Tee times for first Ayrshire Winter Golf Association competition of season

DUNDONALD LINKS        TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13
 
    Mark Loftus    Mearns Castle Academy
7.52    John Matthewman    Kilmarnock (Barassie)
    John Henry    Clydebank and District
8.00    Kevin McCann    Vale of Leven    
    Stuart Kerr    Strathaven 
8.08    Paul Gallagher    Prestwick St Nicholas
    John Freestone    Bellisle
    Blair Harvey    Glasgow
8.16    Jonny Mullaney    unattached
    Reg Short    Kilmarnock (Barassie)
    Martin Pottinger    American Golf
8.24    Steven Maxwell    Eastwood
    Peter Thomson    Kilmarnock (Barassie)
    David Fleming    Prestwick
8.32    Stewart Lightbody    Kilmarnock (Barassie)
    Gerry Smith    Royal Troon/Glasgow
       
8.40       

8.48       
    Callum Beveridge    North Gailes
8.56    Allan Todd    Prestwick
    Johnny O'Neil    North Beach
    Ciar Porciani    Trump Turnberry
9.04    Bill Rae    Kilmarnock (Barassie) 
    Raymond Christian    Royal Troon G C
    Linzi Allan    West Kinbride G C
9.12    John Watt    Prestwick St Cuthbert G C
    Jack Thomas    Irvine G C
    Alastair Forrow    Whitecraigs G C
9.20    Ian McConnochie    Western Gailes G C
    Tom Rogers    Caldwell G C
       
9.28             
    Stephen Wilson    The Carrick
9.36    Bill McMahon    Irvine
    Alan McCaw    Irvine
    Kenneth McLean    Cowglen
9.44    Harry Miller    Royal Troon
    Scott Miller    Royal Troon
    David-Ross Nicol    Dundonald Links
9.52    John Lappin    Portland, Royal Troon
    Alistair Nicol    Portland, Royal Troon
    Scott Garrett    Fereneze
10.00    Peter J Boyd    Glasgow
    Eric Ewart    Royal Troon
    Frank Craig    Hamilton/Larkhall
10.08    A Connell    Crow Wood/Cawder
    Gordon Clark    Loudon Gowf
    Joe Devlin    West Kilbride
10.16    David Wordsworth    Irvine
    Peter Mackie    Ravenspark
    Steve Banks    West Kilbride
10.24    Ian McLarty    Royal Troon
    Colin McLatchie    West Kilbride
    Robert Kerr    Torrance House
10.32    Jim McEwan    Elderslie
    Keith Ross    Glasgow
    Gary Foley    Royal Troon
10.40    Blair Anderson    Royal Troon
    David Robertson    Cochrane Castle
10.48       
    James McPherson    Cathcart Castle
10.56    Mark Lironi    Cathkin Braes
    Bruce Lyle    Western Gailes
    Stephen Gray    Hayston 
11.04    Fred Hallsworth    Western Gailes
    Douglas Zuill    Western Gailes
    Paul McKechnie    Braid Hills 
11.12    Peter Miller    Dundonald Links
    Colin Peddie    Kirkintilloch      
11.20       
       Jorden Ferrie    Hilton Park 
11.28    Alex Fallis    Cowglen     
    Nick Walton    Glasgow
11.36    John Leitch    Haggs Castle
    Tom McGill    Glasgow
    Campbell Elliott    Haggs Castle
11.44    John Cameron    Cathkin Braes
    Allan Williams    Haggs Castle
    Jordan Gallagher    Douglas Park
11.52    Brian Lamb    Irvine
    David Cooper    Rothesay
       

