Friday, August 08, 2014

NORTHERN IRISHMAN KEEPS UP SPARKLING MAJOR FORM


  • McIlroy learning to be comfortable in the lead

  • Rory McIlroy carded a 4-under 67 in the second round. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) Rory McIlroy carded a 4-under 67 in the second round. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky -- Rory McIlroy is in his happy place.
Through two rounds of the US PGA Championship he is also in a familiar one: Atop the leaderboard.
McIlroy shot a scrappy 4-under 67 on a soggy Friday at Valhalla Golf Club, where he is 9 under heading to the weekend and halfway to winning his second straight major and fourth of his career.
"It's fun," the 25-year-old said. "It was a little more stressful today than it was yesterday, just because of some of the positions I put myself in on the course, having to get up-and-down a few times on that front nine, but the last month has been fun.
"When I'm playing like this, it's obviously very enjoyable, and you know, I can't wait to get back out on the course again tomorrow and do the same thing all over again."
Can you blame him?
McIlroy made four birdies, an eagle and just two bogeys Friday.
The first of the bogeys came on the par-4 12th hole -- his third of the day -- but McIlroy didn't let it get him down and bounced back quickly with a birdie on 13 and two holes later added another.
At the 18th, McIlroy's prodigious length came in handy as he reached the par 5 in two. He then poured in a 30-footer for eagle and was on his way.

He bogeyed the second but put his foot down with two more birdies over his final three holes
The only disappointment might have been not making eagle on the par-5 seventh after the reaching the green in two, but McIlroy sees nothing but positives in his game and is trying to get as much mileage out of it as he can.
"Mentally I'm in a really solid place in terms of not getting ahead of myself on the golf course," he said. "Staying in the present. Obviously my swing is technically in a good place at the minute. I'm confident, and I'm just on a good run."
Three weeks ago, he won his third career major and first Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. He followed it with a victory at Firestone for his first World Golf Championships title, returning to No. 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings in the process.
McIlroy led the field in driving distance at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and is near the top again through two rounds of the PGA Championship. With every moon shot his belief only grows stronger.
"I think that's when my confidence grows," he said. "When I see good shots like that and when I see drives down the middle and tarring iron shots into the greens; that's the way I like to play golf."
Who wouldn't like doing that?
"That's the way I see myself as a player," McIlroy continued. "And that's the sort of golf that I play when I win."

MORE ON PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: Leaderboard | Rory meets fan at gas station | Projected FedExCup points

There are still 36 holes to play but even playing partner Martin Kaymer couldn't help but be wowed, which is saying something considering how the German performed in his victories at THE PLAYERS Championship and U.S. Open.
"When he hits the driver that straight and that long and the short game is incredible, it's very difficult to beat him," Kaymer said. "You just have to respect how good he plays. There's nothing wrong with his game. He's definitely the best player in the world."
And he's only trying to get better.
After blowing a four-shot lead on the final day of the 2011 Masters, McIlroy admitted that he played too conservatively and tried to protect the lead. He vowed never to do it again.
That includes this week at Valhalla.
"I think I've had to learn to be a good front-runner," he said. "I maybe wasn't quite comfortable in that position at the start of my career.
"If I'm two ahead going into the weekend here, I'm going to try to get three ahead; and if I'm three ahead, I'm going to try to get four ahead; and if I'm four ahead, I'm going to try to get five ahead. I'm just going to try to keep the pedal down and get as many ahead as possible. That is my mind-set whenever I'm leading the golf tournament."

 SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD

Par 142 (2x71) players from USA unless stated
133 Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 66 67
134 Jason Day (Australia) 69 65, Jim Furyk 66 68
135 Mikko Ilonen (Finland) 67 68
136 Phil Mickelson 69 67, Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) 68 68
137 Graham DeLaet (Canada) 69 68, Steve Stricker 69 68, Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 66 71, Joost Luiten (Netherlands) 68 68, Victor Dubuisson (France) 69 68, Lee Westwood (England) 65 72, Louis Oosthuizen (S Africa) 70 67)
SELECTED SCORES
139 Bill Haas 71 68, Vijay Singh (Fiji) 71 68, Matt Jones (Australia) 68 71, Richard Sterne (S Africa) 70 68, Chris Wood (England) 66 73, Jamie Donaldson (Wales) 69 70 (T17)
141 Danny Willett (England) 68 73, Gonzalo Fernandez Czastano (Spain) 71 70, Ian Poulter (England) 68 73  (T38)
142 Shane Lowry (Ireland) 68 74, Sergio Garcia (Spain) 70 72, Bubba Watson 70 72, Luke Donald (England) 70 72, Francesco Molinari (Italy) 71 71(T53)

MISSED CUT (143 and better qualified)
144 Martin Kaymer (Germany) 70 74, Tommy Fleetwood (England) 73 71, Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 73 71
145 Russell Knox (Scotland) 75 70
146 Paul Casey (England) 74 72, Ross Fisher (England) 73 73
147 Stephen Gallacher (Scotland)  70 77
150 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 75 75
157 Matteo Manassero (Italy) 80 77

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EUROPEAN INDIVIDUAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP LAST DAY

CHESTERS GOES THREE CLEAR WITH

FINAL 18 HOLES TO CO AT THE DUKE'S

Defending champion Ashley Chesters from Hawkstone Park has opened up a three-stroke lead with one round to play at The Duke's, nr St Andrews, in the European individual amateur championship.
Chesters shot a third-round 69, a repeat of his opening score, for a running total of 210.
Enrico De Nitti (Italy) (69 for 213) was his nearest rival going into the final round.
Leading Scot was Connor Syme (Drumoit) on 2315 after a 72. He is tied eight, one shot ahead of Daniel Young (216).
Third-round play was suspended at 4.30pm Friday due to thunder and lightning. The third round was completed this morning.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
287 Robin Sciot-Siegrist (France) 72 74 73 68
289 Oskar Bergqvist (Sweden) 73 70 76 70, David Boote (Walton Heath) 70 70 78 71
290 Harry Casey (Enfield) 73 72 74 71
293 Chris Robb (Meldrum House) 75 73 70 75
299 Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) 78 72 74 75

