SOUTH AFRICAN OVERHAULS JIM FURYK OVER LAST ROUND

TIM CLARK WINS CANADIAN OPEN


South African Tim Clark overhauled long-time leader Jim Furyk to win the Canadian Open at Montreal Golf Club today.
Clark had a final round of 65 for 17-under-par 263 - one shot better than Furyk who closed with a 69 for 264.
Scots Martin Laird and Russell Knox finished joint 29th on 275. Laird had a 66 to Knox's 68 in the final round.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4x70) Players from USA unless stated otherwise.
263 Tim Clark (S Africa) 67 67 64 65
264 Jim Furyk 67 63 65 69
267 Justin Hicks 66 67 70 64
269 Matt Kuchar 69 65 70 765, Michael Putnam 65 70 68 66, Gonzalo Fernandez Castano (Spain) 67 67 69 66 

SELECTED TOTALS
271 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 68 65 70 68 (T9)
272 Ernie Els (S Africa) 70 67 69 66 (T12)
275 Martin Laird (Scotland) 71 66 70 68, Russell Knox (Scotland) 72 66 69 68 (T29). 

TIM CLARK: A LITTLE BIG MAN ...

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

By Adam Stanley, for PGATour.com




   




   




   




Tim Clark stands a mere 5-foot-7, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in heart.
The 38-year-old South African suffered a myriad of injuries in 2011 – causing him to play only four events that year – and had struggled in 2013-2014 – having previously made just 10 cuts in 20 events – but he explained his one-shot victory at the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday will be a confidence booster.
 “If I stay in this sort of frame of mind, there’s no reason why I can’t keep it going,” Clark said after picking up 500 FedExCup points to move to 27th in the standings. “The next two events are big for us, and I’d love to keep it going.”
From confidence boosting, to, perhaps, another blow to one’s confidence, Jim Furyk was unable to convert a 54-hole lead again. He’s now failed to convert seven straight 54-hole leads since his last victory in 2010 and said he has “no one to blame” but himself.   
“It was a benign day, and 69 is not a bad round by any means, but by only making two birdies I let a couple guys back into the tournament,” he said.
The 44-year-old American takes some solace in the fact that he is confirmed as a member of the United States’ Ryder Cup team, but that doesn’t quash the pain of this loss
 “I’m obviously disappointed,” he said. “I just didn’t putt well enough, and I didn’t convert the opportunities I had.”
Neither Clark nor Furyk were affected by the rain delay that caused a 15-minute break in play as inclement weather passed through the Montreal
 area.
“It was a really awkward break for everyone. It’s rare that we come off  the golf course and then we’re not afforded a chance to go out and warm
 up, but we really weren’t in there that long,” Furyk said.
The break happened while the final pair was on the 15th hole, and Clark was in the midst of a 5-under-par 30 back nine
 “I knew I had to make birdies, and sometimes that can be easier when you know you have to be aggressive,” he said. “At that point (I had)
nothing to lose. I suddenly just got hot, and I went with it.”
Clark has some existing Canadian connections – having won twice on what’s now PGA TOUR Canada in 1998, and, his wife was born in Toronto.
Her father is from Montreal, so there will be some local celebrations tonight before Clark prepares for next week’s World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, and the PGA Championship.
As Clark’s young son, Jack, ran across the 18th green to greet his father, there were tears in Clark’s eyes. It was a long road back from injury, but he is excited for what lies ahead.
“Today was just a dream day.”

    Full story and final totals on PGATour.com

           

   




   

WHAT A SENIOR OPEN PERFORMANCE BY GERMAN

Bernhard Langer with the coveted trophy at Royal Porthcawl. Picture by courtesy of Getty Images(c) 
LAID-BACK LANGER WINS SENIOR 

