SOUTH-EAST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP IN EDINBURGH

DANNY KAY TOPS THE BILL AT 

BRUNTSFIELD - LEADER BY THREE

Daniel Kay (Dunbar), beaten by David Law in the 2011 Scottish amateur championship final at Western Gailes, is back in the limelight as leader by three shots at the halfway stage of the South-east District Championship at Bruntsfield Links, the final 72-hole event with an SGU Order of Merit tag.

In difficult, windy conditions Kay, pictured above, shot very steady rounds of 69 and 71 for a 36-hole tally of two-under-par 140 - eight under the combined CSS of 74x2
His nearest challenger is Greg Marchbank (Thornhill) on 143 (73-72)
Highlander Jeff Wright from Forres is in third place on 144 with a pair of 72s.
Best round of the day was a second-round 68 by Chris MacLean (Balmore) who led for a long way in the recent North-east District Open at (windy) Peterhead. He is joint eighth on 146.
Drumoig professional's son Connor Syme, who won that 72-hole event, is by no means out of contention at Bruntsfield after a pair of 73s for 146.
A total of 43 players with aggregates of 153 and better qualified for Sunday's final 36 holes.

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
QUALIFIERS 153 and better
Pat 142 (2X71) CSS 74 (reduction only) and 74
140 D Kay (Dunbar) 69 71
143 G Marchbank (Thornhill) 71 72
144 J Wright (Forres) 72 72
145 S Gibson (Southerness) 75 70, M Clark (Kilmacolm) 74 71, R Campbell (Falkirk) 73 72. M Bacigallupo (Longniddry) 73 72
146 C MacLean (Balmore) 78 68, C Syme (Drumoig) 73 73, M Howard (Royal Birkdale) 73 73, A Blaney (Liberton) 72 74, A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 70 76
147 K Duncan (Cruden Bay) 77 70, K Cantley (Liberton) 77 70, S Rennie (Drumpellier) 74 73, S Borrowman (Dollar) 72 75
148 A Davidson (Charleton) 74 74
149 K Godsman (Moray) 76 73, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 75 74, A Moir (Thornton) 74 75, N Macandrew (Royal Aberdeen) 73 76
150 J Wilson (Balmore) 76 74, W Robson (Bellingham) 75 75, S McLaren (Bruntsfield ) 73 77
151 M Johnston (West Lothian) 78 73, L Bain (Turnhouse) 77 74, M Gray (North Berwick) 76 75, A Anderson (Bruntsfield) 74 77, A Culverwell (Dunbar) 72 79.
152 K Gunnyeon (Murcar Links) 78 74, B Kinsley (St Andrews) 77 75, S Stewart-Cation (Leven Th) 77 75, J Hogg (St Andrews New) 76 76, A Sutherland (Ladybank) 74 78.
153 B Carnegie (Glenbervie) 82 71, M Napier (Turnhouse) 80 73, C Baird (Bothwell Castle) 78 75, D Miller (Duddingston) 76 77, D Cairnie (Carnoustie Caledonian) 75 78, G Wright (Bonnybridge) 75 78, C Chalmers (Cawder) 75 78, A Thurlow (Murrayfield) 75 78

NON-QUALIFIERS 
included
154 M Pennycott (Whiting Bay, Arran) 82 72, C Deerness (Harburn) 77 77, A Hain (St Andrews) 77 77, J Duff (Newmachar) 76 78, E Bowden (Tantallon) 75 79.
155 C Farrell (Longniddry) 79 76, J Yuille (Royal Burgess) 78 77, A Carrick (Douglas Park) 78 77, T Watson (S Africa) 76 79
156 R Boyle (Bathgate) 81 75, A Crawford (Deer Park) 79 88, C Howie (Peebles) 78 78, S Heads (Hexham) 77 79, I Melville (Glencorse) 77 79.
157 B McLeod (Musselburgh) 8374, J Rhind (Kingsfield) 82 75, N Peoples (Tantallon) 78 79, P Reilly (Kilmacolm) 76 81, S Walter (West Linton) 76 81
158 J Valentine (Musselburgh) 80 78, K Reilly (Silverknowes) 74 84.
161 J Shaw (Boat of Garten) 79 82
162 S Smith (Deeside) 80 82 

 SUNDAY TIMES FROM 9am

9.03 and 13.33: Gunnyeon and Culverwell
9.12 and 13.42: Anderson and Gray
9.21 and 13.51: Bain and Johnston
9.30 and 14.00: McLaren and Robson
9.39 and 14.09: Wilson and Macandrew
9.48 and 14.18: Moir and Stevenson
9.57 and 14.27: Godsman and Davidson

10.06 and 14.36: Borrowman and Rennie
10.15 and 14.45: Duncan and Cantley  
10.24 and 14.54: Dunton and Blaney
10.33 and 15.03: Syme and Howard
10.42 and 15.12: MacLean and Campbell  
10.51 and 15.21: Bacigallupo and Clark

11.00 and 15.30: Gibson and Wright
11.09 and 15.39: Marchbank and Kay.