 THIRD-ROUND SCOREBOARD
  210 Ashley Chesters (Hawkstone Park) 69 72 69.
213 Enrico di Nitti (Italy) 74 70 689
214 Thomas Detry (Belgium) 71 73 70, Tomacz Anderson (Brocket Hall) 74 69 71, Max Roehrig (Germany) 70 72 72, Ben Stow (Rushmore) 67 71 76, Gary Hutley (West Waterford) 66 72 76.

SCOTS' SCORES
215 Connor Syme (Dumoig) 73 70 72 (T8)
216 Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) 73 73 70 (T14)
217 Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 68 71 78
218 Chris Robb (Meldrum House) 75 73 70 (T25)
219 Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) 70 75 74
224 J McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) 78 72 74
SCOTS WHO MISSED THE CUT

225 D Kay (Dunbar) 74 76 75
226 A Culverwell (Dunbar) 80 74 72, J Ross (Royal Burgess) 77 72 77
228 E Scott (St Andrews) 79 71 78
230 S Gibson (Southerness) 73 81 76
231 N Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen) 86 74 71
233 C Ross (Kirkhill) 75 86 72
235 J Savage (Cawder) 83 75 77
238 Liam Johnston (Dumfries and Co) 80 77 79
239 Stuart Hill (The Duke's) 83 78 78.


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PORTER COMPLETES ANGUS BOYS GOLF DOUBLE

GOLF COPY
CREDIT CAL CARSON GOLF AGENCY
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PORTER COMPLETE ANGUS BOYS' GOLF TITLE DOUBLE

Carnoustie's Will Porter, winner of the Angus boys' stroke-play golf championship earlier in the week, today (Friday) completed the double when he won the boys' match-play title at Ballumbie Castle.
But it was no walk in the park for Porter. He beat Marc Howie (Ballumbie Castle) by one hole in the morning semi-final by one hole. When he won the last hole it was the first time he had led in the match.
The final against Downfield's John McKenna was another struggle for Porter who eventually won by 2 and 1.
RESULTS
Semi-Finals
Will Porter (Carnoustie) bt Marc Howie (Ballumbie Castle) 1 hole.
John McKenna (Downfield) bt Gavin Petrie (Forfar) 2 holes.
Final
Porter bt McKenna 2 and 1.

PITLOCHRY PLAYERS MAKE SURE TITLE STAYS AT HOME

HUTTON BEATS ROSE IN ALL-LOCAL 


HIGHLAND OPEN SCRATCH FINAL
 

The Highland Open golf championship final was contested by two members of the host club, Pitlochry.
Victory in the scratch contest went to Willie Hutton who beat Mark Rose by 2 and 1.
Downfield's Ken Hill beat Mark Harrison (Dore and Totley) by two holes in the handicap final.
The senior section was won by Jim Hanson (Ladybank) who won at the 20th in a marathon final against Graeme Hume (Falkirk Tryst).

HIGHLAND OPEN FINALS
Scratch: Willie Hutton (Pitlochry) bt Mark Rose (Pitlochry) 2 and 1.
Handicap: Ken Hill (Downfield) bt Mark Harrison (Dore and Totley) 2 holes
Seniors: Jim Hanson (Ladybank) bt Graeme Hume (Falkirk Tryst), at 20th.

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SCOTTISH SENIORS GOLFING SOCIETY SUPER SENIORS OPEN


OVER 65s AT MONIFIETH LINKS AUGUST 7 AND 8













Player      ClubAgeH/capGrossGrossGross



Rd 1Rd 2Total

PAR      71                      CSS  
7171
William ErskineKilsyth Lennox6527275147
James KinlochCardross6837474148
Gordon MacDonaldGlenbervie6617675151
John BroadfootTurnberry6647775152
Robin PatonNairn6727478152
Andrew LairdDeeside6958172153
Billy WallacePrestwich St Cuthbert6957776153
Colin CampbellGullane6957776153
Graham MilneAberdour6667777154
Brian R GrieveKing James6937678154
George RodaksPitreavie6537778155
Scott MacDonaldDunfermline7047778155
David DoodsonTemple7077977156
James PatonKirkintilloch6658176157
Derek SimPanmure6858077157
David SmithStirling7147681157
Alan MacNaughtColchester6757880158
Peter KinlochCardross6867980159
Ian DicksonLundin6767980159
Ian FarquharEdzell7068080160
Sandy FairweatherCarnoustie Caledonia6848279161
James GrantRoyal Montrose6758081161
Tom CarsonLockerbie6868280162
Geoff CarterRoyal Mid-Surrey6978479163
Fraser SharpBoat of Garten6568182163
Keith HowieWest Kilbride6868085165
Bruce HunterStirling7688085165
Sandy QuinnStirling7288085165
Robin LawsonR & A6768583168
Alasdair MacLennanStirling73108881169
Duncan McCallumStirling7488287169
Richard GoodaleAberdour67108981170
Tom NicolElderslie7098587172
Jim ThomasRavensworth6668290172
Richard GeorgeCraigielaw7058588173
David NelsonAboyne7188791178
John HarrisonNewmachar77109595190
























































































































































































































































































































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NORWEGIAN CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT NEAR OSLO

FLORIAN FRITSCH MAINTAINS LEAD 

ON 13-UNDER 131
 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Florian Fritsch continued his imperious form on day two of the Norwegian Challenge with a round of 67 for a 13 under par aggregate of 131.
The German remains one stroke ahead of France’s Benjamin Hebert after dropping just one shot in 36 holes at Miklagard Golf Club, on the outskirts of the Norwegian capital Oslo.
Fritsch picked up where he left off on the opening day with back-to-back birdies from the first hole, before adding a further gain at the fifth to turn in 33 shots.
After three more birdies on the back nine, Fritsch appeared to be running away with the tournament but a three-putt bogey on the 17th green has given some hope to the rest of the field.
He said: “My long game was very good again today. I managed to stay out of trouble off the tee and hit a lot of iron shots close, so it added up to another good day.