OPEN BY 13 SHOTS FROM MONTY

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Bernhard Langer completed a remarkable record-breaking wire-to-wire victory in The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex, carding a closing four under par round of 67 to win by a staggering 13 shots from Colin Montgomerie at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Bridgend in South Wales today.
The Florida-based German began the final round with an eight-shot advantage over Canadian Rick Gibson, and despite considerably windier conditions than the previous three days, he extended his advantage by a further five shots, setting a new record for the biggest winning margin in The Senior Open Championship, beating Bob Charles’ 1989 benchmark by six strokes.
Langer also equalled the second biggest winning margin in Major Championship history, just two shy of Tiger Woods’ record 15 stroke triumph at the 2000 US Open Championship, while his winning total of 18 under par 266 was the lowest in the 28 year history of The Senior Open Championship.
In a week when records tumbled, a crowd of 10,539 watched Langer’s final round victory march, taking the total attendance for Wales’ first Senior Major Championship to 43, 503 – the second highest in the history of The Senior Open Championship, just short of last year’s record of 45, 503 at Royal Birkdale last year.
They witnessed a player at the very top of his game, with Langer’s incredibly winning total made even more remarkable given that only four other players broke par for the Championship, with Montgomerie, who was chasing a third Senior Major Championship, finishing a distant second on five under par following a final round of 69.
Englishman Barry Lane (72), American Tom Pernice Jnr (70) and Gibson (75) shared third place on two under par, but the result was never in doubt as laid-back Langer strolled to his second Senior Claret Jug, following his wire-to-wire victory at Carnoustie in 2010.
“This is very unusual,” said Langer, who earns a place in next year’s Open Championship at St Andrews. “I've won a tournament by 17, the World Championship under 25 years, but this just doesn't happen, not with the competition you're facing.  And certainly not in a Major usually where the best from around the globe are playing in the Championship.  So it's been an amazing week for me.”
Langer let a two shot lead slip on the 72nd hole at Royal Birkdale before losing in a play-off to American Mark Wiebe in the Senior Open’s first Monday finish, but there was never going to be another unusual ending this time round, particularly after he birdied the second and third holes.
A bogey followed on the fourth but he regained that shot on the sixth, then followed a bogey on the 11th with a birdie on the 12th before sealing his comfortable coronation with a tap in birdie on the last.
“I am just very blessed to be able to play such good golf, and I really enjoy the 18 holes today because there wasn't too much pressure,” said the two-time Master Champion. “I still had to obviously hit some decent shots and make some putts, but I got off to a great start, and you know, increased my lead and it was a real pleasure to be playing the last ten, 12 holes.
Langer’s victory also continues a magnificent sporting summer for Germany, following Martin Kaymer’s wire-to-wire victory in the US Open Championship and the national football team’s triumph in the World Cup earlier this month.
It led Montgomerie, who extended his lead in the Senior Tour Order of Merit, to pay tribute to the incredible accomplishment of his former Ryder Cup teammate.
“I would like to say, Bernhard Langer's performance here is one of the golfing performances of all‑time,” said Montgomerie. “To finish 18 under round here is remarkable, remarkable play.
“There is satisfaction in finishing second today.  The rest of us were playing for second place, and I feel that I won.  I won the battle. There were 144 in the field and I beat 143 of them, it was just him.  But that him is awfully good, I must admit.
“I've played well here, and I've lost by 13, which is ridiculous.  All credit to him.”
Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez signed off his debut in The Senior Open Championship with an eagle on the last hole for a round of 68 to finish tied eighth on one over par, while US Ryder Cup Captain Tom Watson closed with a round of 77 to fall back to a share of tenth on two over par.
FINAL TOTALS 
Par 284 (4x71) Prizemoney in euros
266 B Langer (Ger) 65 66 68 67 (248,535) 
279 C Montgomerie  (Sco) 72 66 72 69 (165,753)
282 R Gibson (Can) 70 71 66 75, B Lane (Eng) 72 69 69 72, T Pernice Jnr (USA) 78 64 70 70 (77,018 each)
284 S Dunlap (USA) 71 73 65 75, B Tway (USA) 67 73 68 76 (48,463 each)
285 K Triplett (USA) 72 72 71 70, M Jiménez (Esp) 74 69 74 68 (35.327 each)
286 R Cochran (USA) 74 73 67 72, T Watson (USA) 74 66 69 77 (27,692 each)

287 E Toledo (Mex) 73 72 69 73 (25,546)
288 M Martin (Esp) 74 69 69 76, B Vaughan (USA) 73 69 73 73, F Couples (USA) 71 71 68 78  (22,900 each)

