Scottish Golf View - Golf News from Scotland

2010-02-09T12:01:00.003Z

SCOTLAND SQUAD HEADS FOR

PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Scotland’s Men’s Elite Squad will embark on the second phase of its warm weather training programme this winter with a competitive excursion to Portugal and Spain in the coming weeks.
The Scottish Golf Union will send a squad of 12 players to compete in both the Portuguese amateur championship (February 18-21) and the Spanish amateur championship (March 3-7), using the time between the tournaments to prepare players for the season ahead at the squad’s base in Quinta da Cima.
Ross Kellett, James White, Philip McLean, Steven McEwan, Gordon Yates, Greg Paterson, Kris Nicol and David Law will compete in both Iberian events, although Law’s participation will be governed by ongoing medical advice.
The 18-year-old, who last season became the first player to win both Scottish boys’ and men’s titles in the same year, played his first practice round of the year at Sea Island last week since recovering from a wrist injury and will continue his rehabilitation programme overseas, working alongside Scottish Institute of Sport physiotherapist Karen Young.
Former Scottish match-play champion Glenn Campbell and 2008 Scottish boys stroke play champion Mark Bookless will play in Portugal before returning home, whilst Paul Shields – who lost to the Law in the final of the Scottish boys match-play championship at Royal Aberdeen last April – will join Dollar’s Scottish Borrowman and the rest of the squad for the trip to Spain. Seven other Scots will compete in the two championships from outwith the SGU squad.
SGU National Coach Ian Rae, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, said:
“The support we received from IMG Academies for the five players to train in Florida recently has given us the opportunity to extend our programme in Portugal and Spain, two events we have used effectively in the past.”
“Again, we will have access to first-class facilities at our training base meaning the full men’s elite squad can work on their games ahead of the new season. We will rotate the squad slightly to give all players some practice time in a warmer climate, whilst playing these highly competitive events.”
The Portuguese amateur championship takes place at the Aroeira resort on the outskirts of Lisbon, which played host to the Portuguese Open in both 1996 and 1997. Last year’s event was won by England’s Dale Whitnell who went onto represent GB&I in the Walker Cup, with Carnoustie’s Keir McNicoll finishing as leading Scot in 12th place.
The list of former winners of the Spanish amateur championship reads like a who’s who of European golf, with Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke and Jose Maria Olazabal all getting their hands on the famous Copa del Ray trophy. The 10 Scots on show will be hoping to gone one better than former team-mate Gavin Dear, who reached the semi-finals last year before losing out to eventual winner Rainer Sexton.
This year’s event takes place at La Reserva Club de Golf in Sotogrande.

2010-02-08T19:08:00.003Z

Huguet to succed Mann as Musselburgh head professional

Norman Huguet is set to take over from Fraser Mann as head professional at Musselburgh Golf Club.
Mann, the former Scottish PGA champion and Northern Open winner, is leaving the Monktonhall club next month after 17 years of service to start a new playing career on the
European Senior Tour.
And 27-year-old Huguet, who was an assistant pro at nearby Royal Musselburgh for five years, is poised to make the step up after serving as Mann's assistant for the past three years
"This is one of the best club jobs in Scotland and to get this opportunity at my age is a bonus," said Huguet, who will take on two new trainees, Andrew Munro from Baberton and Duddingston's Matthew Etemad.

2010-02-08T18:55:00.002Z

Dean Robertson reappointed head

coach of Europe's Palmer Cup team

FROM THE PGA E-BULLETIN
Dean Robertson's reputation as one of Scotland's foremost golf coaches has been bolstered by his reappointment as head coach of the European team for this season's Palmer Cup.
The former Italian Open champion from Paisley helped Europe's leading student golfers to a 13-11 victory over their US counterparts in last year's Ryder Cup-style joust at Cherry Hills in Colorado and the selection panel have wasted no time in bringing the Scot (pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency) back on board for June's encounter at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
"I was asked by the panel if I would consider retaining my position and it took me about a nanosecond to say ‘yes’," said Robertson, one of only a handful of players to have won both the Scottish amateur and professional titles.
"The US side last year featured players who went on to form the backbone of their Walker
Cup team and, while I've experienced many great things in my own career, our victory that
week was up there with the best of them."
Robertson has also taken up a new post as
head golf consultant at College Sport USA, a
Stirling-based company specialising in
securing golf and football scholarships for
emerging talent at universities in the US.
With the Scottish Junior Golf Tour for under-
14s that he runs in partnership with his
colleagues Kendal McWade and Steven Orr
also flourishing - it has grown from six
members in 2007 to well over 100 now - the
39-year-old admits that his own playing
career is very much on the backburner as he
pours his energy into new areas of the game.
Robertson, who teamed up with McWade at
the PGA's Belfry HQ recently to deliver a
presentation to coaches about the long-term
development of elite junior golfers, added:
"The playing side is now dormant but the
passion, energy, drive and belief I had coming
up as a player is now going into these new
chapters of my career. It is all very positive."

2010-02-08T16:10:00.002Z

McIlroy reaches career high seventh in world rankings

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Rory McIlroy’s superb performances during The European Tour’s ‘Gulf Swing’ have moved the 20 year old move up to a career high of seventh on the Official World Golf Ranking, with European players strengthening their positions ahead of next week’s WGC – Accenture Match Play.
McIlroy’s share of sixth place in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, which followed his third place in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, was his fifth consecutive top ten finish, a run which has taken him back into the World’s Top Ten.
Lee Westwood’s play-off defeat by Miguel Angel Jiménez at Emirates Golf Club meant The 2009 Race to Dubai winner now trails third placed Phil Mickelson after Steve Stricker leapfrogged the left-hander by winning the Northern Trust Open in California.
Westwood, in fourth, remains the highest ranked European player at today’s cut-off point for next week’s WGC – Accenture Match Play in Arizona, with sixth placed Martin Kaymer, McIlroy, Paul Casey, Henrik Stenson and Padraig Harrington also occupying places in the World’s Top Ten.
England’s Ian Poulter is just outside the top ten in 11th place with defending WGC - Accenture Match Play champion Geoff Ogilvy in 12th, while Ross Fisher’s share of 11th place in Dubai moves him back into the top 20 in 19th position.
Jiménez’s victory in Dubai, his 16th European Tour title, saw the Spaniard move up 30 places to 30th on the Official World Golf Ranking, ensuring his ticket to Tucson next week.
With the top 64 in the world qualifying for the WGC – Accenture Match Play, England’s Chris Wood is set to join Jiménez in the field, with Mickelson stating he will not be participating due to family reasons.
Ross McGowan, in 66th position, will qualify should Tiger Woods’ indefinite break from playing continue or any other player withdraw from the field, while World No 67 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño is also poised to step in should there be any further drop outs.
Meanwhile Tom Watson’s share of eighth place in Dubai – a record for a player over 60 in a European Tour event – moved the eight-time Major Champion back to the fringes of World’s Top 100 in 105th place.

THE WORLD'S TOP 50 PROS THIS WEEK
1 Tiger Woods (US) 13.10.
2 Steve Stricker (US) 7.91.
3 Phil Mickelson (US) 7.63.
4 Lee Westwood (Eng) 7.01.
5 Jim Furyk (US) 5.40.
6 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 5.36.
7 Rory McIlroy (NIre) 5.15.
8 Paul Casey (Eng) 5.12.
9 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 5.05.
10 Padraig Harrington (Ire) 5.03.
11 Ian Poulter (Eng) 4.98.
12 Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 4.88.
13 Kenny Perry (US) 4.51.
14 Robert Allenby (Aus) 4.21.
15 Sergio Garcia (Spa) 4.19.
16 Sean O'Hair (US) 4.09.
17 Ernie Els (SAf) 4.02.
18 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 3.99.
19 Ross Fisher (Eng) 3.98.
20 Retief Goosen (SAf) 3.94.
21 Stewart Cink (US) 3.87.
22 Lucas Glover (US)
23 Luke Donald (Eng) 3.47.
24 Zach Johnson (US) 3.46.
25 Camilo Villegas (Col) 3.30.
26 Angel Cabrera (Arg) 3.27.
27 Anthony Kim (US) 3.24.
28 Y E Yang (SKor) 2.98.
29 Alvaro Quiros (Spain) 2.97.
30 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 2.92.
31 Vijay Singh (Fiji) 2.90.
31 Hunter Mahan (US) 2.90.
33 Nick Watney (US) 2.89.
34 Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) 2.82.
35 Michael Sim (Sco/Aus) 2.69.
36 Yuta Ikeda (Japan) 2.69.
37 Charl Schwartzel (SAf) 2.67.
38 Tim Clark (SAf) 2.64.
39 Oliver Wilson (Eng) 2.63.
40 Mike Weir (Canada) 2.61.
41 Soren Kjeldsen (Denmark) 2.59.
42 Matt Kuchar (US) 2.54.
42 Adam Scott (Aus) 2.54.
44 Dustin Johnson (US) 2.51.
45 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 2.49.
46 Graeme McDowell (NIre) 2.48.
47 Anders Hansen (Denmark) 2.46.
48 Edoardo Molinari (Italy) 2.46.
49 Soren Hansen (Denmark) 2.41.
50 Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) 2.39.

2010-02-08T15:59:00.004Z

R&A NAME VENUES FOR 2013 CHAMPIONSHIPS

AND INTERNATIONAL MATCHES

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R&A

The R&A has announced venues for the 2013 Championship season.
The hosting of the Boys Amateur Championship will be shared between Royal Liverpool Golf Club and Wallasey Golf Club.

The Boys Home Internationals will be hosted by Forest Pines Golf Club. The 2013 Jacques Leglise Trophy will be held at Royal St David’s Golf Club. And the Seniors Open Amateur Championship will be contested at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.
Royal Liverpool will be the main venue for the 2013 Boys Amateur. The Club has a rich championship history, having hosted The Open 11 times and the Amateur on 17 occasions. Hoylake has also staged four Boys Amateurs, the last in 2003 when former Walker Cup player and European Tour professional Rhys Davies took the title.
Founded in 1891 by members from Royal Liverpool, Wallasey is famous for being the home club of Dr Frank Stableford, the man who devised the Stableford scoring system. It was a Local Final Qualifying venue when The Open was staged at Hoylake in 2006, and it played host to stroke play qualifying for the Amateur in 2000.
Forest Pines, the host of the 2013 Boys Home Internationals, is a new addition to the list of R&A championship venues. Designed by the late PGA Tour player John Morgan, the Lincolnshire course opened for play in 1996 and was quickly recognised by Golf World as the best course in England opened since 1994.
The Jacques Leglise Trophy will take place at Royal St David’s in 2013, adding to an R&A Championship history which includes the 1994 British Youths, the 1999 Boys Amateur and the 2003 Boys Home Internationals.