ONE ROUND TO GO IN SCOTTISH U16 JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

FINNIE, WATT SHARE FORFAR LEAD

Two boys from opposite ends of the country, Lockerbie's Christopher Finnie and Marc Watt from Inverallochy near Fraserburgh share the lead after 36 holes of the Scottish Under-16 Junior Tour Championship at Forfar Golf Club.

Finnie birdied the 14th, 15th and 18th to add a second-round par 69 to his opening score of 74.

Watt matched Finnie's five-over 143 tally with stead rouns of 71 and 72.

With one round to go on Sunday, they are a shot ahead of Cameron Black (Cardross) and Callum Burns (Balmore).

Those players with 36-hole tallies of 155 and better qualified for the final 18 holes.

LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Par 138 (2x69)

143 C Finnie (Lockerbie) 74 69, M Watt (Inverallochy) 71 72

144 C Black (Cardross) 73 71, C Burns (Balmore) 73 71

145 G Burrett (Haggs Castle) 72 73

146 R Watson (Muckhart) 74 72, D Howie (Peebles) 77 69, F Asher (Nairn) 74 72

147 K Bowman (St Andrews New) 77 70, J Stewart (Old Ranfurly) 74 73

148 S Scott (Nairn) 77 71, M Rickard (Cupar) 76 72.
149 M McCulloch (Portpatrick Dunskey) 79 70
150 J-P Ralph (Royal Liverpool) 74 70, R Franssen (Inverness) 74 76, M McCrone (Troon Welbeck) 74 76.

MISSED THE CUT (players with 155 and better qualified)

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

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TO VIEW SUNDAY'S TEE TIMES

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KERR INVESTMENTS 36-HOLE PRO-AM

MAGNIFICENT SEVEN IN THE MIX 

FOR D and G SUNDAY SHOOT-OUT

It's going to be the shoot-out at Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club on Sunday with seven pros in the mix at the top of the leaderboard for the second round of the Kerr Investments 36-hole pro-am.
Stephen Gray (Hayston), Keir McNicoll (Gullane) and Gareth Wright (West Linton) are joint leaders on three-under-par 67, just one shot ahead of David Nicol (Dundonald Links), Fraser Mann (Carnoustie Links), Christopher Currie (Caldwell), Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) and Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs).
Arnott led the Dumfries and Galloway No 15 trio of Billy Boyd (handicap 18), Alan McCabe (16) and David Frazer (12) to victory in the Day 1 pro-am team event with a 21-under-par net score of 119.

SCROLL DOWN PAST THE SCORES FOR
SUNDAY'S TEE TIMES

LEADING PRO SCORES
FIRST ROUND 
Par 70
67 S Gray (Hayston), K McNicoll (Gullane), G Wright (West Linton)
68 D Nicol (Dundonald Links), F Mann (Carnoustie Links), C Currie (Caldwell), G Fox (Clydeway Golf), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs)
69 G Paxton (Ralston), C Marr (Musselburgh), M Patterson (Kilmacolm).
71 C McMaster (Panmure), S Taylor (Bothwell Castle), S Herald (Mearns Castle), G Brown (Montrose Links), DPatrick (Kingsfield), D Orr (Mearns Castle)
72 J Erskine (Dumfries and Galloway), G Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie GC), R Dixon (Renaissance), S Henderson (Kings Links), R Jack (Dumfries and Galloway), C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst), M Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy), P O'Hara (Clydeway Golf), P Walker (Ballumbie Castle).
73 R Pickard (Loretto), D Wood (Hirsel), C Robinson (Portpatrick Dunsket), P Wardell (Whitekirk)
74 G Law (Uphall), G McB ain (Paul Lawrie GC), C Ronald (Carluke), J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle),  J McKinnon (Irvine)
75 C Haugh (Cawder), J Lomas (Caprington).
76 R Buckley (Royal Musselburgh), S Craig (Craig Golf), L Gaughan (Bathgate), A Welsh (Cathkin Braes)
77 A Brown (Archerfield Links), M King (Kingsfield), R Neill (Drumpellier), Helen Searle (Gailes Golf)
79 C Porciani (Turnberry Hotel, R Leeds (Turnberry Hotel), S Lamb (Peebles).
80 S Costello (Strathaven), D Williamson (Kirkhill). 
 