289 D Forsman (USA) 72 73 74 70, C Williams (Eng) 68 70 71 80, J Sluman (USA) 73 71 67 78 
290 R Chapman (Eng) 75 73 73 69, S Pate (USA) 75 68 70 77
291 P Fowler (Aus) 71 72 73 75, D Frost (RSA) 71 76 71 73, P Wesselingh (Eng) 75 73 71 72, M Mouland (Wal) 74 69 75 73, J Spence (Eng) 71 77 75 68, J Hart (USA) 71 74 72 74, R Spittle (Can) 76 73 72 70, O Browne (USA) 72 72 70 77 
292 M Goodes (USA) 75 70 70 77, D Russell (Eng) 77 71 69 75, M Farry (Fra) 76 71 72 73, F Funk (USA) 74 72 74 72, M Allen (USA) 75 72 73 72 
293 C Lu (Tpe) 76 68 71 78, M Brooks (USA) 74 72 71 76, R Drummond (Sco) 72 71 75 75, W Wood (USA) 76 71 78 68, P Walton (Irl) 72 77 64 80 (10,880 each)
294 M Dawson (USA) 76 71 73 74, J Daley (USA) 75 71 72 76, C Mason (Eng) 72 72 71 79, G Wolstenholme (Eng) 74 73 73 74, P Linhart (Esp) 70 69 75 80, J Sanchez (USA) 74 72 77 71, G Hallberg (USA) 72 74 71 77 
295 G Bell (Eng) 74 75 71 75, A Oldcorn (Sco) 69 78 71 77, J Carter (USA) 72 73 72 78, M Mackenzie (Eng) 73 74 77 71, P Eales (Eng) 73 76 74 72, C Lutz (am) (USA) 72 72 73 78 (7.434 each) 
296 M Harwood (Aus) 74 73 70 79, S Okuda (Jpn) 77 71 75 73, K Idoki (Jpn) 74 73 72 77, R Rafferty (Nir) 75 73 72 76, W Grant (Eng) 78 70 70 78, H Ueda (Jpn) 76 70 75 75 
297 K Hutton (Sco) 71 78 70 78, B Cameron (Eng) 73 75 74 75, A Franco (Par) 74 70 71 82, B Gilder (USA) 81 68 69 79, W Short Jr (USA) 77 72 76 72, G Zahringer (am) (USA) 71 78 68 80 (4,523 each) 
298 L Carbonetti (Arg) 76 68 75 79, G Turner (Nzl) 73 75 66 84, S Luna (Esp) 75 71 76 76, J Cook (USA) 73 73 75 77, J Smith (USA) 74 74 77 73 
299 K Tomori (Jpn) 72 73 73 81, J Remesy (Fra) 73 70 76 80, B Ruangkit (Tha) 73 70 78 78 
300 R Backwell (Aus) 76 73 74 77
301 S Jones (USA) 71 73 75 82 
302 A Webster (Sco) 75 72 81 74 (2,520 each) 
303 I Woosnam (Wal) 73 74 81 75
305 J Carriles (Esp) 79 70 76 80

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

WALLACE BOOTH TOP SCOT IN FRENCH TOURNAMENT

 Andrew Johnston (right) receives the rather big trophy from a tournament sponsor        representative. Picture by courtesy of  GolfManager.fr

