Aberdeen's Sporting Hall of Famers gather at Aberdeen Sports Village
How many names can you put to faces of Aberdeen's Sporting Hall of Fame members, gathered at the Aberdeen Sports Village, Linksfield Road on Friday evening when, several years after the original idea, the city's Sporting Hall of Fame was officially launched? We'll give you a helping hand - that's Walker Cup player Sandy Pirie second from the left, Curtis Cup player and current GB and I women's golf team captain Elaine Farquharson-Black fifth from the left, Scotland badminton international Tony Dawson seated extreme right with Ryder Cup player Harry Bannerman standing behind him.
Others in the picture include: judo expert Bill Berry, rugby international Ian McCrae,Tracey Robb Menzies (hockey), Anne Robb Boyle (ski-ing), Sheena Sharp (shooting) and tennis kingpin Jimmy Wood.
Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) and Scott Henderson (Kings Links) earned £1,108 each by tieing for victory on five-under-par 66 at the end of the Drumpellier Golf Club pro-am today. It was the in-form McKechnie's third win on the TartanTour since August 25 and a second success of the season for Henderson, a one-time European Tour Rookie of the Year. Both had seven birdies and two bogeys. McKechnie's second bogey, at the 17th, cost him outright victory. Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), joint third with Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) and Paul O'Hara (Clydeway Golf) on 67, led the First Vehicle Leasing winning amateur team of Doni Watson (handicap 7), Andy Watson (16) and Fraser Longmuir (14) to victory with a net better-ball score of 16-under-par 55. Leading Tartan Tour money-winner Greig Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) does not often finish outwith the prizelist - but he did on this occasion with a 72. PRO SCORES Par 71 66 P McKechnie (Braid Hills), S Henderson (Kings Links) £1,108 each. 67 M Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs), P O'Hara (Clydeway Golf) £578 each. 68 I Taylor (Drumpellier), G Fox (Clydeway Golf), S Gray (Hayston), C Currie (Caldwell) £298 each. 69 C Ronald (Carluke), K Monaghan (Linlithgow), P Robinson (Largs), S Taylor (Bothwell Castle), G Brown (Montrose Links), C Kelly (unatt) £168 each. 70 J McGhee (Bishopbriggs), J McCreadie (Largs), J Lomas (Caprington), M Isaacs (Gamola Golf) £105 each. 71 N Huguet (Musselburgh), G Robertson (Airdrie) £39 each 72 S Binning (Mearns Castle), G Paxton (Ralston), G Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie GC), G Forrester (St Andrews Golf School). 73 J Gallagher (Douglas Park), N Fenwick (Dunbar), C Tierney (Bishopbriggs) 75 R Neill (Drumpellier), C McMaster (Wellsgreen), B Mason (Callaway) 77 J Fraser (Renaissance) 78 K McAleer (Gleddoch House) 80 L Neeson (Great Western Golf)
DAVID LAW LOSES LEAD - ONE BEHIND WITH A ROUND TO GO IN FRANCE
EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS Dutchman Daan Huizing is on course for a third Challenge Tour title after a battling 66 earned the Dutchman a one-shot advantage with 18 holes to come at the Cordon Golf Open in France. After opening with a bogey at the par four first, 24 year old Huizing bounced back with five birdies en route to his four under par effort, good enough for an aggregate score of 202 and a single stroke lead over Northern Ireland’s Chris Selfridge (67), Australian Scott Arnold (67) and overnight leader, Scotsman David Law (70) with 18 holes to come at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André in Brittany.
In-form New Zealander Ryan Fox is a further shot adrift heading into Sunday’s final round following a joint best-of-the-day 64 on Moving Day in France.
But it is Huizing in pole position with one round to come and the two-time winner is hoping his experience of triumphing on the Challenge Tour previously will reap dividends come Sunday afternoon.
“I played a lot better than my scores over the first two days so I’m glad I made up the gap today,” said Huizing, who made gains at the seventh and eighth on the front nine before coming home in 32 thanks to birdies at the 11th, 13th and 17th holes.