SUNDAY ROUND 2 PRO TEE TIMES Round 2: Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club Tee Time Name 1 7:15 AM Duncan Williamson, Kirkhill Golf Club 1 7:24 AM Scott Costello, Strathaven Golf Club 1 7:33 AM Stephen Lamb, Peebles Golf Club 1 7:42 AM Ross Leeds, Turnberry Hotel 1 7:51 AM Ciar Porciani, Turnberry Hotel 1 8:00 AM Helen Searle, Gailes Golf & Leisure 1 8:09 AM Ross Neill, Drumpellier Golf Club 1 8:18 AM Mark King, Kingsfield Golf Centre 1 8:27 AM Alistair Brown, Archerfield Links 1 8:36 AM Alan Welsh, Cathkin Braes Golf Club 1 8:45 AM Louis Gaughan, Bathgate Golf Club 1 8:54 AM Stephen Craig, Craig Golf 79 1 9:03 AM Ryan Buckley, Royal Musselburgh Golf Club 1 9:12 AM Jonathan Lomas, Caprington Golf Club 1 9:21 AM Craig Haugh, Cawder Golf Club 1 9:30 AM James McKinnon, Irvine Golf Club 1 9:39 AM Jason McCreadie, Buchanan Castle Golf Club 1 9:48 AM Craig Ronald, Carluke Golf Club 1 9:57 AM Greg McBain, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre 1 10:06 AM Gordon Law, Uphall Golf Club 1 10:15 AM Paul Wardell, Whitekirk Golf Course 1 10:24 AM Christopher Robinson, Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club 1 10:33 AM Daniel Wood, Hirsel Golf Club 1 10:42 AM Richard Pickard, Loretto School Golf Academy 1 10:51 AM Patrick Walker, Ballumbie Castle Golf Course 1 11:09 AM Paul O'Hara, Clydeway Golf 1 11:18 AM Mark Kerr, Marriott Dalmahoy Golf & Count 1 11:27 AM Scott Henderson, Kings Links Golf Centre 1 11:36 AM Greig Hutcheon, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre 1 11:45 AM Craig Matheson, Falkirk Tryst Golf Club 1 11:54 AM Ross Jack, Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club 1 12:03 PM Ross Dixon, Renaissance Club 1 12:12 PM James Erskine, Dumfries & County Golf Club 1 12:21 PM David Orr, Mearns Castle Golf Academy 1 12:30 PM David Patrick, Kingsfield Golf Centre 1 12:39 PM Graeme Brown, Montrose Golf Links Ltd. 1 12:48 PM Scott Herald, Mearns Castle Golf Academy 1 12:57 PM Steven Taylor, Bothwell Castle Golf Club 1 1:06 PM Christopher McMaster, Panmure Golf Club 1 1:15 PM Michael Patterson, Kilmacolm Golf Club 1 1:24 PM Cameron Marr, Musselburgh Golf Club 1 1:33 PM Greg Paxton, Ralston Golf Club 1 1:42 PM Robert Arnott, Bishopbriggs Golf Range 1 1:51 PM Graham Fox, Clydeway Golf 1 2:00 PM Christopher Currie, Caldwell Golf Club 1 2:09 PM Fraser Mann, The Carnoustie Golf Club 1 2:18 PM David Nicol, Dundonald Links 1 2:27 PM Gareth Wright, West Linton Golf Club 1 2:36 PM Keir McNicoll, Gullane Golf Club 1 2:45 PM Stephen Gray, Hayston Golf Club

NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN CHALLENGE

 LAGERGREN LOOKS LIKE KING OF

 THE CASTLE - SIX SHOTS CLEAR
EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS     
Joakim Lagergren is one step closer to sealing a maiden European Challenge Tour title at the Northern Ireland Open Challenge as the Swede displayed the composure of a seasoned champion, striding six shots clear on Day Three at Galgorm Castle.
The 22 year old was coolness personified in much more favourable conditions at the stunning Ballymena venue and a five under par third round 66 means he is well on course for a wire-to-wire victory.
Lagergren began the week in explosive style, carding a course record nine under par 62 on the opening day before proving he could also grind it out as strong winds failed to derail his title charge on the second day, a level par 71 handing him a one shot lead heading into the weekend.
His third round came somewhere in between his roller-coaster rounds during the week, as he strode clear with a superb four under par front nine and, while he opened his back nine with back to back bogeys, the Stockholm player picked up shots at the 12th, 15th holes and 18th to march into a near-unassailable lead.
“I was surprisingly calm out there,” said Lagergren, who is now 14 under for the week. “I had no worries at all and kept calm all day. It’s always a bit nervous on the first tee but I was hitting good shots in the beginning and I got off to a good start so I think that’s a good thing.
“Then you are calm all day instead of getting angry when you’re hitting bad shots. The start was good for me today.
“I had good chances on the first three holes, it was just a matter of time before the first birdie would come. Then as soon as I got a couple under I felt more settled. I holed a nice 25 foot putt at the eight, having just missed the green, so that was a real bonus.
“Otherwise it was just solid play and I gave myself a lot of chances. I didn’t want to step down even if I was leading by three, I just wanted to keep making birdies so I wasn’t looking too much at what everyone else was doing.”
Lagergren won three times on the satellite Nordic Golf League before earning a European Tour card for the 2012 season via Qualifying School, so he feels he is well capable of handling the pressure on the final day at Galgorm.
Certainly, he feels he has formed a special bond with the local fans, who have turned out in their thousands this week and are expected to set a new Challenge Tour attendance record on championship Sunday.
“The crowds have been great,” he said. “They are great fans, they have been cheering me on. I think there is something there, they really are urging me on. It’s really nice.
“I played with Dermot (McElroy, local amateur) the first two days and it feels like those fans were still following me today so it has been special.
“I have been in this position on The European Tour before, I was tied for the lead going into the weekend at the Madeira Islands Open, and also back in the Nordic Golf League, when I won a few times.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 213 (3x71)
199 J Lagergren (Swe) 62 71 66,
205 M Orrin (Eng) 66 71 68, T Sluiter  (Ned) 67 70 68, B Stone (RSA) 69 67 69,
206 C Ford (Eng) 70 70 66, A Bernadet  (Fra) 68 70 68, S Brown (Eng) 65 69 72, R Davies (Wal) 68 70 68,
207 T Linard (Fra) 67 68 72, J Caldwell  (Nir) 65 73 69, M Haines  (Eng) 71 71 65, B Ritthammer (Ger) 68 70 69, R Russell (Sco) 71 70 66, K Ferrie (Eng) 68 68 71, D Kemmer (USA) 66 69 72,
208 P Maddy (Eng) 69 70 69, N Quintarelli (Ita) 69 75 64, J Lando Casanova  (Fra) 68 71 69, G Shaw (Nir) 67 72 69, R McEvoy  (Eng) 67 73 68,
209 M Decottignies-Lafon (Fra) 70 74 65, S Henry  (Sco) 72 69 68, M Ford (Eng) 71 68 70,
210 E Espana (Fra) 71 70 69, A Snobeck  (Fra) 64 78 68, R McGowan  (Eng) 66 72 72, J Sjöholm (Swe) 68 72 70, P Dwyer (Eng) 69 72 69, A Björk (Swe) 68 74 68,
211 J Guerrier  (Fra) 74 70 67, R Gowers (Eng) 71 71 69, C Paisley  (Eng) 72 67 72, R Kind (Ned) 68 73 70, M Lafeber (Ned) 72 72 67, S Little (Eng) 70 70 71,
212 J Harrison (Eng) 69 73 70, J Huldahl (Den) 70 73 69, J Edfors (Swe) 68 75 69, J Winther (Den) 69 75 68, S Arnold  (Aus) 70 74 68, J Stalter (Fra) 72 71 69, T Murray (Eng) 74 68 70,
213 J Maw (Eng) 68 74 71, M Delpodio  (Ita) 69 73 71, C Aguilar  (Esp) 69 73 71, D Stewart (Sco) 70 74 69, C Hanson (Eng) 68 74 71, K Benz (Sui) 67 76 70,
214 G Cambis  (Fra) 68 76 70, A McArthur  (Sco) 69 72 73, P Figueiredo  (Por) 68 76 70, B Åkesson (Swe) 71 73 70, D McElroy (am) (Nir) 67 73 74,
215 J Garcia Del Moral (Esp) 70 74 71, N Kearney (Irl) 68 75 72, B Virto  (Esp) 74 69 72, C Shave (Eng) 72 72 71,
216 M Murphy  (Irl) 72 70 74, W Booth  (Sco) 67 76 73, J Senior (Eng) 72 71 73,
217 C Shinkwin (Eng) 68 76 73, A Dunbar (Nir) 70 74 73, J Galbraith (am) (Nir) 70 72 75,
218 C Kelly (Sco) 72 72 74,
220 J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 73 71 76, A Wrigley (Eng) 70 74 76,


EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

SCOT HAS TO WORK HARDER THAN IN FIRST ROUND

MARVELLOUS MONTY GOES FOUR 

CLEAR WITH THREE-UNDER 69

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Colin Montgomerie’s breathless bid for back-to-back victories in the Travis Perkins Masters remains on track after the Scot moved four shots clear at Woburn Golf Club with a three under par second round of 69.
The 2010 European Ryder Cup Captain won the title by six shots last year and has been in dominant form once again as he looks to claim his third European Senior Tour victory of the season, following double Major success at the US Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid and the US Senior Open.
Having shared the overnight lead with American Gary Rusnak, Montgomerie claimed the outright advantage with a birdie on the first hole, but then gave that shot back with his a bogey on the par three third hole.
He then birdied the fifth, tenth and 12th holes, but dropped a shot on the 15th before holing an eight foot birdie on the last for a seven under par total of 137.
In contrast, Rusnak found the trees on the closing hole en route to a double bogey six, meaning he slipped back to one under par, leaving fellow American Mike Cunning, who posted a round of 68, as Montgomerie’s nearest challenger on three under par.
Eight-time European Number One Montgomerie took a three-stroke advantage into the final round 12 months ago, and he will have the cushion of an extra shot this time round.
However, he remains aware that it will be far from a victory parade after struggling with his driving by comparison to his flawless display off the tee in a first round of 68.
“It was job done today, really,” said the 51 year old. “It was important to keep moving in the right direction, which I’ve done, but I didn’t play as well as yesterday. I didn’t drive the ball as well.
“Round here, if you don’t drive the ball well, you put yourself under pressure. I knew that today and a couple of mistakes and bogeys,were made due to the fact that I didn’t hit the fairways.
“I wasn’t swinging the club as well as I was yesterday, when I knew exactly where the ball was going to go, so that will need to improve tomorrow.”
As well as aiming to become only the second player after Carl Mason to successfully defend the Travis Perkins Masters title, Montgomerie is also trying to beat Mason’s record as the quickest player to win four times on the European Senior Tour. 
Mason achieved the feat in 11 appearances, whereas Montgomerie is playing in just his ninth event, and victory would also further extend his commanding cushion at the top of the Senior Tour Order of Merit. 
“I have to be careful tomorrow, but if I am under par I should be safe,” he said. “There are a lot of good challengers though who can shoot a 66 so you have to be careful. I’ll watch the leaderboards and play conservatively to a point, but at the same time when it is time to attack I will do so.”
Cunning posted four birdies in his opening six holes, but fell back after bogeys on the seventh and tenth holes. The two-time Senior Tour winner then followed a birdie on the 15th hole with a bogey on the 16th, before finishing strongly with back-to-back gains.
Spaniard Miguel Angel Martin, who was joint runner up behind Montgomerie last year, is also in contention once again, carding a round of 70 to sit five shots behind the leader on two under par. 
He is in a three-way share of third position with 2011 champion Boonchu Ruangktit (69) and Cesar Monasterio (72), the Argentine who won last week’s English Senior Open.

