Friday, June 19, 2015

Challenge Tour report and scores

Gros leads by two from Stiggy Hodgson

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Sebastien Gros launched himself into contention to become the first Frenchman for 14 years to win the Najeti Open Presented by Neuflize OBC after a second round of 66 at Aa Saint-Omer Golf Club.
Despite testing afternoon conditions in Lumbres, Gros plundered seven birdies to move to eight under par at the midway stage of the €200,000 event on the European Challenge Tour.
That total was good enough to secure a two-shot lead over England’s Stiggy Hodgson, who added a round of 67 to his opening 69.
Gros has yet to win on the Challenge Tour but is in a rich vein of form, with back-to-back top five finishes in Austria and the Czech Republic carrying him to 14th place in the Road to Oman Rankings.
Buoyed by the support of the home crowd and his caddie, fellow professional Arnaud Garrigues, Gros turned in 33 courtesy of a quartet of birdies.
After back-to-back gains from the tenth the 25 year old dropped a shot on the 12th hole, but swiftly cancelled that out with another birdie at the 14th to put himself in pole position to emulate the achievement of his namesake, Sébastien Delagrange, the last Frenchman to take the title in 2001.   
Gros said: “I got off a pretty fast start with two birdies on the first two pars threes, so I was happy with that because they were two great iron shots. I managed to make two other birdies on the two par fives, so I’m very pleased with the way I played, especially as the conditions weren’t easy this afternoon.
“Having Arnaud on the bag has really helped this week. The only goal is to have fun, although I probably can’t repeat some of the things we were saying out there!
“I played really well when he caddied for me during the Pro-Am, we were laughing and joking the whole way round and we’ve carried the same attitude into the tournament. It’s definitely helped me to relax, and when I’m relaxed I play my best golf.”
Hodgson produced a brilliant finish to spring into contention, as the former Walker Cup player signed off with three consecutive birdies for a four under par round of 67.
“I played nicely,” said the 24 year old. “The finish was magic, with three birdies in a row. I played nicely and also got a little bit lucky, but you have to take your good breaks when they come along.
“This course really tests your patience a lot, but you just have to accept it. You can get bad breaks, but it’s the same for everyone.
“On the third hole, you can pitch in the middle of the fairway but end up in the trees, which is what happened to me today. So you do need a bit of luck out there.”
Hodgson twice represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup – in 2009 and 2011 – and has made steady progress since turning professional in 2012. Last week, he finished tied third in the KPMG Trophy in Belgium.
“Over the last few years I’ve managed to improve each part of my game and get a little better in everything,” he added. “It’s just about keeping the belief and always trying to improve.”]

Third place is currently shared by Finland’s Roope Kakko, Frenchman Thomas Linard and joint overnight leader Terry Pilkadaris of Australia, all of whom sit on four under par.

SECOND-ROUND SCORES, TOTALS 

par 142 (2x71)
 134 S Gros (Fra) 68 66
 136 S Hodgson (Eng) 69 67,
 138 T Pilkadaris (Aus) 66 72, T Linard (Fra) 69 69, R Kakko  (Fin) 67 71,
 139 T Sluiter  (Ned) 72 67, H Joannes  (Bel) 66 73, J Dantorp (Swe) 71 68, B Chapellan (Fra) 69 70,
 140 R Fox (Nzl) 67 73, E Dubois (Fra) 69 71,
 141 C Brazillier  (Fra) 70 71, B Stone (RSA) 71 70, S Kim (USA) 69 72, J Walters (RSA) 71 70, F Andersson Hed (Swe) 68 73, A Kaleka  (Fra) 73 68, J Hansen  (Den) 70 71, F Calmels  (Fra) 74 67, P Whiteford (Sco) 67 74,
 142 N Ravano (Ita) 67 75, S Einhaus (Ger) 71 71, M Schneider (Ger) 69 73, M Bremner (RSA) 72 70, R Santos  (Por) 73 69, P Meesawat  (Tha) 70 72, J Fahrbring (Swe) 68 74, J Ballesteros (Esp) 74 68, M Orrin (Eng) 71 71, S Henry  (Sco) 68 74, C Gloet  (Den) 70 72, D Gaunt (Eng) 73 69,
 143 J Glennemo (Swe) 73 70, N Quintarelli (Ita) 74 69, S Walker (Eng) 71 72, L Gagli  (Ita) 73 70, J Doherty  (Sco) 69 74, C Aguilar  (Esp) 72 71, A Grenier  (Fra) 71 72, J Rutherford (Eng) 70 73, J Watts (Eng) 72 71, P Widegren  (Swe) 74 69, T Remkes (Ned) 68 75,
 144 G Woolgar (Eng) 73 71, S Fernoux (Fra) 71 73, W Harrold (Eng) 72 72, B Hafthorsson (Isl) 72 72, S Manley (Wal) 72 72, G Murray  (Sco) 72 72, O Bekker (RSA) 71 73, A Snobeck  (Fra) 70 74, V Riu  (Fra) 71 73, C Selfridge  (Nir) 71 73, J Heath  (Eng) 76 68, C Shinkwin (Eng) 72 72, R Gouveia (Por) 70 74, P Dwyer (Eng) 72 72,
 145 R Davies (Wal) 75 70, D Huizing (Ned) 74 71, J Senior (Eng) 74 71, A Gee  (Eng) 77 68, S Garcia Rodriguez (Esp) 74 71, J Guerrier  (Fra) 74 71, D Law (Sco) 74 71, E Saltman  (Sco) 72 73, J Gonnet  (Fra) 73 72, D Vancsik (Arg) 73 72, J Billing (Swe) 74 71, D Stewart (Sco) 73 72, R Coles (Eng) 71 74, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 77 68, G Maybin (Nir) 74 71, D Woltman (USA) 75 70, C Hanson (Eng) 71 74, N Elvira  (Esp) 75 70, 

