet and windy conditions this week at Le Golf National.

“It was like playing in Northern Ireland and was really wild at one stage so it was a nice preparation for The Open,” said Hoey, who finished seventh in the tournament at one-under par.

“I played the Amateur Championship at Hoylake in 2000 and I’m looking forward to going back.  I have grown up playing courses like Royal Portrush and Royal County Down so playing the links means a lot to me. I remember growing up watching The Open every summer and of all the Majors it’s the closest to home.”

Riu had the support of the home crowd throughout the tournament and was delighted to earn one of the qualifying places on offer at his national Open. The 29-year-old finished 8^th and will make his Major Championship debut at Royal Liverpool.

“For me, The Open is the most beautiful tournament in the world. I played the Boys Amateur at Hoylake when I was younger and I really like the course so I am very excited to be able to play.”

The next events in The Open Qualifying Series, which comprises 14 events in nine countries on five continents, are the John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open on the European Tour from Thursday to Sunday this coming week at Royal Aberdeen GC.

For more information visit TheOpen.com

FIVE LATE BOGEYS IN ROW COST HANSON VICTORY IN BAVARIA

SOUTH AFRICAN ROOS WINS SECOND 

CHALLENGE TOUR TITLE

FROM THE EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR WEBSITE
On a topsy-turvy day in Bavaria, South African Jake Roos, pictured above by courtesy of Getty Images(c), came out on top to claim a second title of the season at the Aegean Airlines Challenge Tour by Hartl Resort.
His final round of 70 proved enough for a two -stroke victory over England’s Jason Barnes, but there was nothing simple about the manner of his win, after plenty of fireworks from the third placed Chris Hanson.
The man from Huddersfield carded an eagle at the par five tenth hole before he holed his second at the 14th for another, and when playing partner Roos three-putted the same hole, Hanson had a four- stroke advantage over the South African.
Five bogeys in a row coming in would be the Englishman’s undoing though, and a couple of clutch birdies at the 16th and 17th holes from Roos proved enough to claim his second title, which followed on from his maiden triumph at the Barclays Kenya Open back in March.
“It was an amazing day, just so up and down,” said Roos, who moves to fourth on the Challenge Tour Rankings.
 “I started off really well and was in control on the front nine, I was hitting it nicely, but then I bogeyed nine. Round the turn everything changed though with Chris making those two eagles in the next four holes, and I three-putted the 13th when he holed his second shot, which had me four behind with five to go.
“At that point I just wanted to steady the ship and have a good finish, but then he made a few bogeys and I hit great shots into 16 and 17, which I was pleased to do down the stretch.
" I feel very blessed to have come out on top, because it certainly didn’t look like going that way an hour before the end.
“I wasn’t too sure about where I stood going down the last, as I knew Barnes was at 12 under, and probably wouldn’t have birdied, so I stayed aggressive and tried to hit it at the flag. Then as I got closer to the green I saw I had a two-shot lead and it didn’t matter, so it feels great.
“I haven’t thought about a third win yet, but I’m very happy with my game, so I will try and play as much as I can here in Europe, where I feel more comfortable now. I’ve played here a bit before and struggled, but a few good results have given me plenty of confidence.
“I’ve played the last seven weeks so I’m going home to South Africa tomorrow as I’m pretty tired, and then I’ll be back to play in Switzerland. I’ll focus on the Challenge Tour the rest of the year, a few European Tour in between maybe, and we’ll see what happens.”
For Barnes there was disappointment on the final green after a three-putt bogey, but this week marks his best finish on the Challenge Tour, so there are plenty of positives to take away for the man from Kent.
“I really enjoyed it today,” said the 30 year old. “I was fine until I was going down the last, which is a brutal hole. I hit a good tee shot and a sensible shot onto the green, which was when I looked at the board and saw I was tied for the lead and thought two putts and I might get in a play-off.
“I hit a woeful first putt, and then saw that Roos had got to 13, and had I seen that before perhaps the putt would have been different. So I was a bit annoyed that happened when it did.
“It’s been a good week though, mustn’t grumble, and I’ve been up there the last few weeks and the more I’m there the better I’ll get at it. I’m pleased with my game, so I move onto next week with plenty of positives to take.”
In the end the final five holes proved a step too far for Hanson, who has had one of the longer weeks of his career, after successfully qualifying for the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool earlier in the week
His fireworks round the turn had looked like securing him a maiden title on the Challenge Tour, but he was just unable to maintain that momentum for the rest of the round. His tie for third place still marks his best finish on European golf’s second tier though, and with a Major Championship debut to come, he is more than happy.
“Think I just ran out of steam a bit there in the end,” said the Huddersfield native. “I enjoyed it all today though, I battled out there, and holed my second shot with a gap wedge at the 13th.  I had an easy shot into the next and pulled it left, and after that it just spiralled a little and I hit bad shot after bad shot.
“To qualify for the Open and to finish like I did here though, I’d have snapped your hand off at the start of the week, so I’m very happy.”
Alongside Hanson in a share for third place was the lead German, Bernd Ritthammer, who fired the low score of the day, a 65. On the same mark at ten under par was Italy’s Alessandro Tadini, who continued his good form to post his best finish of the season so far thanks to a 72.
Five players were a shot further back in a tie for sixth spot in Germany, a group that included Englishmen Robert Coles (69), Andrew Johnston (69) and Nathan Kimsey (66), as well as the Swedish duo of Björn Åkesson (74) and Jens Fahrbring (68).
Germany’s Florian Fritsch finished alone in 11th after a 69 on Sunday, and that was one stroke better than the only other multiple winner alongside Roos this season, Moritz Lampert, who fired a 68 of his own in the final round for a share of 12th spot.