Such is Harlech’s renown that three-time Ryder Cup Captain Bernard Gallacher said: “It is no exaggeration to say that Royal St David’s is one of the finest courses in the world.”
In 2013, the Seniors Open Amateur will be held at Royal Aberdeen for the second time, 20 years after it was last held there in 1993. Royal Aberdeen has been an R&A championship venue since 1935, when it staged the Boys Amateur Championship. The next major event to be held there will be the 43rd Walker Cup Match in September 2011.

DATES AND VENUES FOR 2013

The Boys Amateur Championship: Royal Liverpool and Wallasey, 13 – 18 August

The Boys Home Internationals: Forest Pines, 6 – 8 August

The Jacques Leglise Trophy: Royal St David’s, 30 & 31 August

The Seniors Open Amateur Championship, Royal Aberdeen, 7 – 9 August

Galgorm Castle GC, Ballymena the venue

2010-02-08T15:53:00.002Z

Northern Ireland stages its first EuroPr0 Tour event in June

By ANTHONY LEAVER
Galgorm Castle Golf Club is to host Northern Ireland’s first ever PGA EuroPro tour event - at the Ballymena venue from June 23-25.
Northern Ireland already boasts a rich golfing heritage with star names such as Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke currently flying the flag around the world.
However there hasn’t been a high profile professional golf event staged in the province since the Senior British Open was last played at Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2004.
News that Northern Ireland’s inaugural PGA EuroPro Tour event will be played at Galgorm Castle within the next six months comes as welcome news and is a great chance for the general public to witness some of the game’s emerging stars first hand.
Galgorm Castle is already a proven venue and has hosted numerous professional events on the domestic Irish PGA circuit, while last year’s British Universities Championship was successfully staged over the championship course.
“We are absolutely delighted with the news,” said Gary Henry, General Manager, Galgorm Castle Golf Club. “Having already hosted domestic PGA tournaments and major celebrity events such as the George Best Golf Invitational, it is with great pleasure that we look forward to welcoming the leading European players from the PGA EuroPro Tour.”
“As a major international sporting occasion, the tournament will provide a great opportunity to showcase Galgorm Castle, Galgorm Resort & Spa and the general Ballymena area to a wider audience as Northern Ireland is once more placed in the global shop window.”
“I am delighted that the Tour is heading to Northern Ireland and Galgorm Castle Golf Club,” said Danny Nickless, Operations Manager of the PGA EuroPro Tour. “Northern Ireland is a passionate golfing country and Galgorm typifies the nation’s lust for the game – as challenging a course as the players will encounter this year and in a beautiful setting.”
The George Best Foundation will also be involved with the event - particularly the Pro-Am and gala dinner - to help raise funds for its many ongoing projects to help provide children with a better lifestyle through participation in sport.
The schedule for the 2010 PGA EuroPro Tour continues to take shape, with further courses to be announced this week including an exciting Tour Championship course. Entry for the Q School is open at www.europrotour.com.

2010-02-08T12:28:00.003Z

McIlroy set for scan on injured back

FROM THE IRISHTIMES.COM WEBSITE

World No 7 Rory McIlroy is to visit a Belfast-based specialist today to discover the extent of a back problem ahead of a maiden season on the US PGA Tour. The 20-year-old has developed the problem after enduring a gruelling practice schedule at the start of the new campaign which has often involved 8hr sessions.
He was still able to maintain his recent run of top-10 finishes with sixth place at the weekend's Dubai Desert Classic, which pushed the Holywood, Belfast star to a career-high world ranking.
"My back has been bothering me for a few days now so that's why I am going for scan," he said.
"I'm strapped pretty good. I've had the problem for a while, and it's just whenever I undertake a lot of practice.
"I've been out in the Middle-East for four weeks so I think it's just a repetitive injury and comes from hitting a lot of balls, and it just niggles a little bit."
McIlroy, who also finished third in his first appearance of the season in Abu Dhabi, has taken out a US PGA Tour card for the first time this season and is set to feature at the WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona next week.
But before that he will meet the Belfast-based specialist and also undergo a scan in Leeds after travelling back from Dubai with his parents Gerry and Rosie and South African-born physio Cornell Driesson.
After the Match Play, McIlroy is set to play the Honda Classic, WGC - CA Championship at Doral, the Arnold Palmer Invitational ay Bay Hill and the Shell Houston Open before April's Masters at Augusta.
"It's just a build-up and it's been at me for a while, and the more the week progressed the more it troubled me," he added.
"I can still swing the club okay, but bending down and doing things like putting and picking the ball out of the cup hurts.
"The scan is precautionary and I get one every year and I will be fine for the Match Play. I just need to give it some rest."
McIlroy produced a valiant defence of his maiden title in Dubai last week and, although he did not appear to be troubled by the problem during yesterday's final round, his one-over-par 73 was not enough to wipe out a two-shot overnight deficit.
He noticeably did miss several short putts in a round which contained just three birdies as McIlroy finished three shots adrift of Lee Westwood and Miguel Angel Jimenez, the Spaniard eventually prevailing in a thrilling three-hole play-off.
"I didn't play well,' said McIlroy. "I didn't take my chances and it was just a bit of a struggle.
"I want to win and didn't even put myself in a position to do that. I didn't really get anything going."
The result, though, does mean McIlroy has finished in the top seven in eight of his last nine events dating back to August's PGA Championship.

2010-02-08T12:09:00.004Z

Alan Steel Asset Management backs Gallacher

to return sub par performance

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY BLUEPRINT MEDIA
Alan Steel Asset Management will for once be chasing below par performance from its activities after becoming the main sponsor for professional local golfer Stephen Gallacher.
Stephen plays on the European Tour and has won over 4 million Euros in prize money in the last 10 years.
Consistently ranked in the top 100, Stephen has been playing on the tour since 1996 and is a previous winner of the Dunhill Links Championship.
Alan Steel Asset Management has a long-standing policy of supporting local sporting champions with show jumpers, windsurfers and taekwondo specialists all featuring on its books in the past.
The Alan Steel Asset Management brand will feature on Stephen’s headwear with clients being treated to a number of days on the links with the professional.
Steve Forbes, pictured above, managing director at Alan Steel Asset Management, said: “I am a keen golfer and there are a few others who play golf in the office and we got to know Stephen after meeting him at the nearby golf range. Stephen is a wonderful talent who we are delighted to be working with and I know clients will be excited at the prospect of playing golf with him. He is also a very well connected individual and will be a wonderful ambassador for our company.”
Steve added: “Whether he can help me get my own handicap into single figures is perhaps asking too much, but hopefully he’ll be happy to share one or two professional tips.”
The local partnership works well for both parties and after working with companies from around the world, Stephen said it was great to be linking up with an established business that shared his own background.
He said: “I know the deal will be good for both Alan Steel Asset Management and myself, but I also hope it will be good for the local area more generally. Certainly I am looking forward to a long lasting relationship.”
This was a sentiment echoed by Steve who said: “This is not a one-year deal, but something we hope will run for a long time and create advantages for both parties and the wider community here in Linlithgow as well.”

NORTHERN TRUST OPEN REPORT

2010-02-08T08:49:00.007Z

Stricker rises to World No 2

after holding off Donald's

last- round challenge

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Luke Donald shot a final-round 66 at Riviera Country Club, at Pacific Palisades, California on Sunday but could not prevent Steve Stricker from holding on for victory at the Northern Trust Open.
American Stricker, who will be 43 on February 27, claimed a two-shot win over the Englishman with a one-under-par 70 and climbed to the world number two ranking at the expense of two-time defending champion Phil Mickelson, who needed a top-six finish to keep the rank but could only manage a tie for 45th after a closing 73.
The victory for Stricker, worth a massive $1,152,000, continued a remarkable turnaround for the American since losing his US PGA Tour card in 2004. He won the tour's Comeback Player of the Year award in 2006 and 2007, won three titles in 2009 and after three tournaments this year has yet to shoot over par.
"It feels great, this means a lot," an emotional Stricker told NBC Sports. "I remember where I was and look at where I am now. It doesn't get any better and I really appreciate it."
Stricker had taken a six-stroke lead into the final round near Los Angeles and, 12 months after losing a two-shot lead in the same tournament to Phil Mickelson, a nervy start in Pacific Palisades saw Donald cut the lead to two after just five holes.
Birdies at the eighth and ninth put Stricker back on the right track before both he and his rival birdied the 11th and then bogeyed the 12th, Donald's first dropped shot in 34 holes.
Donald increased the pressure a little more with a birdie at 13 and further still with a four at the par-five 17th to cut the lead to two, but Stricker held his nerve to par the 72nd hole for victory, the Englishman also parring for his third consecutive top-10 finish at Riviera and a payslip for $691,200.
Halfway leader Dustin Johnson also shot a 66 to claim a tie for third place at 13 under with fellow American JB Holmes, who carded a 67.
Newly-appointed US Ryder Cup vice-captain Paul Goydos shot a 65 to claim a share of fifth place alongside compatriots Steve Marino and George McNeill, as well as Argentina's Andres Romero.
Closing rounds of 73 and 72 saw England's Justin Rose slip down the leaderboard to three under par and a tie for 37th, while a closing 73 sent countryman Brian Davis to one under and Glasgow's Martin Laird wrapped things up with a 72 to finish at one over par. His share of the prizemoney was $14,464.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4x71)
268 Steve Stricker 67 65 66 70 ($1,152,000).
270 Luke Donald (Eng) 68 70 66 66 ($691,200).
271 Dustin Johnson 64 67 74 66, J B Holmes 68 69 67 67 ($371,200 each).
274 George McNeill 70 69 66 69, Steve Marino 70 67 69 68, Paul Goydos 69 72 68 65, Andres Romero (Arg) 65 69 70 70 ($224,800 each).
275 Ricky Barnes 66 71 69 69 ($185,600)
276 Kevin Na 72 67 71 66, Kevin Stadler 65 71 69 71, Ernie Els (Rsa) 68 70 70 68, Jason Bohn 69 75 67 65, Alex Prugh 71 69 66 70 ($147,200).
277 Marc Leishman (Aus) 71 71 70 65, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 73 68 68 68, Bo Van Pelt 70 70 69 68, Webb Simpson 70 73 69 65, Y.E. Yang (Kor) 71 70 68 68
278 Charlie Wi (Kor) 72 68 69 69, Jim Furyk 71 70 68 69, Matt Kuchar 69 71 72 66, Kevin Sutherland 69 71 68 70, Scott Verplank 68 74 65 71, Brandt Snedeker 66 72 69 71, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl) 69 67 71 71
279 Rodney Pampling (Aus) 70 70 73 66, John Rollins 71 71 67 70, Michael Allen 69 70 71 69, Robert Allenby (Aus) 72 69 70 68, K J Choi (Kor) 71 72 71 65
280 Michael Letzig 71 72 68 69, Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) 68 68 72 72, Stewart Cink 71 71 67 71, Bryce Molder 71 68 71 70, Tim Clark (Rsa) 69 72 71 68
281 Charley Hoffman 68 71 70 72, Woody Austin 71 72 70 68, Fred Couples 69 72 72 68, Chad Campbell 70 72 71 68, Justin Rose (Eng) 69 67 73 72, Jimmy Walker 71 72 71 67, Troy Matteson 68 69 74 70, Jonathan Byrd 68 74 71 68
282 Phil Mickelson 72 66 71 73, Rich Beem 74 69 68 71
283 Brian Davis (Eng) 72 70 68 73, Vaughn Taylor 73 70 72 68, Matt Bettencourt 70 74 72 67, Briny Baird 70 72 69 72, D.J. Trahan 72 71 72 68
284 D.A. Points 69 72 70 73, Anthony Kim 71 66 69 78
285 Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 72 70 71, Brett Quigley 70 73 72 70, John Merrick 70 72 68 75, Roland Thatcher 68 73 74 70, Martin Laird (Sco) 72 72 69 72, Brenden Pappas (Rsa) 71 68 72 74, Mark Wilson 72 72 72 69 ($14,464 each).
286 Justin Leonard 71 73 71 71, J J Henry 70 73 71 72, Jeff Overton 70 71 71 74, Greg Chalmers (Aus) 71 73 70 72, Ben Curtis 73 68 75 70, Angel Cabrera (Arg) 71 73 71 71, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 71 71 71 73
287 Nicholas Thompson 69 73 74 71
289 Steve Flesch 73 70 73 73, Craig Bowden 69 74 73 73
292 Parker McLachlin 71 73 72 76
294 Kevin Streelman 69 73 74 78