MISSED THE CUT
 146 J Lima  (Por) 74 72, J Lucquin (Fra) 75 71, J Grillon  (Fra) 71 75, M Wiegele  (Aut) 71 75, M Radureau (Fra) 71 75, R McGee (Irl) 71 75, W Booth  (Sco) 68 78, A Dunbar (Nir) 77 69, S Wakefield (Eng) 73 73,
 147 J Gallegos  (Esp) 73 74, M Fenasse (Fra) 70 77, O Rozner  (Fra) 74 73, Z Lombard  (RSA) 74 73, E Bertheussen (Nor) 74 73, D Dixon (Eng) 75 72, T Nemecz (Aut) 72 75, M Montgaillard (Fra) 78 69, G Porteous (Eng) 73 74, J Rask (Swe) 70 77, J Stalter (Fra) 72 75, J Makitalo  (Fin) 73 74,
 148 T Sinnott (Aus) 74 74, A McArthur  (Sco) 72 76, Y El Hassani (Mar) 72 76, S Jeppesen  (Swe) 73 75, B Stow (Eng) 72 76, D Im (USA) 71 77,
 149 S Soderberg (Swe) 74 75, N Roche (Fra) 75 74, A Marshall (Eng) 73 76, C Berardo (Fra) 72 77, S Fallon (Eng) 81 68, K Le Sager  (Fra) 71 78, S Heisele (Ger) 71 78, D Coupland (Eng) 76 73, K Subregis  (Fra) 74 75, S Thornton (Irl) 69 80, P Archer (Eng) 76 73,
 150 J Scrivener (Aus) 74 76, M Delpodio  (Ita) 72 78, A Joudar (Mar) 74 76,
 151 J McLeary  (Sco) 77 74, J Verselin (Fra) 75 76, B Paolini (USA) 72 79,
 152 P Maddy (Eng) 80 72, G Shaw (Nir) 72 80, X Ruiz Fonhof  (Ned) 75 77, N Bertasio (Ita) 78 74, A Anghert (Fra) 75 77, F Bergamaschi (Ita) 75 77, A Saddier (Fra) 76 76,
 153 T Tree (Eng) 79 74, P Figueiredo  (Por) 73 80, N Geyger (Chi) 77 76, A Knappe (Ger) 75 78, J Lopez Lazaro (Fra) 75 78, R McGowan  (Eng) 76 77, D Bobrowski (Fra) 76 77, T Elissalde  (Fra) 78 75, D Antonelli (Fra) 74 79, D Burmester (RSA) 78 75, R Kellett (Sco) 75 78, M Rocchi  (Fra) 76 77,
 154 E Goya (Arg) 79 75, A Bernadet  (Fra) 79 75, G Lockerbie  (Eng) 75 79, S Akarsu (am) (Tur) 74 80,
 155 M Kramer  (Ger) 77 78, M Decottignies-Lafon (Fra) 75 80, J Robinson (Eng) 79 76, A Altuntas (am) (Tur) 77 78,
 156 E Cuartero Blanco  (Esp) 72 84, A Hartø  (Den) 81 75,
 157 D Palm (Swe) 79 78, C Russo (Fra) 77 80,
 159 C Rameaux (Fra) 82 77,
 160 S Debiais (Fra) 79 81,
 ** M Lafeber (Ned) 79 RT, G Boyd  (Eng) 78 WD, S Griffiths (Eng) 75 WD, A Rota (Ita) RT  0,


EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

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FORREST WILL FACE LANGASQUE IN THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

NEWS RELEASE BY THE RandA
Craigielaw's 2012 Scottish amateur champion Grant Forrest will face Romain Langasque of France in tomorrow’s 36-hole Final of the 120th Amateur Championship at Carnoustie.
Forrest defeated another Frenchman, Alexandre Daydou, by 4 and 2 to secure his place in the Final against Langasque, who saw off the challenge of Ayrshire's  Jack McDonald at the 19th hole.
Forrest, winner of the St Andrews Links Trophy last year and
 celebrating his 22nd birthday today, got off to an ideal start in the first semi-final against Alexandre Daydou, holing a 15ft birdie putt on the 1st green to win the hole. He extended his lead with another birdie at the 3rd and, although the Frenchman won the next, the Craigielaw player restored his lead with a birdie three at the 5th.
Despite incurring a penalty for stepping on his ball on the 6th hole, Forrest was able to get up and down from a bunker for a half. He played steadily from there to maintain his lead, moving three ahead at the 11th, and clinched a 4 and 2 win at the 16th.
Forrest’s friend McDonald was involved in a closely fought contest with Langasque where there was never more than one hole between them in the match. 
 On the 17th the 20-year-old Frenchman found the burn which cost him the hole and left him one down on the 18th. After both players reached the green in three McDonald missed a 10 ft putt and left Langasque with a 7 ft par putt which he confidently holed to stay in the match.
On the 19th hole, Langasque, who won the Southern Cross Invitational in Argentina in March, found the green in two and holed a 3ft putt for a par which was enough to win the hole and the match as McDonald failed to get up and down from left of the green.
Forrest, who recently completed his four years of studies at the University of San Diego, now has the opportunity to follow Bradley Neil, who won at Royal Portrush last year, and achieve back-to-back Scottish victories in the Amateur Championship, while Langasque could become only the third Frenchman to win the Amateur and the first since Julien Guerrier in 2006.
In the Quarter-Finals, McDonald enjoyed a convincing 6&5 win over the last Englishman in the field Sean Towndrow while Forrest showed his grit to come out on top against fellow Scot Marchbank.
Trailing for most of the match, Marchbank won three consecutive holes from the 14th, which he eagled, and was two up with two to play. Forrest was not to be denied, however, winning the 17th and the 18th with a par when Marchbank’s 4ft par putt stayed out. The match went to the 19th, which was halved in par, before Forrest sealed the win with a birdie three on the 20th.
Daydou won the first of the two all-French Quarter-Finals by 3 and 2 against Antoine Rozner and Langasque defeated Robin Sciot-Siegrist by two holes.
Key quotes
Grant Forrest
“I got off to a good start. If you had told me back in the States that I would I be in the Final I would have said ‘no way’. I have been struggling with my game in the last couple of months but I have been working hard and have managed to find my game again this week which has been great. Scottish amateur golf is really strong this year and it’s great to see.”
Romain Langasque
“I’m so happy to reach the Final. Tomorrow I am going to have a lot of support from the federation and the people here for me so I just want to be on the first tee and play well.
“I’m going to try and sleep well tonight.  Tomorrow I’m going to have fun and see if I win or lose but enjoy it. For my future career to win this championship would be incredible.”