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS AT WOBURN
Par 144 (2x72)
 137 C Montgomerie  (Sco) 68 69,
 141 M Cunning (USA) 73 68,
 142 M Martin (Esp) 72 70, C Monasterio (Arg) 70 72, B Ruangkit (Tha) 73 69,
 143 A Bossert (Sui) 74 69, P Fowler (Aus) 71 72, T Thelen (USA) 72 71, R Gibson (Can) 70 73, C Williams (RSA) 73 70, B Lane (Eng) 73 70, G Rusnak (USA) 68 75,
 144 R Drummond (Sco) 73 71, J Carriles (Esp) 72 72, J Rivero (Esp) 73 71,
 145 D Smyth (Irl) 76 69, P Walton (Irl) 70 75, M Davis (Eng) 75 70, N Job (Eng) 73 72,
 146 E Romero (Arg) 75 71, P Wesselingh (Eng) 73 73, J Remesy (Fra) 74 72, M Farry (Fra) 70 76, P Golding (Eng) 71 75, J Bruner (USA) 73 73, S Luna (Esp) 72 74, A Franco (Par) 73 73,
 147 C Mason (Eng) 75 72, G Manson (Aut) 76 71, K Tomori (Jpn) 74 73, S Tinning (Den) 75 72, T Johnstone (Zim) 79 68, A Sherborne (Eng) 71 76,
 148 G Brand Jnr (Sco) 73 75, J Smith (USA) 72 76, J Quiros (Esp) 73 75, M Harwood (Aus) 75 73, A Oldcorn (Sco) 74 74, B Conser (USA) 75 73,
 149 N Ratcliffe (Aus) 75 74, J Berendt (Arg) 73 76, B Cameron (Eng) 76 73, P Eales (Eng) 76 73, P Linhart (Esp) 76 73, J Sallat (Fra) 73 76,
 150 M Piñero (Esp) 77 73, W Grant (Eng) 76 74, L Carbonetti (Arg) 76 74, R Rafferty (Nir) 77 73, S McAllister (Sco) 75 75, J Spence (Eng) 77 73, J Cañizares (Esp) 77 73,
 151 D O'Sullivan (Irl) 73 78, S Cipa (Eng) 77 74, S Brown (Eng) 79 72, G Emerson (Eng) 75 76, P Barber (Eng) 78 73, M James (Eng) 73 78,
 152 S Torrance (Sco) 73 79, A Murray (Eng) 80 72,
 153 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 77 76, P Jonas (Can) 78 75, K Spurgeon (Eng) 78 75, M Mackenzie (Eng) 75 78,
 154 G Ryall (Eng) 77 77,
 155 M Wharton (Eng) 82 73, J Gould (Eng) 79 76,
 156 G Brand (Eng) 75 81, D Durnian (Eng) 80 76,
 157 M Bianco (Ita) 80 77, T Price (Aus) 81 76,
 162 B Stevens (Eng) 84 78,

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

DOUBLE WHAMMY IN SWEDEN

GB AND I MEN WIN ST ANDREWS

TROPHY WITH DAY 2 ROMP

Great Britain and Ireland men's team followed up their boys' success in the Jacques Leglise Trophy match at Barseback, Sweden by winning the St Andrews Trophy.
Starting the second and final day on level terms at 6-6 with the Continent of Europe, GB and I took a stranglehold on the outcome by winning the morning foursomes 4-0.
That took the pressure off in the afternoon when the singles were shared 4-4, giving GB and I a comfortable 14-10 win, their first in the biennial series since 2008.

GB AND I 14, CONTINENT OF EUROPE 10
Barseback, Sweden.
Day 1: GB and I 6, Continent of Europe 6
Day 2: GB and I 8, Continent of Europe 4

FOURSOMES (4-0)
A Chesters and R Evans (Eng) bt J Carlota (Por) and D Berna (Spa) 3 and 1.
G Forrest and B Neil (Sco) bt M Gallano and E Cuartero (Spa) 1 hole.
P Dunne and G Hurley (Ire) bt D Van Driel (Net) and A Erhardt (Fra) 5 and 4.
N Marsha (Eng) and G Robertson (Sco) bt L Bem (Fra) and M Eggenberger (Swi) 1 hole.
SINGLES (4-4)
Chesters lost to Carlota 2 and 1.
Evans halved with Gallano
Neil bt T Gornik (Slov) 2 holes
Forrest halved with Bem
Hurley bt Berna 1 hole
Dunne bt Eggenberger 4 and 3.
Marsh lost to Van Driel 2 and 1.
Robertson lost to Cuartero 3 and 2.

