Linhart five clear after three rounds in Algarve

Spain's Pedro Linhart has jumped into a five-stroke led after three rounds of the  5th Algarve Senior Circuit Stroke-play at Pinheiros Altos and Laranjal.

Here is the link to the scoreboard.

CLICK HERE

David Drysdale moves up to fifth with a 65

in South Africa

David Drysdale has moved up to a share of fifth place in the uncompleted second round of the BMW South African Open at Glendower Golf Club near Johannesburg.
The Dunbar man shot a seven-under-par 65 today for a two-round tally of nine-under 135.
Drysdale birdied the short sixth, eagled the par-5 eighth and birdied the ninth in a four-under 32 for the front nine.
He also birdied the 11th, par-5 13th and 15th for 33 (3 under) home.
Rory McIlroy (67-68), hampered by breathing difficulties due to a back injury, is one of the other players on 135 - three shots behind the new leader by two strokes, England's Graeme Storm who has scored 69-63 for 132.
Storm putted brilliantly for his 63 which is a new course record.
Scottish amateur Craig Ross improved by eight strokes from a 79 to 1 71 but his tally of 150 has him in joint 129th position.
Several players were unable to finish their second rounds because of darkness.
They included Scots Scott Henry and Duncan Stewart.
Henry, who had a first-round 79 is six under for his second round with holes eighth and nine still to be played.
Stewart, after a first-day 78, is two over par in his second round with four holes to play.

NEWS RELEASE
Round two report 

Rory McIlroy remains very much in the hunt for the BMW SA Open hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni despite playing his second round with breathing difficulties due to a back injury.

The World Number Two made an uncharacteristic bogey-birdie-double bogey start to day at the Glendower Golf Club but any fears of a poor performance were soon wiped out as he covered his next 11 holes in eight under par.

The 27 year old drove the ball supremely in that period as he charged through the field to get to 11 under with two holes to play.

The Northern Irishman looked odds-on to join second round leader Graeme Storm, who equalled the course record of nine under 63, atop the leaderboard on 12 under but a bogey-bogey finish saw McIlroy drop back to nine under and a share of fifth place.

Moments later, McIlroy emerged from the scorers hut to reveal he had tweaked his back before starting his second round and had considered pulling out of the tournament.

Storm had earlier produced his brilliant 63 thanks largely to a sensational performance on the greens of Glendower. The Englishman will take a two-shot lead into weekend, with American Peter Uihlein sharing second spot on ten under with the South African duo of Jbe Kruger and Trevor Fisher following their respective second round scores of 64, 67 and 68.

Player Quotes

Rory McIlroy: “I’m actually surprised I’m standing here, I actually thought about pulling out before even teeing off today. I tweaked my back somehow and the first few shots today weren’t very comfortable and it still isn’t really comfortable. I can’t really take a deep breath because I’ve done something to my upper back. I’m going to go get some treatment now. Considering that, I played well, stuck at it and hopefully I can feel better tomorrow.

“I don’t want to withdraw, it would let a lot of people down so that’s why I kept going today. As I said, I’m going to get some physio now and hopefully I’ll feel better tomorrow.
“The middle of the round was good. Once I got it going and saw putts going in I got some momentum which was nice. Disappointed to finish the way I did, I thought I hit a good shot on 17, it just pitched a bit too far. Then 18 I was probably just rushing a bit to get in before the weather. Overall, the start and the finish wasn’t great but everything in between was pretty good and I’m still in contention heading into the weekend.”

Graeme Storm: “It's obviously great to shoot a score like that. I had a long putt on the last to equal my best-ever score but I’ll certainly take a 63. The putter was hot, it was hot yesterday and it was hot today. Yesterday I didn't capitalise as much as I did today. I could have birdied a couple more of the par fives, I only birdied one of them today. So to shoot 63 and only having birdied one of the par fives around here, you know, I've played pretty well. I tip Rory to win this week because he hits it miles and he hits it straight. If I keep on his tail, I'll be happy.”

Round two of the BMW SA Open was suspended due to inclement weather. Round two will resume at 07:15 local time on Saturday (Jan 14) morning, with 45 players to complete round two before the draw for round three is made.