FINAL TOTALS
 Par 288 (4x72)

275 J Roos (SAfr) 69 69 67 70 277 J Barnes (Eng) 71 71 67 68 278 A Tadini (Ita) 72 66 68 72, B Ritthammer (Ger) 71 71 71 65, C Hanson (Eng) 71 67 67 73, 279 A Johnston (Eng) 70 68 72 69, N Kimsey (Eng) 71 72 70 66, R Coles (Eng) 72 70 68 69, B Åkesson (Swe) 66 72 67 74, J Fahrbring (Swe) 70 71 70 68 280 F Fritsch  (Ger) 75 64 72 69 281 M Jonzon (Swe) 69 70 71 71, J Huldahl (Den) 71 71 69 70, M Orrin (Eng) 69 71 71 70, P Oriol (Esp) 70 71 68 72, F Becker (Ger) 72 72 69 68, M Lampert (Ger) 70 70 73 68, J Makitalo  (Fin) 71 68 70 72 282 S Little (Eng) 67 72 72 71, J Legarrea (Esp) 69 70 75 68, A Marshall (Eng) 69 72 68 73 283 D Frittelli (SAf) 71 70 67 75, B Hebert  (Fra) 69 75 71 68, C Bouniol (Fra) 67 72 70 74, M Delpodio  (Ita) 68 71 70 74 284 P Maddy (Eng) 70 70 71 73, B Stone (SAfr) 71 73 70 70, M Haastrup  (Den) 70 70 71 73, S Hutsby  (Eng) 71 74 72 67, M Lafeber (Ned) 70 71 71 72, L Kennedy  (Eng) 72 70 70 72 285 S Buhl (Ger) 71 72 70 72, S Matus  (Cze) 69 71 71 74, T Pilkadaris (Aus) 73 72 69 71, H Joannes  (Bel) 69 75 67 74, A Bernadet  (Fra) 72 71 68 74 286 L Jensen (Den) 72 73 72 69, D Gavins (Eng) 70 73 71 72 287 P Edberg (Swe) 73 70 72 72, N Ravano (Ita) 70 70 70 77, J Sjöholm (Swe) 66 77 70 74, R McGowan  (Eng) 71 70 70 76 288 A Björk (Swe) 71 73 76 68 289 M Wiegele  (Aut) 72 72 75 70, H Bacher (Aut) 72 71 70 76, R Kind (Ned) 71 72 72 74, A Maestroni  (Ita) 71 73 73 72 290 J Gibb (Eng) 70 70 76 74, G Main (USA) 71 74 69 76, N Quintarelli (Ita) 72 72 73 73, N Kearney (Irl) 71 72 73 74, J Palmer (Eng) 72 71 71 76 291 M Southgate  (Eng) 70 75 72 74, B Parker  (Eng) 70 73 74 74 292 C Mivis  (Bel) 71 73 69 79, S Grant  (Irl) 70 71 74 77, A Velasco (Esp) 72 73 74 73, R McEvoy  (Eng) 72 72 74 74 293 N Raymond (Eng) 72 70 73 78 294 M Schneider (Ger) 71 69 74 80,= 295 O Lieser (Cze) 68 77 76 74, J Senior (Eng) 70 74 73 78 298 W Harrold (Eng) 72 71 75 80 300 G Shaw (Nir) 70 73 77 80 302 D Vancsik (Arg) 71 74 84 73