" I didn’t hole any long putts but made six good birdie putts from inside ten feet, so that was pleasing.
“It felt like a good 67 today – there was nothing scrappy or lucky about it, and I was never in any real danger. So I’m in a good place at the moment, but I won’t be getting ahead of myself because I know how quickly things can turn around in this game.”
Hebert is acutely aware of the potential pitfalls of leading, having surrendered a three-shot advantage on the final day in Azerbaijan last week.
But as soon as he arrived in Kløfta, the Brive resident felt utterly at ease and he again showed his liking for the Robert Trent Jones Jnr layout with five birdies.

Scot George Murray's second-round 65 was the joint best of the day but, on 140 alongside compatriot Duncan Stewart, the Anstruther man is nine shots off the pace         

SECOND ROUND SCORES
Par 144 (2x72)
131 F Fritsch  (Ger) 64 67
132 B Hebert  (Fra) 65 67
135 S Gros (Fra) 68 67
136 C Bouniol (Fra) 68 68
137 G Cambis  (Fra) 65 72, D Kemmer (USA) 70 67, B Åkesson (Swe) 69 68, A Hartø  (Den) 68 69, N Lemke (Swe) 69 68, T Remkes (Ned) 69 68, N Kearney (Irl) 67 70, M Trappel  (Aut) 67 70, A Engell  (Nor) 72 65, N Holman  (Aus) 66 71, R McEvoy  (Eng) 71 66, T Lee (USA) 70 67
138 A Domingo (Esp) 68 70, M Tullo (Chi) 71 67, J Pastor (Esp) 71 67, M Ford (Eng) 70 68, P Dwyer (Eng) 69 69, D Im (USA) 68 70, C Arendell (USA) 70 68, T Lawrence (RSA) 68 70, M Southgate  (Eng) 67 71, A Gjesteby (am) (Nor) 69 69
139 J Lagergren (Swe) 70 69, M Fitzpatrick  (Eng) 68 71, P Maddy (Eng) 69 70, T Nørret (Den) 73 66, N Ravano (Ita) 73 66, P Figueiredo  (Por) 67 72
140 N Meitinger  (Ger) 68 72, W Harrold (Eng) 70 70, P Widegren  (Swe) 70 70, D Coupland (Eng) 69 71, A Velasco (Esp) 72 68, J Senior (Eng) 70 70, K Benz (Sui) 68 72, G Murray  (Sco) 75 65, A Snobeck  (Fra) 70 70, S Arnold  (Aus) 66 74, D Geminiani (Ita) 70 70, D Stewart (Sco) 70 70, K Johannessen (am) (Nor) 67 73
141 A Tadini (Ita) 70 71, J Rask (Swe) 71 70, A Hortal  (Esp) 71 70, S Tiley (Eng) 68 73, D Gaunt (Eng) 70 71, M Wiegele  (Aut) 70 71, S Henry  (Sco) 72 69, J Fahrbring (Swe) 69 72, F Colombo (Ita) 71 70, G Shaw (Nir) 72 69, W Booth  (Sco) 68 73, J Winther (Den) 73 68, B Stone (RSA) 71 70, C Aronsen  (Nor) 72 69
142 J Moul  (Eng) 69 73, O Ramsnes  (Nor) 70 72, H Wen-Yi (Chn) 72 70, P Archer (Eng) 72 70, J Kennegard  (Swe) 77 65, J Mikkelsen (Nor) 73 69, A Björk (Swe) 72 70, S Hansen (Nor) 70 72, J Wilson (Aus) 71 71, S Matus  (Cze) 74 68, J Edfors (Swe) 74 68, M Orrin (Eng) 72 70, P Edberg (Swe) 75 67, J Sjöholm (Swe) 74 68, G Lockerbie  (Eng) 71 71, P Erofejeff (Fin) 72 70, B Chapellan (Fra) 72 70
MISSED THE CUT
143 J Garcia Del Moral (Esp) 77 66, L Gagli  (Ita) 69 74, V Bogstrand (Nor) 71 72, P McKechnie (Sco) 74 69, P Martin Benavides (Esp) 74 69, B Ritthammer (Ger) 70 73, E Bertheussen (Nor) 76 67, T Pilkadaris (Aus) 74 69, J Palmer (Eng) 72 71, J Barnes (Eng) 75 68, V Hovland (am) (Nor) 69 74
144 N Quintarelli (Ita) 73 71, O Stark (Swe) 73 71, T Hakula (Fin) 68 76, D Ulrich (Sui) 76 68, B An (Kor) 73 71, J Maurer  (Aut) 69 75, F Bergamaschi (Ita) 73 71, T Pulkkanen  (Fin) 69 75, J Gibb (Eng) 73 71, T Murray (Eng) 68 76, J Kunzenbacher (Ger) 72 72
145 S Grant  (Irl) 76 69, H Sayin (Tur) 70 75, B Christov (Nor) 73 72, S Ronold (Nor) 76 69, H Porteous (RSA) 71 74, N Nissen (Den) 78 67, J Sarasti  (Esp) 74 71, E Johansen  (Nor) 70 75, M Lafeber (Ned) 73 72, W Besseling  (Ned) 74 71, D Law (Sco) 73 72, C Brazillier  (Fra) 72 73, J Stalter (Fra) 71 74
146 D Perrier (Fra) 72 74, J Gonnet  (Fra) 74 72, N Johansson (Swe) 71 75, B Evans  (Eng) 72 74, R Kind (Ned) 76 70, K Svanum  (Nor) 72 74, L Nemecz (Aut) 72 74, B Weilguni (Aut) 72 74
147 C Ford (Eng) 75 72, O Floren  (Swe) 73 74, M Laier (Ger) 74 73, A Sobstad (Nor) 71 76, L Goddard  (Eng) 73 74, L Mjeldheim Sandvoll (am) (Nor) 72 75
148 G Woolgar (Eng) 75 73, J Guerrier  (Fra) 74 74, C Paisley  (Eng) 76 72, M Haines  (Eng) 73 75
149 S Hutsby  (Eng) 76 73, C Aguilar  (Esp) 72 77, S Mork Andersen (am) (Nor) 72 77
150 K Pratt (Aus) 76 74, S Fallon (Eng) 76 74, A Rota (Ita) 73 77, M Jonzon (Swe) 76 74, K Borsheim  (Nor) 76 74
151 A Rajmont  (Cze) 76 75, D Den Roover (Nor) 71 80
152 A Ellingsberg (Nor) 73 79, P Gal  (Cze) 74 78, J Lucquin (Fra) 76 76, A Gabella (Sui) 81 71
153 M Wendel (Swe) 77 76, R Robertson (Eng) 76 77, D Suchan  (Cze) 78 75
154 E Pettersen (Nor) 74 80, J Kelly (Nor) 80 74, A Kaleka  (Fra) 78 76
156 P Kaensche  (Nor) 78 78, M Kelly (Irl) 81 75, P Mikalsen (am) (Nor) 75 81
158 J Gallegos  (Esp) 81 77
159 M Bjone (Nor) 77 82
161 R Halvorsen (Nor) 80 81
164 C Lovstad (Nor) 79 85



EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

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CHRIS McDONNELL WINS £10,000 PRIZE AT BLAIRGOWRIE

FOX EARNS £1,475 FOR TIED FIFTH 
  
IN GLENMUIR PGA PRO CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Graham Fox saved his best to the last day and a final round of four-under-par 68 for a total of seven-under 281 earned him joint fifth place in the Glenmuir PGA professional championship over the Lansdowne course, Blairgowrie Golf Club.
The Clydeway Golf man left himself with too much ground to make up after opening rounds of 70 and 73. But a 70 in the third started his climb up the leaderboard and he kept up the momentum to collect £1,475 in finishing only four shots behind the winner of the £10,000 first prize, Chris McDonnell (Troon Golf Managemen) from the North-east of England. Chris shot 69, 69,70 and 69 for 11-under-par 277 and a one-shot win from another Englishman, Jason Lawrence (Channels).

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
par 288 (4x72)
277 C McDonnell (Troon GM) 69 69 70 69 (£10,000).
278 J Lawrence (Channels) 71 69 68 70 (£6,420)
279 A Withey (Bulwell Forest) 69 72 68 70 (£3,450)
280 C Gane (Silvermere) 70 65 74 71 (£3,450)
281 G Fox (Clydeway Golf) 70 73 70 68, S Bebb (Morlais Castle) 73 67 73 68 (£1,475 each)

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
288 D Orr (Mearns Castle4) 74 77 71 73 (T26)
291 A Mackenzie (Saunton) 72 74 76 69 (T33)
293 I Campbell (Heathfield Park) 71 76 76 70, C Robinson (Portpatrick Duinskey) 77 69 73 74 (T43)
296 C Mathison (Falkirk Tryst) 70 72 76 78 (T51)
299 A Crerar (Panmure) 73 74 77 75 (57th)
300 S Savage (Dalmuir) 74 71 81 74 (T58)

