Record-breaking Ruangkit romps to Thailand victory

By SCOTT CROCKETT
Chief Press Officer, European Tour
Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit rewrote the European Senior Tour history books when he romped to a stunning 11 shot victory in the Chang Thailand Senior Masters presented by ISPS.
The 53 year old was simply in a different class to the rest of the field at the picturesque Royal Gems Golf Club in Nakhonpathom, rounds of 64-66-65 giving the host nation favourite a whopping 21 under par winning total of 195.
Fellow countryman Jamnian Chitprasong, Frankie Minoza of the Philippines and Japan’s Katsuyoshi Tomori shared a distant second place on ten under par 206 but, as with the rest of the field in the third European Senior Tour event of the 2010 season, they were all merely bit part players in the Boonchu master class.
Ruangkit – who won The Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters seven days ago and is now 35 under par for his last six competitive tournament rounds – became the first player to win consecutive European Senior Tour events since England’s Peter Mitchell won the Scottish Seniors Open and the Italian Seniors Open in October 2008.
In addition to that, he also carded the lowest 54 hole score to par in European Senior Tour history – beating the 18 under par 198 posted by David Good in the 2003 Tunisian Seniors Open and Bob Lendzion in the 2005 Jolie Ville Sharm El Sheikh Open – and also claimed the biggest 54 hole winning margin in Tour history, topping the nine shot victory Tommy Horton achieved in the El Bosque Open in 1998.
“I am extremely pleased with my performance today and very proud of what I have achieved here this week,” said Ruangkit who moved to the top of the Senior Tour Order of Merit. “My putting was just right and my whole game just came together.
“Last night I wasn’t certain that I could win it as Chiprasong and several other players were playing very well. But I went out and played the best I could and fortunately everything fell into place for me.
“To be honest, I didn’t know that there was a chance to break some Senior Tour records but I am delighted that I have managed to get my name in the history books and extremely proud to have done it in my home country as well.”
Leading by three shots overnight, Ruangkit laid down a marker to the rest of the field with a birdie four at the opening hole. Although six par figures followed to give the chasing pack a glimmer of hope, the Thai star ended the tournament as a contest around the turn with five birdies in a row from the eighth.
Another birdie followed at the 15th and although he dropped only his third shot of the entire tournament at the testing 440 yard 16th, Ruangkit made amends and ensured he finished in style with a closing birdie four at the 18th.
Of the three players in second place, Tomori – who won the 2006 Scandinavian Senior Open – produced the best round with a 69. Minoza challenge never truly ignited after a double bogey six at the second and he had to settle for a 71 while consecutive bogeys at the 11th and 12th and another at the 17th accounted for Chitprasong’s 73.
Further down the final leaderboard, England’s Kevin Spurgeon - the winner of the Senior Tour season opener in Mauritius and who Ruangkit replaced at the head of the Order of Merit – finished in a tie for 24th place on one under par 215 alongside the winner of the 2009 Order of Merit, Scotland’s Sam Torrance.
Although satisfied with his own performance in the stifling heat, the former European Ryder Cup Captain paid tribute to the new champion. “Boonchu is amazing,” he said.”I know him very well and he has been a great player for a long time. He showed that once again this week.”
FINAL TOTALS
Royal Gems Golf Club, Nakhonpathom, Thailand
Par 216 (3x72)
195 B Ruangkit (Tha) 64 66 65,
206 J Chitprasong (Tha) 66 67 73, F Minoza (Phi) 70 65 71, K Tomori (Jpn) 66 71 69,
208 A Sowa (Arg) 67 70 71, G Brand (Eng) 70 70 68, M Saengsui (Tha) 65 71 72, S Ebihara (Jpn) 68 70 70,
209 D Russell (Eng) 67 68 74,
210 C Williams (RSA) 72 69 69,
211 H Carbonetti (Arg) 69 71 71, R Chapman (Eng) 71 69 71, M Williams (Zim) 68 74 69, J Rhodes (Eng) 68 69 74
212 J Quiros (Esp) 68 74 70
213 T Johnstone (Zim) 69 69 75, S Lyle (Sco) 70 71 72, B Cameron (Eng) 70 72 71, D O'Sullivan (Irl) 69 74 70, D Merriman (Aus) 70 72 71
214 C Rocca (Ita) 71 70 73, L Carbonetti (Arg) 69 73 72, B Lincoln (RSA) 68 75 71
215 P Harrison (Eng) 67 71 77, J Chillas (Sco) 72 77 66, M Clayton (Aus) 75 70 70, J Bruner (USA) 68 71 76, M Farry (Fra) 68 76 71, K Spurgeon (Eng) 70 73 72, S Torrance (Sco) 73 71 71
216 N Job (Eng) 71 70 75, J Rivero (Esp) 70 73 73, P Mitchell (Eng) 71 75 70
217 S Bennett (Eng) 69 74 74, G Banister (Aus) 71 74 72, S Taylor (USA) 74 73 70, M Harwood (Aus) 69 74 74, N Meesom (Tha) 67 76 74, B Boyd (USA) 71 71 75, G Ralph (Eng) 72 71 74, J Heggarty (Nir) 71 73 73, F Mann (Sco) 70 71 76,
218 S Saengsui (Tha) 71 73 74, N Ratcliffe (Aus) 75 72 71, L Yong-Kun (Kor) 69 77 72, G Ryall (Eng) 70 73 75, I Woosnam (Wal) 72 74 72,
219 P Oakley (USA) 75 70 74,
220 B Longmuir (Sco) 73 74 73, M Ramayah (Mas) 71 72 77, S Bunpimuck (Tha) 71 73 76, G Gunn (Can) 70 72 78, G Cali (Ita) 70 76 74,
221 J Hall (Eng) 74 76 71, L Stephen (Aus) 72 73 76, M Cunning (USA) 69 78 74, J Hawkes (RSA) 76 70 75,
222 T Chen (Tpe) 76 73 73, M Gray (Sco) 78 68 76, D Cambridge (Jam) 74 77 71,
223 B Hardwick (Can) 72 76 75, M Poxon (Eng) 72 77 74, S Owen (Nzl) 72 74 77, D Johnson (USA) 76 75 72,
224 A Tapie (USA) 75 73 76, K Nam (Kor) 73 77 74, M Miller (Sco) 75 73 76, P Dahlberg (Swe) 71 77 76,
225 I Mosey (Eng) 76 75 74,
226 T Gale (Aus) 73 73 80, T Burgoyne (Sco) 77 75 74, M Piñero (Esp) 75 79 72, P Allan (Eng) 74 75 77,
227 P Teravainen (USA) 74 70 83,
230 A Johnsson (Swe) 77 75 78, B Smit (RSA) 74 77 79,
233 I Palmer (RSA) 75 79 79,
234 A Garrido (Esp) 75 83 76,