RICHIE RAMSAY LYING IN SECOND PLACE

Otto leads as Gallacher’s Ryder Cup bid 

goes to the wire in Italian Open

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Hennie Otto will take a two stroke lead into the final round of the 71st Open d’Italia presented by Damiani at Circolo Golf Torino – La Mandria, where Stephen Gallacher’s bid to steal the last available qualifying place on Europe’s Ryder Cup team looks likely to go to the wire.
Otto, who experienced tightness in the back he had operated on twice at the beginning of the summer after eight holes of the third round, posted a one under 71 to move to 16 under and into  two-shot lead over Scotland’s Richie Ramsay in second spot – the position that Gallacher is coveting above all else this week.
Gallacher needs to win or finish second (alongside no more than one other player) to take the last of available spots on Paul McGinley’s European Team and he is just four shots behind Ramsay with 18 holes of the qualification campaign to go before McGinley completes his 12-man team with three Captains Picks next Tuesday.
Gallacher cared a three under 69 to move to ten under and will have to get past Bernd Wiesberger (-13), Ross Fisher and Lee Slattery (both-11) if he is to turn his Ryder Cup dream into reality.

Key Player quotes

Stephen Gallacher: “It keeps me in touching distance. The worst thing I could have done was open up a big gap which was insurmountable. I’ve not done that so a good day tomorrow and I am still right in there.
“I am lying sixth going into the last round – six behind first and four behind second – so it’s all to play for. You never know what happens in this game. I just need to go out and try and get as many birdies as possible and see what happens. It’s a tough week obviously. I have done my day job and done it well but it is a long week and will take a lot out of me mentally but I have two weeks off and one round to go so will give it my best shot.
“This is the only time in my career that I would be happy not to win a golf tournament. Second will do me fine tomorrow.”
Richie Ramsay: “That was very satisfying and a really good day on the golf course. I hit a lot of good shots out there. It sounds funny but it was quite easy – I was accepting of the bad shots I hit and just got on with it and then I managed to make a few birdies as well, especially holing a 40 foot putt on the last. 
"That was a great way to finish the day and gets me one closer to Hennie. I was very positive and confident today and hopefully I can do it all again tomorrow.
“I love the back nine on a Sunday when I am in contention. It’s what I love most about the game and I actually think it is when I am at my most confident. It will be great fun tomorrow.
“I know Stevie (Gallacher) well. I spend a lot of time at Kingsfield where he practises. It’s a big ask this week but he has shown over the past 12 months how good a player he is. I think if he didn’t qualify he would still be an asset to the team. Not just for his ball striking and general play, but his attitude and the kind of guy means he would bring a lot to the team. 
"His record at Gleneagles is impressive too. I would hate to be the person that denies him but I think if Stevie was in my position he would play to win and that is the attitude I have to take into tomorrow.”
Hennie Otto: “It was a rough day to be honest. My back started to tighten after 8 holes but I managed to get it round even though I couldn’t swing it properly. I got a little lucky at time as well but you need that in this game if you are going to win a tournament.
“I don’t have a lot of pain it is just tightness more than anything. It’s uncomfortable but not painful enough to stop me playing. I’m not really worried about it – I was in serious pain before the operations but this is nothing like that and I can get it fixed with some stretching and physio just now.
“It’s nice to be up there. I haven’t been up there for a while but I am hitting a lot of good shots and I will just focus on that.”
THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)

200 H Otto (RSA) 67 62 71
202 R Ramsay  (Sco) 67 69 66
203 B Wiesberger  (Aut) 66 66 71
205 L Slattery (Eng) 70 68 67; R Fisher (Eng) 69 66 70;
206 S Gallacher (Sco) 72 65 69
207 F Molinari (Ita) 66 72 69; J Luiten (Ned) 69 68 70; D Howell (Eng) 73 67 67; S Chowrasia (Ind) 69 72 66
208 M Korhonen (Fin) 70 67 71; C Del Moral (Esp) 70 68 70; R Wattel  (Fra) 73 68 67; M Warren (Sco) 69 70 69; R Gonzalez (Arg) 74 66 68; A Sullivan (Eng) 70 72 66; S Dyson  (Eng) 71 68 69; D Fichardt (RSA) 68 69 71; J Morrison  (Eng) 70 66 72;
209 M Bremner (RSA) 71 68 70; S Hansen (Den) 71 66 72; A Hartø  (Den) 70 69 70; D Clarke (Nir) 72 70 67; A Levy (Fra) 73 68 68; R Bland (Eng) 67 71 71; D Huizing (Ned) 69 71 69; T Fleetwood  (Eng) 72 70 67; M Madsen  (Den) 68 68 73; F Laporta (Ita) 68 72 69; D Lipsky (USA) 69 67 73; S Benson (Eng) 70 67 72; E Lipparelli (am) (Ita) 68 70 71;
210 S Kapur (Ind) 73 69 68; A Gee  (Eng) 72 70 68; E Goya (Arg) 71 70 69; A Quiros  (Esp) 70 72 68; A Wall (Eng) 71 70 69; C Lee (Sco) 70 72 68; S Walker (Eng) 70 72 68;
 211 M Siem  (Ger) 73 68 70; E Molinari  (Ita) 71 69 71; P Whiteford (Sco) 73 67 71; R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 73 63 75; J Heath  (Eng) 73 68 70; S Kim (Kor) 70 72 69; F Andersson Hed (Swe) 74 67 70;
212 D Im (USA) 71 71 70; J Hansen  (Den) 69 71 72; D Horsey (Eng) 71 69 72; L Bjerregaard  (Den) 74 68 70; R Kakko  (Fin) 69 72 71; W Ormsby (Aus) 74 68 70; R Rock (Eng) 69 70 73; A Saddier (Fra) 70 70 72
213 F Bergamaschi (Ita) 72 69 72; F Aguilar (Chi) 68 69 76; A Tadini (Ita) 72 69 72; T Lewis (Eng) 71 69 73; M Manassero (Ita) 73 69 71; D Drysdale (Sco) 73 69 71; K Broberg (Swe) 73 68 72;
214 G Maybin (Nir) 67 73 74; N Elvira  (Esp) 75 67 72; M Carlsson  (Swe) 72 70 72; G Molteni (Ita) 70 70 74; M Kieffer (Ger) 68 70 76; J Knutzon (USA) 70 70 74; B Rusch (am) (Sui) 73 66 75;
215 D McGrane (Irl) 71 71 73; J Campillo (Esp) 71 71 73; E De La Riva  (Esp) 72 70 73
216 G Porteous (Eng) 71 71 74; O Fisher  (Eng) 74 67 75; J Hahn (USA) 67 73 76
217 T Pieters  (Bel) 70 68 79
EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