2010-02-08T08:39:00.002Z

North of Scotland Golfers' Alliance Scoreboard
SPEY BAY COMPETITION
Leading scores:
SCRATCH
70 D Hector (Elgin), G Hay (Grantown), J C Milne (Moray)
71 J Simpson (Forres)
72 C Campbell (Nairn Dunbar) p, S Johnston (Elgin)
73 J Wright (Forres), B Fotheringham (Forres)
74 N McWilliam (Elgin)
75 K Thomson (Moray)
76 R McKerron (Forres), G McKenzie (Hopeman)
77 J S D Campbell (Grantown)
78 J R Ingram (Boat of Garten), M L MacLeman (Moray), K Willliamson (Torvean), S Chisholm (Nairn)
79 R G Macpherson (Moray), R Stewart (Nairn Dunbar), B Inch (Elgin)
HANDICAP
Class 1 (eight & under)
66 D Hector (Elgin) (4)
69 S Johnston (Elgin) (3)
71 G Mckenzie (Hopeman) (5)
72 S Duncan (Moray) (8)
73 J R Ingram (Boat of Garten) (5)
Class 2 (9 to 14)
70 A A Lees (Moray) (10), R G Macpherson (Moray) (9)
72 D Spence (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (13)
74 V Ralph (Moray) (14)
75 W B Johnston (Moray) (9), L Macbean (Boat of Garten) (9), C Small (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) (11)

2010-02-08T07:56:00.004Z

E-mail from Bruce Eaton in Tasmania:

Hi Colin
Attached is a photo of Fraser and Colin Fotheringham taken on Sunday at the Tasmanian Open, played at Kingston Beach Golf Club in Hobart. Fraser asked me to send this to you as he thought you may like to load it on your web page. The person in the middle is me. I was the Executive Director of Golf Tasmania but am now retired.
I met and became very fond of both the Fotheringhams three years ago when Fraser first came to Tassie to play in the Open at Devonport. What wonderful people they both are. They are a credit to Scotland.
Cheers
Bruce Eaton
PS I have also attached the final results for your information

TASMANIAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Kingston Beach Golf Club, Hobart.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4x71)
Players are all amateurs
277 Rory Bourke (Victoria, Australia) 72 65 65 75, Jin Jeong (Victoria) 71 66 68 72 (Jin Jeong won sudden-death play-off with birdie on fourth extra hole).
278 Kieran Pratt (Victoria) 66 70 73 69.
279 Todd Adcock (Nevill, England) 70 72 72 65.
281 Daniel Beckman (Victoria) 69 70 69 73, Nathan Gatehouse (Tasmania) 70 65 76 70, Kalem Richardson (Tasmania) 73 70 69 69.
282 Timothy Hart (Queensland) 74 71 69 68.
283 Aidan Bae (West Australia) 70 65 71 77.
284 Edouard Amacher (Switzerland) 71 69 71 73, Brady Watt (West Australia) 71 69 72 72.
286 Simon Hawkes (Tasmania) 74 76 68 68, Matt Jager (West Australia) 72 69 70 75, Ryan McCarthy (Tasmania) 70 71 74 71.
288 Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn, Scotland) 73 68 74 73, Travis Sharpe (Victoria) 71 72 75 70.
289 Steve Lucas (Tasmania) 72 66 74 77.
+57 players took part.

*Scottishgolfview is always glad to hear about Scots golfers around the world. E-mail the news, images to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Peterhead player leads Scots in Jones Cup Invitational

2010-02-07T22:36:00.009Z

Patrick Reed (left), winner of the Jones Cup Invitational after a play-off, and (right) Philip McLean who did well to finish joint 11th at Sea Island, Georgia. Both images by Cal Carson Golf Agency. Click on them to enlarge.

Philip McLean finishes joint 11th in Georgia

Peterhead’s Philip McLean, the first-round leader with a 69 and joint fifth after 36 holes, eventually finished joint 11th in the world-class amateur field for the Jones Cup Invitational tournament over three rounds at Ocean Forest Golf Club, Sea Island, Georgia today (Sunday).
McLean, a member of the Paul Lawrie's Foundation-backed team, can be proud of the fact that he was the only player to break 70 over the par-72, windswept course of 7,321yd.
He had several highly-rated players from the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings behind his final total of 12-over-par 228 with subsequent rounds of 81 and 78 after his brilliant opening effort which put him clear of the field.
The Buchan man finished only six shots behind the two players who met in a play-off for the title, won by American Patrick Reed who won the R&A Junior Open at Heswall four years ago.
Winner of the Leven Gold Medal and beaten in a play-off for the Scottish champion of champions title, also over the Fife links last year, North-east Alliance champion McLean has played for Scotland at youth international level but he has yet to win a full cap. It should certainly come this year.
Next best Scots were Stirling University student James White (Lundin) and Ross Kellett ( Colville Park ) on 234. White had ever-improving rounds of 81, 78 and 75. Kellett saved his best for last – a 73 after Friday-Saturday scores of 79 and 82.
The last of the four Scots was Steven McEwan (Caprington) with scores of 85, 82 and 78 for 245.
Scottish boys and men’s match-play champion David Law (Hazlehead) would have played in the event but for receiving a broken knuckle when assaulted in an Aberdeen city centre street back in November. The injury has been slow to heal. Law was a member of the Scottish Golf Union party who went to Florida first for training and practice and then on to Georgia but is still unable to hit shots.
The leading British finisher in the Jones Cup Invitational was English teenager Tom Lewis, winner of the British boys’ championship last year. He tied for eighth place on 227 – one shot ahead of McLean – with rounds of 75, 76 and 76.
American Patrick Reed, a sophomore student at Augusta State University (he was originally a student at the University of Georgia), was the winner of the prestigious title, beating Frenchman Victor Dubuisson from Mougins, at the first hole of a sudden-death play-off.
They had tied on 222, Reed with rounds of 72, 76 and 74, Dubuisson with scores of 78 70 and 74.

With five holes left of regulation play, Dubuisson led the field by three shots before bogeys at 15, 17 and 18 brought him back to the field.

Reed meanwhile remained steady, parring the last six holes to get into the play-off with Dubuisson. Reed parred the first play-off hole to win the championship. Two years ago, he was beaten by New Zealander Danny Lee in the semi-finals of the US amateur championship. Lee went on to win the title.
University of Auburn sophomore Blayne Barber, the leader after 36 holes, finished the final day with a 76, leaving him at a total of 223 in third place. Reigning US amateur champion Byeong-Hun An finished fourth.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72) 7,321yd
Players from US unless stated
222 Victor Dubuisson(Fra) 78 70 74, Patrick Reed 72 76 74 (Reed won sudden-death play-off at first hole).
223 Blayne Barber 73 74 76.
224 Byeong-Hun An 75 78 71.
225 Bobby Wyatt 75 76 74.
226 Nathan Smith 75 78 73, Matt Nagy 71 81 74.
227 Brinson Paolini 76 75 76, Harris English 75 77 75, Tom Lewis (Eng) 75 76 76.
228 Philip McLean (Sco) 69 81 78, Henrik Norlander 72 80 76, Hunter Hamrick 73 75 79..
229 Kyle Kopsok 78 78 73, Alexander Knappe 76 79 74,
230 Brad Benjamin 79 77 74, Romain Wattel (Fra) 71 80 79, John Hahn 76 76 78, Zach Barlow 80 72 78.
231 Dustin Garza 79 78 74, Mike McCoy 79 77 75, John Murphy 81 74 76, Bud Cauley 74 76 81, Adam Long 78 74 79, .
232 Patrick Rada 81 75 76, Jeff Knox 79 75 78, Scott Langley 83 73 76, Kevin Marsh 76 70 80, Cory Whitsett 76 79 77.
233 Bank Vongvanij 77 80 76, Patrick Cantlay 77 78 78, David Holmes 77 78 78, Bryden MacPherson 75 80 78, Anthony Paolucci 76 78 79, Stiggy Hodgson (Eng) 83 70 80, Nuno Henriques 80 73 80.
234 James White (Sco) 81 78 75, James Frazer (Wal) 77 81 76, Sean Dale 82 77 75, Ross Kellett (Sco) 79 82 73 (36-37), Sean Dale 82 77 75,
235 Zack Fischer 78 78 79, Tripp Davis 77 80 78, Stephan Jaeger 80 77 78, Chesson Hadley 80 74 81, Matt Hill 78 75 82, Stephan Jaeger 80 77 78, Michael Morrison 79 76 80, James Robinson (Eng) 77 84 74.
236 Brendan Gielow 81 80 75, Darren Renwick (Eng) 79 74 83, Chan Kim 86 80 70.
237 Jamie Abbott (Eng) 77 82 78, Tommy Mou 77 81 79, Brad Revell 78 81 78, Drew Kittleson 76 81 80, Kevin Phelan 84 78 75.
239 Billy Hemstock (Eng) 79 81 79, Chris Paisley (Eng) 77 81 81, Oliver Schneiderjans 82 75 82, George Bryan 72 82 85, T J Mitchell 91 76 72.
241 Oliver Farr (Wal) 82 80 79, Alex Martin 76 86 79.
242 Joe Vickery (Wal) 83 80 79, Ben Kohles 79 85 78.
243 Julian Suri 86 78 79.
244 Robert Gerwiu 83 77 84, Russell Henley 77 87 80, Allen John 84 85 75.
245 Corey Nagy 80 82 83, Kevin O’Connell 81 81 83, Steven McEwan (Sco) 85 82 78 (37-41).
246 Gator Todd 82 84 80.
248 Robin Wingardh 84 82 82.
249 Mitch Krywulycz 83 79 87.
251 Matt Broome 83 83 85, Scott McAlpine 80 92 79.
252 Wesley Bryan 78 89 85.
253 Sebastian Kannler 88 80 85.
254 Michael barbosa 89 84 81.
287 Tanner Smith 89 106 92.
Withdrew: Gene Elliott, Randy Haag, Dodge Kemmer.