For the full results and live scoring from the Final please visit championships.randa.org.

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Barrie Edmond is looking forward to FIFTH Aberdeen Links title bid next year when
it may become an OPEN championship

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Bon Accord's Barrie Edmond is already   looking forward to an historic FIFTH Aberdeen Links hampionship victory next year when, following the amalgamation of Bon Accord, Caledonian and Northern, there is a growing feeling that 2016 will be the year for the championship to go "open," i.e. the best players in the North-east will be able to enter whether they be members of Murcar Links, Royal Aberdeen, Deeside or wherever.

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PGA EuroPro Tour event won by Marcus Armitage


Paul Shields' tied 7th finish earns him £1,200

Paul Shields (Kirkhill) earned £1,200 as the leading Scot in joint seventh place in the PGA EuroPro Tour's Grenke Championship 54-hole tournament which ended at Cumberwell Park, Wiltside today.
Shields had rounds of 70, 73 and 66 for an aggregate of 209 - six shots behind the winner of the £10,000 first prize, Marcus Armitage (Howley Hall) who had scores of 68, 69  and 66 for 203.
Ellon's Ross Cameron, sponsored by Saltire Energy, and Jordan McColl (Kingsbarns), were the joint second best Scots on 213 and earned £375 each. Cameron had scores of 72, 7 and 70, McColl 70, 79 and 74.
The only other Scot to make the final round, Scott Crichton (Aberdour) finished joint 51st on 217 with rounds of 72, 70 and 75. He earned £282.

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Stewart-Cation's T5 finish in Italy

Scott Stewart-Cation, 27, from Glenrothes earned 1,427 euros for a tied fifth place finish in this week's Alps Tour event in Italy, Open La Pinetina.
Scott, who plays out of the Kingsbarns Pro Academy, had rounds of 66, 68 and 66 for a 10-under-par total of 200 over the par-70 course.
He finished three shots behind the winner, Andrea Perrino Italy) who had scores of 64, 66 and 67 fro 13-under 197 to finish a shot ahead of Frenchman Dominique Nouailhag (68-64-66).
Fifer James White finished T37 on 209 with rounds of 66, 72 and 71. He earned 370 euros.

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Scottish Young Professionals' Championship
June 29 to July 1 at West Lothian Golf Club


ROUND 1 TEE TIMES, JUNE 29 (scroll down for Round 2)


  1   8:00 AM   Cameron Adam, Linlithgow Golf Club
                Stuart Milne, Balbirnie Park Golf Club

  1   8:09 AM   Gregor Wright, Ladybank Golf Club
                Kieran Cooney, Kingsfield Golf Centre

  1   8:18 AM   James Dick, Duddingston Golf Club
                Ogilivie Robertson, Dunblane New Golf Club

  1   8:27 AM   Derek Ramsay, Moray Golf Club
                Andrew Todd, Downfield Golf Club
                Ross Black, Inverness Golf Club

  1   8:36 AM   Palmer Mitchell, Stirling Golf Club
                Ryan Stirling, Lanark Golf Club
                Jordan Brown, Dumfries & County Golf Club

  1   8:45 AM   Christopher Billows, Gleneagles Hotel Golf Courses
                Ryan Delaney
                Stephen Speirs, Swanston New Golf Club

  1   8:54 AM   Ailsa Bain, Gullane Golf Club
                Nathan Free, Longniddry Golf Club
                Shaun Clark, Castiglion del Bosco Golf Club

  1   9:03 AM   Paul O'Hara, Clydeway Golf
                Samuel Binning, Mearns Castle Golf Academy
                Louis Gaughan, Bathgate Golf Club

  1   9:12 AM   Craig Armstrong, Burntisland Golf Club
                Fraser Cramb, Crieff Golf Club
                Daniel Thorburn, Braid Hills Golf Range

  1   9:21 AM   Scott Costello, Strathaven Golf Club
                Donald Swinley, Prestonfield Golf Club
                Michael Kanev, Bruntsfield Links Golf Society

  1   9:30 AM   Cameron Marr, Musselburgh Golf Club
                Daniel Flannery, Caldwell Golf Club
                Nichola Ferguson, American Golf

  1   9:39 AM   Allan Todd, Prestwick Golf Club
                David Lee
                Ian Anderson, Colville Park Golf Club

  1   9:48 AM   Neil Cameron, Blairgowrie Golf Club
                Robert King, Carrick on Loch Lomond
                Michael Mackenzie, Edzell Golf Club

  1   9:57 AM   Kevin Moran, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
                Andrew Hutchison, Douglas Park Golf Club
                Fraser Thomson, Turnberry Hotel

  1   10:15 AM  Stewart Watters, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
                Blair Harvey, Glasgow Golf Club

  1   10:24 AM  Colin Dick, Royal Burgess Golfing Society
                Mark Penny, Montrose Golf Links Ltd.