ROSS DRUMMOND UNABLE TO MOUNT LAST-ROUND CHALLENGE

CANADIAN SCORES FIRST SENIOR

TOUR VICTORY -  BY SIX SHOTS
REPORT FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Canadian Rick Gibson completed a remarkable wire-to-wire six-stroke victory at the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open in Switzerland today before dedicating the maiden European Senior Tour triumph to his late mother.
The Canadian took a four-shot lead over Ross Drummond into the final round and looked at ease being the man to catch, carding six straight
pars.
Gibson then set about adding to his lead, before eventually carding a four-under-par 66 for a 195 total - six better than his nearest challenger Denis O’Sullivan
“It hasn’t all sunk in yet,” said Gibson. “It’s kind of surreal, I just tried not to think about winning until I hit the green on the 18th, and then I started to relax and take it in. I didn’t want to do anything silly.
“This is actually the first week that I can think of when I didn’t get angry at all. I didn’t play my best golf all the time, but stayed totally calm and in control of my emotions, which was key.
“It’s just a shame my Mum wasn’t here to see it, as we sadly lost her in March. She was my number one supporter and would have loved to have seen this, but I’m sure she was watching down on me from somewhere.”
Gibson’s win means he receives a winner’s cheque for €42,000, and an automatic qualification spot at The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex in Wales later this month.
The 52 year old, who now sits sixth on the Senior Tour Order of Merit, might be one to watch when the year’s third Major gets underway at Royal Porthcawl on July 24.
“This win doesn’t change my plans, it just gives me more confidence going into Porthcawl and means I don’t have to qualify. I’m actually going out there later this week to get a round or two in. I just want to keep going and hopefully have some more fun during the rest of the year.”
Although Gibson’s quality overshadowed many of his peers, there were good performances from the likes of O’Sullivan and third placed Drummond.
O’Sullivan, a six-time winner on the Senior Tour, matched Gibson’s final round 66, while Drummond took third outright courtesy of a strong back nine and a one under par round of 69.
However, the week belonged to Gibson, who is planning on his own personal celebration.
“It might be hard to celebrate as my family are spread all over the globe,” said the new Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors champion.
“But, I’m going to have a Skype call with my dad a little later – he’s having a party back home in western Canada, so I can have a beer while I’m doing that.”
FINAL TOTALS
   Par 210 (3x70) 
195 R Gibson (Can) 63 66 66
201 D O'Sullivan (Irl) 70 65 66
202 R Drummond (Sco) 65 68 69
203 C Mason (Eng) 68 67 68, L Carbonetti (Arg) 72 62 69, J Spence (Eng) 67 68 68, G Manson (Aut) 68 66 69, P Fowler (Aus) 66 68 69
204 P Golding (Eng) 69 67 68, G Wolstenholme (Eng) 68 68 68, M Mouland (Wal) 71 66 67, M Harwood (Aus) 71 66 67
205 G Rusnak (USA) 64 74 67, B Cameron (Eng) 68 66 71, J Quiros (Esp) 70 65 70, M Farry (Fra) 69 67 69 
206 J Smith (USA) 69 68 69, G Emerson (Eng) 70 66 70 
208 I Woosnam (Wal) 71 71 66, A Murray (Eng) 69 69 70 
209 S Luna (Esp) 72 67 70, A Sherborne (Eng) 72 67 70 
210 D Smyth (Irl) 73 71 66, C Rocca (Ita) 72 68 70, P Wesselingh (Eng) 76 64 70, M Martin (Esp) 71 70 69 
211 P Linhart (Esp) 69 72 70, P Walton (Irl) 69 69 73, G Ryall (Eng) 71 69 71, C Monasterio (Arg) 71 70 70, W Grant (Eng) 69 67 75 
212 S Brown (Eng) 72 71 69, T Thelen (USA) 74 70 68, J Remesy (Fra) 71 70 71, A Bossert (Sui) 73 67 72 
213 M Mackenzie (Eng) 71 70 72, B Longmuir (Sco) 76 71 66, A Franco (Par) 71 71 71, J Rivero (Esp) 72 72 69, M Davis (Eng) 71 69 73, D Russell (Eng) 74 67 72, A Oldcorn (Sco) 72 71 70
214 N Job (Eng) 70 70 74, M Cunning (USA) 75 70 69
215 S Tinning (Den) 73 69 73, G Turner (Nzl) 75 68 72, J Sallat (Fra) 71 69 75 
216 K Spurgeon (Eng) 73 68 75, T Johnstone (Zim) 74 71 71, N Ratcliffe (Aus) 70 72 74, G Cali (Ita) 70 76 70, J Gould (Eng) 79 66 71
217 J Carriles (Esp) 72 69 76, G Healey (Sui) 79 68 70
218 G Brand Jnr (Sco) 76 71 71, C Williams (Eng) 72 70 76, S Cipa (Eng) 75 73 70
219 J Bruner (USA) 72 71 76
220 P Eales (Eng) 73 75 72 
221 P Jonas (Can) 80 69 72, C Grenier (Aut) 76 73 72, P Mitchell (Eng) 75 73 73
222 B Conser (USA) 83 70 69 
226 A Garrido (Esp) 78 72 76, V Garcia (Esp) 77 71 78
227 D Creamer (Eng) 79 72 76, M Bembridge (Eng) 76 75 76, M McLean (Eng) 77 73 77
229 D Durnian (Eng) 79 72 78
232 M Bianco (Ita) 75 77 80, B Charles (Nzl) 79 73 80
233 G Brand (Eng) 79 71 83
 
EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

NORTHERN IRISHMAN MAKES UP EIGHT SHOTS ON AMERICAN LEADER

McDOWELL RETAINS ALSTOM OPEN 

TITLE AFTER STADLER (76) SLUMPS 
FROM THE GOLF CHANNEL WEBSITE
Graeme McDowell said earlier in the week that if Kevin Stadler kept playing the way he was playing, no one was going to catch him. 

Fortunately for the Northern Irishman (pictured), Stadler stumbled on Sunday and McDowell's steady 67 in rainy conditions was enough to wrestle the Alstom Open de France trophy away from the 54-hole leader at Le Golf National. 
While Stadler certainly had an off day, it was his missed 3-footer on 18 to force a play-off that will probably sting the most. 
McDowell's eight-stroke comeback marked his 10th European Tour victory, his first since last year's French Open when he beat Richard Sterne by four strokes. 

 Kevin Stadler quotes
"It was tough and I drove it terrible today.  If you miss the fairway, you're going to get punished out here.  That's just the way it is.  I played great for a couple of days and had tons of chances, but spent all day in the knee deep stuff today and the score showed it.
" It was so miserable on the front nine today, I was practically expecting to bogey every hole.  It was virtually impossible.  I just hung in there and obviously made a couple of birdies late to have a chance.  It was unfortunate on the last, I played a little safe second shot and I felt good over the putt, but just whiffed it unfortunately."

 FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4x71)
279 G McDowell  (Nir) 70 69 73 67
280 K Stadler (USA) 64 68 72 76, T Jaidee (Tha) 70 69 69 72
281 R Karlsson (Swe) 73 69 70 69
282 J Donaldson (Wal) 67 72 74 69, M Baldwin (Eng) 70 71 70 71
283 M Hoey  (Nir) 73 66 73 71
284 V Riu  (Fra) 68 67 73 76
285 O Fisher  (Eng) 69 71 77 68, F Zanotti (Par) 73 70 75 67
286 W Ormsby (Aus) 70 75 69 72
287 K Broberg (Swe) 70 74 72 71, D McGrane (Irl) 71 69 72 75, M Kaymer (Ger) 72 68 70 77, M Carlsson  (Swe) 73 72 70 72, G Bourdy (Fra) 73 72 72 70, M Nixon (Eng) 71 72 70 74,288 G Stal  (Fra) 74 68 74 72, D Bobrowski (Fra) 73 70 73 72, S Kapur (Ind) 73 69 76 70, J Luiten (Ned) 73 69 73 73, S Jamieson  (Sco) 69 70 74 75, B Wiesberger  (Aut) 70 70 71 77, S Kjeldsen (Den) 72 73 71 72, S Gallacher (Sco) 66 73 74 75
289 R Fisher (Eng) 72 68 77 72, M Siem  (Ger) 65 72 77 75, A Sullivan (Eng) 73 71 72 73, F Molinari (Ita) 70 72 74 73, M Warren (Sco) 69 73 73 74, M Fitzpatrick  (Eng) 69 74 74 72, M Foster (Eng) 69 70 73 77, M Korhonen (Fin) 72 72 71 74, F Aguilar (Chi) 67 73 77 72 
290 D Howell (Eng) 72 72 72 74, R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 70 72 77 71, E Molinari  (Ita) 70 75 75 70, S Webster (Eng) 73 68 76 73, A Levy (Fra) 69 72 72 77, R Santos  (Por) 71 74 72 73, E Goya (Arg) 75 66 74 75, R Kakko  (Fin) 68 74 73 75
291 J Quesne  (Fra) 74 71 68 78, K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 77 66 70 78
292 D Lynn (Eng) 73 69 72 78, L Slattery (Eng) 70 73 75 74, G Maybin (Nir) 73 68 76 75
293 J Knutzon (USA) 72 72 76 73, S Dyson  (Eng) 73 71 75 74, V Dubuisson  (Fra) 76 68 76 73, M Manassero (Ita) 68 73 75 77, A Hansen (Den) 71 71 73 78, M Lundberg (Swe) 75 68 74 76, A Gee  (Eng) 72 72 73 76, M Ford (Eng) 70 74 70 79 
294 J Hansen  (Den) 72 69 76 77, D Huizing (Ned) 72 73 74 75, R Sterne  (RSA) 70 75 73 76
295 T Linard (Fra) 72 70 73 80, P Waring  (Eng) 71 73 78 73, N Colsaerts  (Bel) 72 72 77 74
297 M Kieffer (Ger) 72 73 75 77, A McArthur  (Sco) 76 67 76 78, J Heath  (Eng) 71 73 76 77, J Brun (am) (Fra) 73 72 75 77 
298 E De La Riva  (Esp) 73 71 75 79 
299 P Sjöland (Swe) 73 71 82 73, S Hansen (Den) 74 70 78 77 
301 A Kaleka  (Fra) 72 73 75 81


What it means: G-Mac's Sunday charge was the largest comeback on the European Tour this season and likely locks up his spot on the European Ryder Cup team, either by points, or now a much easier captain's pick by Paul McGinley. 
Round of the day: While the rest of the field struggled with the conditions, evidenced by only seven players finishing the tournament under par, McDowell looked at ease Sunday, making five birdies, only dropping a shot on his final hole of the day.
Best of the rest: Paraguy's Fabrizio Zanotti matched McDowell's 67 on Sunday, but still finished the tournament 1 over. Karlsson and Donaldson shot matching 2-under 69s to move into the mix, though neither was ever seriously in contention to win.
Biggest disappointment: If Stadler didn't win this tournament after leading since Day 1 and by four after the third round, this was his dubious honour to claim. And that's exactly what he did, closing with a 5-over 76 in tough conditions. 
After a tough stretch on the front nine where he went 5 over through four holes, he fought back with three birdies on the back side before missing a 3-footer on the last that would've forced a play-off.
Quote of the Day: "That's not the way you want to win but we'll take it." - McDowell.

McDOWELL'S FRENCH TITLE FOR 2ND

YEAR IN A ROW - AND THAT'S A FIRST!

  REPORT FROM BELFAST TELEGRAPH

Graeme McDowell produced a brilliant final round to overturn an eight-shot deficit and successfully defend a tournament for the first time in his career on Sunday

McDowell shrugged off the miserable conditions to retain his Alstom Open de France title, carding a closing 67 at Le Golf National, the joint-lowest round on a wet and windy day.
But the former US Open champion also had plenty of help from American Kevin Stadler, who missed from two feet for par on the 18th to force a sudden death play-off.
Stadler had seen his four-shot overnight lead disappear with a front nine of 41, but had battled back well with birdies on the 14th and 16th to pull within one of McDowell, who then carded his only bogey of the day on the 18th after finding heavy rough off the tee.
That left Stadler needing two pars to force extra holes but after holding his nerve on the 17th, the world number 62 missed his second tap-in of the day to gift McDowell a 10th European Tour title.

CHRIS ROBB TAKES OVER THE LEAD AT HAGGS CASTLE

CAMERON CORBETT VASE 
Haggs Castle Golf Club
THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72) CSS 73 72 72

203 Chris Robb (Meldrum House) 71 68 64.
206 Fraser Moore (Glenbervie)  68 72 66
207 Craig Ross (Kirkhill) 71 68 68
210 Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) 70 72 68, Alan Sutherland (Ladybank) 71 71 68
211 Craig Chalmers (Cawder) 70 69 72, Nick Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen) 65 69 77
212 Anthony Blaney (Liberton) 73 73 66, Michael Bacigalupo (Longniddry) 72 71 69, Greg Smail (Craigielaw) 74 68 70

213 Greig Marchbank (Thornhill) 73 72 68, Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 75 69 69, Kyle Godsman (Moray) 69 74 70, Barry J Hume (Haggs Castle) 73 70 70, Daniel Kay (Dunbar) 70 72 71, Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) 72 68 73
214 Steven Rennie (Drumpellier) 72 70 72
215 John Shanks (Irvine 75 73 67, Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie) 71 74 70, Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay, Arran) 70 74 71
216 John Duff (Newmachar) 67 77 72
217 Ryan Campbell (Falkirk)  69 77 71, Ben Ferguson (Australia) 70 73 74
218 Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) 73 72 73, Jordan Shaw (Boat of Garten) 72 71 75
219 Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) 74 74 71, W Craig Morrison (Haggs Castle) 78 70 71, Robert Johnson (Helensburgh) 75 72 72,
Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) 77 70 72
220 James Newton (Prestbury) 77 71 72, Callum Cochrane (Dalmahoy) 72 75 73, Greg Forrester (Lundin) 75 72 73, Liam Johnston (Dumfries and Co) 72 74 74, Glen Burrett (Haggs Castle) 72 74 74, Kenny Gallacher (East Kilbride) 70 74 76.
221 Oliver Roberts (Hong Kong) 75 73 73, Scott Grant (Downfield) 67 77 77, Will Porter (Carnoustie) 72 72 77, Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 72 71 78.