REPORT AND SCORES FROM WOBURN

 Fitzpatrick shares lead with Aphibarnrat after 

three rounds of British Masters

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Matthew Fitzpatrick remains on course for a wire-to-wire maiden victory in the British Masters supported by Sky Sports after a three under par 68 gave him a share of the lead with Kiradech Aphibarnrat heading into the final round.
The 21 year old Englishman, who iFis the youngest player in the field, dropped his only shot of the day on the second hole but then carded four birdies to move to 12 under par for the tournament at Woburn Golf Club.
He is joined at the top of the leaderboard by Thailand’s Aphibarnrat, who posted a bogey-free round of 67 to strengthen his chances of a second victory on British soil this year, following his early-August victory in the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play at Murcar Links
Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti and Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen are one shot off the lead on 11 under par after rounds of 66 and 69 respectively, while former World Number One Luke Donald is three shots off the pace in a share of fifth position after picking up six shots in the space of nine holes in his bogey-free round of 65. Tournament host Ian Poulter is seven shots back on five under par after birdieing the closing hole for a round of 70.
Key player quotes
Matthew Fitzpatrick – 68 (-12 total)
“It was a battle out there. I have to admit I didn't feel like I played my best. I never really felt like I was threatening any of the flags out there. I just played fairly steady really. I didn't hit so many great shots, but managed to find the green and get off with two putts when I could, and holed the putts when I needed to.
“I have no doubt it's going to take a low one to win tomorrow. It’s bunched at the top, so I just have to see how it goes. I saw the stat this morning that some great names have won wire-to-wire. It would be nice to add mine to that. That is obviously something in the back of my mind, but I have just go out and play good golf.
“It was a big crowd and the support has been absolutely fantastic this week. It's great to have an event back in the U.K. I know there have been a couple already this year but this has been really special this week, and for me to be leading is really nice.”
Kiradech Aphibarnrat – 67 (-12 total)
“If you compare it with other European Tour golf courses, this course is quite narrow. So just keep the ball in play. If you get yourself in fairway, you have a chance on this course. In the practice round I said to my caddie, four-under every day would be good to finish in the top three. That’s how I've been doing in the first three rounds.  Just one more day, so make another 67.
“I love to be here in Britain, love to come back, nice weather. People very nice and golf courses in great condition.”
Luke Donald – 65 (-9 total)
“It's always nice to play in front of great crowds like we've got this week. They have been very supportive. I would just love to win any tournament to be honest, but it would be a little bit more special coming here in the U.K. It's been a little bit of a dry period for me. I haven't won for a couple years, but I would love to dearly get back into that winner's circle."
THIRD - ROUND SCORES, TOTALS
Par 213 (3x71)
201 K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 67 67 67, M Fitzpatrick  (Eng) 64 69 68
202 F Zanotti (Par) 68 68 66, S Kjeldsen (Den) 65 68 69 
204 L Donald  (Eng) 67 72 65, R Bland (Eng) 67 67 70, R Wattel  (Fra) 66 71 67, S Lowry  (Irl) 66 69 69 
205 R Karlsson (Swe) 65 70 70, D Brooks (Eng) 69 69 67, L Slattery (Eng) 65 71 69, A Wall (Eng) 68 71 66
206 L Westwood (Eng) 69 70 67, M Fraser (Aus) 66 73 67, M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) 70 67 69, J Quesne  (Fra) 70 67 69
207 A Levy (Fra) 67 71 69, M Lundberg (Swe) 66 70 71, N Kearney (Irl) 69 69 69, J Van Zyl (RSA) 68 69 70, D Fichardt (RSA) 73 68 66, G McDowell  (Nir) 70 67 70, K Broberg (Swe) 71 67 69, C Wood  (Eng) 69 69 69,
 208 P Hanson (Swe) 70 70 68, A Sullivan (Eng) 67 69 72, R Rock (Eng) 72 65 71, I Poulter (Eng) 68 70 70, W Ormsby (Aus) 68 69 71, T Hatton (Eng) 71 68 69, D Howell (Eng) 71 66 71, R Karlberg  (Swe) 68 70 70, D Horsey (Eng) 69 72 67, J Luiten (Ned) 68 69 71,
 209 M Hoey  (Nir) 69 73 67, O Fisher  (Eng) 68 70 71, A Johnston (Eng) 70 69 70, Y Yang (SKor) 71 68 70, M Crespi  (Ita) 69 72 68, E Espana (Fra) 71 69 69, E Pepperell (Eng) 72 68 69,
 210 T Fleetwood  (Eng) 72 70 68, P Dunne (Irl) 71 69 70, M Warren (Sco) 65 71 74, F Molinari (Ita) 71 69 70, G Havret  (Fra) 70 71 69, N Colsaerts  (Bel) 69 70 71,
 211 P Harrington (Irl) 66 72 73, C Lee (Sco) 72 70 69, D Willett  (Eng) 69 72 70, J Singh (Ind) 67 73 71, A Hansen (Den) 70 70 71, A Chesters  (Eng) 69 69 73
212 J Edfors (Swe) 70 70 72, J Donaldson (Wal) 69 72 71
213 M Carlsson  (Swe) 69 72 72, N Fasth (Swe) 70 70 73, S Hutsby  (Eng) 69 68 76, J Campillo (Esp) 71 71 71,
 214 P Larrazábal (Esp) 71 68 75, S Hend (Aus) 71 71 72, G Mulroy (RSA) 70 72 72, G Storm  (Eng) 72 70 72, B Hebert  (Fra) 73 69 72
215 M Jiménez (Esp) 72 70 73, G Bourdy (Fra) 71 69 75, G Stal  (Fra) 72 70 73, D Drysdale (Sco) 72 69 74 
216 A Cañizares  (Esp) 69 72 75
217 R Finch  (Eng) 69 73 75, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 72 69 76
218 T Pieters  (Bel) 72 70 76,
 ** B Dredge (Wal) 66 69 WD,


EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

Irish Challenge Tour report and third-round totals

Par 72 drops Peter Whiteford to tied 13th

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS Nino Bertasio emerged the outright tournament leader from an enthralling three-way battle in the final group on day three of the Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa and Golf Resort, holing a monster putt at the last for a crucial par to move one shot clear. On a day when the lead changed hands numerous times between the three playing partners Bertasio, Robert Coles and Tom Murray, the moving day drama came to a fittingly thrilling conclusion as the Italian sank a 40 footer, having found the water with his drive. His four under par 68 was a shot better than the two others and he moved to 14 under for the tournament, but Coles – who shared the halfway lead alongside Bertasio – remains on the coat-tails of the leader, just one back on 13 under. The 27 year old  from Brescia was delighted to have come out the better from such an intense battle and especially to finish on such a high note in front of the Irish crowds. “It was great,” he said. “There were a lot of people and I was delighted to make that putt and get such a huge cheer from the crowds. “I played great on the back nine, made some putts and made a lot of good shots and all three of us played great to be honest. “I got off to a solid start and Tom struggled a bit at the beginning, then he started making birdies and an eagle too. I hit a bad tee shot on ten, made a bad bogey, then I made another on 11. Then I had three birdies in a row from 11 and another at 17, and it was nice to finish with that par. “It was nice to come out on top, I’m very proud but there is still tomorrow and Robert is playing well, Tom is playing well, I saw a lot of good scores today so you have to play good golf to win, definitely. “It looks like the guys are making a lot of birdies so I’ve got to just keep playing well tomorrow, hitting fairways and greens and picking up birdies myself. “It’s definitely important for me because if I play well I can get in to China (Foshan Open) and maybe even Oman (Grand Final), two very big tournaments, so it can change my season.” Coles, meanwhile, was thoroughly looking forward to the final day at the stunning Carlow venue and the experienced three-time Challenge Tour winner said that the buzz of playing in the final group on Sunday remains as exciting as ever. “I started with nine pars and eight were pretty steady and then one was ridiculously all over the place," he said. "I holed a big putt for a par five there so that felt like a birdie really. I was steady apart from that and then on the back nine I started to take my chances and I played much better coming in. “For most of the round I thought Tom played the best really, he was stone dead a lot and played really well. Then he just had two bad holes which spoiled his day but Nino played well and got out of trouble when he needed to. “I’m delighted to be in the last group. It was a bit of a battle at times today and I didn’t feel my best, but the physio Poora Singh has kept me going so a big thanks to him. To get through today was good for me. “The excitement never changes for me, but I probably haven’t put myself into contention as much as I’d like to. I’ve done it a few times and it’s definitely a different feeling from what you’re used to because most weeks unfortunately you’re not up there. “When you do the adrenaline gets up and it’s exciting. You can’t make too big a deal out of it in terms of the season but my aim is just to secure top 45 (in the Road to Oman Rankings) and move forward from there. If I have a good day tomorrow then I could be even better but you can never tell how it will end up.” Murray shared third place with South African Brandon Stone, who carded a five under back nine for a 67 that earned him a place in the final group. So high is the standard of play that a par third round of 72 dropped leading Scot Peter Whiteford, pictured left, down to T13 on 210 - eight shots off the pace. THIRD ROUND TOTALS Par 216 (3x72) 202 N Bertasio (Ita) 68 66 68, 203 R Coles (Eng) 65 69 69, 205 B Stone (RSA) 72 66 67, T Murray (Eng) 69 67 69, 206 G Boyd  (Eng) 71 69 66, 208 R Evans  (Eng) 68 72 68, J Hahn (USA) 71 69 68, S Wakefield (Eng) 69 69 70, G Porteous (Eng) 70 69 69, 209 D Im (USA) 67 70 72, S Tiley (Eng) 69 70 70, P Archer (Eng) 69 69 71, R McNamara  (Irl) 69 74 66, 210 P Whiteford (Sco) 70 68 72, M Orrin (Eng) 70 70 70, J Dantorp (Swe) 69 71 70, S Soderberg (Swe) 72 69 69, S Manley (Wal) 67 76 67, M Schneider (Ger) 68 72 70, 211 H Porteous (RSA) 70 73 68, A Ahokas (Fin) 70 69 72, J Stalter (Fra) 70 69 72, J Caldwell  (Nir) 72 70 69, D Stewart (Sco) 69 74 68, D Huizing (Ned) 72 66 73, C Sordet  (Fra) 72 67 72, S Fallon (Eng) 75 67 69, R Langasque (am) (Fra) 67 73 71, 212 C Selfridge  (Nir) 70 71 71, M McGeady (Irl) 69 71 72, J Hansen  (Den) 70 69 73, J Fahrbring (Swe) 71 72 69, S Griffiths (Eng) 70 71 71, M Søgaard  (Den) 70 71 71, 213 J Huldahl (Den) 72 71 70, V Riu  (Fra) 69 73 71, A Gee  (Eng) 68 75 70, M Lafeber (Ned) 72 71 70, T Linard (Fra) 68 73 72, 214 R McGee (Irl) 70 71 73, S Walker (Eng) 69 71 74, R Kilpatrick (Nir) 67 73 74, C Ford (Eng) 71 69 74, H Joannes  (Bel) 73 70 71, A McArthur  (Sco) 71 70 73, L Gagli  (Ita) 69 72 73, S Jeppesen  (Swe) 72 70 72, D Law (Sco) 68 74 72, 215 T Sluiter  (Ned) 71 71 73, A Bernadet  (Fra) 71 71 73, J Sjöholm (Swe) 68 74 73, 216 B Virto Astudillo (Esp) 74 68 74, M Southgate  (Eng) 68 74 74, J Mullen  (Eng) 68 72 76, A Dunbar (Nir) 69 71 76, 217 S Brown (Eng) 72 70 75, S Thornton (Irl) 69 72 76, C Gloet  (Den) 73 66 78, 218 J Winther (Den) 71 71 76, 219 N Geyger (Chi) 70 73 76, 220 F Andersson Hed (Swe) 73 69 78, G Murray  (Sco) 71 72 77, 221 M Keyser (RSA) 70 72 79

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

PRESIDENTS CUP WILL BE DECIDED BY SUNDAY SINGLES

USA lead by only one point but Internationals' singles line-up looks vulnerable

 FROM GOLFWEEK.COM

By Alex Miceli

INCHEON, South Korea – The Presidents Cup is finally coming down to the Sunday singles, with the U.S. holding a slim 9.5-8.5 lead, the closest it's been prior to the final session since 2005 when the two teams were tied at 11 points apiece.
Saturday afternoon's session finished at 2pt apiece.
That year the U.S. won 7.5 of the 12 singles points and took a cup they had won in 2000 and retained after a tie in 2003, but now the Internationals have a legitimate chance to win for the first time since 1998, a position captain Nick Price had hoped would materialize when he lobbied to reduce the amount of matches.
“I can't actually single out one particular thing,” Price said when asked if the closeness of the matches can be attributed to the changes in the matches or how his players have performed. 
“But this is what we all came here for, for it to be exciting tomorrow. And obviously doing the singles, the setup for the singles is very difficult. But I'm going to go and ask my team to go and play golf tomorrow. 
"Each and every one of them has to play golf tomorrow and play to the very best of their ability. That's all we can do.”
If Price had a dilemma on Saturday night, it was the fact that he had a very strong team in South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace, the first International team to win all four of its team matches, but the rest of the International pairs have generally struggled.
With Oosthuizen going out first on Sunday morning against Patrick Reed, the International line-up loses steam right from its second spot.
Rickie Fowler plays Adam Scott in Match No. 2 with Scott having a lacklustre Presidents Cup at 0-2-2.
Then Dustin Johnson plays Danny Lee. Lee, a rookie, sat out all of Saturday and has a record of 1-1-0 in his first Presidents Cup.
Rounding out the first four pairings, J.B. Holmes will play Hideki Matsuyama
Matusyama has a record of 1-1-1.
That leaves Price not with a front loaded line-up, but a rickety trio in Scott, Lee and Matsuyama that have combined for a 2-4-3 record.
“I think it's an even spread, if you ask me, (top to) bottom," Price said. “You know what, you top load our top six or seven players on either team, (and they) are so evenly matched. It's a call. I mean, that's what you do. 
"It's a call as a captain, and I think we all four of us went with our guts, gut feelings up there, as to how we do it. And I think we got some really good match-ups tomorrow."
Price is faced with the fact that none of his four Australians, Steven Bowditch, Jason Day, Marc Leishman and Scott, have won any of their matches – faltering to a combined record of 0-9-4 record.
The rookies, Sangmoon Bae, Steven Bowditch, Danny Lee, Thongchai Jaidee and Anirban Lahiri, have had some success going 4-6-1, but Price benched Bowditch, Lee and Jaidee on Saturday, not necessarily a confidence booster.
But maybe the move that may be questioned for a while, is putting South Korean Bae, with a record of 2-0-1 in the 12th spot against Bill Haas instead of in a place where he could not only get an early point, but stir the partisan crowd.
In the end, Price has been consistent that his team must play well on Sunday to win the cup, but clearly much will need to go right for that possibility to become reality.
“You get six of what you want and you get six of what you don't want when you do it this way,” Price said of the match-ups. "So it's a tough call. I mean, basically, you go to your team and say, guys, you've all got to go out and play golf tomorrow. I think they are all aware of it."

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Sangmoon Bae continues to win in front of South Korean countrymen

Sangmoon Bae boasts a 2-0-1 record at the 2015 Presidents Cup in his home country of South Korea. ( Getty Images )

By Adam Schupak

Saturday, October 10, 2015

INCHEON, South Korea – U.S. captain Jay Haas approached the team of Jimmy Walker and Chris Kirk at the back of the 13th tee and decided a moment of levity was in order.
“I guess I should’ve put out Jesus Christ and his dad against these guys, huh?” Haas said.
Kirk and Walker ran into a buzzsaw by the names of Sangmoon Bae and Hideki Matsuyama, who combined to birdie nine of the first 11 holes in their four-ball match on Saturday afternoon. 
How demoralising was this thorough beat-down? Well, the Americans assumed they already had lost the match on the 12th green.
“You know you’re getting whooped when that happens,” NBC’s Johnny Miller said. “I’ve never seen that before.”
Bae and Matsuyama took the Americans out of their misery one hole later in a 6-and-5 victory that is the largest margin of the competition.
The 23-year-old Matsuyama’s putter came to life in the afternoon session. He birdied four of the first six holes to spark the rout. The biggest of them had to be the putt at the sixth. After Kirk made birdie, Matsuyama poured in a 14-footer on top of him to prevent the U.S. from drawing even in the match. Up until that point, Bae, 29, had failed to contribute a birdie and was riding his partner’s coattails.
“We were joking that Sangmoon needed to join the party. So he did,” said Bae’s caddie, Matt Minister.
Bae rolled in birdie putts on the next three holes totaling a sum of 50 feet and the Internationals never looked back. The South Korean even hammed it up for the home crowd. At eight, Bae put his right hand to his ear as if to say, “I can’t hear you,” and then pumped his fist. 
One hole later, he kicked up his left leg, hopped and raised his putter in his left hand in jubilation. The rout was on as the Bae/Matsuyama pair won five holes in a row.
“I would say it was one of the best matches that I've ever played,” Bae said.
The pairing of Bae and Matsuyama made sense in that Bae is the only other player on the International team that speaks Japanese. He learned the language while playing the Japan Golf Tour.
“We were able to communicate in Japanese and that really helped our chemistry,” Matsuyama said.
Bae was a captain’s pick and has rewarded Nick Price’s faith in him with a 2-0-1 record after being held out of the opening session. It’s all the more remarkable because Bae soon will begin his mandatory two-year military service in Korea. At the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, he attracted the largest crowds and received a hero’s welcome at every tee and green. Minister said the ovations gave him the chills. On Sunday, Bae likely will be playing his final competitive round for the foreseeable future. Price sent him out in the anchor singles match against Bill Haas. By then, the contest already could be decided or the entire outcome of the Presidents Cup could hang in the balance with the South Korean playing in front of his countrymen. It’s a scenario that Hollywood would reject, but Bae embraced the possibilities.
“This has been a very great week, and my only focus for tomorrow will be to play well, go out there and have fun,” he said. “I want to be totally relaxed and just focus on contributing to the victory of the International team possibly.”
SATURDAY AFTERNOON RESULTS
 
Sangmoon Bae-Hideki Matsuyama (Int) def. Jimmy Walker-Chris Kirk (U.S.), 6  and 5

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Phil Mickelson-Zach Johnson (U.S.) def. Adam Scott-Anirban Lahiri (Int.), 3 and  2uld be even

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Louis Oosthuizen-Branden Grace (Int.) def. Bubba Watson-J.B. Holmes (U.S.), 1 hole.
 

Jordan Spieth-Patrick Reed (U.S.) def. Jason Day-Charl Schwartzel (Int.), 3 and 2

 

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Junior Champion of Champions Tournamnt is NEXT Saturday

Apologies for misleading you earlier with the date of the Scottish Junior Champion of Champions' 18-hole tournament at The Duke's, St Andrews.
It is being played on Saturday, October 17 NOT today!
The tee times next Saturday can be found on the Scottish Golf Union website:

CLICK HERE

The SLGA Champion of Champions tournament is being played at Glasgow Gailes GC tomorrow (Sunday) - bigger field than last year - and we expect to be able to update you from that event. 
The tee times for that can be viewed on www.Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

Link to Round 3 scores in the British Masters at Woburn

CLICK HERE

Saturday attendance of 13,299, bringing the figure for the week up to 41,626

How the Scots are faring:

210 Marc Warren 65 71 74 (T42)
211 Craig Lee 72 70 69 (T48)
215 David Drysdale 71 69 73 (T65)

SPIETH'S CLUTCH PUTTING KEEPS AMERICANS IN LEAD AT PRESIDENTS CUP 

Jordan Spieth rolled in key putts at the last two holes Saturday morning at the Presidents Cup to win a key American point. ( Getty Images )

By Alex Miceli

Saturday, October 10, 2015

INCHEON, South Korea — World No. 1 Jordan Spieth made two clutch putts on the 17th and 18th holes to eke out a one-hole win and keep the United States one point ahead of the Internationals after a 2-2 tie in Saturday morning foursomes.
 The Americans lead 7.5 to 6.5 going into the afternoon four-ball in the Presidents Cup at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, South Korea.

Early on it seemed that the Internationals would ride the coattails of their hottest team, Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen to another winning session on Saturday as the South African duo dispatched Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed 3 and 2.

With the early win, the matches were tied at 5 1/2, but it would take a long while to determine the final point total from the morning session as the remaining three matches all went to the 18th.

When the smoke cleared on the final hole, Bubba Watson would miss a putt to win his match, Sangmoon Bae and Hideki Matsuyama’s short putt was conceded for a win and Spieth would drain a seven-footer to defeat Jason Day and Charl Schwartzel to come from 3 holes down to win.

“Your blood is running, it's running through your hands,” Spieth said right after draining the winning putt. “We could have made it a little easier from 90 yards out. I could have gotten us below the hole. But man, what a comeback we had there. That was a great fight. And it was a huge point in the Presidents Cup.”

Oosthuizen and Grace were never down in their match, leading in 14 of the 16 holes and moving their record to 3-0 in the Presidents Cup, the first time ever an Internationals pairing has won their first three matches.

“We played solid again,” Oosthuizen said in moving his individual record to 4-3-1. “There were a few holes where we made two bogeys around 5 and 6. I had a few poor iron shots, but I putted well on the holes that I didn't hit the greens. Branden's always going to cheer you up and is always keeping you nice and positive. It's been good. We've been really a good team this week.”

In the second match, Watson and J.B. Holmes took the lead on the seventh hole and held it for most of the remaining 11 holes, but when faced with a five-footer on the same line where Marc Leishman had just drained a eight-footer, the left-hander pushed his putt and turned a win into a halve.

“It was disappointing I guess the way it ended,” Holmes said of the halve with Adam Scott and Leishman. “We felt like we played well enough to win, but they played really well. And every time we got up a couple, they battled back and threw in a birdie. It was a great match.”

Like Leishman, Bill Haas needed to make a putt from the back of the green, but this one was from 20 feet. And unlike the Australian, Haas could not convert and the 1-up lead he and Matt Kuchar had going into the final hole disappeared with a halve to Bae and Matsuyama.

“I was thrilled, thrilled for both of us,” Matsuyama said. “Grateful for Moon for the good putt that he made, and especially carrying us on some of the other holes, just really happy.”

Due to inclement weather, the morning foursomes session was delayed an hour, pushing the start times for the afternoon four-fall later in the afternoon. This could potentially cause the afternoon matches to be suspended due to darkness and forced to be completed on Sunday morning before the 12 singles matches.

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Presidents Cup to return to Australia in 

2019, Royal Melbourne likely site

INCHEON, South Korea – The 2019 Presidents Cup is again going Down Under, returning to Australia it was announced at a Saturday press conference at the Presidents Cup, Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea.

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem made the announcement about the 13th edition of the biennial matches returning to Australia as well as the World Cup will also return to Australia for the fifth time in the 58-year history of the competition in 2016.

Sources have indicated that the Alistair MacKenzie designed Royal Melbourne Golf Club is the likely venue to host the Presidents Cup in 2019.

Switch over to www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk for the leading prizewinners in this past week's St Leonards, St Andrews Under-15 and Under-18 tournament.

Clive Dresler MGR Fife Men's Gofler of the Week

The MGR Fife Golfers of the Week are Paula Todd of Thornton Golf Club and Clive Dresler of Elmwood GS who have entered the MGR Fife Ladies Ranking and  the Fife Men's MyGolfRanking respectively for the first time at No 3.

www.mygolfranking.net, Fife Men, Week 2015/40

1 Steven McLelland (Leven GS) 1298 points,                                                                                         

2 Ryan MacKie (Balbirnie Park) 1206,                                                                                                                   

3 *Clive Dresner (Elmwood) 1113,

4 Blaine McGowan (Thornton) 1094,

5 Graham Ballantyne (Dunnikier Park) 1067,

6 George Robertson (Pitreavie) 1047,

7 *Fraser Carr (Crail) 1041,

8 Kenneth Findlay (Ladybank) 1033,

9 Brian McKenna (New Club, St Andrews) 1030,                                                                                     

10 Graham Brown (Lundin) 1028.

www.mygolfranking.net, Fife Clubs Men, Week 2015/40

1 Ladybank 738 points,

2 Dunnikier Park 737,

3 Dunfermline 728,

4= Kirkcaldy 702, Thornton 702,

6 Charleton 675,

7 Cupar 665,

8 *Pitreavie 659,

9 Balbirnie Park 658,

10 Leven Thistle 655.

                            

*Entry this week

For up-to-date ranking lists of participating clubs, the full Regional, National and International Rankings and how it works, visit www.mygolfranking.net.

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Peter Whiteford lying joint fifth in Irish  Challenge EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS Nino Bertasio moved into a share of the lead at the Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa and Golf Resort as the Italian carded a sizzling six under par second round 66, which included an eagle two at the par four fourth hole after holing out from a fairway bunker. The 27 year old from Brescia called it the “perfect shot” as he spun the ball back into the cup with a sand wedge, after a wayward drive on the short dogleg par four, and it spurred him on to the joint best round of the day which also included six birdies and two bogeys. The Swiss-born player joined the first round leader Robert Coles at the top on ten under par after the Englishman added a three under 69 to his seven under par opening gambit at the sun-kissed Carlow venue. Bertasio is in need of a big result in order to at least secure his Challenge Tour status for next year and he was delighted to move into contention. “It was a really nice round, I’m very pleased with it,” said Bertasio. “I got here on Monday and put in some intense practice in the afternoon after playing some terrible golf last week in Italy, and it paid off. “I hit the ball pretty good on the first day and today I started only OK, but then I holed my second shot on four which settled me down. “I didn’t hit a great tee shot and hit it into the right bunker. The pin was long and left which was a pretty tough pin, but I just pulled off a perfect shot. It pitched three or four yards long and spun back into the hole. “I played great on the back nine then, just like I did yesterday, hitting fairways and greens and I made a couple of putts. “I love Ireland, I enjoyed the Northern Ireland Open earlier in the season and the people here are great. They love golf and that’s very nice for us players. “Yesterday a class of kids asked where I’m from and when I said Italy, they just went crazy and followed me for a couple of holes, shouting ‘Italy, Italy, Italy’, so it was great. This tournament is great, the hotel is fantastic and everything is pretty much top notch. I’m looking forward to the weekend now.” Coles, whose last victory coincidentally came on Irish soil on the last visit of Europe’s top developmental tour to these shores, was delighted to maintain his momentum courtesy of a flawless round and the three-time Challenge Tour winner heads into the weekend in confident form having picked up two shots on the way home. “It was quite a bit different today to be honest,” said Coles. “I struggled off the tee, didn’t hit it so well and didn’t putt quite so well either but I got a couple in the end and obviously managed to keep the bogeys away, which made it look a bit better than it felt. “It’s nice to get a couple of birdies coming in. I made a nice putt on 14 and then scrambled a bit on 15 and birdied 16, and they’re both strong holes so that was good. “There are only two tournaments after this so any event now is big for all of us, no matter where you are in the Rankings. We’re all trying to get to a certain level and at the moment I’m a long way off the top 15, you can only do one thing at a time though really.” Coles’ compatriot Tom Murray was two shots further back on eight under par, following a five under 67, as he added further weight to the phrase “Beware the injured golfer”, having struggled with an injury in the lead-up to the tournament. American Daniel Im holds fourth place on his own on seven under par after a two under second round 70, as he targets a second Challenge Tour victory of the season. Peter Whiteford is lying joint fifth on 138 - four shots off the pace - after rounds of 70 and 68 Scores: par 144 (2x72) 134 N Bertasio (Ita) 68 66, R Coles (Eng) 65 69, 136 T Murray (Eng) 69 67, 137 D Im (USA) 67 70, 138 B Stone (RSA) 72 66, P Whiteford (Sco) 70 68, D Huizing (Ned) 72 66, S Wakefield (Eng) 69 69, P Archer (Eng) 69 69, 139 G Porteous (Eng) 70 69, C Sordet  (Fra) 72 67, J Hansen  (Den) 70 69, J Stalter (Fra) 70 69, S Tiley (Eng) 69 70, A Ahokas (Fin) 70 69, C Gloet  (Den) 73 66, 140 J Dantorp (Swe) 69 71, M Schneider (Ger) 68 72, A Dunbar (Nir) 69 71, R Kilpatrick (Nir) 67 73, C Ford (Eng) 71 69, M Orrin (Eng) 70 70, M McGeady (Irl) 69 71, J Hahn (USA) 71 69, J Mullen  (Eng) 68 72, R Evans  (Eng) 68 72, G Boyd  (Eng) 71 69, S Walker (Eng) 69 71, R Langasque (am) (Fra) 67 73, 141 A McArthur  (Sco) 71 70, S Thornton (Irl) 69 72, M Søgaard  (Den) 70 71, S Soderberg (Swe) 72 69, R McGee (Irl) 70 71, T Linard (Fra) 68 73, S Griffiths (Eng) 70 71, C Selfridge  (Nir) 70 71, L Gagli  (Ita) 69 72, 142 T Sluiter  (Ned) 71 71, B Virto Astudillo (Esp) 74 68, D Law (Sco) 68 74, J Winther (Den) 71 71, M Southgate  (Eng) 68 74, A Bernadet  (Fra) 71 71, S Brown (Eng) 72 70, J Caldwell  (Nir) 72 70, V Riu  (Fra) 69 73, S Fallon (Eng) 75 67, S Jeppesen  (Swe) 72 70, M Keyser (RSA) 70 72, J Sjöholm (Swe) 68 74, F Andersson Hed (Swe) 73 69, 143 G Murray  (Sco) 71 72, H Joannes  (Bel) 73 70, J Fahrbring (Swe) 71 72, R McNamara  (Irl) 69 74, M Lafeber (Ned) 72 71, H Porteous (RSA) 70 73, D Stewart (Sco) 69 74, J Huldahl (Den) 72 71, S Manley (Wal) 67 76, A Gee  (Eng) 68 75, N Geyger (Chi) 70 73,  MISSED THE CUT 144 E Cuartero Blanco  (Esp) 73 71, P Relecom  (Bel) 71 73, J McLeary  (Sco) 73 71, A Björk (Swe) 72 72, J Guerrier  (Fra) 70 74, J Lima  (Por) 75 69, P Maddy (Eng) 78 66, J Gonnet  (Fra) 72 72, D Coupland (Eng) 72 72, N Quintarelli (Ita) 72 72, 145 R Davies (Wal) 72 73, A Saddier (Fra) 69 76, J Rask (Swe) 73 72, A Marshall (Eng) 71 74, S Heisele (Ger) 69 76, R McGowan  (Eng) 77 68, R Santos  (Por) 71 74, G Moynihan (Irl) 69 76, P Widegren  (Swe) 68 77, S Arnold  (Aus) 71 74, C Hanson (Eng) 70 75, J Heath  (Eng) 70 75, S Henry  (Sco) 71 74, C Sharvin (am) (Nir) 75 70, 146 F Calmels  (Fra) 72 74, J Doherty  (Sco) 73 73, L Tintera  (Cze) 74 72, G Shaw (Nir) 74 72, N Ravano (Ita) 75 71, J Hume (am) (Irl) 72 74, 147 G Hurley (Irl) 79 68, C Shinkwin (Eng) 73 74, D Foos (Ger) 73 74, J Robinson (Eng) 73 74, C Aguilar  (Esp) 73 74, R O'Donovan (Irl) 71 76, A Korinek (Cze) 73 74, D McElroy (am) (Nir) 72 75, 148 J Glennemo (Swe) 76 72, P Dwyer (Eng) 72 76, 149 B Casey  (Irl) 71 78, J Walters (RSA) 78 71, T Rice  (Irl) 75 74, M Delpodio  (Ita) 71 78, 150 T Higgins Jnr (Irl) 76 74, A Hartø  (Den) 76 74, J Makitalo  (Fin) 76 74, E Dubois (Fra) 81 69, B Ritthammer (Ger) 75 75, B Åkesson (Swe) 71 79, 152 D Burmester (RSA) 78 74, W Harrold (Eng) 76 76, 153 J Senior (Eng) 77 76, S Einhaus (Ger) 76 77, 155 D Sugrue (Irl) 75 80, 157 R Whitson (Nir) 82 75, 160 R Dawson (am) (Irl) 82 78,  - Ends -