ANDREW JOHNSTON WINS AGAIN TO 

TOP 100,000 euros CHALLENGE MARK
EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
England’s Andrew Johnston stormed to his second Challenge Tour title in the space of a month after a blistering final round 64 secured a four-stroke victory in Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge in France today.
Starting the final round three shots off the pace, Johnston tore through the field with six birdies and an eagle in his last 15 holes at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil for a winning score of 16-under-par 268, just four weeks after claiming his maiden title at Aviemore in the Scottish Hydro Challenge
The result elevates the 25 year old to the top of the Challenge Tour Rankings as he becomes the first player of 2014 to earn more than €100,000 and joins Jake Roos and Moritz Lampert as a two-time winner this season.
“I knew I wasn't far away from the top but I knew I had to shoot a good one so just had to be patient,” he said. 
“The strategy this week was just to drive the ball well because if you hit the fairways you are coming in with short irons and I didn't really attack too many pins because they were in corners. So if you hit the middle of the greens you are not too far away."
Johnston, who missed much of 2013 with a shoulder injury, started the final round in a share of seventh place, three adrift of overnight leader Jens Fahrbring. 
But with the Swede was unable to push on, eventually closing with a 71 to finish in a four-way tie for second, Johnston seized his opportunity to take the title.
The Scots were well down the final standings in this one. Wallace Booth from Crieff was the best, finishing on 279, 11 shots behind the winner.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4x74)
 268 A Johnston (Eng) 66 69 69 64
 272 B An (SKor) 69 70 66 67, C Arendell (USA) 67 70 67 68, J Fahrbring (Swe) 66 66 69 71, C Sordet (am) (Fra) 67 74 68 63
 273 E Espana (Fra) 67 70 69 67, J Palmer (Eng) 66 66 71 70
 274 G Shaw (Nir) 66 68 69 71, C Shinkwin (Eng) 66 72 67 69, M Fitzpatrick  (Eng) 69 69 67 69, F Bergamaschi (Ita) 66 66 73 69, L Weber (Fra) 68 69 65 72
 275 N Kearney (Irl) 67 68 71 69, B Parker  (Eng) 69 70 67 69, N Ravano (Ita) 69 68 66 72
 276 C Brazillier  (Fra) 71 69 68 68, N Lemke (Swe) 74 68 68 66, A Marshall (Eng) 67 74 65 70, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 75 66 64 71
 277 M Trappel  (Aut) 70 72 67 68, J Senior (Eng) 66 68 73 70, T Linard (Fra) 71 69 71 66, B Evans  (Eng) 69 69 69 70
 278 F Fritsch  (Ger) 71 69 67 71, J Barnes (Eng) 69 68 70 71, J Edfors (Swe) 67 68 67 76
 279 J Stalter (Fra) 73 69 70 67, N Johansson (Swe) 66 72 71 70, W Booth  (Sco) 71 67 68 73, A Hortal  (Esp) 69 71 71 68, E Johansen  (Nor) 69 69 74 67, B Hebert  (Fra) 74 68 68 69, J Guerrier  (Fra) 69 69 72 69, G Lockerbie  (Eng) 69 67 71 72,
 280 B Stone (RSA) 72 68 70 70, P Maddy (Eng) 74 66 73 67, M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) 69 66 74 71
 281 D Perrier (Fra) 69 69 70 73, G Watremez (Bel) 67 70 75 69, R Davies (Wal) 68 68 71 74, S Henry  (Sco) 68 69 71 73,
 282 L Jensen (Den) 69 73 71 69, A Snobeck  (Fra) 70 69 73 70, L Goddard  (Eng) 71 70 68 73,
 283 D Law (Sco) 68 72 71 72, D Stewart (Sco) 69 73 69 72, R Cazaubon (Mex) 70 69 70 74, F De Vries  (Ned) 70 72 70 71, A Velasco (Esp) 69 73 72 69, P Relecom  (Bel) 65 69 75 74, M Ford (Eng) 71 69 71 72
 284 A Rota (Ita) 72 66 74 72, S Little (Eng) 70 72 71 71, T Beaucousin (am) (Fra) 70 71 69 74,
 285 G Murray  (Sco) 69 72 74 70, P Archer (Eng) 75 66 73 71, O Farr (Wal) 69 71 68 77
 286 S Brown (Eng) 70 70 69 77, J Belot (Fra) 70 71 73 72
 287 K Samooja (Fin) 74 67 71 75, W Harrold (Eng) 71 71 72 73, J Winther (Den) 68 72 72 75, F Marty (Fra) 72 68 74 73
 288 J Sarasti  (Esp) 70 69 74 75, C Macaulay  (Sco) 72 68 73 75, P Barjon (am) (Fra) 71 68 73 76
 290 T Sluiter  (Ned) 69 70 72 790
 291 G Woolgar (Eng) 72 70 74 75, C Mivis  (Bel) 70 72 76 73
 293 C Gonzalez Lopez (Esp) 71 71 75 76,
 298 S Arnold  (Aus) 69 73 79 77
EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONSea

TWO SCOTS IN TOP FIVE AS ENGLISHMAN WINS PLAY-OFF

 JAMIESON THIRD, WHITEFORD FIFTH

IN RUSSIAN OPEN WON HORSEY

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Englishman David Horsey claimed his third European Tour title at the M2M Russian Open after beating Ireland’s Damien McGrane in a play-off, following a dramatic finish to the final round.
Horsey had a share of the lead heading into the last day at Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club, but a double bogey at the 12th and a bogey at the 14th looked to have put paid to his chances as McGrane moved ahead thanks to a six under par 66.
McGrane bogeyed the last, however, and when Horsey chipped in for eagle on the 17th then made a brilliant up and down on the 18th for a level par 72, the pair were tied on 13 under par, one shot clear of Scott Jamieson, who signed off a fine week with a 69.
A two-putt par in the play-off was enough to give Horsey the win, with McGrane failing to make par after finding a greenside bunker with his approach.
Scotland’s Peter Whiteford, who shared the overnight lead, struggled to a three over par 75 for fifth, one shot behind Englishman Sam Hutsby, who moved up to fourth with a 68.
Had Whiteford been able to match fellow Scot Scott Jamieson's last-round 69, he would have won. Jamieson earend 62,600 euros; Whiteford 42,400 euros
Horsey, the winner, had a payslip for 166,660 euros.
Quotes:
David Horsey
“I’m relieved really – that’s the word that sums it up. It was quite similar to my last win, in Morocco, where I made a bit of a mess of a couple of holes on the back nine. 
"I didn’t know where I was in the tournament until the 17th. I hit it through the back of the green there and then realised I was three behind and needed to do something drastic quite quickly. 
"I managed to chip in there and was trying to make birdie at the last. I didn’t realise Damien had dropped one, but I managed to get up and down there and was fortunate to win the play-off as well.
“I had no idea how well Damien was playing because I wasn’t looking at boards all day. In hind sight that’s probably a mistake I’ll look to correct next time, but I was just trying to stick to my own game and stay focused on myself.
" I didn’t play that great today – it was a bit scrappy and I wasn’t holing the putts – but I managed to get the job done in the end.
“I knew the chip on 17 had to go in. I knew by that point that I was three behind so I needed it to go in. This is a very special win. It’s been a while and it’s been a bit of a bumpy road. 
"I’ve made a few changes in terms of personnel, so I’d like to thank my new coach Mike Walker, Kev Duffy, my strength and conditioning coach who I’ve been working with for the last 18 months. I’ve had my best mate on the bag this week with me – James Westwood. I brought him out for one week only so he’s got a pretty good record on the go now. And I’d like to thank Callaway, who’ve been a big support over the last three years. I’m delighted to get back in the winner’s circle.”

Damien McGrane
“I played lovely all week so I’m very pleased with my week. I’m a little disappointed not to do better in the play-off there, but I’ve hit good shots all week and putted reasonably well. All in all I’m very positive and it’s good for me mentally as well. I can push on for the rest of the season with my card secure. There are a lot of good events before the end of the year and this has given me a lot of confidence going into them.”

FINAL TOTALS
 Par 288 (4x72)
 275 D Horsey (Eng) 65 68 70 72, D McGrane (Irl) 69 71 69 66 (Horsey, 166,660 euros, bt McGrane, 111,110 euros, in sudden-death play-off).
 276 S Jamieson  (Sco) 66 72 69 69 (62,600 euros)
 277 S Hutsby  (Eng) 72 67 70 68 (50,000 euros)
 278 P Whiteford (Sco) 66 71 66 75 (42,400 euros)
 279 K Eriksson (Swe) 72 68 71 68, T Pieters  (Bel) 67 68 72 72,
 280 M Kieffer (Ger) 67 71 73 69, A Pavan (Ita) 73 70 64 73,
 281 S Walker (Eng) 69 71 73 68, C Del Moral (Esp) 70 71 73 67,
 282 A Saddier (Fra) 69 73 70 70, M Korhonen (Fin) 74 71 68 69, B Paolini (USA) 72 71 70 69, F Andersson Hed (Swe) 70 69 77 66, H Porteous (RSA) 72 71 70 69, D Huizing (Ned) 72 74 69 67,
 283 G Boyd  (Eng) 69 68 72 74, J Heath  (Eng) 71 72 71 69, J Campillo (Esp) 68 76 68 71, S Baek (SKor) 74 70 69 70, A Forsyth (Sco) 75 70 70 68, J Hansen  (Den) 69 73 71 70,
 284 J McLeary  (Sco) 68 72 70 74, S Hansen (Den) 72 69 69 74,
 285 N Elvira  (Esp) 69 69 77 70, G Bhullar (Ind) 67 71 75 72, S Manley (Wal) 71 73 71 70, A Hartø  (Den) 73 70 73 69, A Gee  (Eng) 70 75 69 71, O Bekker (RSA) 67 76 72 70, J Colomo  (Esp) 72 68 71 74,
 286 A Otaegui  (Esp) 70 73 68 75, O Henningsson  (Swe) 68 76 73 69, K Phelan (Irl) 69 70 74 73,
 287 D Im (USA) 73 72 70 72, D Drysdale (Sco) 73 69 77 68,
 288 R Kakko  (Fin) 71 73 70 74, S Chowrasia (Ind) 76 70 72 70, R Karlberg  (Swe) 67 76 74 71, G Charoenkul (Tha) 73 68 74 73, S Wakefield (Eng) 70 76 70 72, J Smith (am) (Eng) 75 70 74 69,
 289 B Dredge (Wal) 70 74 75 70, C Pigem (Esp) 70 71 78 70, E Dubois (Fra) 72 68 72 77, R Enoch  (Wal) 70 73 74 72,
 290 J Doherty  (Sco) 67 73 78 72, S Thornton (Irl) 70 73 73 74, A Andersson  (Swe) 70 73 72 75,
 291 J Morrison  (Eng) 71 73 71 76, J Carlsson (Swe) 74 69 78 70, A Maestroni  (Ita) 72 71 75 73,
 292 C Lee (Sco) 72 70 74 76, L De Jager  (RSA) 67 74 75 76, M Madsen  (Den) 71 73 73 75,
 293 J Mikkelsen (Nor) 74 69 78 72, M Nixon (Eng) 69 76 74 74,
 294 J Wilson (Aus) 67 74 80 73, M Bremner (RSA) 79 65 71 79,
 295 M Grönberg (Swe) 70 70 75 80, R Finch  (Eng) 71 73 71 80,
 296 J Hahn (USA) 72 74 75 75,
 297 P Erofejeff (Fin) 74 72 72 79, P Price (Wal) 70 75 73 79,
 298 L Bond (Wal) 73 73 76 76