222 James Steven (Bothwell Castle) 68 77 77, George Duncan (Windyhill) 70 75 77.
225 Craig Stephen (Aboyne) 73 75 77.

NEIL WINS SIXTH TITLE AT AGE OF 56

                                                                Craig and Neil Irvine

IRVINE FATHER AND SON FIRST AND SECOND IN 

STONEHAVEN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

By HARRY ROULSTON
 IT’S a common problem in golfing families deciding who is top dog on the course -- but it has been solved, albeit temporarily, in one such family in Stonehaven.
Neil Irvine, 56-years-old, has clear bragging rights in his household at present, having just won the Stonehaven Golf Club championship for the sixth time, beating son Craig, who is 24, by five shots.
This was actually the second time (more of that later) in Stonehaven GC’s 126-year history that a father and son have finished first and second in the championship, which is played over four stroke-play rounds.
More than 130 members teed off in the competition and, when the cut was made after two rounds, Neil was lying second, one shot back from leader Barry McGillivray,  with Craig, who was champion in 2009, in fourth place, two shots behind his dad.
Strong winds rendered the exposed clifftop course all but unplayable in the third round, with balls being blown off the fifth and sixth greens, but play continued and Neil Irvine went into the final round two shots ahead of McGillivray and five ahead of his son.
The three played the last round together, this time much of it in heavy rain, and, despite the greens starting to flood, the Irvines both scored creditable 69s, with McGillivray returning a 74, giving totals of 279 (Neil), 284 (Craig) and 286 (Barry).
Neil Irvine, who plays off two, is thought to be the oldest winner of the Stonehaven championship and the only senior member to have won.
According to club records, which only go back to 1923, three players have won seven times -- Willie Watt between 1928-1935; Charlie Nicol between 1960-1968; and Bobby Forbes between 1978-1988.
Bryan Innes, one of the North-east’s top players, now at Murcar Links, was Stonehaven champion six times between 1992 and 1998.
It was Bobby Forbes who was involved in Stonehaven’s first father/son title challenge. His father Sandy, champion in 1977, played the final round in 1978 with Bobby as his partner. Bobby was a stroke ahead playing the last hole and Sandy had a putt on the last green to tie.
He can’t remember now how long the putt was — perhaps seven to eight feet — but he missed it and Bobby clinched his first title.
Said Sandy, who still lives in Stonehaven: “People were saying that I missed it deliberately to let Bobby win — but that’s rubbish. Of course I was trying to hole it.”
So Neil Irvine needs two more to become the top multiple winner. He has, however, already surpassed all the others in his longevity -- his six wins span 30 years from his first in 1984, a remarkable generational spread.
And quite a target to set for Craig if he is to continue the Irvine golfing dynasty in Stonehaven. However, Craig could argue he is already ahead of the game. He was champion at age 19 -- his old man didn’t win it until he was 26.

Stonehaven Golf Club Championship 2014:
279 Neil Irvine 68 68 73 69
284 Craig Irvine 69 70 76 69
286 Barry McGillivray 68 68 76 74
Other totals:
290 Keith Douglas
296 Josh Halliday, Neil Robertson
298 Kiefer Brown, Harry Roulston
299 Stuart Dempster, Chris Taylor
300 Mason Jenkins, Michael Wood, Gary Graham 305 Kevin Riddell, Craig Mackay
307 Steve McGhie
308 Alan Cruickshank
309 Paul Kelly
318 Ian MacLeod.

JIMMY GUNN PICKED RIGHT TOURNAMENT TO MISS

  GALES POSTPONE THIRD ROUND OF

WEB.COM TOUR EVENT IN CANADA

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- High winds Saturday from Tropical Storm Arthur forced Web.com Tour officials to postpone the third round of the Nova Scotia Open.
Environment Canada measured wind gusts topping 72 mph in Halifax.
The tour will try to complete 36 holes Sunday.
Canada's Roger Sloan and Mexico's Jose de Jesus Rodriguez share the second-round lead at 10-under 132 on Ashburn Golf Club's New Course. American Zack Sucher and England's David Skinns are tied for third at 7 under. 
Jimmy Gunn from Dornoch is not playing in this event.

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TOM WATSON ENCOURAGING TRIP TO RYDER CUP VENUE

Reed, Bradley likely to make Gleneagles 

scouting trip on their way to the Open

FROM THE GOLF CHANNEL WEBSITE
By JASON SOBEL

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, West Virginia – Earlier this week, United States Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson divulged that “about four or five” potential US team members would join him on a scouting mission to host venue Gleneagles next weekend.
Though he wouldn’t reveal the identity of those players, Patrick Reed and Keegan Bradley each told GolfChannel.com on Saturday that they will likely be amongst those making the trip in advance of The Open Championship.
“Yeah, I’m going over there,” said Reed, who is currently ninth in the points standings. “I mean, I’m going over there early anyway, just get used to the time change and everything.
"With it being my first British Open, I’m going to play a lot of links golf and just get some rounds over there. Since I was already over there and Mr. Watson asked if I wanted to (pay a visit to Gleneagles), I thought it would be a good idea.”
“I’m not definitely going, but I think so,” Bradley said. “I’m still getting the details, but it’s just Tom being very meticulous, which he’s known for. I think a few guys are going over."
On Wednesday, Watson revealed that he’d invited “about 20” players who have a chance of making the team.
“I thought that was a good thing to do, and it gives them a chance to get used to the time change going over to The Open Championship,” he explained. 
 “You get to see the course at least once before they get there or potentially get there. Not all of these players are in the top-six or top-five right now.”
Reed said the trip would be two-fold, both preparing him for the impending Ryder Cup, but also getting in a few rounds on the other side of the pond before heading to Royal Liverpool.
“Mr. Watson wants a couple of us to see the golf course,” he said. “I would love to go see it and see how it’s playing, so I’m not having to do too much work whenever we get there. I can focus more on getting a lot of good shots.”