  1   10:33 AM  Pierce Whelan, Bathgate Golf Club
                Mark Thomson, Panmure Golf Club
                Steven Maxwell, Eastwood Golf Club

  1   10:42 AM  Ross Millar, Kings Acre Golf Course
                Reece Mitchell, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre
                Jack Thorburn, Kingsbarns Golf Links

  1   10:51 AM  Kirstin Scott, Gleneagles Hotel Golf Courses
                Richard Mackenzie-Smith, Carnegie Club
                Callum Fountain, Buchanan Castle Golf Club

  1   11:00 AM  Gavin Hay, Nairn Dunbar Golf Club
                Keir McNicoll, Gullane Golf Club
                Greg Paterson, St Andrews Links Golf Academy

  1   11:09 AM  Tom Dingwall, Kemnay Golf Club
                Rory Tinker, Piperdam Golf & Leisure Resort
                Alan Welsh, Cathkin Braes Golf Club

  1   11:18 AM  Sam McLaren, Blairgowrie Golf Club
                Jamie Fraser, Renaissance Club
                Helen Searle, Gailes Golf & Leisure

  1   11:27 AM  Cameron Farrell, Cardross Golf Club
                Rodger Clarke, Gamola Golf
                Ross Munro, Duddingston Golf Club

  1   11:36 AM  Graham Forbes, Mar Hall Hotel & Resort
                Ciar Porciani, Turnberry Hotel
                Colin Robinson, Elie Links

  1   11:45 AM  Sean Fay, Royal Dornoch Golf Club
                Fraser Robertson, Lundin Golf Club
                Scott Smith, Scotscraig Golf Club

  1   11:54 AM  David Stein, Ranfurly Castle Golf Club
                Murray Patterson, Cruden Bay Golf Club
                Craig Goodwin, Duff House Royal Golf Club

  1   12:03 PM  Jordan Gallagher, Douglas Park Golf Club
                Jamie Treasurer, Loch Ness Golf Club
                Callum Beveridge, West Kilbride Golf Club

  1   12:12 PM  Sam Craigon, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
                Stephen Wilson, Carrick on Loch Lomond
                Jackson Bell, Craigmillar Park Golf Club


 Round 2: June 30.


  1   8:00 AM   Stewart Watters, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
                Blair Harvey, Glasgow Golf Club

  1   8:09 AM   Colin Dick, Royal Burgess Golfing Society
                Mark Penny, Montrose Golf Links Ltd.

  1   8:18 AM   Pierce Whelan, Bathgate Golf Club
                Mark Thomson, Panmure Golf Club
                Steven Maxwell, Eastwood Golf Club

  1   8:27 AM   Ross Millar, Kings Acre Golf Course
                Reece Mitchell, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre
                Jack Thorburn, Kingsbarns Golf Links

  1   8:36 AM   Kirstin Scott, Gleneagles Hotel Golf Courses
                Richard Mackenzie-Smith, Carnegie Club
                Callum Fountain, Buchanan Castle Golf Club

  1   8:45 AM   Gavin Hay, Nairn Dunbar Golf Club
                Keir McNicoll, Gullane Golf Club
                Greg Paterson, St Andrews Links Golf Academy

  1   8:54 AM   Tom Dingwall, Kemnay Golf Club
                Rory Tinker, Piperdam Golf & Leisure Resort
                Alan Welsh, Cathkin Braes Golf Club

  1   9:03 AM   Sam McLaren, Blairgowrie Golf Club
                Jamie Fraser, Renaissance Club
                Helen Searle, Gailes Golf & Leisure

  1   9:12 AM   Cameron Farrell, Cardross Golf Club
                Rodger Clarke, Gamola Golf
                Ross Munro, Duddingston Golf Club

  1   9:21 AM   Graham Forbes, Mar Hall Hotel & Resort
                Ciar Porciani, Turnberry Hotel
                Colin Robinson, Elie Links

  1   9:30 AM   Sean Fay, Royal Dornoch Golf Club
                Fraser Robertson, Lundin Golf Club
                Scott Smith, Scotscraig Golf Club

  1   9:39 AM   David Stein, Ranfurly Castle Golf Club
                Murray Patterson, Cruden Bay Golf Club
                Craig Goodwin, Duff House Royal Golf Club

  1   9:48 AM   Jordan Gallagher, Douglas Park Golf Club
                Jamie Treasurer, Loch Ness Golf Club
                Callum Beveridge, West Kilbride Golf Club

  1   9:57 AM   Sam Craigon, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
                Stephen Wilson, Carrick on Loch Lomond
                Jackson Bell, Craigmillar Park Golf Club

  1   10:15 AM  Cameron Adam, Linlithgow Golf Club
                Stuart Milne, Balbirnie Park Golf Club

  1   10:24 AM  Gregor Wright, Ladybank Golf Club
                Kieran Cooney, Kingsfield Golf Centre

  1   10:33 AM  James Dick, Duddingston Golf Club
                Ogilivie Robertson, Dunblane New Golf Club

  1   10:42 AM  Derek Ramsay, Moray Golf Club
                Andrew Todd, Downfield Golf Club
                Ross Black, Inverness Golf Club

  1   10:51 AM  Palmer Mitchell, Stirling Golf Club
                Ryan Stirling, Lanark Golf Club
                Jordan Brown, Dumfries & County Golf Club

  1   11:00 AM  Christopher Billows, Gleneagles Hotel Golf Courses
                Ryan Delaney
                Stephen Speirs, Swanston New Golf Club

  1   11:09 AM  Ailsa Bain, Gullane Golf Club
                Nathan Free, Longniddry Golf Club
                Shaun Clark, Castiglion del Bosco Golf Club

  1   11:18 AM  Paul O'Hara, Clydeway Golf
                Samuel Binning, Mearns Castle Golf Academy
                Louis Gaughan, Bathgate Golf Club

  1   11:27 AM  Craig Armstrong, Burntisland Golf Club
                Fraser Cramb, Crieff Golf Club
                Daniel Thorburn, Braid Hills Golf Range