“I think it’s important to be in the last group on Sunday. I’ve won two tournaments on the Challenge Tour before so I know the feeling and it’s good to be in contention again.
“I started with a bogey but on a course this hard you expect to make bogey sometimes. But I made par at the next – which is a tough hole – so I thought to myself ‘Just keep going’, started to relax and saved some nice pars out there, too.
“My long game has been solid and I’ve been lucky with a few of my misses but overall it was a solid round. I really like the back nine here, you just look around a bit, enjoy the scenery, it’s nice!”
Law, the 36-hole leader after rounds of 64-69 over the first two days, struggled in the first half of his third round but was satisfied with how he turned things around on the back nine to remain in contention for a third tournament in succession.
“Today was up and down,” said Law, who finished tied eighth at the Northern Ireland Open and tied sixth at the GANT Open in Finland. “I played fine on the front nine before the double bogey on seven which was disappointing and then the bogey on nine.
“On the back nine I played great, though, and I was really happy with the way I came back. It’s a packed leaderboard so anything could still happen.”
Room-mates Selfridge and Arnold both made eagle at the long 11th on Saturday on their way to matching 67s and said it was easy to get by with a little help from your friend.
“I didn’t even play great but I played good enough,” said the Northern Irishman. “I took my chances when I get them so it’s a good score.
“Scott and I are good friends, actually we’re roommates this week so it’s good fun. It’s nice to share the game with a friend, and even better because he played quite well.”
Arnold added: “We had a good day today, everything was nice, it always feel good to play with someone that you know quite well, we could chat about few things.
“I saw ‘Foxy’s’ name on the leaderboard and he will be pretty dangerous tomorrow!”
Fox, meanwhile, will start the final round two shots back after the Le Vaudreuil champion carded six birdies and an eagle on Saturday.
THIRD ROUND SCOREBOARD
202 D Huizing (Ned) 68 68 66, 203 D Law (Sco) 64 69 70, C Selfridge (Nir) 69 67 67, S Arnold (Aus) 71 65 67, 204 R Fox (Nzl) 72 68 64, 205 R Enoch (Wal) 70 69 66, M McGeady (Irl) 67 71 67, B Virto Astudillo (Esp) 67 68 70, S Gros (Fra) 74 67 64, J Hahn (USA) 71 70 64, C Berardo (Fra) 73 67 65, J Sjöholm (Swe) 74 67 64, 206 J Fahrbring (Swe) 70 67 69, P Whiteford (Sco) 68 71 67, M Delpodio (Ita) 70 66 70, 207 G Shaw (Nir) 70 69 68, T Remkes (Ned) 68 69 70, M Søgaard (Den) 67 68 72, J Robinson (Eng) 69 69 69, G Woolgar (Eng) 70 69 68, N Bertasio (Ita) 70 71 66, J Dantorp (Swe) 67 73 67, H Joannes (Bel) 68 70 69, 208 S Walker (Eng) 67 73 68, D Nouailhac (Fra) 72 69 67, C Ford (Eng) 74 68 66, J Doherty (Sco) 66 70 72, C Gloet (Den) 69 69 70, S Hodgson (Eng) 71 71 66, J Adarraga Gomez (Esp) 67 72 69, 209 J Winther (Den) 70 71 68, F Andersson Hed (Swe) 70 68 71, N Ravano (Ita) 67 70 72, S Einhaus (Ger) 68 74 67, S Kim (USA) 74 68 67, N Geyger (Chi) 71 71 67, R Langasque (am) (Fra) 69 72 68, 210 S Manley (Wal) 68 70 72, N Lemke (Swe) 67 72 71, S Soderberg (Swe) 68 69 73, N Turner (Irl) 68 69 73, P Tarver-Jones (Eng) 71 71 68, D Stewart (Sco) 71 70 69, A Björk (Swe) 71 70 69, B Åkesson (Swe) 68 72 70, T Anderson (Eng) 70 72 68, R Coles (Eng) 68 72 70, 211 F Praegant (Aut) 70 72 69, A Widemann (Fra) 70 65 76, M Orrin (Eng) 69 68 74, S Heisele (Ger) 71 70 70, A Saddier (Fra) 67 69 75, L Gagli (Ita) 73 68 70, B Parker (Eng) 69 71 71, 212 G Houston (Wal) 71 71 70, O Stark (Swe) 74 66 72, P Relecom (Bel) 70 72 70, W Harrold (Eng) 71 71 70, 213 A Hartø (Den) 68 73 72,
Lee Slattery moved into a two shot lead at the M2M Russian Open after a four under par third round 67 moved him to within touching distance of a first European Tour title in four years at Skolkovo Golf Club. The Englishman, whose only European Tour title came at the 2011 Madrid Masters, looked like he may have played his way out of it when he fell to a double bogey at the par three 11th. But he bounced back in impressive fashion with two birdies in the next three holes before picking up another shot at the last to move to the top on 13 under for the tournament. Scot Craig Lee carded a flawless five under par 66 to share second place on 11 under with Estanislao Goya of Argentina, who also managed to avoid registering a single bogey in a four under par round of 67. David Horsey, meanwhile, boosted his chances of a successful title defence as he moved to within three shots of the summit in outright fourth place, courtesy of a five under 66.
Player quotes:
Lee Slattery (67, -4; -13 total) “I hit a really nice drive at 18, one of the best of the day, and then a three iron rescue which has been carrying all week. It’s been a great club for me this week, especially on a lot of the par threes that play long. It was a nice way to finish the round off. “I got a bit unlucky in the bunker, it was sat down in a little bit of a hole and there was no sand there. The bunkers have a lot of sand this week, I’ve seen a lot of plugged balls but for some reason were my ball was there was no sand at all, so it was just unfortunate really. I didn’t feel I hit a bad bunker shot but the club bounced and I thinned it over the back and the rest is history. “I knew at the beginning of the week that there were places to avoid and mainly the bunkers. I saw Bradley went in a couple bunkers and was left with a lot of tough shots. It’s one of the course’s defences this week, there are so many bunkers and if you do end up in one it’s difficult. “It’s very similar to my last win actually, I had a two shot lead there on the final day. I remember losing the lead quite early but it pushed me on to play well again so it’s similar, similar feelings, and I’m just going to go out and enjoy it tomorrow. It’s the old cliché, take it one shot at a time, that’s what I’ll be doing tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it.”
Craig Lee (66, -5; -11 total) “I’m delighted with five under. I certainly would have taken it before we went out. Obviously the weather has been tough for the morning groups and we got the lucky end of the draw. I had left my hotel when play had been suspended so I didn’t have to warm up in the rain but its been very testing. “I’ve actually hit the ball really well all week. I really struggled on the greens and I think most of my bogeys have been three-putts so I managed to keep them off the cards and I managed to keep them off the card and rolled a couple of nice long ones in. “If you get out of position off the tee you can really struggle because the pin positions are really tucked away, so if you lose position off the tee you feel like you have to go for it you might miss it in the wrong position again and before you know it you’re looking at double bogey. “I’ve struggled with the putter so I didn’t expect to hit five under today but if I keep hitting it like that, who knows, I might roll a couple in and we’ll see what happens.”
Estanislao Goya (67, -4; -11 total) “I’m very pleased, it’s a bogey free round again so I’m very happy about that. It was tougher definitely, it was wet and played longer. The wind changed a little bit at times and the ball wasn’t flying as much. “I have a chance for tomorrow too so I’ll make the most of it. It’s the place I want to be, in the last group, try to put some pressure and hopefully I can have a good tournament. “I tried to play golf for the middle of the greens and when I have a chance, attack a little bit more, that’s what happened today. The greens were tricky, a little bit softer and footprints on them as well so it was a day to be patient.
David Horsey (66, -5; -10 total) “We went up a club going into 18 there, I had a three iron but I decided to cut an 18 degree rescue in and it moved a lot in the air but it was the right shot in the end. “Saturday’s moving day so it’s always nice to make a move up the leaderboard. I played nicely out there and I’m very pleased with my position going into the final day. “The delay was actually a bit of a blessing because it was hammering it down beforehand so that extra hour and a half helped me out a little bit and we hardly had any rain this afternoon. So we were very lucky with the weather and it’s certainly played into the leaders’ hands. “I’m playing nicely at the moment so I just have to stick to my game plan again tomorrow and see where I am coming down the stretch.” THIRD-ROUND SCOREBOARD 200 L Slattery (Eng) 66 67 67, 202C Lee (Sco) 67 69 66, E Goya (Arg) 68 67 67, 203 D Horsey (Eng) 67 70 66, 204 B Dredge (Wal) 66 66 72, O Henningsson (Swe) 69 68 67, 205 P Martin Benavides (Esp) 68 67 70, 206 J Scrivener (Aus) 70 66 70, D Van Tonder (RSA) 69 69 68, M Southgate (Eng) 68 69 69, B Evans (Eng) 67 68 71, D Drysdale (Sco) 68 69 69, 207 A Pavan (Ita) 70 69 68, K Horne (RSA) 67 70 70, D Vancsik (Arg) 69 68 70, L Jensen (Den) 70 69 68, J Heath (Eng) 70 66 71, S Jamieson (Sco) 65 71 71, 208 M Hoey (Nir) 71 66 71, T Chuayprakong (Tha) 67 71 70, C Doak (Sco) 71 67 70, S Griffiths (Eng) 68 71 69, D Kemmer (USA) 71 69 68, D Gaunt (Aus) 65 69 74, M Kieffer (Ger) 68 69 71, J Lando Casanova (Fra) 69 68 71, 209 S Garcia Rodriguez (Esp) 70 67 72, M Tullo (Chi) 69 72 68, J Randhawa (Ind) 68 73 68, T Murray (Eng) 67 74 68, J Edfors (Swe) 71 68 70, C Bouniol (Fra) 68 69 72, J Colomo (Esp) 69 68 72, 210 A Da Silva (Bra) 72 69 69, R Dinwiddie (Eng) 73 69 68, M Bremner (RSA) 69 71 70, O Farr (Wal) 71 67 72, N Johansson (Swe) 70 70 70, J Roos (RSA) 68 74 68, R Santos (Por) 74 67 69, J Blaauw (RSA) 71 66 73, 211 J Smith (Eng) 69 68 74, K Richardson (Aus) 74 68 69, M Nixon (Eng) 68 70 73, 212 R McGowan (Eng) 71 69 72, S Wakefield (Eng) 69 68 75, P Meesawat (Tha) 68 71 73, 213 N Kearney (Irl) 70 71 72, R Lynch (Aus) 69 70 74, B Casey (Irl) 72 68 73, J Knutzon (USA) 73 69 71, C Lloyd (Eng) 69 68 76, 214 S Hansen (Den) 69 73 72, P Junhasavasdikul (Tha) 69 72 73, B Stow (Eng) 69 71 74, D Frittelli (RSA) 71 70 73, 215 D McGrane (Irl) 70 72 73, R Gangjee (Ind) 68 73 74, S Norris (RSA) 70 72 73, M Brown (Nzl) 72 70 73, E Espana (Fra) 68 72 75, 216 J Janewattananond (Tha) 73 69 74, J Ahlers (RSA) 72 70 74, P Erofejeff (Fin) 73 66 77, 217 A Summers (Aus) 68 74 75, P Pittayarat (Tha) 67 71 79, A Curlewis (RSA) 72 70 75, 218 T Wiratchant (Tha) 69 71 78, 219 A Pavlov (Rus) 73 69 77, M Mamat (Sin) 70 72 77, 220 P Karmis (RSA) 73 69 78,
alive with a 67 to lead at Woburn EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS Colin Montgomerie remained on course to write another chapter in the golfing record books at Woburn by firing the lowest round of the week, a five under par 67, to battle back into contention for a third successive Travis Perkins Masters title. The 52 year old Scot, bidding to become the first player to win the same tournament in three consecutive years on The European Tour and the Senior Tour, started the second round in 27th place but completed the recovery mission in dramatic style to snatch a one- shot