GREENBRIER CLASSIC REPORT AND SCORES

LONG-TIME LEADER HURLEY TWO 

AHEAD OF CABRERA AFTER ROUND 3

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, West Virginia (AP) -- Billy Hurley III doesn't plan to lose much rest sitting on a third-round lead for the first time on the US PGA Tour.
The former U.S. Navy officer shot a 3-under 67 on Saturday to extend his advantage to two strokes over Angel Cabrera entering the final round of The Greenbrier Classic.
"I've been working for a long time to win on the US PGA Tour," Hurley said. "I figure if I shoot the lowest score tomorrow, I can't lose."
Hurley, who is ranking sixth in the putting stats at this tournament with a 1.641 average, never relinquished the lead he has held since midway through the second round at Old White TPC. He birdied the par-5 12th and par-4 13th before dropping a stroke on the par-3 15th.
He has a 12-under 198 total for the first 54 holes.. No third-round leader has won The Greenbrier Classic, now in its fifth year. Play-offs have decided the tournament twice.
Cabrera shot 64. The man from the Argentine is looking for his first non-major win on the US PGA Tour.
Kevin Chappell is third at 9 under after a 69. Steve Stricker had a 68 to top the group at 8 under.
There will be more than a trophy to raise and a $1.2 million winner's check available Sunday. The four best finishers not previously eligible for the Open Championship among the top 12 on the final leaderboard will earn spots in the July 17-20 tournament at Royal Liverpool.
Hurley finished his five-year Navy service in 2009 and would still be a naval officer if golf wasn't keeping him busy. He returned to the US PGA Tour this year after playing on the Web.com Tour in 2013.
He said nerves won't play a part in how he gets ready for what could be a memorable Sunday.
"I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing," he said. "I just want to put my mind in position so that I can play well. I slept fine last night. 
"The benefit of the Navy is you learn how to sleep anywhere. I think I'll sleep fine tonight, too."
Cabrera wore an Argentine blue shirt in the third round and is riding his country's momentum in the World Cup, including Saturday's 1-0 win over Belgium to advance to the semi-finals.
"I was very happy when I found out they won," Cabrera said, adding that he was equally as giddy when he started his round with four birdies on the first six holes.
Old White sets up nicely for Cabrera's long drives and he made four birdie putts of 19 feet or longer.
"I was able to get the speed of the greens, and that was the big difference," Cabrera said.
At the Wells Fargo Championship in May, Cabrera was the second-round leader but closed with a pair of 75s.
Another under-par round Sunday would mark the first time that he has had four rounds in the 60s since the 2010 Deutsche Bank Championship.
Chappell barely got anything going until making a 12-foot putt for birdie on the par-5 17th.
"I don't think I've had my best ball-striking day yet," he said. "Hopefully, my putter gets hot and (it) should be fun."
Joining Stricker in the group at 8 under were Michael Thompson (64), Cameron Tringale (64), Will Wilcox (65), Joe Durant (66), Camilo Villegas (67) and Chris Stroud (70).
Stricker, in his eighth tour event this year, will compete next week at the John Deere Classic and is leaning against going to the Open Championship unless he has one or more high finishes before then.
The highlight of Stricker's third round was a bending a 42ft putt for birdie on the first hole. He was 1 over on his round at the turn before making three birdies the rest of the day.
"Anything can happen and that's the truth," Stricker said. "There are not a lot of guys in between me and the lead ... but there are a ton of guys right behind us. So anybody can come out of the pack here."
 THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
   Par 210 (3x70) Players from USA unless stated
198 Billy Hurley III 68 63 67
200 Angel Cabrera (Argentina) 68 68 64
201 Kevin Chappell 67 65 69
202 Michael Thompson 66 72 64, Cameron Tringale 72 66 64, Will Wilcox 68 69 65, Joe Durant 65 71 66, Camilo Villegas 68 67 67, Steve Stricker 66 68 68, Chris Stroud 66 66 70.

SELECTED SCORE
209 Gonzalo Fernandez Castano (Spain) 68 71 70 (T61)

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