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

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 GEORDIE SCORES BIGGEST WIN OF CAREER AT BLAIRGOWRIE

PGA NEWS RELEASE

Debutant Chris McDonnell, picture by courtesy of Getty Images(c), captured the biggest win of his career after claiming the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at Blairgowrie  today..
The former Hexham assistant, now working for Troon Golf Management, almost threw it away on the final two holes – following a suspension for rain – dropping shots on each to leave him on 11-under-par.
That opened the door for fellow tournament first timer Jason Levermore, however the Channels professional could only par the final two holes and was left to settle for second, one shot behind after closing with two-under-par 70.
Third place went to Bulwell Forest’s Andrew Willey, who was competing is his first championship since 2004. He finished on nine-under-par having been one of a number of players to top the leaderboard on the final day.
But nothing was going to halt McDonnell, who earlier in the summer won the Austrian PGA equivalent.
He was a model of consistency throughout the week with three rounds of 69 and one of 70.
Victory secured the 32-year-old a veritable treasure chest of £10,000, the use of Peugeot car for a year from the support sponsors plus a place in the end of season Titleist PGA Play-Offs in Turkey.
He is also in a strong position to qualify for next year’s Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team, which will take on the USA in California.
“Happy days,” was McDonnell’s reaction, who admitted the rain break could have cost him the title.
“It definitely affected me as I had time to think. You start to cool down and you’re out of your rhythm and then you start to think about what you need to do.
“I got back out there and it was difficult to get a rhythm going. I thought the green on 17 was going to be a bit slower after the rain but it was actually quicker and I made bogey and just got over the line on the last.
“Before that I played fantastic golf. I hit the ball well, putted well and just got off to a fantastic start. “I was four under after nine and I didn’t look at a leaderboard until after ninth. I saw that I was a couple of shots ahead and played some great golf coming it was just a shame about the last two holes.
“I recently won the Austrian PGA title but this tops that one as this is definitely the biggest win of my career.”
Overnight leader Levermore, who pocketed almost £6,500, also secured a place in the end of season play-offs.
He also had a consistent display hitting 17 greens but just couldn’t buy a putt to retain his advantage. However, he was more than satisfied with his performance and the return on his week.
“If someone had offered me second at the start of the week I would have taken it,” he said.
“I’m lying second in the East region with two events to go so was in with a chance of reaching the play-offs that way, but this takes all the pressure off.
 “After leading last night I was quite nervous going into the start so I was quite pleased with how I played. I’ve not won a big event before so it was nice to be up there on my own, in with a shout and still play well.
“I had one bogey and had a real steady back nine but just didn’t hole anything. On the last I saw that Chris had made five and I had a good tee shot on the 18th. I thought my approach shot would come out low and chase up the green but it just didn’t get up the second tier. When it ended up back at the front I knew it was about two good putts and finishing second and getting the play-off spot.”
Willey, who took up his post at Bulwell earlier this year after a long spell on tour, was content with his week but vowed to come back and improve on his showing.
“My aim was just to go out there and do what I’ve been doing all week,” said the 39-year-old, who earned £4,500.
“I got off to a great start today, eagling the first and birdied the third. Chris was playing well as well so we were having a good match. Towards the end I didn’t quite hole the putts. Naturally disappointed at the outcome but overall pleased with the week. Hopefully I can progress from here and do well next year.”

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ELEVEN-OVER-PAR AGGREGATE WINS TITLE IN TOUGH WEATHER

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY! Well, maybe not quite -- Brady Exbert with the trophy after his victory through ugh weather at Ganton. Picture by courtesy of the R and A
AMERICAN EXBER WINS THE SENIORS 

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT GANTON
The R&A:

  NEWS RELEASE FROM THE R and A
American Brady Exber, one ahead at the start of the final round, overcame challenging conditions to pull away from the field and win the Seniors Amateur Championship by four shots with an 11-over-par aggregate of 224 over three rounds at Ganton in North Yorkshire today. 
The 58-year-old from Las Vegas closed with a 78 for a four-shot victory over Yorkshire’s Stephen East who finished on 228 after a 79.Three players shared third – Americans Michael Mercier and John McClure and England’s Tony McLure.
With the wind gusting up to 40mph, it turned into a taxing final 18 holes for the entire field but Exber, who was fifth on his debut in 2011 and sixth in 2012, played outstanding golf for the first 12 holes and was never seriously threatened
Exber started with six straight pars and he had a great bogey at the seventh, getting up and down after taking a penalty shot from a bush. He dropped another shot at the eighth but then birdied the 12th from four feet.
His poor run started at the relatively straightforward 14th. In the middle of the fairway, he hit his approach into a bunker and then three-putted for a double-bogey six.  
Although he dropped several shots in the closing holes, his rivals were doing the same in the gusting winds.
“I was playing great but then made the mistake of looking at the leaderboard at the 13th,” he said. “I was seven ahead and then I stupidly stopped playing the course and started to play the scoreboards. And that doesn’t work.
“But I really think this is the hardest day I have had on a golf course. I said to my friend and caddie, Doug, going down the 15th ‘this is all the nasty stuff I’ve seen on TV’.
East, pictured right by Steve Ellis, from Moortown in Leeds, admitted it had been “a tough battle” but was happy to finish second on his Championship debut.
 A newcomer to the Seniors events, he has already won the Spanish Seniors Open and the English Seniors this season.
George Zahringer, the defending champion, made an appearance on the leaderboard when he reached the turn in an outstanding two-under-par. He had four birdies – at the second, fifth, seventh and ninth. 
But the American, who played in the 2003 Walker Cup at Ganton and won this title at Royal Aberdeen 12 months ago, came to grief in a second half of 44. He shot 81 and finished in a tie for 20th. 
Mercier moved into third place thanks to a 76, while John McClure had an 80 and Tony McLure an 82. McLure opened with a 70 and was the only man all week to break par.
 He looked set for second place when he stood just three shots behind playing partner Exber with two holes to play. But he had a double-bogey 5 after a wayward tee shot at the 235yd par-3 17th and also took a double-bogey at the 18th. 
It was a delighted and relieved Exber who raised the trophy after the final round. “No one could be happier than me to win this title,” he said. 
“Ganton is a great course and I’ll definitely be back to defend at Royal County Down next year”.
For the complete final leaderboard visit www.championships.randa.org
The 2015 Seniors Amateur will be played at Royal County Down Golf Club from 5-7 August.

SENIOR BRITISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Ganton Golf Club, Yorkshire
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 213 (3x71) CSS 75 (reduction only), 75 (reduction only)
224 B Exber (USA) 72 74 78
228 S East (Moortown) 75 74 79
229 J McClure (USA) 76 73 80, M Mercer (USA) 74 79 76, A McLure (Longhirst Hall) 70 77 82
230 A Morrow (Portmarnock) 76 79 75, G Wilson (Calcot Park) 72 82 76

SCOTS' SCORES
232 J McManus (Uphall) 76 76 80 (T12)
233 D Gardbner (Broomieknowe) 78 79 76, M Reid (Sonning) 76 75 82 (T15)
235 K Bruce (Edzell) 80 74 81 (T24)
237 J Fraser (Royal Burgess) 77 73 87 (T33)
238 Robert Ford (Scotscraig) 80 77 81 (T38)
239 Lindsay Gordon (Turnhouse) 80 76 83 (T450
247 D Pearson (Royal Dornoch) 82 78 87 (65th)
251 J Johnston (Lanark) 79 81 91 (66th).