Northern Trust Open at Riviera, California

2010-02-07T19:55:00.003Z

Steve Stricker leads by six with 18 holes to play

Steve Stricker completed a third-round, five-under-par 66 early this morning to lead by six shots going into the final round later today of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club, Palisades, California.
==============
Leaderboard
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Stricker faced a 30ft birdie putt on the 15th hole when play was stopped by darkness on Saturday. He returned to make the putt in chilly temperatures, then hit a seven-iron to 4 feet on the par-3 16th hole for another birdie.
His streak of 32 holes without a bogey at Riviera ended on the 18th when he missed the green to the left and chipped to 12 feet, two-putting for a bogey.
With one round to play, Stricker was at 15-under 198, six ahead of Andres Romero (70), Luke Donald (66) and J.B. Holmes (67).
The Northern Trust Open is the final event to qualify for the Match Play Championship, which is contested by the leading 64 players in the world rankings. Several players -- Ben Curtis, Chad Campbell and Scott Verplank among them -- are walking the tightrope.
THIRD ROUND COMPLETED
Par 213 (3x71)
198 Steve Stricker 67 65 66
204 J.B. Holmes 68 69 67, Andres Romero (Arg) 65 69 70, Luke Donald (Eng) 68 70 66
205 Dustin Johnson 64 67 74, Kevin Stadler 65 71 69, George McNeill 70 69 66
206 Ricky Barnes 66 71 69, Anthony Kim 71 66 69, Steve Marino 70 67 69, Alex Prugh 71 69 66
207 Scott Verplank 68 74 65, Brandt Snedeker 66 72 69, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl) 69 67 71
208 Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) 68 68 72, Ernie Els (Rsa) 68 70 70, Kevin Sutherland 69 71 68
209 Charley Hoffman 68 71 70, Stewart Cink 71 71 67, Phil Mickelson 72 66 71, Charlie Wi (Kor) 72 68 69, John Rollins 71 71 67, Justin Rose (Eng) 69 67 73, Paul Goydos 69 72 68, Jim Furyk 71 70 68, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 73 68 68, Bo Van Pelt 70 70 69, Y.E. Yang (Kor) 71 70 68
210 Brian Davis (Eng) 72 70 68, Kevin Na 72 67 71, Michael Allen 69 70 71, John Merrick 70 72 68, Bryce Molder 71 68 71
211 Michael Letzig 71 72 68, D.A. Points 69 72 70, Robert Allenby (Aus) 72 69 70, Rich Beem 74 69 68, Briny Baird 70 72 69, Troy Matteson 68 69 74, Brenden Pappas (Rsa) 71 68 72, Jason Bohn 69 75 67
212 Jeff Overton 70 71 71, Marc Leishman (Aus) 71 71 70, Matt Kuchar 69 71 72, Tim Clark (Rsa) 69 72 71, Webb Simpson 70 73 69
213 Chad Campbell 70 72 71, Rodney Pampling (Aus) 70 70 73, Martin Laird (Sco) 72 72 69, Woody Austin 71 72 70, Jonathan Byrd 68 74 71, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 71 71 71, Fred Couples 69 72 72
214 Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 72 70, J J Henry 70 73 71, K J Choi (Kor) 71 72 71, Greg Chalmers (Aus) 71 73 70, Jimmy Walker 71 72 71
215 Justin Leonard 71 73 71, Vaughn Taylor 73 70 72, Brett Quigley 70 73 72, Roland Thatcher 68 73 74, Angel Cabrera (Arg) 71 73 71, D.J. Trahan 72 71 72
216 Steve Flesch 73 70 73, Ben Curtis 73 68 75, Matt Bettencourt 70 74 72, Parker McLachlin 71 73 72, Mark Wilson 72 72 72, Kevin Streelman 69 73 74, Craig Bowden 69 74 73, Nicholas Thompson 69 73 74
217 Bob Estes 72 72 73, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 69 74 74
218 Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) 68 74 76
219 Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 68 74 77, Bill Lunde 72 72 75, David Duval 68 75 76, Ryan Moore 70 74 75
220 Richard S Johnson (Swe) 74 70 76, Cameron Beckman 67 77 76

2010-02-07T19:52:00.000Z

Tiger Woods reunited with his family .... see www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

2010-02-07T12:34:00.009Z

Miguel Angel Jimenez, at 46, the oldest winner of a European Tour event since Mark O'Meara six years ago.

Jimenez beats Westwood in Dubai play-off

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Miguel Angel Jiménez from Malaga became the oldest winner on The European Tour for six years with a play-off victory over Lee Westwood at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic today.
The flamboyant Spaniard, who has won nine of his 16 European Tour titles after his 40th birthday, carded a level par 72 to tie with Westwood and hold off the challenge of Thongchai Jaidee.
At 46 years and 33 days old, Jiménez becomes the oldest winner on The European Tour since Mark O’Meara, who won this event six years ago at 47 years and 54 days. He is the eighth oldest winner on the Tour.
Jiménez beat Westwood at the third play-off hole, following a thrilling see-saw final day at Emirates Golf Club.
European No 1 Westwood birdied the last hole in regulation to card a final round level par 72 to join Jiménez at 11 under par 277.
Jiménez, who began the day sharing a one-shot lead with Westwood, Alvaro Quiros and Thongchai Jaidee, missed a 10ft birdie chance at the 72nd hole to card his own final round of 72.
Westwood missed potential championship-winning putts at the first two extra holes, while on both occasions Jiménez had to fight to stay in contention - with a 12ft par putt the second time around keeping his title hopes alive.
After switching to the par-4 ninth after two trips up the 18th, Jiménez holed out from four feet to claim his 19th professional title and first since the 2008 BMW PGA Championship, after Westwood had missed his 6ft par putt.
"I feel so proud to win this trophy. I like the golf course, I like the ambience and I like the people and I am very happy," said Ryder Cup player Jimenez, who has previously finished runner-up twice in this event.
"I made a very good putt on the second hole of the play-off on the 18th that kept me going. Then I had a putt to win. My last win was in 2008 in the PGA and it proves the old guys like me can win."
Asian No 1 Jaidee carded a one over par 73 final round to finish third, a shot behind Jimenez and Westwood. It should have been a three-way play-off as the Thai missed a 2ft birdie putt at the last.
Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer (70) and Challenge Tour No 1 Edoardo Molinari (71) finished fourth at nine under par, with Rory McIlroy and Alvaro Quiros a further shot adrift.
McIlroy produced a valiant defence of his maiden title but could only manage a closing 73, while Quiros needed to eagle at the last to earn a play-off but found the water and carded a final round 75.
Grégory Bourdy (68), 2007 champion Henrik Stenson (68) and 60 year old eight-time Major winner Tom Watson (68) completed the top ten at six under par.
After Westwood had briefly held a two shot lead midway through the front nine before shipping a double bogey, Jiménez and Quiros both moved one clear on the back nine.
But after back-to-back bogeys halted Quiros' challenge, Jiménez added a second birdie of the day at the 17th to set the clubhouse target of 11-under-par 277.
Needing a birdie at the last, Westwood aggressively drove the final green to set up his crucial fourth gain of the day after seeing a birdie chance lip out two holes earlier.
At the first play-off hole after driving the green over a lake, Westwood saw a curling ten foot birdie putt for the title stop on the edge of the cup, while Jiménez battled to save his par after his approach came within an inch of dropping into the water at the front of the green.
Jiménez again looked out of the hunt on the second play-off hole after an uncharacteristic wayward tee shot before hitting his third shot into the back bunker.
But with Westwood within inches after leaving an 18 foot putt for the title just short having again set himself up with another aggressive second shot approach into the par-5, Jiménez held his nerve to hole a 12ft par putt.
The play-off switched to the par four ninth and despite finding rough off the tee, and like Westwood failing to find the green in two, Jiménez converted his up and down to deny the Englishman claiming a win which would have lifted him to third in the world.
SCOTSWATCH: Stephen Gallacher and David Drysdale tied for the "honour" of finishing the leading Scot. They both totalled one-under-par 287 and earned 14,054 Euros apiece. Drysdale had a closing 69 while Gallacher a disappointing 76. It's amazing to think that if Gallacher had repeated his very good Saturday round of 67 - his lowest on the European Tour for some time - on Sunday he would have finished on 278, one shot outside the play-off! If Gallacher can take that kind of positive feeling from the tournament, he will prosper again in 2010.
Dunfermline-born, Dubai-based Ross Bain, the third and last Scot to make the halfway, finished on 290 with a 74, his worst round of the four. His pay cheque was for 7,294 Euros.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288(4x72) Prizemoney in Euros.
277 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 70 67 68 72, Lee Westwood 72 65 68 72 (Jimenez won play-off at third extra hole). Jimenez 296,500; Westwood 197,664
278 Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 66 69 73 (111,367)

279 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 70 68 70, Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 68 70 70 71 (82,191 each).
280 Rory McIlroy 68 70 69 73, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 69 69 67 75 (57,818 each)
282 Tom Watson (USA) 73 70 71 68, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 74 70 70 68, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 76 69 69 68 (39,968 each).
283 Ross Fisher 70 72 70 71, Paul Casey 69 71 70 73, David Horsey 71 73 70 69, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70 68 70 75
284 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 72 70 74, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 70 71 69 74, Oliver Wilson 72 74 67 71, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 71 73 69 71, Richard Green (Aus) 69 74 71 70
285 Robert Rock 70 74 69 72, Chris Wood 72 74 68 71, Graeme McDowell 72 68 70 75, Paul Waring 74 72 67 72, Gareth Maybin 73 68 72 72, Soren Hansen (Den) 71 72 73 69, David Lynn 72 71 70 72
286 Peter Hanson (Swe) 73 69 70 74, Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 75 73 67, Alexander Noren (Swe) 68 74 69 75, Darren Clarke 71 70 72 73
287 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 74 70 72, Richard Bland 74 67 74 72, David Drysdale 72 74 72 69, Stephen Gallacher 73 71 67 76, Anders Hansen (Den) 69 73 70 75, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 74 70 71 72, Matteo Manassero (Ita) (am) 69 72 71 75
288 James Kingston (Rsa) 75 67 71 75, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 70 76 74, Marcel Siem (Ger) 71 70 75 72, Nick Dougherty 72 74 73 69, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 72 72 73, Kenneth Ferrie 74 72 71 71
289 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 70 71 76 72, Seung-yul Noh (Kor) 72 74 69 74, Damien McGrane 73 73 71 72, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 74 72 68 75, Tano Goya (Arg) 73 72 70 74, Mark Foster 74 72 71 72, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 73 73 72
290 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 74 71 71 74, Stephen Dodd 68 69 76 77, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 74 71 71 74, Ross Bain 72 71 73 74, Bradley Dredge 72 71 74 73
291 Brett Rumford (Aus) 73 73 72 73, John Bickerton 73 70 76 72, Simon Dyson 71 74 75 71, Thomas Levet (Fra) 73 73 74 71
292 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 74 70 73 75, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 73 71 70 78, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 77 69 70 76, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 71 70 79, Paul Broadhurst 72 72 71 77
294 Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 75 68 72 79
295 Erik Compton (USA) 73 73 76 73
299 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 76 67 77 79