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

SCOTTISH MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT DOWNFIELD

 

CONFIDENT CULVERWELL OUT TO

BEAT 31-YEAR JINX ON TITLE-HOLDERS 

 

NEWS RELEASE FROM SGU

Alexander Culverwell has set his sights on becoming the first player in 31 years to defend the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship title at Downfield next week – so the coveted trophy can reclaim pride of place in his house. 

Twelve months ago, at Blairgowrie, the Dunbar member achieved his biggest success in the game after seeing off Lundin’s James White in a tight final tussle.

Culverwell was never behind as he claimed a narrow 2 and 1 victory in the 36-hole final over the Lansdowne Course, keeping the silverware in the Lothians’ hands after Grant Forrest’s 2012 win. 

The 26-year-old – who earlier this season brought the curtain down on his University of Stirling career by skippering his team to the British Universities crown – has enjoyed the experience of being Scottish Amateur champion and the opportunities it has afforded him.

Twice Culverwell has teed-up with the professionals on the European Tour, at last year’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen earlier this month, and feels his game has further improved since his triumph in the Scottish Golf Union’s flagship event. 

“It’s been an amazing year, winning the Scottish Amateur has opened up lots of doors and given me some great opportunities,” said Zander, seeking to emulate the last player to defend the crown, the late Cardross great Charlie Green in 1983.

“It’s been unbelievable to play alongside some of the best players on Tour, who you see on TV week in week out. I’ve learnt a lot and picked up great experience. 

“I’m really looking forward to defending my title at Downfield and didn’t want to give up the trophy. It’s got a special place in the house and would leave a big gap if it wasn’t there!

“I'm playing much more consistent golf this year so I'm coming into the tournament in good form.”

A field of 256 players, balloting at a handicap of 2.0, will chase one of the most coveted prizes in Scottish amateur golf at Downfield from 28 July – 2 August, with the event enjoying title sponsorship from Fairstone Financial Management for the second year of their three-year deal, having also sponsored the Scottish Area Team Championship for three years previously. A total of 142 clubs will be represented, with Glenbervie GC boasting the most players with 10.

At the challenging former Open Championship qualifying venue in Dundee, eighth seed Culverwell will face a stiff test from several players who have enjoyed fine seasons. 

Amateur champion Bradley Neil is the top seed, with the Blairgowrie player teeing up for the first time since making his debut in The Open Championship at Hoylake.

Neil and St Andrews Links Trophy winner Forrest of Craigielaw, the second seed, will both fancy their chances at Downfield, ahead of competing, as top-50 ranked players, in the US Amateur Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club from 11 August. Interestingly, Forrest faces his clubmate in round one, Greg Smail, who caddied for him in last year’s Open. 