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PGA EUROPRO TOUR EVENT AT MOOR ALLERTON, LEEDS

GOOD FINISH BY KELLETT EARNS HIM

£1,700 FOR JOINT THIRD PLACE

 Ross Kellett staged a strong finish - home in 33 with an eagle 3 at the 12th and birdies at the 17th and 18th - to close with a five-under-par 66 for seven-under 206 to finish joint third and earn £1,700 in this week's PGA EuroPro Tour event at Moor Allerton Golf Club, Leeds.
Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth) birdied the last two holes to win this event for the second year in a row. He shot a closing 68 for nine-under 204 to win the £10,000 prize by a shot from Richard Law (Low Laithes) (66 for 205). Law collected £5,000.
Kingsfield's Kellett tied with three other players for third place.
Two other Scots in the final top 20 were Zack Saltman (Archerfield) and Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel), tied 17th on 209. Saltman closed with a 68 and Doherty a 72. They both earned £403.
PGA EUROPRO TOUR
Moor Allerton GC, Leeds
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 213 (3x71)
204 B Hemstock (Teignmouth) 65 71 68 (£10,000)
205 R Law (Low Laithes) 70 69 66 (£5,000)
206 R Kellett (Kingsfield) 73 66 67, Mark Laskey (Brocket Hall) 70 69 67, A Cheese (Sutton Coldfield) 70 72 64, Liam Murray (La Marquesa) 70 67 69 (£1,700 each).
OTHER SCOTS' TOTALS
209 Z Saltman (Archerfield) 71 70 68, P Doherty (Vale Hotel) 68 69 72 (T17) (£403 each).
212 N Henderson (Renaissance) 70 70 72, S Crichton 71 70 71 (T37) (£265 each)
216 J McColl 70 72 74, K Nicol 75 67 74 (T48) (£210 each)
219 C Macaulay 73 68 78 (T51) (£197).



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BOTHWELL CASTLE QUAICH PRIZEWINNERS

SCRATCH PRIZEWINNERS
Par 140 (2x70) CSS: Round 1 71, Round 2 72
134 Barry Hume (Haggs Castle) 64 70
137 Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton) 67 70
140 Steven Rennie (Drumpellier) 71 69
143 Robert Jenkins (Crow Wood) 73 70, Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle) 71 72, Stewart Henderson (Hamilton) 66 77

144 Ed Wood  (Crow Wood) 71 73

Sweep Morning - 1 Barry Hume, 2 Stewart Henderson
Sweep Afternoon - 1 Derek Waddington (USA) 68, 2 Steven Rennie

 NET PRIZES

138 Craig Faskin (Bothwell Castle) (3) 67 71
140 Oliver Sheeran (Bothwell Castle) (2) 70 70
141 Callum McLean (Hamilton) (4) 70 71


Sweep Morning - Craig Faskin (3) 67
Sweep Afternoon - Alistair Read (2) 69
 


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PGA IN SCOTLAND NEWS RELEASE

Shotts Young Pro's OOM Pro-Am tee times
AUGUST 17

 Round 1: Shotts Golf Club 17/08/2014

 Tee  Time      Name

  1   7:30 AM   Iain Lowdean, Murrayfield Golf Club

  1   7:39 AM   Jordan Gallagher, Douglas Park Golf Club

  1   7:57 AM   Paul Betty, Hamilton Golf Club

  1   8:06 AM   Daniel Flannery, Caldwell Golf Club

  1   8:15 AM   Andrew Hutchison, Douglas Park Golf Club

  1   8:24 AM   David Lee, Affordable Golf

  1   8:33 AM   Ross Millar

  1   8:42 AM   Palmer Mitchell, Stirling Golf Club

  1   8:51 AM   Andrew Burns, Bothwell Castle Golf Club

  1   9:00 AM   Scott Costello, Strathaven Golf Club

  1   9:09 AM   Chris Brown, Carrick on Loch Lomond

  1   9:18 AM   David Stein, Ranfurly Castle Golf Club

  1   9:27 AM   Sam Craigon, Balbirnie Park Golf Club

  1   9:36 AM   Ryan Stirling, Lanark Golf Club

  1   9:45 AM   Paul O'Hara, Clydeway Golf

  1   9:54 AM   Cameron Marr, Musselburgh Golf Club

  1   10:03 AM  Jamie Fraser, Renaissance Club

  1   10:12 AM  Louis Gaughan, Bathgate Golf Club

  1   10:21 AM  Fraser Rummins, Canmore Golf Club

  1   10:30 AM  Tim Poyser, Renaissance Club

  1   10:48 AM  Riccardo Scarafile

  1   10:57 AM  Richard Pickard, Loretto School Golf Academy

  1   11:15 AM  Richard Mackenzie-Smith

  1   11:24 AM  Fraser Cramb, Crieff Golf Club

  1   11:33 AM  Grant Smith, Gleneagles Hotel Golf Courses

  1   11:42 AM  Alan Welsh, Cathkin Braes Golf Club

  1   11:51 AM  Stewart Watters, Balbirnie Park Golf Club

  1   12:00 PM  Gavin Hay, Nairn Dunbar Golf Club

  1   12:09 PM  Craig Goodwin, Duff House Royal Golf Club

  1   12:18 PM  Ross Munro, Duddingston Golf Club

  1   12:27 PM  Ciar Porciani, Turnberry Hotel

  1   12:36 PM  Iain McNab, Dundonald Links

  1   12:45 PM  Allan Todd, Prestwick Golf Club

  1   12:54 PM  Callum Beveridge, West Kilbride Golf Club

  1   1:03 PM   Keir McNicoll, Gullane Golf Club

  1   1:12 PM   Ailsa Bain

  1   1:21 PM   Christopher McManus, Kilmarnock (Barassie)Golf Club

  1   1:30 PM   Kamran Zeynalov, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre

  1   1:39 PM   Tom Dingwall, Kemnay Golf Club

  1   1:48 PM   Ross McConnachie, Peterculter Golf Club

  1   1:57 PM   Daniel Thorburn, Braid Hills Golf Range

  1   2:06 PM   Craig Armstrong, Burntisland Golf Club

  1   2:15 PM   Sean Fay, Royal Dornoch Golf Club

  1   2:24 PM   Neil Cameron, Blairgowrie Golf Club

  1   2:33 PM   Ian Anderson, Colville Park Golf Club

  1   2:42 PM   Ross Jack, Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club

  1   2:51 PM   Fraser Clarke, Newmachar Golf Club

  1   3:00 PM   Michael Mackenzie, Edzell Golf Club

  1   3:09 PM   Blair Harvey, Loudoun Castle Golf Range


Complete information is available at Tournament Information Page (TIP)

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US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OPENING DAY

  • RORY'S FAST START TO BE ON LEADERS'

    TAIL AT END OF FIRST ROUND

    Young Irishman one back of leaders at Valhalla as he attempts to win back-to-back majors
  • Rory McIlroy carded eight birdies, one double bogey and one bogey on Thursday at Valhalla. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images) Rory McIlroy carded eight birdies, one double bogey and one bogey on Thursday at Valhalla. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky -- In the three majors Rory McIlroy has won, he has never shot higher than 67 in the opening round.
Thursday at Valhalla he was one better, carding a 66 to sit just a stroke off the lead of Lee Westwood, Kevin Chappell and Ryan Palmer after the first round of the PGA Championship.
“I think one of the big things for me, especially in major championships, is getting off to good starts and being right up there at the start,” McIlroy said.
The 25-year-old Northern Irishman has certainly proven to be a fantastic front-runner in his young career. He won his first two majors by eight shots and a few weeks ago went wire-to-wire at Royal Liverpool.
He has also won coming from behind, though, including last week at Firestone where he turned a three-shot deficit at the start of the day into a two-stroke victory.
The ability to recover proved useful again Thursday.
After making the turn in 3 under, McIlroy hit his second shot on 10 out of bounds and went on to make double bogey. One hole later he bogeyed and dropped back to even.


MORE ON PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: Leaderboard | Tiger shoots 74 | Phil just four back | Fowler in contention | Dufner withdraws

How did he respond? By making birdie on his next four holes and another on 18 after reaching the par 5 in two.
“Walking on to 12th tee, I was muttering a few things to myself,” McIlroy said. “It was great just to hit that second shot the way I did. Hit it in close. It's one of the toughest par 4s on the course.”
Most of the afternoon, McIlroy made things look easy.
He was second in the field in driving distance at 327.8 yards per clip and hit 12 of 14 fairways. He also hit 13 greens and took 27 putts on a receptive golf course that will only get softer with heavy rain expected Friday.
And that’s just fine with McIlroy.
“No matter what happens, I feel like it's a great set-up for me regardless if there is weather coming in or not,” he said. “You look at the three wins that I've had and I've started really well in each of them.”
Perhaps a fourth isn’t far behind.


DOUBLE BARRELL: Tom Watson's Ryder Cup team took two hits on Thursday when Matt Kuchar withdrew with a bad back before teeing off, and the two bulging discs in Jason Dufner's neck forced him to the sidelines after 10 holes.
Kuchar, who ranks fifth in the U.S. team standings, had already clinched his spot among the nine automatic qualifiers who will be finalised on Sunday. 
Dufner, though, came into his title defense at the PGA ranked No. 8 and certainly in jeopardy.
In fact, Dufner's premature exit means that No. 6 Jordan Spieth is now a lock for the team, according to a tweet sent out by the PGA of America, which conducts the biennial competition along with the European Tour. This year's matches will be held Sept. 23-28 at Gleneagles in Scotland.
"They are falling like flies, we really are," Watson said after shooting a 1-over 72 in the first round. "What's going to happen between now and September 2 when I make my picks is anybody's guess. It's a guess what I have to do. I have to take the information that I have, process it, and see what comes out."
Complicating Watson's decision is Tiger Woods' situation. He had surgery to repair a pinched nerve in his back on March 31 and has only shot in the 60s twice in the 10 rounds he's played since returning to competition.
Not to mention, Woods tweaked his back on Sunday and had to withdraw from the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational. He played on Thursday and shot 74.
Oh, and Phil Mickelson, a veteran of the last 19 U.S. Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup teams, currently ranks 10th in the standings and would need a Captain's Pick if he doesn't move up at least one spot on Sunday. He opened with a 69 at Valhalla.
"I'll be honest, there's not too many people out of the mix," Watson said. "There's still time now between now and September 2 to show. There's three tournaments between now and September 2.
"I don't know how many tournaments these guys are going to play, but there's still time. It's anybody's guess who is going to make the team after Sunday this week, too.
"Phil says, 'I'm going to make the team, Tom. I'm going to make the team. I don't want you to have to use a pick to pick me.'  Be honest, straight up. I like that attitude."