BMW SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN
Glendower GC, nr Johannesburg
SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
132 G Storm (Eng) 69 63
134 P Uihlein (USA) 70 64, J Kruger (SAf) 67 67, T Fisher jun (SAf) 66 68
135 L Canter (Eng) 69 66, J L Smith (Eng) 67 68, R McIlroy (NIr) 67 68, D Drysdale (Sco) 70 65.

SELECTED SCORE
150 C Ross (Sco) (am) 79 71 (T129)

TO VIEW THE COMPLETE SCOREBOARD

CLICK HERE

PGA icon John Jacobs dies at age of 91.

OBITUARY – JOHN JACOBS 1925-2017

Golfing legend John Jacobs OBE, described as the father of modern day golf, died earlier this morning (January 13) at the age of 91. His legacy is that of a true sporting visionary - a player, a teacher, an innovator, all born out of a passion for golf that consumed his life. To this day, his influence can be felt in every aspect of the sport and across the globe. From beginners picking up a club for the very first time to the stars of the European and US PGA tours, few golfers have not been touched by Jacobs’ genius and his overwhelming desire to ensure everyone loved the game and had as much fun playing it as he did. A tour player of note who competed in the 1955 Ryder Cup in California, Jacobs would later captain the side twice - most fittingly in 1979 when European players competed for the very first time. However, it was on the practice ground and in the game’s corridors of power where Jacobs had the biggest impact with his innovative thinking. As a coach he transformed the fundamentals of how you teach the game with his revolutionary philosophies based on ball flight, club face alignment and swing path. Through coaching schools, best-selling books, videos and television series his methods were known in the UK, across America and around the world. Everyone, from the best to the worst could understand his teaching. “Make it do-able,” he insisted. “Keep it simple.” A PGA Master Professional, he wrote the PGA’s first training manual and decades later his principles are still at the core of every professional’s education. For more than 20 years he was also the driving force behind the development of the European Tour, fighting to expand the season of events beyond Britain. Within a matter of months of taking control he had increased events and doubled the prize money on offer. In doing so, he laid the foundations for one of the most successful organisations in sport. Jacobs, who lived in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, was also the visionary behind the growth of driving ranges, realising their value for both professionals and students who wanted learn and improve day or night, all year round.  “Golf can be an expensive sport,” he reasoned. “Golf ranges were an inexpensive way to get more people playing the game and enjoying it.” All from the mind of one man - who loved golf. But home for Jacobs was the practice ground - particularly his golf schools where every day there were new faces, new challenges and different people to help, improve and make happy. Jacobs was a friendly face for pros on tour, who would queue up for his advice, and, thanks to his books, videos, clinics and television appearances, he was a household name on both sides of the Atlantic. All of which is a long way from his early years growing up at Lindrick Golf Club in Yorkshire where his father was the professional and understanding the swing was simply to “stop myself hooking into the gorse on the left”. From everyday people to princes and kings, from beginners to tour players - Jacobs taught everyone. He touched lives, changed golf, innovated teaching, made the European Tour thrive - but most importantly he ensured people of all ages and all abilities enjoyed swinging a club. “Playing golf is simple - it’s two turns and a swish.” PGA Chief Executive Sandy Jones paid this tribute: “John Jacobs will be fondly remembered by those of us who were privileged to know him. Quite simply he was a legend of the game and his name will sit at the top table with all the golfing greats.” Dr Kyle Phillpots, The PGA's Executive Director - Education and Global Development, added: "John’s legacy to golf is well documented.  In addition to his accomplishments as a player, coach and administrator,  he is the person who made the European Tour happen and he is widely acknowledged  as the father of modern golf coaching. "When I started at The PGA, although not a golfer, I had certainly heard of John Jacobs and he lived up to his reputation in terms of not only his knowledge and huge understanding of the golf swing, but also his strength of character.  "However, more than that he was a real gentleman.  He was very kind to me and was always a great source of support to me and the Training Academy.  "The other thing that stands out is his love of life – he took pleasure from so many things, whether it was golf, playing it, coaching it or talking about it.  He enjoyed fishing and also the simple pleasures of eating and drinking fine wine and just being with people.  "I will miss him and his great stories about his amazing life in golf."   Obituary by Vince Ellis. R and A STATEMENT Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R and A, said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of John Jacobs and our heartfelt condolences are extended to his family. "John’s outstanding contribution to golf over a lifetime will leave an indelible mark on the game.  He was widely respected as a founding father of the European Tour and was a proud Honorary Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.  John was a tremendously engaging character and the world of golf has lost a leading light today."