Forrest’s fellow Palmer Cup-winning team-mates Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) and James Ross (Royal Burgess) will also hope to shine, as will Irish Open Stroke Play champion Jamie Savage (Cawder), as they seek to join a roll of honour which includes the likes of Green, Colin Dalgleish, Colin Montgomerie, Stephen Gallacher, Dean Robertson and Steven O’Hara.

Downfield hosts the Scottish Amateur for the fourth time and the last victor at the venue, Barry Hume, in 2001, may also be one to watch, after the former professional returned to the amateur circuit at the start of last season. Bearsden’s Ewen Ferguson, now the holder of both Boys’ matchplay and strokeplay titles, will seek to better his run to the quarter-finals last year. 

A superb week’s golf is sure to lie ahead at Downfield, one of the finest inland courses in the UK set in beautiful Angus parkland.

Lee Hartley, Chief Executive of sponsors Fairstone, said: "We’re delighted to support the Scottish Amateur Championship on top of our sponsorship of golf's Home Internationals and Newcastle Falcons rugby team. 

“Fairstone has a strong association with golf throughout the UK and our investment is helping the game's governing bodies to stage these big events and give the top amateurs the platform to showcase their talents. It’s great to build our brand through this association and we look forward to a great week at Downfield."

The 2014 Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship starts at 6.45am on Monday (28 July) and concludes with the 36-hole final teeing off on Saturday morning (2 August). Spectators are encouraged to come along and support their local favourites with FREE entry to the course. 

Live scoring and regular updates will be available throughout the week on www.scottisholf.org, on Twitter @SGUGolf or on SGU Facebook while the full draw can be accessed by clicking here.

Fairstone Financial Management has teamed up with the Scottish Golf Union to offer golf club members a £25 voucher to spend at your club or pro shop on completion of a free no obligation pension and investment review. To find out more visit www.fairstone.co.uk/golf

 

SENIOR BRITISH OPEN A ONE-HORSE RACE OVER FINAL ROUND

 LANGER LEADS BY SEVEN STROKES

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

Bernhard Langer will take a commanding eight-stroke  lead into today's final round of The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex after a masterful display of front running at Royal Porthcawl on Sunday.
The German began the third round with a seven- stroke advantage over double Senior Major winner Colin Montgomerie and England’s Chris Williams, and he tightened his stranglehold with a three under par round of 68 for an impressive 14 under par total of 199.
Montgomerie had been hoping to exert some pressure on his former Ryder Cup teammate on moving day as he chases a third consecutive victory in the Senior Major Championships. 

But after a three under par front nine of 32, the Scot ran into trouble immediately after the turn, carding a double bogey on the tenth followed by a bogey in the 11th, before dropping another shot on the 17th when his tee shot ran into unraked spikemarks in a bunker.
That meant a back nine of 40 and a round of 72 for the 2010 Ryder Cup captain, who is now 11 shots adrift of Langer on three under par, while Williams also lost ground on the runaway leader with a level par 71 to stay on four under par.
Instead, it was Canada’s Rick Gibson, winner of the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open earlier this month, who moved into second place on six under par with a round of 66.
Yet that is still some distance behind Langer, whose eight shot cushion is a new 54 hole record in The Senior Open Championship and matches the benchmark recorded in any of the Senior Majors, set by Jack Nicklaus in the 1991 US Senior PGA Championship.
The two-time Masters Champion could not quite replicate the low scoring of his opening two rounds of 65 and 66, but he carded birdies on the second, fourth, sixth and 18th holes, with his only bogey of the day on the tenth.
Langer let a two shot lead slip on the 72nd hole at Royal Birkdale 12 months ago, before losing a play-off to American Mark Wiebe, but after such a dominant display so far in Wales it would be difficult to imagine him not converting his sizeable advantage into a second Senior Claret Jug on Sunday night, to go alongside his victory at Carnoustie in 2010.
“I am one step closer,” said the 56 year old. “I still have 18 holes to go.  It's nice to have an eight shot lead, but I have still got to keep my head down tomorrow and hit a lot of good golf shots and make some putts and play smart.”
He added: “I've still got a lot of golf to play. I need to play smart, play aggressive, but not stupid. I need to stay out of the pot bunkers, hit fairways, hit greens.  That's really my goal tomorrow.  Then I should be okay.”
Langer’s victory four years ago was the last by a European player in The Senior Open Championship, and he is enjoying being in strong position to lift the prestigious trophy once again.
“It's very exciting,” he said. “It is the only Major in European senior golf, and it's a beautiful trophy. It's a great title, and yeah, it would be very exciting to win a second one.”
The 2004 Ryder Cup captain will be joined in the final group by Gibson, who is experiencing a dream month following his maiden European Senior Tour title in Switzerland a fortnight ago.
Gibson said: “Obviously Bernhard is playing extremely well and the rest of us are kind of in a pack behind him.  But links and links, and I understand we're going to get some wind tomorrow. 
“We've only had light breezes so far, and Bernhard is the only one who's kind of figured it out.  So with some wind tomorrow it's going to be very interesting.”
American Bob Tway eagled the 13th hole in a round of 68 to move into third position on five under par, while US Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson recovered from a double bogey on the ninth hole to sign for a round of 69.
Watson shares fourth position with compatriot Scott Dunlap (65) and Williams on four under par, while Montgomerie is in a three-way share of seventh position alongside former Masters Champion Fred Couples (68) and Englishman Barry Lane (69).
Montgomerie believes he is now in a contest for second place and has set that as his target for the final round.
He said: “It is amazing, when I reached the ninth and I was three under I felt I was doing okay and so was he (Langer).  You just feel like you're swimming into the current, uphill, into the wind, one arm, treading water. 
“But all credit to him.  He's the best player out here, and he's proving it.”