QUOTES OF THE DAY
“It wasn’t very good. A lot of bad shots and I never got a putt to the hole.” -- Tiger Woods, on his 3-over 74
“I thought he (Tiger) played with a lot of heart. It's not easy when your game isn't where you want it and you're hitting shots that you don't be normally hit to fight hard.” – Phil Mickelson, on playing partner Tiger Woods
“I'll play golf again when I'm healthy. That could be at The Barclays, that could be next year, that could be 2016.” -- Jason Dufner, after withdrawing because of two bulging discs in his neck
ALL THE FIRST-ROUND SCORES

T1 Ryan Palmer 65






T1 Lee Westwood 65






T1 Kevin Chappell 65






T4 Henrik Stenson 66






T4 Rory McIlroy 66






T4 Chris Wood 66






T4 Jim Furyk 66






T4 Edoardo Molinari 66






T9 Jerry Kelly 67






T9 Mikko Ilonen 67






T11 Shane Lowry 68






T11 Danny Willett 68






T11 Shawn Stefani 68






T11 Matt Jones 68






T11 Seung-yul Noh 68






T11 J.B. Holmes 68






T11 Joost Luiten 68






T11 Ian Poulter 68






T11 Bernd Wiesberger 68






T20 Alexander Levy 69






T20 Graham DeLaet 69






T20 Steve Stricker 69






T20 Cameron Tringale 69






T20 Geoff Ogilvy 69






T20 Victor Dubuisson 69






T20 Rickie Fowler 69






T20 Nick Watney 69






T20 Jason Day 69






T20 Jimmy Walker 69






T20 Phil Mickelson 69






T20 Jamie Donaldson 69






T20 Rafael Cabrera-Bello 69






T20 Kevin Streelman 69






T20 Russell Henley 69






T35 Charley Hoffman 70






T35 Sergio Garcia 70






T35 Martin Kaymer 70






T35 Bubba Watson 70






T35 Hunter Mahan 70






T35 Luke Donald 70






T35 Zach Johnson 70






T35 Richard Sterne 70






T35 Tim Clark 70






T35 Daniel Summerhays 70






T35 Chris Stroud 70






T35 Patrick Reed 70






T35 Colin Montgomerie 70






T35 Brendon Todd 70






T35 Ernie Els 70






T35 Brendon de Jonge 70






T35 Louis Oosthuizen 70






T35 Justin Rose 70






T35 Stephen Gallacher 70






T54 Scott Brown 71






T54 Scott Stallings 71






T54 Jonas Blixt 71






T54 Erik Compton 71






T54 Fabrizio Zanotti 71






T54 Gonzalo Fernandez-Casta 71






T54 Bill Haas 71






T54 Vijay Singh 71






T54 Thorbjorn Olesen 71






T54 Francesco Molinari 71






T54 Jason Bohn 71






T54 Robert Karlsson 71






T54 Hideki Matsuyama 71






T54 Billy Horschel 71






T54 Brian Stuard 71






T54 Adam Scott 71






T54 Jordan Spieth 71






T54 Brian Harman 71






T54 Thongchai Jaidee 71






T54 Brooks Koepka 71






T54 Kevin Stadler 71






T54 Marc Leishman 71






T54 Marc Warren 71






T54 Pat Perez 71






T54 Brendan Steele 71






T79 Ryo Ishikawa 72






T79 Gary Woodland 72






T79 Anirban Lahiri 72






T79 Tom Watson 72






T79 Davis Love III 72






T79 Kenny Perry 72






T79 Kiradech Aphibarnrat 72






T79 Steve Schneiter 72






T79 Shaun Micheel 72






T79 Fredrik Jacobson 72






T79 K.J. Choi 72






T79 Miguel Angel Jimenez 72






T79 Charl Schwartzel 72






T79 Stewart Cink 72






T93 Webb Simpson 73






T93 Ryan Moore 73






T93 Scott Piercy 73






T93 Branden Grace 73






T93 Tommy Fleetwood 73






T93 Roberto Castro 73






T93 Charles Howell III 73






T93 George Coetzee 73






T93 Matt Every 73






T93 Ross Fisher 73






T93 Padraig Harrington 73






T93 Graeme McDowell 73






T93 Brandt Snedeker 73






T93 Hyung-Sung Kim 73






T93 Ryan Helminen 73






T93 George McNeill 73






T109 Eric Williamson 74






T109 David Hearn 74






T109 Keegan Bradley 74






T109 Chris Kirk 74






T109 Hideto Tanihara 74






T109 Chesson Hadley 74






T109 Paul Casey 74






T109 Kevin Na 74






T109 Ben Martin 74






T109 Steven Bowditch 74






T109 Ben Crane 74






T109 Rod Perry 74






T109 Koumei Oda 74






T109 Jamie Broce 74






T109 Rich Beem 74






T109 Tiger Woods 74






T109 Harris English 74






T126 Bob Sowards 75






T126 Rory Sabbatini 75






T126 Stuart Deane 75






T126 John Senden 75






T126 Y.E. Yang 75






T126 Russell Knox 75






T126 Thomas Bjorn 75






T133 Will MacKenzie 76






T133 John Daly 76






T133 Rob Corcoran 76






T136 Michael Block 77






T136 David McNabb 77






T138 Johan Kok 78






T138 Brian Norman 78






T138 Mark Brooks 78






T138 John Huh 78






T138 Jason Kokrak 78






T143 Matt Pesta 79






T143 Dave Tentis 79






T143 Darren Clarke 79






T143 Pablo Larrazabal 79






T147 Matteo Manassero 80






T147 Boo Weekley 80






T147 Jerry Smith 80






T150 Dustin Volk 81






T150 David Hronek 81






152 Angel Cabrera 82






T153 Jim McGovern 83






T153 Frank Esposito 83






155 Aaron Krueger 84 12:50 pm - - - F +13 84
WD Jason Dufner WD WD WD WD WD - WD WD

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