2010-02-07T12:27:00.002Z

Herman beats Kirk in Moonah Classic play-off

American Jim Herman has won the co-sanctioned Moonah Classic golf tournament, defeating compatriot Chris Kirk with a birdie on the first play-off hole.
The pair had finished tied at 11 under the card after 72 holes at the Moonah Links course at Fingal on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula in Australia.
Both Herman, who shot a course-record 62 in the first round, and Kirk produced rounds of 70 today.
American Robert Gates, last week's New Zealand Open winner, finished third at 10-under after a 66 while Victorian Jarrod Lyle shot 68 and tied fourth, a further shot back, with American Tag Ridings, 67.
The event was jointly sanctioned by the Australasian and Nationwide Tours.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
277 Jim Herman 62 70 75 70, Chris Kirk 70 72 65 70 (Herman won play-off at first hole).
278 Robert Gates 71 72 69 66
279 Jarrod Lyle 68 71 72 68, Tag Ridings 70 71 71 67
280 Manuel Villegas (Col) 71 72 70 67
281 Andrew Dodt 69 74 68 70
282 Jeff Brehaut 70 71 73 68, Martin Piller 71 71 72 68
283 Steve Allan 69 76 71 67, Michael Hendry (Nzl) 72 73 72 66, Steven Jones 68 67 77 71, Trevor Murphy 69 72 75 67, Jin Park (Kor) 69 75 72 67
284 Anthony Brown 70 71 71 72, David Hearn (Can) 68 76 74 66, Doug LaBelle II 69 69 74 72, Scott Laycock 69 72 71 72, Alistair Presnell 71 70 70 73, Scott Stallings 71 70 72 71
285 Joe Affrunti 70 72 70 73, Keegan Bradley 71 73 73 68, Andrew Buckle 69 68 75 73, James Hahn 69 72 74 70, Bradley Iles (Nzl) 68 74 72 71, Jon Mills (Can) 68 70 75 72, Gareth Paddison (Nzl) 68 71 74 72, Craig Parry 73 70 72 70, Craig Scott 70 69 76 70, Phil Tataurangi (Nzl) 71 71 70 73, Aaron Watkins 71 74 74 66
286 Fabian Gomez (Arg) 69 68 75 74, Scott Gutschewski 69 71 71 75, Mark Hensby 70 74 73 69, Stephen Leaney 70 73 71 72, Matthew Millar 70 71 74 71, David Smail (Nzl) 69 75 73 69, Andre Stolz 66 72 74 74
287 Mitchell Brown 69 70 77 71, Skip Kendall 70 70 74 73
288 Kevin Kisner 72 73 75 68, Peter Tomasulo 71 73 76 68, Aaron Townsend 68 71 78 71
289 D.J. Brigman 71 73 77 68, Jim Carter 67 76 74 72, Peter Lonard 71 73 73 72, Andrew Martin 71 72 74 72, Leigh McKechnie 71 72 72 74, Stephen Poole 70 72 72 75, Hamish Robertson (Nzl) 71 72 73 73
290 Jess Daley 72 70 76 72, Ken Duke 70 75 72 73
291 Ryan Armour 68 72 82 69, Steven Bowditch 70 68 81 72, Jeff Gallagher 69 73 79 70, Paul Sheehan 67 74 77 73, Tim Wood 70 73 75 73
292 Stephen Dartnall 74 71 68 79, Chris Gaunt 71 73 78 70, Kelly Grunewald 69 76 78 69, Gary Simpson 68 76 77 71, Darron Stiles 68 74 79 71, Anthony Summers 72 72 74 74
293 Scott Brown 76 69 77 71, Chris Campbell 72 73 76 72, Stephen Collins 72 73 75 73, Luke Hickmott 71 71 75 76, Bob May 72 73 76 72, Peter Wilson 70 73 76 74
294 Adam Bland 72 73 82 67, Adam Crawford 70 75 75 74, Matthew Griffin 71 73 74 76
295 Martin Doyle 72 73 76 74
296 Bobby MacWhinnie 67 78 78 73
300 Ted Brown (Can) 70 75 79 76

2010-02-07T12:16:00.004Z

BRILLIANT BHULLAR FIRES SUPERB 64

TO WIN ASIAN TOUR INTERNATIONAL

India ’s Gaganjeet Bhullar produced a brilliant course record eight-under-par 64 to win the season-open ing Asian Tour International by one shotwith a total of 11-under-par 277 today.
Starting the final round six strokes back, Bhullar reinforced his growing reputation as one of Asia ’s brightest prospects with a superb come-from-behind victory, the second of his career, at the Suwan Golf and Country Club, Bangkok in Thailand
The 21-year-old Indian sank an eagle putt and achieved six birdies for an unblemished card and edged out Korea ’s Hwang Inn-choon, who signed for a 69 for second place on 278 in the US$300,000 event.
Japan ’s Tetsuji Hiratsuka, runner-up last year, took third place with a 68 while overnight leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand carded a disappointing 73 to finish tied fourth with Jbe Kruger of South Africa , three behind the winner.
“It’s amazing. I have no words to describe it, I’m totally speechless. When I woke up this morning, I just wanted to shoot a good number. I never ever thought I was going to shoot a 64 and win by one. It’s like a dream coming true. My first event of the year and winning at the start of the season will give me a lot of confidence,” said Bhullar, who pocketed US$47,550.
Bhullar’s title charge was sparked by an eagle at the par five second hole when an eight iron approach stopped three feet of the flag. He nailed four more birdies to turn in 30 and added two more birdies on 15, for the outright lead, and 18 to clinch a memorable triumph with his winning total of 11-under-par 277.
Hwang, who was also chasing his second Asian Tour win, was in the hunt down the straight after overcoming a double bogey on 11 with birdies on 14 and 15. But an errant drive into the hazard on 17 for bogey left him with the tall order of having to eagle the par five last hole to force a play-off which he could only birdie.
Bhullar said: “After 15 where I made a good curling putt, I told myself to make par on 16 and 17 and make birdie on 18. Everything happen ed the way I decided. On 18, it was amazing. I told myself that the putt was to win the tournament.
“It was a crucial one as I had missed the same putt last the two days from the nearly same line. I had a bit of an idea that it would come from the right. I just got lucky. I’m sure my confidence will go up a long way. I’m looking forward to next week (Avantha Masters). It’s a big event and I love the DLF course as I’ve won there twice (on the local circuit). Going back to play in front of the home crowd will give me a great sense of achievement.”
Hwang turned in 33 to lead the field by one but rued costly mistakes on 11 and 17. “I don’t know what hap pen ed with those dropped shots. I kept finding the hazard. On 11, I tried to hook my ball around the tree but it went straight into the water and then the same thing again on 17 when I hooked my drive into the water,” said the Korean.
“I knew I needed an eagle to force a play-off at the last and I hit a good utility wood into the green but had a really tough and long putt. There was no pressure at all and I guess 64 was a really good score by Gaganjeet,” said Hwang.
The burly Kiradech, who had held at least a share of the lead from the opening round, cut a forlorn figure after staggering home with two birdies, one bogey and one double bogey as his hopes of a maiden title vanished.
“I played some good golf and hit many good shots. I made some good putts but kept missing the lines. My caddie and I couldn’t read some lines. On the 16th hole, I was thinking of attacking the pin which was in a difficult location. We were coming down the last few holes and I wanted to do the something. Finishing third, fourth or fifth is the same as my goal was to win the tournament,” said the 20-year-old Kiradech.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
277 Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind) 71 71 71 64
278 Hwang Inn-Choon (Kor) 72 70 67 69
279 Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Jpn) 71 72 68 68
280 Jbe Kruger (Rsa) 70 72 69 69, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha) 68 70 69 73
282 Ted Oh (Kor) 76 70 71 65, Lin Wen-Hong (Tpe) 71 74 70 67, Piya Swangarunporn (Tha) 70 72 69 71
283 Lucas Lee (Bra) 68 74 72 69, Antonio Lascuna (Phi) 70 72 71 70, Kenichi Kuboya (Jpn) 73 69 71 70, David Johnson (USA) 71 70 69 73
284 Varut Chomchalam (Tha) 73 72 72 67, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (Tha) 72 72 71 69, Lam Chih Bing (Sin) 69 70 71 74
285 Sattaya Supupramai (Tha) 73 73 71 68, Mars Pucay (Phi) 69 69 76 71, Thammanoon Srirot (Tha) 72 69 72 72, Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) 69 73 72 71, Angelo Que (Phi) 74 67 70 74
286 Lee Sung (Kor) 73 71 72 70, Boonchu Ruangkit (Tha) 72 74 71 69, Wisut Artjanawat (Tha) 72 69 74 71, Toni Karjalainen (Fin) 73 72 70 71, Chan Yih-Shin (Tpe) 72 72 70 72
287 Darren Beck (Aus) 72 72 74 69, Kim Hyung-Tae (Kor) 70 73 73 71, Daisuke Maruyama (Jpn) 73 72 71 71, Siddikur (Ban) 70 74 69 74
288 Lu Wei-Chih (Tpe) 72 73 74 69, Han Seung-Su (Kor) 70 74 75 69, Takao Nogami (Jpn) 73 71 72 72
289 Chaipat Darapanich (Tha) 72 74 74 69, Simon Griffiths (Eng) 73 72 73 71, Pornsakon Tipsanit (Tha) 76 68 73 72, Guido Van Der Valk (Ned) 73 73 71 72, Hiroshi Iwata (Jpn) 73 73 71 72, Scott Barr (Aus) 72 74 70 73
290 Kwanchai Tannin (Tha) 71 72 78 69, Quincy Quek (Sin) 69 73 77 71, Shigemasa Higaki (Jpn) 72 73 75 70, Peter Karmis (Rsa) 73 71 73 73, Jason Knutzon (USA) 68 75 73 74, Kim Dae-Hyun (Kor) 69 73 73 75, S. Sivachandran (Mas) 72 72 72 74
291 Rohan Blizard (Aus) 69 74 77 71, Michio Matsumura (Jpn) 73 73 75 70, Alexandre Rocha (Bra) 71 74 75 71, Ben Leong (Mas) 70 72 75 74, Ben Fox (USA) 70 75 72 74
292 Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha) 72 73 75 72
293 Yeh Chang-Ting (Tpe) 75 71 71 76
294 Panuwat Muenlek (Tha) 73 72 71 78, James Kamte (Rsa) 73 73 69 79
295 Nakul Vichitryuthasastr (Tha) 73 72 80 70, Simon Dunn (Sco) 72 74 71 78
296 Sean Shahi (USA) 72 73 79 72, Yang Ji-Ho (Kor) 74 70 73 79, Somchai Pongpaew (Tha) 72 72 72 80
297 Jason King (Aus) 72 73 78 74, Peter Cooke (Aus) 71 73 79 74, Richard Karlberg (Swe) 69 77 80 71, Tatsuya Sato (Jpn) 73 70 77 77, Hirohito Koizumi (Jpn) 72 74 72 79
299 Tatsuhiko Ichihara (Jpn) 70 73 78 78, Taichiro Kiyota (Jpn) 71 74 75 79
300 Atiwit Janewattananond (Tha) 69 73 81 77
301 Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Tha) 73 71 74 83
302 Martin Rominger (Swi) 74 72 77 79
For further information, visit http://www.asiantour.com/