  1   11:36 AM  Scott Costello, Strathaven Golf Club
                Donald Swinley, Prestonfield Golf Club
                Michael Kanev, Bruntsfield Links Golf Society

  1   11:45 AM  Cameron Marr, Musselburgh Golf Club
                Daniel Flannery, Caldwell Golf Club
                Nichola Ferguson, American Golf

  1   11:54 AM  Allan Todd, Prestwick Golf Club
                David Lee
                Ian Anderson, Colville Park Golf Club

  1   12:03 PM  Neil Cameron, Blairgowrie Golf Club
                Robert King, Carrick on Loch Lomond
                Michael Mackenzie, Edzell Golf Club

  1   12:12 PM  Kevin Moran, Balbirnie Park Golf Club
                Andrew Hutchison, Douglas Park Golf Club
                Fraser Thomson, Turnberry Hotel




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Oceanico to sell its five Vilamoura courses 

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Shock news from the Algarve today that Oceanico Golf is to sell its portfolio of five high-class golf courses at Vilamoura as a package.
International real estate advisor Savills has been appointed by Oceanico Golf to find a buyer.
The portfolio comprises five championship courses, including the Oceânico Victoria (host to the World Cup of Golf in 2005 and the Portugal Masters since 2007), Oceânico Old Course (awarded number one course in Portugal by Today’s Golfer Travel Awards 2012 and 2014), Oceânico Pinhal, Oceânico Laguna and Oceânico Millennium.
Each one has its own unique characteristics, ranging from the mature tree lined fairways of the Old Course to the open, coastal features of the Arnold Palmer designed Victoria.
All the courses have been designed by internationally recognised golf architects, constructed and maintained to a high standard, and benefit from clubhouse facilities of commensurate quality. The five 18 hole courses range in length from 6,121 metres, par 72 to 6,251 metres par 72, occupying an overall area extending to approximately 850 acres (344 hectares).
On the Old Course the existing clubhouse and adjoining office have permission for redevelopment to provide a new building of 13,020 sq m (140,147 sq ft) which would accommodate new clubhouse facilities together with 126 holiday apartments.
In addition to the golf portfolio, there is a further beachfront development site on the edge of Vilamoura, close to the golf courses, which is available as a separate lot, or for development in conjunction with the golf courses. This 34,158 sq m (367,677 sq ft) site has permission for development of 166 apartments with central leisure facilities overlooking the beach.
Ian Simpson, director of leisure at Savills, comments: “This is one of the largest and most prestigious golf course portfolios in Europe. It is a highly profitable business, and offers further potential through the Old Course and Beachfront development sites, which will enable a purchaser to exploit the synergy between the golf courses and holiday apartment sales or lettings.”
Chris Howell, Oceanico Group Chairman, adds: “The Vilamoura golf portfolio continues to deliver year on year growth. The Oceanico Board have decided to sell the portfolio, as they consider that the strengthening economy will enable the value of this exceptional business and the associated development opportunities it offers to be properly recognized. Our objective is to achieve an orderly sale by the end of 2015.”

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Forrest in Carnoustie final but McDonald pipped by Frenchman at the 19th

It was almost an all-Scottish 36-hole final at Carnoustie tomorrow in the British amateur championship.
Grant Forrest (West Lothian) made it by beating Alexandre Daydou (France) by 4 and 2 after being 2 up at the turn in the first semi-final.
But Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) bogeyed the 19th to bow out to another Frenchman, Romain Langasque. They had been all square through the closing holes of regulation play.
So it will be Forrest v Langasue for the coveted title.

The Craigielaw man and 2012 Scottish amateur champion (picture by courtesy of the RandA) went on to beat Alexandre Daydou (France) by 4 and 2 to reach Saturday;s 36-hole British Amateur championship final at Carnoustie.
In the other semi-final, Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) is all square after 16 holes against another Frenchman.

 SEMI-FINALS
 G Forrest (Craigielaw) bt A Daydou (France) 4 and 2.
 R Langasgue (France) bt J McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) at 19th.
]


TO VIEW WHERE THE HOLES WERE WON AND LOST

CLICK HERE

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Scottish senior men's open amateur stroke-play championship

Partridge heads England 1-2-3-4 at Deeside to

follow up victory in Irish seniors' tourney

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Irish over-55s champion Richard Partridge's two-stroke victory today made his 1,000 mile round-trip from Kent to Aberdeen for the Spire Murrayfield Scottish senior men's open amateur stroke-play championship  well worth the effort and expense for the Wildernesse Golf Club, Sevenoaks member.

“This win is on a par with my Irish victory and is very special,” said Partridge, 57.
 “The key to my success was not three putting all week and I did the same in Ireland.”
Patridge won the Irish senior title at Roscommon at the end of May

Senior Kent champion last year, Partridge, pictured by Kevin Kirk with the trophy, had opened with steady rounds of 73 and 71, which gave him the platform to mount a last-day surge to the front at Deeside Golf Club.
He posted a closing par 70 (birdies at the third and ninth, bogeys at the second and 14th in halves of 35) for a four-over-par aggregate of 214 over the par-70 parkland lay-out.
In a tournament dominated by players from south of the Border, eight of the top nine in the final leaderboard were from England and the other, first-round leader Glynn Rees, is a Welshman who plays of out the Lancashire club, Fleetwood.
England senior international Partidge finished two shots ahead of joint runners-up and compatriots Richard Latham (Woodhall Spa), winner of this title two years ago, and overnight leader Ian Attoe (Worplesdon) 
Leading Scot was Ian Angus (Duff House Royal), joint fourth with 18 holes to play, in tied 10th place after a 77 for 222.
Defending champion Barry Brooks (Meldrum House), playing over a course he knows well, tied for 30th place with a 78 for 229.

SPIRE MURRAYFIELD SCOTTISH SENIOR MEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Deeside Golf Club
FINAL TOTALS
Par 210 (3x70) SS 71 CSS 73 73 71
214 R Partridge (Wildernesse) 73 71 70
216 R Latham (Woodhall Spa) 73 75 68, Ian Attoe (Worplesdon) 73 69 74
218 M Stones (Boyce Hill) 69 74 75
219 G Rees (Fleetwood) 66 79 74
220 C Banks (Stanton on the Wolds) 75 76 69, S East (Moortown) 75 74 71
221 I Crowther (Royal Lytham) 77 74 70, T Whittaker (Beaconsfield) 73 75 73
222 I Angus (Duff House Royal) 72 73 77, A Mew (Stoneham) 78 77 67 
223 D Gardner (Broomieknowe) 74 78 71, N Evans (St Melions) 77 72 74
224 R Stewart Millar (Cochrane Castle) 73 76 75
225 D Cameron (Moor Park) 78 75 72 
226 M Reid (Sonning) 76 78 72, P Jack (Carlisle) , 4 79 73, J Fraser (Royal Burgess) 78 75 73, T McLevy (Blairgowrie) 73 78 75, L Chancellor (Inverness) 75 76 75, D Imrie (Lundin) 81 70 75, I Jeen (Scotscraig) 71 77 78, M Fell (Copt Heath) 72 76 78
227 L Blair (Grangemouth) 75 79 73, A Carman (Coventry) 77 76 74
228 G Bell (Downfield) 77 78 73, D Pearson (Royal Dornoch) 78 77 73, R Fox (Royal Lytham) 73 76 79, R Stephenson (Cooden Beach) 75 72 81
229 I Taylor (Eyemouth) 76 78 75, J Watt (Edzell) 78 76 75, B  Brooks (Meldrum House) 78 73 78
230 A Harkness (Southerness) 76 79 75, M Wigley (Trevose) 76 79 75, D A Lamond (Glasgow) 79 76 75, A Belford (Prestwick St Nicholas) 78 76 76, D Wilson (Blairgowrie) 74 79 77, M Ready (Old Fold Manor) 75 77 78, D Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie)78 74 78
231 J W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 77 77 77  
232 B Bingham (Royal Troon) 75 75 82
233 A Laird (Deeside) 76 77 78, C Aukett (Boyce Hill) 77 76 80, R Stewart (Tulliallan) 78 75 80, J Wright (Wildernesse) 81 72 80
234 S Carpenter (Stourbridge) 78 77 79, S Fawcett (Southport and Ainsdale) 78 76 80
235 D Lane (Goring and Streatley) 74 76 85
236 M Temple (Hacienda) 73 78 75
240 K Bedborough (Deeside) 74 80 86
237 C Wilson (Banchory) 74 81 82
240 B Humble (Kilspindie) 74 81 85

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Scotland v France in both Carnoustie 

semi-finals this afternoon

An all-Scottish final to the 120th British Amateur championship is still a possibility at Carnoustie after Grant Forrest (Craigielaw) beat Greig Marchbank (Thornhill) at the 20th and Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) ran out a 6 and 5 winner against Sean Towndrow (Southport and Ainsdale) in this morning's quarters/
In this afternoon's semi-finals, Forrest will play Alexandre Daydou (France)
Forrest and Marchbank had a marvellous match which was packed with late drama. All square at the turn, Forrest had an eagle to Marchbank's birdie at 14th to go all square, Marchbank having won the 10th with a birdie and halved the 12th in birdies. 
Marchbank bogeyed both the 15th and 16th to go down two down but Forrest bogeyed the 17th and 18th to send the tie into extra holes.
Forrest won a quality encounter with a birdied at the 20th.
McDonald overpowered his Lancashire opponent to win by 6 and 5.
QUARTER-FINALS
A Daydou (France) bt A Rozner (France) 3 and 2.
G Forrest (Craigielaw) bt G Marchbank (Thornhill) at 20th
J McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt S Towndrow (Southport and Ainsdale) 6 and 5
R Langasque (France) bt R Sciot-Siegrist (Fra) 2 holes.

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Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson set US Open pace with 65s

Tiger Woods hardly recognisable during opening 80 at Chambers Bay

Tiger Woods reads a putt during the first round of the U.S. Open.
Tiger Woods reads a putt during the first round of the U.S. Open. ( USGA )
UNIVERSITY PLACE, Washington – Tiger Woods won his first U.S. Open in 2000 by 15 shot, the biggest margin of victory in the history of the national championship.
In Thursday’s first round, 15 years to the day since his record finish at Pebble Beach, Woods was again on a seaside layout and breaking a far less admirable record – his worst score in a U.S. Open. Woods’ 10-over 80 is a new low/high.
Woods came to Chambers Bay after struggling to make the cut (on the number) at the Memorial Tournament two weeks ago.
He followed up his third made cut of the year at Muirfield Village with his worst score of his career as a professional, a 13-over 85 in Saturday’s third round to finish 71st at a tournament he has won five times.
Currently 195th in the Official World Golf Ranking, Woods barely played up to that ranking on Thursday with a triple bogey, eight bogeys and just one birdie.
“Not very happy, that’s for sure,” Woods said. “It was a tough day. Got off to a bad start. I stuck that 6-iron in the ground on the first hole, and then just couldn’t quite get it turned around today.”
Before Thursday, Woods’ worst score in a U.S. Open was 76 – a number he posted four times. His worst score in any major remains the 81 he posted at the 2002 Open Championship at Muirfield.
“I fought hard,” Woods said after his round “And that was my number. I couldn’t grind out any harder than that. So that’s just the way I played and unfortunately it was a high number today. “
Woods’ struggles started early. He hit the middle of the fairway on the par-4 first hole, but couldn’t find the green, which was a theme for the day as he hit only nine of 18 greens.
Woods’ drive on the first was also a rarity. He found only six fairways on Thursday afternoon and unlike other times this year when Woods struggled and could depend on his putter, not even that club worked in the first round. He had 36 putts, which included a trio of three-putts.
 “I know when I do it right, it’s so easy,” Woods said of his swing. “It just feels easy to control, easy to do it, easy to hit all my shots. I just need to do it more often and build from there.”
Unfortunately for Woods, those good swings are outnumbered by swings that don’t even resemble the one Woods used in winning 14 major championships.
Woods knows the results will be slow – it’s not his first go-round making swing changes – and while he continues to believe in the path he is on with Chris Como, the question is what happens if the desired results never come.
“It’s one of those things, just got to work through it,” Woods said. “I’m trying as hard as I can to do it, and for some reason I just can’t get the consistency that I’d like to have out there.”

SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson share lead on five-under 65s

FROM GOLF CHANNEL.COM
The carnage has already begun at the U.S. Open, but several big names made an early splash at Chambers Bay. Here's how things look after the first round in the Pacific Northwest, where Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson share the lead:
Leaderboard: Dustin Johnson (-5), Henrik Stenson (-5), Patrick Reed (-4), Matt Kuchar (-3), (a) Brian Campbell (-3), Jordan Spieth (-2), Jason Day (-2)
What it means: Johnson made the first move to the top of the standings, separating from a pack of early contenders and briefly threatening major golf's holy grail of 63. Despite a closing bogey, he shot a 65 and now shares the lead with Stenson, another player in search of his first major title.
Round of the day: Johnson started on the back nine, turning in 2-under 33 before adding four birdies in a seven-hole stretch on his inward half. He found 14 of 18 greens in regulation and made his lone blemish on No. 9 after failing to birdie the par-5 eighth hole.
Best of the rest: Stenson carded seven birdies on his round, including four in a five-hole stretch from Nos. 14-18. Like Johnson, Stenson missed only four greens in regulation and the Swede needed only 27 putts to complete his round.
Biggest disappointment: Tiger Woods' freefall continues after he posted a 10-over 80. Woods didn't make a birdie until the 16th hole, made a triple bogey on No. 14 and cold-topped a 3-wood on his final hole of the day. He appears to be headed for what would be only his second missed cut at the U.S. Open as a professional.
Main storyline heading into Friday: Aside from the morbid curiosity that will accompany Woods' round, the player to watch is Johnson, who appeared most in control among the leaders during his opener. Perennial contender Phil Mickelson (69) is already on the fringe of the leaderboard, while Rory McIlroy (72) sits seven shots off the pace and needs to rebound.
Shot of the day: Rickie Fowler didn't have many highlights during an opening 81, but he nearly had an albatross on the par-4 12th hole. Fowler's tee shot bounded over a mound and rolled back toward the cup, setting up a tap-in eagle.
SCOTSWATCH. Marc Warren is off to a great start with a 68 for T7 position. Colin Montgomerie is T14 with a 69.
Highlander Jimmy Gunn, making his major debut, had a respectable 72 for T52.
Stephen Gallacher shot a 78 to be T141