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RUSSELL KNOX, MARTIN LAIRD TIED FOR 28TH PLACE IN MONTREAL

JIM FURYK LEADS CANADIAN OPEN BY  

THREE STROKES AFTER 54 HOLES 

• FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
  By Adam Stanley, PGATOUR.COM

L’ILE BIZARD, Montreal, Quebec – In baseball, when a pitcher goes the full game without allowing a baserunner, it’s a perfect game. Save for one blemish, Jim Furyk is entering the ninth inning of the RBC Canadian Open, and is nearly perfect.
He’s only recorded one bogey all week, and the success he’s seen from tee-to-green has given him a three-shot lead over Tim Clark heading into Sunday’s final round.
“For the most part of the day, I felt like I played really solid. I hit the ball well again. It was a fun round of golf, really,” he explained. 
Furyk leads the field in hitting the greens in regulation (83.33 percent) and is tied for the lead in most birdies (16).
Much has been made of the 44-year-old’s inability to close out a tournament over the last few years, and Furyk is first to admit he hasn’t finished the deal.
“Sometimes I just got outplayed,” Furyk said, when asked to reflect on his recent final-round collapses. “Other times I felt like I got in my own way, and not closing it out when I had the opportunity.”
Furyk’s 5-under 65 was highlighted by an all-world par save on the par-4 11th, and an approach on No. 9 that landed a mere five inches from the cup.
Furyk, a two-time RBC Canadian Open champion, won in 2006 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club (a classic course) and in 2007 at Angus Glen (a modern course). Fittingly, he described Royal Montreal as a course that had both modern and classic features earlier this week.
He’s in a fine position to get that third Canadian Open victory, but he knows he still has a job to do Sunday.
“Not really worrying about what position I’m in the golf tournament, not looking at the leaderboard too much, going out there and trying to attack the golf course the same way that I have the first three days will be key,” he explained. 

South African Tim Clark is chasing Furyk. Clark, who’s only US PGA Tour victory came at the 2010 Players' Championship, had a “dream start” Saturday – he made a birdie on No. 1, then holed his approach on No. 2 for an eagle. 
Clark, like Furyk, has only made one bogey all week.
“It’ll be great to be in the final group. Jim (Furyk) is a really tough competitor, and this course seems to fit into our sort of game,” Clark explained. 
“It’s an Open Championship. You need to hit fairways and greens, and that’s both of our strengths.”
Kyle Stanley will join Furyk and Clark in the final group at 10:05 a.m. The players will be going off in threesomes off split tees because of impending inclement weather in the Montreal area. 

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 210 (3x70)
Players from USA unless stated
195 Jim Furyk 67 63 65
198 Tim Clark (S Africa) 67 67 64
200 Kyle Stanley 65 67 68
201 Jamie Lovemark 69 65 67

SELECTED SCORES
203 Gonzalo Fernandez Castano (Spain) 67 67 69, Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 68 65 70 (T9)
206 Ernie Els (S Africa) 70 67 69 (T22)
207 Russell Knox (Scotland) 72 66 69, Martin Laird (Scotland) 71 66 70 (T28)

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