 

 Aussie Green defies Friday the 13th superstition to move up to 2nd in Asian Tour Final Q School

 

Bangkok, January 13: Australia’s Richard Green showed no signs of nerves on Friday the 13^th when he carded a four-under-par 68 to head into the final round just one shot behind Japan’s Junya Kameshiro at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage presented by Sports Authority of Thailand on Friday.

Green’s three-day total of 19-under-par 197 at the Suvarnabhumi Golf and Country Club ran contrary to the stigma usually associated to the superstitious date considered by many to be unlucky as he remains well on course to top the class.

Malaysia’s Ben Leong, who came into the week on a rich vein of form having won five consecutive tournaments at home, is hoping to spoil Green’s party and emerge at the top of the final leaderboard again after two previous success at the Asian Tour Qualifying School.

Leong enjoyed a bogey-free round of 67 which was highlighted by five birdies to share third place with Todd Sinnott of Australia.

 

The top 35 players and ties following the conclusion of 72 holes will earn playing rights on the region’s premier Tour in 2017.

 

Leading scores after Round 3 of the Qualifying School Final Stage being played at the par 72, 6965 Yards East and South course (am - denotes amateur):
Par 216 (3x72)

196 - Junya KAMESHIRO (JPN) 67-62-67.

197 - Richard GREEN (AUS) 66-63-68.

198 - Ben LEONG (MAS) 65-66-67, Todd SINNOT (AUS) 64-65-69.

199 - Yikeun CHANG (SKOR) 68-65-66, William CANNON (USA) 64-68-67.

200 - Raththee SIRITHANAKUNSAK (THA) 67-68-65, Teemu PUTKONEN (FIN) 65-67-68, Settee PRAKONGVECH (THA) 66-66-68.

201 - Sihwan KIM (USA) 69-67-65, ZHENG Ou-yang (CHN) 65-66-70, Chanachok DEJPIRATANAMONGKOL (THA) 67-63-71.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

Russell Knox shoots a 64 to be T4 at Honolulu

Russell Knox shot a six-under-par 64 to  be joint fourth in a field of 144 behind the in-form Justin Thomas who joined the "59 Club" with an 11-under-par 18-hole score in the first round of the Sony Open at Honolulu, Hawaii where the temperature on a mostly cloudy day was 75  degrees Fahrenheit.
Knox had birdies at the eighth, ninth, 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 18th in halves of 33 (2 under) and 31 (4 under).
The Florida-based, Inverness-born Scot had one bogey, at the 14th.
Justin Rose is T21 with a 69 but Paul Casey had a disastrous day with a three-over 73 which left him languishing in T142 position.

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 70
Players from USA unless stated otherwise
59 Justin Thomas
62 Hudson Swafford
63 Rory Sabbatini (SAf)
64 Russell Knox (Sco), Gary Woodland, Tony Finau, Cameron Smith (Aust), Billy Hurley III, Shawn Steffani.

SELECTED SCORES
69 Justin Rose (Eng) (T21)
72 Paul Casey (Eng) (T142)
Field of 144 players

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

Wesselingh goes three clear in Algarve

Senior Circuit stroke-play

Paul Wesselingh has taken up the running after 36 holes of the fifth Algarvian Senior Golf Circuit stroke-play tournament over the Pinheiros Altos and Laranjal courses.
Wesselingh is three shots clear of the field with a pair of 68s for 136.
Sharing second place on 139 are Spain 's Miguel Angel Martin (70-69) and England's Stephen McNally (67-72).
Englishman Gordon Brand is sharing fourth placer on 141 with rounds of 71 and 70.
Stewart Savage who is a Scot is sharing sixth place with Gary Wolstenholme (England) on 142. Stewart has had scores of 68 and 74.
Andrew Oldcorn (Scotland) dropped back to T10 place with a 74 for 144.
There is a huge field of 94 players.

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

Scottish Golf is seeking enthusiastic candidates who share our passion for leading change and growing the game in Scotland. There's just a week left to apply for the current vacancies on our Board of Directors or nominate someone for the role of Junior Vice-President.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE