M and H Logistics Scottish pro championship report, scores and tee times

O'Hara brothers close up on leader Wright at Gleneagles with 65 apiece
PGA NEWS RELEASE FROM NATHANIEL SYLVESTER Brothers Paul (pictured above) and Steven O'Hara shot matching 65s as the chasing pack closed the gap on leader Gareth Wright in the second round of the M and H Logistics Scottish PGA Championship over the Gleneagles Hotel's Kings Course in Perthshire today. Wright, the 2014 winner at the same venue, had his five-shot overnight advantage cut to just two strokes as the event's 100th staging reached the halfway point. The 34-year-old West Linton professional described his second-round 70, which moved him to 10-under-par for the tournament as a "good day's work". However, the title race has hotted up considerably after the North Lanarkshire Leisure-attached O'Haras joined Bathgate's Louis Gaughan in carding the day's joint-best score to make significant moves on the leaderboard. Steven, who held a European Tour card for nine seasons before falling off the circuit at the end of 2012, spurred Steven to his six-under-par effort in the autumn sunshine. "I saw on the leaderboard at either the 13th or 14th that he must have shot 65 and said to myself, 'I'll need to try and match him'," admitted Paul. In doing so, the 30-year-old moved to within two shots of Wright, as did Gaughan after he joined the younger O'Hara in underlining his growing stature on the Tartan Tour. Steven, who played on the same Walker Cup team as Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell and Marc Warren at Sea Island in 2001, has just returned to competitive golf this season. However, his second-day thrust was no surprise to his younger sibling, claiming that he'd seen a low score coming in their recent practice sessions at their new base, Lochview Golf Centre in Coatbridge. "It is good to see Steven playing well again," said Paul. "He's been playing well in the wee games we've been having in practice." While Steven, having opened with a 74, still has seven shots to make up on Wright, Paul has the leader in his sights heading into the final 36 holes over the next two days. The 30-year-old, winner of the P and H Championship and Scottish Young Professionals Championship earlier in the year, insisted he'd been unfazed by starting his second round seven shots off the pace.  "I've shot a few seven and eight-unders in pro-ams this season, so I knew I could shoot a low one myself," said Paul, a three-time Scottish Amateur Championship runner-up. "My coach, David Orr, has done well on this course in the past," he added of the 2009 winner, "and he gave me a few useful tips on how to get round it." A flawless second-day effort was sparked by two opening birdies before O'Hara made further gains at the eighth, ninth, 11th and 18th. Gaughan, a 23-year-old who has just completed his PGA training under Stuart Callan, is bidding to add to Bathgate's impressive title haul in this event. Between them, Ryder Cup captains Eric Brown and Bernard Gallacher claimed 13 titles, with the former landing the first of his eight successes 60 years ago. "I've prioritised the Tartan Tour this year as I want to finish high enough in the Order of Merit to get into the pro-ams next season," said Gaughan after signing for eight birdies in his second round. "I still work in the shop at the moment and having my PGA qualification gives me a fall back. But I've spoken to Stuart about playing full-time next year and now it's a case of trying to get things in place." Ross Cameron is sitting fourth on his own, three shots off the lead, after recovering from a slow start for the second day running to back up his opening 67 with a 68. "There's still a long way to go and I'll just keep plugging away," said the 37-year-old Peterhead man, who is bidding to improve on finishing just outside the top 10 two years ago. Sam Binning is fifth on six-under, a shot ahead of his fellow Mearns Castle Golf Academy player and 2000 winner Alastair Forsyth, as well as Newmachar's Greg McBain. With the 36-hole cut falling at four-over 146, 35 players made it through to the final two rounds, including defending champion Chris Kelly, who bounced back from a disappointing opening 74 with a gutsy 69. Image of Paul O’Hara in action,  courtesy of Mark Runnacles/Getty Images   Second-round totals par 142 (2x71) +35 players with 36-hole totals of 146 and better qualified for the final two rounds 132 G Wright (West Linton) 62 70 134 L Gaughan (Bathgate) 69 65; P O'Hara (North Lanarkshire Leisure) 69 65 135 R Cameron (Saltire Energy) 67 68 136 S Binning (Mearns Castle) 67 69 138 A Forsyth (Mearns Castle) 71 67; G McBain (Newmachar) 72 66 139 S O'Hara (North Lanarkshire Leisure) 74 65 140 C Doak (unatt) 67 73; I Campbell (Cheshunt Park) 70 70; G Hay (Grantown-on-Spey) 70 70; C Ronald (Torrance House) 69 71 141 C Currie (Caldwell) 72 69; G Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Inchmarlo) 70 71; K Hutton (Downfield) 74 67 142 M Owenson (Gullane) 72 70; P McKechnie (Braid Hills) 73 69; K McNicoll (Gullane) 73 69; I Stoddart (Greenburn) 71 71; J Lomas (Caprington) 67 75; P Wardell (North Berwick) 71 71 143 G Fox (Clydeway Golf) 74 69; C Kelly (Taymouth Castle Estate) 74 69 144 M Loftus (Mearns Castle) 72 72 145 J McCreadie (Largs) 74 71; J Fraser (Renaissance Club) 72 73; S Henderson (Kings Links) 73 72 146 S Morrison (Tain) 77 69; M Bradfield (Elie Links) 75 71; M Hillson (Kilconquhar Castle Estate) 74 72; R Arnott (Bishopbriggs Golf Range) 76 70; J McGhee (Whitehill House) 73 73; C Elliott (Haggs Castle) 74 72; A Brown (Whitecraigs) 71 75; I Colquhoun (Loch Lomond) 74 72 MISSED THE CUT 147 M Pottinger (American Golf) 75 72; F Mann (Carnoustie Golf Links) 77 70; E Bowden (North Berwick) 74 73; C Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre) 76 71; G Brown (Montrose Golf Links) 76 71 148 M Kerr (Dalmahoy) 76 76; C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 72 76; A Hogg (Kingsbarns Golf Links) 75 73 149 P Robinson (Largs) 76 73 150 S Milne (Balbirnie Park) 75 75; R Neill (Drumpellier) 77 73; S Gray (Lanark) 77 73 151 I Anderson (Colville Park) 81 70 152 C Sutherland (Cherry Lodge) 75 77; R Munro (Duddingston) 82 70; J Bell (Lanark) 81 71  153 A Reid (West Lothian) 73 80; A Jowett (Gleneagles Hotel) 79 74; K McNiven (Gleneagles Hotel) 80 73 154 R Clarke (Golf Dedication Centre) 79 75; G Law (Uphall) 79 75 155 C Marr (Musselburgh) 82 73 156 A Forrow (Whitecraigs) 83 73 157 D Flannery (Caldwell) 81 76; O Huish (North Berwick) 78 79 159 F Rummins (Canmore) 77 82; G McDougall (Elie Links) 79 80 160 F Robertson (Lundin) 79 81 161 P Jamieson (Dunblane New) 81 80 164 N Huguet (Musselburgh) 81 83 167 E MacDonald (Musselburgh) 83 84 DQ R McConnachie (Peterculter), S Catlin (Affordable Golf)   WEDNESDAY'S TEE TIMES Round 3: Gleneagles Golf Resort  - King's Course  1 8:30 Iain Colquhoun, Loch Lomond Golf Club 1 8:38 Alistair Brown, Whitecraigs Golf Club Campbell Elliott, Haggs Castle Golf Club 1 8:46 James McGhee, Whitehill House Golf Club Robert Arnott, Bishopbriggs Golf Range 1 8:54 Mark Hillson, Kilconquhar Castle Estate Michael Bradfield, Elie Links 1 9:02 Stuart Morrison, Tain Golf Club Scott Henderson, Kings Links Golf Centre 1 9:10 Jamie Fraser, Renaissance Club Jason McCreadie, Largs Golf Club 1 9:18 Mark Loftus, Mearns Castle Golf Academy Chris Kelly, Taymouth Castle Estate 1 9:26 Graham Fox, Clydeway Golf Paul Wardell, North Berwick Golf Club 1 9:34 Jonathan Lomas, Caprington Golf Club Iain Stoddart, Greenburn Golf Club 1 9:47 Keir McNicoll, Gullane Golf Club Paul McKechnie, Braid Hills Golf Range 1 9:55 Marc Owenson, Gullane Golf Club Kenny Hutton, Downfield Golf Club 1 10:03 Greig Hutcheon, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Inchma Christopher Currie, Caldwell Golf Club 1 10:11 Craig Ronald, Carluke Golf Club Gavin Hay, Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club 1 10:19 Ian Campbell, Cheshunt Park Golf Club Chris Doak 1 10:27 Steven O'Hara, North Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd Greg McBain, Newmachar Golf Club 1 10:35 Alastair Forsyth, Mearns Castle Golf Academy Samuel Binning, Mearns Castle Golf Academy 1 10:43 Ross Cameron Paul O'Hara, North Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd 1 10:51 Louis Gaughan, Bathgate Golf Club Gareth Wright, West Linton Golf Club Complete information is available at Tournament Information Page (TIP)