FERGUSON AND BURNS PLAY VITAL ROLE

GB and I BOYS FIGHT BACK TO 

WIN JACQUES LEGLISE TROPHY

Great Britain and Ireland, with the help of Scots Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) and George Burns (Williamwood), staged a stirring fightback to beat
the Continent of Europe 12 1/2-11 1/2 and retain the Jacques Leglise Trophy in the U18 boys' international match at Barseback, Sweden on Saturday.
The GB and I boys had begun the second and last day with a 2pt deficit (5-7) but overturned that with a 3 1/2-1/2 success in the morning foursomes followed by a 4-4 share of the afternoon singles.
Both Ferguson and Burns, with different partners in the foursomes, won their morning ties and then came out after lunch to win their singles by 2 and 1.

GB and IRELAND 12 1/2, CONTINENT OF EUROPE 11 1/2
Day 1 - GB and I 5, Continent of Europe 7.
Day 2 - GB and I 7 1/2, Continent of Europe 4 1/2
FOURSOMES (3 1/2-0 1/2)
H McCullen (Eng) and T Harry (Wal) halved with A Blomme and M Kinhult (Swe).
M Penge and A Turner (Eng) bt V Van Veen (Net) and K Ganter (Spa) 4 and 3.
E Ferguson (Sco) and B Moore (Eng) bt O Bergqvist (Swe) and K Reitan (Nor) 2 and 1.
R Lester (Ire) and G Burns (Sco) bt S Mazzoli and F Zuckermann (Ita) 1 hole.

SINGLES (4-4)
McCullen lost to Kinhult 2 and 1.
Harry lost to Bergaqvist 2 holes
Ferguson bt Blomme 2 and 1.
Burns bt Reitan 2 and 1.
Penge lost to Mazzoli 1 hole.
Moore bt Zuckermann 5 and 4.
Turner lost to Ganter 1 hole.
Lester bt V Novak (Cze) 2 and 1.

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MORAY MEMBER CHASING FIRST SCOTLAND CAP IN 2015

GODSMAN BIDS FOR ANOTHER TOP 

PLACING IN SED THIS WEEKEND

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com
If Kyle Godsman's name is not in the SGU international team selectors' notebooks, it  should be!
After four years playing the US college golf circuit as a student at the University of South Carolina-Aiken, the 23-year-old (pictured) from Hopeman, Morayshire has come home to achieve five top-10 finishes in the five 72-hole Order of Merit events in which he has played.
Kyl is bidding for a sixth prominent placing in this weekend's South-east District Open at Bruntsfield Links, the last of the 2014 SGU 72-hole Order of Merit events.
A couple of weeks ago, he came third in the North-east District Open at Peterhead. This past weekend, he was beaten by fellow Moray Golf Club member Stuart Tatters in a play-off for the North of Scotland Open amateur stroke-play championship at Elgin.
Last year, during his summer break back home, he won the North District championship at Royal Dornoch.
"I believe this success is down to playing a very competitive schedule in America against the top golf program's in that country and also my current coach, David Torrance at Nairn Dunbar, " said Godsman as he looked forward to this weekend's final event on the 2014 SGU Order of Merit, the South-east District Championship at Bruntsfield Links, Edinburgh..
"I plan to continue working with Dave throughout the winter to continue improving my game. We know where the improvements need to be made. I have been working with Dave from a young age so we have a great understanding of each other. "
Looking back to Sunday's result at Elgin, Godsman says he has mixed feelings - disappointment that he lost the play-off but pleasure in getting himself into a position from which he could and perhaps should have won.
"I was pleased that in the final round I was able to birdie the 16th and 17th under pressure to give myself a winning chance.
 "Stuart Tatters is a great player and we have previously had some great battles locally and I'm sure it won't be the last!
"Looking to next year, it will be great to have the Scottish amateur stroke-play championship at Lossiemouth. It's not often you get home course advantage in a major national event. Then there's the Scottish amateur match-play championship at Muirfield, a venue which should attract a great field.
"I look forward to improving my game with David Torrance and playing a full schedule next year with the hope of catching the eye of the national selectors! A first cap for Scotland is my target."
"I'm in a fortunate position where I am, working part-time with flexible hours that gives me the opportunity to travel and play in the order of merit events."
Kyle is cautious to queries about turning professional.
"It is something that I have considered. Next year playing a full schedule is an important year. If I continue to make progress at the amateur level then I would consider making the step up if the financial backing is available at the time."