Luke Donald leads chase in Northern Trust Open

2010-02-07T07:55:00.004Z

Stricker five strokes clear when play suspended

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Luke Donald was tied for second place in the chase as Steve Stricker threatened to run away with the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club in California on Saturday.
Stricker, the runner-up behind Phil Mickelson 12 months ago at Pacific Palisades, had a five-shot lead over the field when play was suspended for the second day in a row due to darkness after another rainy day near Los Angeles.
Stricker, the world no 4, was four under par for the day and 14 under for the tournament after playing 14 holes of his third round before time was called on a day that had begun with 41 players still playing their second rounds.
England's Ryder Cup stalwart Donald was one of the late finishers returning to a par-71 course that had seen three inches of rainfall overnight on Friday. He completed a one-under-par second round of 70 to get to four under and turned straight around to move to nine under after 18 bogey-free holes and a five-under third-round 66.
That put Donald, bidding for a first victory since the 2006 Honda Classic, in a tie for second with Andres Romero of Argentina, who had played 14 holes bogey-free but with just one birdie, and American J B Holmes, who carded a five-birdie, one-bogey 67.
Dustin Johnson, the 36-hole leader, was eight under after 14 holes, three over for his third round with four holes to play. Also on eight under were his fellow Americans George McNeill (66), and Kevin Stadler, who had played 15 holes.
US Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim had been going well at nine under until back-to-back bogeys at the 15th and 16th left him at seven under with one to play. Englishman Justin Rose had got into contention with a second-round 67 that got him to six under but the Ryder Cup man was unable to make further progress and was one over for his third round after 15 holes.
Mickelson, bidding for a third title in a row at Riviera, was another unable to keep pace with the leaders as he carded a level-par 71 to hold steady at four under for the tournament, with England's Brian Davis on three under having completed a 68.
Glasgow's Martin Laird had resumed his second round in the morning, with a late birdie taking him to two over to hold on for a second 72 in succession and make the cut on the limit mark of 144.
The Scot's third round saw him open with a double bogey at the par-three 10th before recovering to one under for the day to get to one over par after 16 holes - thanks in part to an eagle 3 at the first hole, his 10th.
Padraig Harrington, however, was left to rue a bogey on his penultimate hole early on Saturday morning as he missed the halfway cut by a stroke. Ireland's three-time major winner was two over overnight with two to play in his second round, but dropped the crucial shot upon the resumption.
LEADING COMPLETED THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Par 213 (3x71)
204 (-9) Luke Donald (England) 68 70 66, J B Holmes 68 69 67.
205 (-8) George McNeill 70 69 66.
206 (-7) Alex Prugh 71 6966, Steve Marino 70 67 69.
207 (-6) Scott Verplank 68 74 65, Brandt Snedeker 66 72 69.
Selected totals:
208 (-5) Ernie Els (South Africa) 68 70 70.
209 (-4) Phil Mickelson 72 66 71.
210 (-3) Brian Davis (England) 72 70 68.
LEADERS STILL TO COMPLETE THIRD ROUNDS
-14 after 14 Steve Stricker (67 65).
-9 after 14 Andres Romero (65 69).
-8 after 15 Kevin Stadler (65 71).
-8 after 14 Dustin Johnson (64 67).
-7 after 17 Anthony Kim (71 66).
Selected scores:
-5 after 15 Justin Rose (69 67).
-1 after 16 Martin Laird (72 72).

JONES CUP INVITATIONAL

2010-02-06T20:59:00.006Z

Philip McLean will start final round

in joint fifth place after 81 on Day 2

First-round pacemaker Philip McLean from Peterhead slumped from a first-day, three-under-par 69 to a second-round, nine-over-par 81 for a 36-hole tally of six-over-par 150 in the 54-hole Jones Cup Invitational tournament at the Ocean Forest Golf Club, Sea Island in the United States' state of Georgia.

McLean, winner of the Leven Gold Medal and the North-east Alliance championship last year, took 41 shots for his first nine holes, but he was not alone in that in conditions which, judged by the general level of scoring, were more difficult for good scoring than they were on Friday.

At the end of the day, McLean, who has yet to gain a full cap for Scotland, was in a creditable joint fifth place, only three strokes behind American Blayne Barber who has scored 73 and 74 for three-over-par 147, a total which underlines how difficult it was to score well on the second day.

James White (Lundin) was out in 40 after a first-round 81, but he came home in 38 to salvage a 78 and a tally of 159.

Ross Kellett (Colville Park) finished the second day on 161 with rounds of 79 and 82.

The fourth member of the Scottish Golf Union squad - Scottish boys and men's champion David Law was unable to play because of a broken knuckle on his left hand - Steven McEwan (Caprington) was on 167 with scores of 85 and 82.

England's Tom Lewis, the British boys champion, was on 151 with scores of 75 and 76.

THE COMPLETE SCOREBOARD

Par 144 (2x72)

Players from US unless stated

147 Blayne Barber 73 74.

148 Patrick Reed 72 76, Hunter Hamrick 73 75, Victor Dubuisson (France) 78 70..

150 Philip McLean (Scotland) 69 81 (41-40), Bud Cauley 74 76.

151 Tom Lewis (England) 75 76, Romain Wattel (France) 71 80, Bobby Wyatt 75 76, Brinson Paolini 76 75.

152 Zach Barlow 80 72, Henrick Norlander 72 80, Harris English 75 77, John Hahn 76 76, Adam Long 78 74, Matt Nagy 71 81, Kevin Marsh 76 76.

153 Byeong-Hun An 75 78, Stiggy Hodgson 83 70 (England), Darren Renwick (England)79 74, Nuno Henriques 80 73, Matt Hill 78 75, Nathan Smith 75 78.

154 George Bryan 72 82, Anthony Paoucci 76 78, Jeff Knox 79 75, Chesson Hadley 80 74.

155 David Holmes 77 78, Bryden MacPherson 75 80, Cory Whitsett 76 79, Michael Morrison 79 76, John Murphy 81 74, Patrick Cantlay 77 78, Alexander Knappe 76 79.

156 Scott Langley 83 74, Zack Fischer 78 78, Mike McCoy 79 77, Brad Benjamin 79 77, Kyle Kopsick 78 78, Patrick Rada 81 75.

157 Dustin Garza 79 78, Tripp Davis 77 80, Drew Kittleson 76 81, Stephan Jaeger 80 77, Bank Vongvanij 77 80, Oliver Schneiderjans 82 75.

158 James Frazer (Wales) 77 81, Chris Paisley 77 81, Tommy Mou 77 81.

159 Jamie Abbott (England) 77 82, Brad Revell 78 81, Sean Dale 82 77, James White (Scotland) 81 78 (40-38).

160 Billy Hemstock (England) 79 81, Robert Gerwin 83 77.

161 Ross Kellett (Scotland) 79 82, James Robinson 77 84, Brendan Gielow 81 80..

162 Alex Martin 76 86, Corey Nagy 80 82, Kevin O'Connell 81 81, Oliver Farr (Wales) 82 80, Kevin Phelan 84 78, Mitch Keywuycz 83 79.

163 Joe Vickery (Wales) 83 80.

164 Julian Suri 86 78, Ben Kohles 79 85, Russell Henley 77 87.

166 Chan Kim 86 80, Matt Broome 83 83, Robin Wingardh 84 82, Gator Todd 82 84.

167 Wesley Bryan 78 89, Steven McEwan (Scotland) 85 82, T J Mitchell 91 76.

168 Garland Ferrell 80 88, Sebastian Kannler 88 80.

169 Allen John 84 85.

172 Scott McAlpine 80 92.

173 Michael Barbosa 89 84.

177 Gene Elliott 88 89.

195 Tanner Smith 89 106.

SCROLL DOWN FOR ROUND 3 NEWS

2010-02-06T20:22:00.006Z

Late finisher Dustin Johnson takes lead in

Northern Trust Open after 36 holes

Dustin Johnson took a one-shot halfway lead on 11-under-par 131 in the Northern Trust Open by chipping in for birdie from behind the 18th green this morning (local time) for a 4-under 67 in conditions too sodden to dry up even for Sunday's final round at the Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California.
Johnson had to play two holes after the second round was suspended late Friday by darkness.
Justin demoted overnight leader Steve Stricker, who shot a 65 on Friday morning in a steady rain. Andres Romero was among the 41 players who had to return on Saturday, and his birdie gave him a 69 to finish the 36 holes so far three shots back.
Johnson and Stricker each made birdie on the 18th hole about 24 hours apart.
Ryo Ishikawa, the 18-year-old Japanese sensation, finished off another 68 and was in the group which included England's Justin Rose (69-67) at 6-under 136, while Anthony Kim led the group another shot behind at 137.
Phil Mickelson, going after an unprecedented third straight victory at Riviera, was tied for 13th at 4-under 138. Also on this mark England's Luke Donald (68-70).
The cut came at two-over 144, with 81 players making it to the third round. That means there will be another cut after the third round. Glasgow's Martin Laird has made the first one with nothing to spare - a pair of 72s.
But Aberdeen-born Australian Michael Sim, joint second in last weekend's US Tour event, failed by a wide margin to make the weekend action in this one. He scored 77 and 73 for 150.
While Johnson was trying to take the lead, his playing partners were trying to make the cut.
Justin Leonard, who missed his first two cuts of the year, needed to play the final two holes in 1 under. His 3-wood on the par-5 17th went into the rough, and with mud on his ball, he hit a 7-iron to a back right pin that cleared the bunker and settled 8 feet away for birdie. Then, he chipped up close and saved par on the 18th.
Masters champion Angel Cabrera figured to have a good birdie chance on the 17th because of his length, but his wedge landed at the back of the green and spun back some 45 feet. He missed the putt, then saved himself. The big Argentine hit 8-iron into the 18th and holed a 20-foot birdie to make the cut.
Padraig Harrington missed the cut by one shot with rounds of 73 and 72.

REVISED SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Incorporating the 41 players who had to return to the course early this morning (local time) to complet their second rounds.
Par 142 (2x71)
131 Dustin Johnson 64 67
132 Steve Stricker 67 65
134 Andres Romero (Arg) 65 69
136 Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) 68 68, Kevin Stadler 65 71, Justin Rose (Eng) 69 67, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl) 69 67
137 Ricky Barnes 66 71, J.B. Holmes 68 69, Steve Marino 70 67, Anthony Kim 71 66, Troy Matteson 68 69
138 Phil Mickelson 72 66, Ernie Els (Rsa) 68 70, Luke Donald (Eng) 68 70, Brandt Snedeker 66 72
139 Kevin Na 72 67, Charley Hoffman 68 71, George McNeill 70 69, Michael Allen 69 70, Bryce Molder 71 68, Brenden Pappas (Rsa) 71 68
140 Charlie Wi (Kor) 72 68, Rodney Pampling (Aus) 70 70, Bo Van Pelt 70 70, Kevin Sutherland 69 71, Matt Kuchar 69 71, Alex Prugh 71 69
141 Jeff Overton 70 71, Ben Curtis 73 68, Fred Couples 69 72, D.A. Points 69 72, Robert Allenby (Aus) 72 69, Jim Furyk 71 70, Paul Goydos 69 72, Roland Thatcher 68 73, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 73 68, Tim Clark (Rsa) 69 72, Y.E. Yang (Kor) 71 70
142 Brian Davis (Eng) 72 70, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 68 74, John Merrick 70 72, Stewart Cink 71 71, Kevin Streelman 69 73, John Rollins 71 71, Chad Campbell 70 72, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) 68 74, Marc Leishman (Aus) 71 71, Scott Verplank 68 74, Briny Baird 70 72, Jonathan Byrd 68 74, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 71 71, Nicholas Thompson 69 73
143 Michael Letzig 71 72, Vaughn Taylor 73 70, Steve Flesch 73 70, Woody Austin 71 72, David Duval 68 75, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 69 74, Webb Simpson 70 73, J J Henry 70 73, Brett Quigley 70 73, K J Choi (Kor) 71 72, Jimmy Walker 71 72, Rich Beem 74 69, Craig Bowden 69 74, D.J. Trahan 72 71
144 Bill Lunde 72 72, Greg Chalmers (Aus) 71 73, Angel Cabrera (Arg) 71 73, Matt Bettencourt 70 74, Parker McLachlin 71 73, Mark Wilson 72 72, Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 72, Richard S Johnson (Swe) 74 70, Justin Leonard 71 73, Bob Estes 72 72, Cameron Beckman 67 77, Martin Laird (Sco) 72 72, Jason Bohn 69 75, Ryan Moore 70 74
MISSED THE CUT
145 Michael Bradley 74 71, Jason Dufner 71 74, Davis Love III 72 73, Steve Lowery 67 78, James Driscoll 71 74, Hunter Mahan 71 74, Jeff Klauk 70 75, Tim Petrovic 73 72, Marc Turnesa 73 72, Padraig Harrington (Irl) 72 73
146 Pat Perez 73 73, Chris Stroud 71 75, Adam Scott (Aus) 73 73, Bubba Watson 71 75, Will MacKenzie 70 76, Vijay Singh (Fij) 73 73, Mike Weir (Can) 69 77, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) 74 72, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 70 76, Rickie Fowler 71 75
147 Bill Haas 72 75, Joshua Wooding 71 76, Jeff Quinney 71 76, Lee Janzen 72 75, Corey Pavin 72 75, Greg Owen (Eng) 71 76
148 Scott McCarron 74 74, John Senden (Aus) 75 73, Ted Purdy 73 75, Johnson Wagner 71 77, Charles Howell III 72 76, Alex Cejka (Ger) 75 73, Jason Day (Aus) 74 74
149 Nick Watney 76 73, Mathew Goggin (Aus) 78 71, John Mallinger 70 79
150 Jerry Kelly 73 77, Michael Sim (Sco-Aus) 77 73, Brett Lederer 72 78, Chez Reavie 75 75
152 Nathan Green (Aus) 74 78, James Nitties (Aus) 73 79
153 Jeff Templeton 74 79
154 Brad Faxon 78 76
Withdrew: Stephen Ames (Can), Ben Crane, Jesper Parnevik (Swe), Scott Piercy, Chris Couch, Daniel Chopra (Swe), Rocco Mediate

POSITIONS DURING ROUND THREE
-12 after 7: Steve Stricker.
-9 after 7: Dustin Johnson.
-8 after 9: Steve Marino.
-8 after 8: Anthony Kim.
-8 after 7: Andres Romero.
-7 after 10: Luke Donald.
-7 after 8: Ricky Barnes.
-7 after 8: Kevin Stadler.
-7 after 8: Tim Wilkinson.
SELECTED SCORES:
-6 after 9: Phil Mickelson.
-6 after 8: Justin Rose.
-3 after 15: Brian Davis.
+3 after 7: Martin Laird.

2010-02-06T19:51:00.004Z

Luke Donald signs new, multi-year

agreement with Mizuno

FROM THE PGA.COM WEBSITE
Luke Donald has extended his long-standing equipment relationship with Mizuno by signing a new multi-year agreement, company officials have announced. The contract is Luke Donald's third with Mizuno, ensuring he enters his prime competitive years with the equipment brand used since his amateur days.
After a successful recovery from a wrist injury last season, Donald took some time to evaluate all aspects of his game and made some changes, including bringing in a new caddie, having previously partnered exclusively with his brother Christian. However, the changes did not extend to the equipment that Donald has come to rely upon as an important part of his formula for success.
Donald will continue to play Mizuno MP-62 irons, MP T-10 Series wedges, and Mizuno CLK hybrid and carry the famous blue and white Mizuno Staff Bag. Donald will also wear his trademark Mizuno visor as part of the agreement.
"We are extremely excited to have extended our relationship with Luke Donald," said Mizuno President Akito Mizuno. "He has been a tremendous ambassador for the Mizuno brand, both on and off the course, as he always displays class and a great respect for the game. We look forward to his continued success in 2010, and beyond."
Donald's world ranking recovered steadily in 2009 with a second-place in the Heritage Classic and a strong performance in the Dunhill Links Championship. Donald has previously recorded victories at the Honda Classic, Southern Farm Bureau Classic, Omega European Masters, Scandinavian Masters and hoisted the trophy at the World Cup and the Target World Challenge.
He has also played an integral role in multiple European Ryder Cup teams, with an impressive overall Ryder Cup record of 5-1-1.

GERMAN WINS BY EIGHT IN TURKEY

2010-02-06T18:15:00.005Z

Renault EPD Scoreboard
MONTGOMERIE CLASSIC
Papillon Hotels Resort & Spa, Belek, Antalya, Turkey
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
211 Nicolas Meitinger (Germany) 70 69 72 (4,841 Euros).
219 Bernd Ritthammer (Germany) 76 72 71, Thomas de Kesel (Belgium) 70 74 75 (2,204 Euros each).
220 Jochen Lupprian (Germany) 75 71 74 (1,444 Euros).
221 Johan Eerdmans (Netherlands) 75 74 72 (1,308 Euros).
223 Bjorn Petterson (Sweden) 73 73 77, Vincent Simoni (France) 74 74 75 (1,154 Euros each).
224 Michael Lowe (England) 75 78 71, Ben Parker (England) 77 77 70 (1,009 Euros each).
225 Max Kramer (Germany) 77 75 73, Benjamin Ludwig (Germany) 75 74 76 (871 Euros each).
226 Lee Corfield (England) 75 77 74, Christoph Pfau (Austria) 79 71 76, Stephen Grant (Ireland) 77 76 73 (717 Euros each).
227 Brian McElhinney (Ireland) 75 74 78, Matthew Dearden (Wales) 79 72 76, Benjamin Miarka (Germany) 74 75 78 (569 Euros each).
228 Marek Novey (Czech Republic) 78 72 78, Grant Jackson (England) 74 73 81, Maxmilian Glauert (Germany)79 77 72, Daniel Wunsche (Germany) 77 78 73, Petr Skopovy (Czech Republic) 84 72 72, Arwed Fischer (Germany) 76 75 77, Reinier Saxton (Netherlands) 74 77 77 (435 Euros each).
Selected scores:
233 Ben Welch (England) 80 75 79, Tim Rice (Ireland) 77 76 80 (jt 32nd) (232 Euros each).
236 Simon Boyd (England) 79 77 80 (jt 39th) (191 Euros).

2010-02-06T16:45:00.002Z

US Tour suspend jail-bound Jim Thorpe

FROM THE GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE
By Jim McCabe
Jim Thorpe got his one-year jail sentence from a US Magistrate Judge face-to-face.The penalty from the US PGA Tour? It was issued via E-mail.
“I’m under suspension,” Thorpe said. “I got the E-mail Friday afternoon.”
Thorpe, the 61-year-old US Champions (Seniors) Tour and US PGA Tour veteran, was not allowed to enter next week’s Ace Group Classic in Naples, Florida, nor is he eligible until the Tour lifts the suspension.
Of course, in standard operating procedure in such cases, the Tour refuses to comment on anything connected to player discipline.
It’s the Tour’s reaction to the two counts of failure to pay taxes to which Thorpe pleaded guilty. Judge Karla R. Spaulding sentenced the golfer on January 22 to one year in jail, two years supervised release and 200 hours of community service. He also has agreed to pay nearly $2 million in back taxes, penalties and interest.
His attorneys have filed an appeal “and at the least I thought the Tour would let me play until the appeal is done,” Thorpe said.
Last week, Thorpe, a 13-time winner on the Champions Tour, talked of his desire to rejoin the Tour, to get back onto the golf course where he was sure he could find an escape from the recent turmoil in his life. Friday, that all changed and Thorpe is trying to get a handle on the Tour’s decision.
“I’m surprised, because it’s a misdemeanour," Thorpe said. "It’s stupidness on my part, but I didn’t think it deserved a jail sentence. I could see if I hurt someone or it was drugs or a serious felony.”
He was not, however, going to rail against a Tour that has been his home for more than 30 years.
“I don’t know the bylaws and there’s probably something in the (regulations),” he said. “I guess they feel they have to protect other players.
“I’m quite sure it’s an uncomfortable position for (PGA Tour commissioner) Tim Finchem and (Champions Tour president) Mike Stevens and the entire Tour staff, but I’m hoping we can (win the appeal), come to some sort of compromise and get back out there.
“Golf is the only thing I know. I don’t know anything else.”