lead going into the final day with a four under par total of 140. Montgomerie created European Tour history by winning the prestigious PGA Championship at Wentworth Club from 1998 to 2000. Now, in his senior career, he is close to emulating that achievement in front of appreciative large crowds lining the Challenging Duke’s Course at Woburn. “That score was the very least that I needed to get back into contention” beamed Montgomerie after holing a 35 foot putt from just off the final green for 67 and a one stroke lead over Spain’s Santiago Luna with a three-way tie for third between the Scottish pair of Bill Longmuir and Ross Drummond, Phil Golding of England and Argentinian Cesar Monasterio. He added: “I wasn’t feeling great on the course yesterday and I had a terrible hour in the middle of my round where I dropped four shots in five holes which was just ridiculous. I turned a good start into a very poor round and it would have been easy to shoot 75, never mind 73. “The difference today is that I holed a couple of what I call ‘momentum’ putts, especially at the tenth. I was three under par through the turn and got plugged in a bunker, came out to 30 feet and holed it. That was a momentum putt that kept me going and I had three more birdies from then on.” The three-time Senior Major winner required 41 blows coming home in his first round, but trimmed seven strokes off that effort this time around. He admitted that the luck was with him at times in order to get his hat-trick challenge back on track. “I hit poor tee shots at the 17th and 18th and played them in one under par. From where I was off the tee, I would have taken one over. But it’s not an easy finish and you have to make capital from these breaks and I did that. Now I am in contention and that was the aim at the start of the day.” Montgomerie praised the support from outside the ropes as he tried to get his bid back on track. He said: “This is the eighth time Travis Perkins has sponsored the tournament here and it’s always been superbly supported. There were loads of people out there today and the event continues to be a great success.” Luna, who tagged a 70 on to his opening 71, has won a title in each of his two full seasons on the Senior Tour, but admitted he hadn’t played well this year until consulting his fellow senior, José Rivero. He said: “I always turn to José if I need help and I also help him. I’ve developed a better ball flight from left to right, which you need on this course, and I’ve driven it fantastic this week. “Now I am looking forward to going out with Monty in the last group. He’s usually out there leading from the front and I will enjoy trying to chase him tomorrow.” Drummond was the only player in the field to reach five under par thanks to three birdies in the first 11 holes, but he slipped back into the pack on two under with three bogeys coming home. “I was a bit ragged after playing steadily for the first 11 holes” he said. “I went into bunkers on 13, 15 and 16 and paid the price. However, I am in a good position.”
SECOND-ROUND SCORES
140 C Montgomerie (Sco) 73 67, 141 S Luna (Esp) 71 70, 142 C Monasterio (Arg) 72 70, R Drummond (Sco) 70 72, T Thelen (USA) 69 73, P Golding (Eng) 72 70, B Longmuir (Sco) 69 73, 143 J Spence (Eng) 72 71, R Gibson (Can) 75 68, P Fowler (Aus) 71 72, A Oldcorn (Sco) 73 70, 144 G Brand Jnr (Sco) 74 70, J Carriles (Esp) 72 72, S Tinning (Den) 72 72, G Manson (Aut) 72 72, B Lane (Eng) 73 71, 145 A Franco (Par) 72 73, M James (Eng) 72 73, M Martin (Esp) 72 73, A Forsbrand (Swe) 73 72, C Williams (RSA) 73 72, 146 J Smith (USA) 74 72, P Eales (Eng) 71 75, C Mason (Eng) 72 74, N Job (Eng) 73 73, J Rivero (Esp) 72 74, 147 P Mitchell (Eng) 74 73, L Zhang (Chn) 70 77, S Torrance (Sco) 75 72, A Murray (Eng) 73 74, G Wolstenholme (Eng) 72 75, 148 P Wesselingh (Eng) 74 74, K Tarling (Can) 71 77, R Chapman (Eng) 70 78, M Mackenzie (Eng) 71 77, D Smyth (Irl) 77 71, M Davis (Eng) 72 76, A Bossert (Sui) 75 73, 149 M Harwood (Aus) 75 74, J Gould (Eng) 74 75, P Walton (Irl) 72 77, J Remesy (Fra) 76 73, 150 N Ratcliffe (Aus) 73 77, P O'Malley (Aus) 76 74, L Carbonetti (Arg) 73 77, D O'Sullivan (Irl) 77 73, 151 R Sabarros (Fra) 76 75, M Farry (Fra) 72 79, B Cameron (Eng) 75 76, S Brown (Eng) 76 75, M Bianco (Ita) 77 74, M Mouland (Wal) 76 75, 152 G Bell (Eng) 76 76, S McAllister (Sco) 72 80, P Linhart (Esp) 70 82, R Rafferty (Nir) 78 74, 153 G Marks (Eng) 77 76, G Rusnak (USA) 76 77, C Rocca (Ita) 79 74, D J Russell (Eng) 78 75, 154 J Quiros (Esp) 75 79, J Harrison (Eng) 76 78, A Sherborne (Eng) 75 79, G Ryall (Eng) 77 77, 155 W Grant (Eng) 77 78, 156 M Piñero (Esp) 77 79, P Broadhurst (Eng) 79 77, 157 G Brand (Eng) 77 80, T Elliott (Aus) 76 81, G Emerson (Eng) 78 79, 158 T Johnstone (Zim) 79 79, 165 V Garcia (Esp) 85 80,
Scotland beat France 3-2 to win the third place bronze medals in the European senior men's amateur team championship at Pravets Golf Club, Bulgaria today. David Gardner clinched victory for the Scots who qualified sixth of the eight teams through 36 holes' stroke-play to get to the championship flight. He beat Didier Clerget 2 and 1 with the overall score tied at 2-2. Biggest winner was former shinty star John Fraser who beat Patrick Abraham 6 and 5. Details: FRANCE 2, SCOTLAND 3 Michel Joualt and Pierre Kusel lost to Bob Stewart and Lindsey Blair 5 and 4 Yves Gambier bt Malcolm Reid 1 hole. Patrick Abraham lost to John Fraser 6 and 5. Jean Max Megroz bt Ian Brotherston 4 and 3. Didier Clerget lost to David Gardner 2 and 1.
Ireland, the top seeds, won the European title by beating Italy 3-2 in the final with Maurice Kelly their hero, winning the last match to finish by 1 hole against Vincenzo Sita. Details: IRELAND 3, ITALY 2 Tom Cleary and John Mitchell lost to Lorenzo Sartori and Claudio Usai 3 and 2. Arthur Pierse bt Piergiorgio Vigliani 7 and 6. Maurice Kelly bt Vincenzo Sita 1 hole. Adrian Morrow lost to Gianluca Bolla 4 and 2. Garth McGimpsey bt Frederico Lang 3 and 2. Other results: Switzerland 1, England 4 Sweden 2, Spain 3.
AMARILLO,
Texas -- Investigators have said alcohol and speed were factors in a
traffic accident in the Texas Panhandle that killed the 71-year-old
father of US PGA Tour player Ryan Palmer. Charles
Franklin "Butch" Palmer of Amarillo died the night of Aug. 18 in the
rollover of his sport utility vehicle on Loop 335 on the northeastern
fringe of Amarillo. The Texas Department of Public Safety crash report
obtained by the Amarillo Globe-News didn't specify the amount of alcohol
in Palmer's blood. Palmer, who wasn't wearing a seatbelt, was
ejected from his SUV and killed when it flipped several times after
skidding across the highway and into a ditch.