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RUSSELL KNOX SHARING SIXTH PLACE

AFTER A BACK-IN-FORM 67

NORTON, Massachusetts -Highlander Russell Knox climbed back to his best form for weeks with a 67 for a share of sixth place at the end of the first round of the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Ryan Palmer has felt all year that something special was going to happen. For now, he'll take his lowest round of the season.
Palmer took only 21 putts and made birdie on half of his holes Friday on the TPC Boston, giving him an 8-under 63 and a two-shot lead over Keegan Bradley after the opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship.
''It was one of my best ones of the year, for sure,'' Palmer said.
He didn't miss a putt inside 15 feet and closed out his round with a pitching wedge to 18 feet, making the downhill putt for his ninth birdie.
Bradley matched his low round of the season, though what meant more was the timing. This is the final week before U.S. captain Tom Watson decides which three players he will pick to fill out his Ryder Cup team. Bradley always seemed like a logical choice, though he wants to leave nothing to chance.

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Deutsche Bank Championship: Articles, videos and photos

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He played bogey-free in a gentle breeze, and it was just the start he needed.
''I'm not going to sit up here and say any cliches that I'm not thinking about the Ryder Cup or any of that,'' Bradley said. 
''I am very aware every second of the day that I'm being watched by the captain. And I'm just trying to embrace that, be aware of it and enjoy it if I can.''
Webb Simpson, who also needs a pick to return to the Ryder Cup, and Jason Day of Australia were among those at 66.
Jordan Spieth recovered from a double bogey to start his round and, with his entire family in tow, turned it around with four birdies and an eagle for a 67. 
Also at 67 was Ian Poulter, who seems certain to be a Ryder Cup pick for Europe on Tuesday considering how much damage he's done to the Americans in the competition. Poulter was thinking only about his golf, which hasn't been very good this year.
''I just want to play golf,'' Poulter said. ''It's been a (bad) year, and I want to turn it around right now.''
Rory McIlroy was brilliant at times and sloppy at other times in his round of 70.
Phil Mickelson had a 74. He wasn't sure what to expect and even Lefty had to be surprised by his card that featured six pars, six birdies, four bogeys, a double bogey and a triple bogey.
''I said it would be feast or famine,'' Mickelson said. ''I was hoping it would be Stableford. If it was Stableford, I'd be right in it.''
Instead, he needs a good round Saturday to make sure he stays in the top 70 in the FedEx Cup to advance next week to the third playoff event in Denver.
For two weeks - especially this one - the FedEx Cup shares the stage for that other cup. So many players are thinking less about the chase for a $10 million bonus, and more about a chance to play a tournament where they don't get paid at all.
Watson and European captain Paul McGinley announce their three picks Tuesday. This is the final qualifying week for Europe, though only the players competing in Italy this week can affect the standings.
Palmer finished No. 18 in the Ryder Cup standings. His name hasn't been mentioned as prominently as others bidding for captain's pick. But he looked plenty good Friday.
''I keep telling myself something is going to happen. I don't know where or when,'' Palmer said. ''My game has been in good shape. It was a matter of getting it all together.''
His regular caddie, James Edmondson, didn't make the trip. Edmondson is close friends with Lance Bennett, who works for Matt Kuchar. Bennett's wife died of a seizure Tuesday in Dallas, and caddies and some players wore a black hat with an orange ribbon as a tribute to Angela Bennett. The couple has a 4-year-old daughter.
''When he said, 'I may need to stay home,' I said, 'Done. Don't worry about. We're just playing golf,''' Palmer said.
Bradley won all three of his matches with Mickelson in the last Ryder Cup at Medinah and is desperate to be on the American team that will try to win the cup back on Sept. 26-28 at Gleneagles . And he's not shy about saying so.
''When I wake up, I'm thinking about it. When I'm on the course, I'm thinking about it,'' he said.
Bradley was never in big trouble. He drove it long and straight, and that goes a long way on the TPC Boston. Bradley played with Mickelson in three matches at Medinah in the last Ryder Cup, and they never lost. Bradley also played a practice round at Gleneagles with Watson before the  Open.
''I think if I go out and shoot good scores, yeah, I think I'm in good shape,'' Bradley said. ''But there's so many great players that aren't on this team. I don't take anything for granted. I don't think I'm a lock by any means.''

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