Omega Dubai Desert Classic

2010-02-06T14:05:00.005Z

Westwood, in four-way tie for lead, says

he'll have a go in Sunday's final round

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

European No 1 Lee Westwood is promising to take an aggressive approach in Sunday's final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after claiming a share of the four-way leadership logjamb
The World No 4 dropped just one shot in a four under par 68 to join Spanish duo Alvaro Quiros and Miguel Angel Jiménez and Asian No 1 Thongchai Jaidee in a four-way tie at 11 under par 205.
A frustrated Westwood, pictured right, was one over after six holes of his third round but fought back and had a chance to snatch the outright lead at the last but missed a long eagle putt.
"Any time I'm in contention that gets me buzzing and excited," said Westwood.
"I'll play aggressively (on Sunday). I won't do anything stupid, but I'll shoot at the flags that need to be shot at.
"If I keep playing the way I am and get off to a quick start I'm going to have a chance coming down the last nine holes."
Defending champion Rory McIlroy heads the chasing pack after a 69, with Marcus Fraser (70) and last season’s Challenge Tour No 1 Edoardo Molinari (70) on eight under 208 with Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer lurking a further shot adrift 209 after a bogey free 68.
Last week in Qatar Westwood headed into the final round just one shot adrift but was left frustrated with a new driver and was forced to settle for third.
But a week later the 36 year old Englishman is much more confident of success after blazing a flawless seven under par 65 on Friday, his best score in 50 rounds at Emirates Golf Club.
"It will be a bit of a birdie-fest if it stays like this," he added.
"Hopefully there will be a bit of wind, but all I'm going to do is try and do what I did at the Dubai World Championship and go out and shoot the lowest score of the final day."
Overnight leader Jaidee missed a string of chances on the back nine after briefly establishing a four-shot lead and was forced to settle for a 69.
"I am not disappointed I am not in the lead outright. I will just play my own game," said the 40 year old former paratrooper. "I have a good chance, but it is very close."
Quiros finished with back-to-back birdies to card the joint lowest score of the day with a flawless 67.
"It is going to be very tough to win with the players at the top of the leaderboard, it's not only in my hands. I want to shoot ten under, but someone could shoot 11 under," said the big-hitting 27 year old.
"I'm hitting a lot of great shots but I'm hitting a lot of bad shots, but I'm very lucky because I was able to recover. I have to be more consistent."
Jiménez, who began the day a shot adrift of Jaidee alongside Westwood, picked up four shots over his final eight holes to sign for a four under par 68 following a sublime display of iron play.
"I kept my concentration and focused on what I was hitting well and waited for the birdies to come," the 46 year old Spaniard said. "And that puts me in contention with all of these young guys."
Italian amateur Matteo Manassero continued to flourish with a 71 pushing the 16 year old British amateur champion to four under, with 60 year old eight-time Major winner Tom Watson two shots further back after ending his third round 71 with a double bogey.
Best placed of the three Scots who survived the halfway cut is Bathgate's Stephen Gallacher in joint 13th place after a 67 for 211. Dunfermline-born, Dubai-based Ross Bain had a 73 for level par 216 while David Drysdale from Dunbar returned a 72 for 218.

THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
205 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 70 67 68, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 66 69, Lee Westwood 72 65 68, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 69 69 67
207 Rory McIlroy 68 70 69
208 Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 68 70 70, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70 68 70
209 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 70 68
210 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 72 70, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 70 71 69, Graeme McDowell 72 68 70, Paul Casey 69 71 70
211 Alexander Noren (Swe) 68 74 69, Stephen Gallacher 73 71 67
212 Peter Hanson (Swe) 73 69 70, Ross Fisher 70 72 70, Anders Hansen (Den) 69 73 70, Matteo Manassero (Ita) (am) 69 72 71
213 James Kingston (Rsa) 75 67 71, Gareth Maybin 73 68 72, Paul Waring 74 72 67, Oliver Wilson 72 74 67, Darren Clarke 71 70 72, David Lynn 72 71 70, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 71 70, Robert Rock 70 74 69, Stephen Dodd 68 69 76, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 71 73 69
214 Chris Wood 72 74 68, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 70 76, Tom Watson (USA) 73 70 71, Richard Green (Aus) 69 74 71, David Horsey 71 73 70, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 74 70 70, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 73 71 70, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 74 72 68, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 76 69 69
215 Richard Bland 74 67 74, Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 75 68 72, Seung-yul Noh (Kor) 72 74 69, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 72 72, Paul Broadhurst 72 72 71, Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 74 70, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 74 70 71, Tano Goya (Arg) 73 72 70
216 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 74 71 71, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 74 71 71, Soren Hansen (Den) 71 72 73, Marcel Siem (Ger) 71 70 75, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 77 69 70, Ross Bain 72 71 73
217 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 70 71 76, Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 74 70 73, Damien McGrane 73 73 71, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 73 73, Kenneth Ferrie 74 72 71, Mark Foster 74 72 71, Bradley Dredge 72 71 74
218 Brett Rumford (Aus) 73 73 72, David Drysdale 72 74 72
219 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 75 73, Nick Dougherty 72 74 73, John Bickerton 73 70 76
220 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 76 67 77, Simon Dyson 71 74 75, Thomas Levet (Fra) 73 73 74
222 Erik Compton (USA) 73 73 76

NATIONWIDE TOUR'S MOONAH CLASSIC

2010-02-06T13:36:00.003Z

Kirk's 65 rockets him into share of lead with Herman

FROM THE GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE
By Jeff Adams, US PGA TOUR Staff
FINGAL, Victoria, Australia -- American Chris Kirk was 10 shots back of leader Jim Herman entering today's third round of the Nationwide Tour's Moonah Classic. When the last putt dropped, he found himself tied for the lead.
Kirk and Herman enter Sunday's finale with 9-under-par scores of 207 after three trips around the Moonah Links course.
Four shots back at 5 under are Scott Gutschewski of Nebraska and three Aussies -- defending champion Alistair Presnell, last week's runner-up in New Zealand, Andrew Dodt, and popular Jarrod Lyle.
Playing 90 minutes ahead of Herman, Kirk posted the day's best score by three shots, a 7-under-par 65 to leap 26 spots up the leaderboard. Winds were prevalent once again on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne, gusting up to 30 mph.
The 2007 Ben Hogan Award winner as college player of the year got off to a fast start with birdies on holes 2, 3, 4 and 6 with putts ranging from 3 feet to 20 feet. The University of Georgia graduate added three more on the back nine to complete a bogey-free round.
After a disappointing 32 putts on Friday, Kirk spent more than two hours on the putting green. "Practice has never paid off as much as yesterday's session did," he said of today's 26-putt performance. "As bad as the putting was yesterday, it was that good today."
Kirk is coming off the most disappointing year of his young golfing life. In 13 Nationwide Tour starts in 2009, he made only four cuts. Solid play at December's PGA Tour National Qualifying Tournament secured his Nationwide Tour privileges for 2010.
"I don't know what went wrong last year. If I knew, I wouldn't have done it," he said matter-of- factly.
In 2008, he nearly won the Nationwide Tour's Knoxville Open in the town he was born in, losing to Lyle in a playoff. The rest of that season was not to his liking either, as he finished with 10 cuts made in 19 starts.
A resident of Sea Island, Georgia, Kirk is not intimidated by the winds he is facing this week. "The wind was affecting everything," he said. "At times it becomes a guessing game. I made a lot of good guesses today. I always tell myself that the key in wind is to not hit it hard."
When Kirk needs an eye to look at his swing, he turns to good friend, Mark Love, who also lives at Sea Island. Kirk has not had a formal instructor relationship since he left Atlanta for UGA several years ago. Love's brother, Davis Love III, is also a good friend to Kirk.
First-and second-round leader Herman found the going much tougher today. Near flawless through the first two rounds, he suffered his first bogey of the tournament on the first hole when his approach spun off the green. Two more front nine bogeys dropped him to 9 under, but the lead remained his at the turn. Herman righted the ship over the final nine, shooting 36 to complete a round of 75.
"It was very difficult today," Herman said. "I was trying to stay positive but I knew it was going to be a grind. My 75 was not that bad a round."
"I'm not accustomed to this position but you've got to thrive in these situations," he said. "It's been a year since I've been near the lead but I've played well over here (Australia and New Zealand) at this time of year."
Steven Jones of Australia, who began the day three shots back in second place, stumbled to a 77. He is among 11 players tied for seventh.
The 156-player Moonah Classic is co-sanctioned by the Nationwide Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia, with the field split evenly between the two tours.
THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
207 Jim Herman 62 70 75, Chris Kirk 70 72 65
211 Andrew Dodt 69 74 68, Scott Gutschewski 69 71 71, Jarrod Lyle 68 71 72, Alistair Presnell 71 70 70
212 Joe Affrunti 70 72 70, Anthony Brown 70 71 71, Andrew Buckle 69 68 75, Robert Gates 71 72 69, Fabian Gomez 69 68 75 (Arg), Doug LaBelle II 69 69 74, Scott Laycock 69 72 71, Tag Ridings 70 71 71, Andre Stolz 66 72 74, Phil Tataurangi 71 71 70 (Nzl)
213 Stephen Dartnall 74 71 68, Jon Mills 68 70 75 (Can), Gareth Paddison 68 71 74 (Nzl), Scott Stallings 71 70 72, Manuel Villegas 71 72 70 (Col)
214 Jeff Brehaut 70 71 73, Bradley Iles 68 74 72 (Nzl), Skip Kendall 70 70 74, Stephen Leaney 70 73 71, Martin Piller 71 71 72, Stephen Poole 70 72 72
215 James Hahn 69 72 74, Leigh McKechnie 71 72 72, Matthew Millar 70 71 74, Craig Parry 73 70 72, Craig Scott 70 69 76
216 Steve Allan 69 76 71, Mitchell Brown 69 70 77, Trevor Murphy 69 72 75, Jin Park 69 75 72 (SKor), Hamish Robertson 71 72 73 (Nzl)
217 Keegan Bradley 71 73 73, Jim Carter 67 76 74, Ken Duke 70 75 72, Michael Hendry 72 73 72 (Nzl), Mark Hensby 70 74 73, Luke Hickmott 71 71 75, Peter Lonard 71 73 73, Andrew Martin 71 72 74, David Smail 69 75 73 (Nzl), Aaron Townsend 68 71 78
218 Jess Daley 72 70 76, Matthew Griffin 71 73 74, David Hearn 68 76 74 (Can), Paul Sheehan 67 74 77, Anthony Summers 72 72 74, Tim Wood 70 73 75
219 Aaron Watkins 71 74 74, Peter Wilson 70 73 76
220 Stephen Collins 72 73 75, Adam Crawford 70 75 75, Kevin Kisner 72 73 75, Peter Tomasulo 71 73 76
221 D.J. Brigman 71 73 77, Chris Campbell 72 73 76, Martin Doyle 72 73 76, Jeff Gallagher 69 73 79, Bob May 72 73 76, Gary Simpson 68 76 77, Darron Stiles 68 74 79
222 Ryan Armour 68 72 82, Scott Brown 76 69 77, Chris Gaunt 71 73 78
223 Kelly Grunewald 69 76 78, Bobby MacWhinnie 67 78 78
224 Ted Brown 70 75 79 (Can)
227 Adam Bland 72 73 82