FROM ESPN.COM Growing up poor in Queensland, Australia, Jason Day dreamed of someday
having money in his pocket. His family wasn't just poor; they lived in
poverty. He remembers his mother trimming the lawn with scissors when
the lawnmower broke because they couldn't afford to get it fixed. He
remembers heating a kettle of water for showers because they didn't have
a working hot water tank. He remembered all of these issues,
these obstacles, when he finally became a US PGA Tour member. The kid just a
few years removed from poverty was now playing for millions of dollars
-- and he couldn't stop thinking about it. "When I turned pro, I
had zero dollars to my name," he explained. "So it comes naturally to
someone that had no money to focus on the money." Day said these
words Friday afternoon at the Deutsche Bank Championship, on the heels
of an opening-round 3-under 68 that put him tied for 11th during a
season that has already seen him accrue more than $7.5 million in
on-course earnings. He's playing for a top prize of $1.485 million this
weekend and is already in the lead position for the $10 million bonus which
is bestowed upon the eventual FedEx Cup champion. But he never forgets the way it was for him and his family.
Russell Knpx 70, Martin Laird 78 in Deutsche Bank Championship
Luke Donald and Ian Poulter boost chances of staying on in FedExCup Play-offs
Luke Donald needs a top-11 finish to stay in the FedExCup
Luke Donald and Ian Poulter
look primed to extend their FedExCup campaigns after both fired
excellent four-under 67s in the first round of the Deutsche Bank
Championship in Boston.
The
English pair both needed a strong performance in Boston to qualify for
the BMW Championship at Conway Farms in Illinois, where Donald is a
member, and they got off to encouraging starts as they ended the day in a
share of second - two shots behind Brendon de Jonge. In-form Jason Day faltered over the last third of his round but still managed to return a 68, while world No 1 Rory McIlroy bogeyed his last two holes to hand in a disappointing 70.
Donald,
needing to finish no worse than 11th to guarantee a place in the third
event of the play-offs, looked in fine touch as he carded six birdies
and two bogeys to claim the early clubhouse lead before being surpassed
by De Jonge. "It was a good solid start," said the former world No
1. "Scoring was tougher today than in previous days but it was a good
solid round and I'll take it. "I
got very fortunate at 13 when my tee shot hit one of those rocks
and rebounded into the 12th fairway. Those kind of things are really
good for momentum but other than that, I hit a lot of good swings and
made some puts when I needed to. "I would love to continue, but first things first. I've got to get to Conway Farms." Poulter bounces back Poulter
missed the cut by a distance at The Barclays last week to slip to 69th
in the FedExCup standings, with only the top 70 qualifying for the BMW
Championship in a fortnight. But
the Ryder Cup star got some momentum flowing with a run of three
birdies in four holes from the fourth, and he followed with 10 straight
pars before capping a flawless round with a birdie at the last. Henrik
Stenson, runner-up in New Jersey last week, opened with a
roller-coaster 67 that featured only six pars as he mixed eight birdies
with four bogeys. Rickie
Fowler is one of five Americans among the logjam on four under, with
PGA champion Day a further shot back after bogeys at two of his last
five holes that took the gloss off his opening day. But De Jonge
upstaged the big names with a superb 65, starting with a birdie at the
10th which he followed with further gains at 15 and 16. The
Zimbabwean added two more immediately after the turn and though he gave
one shot back straight away, he birdied the fifth and holed out from 15
feet on the ninth to finish his round in style. "I'm
more shocked than anything else," the 35-year-old said. "It's been a
rough stretch of golf for the last couple of months so to shoot
something like this was a pleasant surprise." Matt Kuchar and Open
champion Zach Johnson were among those at two under, with Phil
Mickelson a further shot back alongside McIlroy. Mickelson
needs an eye-catching performance to impress Presidents Cup captain Jay
Haas, who names his two wild card selections on Tuesday for the contest
against the Internationals next month. "It was the most
challenging I've seen this golf course play, especially given that the
greens were very receptive," Mickelson said. "But I played pretty good
golf today. I hit a lot of good shots and I hit a few bad ones, but they
weren't too bad. And it was an OK start." FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD PAR 71