Bogey-free Paul Doherty in the Kuwait mix

By VIREN VARMA

KUWAIT CITY, — Stuart Archibald fired a bogey-free, four-under 66 to haul himself into contention for a maiden title on the MENA Golf Tour, going into Wednesday's final round of the Sahara Kuwait Championship.

The 32-year-old Englishman, starting the day two off the pace, picked two shots in each half to reach 10 under for the tournament, a good two shots clear of overnight leader Joe Heraty and Scotland’s Paul Doherty, pictured right.

Germany’s Aaron Leitmannstetter, who returned a flawless 64, the day’s low score, joined South Africa’s Luke Trocado and Fernand Osther of the Netherlands for a share of fourth a further shot adrift.

“I didn’t get off to best of starts, but managed to make a couple of good par saves. A birdie of the sixth, however, got me going in the right mindset. Thereafter, I played really well,” said Archibald, who has been playing on the MENA Golf Tour since 2013.

“I have been in contention quite a few times and it will be nice to get the job done this time around. But we still have 18 more holes to play. Anything can happen,” said the Hampshire native.

Overnight leader Heraty, who shot a level-par 70, stayed in the frame for his first title on the tour. “I played almost similar to the one I did in the first round, but conditions weren’t different today. “It was quite windy and the greens were a bit faster.

“Didn’t hole that many putts, but I am still very happy to be in this position,” said the Englishman, whose opening 62 on Monday equalled the lowest score ever shot on the MENA Golf Tour, matching that of his compatriot Joshua White in the 2014 Golf Citizen Masters in Al Ain.

Doherty, a former Scottish U18 boys' match-play championship kept it clean in the second round, putting himself in prime position for a second MENA Golf Tour tile.

“Played quite nicely. Going bogey-free always makes you feel good about what's to come," said Doherty,

“Going forward, the thinking is to stick to the same game plan and see what happens. But I do think I am in a good position entering the final round,” said the Dubai-based Scot, who won the Royal D’Anfa Open in Morocco last year.
 There are two Scots in the top 10 with 18 holes to play. The other is Jack McDonald (pictured right) from Ayrshire.  Jack turned pro last March.

He is T7 on 134 (65-69) and will be rueing late bogeys at the 16th and 17th which gives him that little bit more to do if he is to come with a last-day surge.

The amateur division is led by Brazil’s Tiago Lobo and Todd Clements of England.

Lobo, a Dubai-based MENA Golf Tour regular, followed his opening 68 with a 67 while Clements mixed five birdies with two bogeys en route to 67 to share 10th overall on five under.

The cut was made at three over 143 with 45 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to Wednesday’s final round.

SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 140 (2x70)
130 Stuart Archibald (Eng) 64 66
132 Paul Doherty (Sco) 67 65, Joe Heraty (Eng) 62 70#

SELECTED SCORES
134 Jack McDonald (Sco) 65 69 (T7)
136 Zane Scotland (Eng) 67 69 (T17)

Matt Dalrymple T29 in Alabama field of 74

Matt Dalrymple from Lochwinnoch, a freshman student at King University, Bristol in Tennessee,  was T23 after two rounds of the TVA Credit Union Invite men's college tournament at Turtle Point Yacht and Country Club, Killen in Alabama.

Matt, pictured left, has had rounds of 78 and 74 for a tally of 149 over a ar-72 course of 7,133yd.
 King colleague Kesley March from Gloucestershire, also a freshman, is T29 iin a field of 74 players after rounds of 76 and 74 for 150.
Forrest Knight (North Alabama) leads by two shots with a pair of 69s for six-under-138.
North Alabama (569) leads the team event from Columbus State (573) with King (604) in seventh place in a field of 14 teams.

Scottish champion George Duncan finishes 

joint second in big Tennessee field

Scottish amateur champion George Duncan, a member of Windyhill Golf Club, Glasgow, finished joint second this week in a  field of 80 players at the State Farm Intercollegiate tournament over 54 holes at Woodlake Golf Club, Tazewell in Tennessee.

Duncan, a final-year student at Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate in Tennessee, had rounds of 73, 70 and 69 for a four-under-par total of 212 over the par-72, 6746yd course. 
George's good effort helped Lincoln Memorial to win the team title by 16 shots.
Individually, Duncan, pictured right, who won the Scottish title at Royal Aberdeen's Balgownie links this past summer, tied with Brad Robinson (Lenoir-Rhyne) (70-71-71), both finishing two shots behind the winner, Weston Bell (Anderson University, South Carolina) who had improving scores of 71, 70 and 69 for six-under 210.
There were six other Brits in the field, five of them from Scotland.
Sam Broadhurst (Lincoln Memorial) finished T6 on 214 with scores of 77, 67 and 70. Pity about that first round.

Fintan McKenna, pictured left, from the Aberdeen suburb of Westhill and a freshman at Carson-Newman University, finished T23 on 222 with rounds of 73, 77 and 72. Pity about that second round.
Craig Stephen from Torphins, a third-year student at Brevard College, North Carolina, shot rounds of 77, 74 and 76 for 227 and a T36 finish.
Ray Gordon, from Alford, a third-year student at Lincoln Memorial, finished T58 on 234 with rounds of 73, 79 and 82.
Calum McAndrew from Fife, a third-year student at Brevard College, shot 82, 79 and 76 for 237 and a T65 finish.
Declan Addison from Peterhead, a third-year student at Brevard College, had a disappointing tournament with rounds of 89, 90 and 84 for 263 and 79th place in a field of 80 players.
Lincoln Memorial (855) won the team title ahead of Carson-Newman (871), Lenoir-Rhyne (874) and Brevard  (878) in a field of 12 teams.