ALL THE FIRST-ROUND SCORES
 par 70

T1 Dustin Johnson 65   5:17 pm - - -5 F -5 65
T1 Henrik Stenson 65 5:17 pm - - -5 F -5 65
3 Patrick Reed 66 5:39 pm - - -4 F -4 66
T4 Matt Kuchar 67 5:06 pm - - -3 F -3 67
T4 Ben Martin 67 11:39 am - - -3 F -3 67
T4 Brian Campbell 67 12:01 pm - - -3 F -3 67
T7 Cody Gribble 68 4:22 pm - - -2 F -2 68
T7 Francesco Molinari 68 5:17 pm - - -2 F -2 68
T7 Jason Dufner 68 5:50 pm - - -2 F -2 68
T7 Marc Warren 68 5:50 pm - - -2 F -2 68
T7 Joost Luiten 68 10:44 am - - -2 F -2 68
T7 Jason Day 68 11:17 am - - -2 F -2 68
T7 Jordan Spieth 68 11:17 am - - -2 F -2 68
T14 Phil Mickelson 69 4:33 pm - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Kevin Chappell 69 4:55 pm - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Brian Harman 69 4:55 pm - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Brandt Snedeker 69 5:17 pm - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Miguel Angel Jimenez 69 5:28 pm - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Colin Montgomerie 69 5:28 pm - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Geoff Ogilvy 69 10:33 am - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Charlie Beljan 69 10:44 am - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Tony Finau 69 10:44 am - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Ollie Schniederjans 69 10:55 am - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Branden Grace 69 11:06 am - - -1 F -1 69
T14 Shane Lowry 69 11:39 am - - -1 F -1 69
T26 Michael Putnam 70 4:00 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Cameron Smith 70 4:00 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Angel Cabrera 70 4:33 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Bubba Watson 70 4:33 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Alexander Levy 70 4:55 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Masahiro Kawamura 70 5:06 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Hideki Matsuyama 70 5:06 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Sergio Garcia 70 5:17 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Adam Scott 70 5:17 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Chris Kirk 70 5:39 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Kevin Na 70 5:50 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Sebastian Cappelen 70 6:01 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Nick Hardy 70 6:12 pm - - E F E 70
T26 Brad Fritsch 70 10:00 am - - E F E 70
T26 Jamie Lovemark 70 10:11 am - - E F E 70
T26 Daniel Summerhays 70 11:06 am - - E F E 70
T42 Marcus Fraser 71 4:00 pm - - +1 F +1 71
T42 Morgan Hoffmann 71 4:44 pm - - +1 F +1 71
T42 Jim Furyk 71 5:28 pm - - +1 F +1 71
T42 Russell Henley 71 5:39 pm - - +1 F +1 71
T42 Andres Romero 71 10:00 am - - +1 F +1 71
T42 Beau Hossler 71 10:11 am - - +1 F +1 71
T42 Denny McCarthy 71 10:11 am - - +1 F +1 71
T42 Kevin Kisner 71 10:55 am - - +1 F +1 71
T42 Thongchai Jaidee 71 11:06 am - - +1 F +1 71
T42 Cheng-Tsung Pan 71 12:01 pm - - +1 F +1 71
T52 Troy Kelly 72 4:00 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 John Parry 72 4:11 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Kurt Barnes 72 4:22 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 John Senden 72 4:33 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Hiroyuki Fujita 72 4:44 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 David Hearn 72 4:44 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Andy Sullivan 72 4:44 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Bernd Wiesberger 72 4:44 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Martin Kaymer 72 5:28 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Rory McIlroy 72 5:28 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Brooks Koepka 72 5:39 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Webb Simpson 72 5:50 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Shiv Kapur 72 10:11 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 J.B. Holmes 72 10:22 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Ernie Els 72 10:33 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Danny Willett 72 10:44 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 George Coetzee 72 10:55 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Paul Casey 72 11:17 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Billy Horschel 72 11:17 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Justin Rose 72 11:17 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Zach Johnson 72 11:39 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Ian Poulter 72 11:39 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Jimmy Walker 72 11:39 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Camilo Villegas 72 11:50 am - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Mark Silvers 72 12:01 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Jimmy Gunn 72 12:12 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T52 Sam Saunders 72 12:12 pm - - +2 F +2 72
T79 Lucas Bjerregaard 73 4:11 pm - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Jack Maguire 73 4:11 pm - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Wen-Chong Liang 73 4:44 pm - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Marcel Siem 73 4:55 pm - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Byeong-Hun An 73 5:39 pm - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Keegan Bradley 73 5:50 pm - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Oliver Farr 73 6:01 pm - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Tom Hoge 73 10:00 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Luke Donald 73 10:22 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Lucas Glover 73 10:33 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Marc Leishman 73 10:33 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Bo Van Pelt 73 10:44 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Lee Janzen 73 10:55 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Alexander Noren 73 10:55 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Lee Westwood 73 11:17 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Bill Haas 73 11:28 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Hunter Mahan 73 11:28 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Charl Schwartzel 73 11:28 am - - +3 F +3 73
T79 Davis Riley 73 12:12 pm - - +3 F +3 73
T98 Seuk-Hyun Baek 74 4:00 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Richard H. Lee 74 4:11 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Garth Mulroy 74 4:11 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Jason Allred 74 4:22 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Stephan Jaeger 74 4:22 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Tim O'Neal 74 4:22 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Victor Dubuisson 74 4:33 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Gary Woodland 74 4:33 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Lee McCoy 74 4:55 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Robert Streb 74 4:55 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Graeme McDowell 74 5:06 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Gunn Yang 74 5:28 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Jamie Donaldson 74 5:39 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Brandon Hagy 74 6:01 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Kevin Lucas 74 6:12 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Roberto Castro 74 10:00 am - - +4 F +4 74
T98 D.A. Points 74 10:11 am - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Bryson DeChambeau 74 10:22 am - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Ryo Ishikawa 74 10:22 am - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Ryan Palmer 74 10:44 am - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Thomas Aiken 74 11:06 am - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Tommy Fleetwood 74 11:50 am - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Jake Knapp 74 12:01 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Matt Mabrey 74 12:01 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T98 Andy Pope 74 12:12 pm - - +4 F +4 74
T123  Steve Marino 75 4:00 pm - - +5 F +5 75
T123 George McNeill 75 5:06 pm - - +5 F +5 75
T123 Cameron Tringale 75 5:06 pm - - +5 F +5 75
T123 Sam Horsfield 75 6:01 pm - - +5 F +5 75
T123 Anirban Lahiri 75 11:50 am - - +5 F +5 75
T123 Ryan Moore 75 11:50 am - - +5 F +5 75
T129 Matthew NeSmith 76 6:01 pm - - +6 F +6 76
T129 Jason Palmer 76 10:00 am - - +6 F +6 76
T129 Brad Elder 76 10:11 am - - +6 F +6 76
T129 Bradley Neil 76 10:33 am - - +6 F +6 76
T129 Erik Compton 76 11:50 am - - +6 F +6 76
T129 Charley Hoffman 76 11:50 am - - +6 F +6 76
T135 Cole Hammer 77 6:12 pm - - +7 F +7 77
T135 Tjaart Van der Walt 77 10:00 am - - +7 F +7 77
T135 Retief Goosen 77 10:33 am - - +7 F +7 77
T135 Darren Clarke 77 10:55 am - - +7 F +7 77
T135 Louis Oosthuizen 77 11:28 am - - +7 F +7 77
T135 Michael Davan 77 12:12 pm - - +7 F +7 77
T141 Kyle Jones 78 4:22 pm - - +8 F +8 78
T141 Matt Every 78 5:50 pm - - +8 F +8 78
T141 Shunsuke Sonoda 78 6:01 pm - - +8 F +8 78
T141 Blayne Barber 78 10:22 am - - +8 F +8 78
T141 Danny Lee 78 11:06 am - - +8 F +8 78
T141 Brendon Todd 78 11:06 am - - +8 F +8 78
T141 Stephen Gallacher 78 11:39 am - - +8 F +8 78
T141 Tyler Duncan 78 12:01 pm - - +8 F +8 78
T141 Jared Becher 78 12:12 pm - - +8 F +8 78
T150 Josh Persons 79 4:11 pm - - +9 F +9 79
T150 Pat Wilson 79 6:12 pm - - +9 F +9 79
T152 Alex Kim 80 6:12 pm - - +10 F +10 80
T152 Billy Hurley III 80 10:22 am - - +10 F +10 80
T152 Tiger Woods 80 11:28 am - - +10 F +10 80
155 Rickie Fowler 81 11:28 am - - +11 F +11 81
156 Rich Berberian Jr. 83 6:12 pm - - +13 F +13 83

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