United States PGA Tour Scoreboard
PUERTO RICO OPEN
Trump International Golf Club, Rio Grande
FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
65 Kris Blanks, Skip Kendall
66 Jeff Overton, Paul Stankowski
67 Peter Gustafsson (Swe), Matt Bettencourt, GrahamDelaet (Can), Kevin Streelman, Alex Cejka (Ger)
68 Kent Jones, Charley Hoffman, Bill Lunde, Robert Garrigus, Chris DiMarco, James Nitties (Aus), Steve Wheatcroft, Andrew McLardy (Rsa), Steve Elkington (Aus), Daniel Barbetti (Arg), Dean Wilson, Mark Calcavecchia, Nicholas Thompson
69 Spencer Levin, David Lutterus (Rsa), Kirk Triplett, Billy Mayfair, Woody Austin, Mathias Gronberg (Swe), John Daly, Brent Delahoussaye, Brendon De Jonge, Cameron Percy (Aus), Derek Lamely, Jarrod Lyle (Aus), Jeff Maggert, Chad Collins, Jhonattan Vegas, Cameron Tringale
70 Charles Warren, Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Marco Dawson, Omar Uresti, Andy Matthews, Kevin Johnson, Roger Tambellini, Chez Reavie, Henrik Bjornstad (Nor), J J Henry, Richard S Johnson (Swe), Jay Williamson, Johnson Wagner, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn), Rich Barcelo
71 BrianStuard, Martin Flores, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl), Justin Bolli, Craig Barlow, JerodTurner, John Bloomfield (Jam), Deane Pappas (Rsa), Bryce Molder, John Merrick, Michael Bradley, Steve Lowery, Michael Connell, Tom Pernice Jnr., Chris Wilson, Jay Delsing, Guy Boros
72 Max Alveiro (Pue), Aron Price (Aus), Julio Santos (Dom), Jeff Quinney, Jeff Gove, Greg Kraft, Jeff Klauk, Ken Duke, Pierre-Henri Soero (Fra), Erik Compton, Phil Tataurangi (Nzl), Tim Herron, Joe Ogilvie, Steve Flesch, Vance Veazey, Manuel Villegas (Col), Kevin Stadler, Carl Pettersson (Swe)
73 Chris Riley, Jonathan Kaye, Garth Mulroy (Rsa), Chris Smith, Harrison Frazar, John Mallinger, Brenden Pappas (Rsa), Christopher Baryla (Can), ShaunMicheel, Michael Clark II, Alex Prugh, David Peoples, Jimmy Walker, Eric Axley, Tom Kite, Mark Brooks, Cliff Kresge, Rocco Mediate
74 Len Mattiace, Boo Weekley, Dicky Pride, Glen Day, Matt Weibring, Frank Lickliter II, Brian Bateman
75 David Morland IV (Can), Joe Durant, Grant Waite (Nzl), Notah Begay III, Robert Damron, Ryan Garrity, Todd Hamilton
76 Francis Quinn, ChrisStroud, Cesar Costilla (Arg), Eric Morales, Carlos Franco (Par)
77 Rory Sabbatini (Rsa), Brett Quigley, Craig Bowden, Ronnie Black, Jason Gore
79 Miguel Suarez
81 Rafael Campos

WGC-CA CHAMPIONSHIP AT DORAL, MIAMI

Harrington in hunt, one off pace

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Padraig Harrington is right in the thick of things with a round to go at the WGC-CA Championship over the Blue Monster course at the Doral Resort in Miami, Florida.
Ireland's three-time major winner, pictured right, whose last Tour title was the US PGA 19 months ago, moved into a tie for the lead before three-putting the last for his only bogey of the day.
A five under par 67 leaves Harrington 11 under par, one behind South Africans Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel in the race for a first prize of over £925,000.
Els, one in front of Australian Robert Allenby at halfway, had a chance to establish a firm grip on the event, but missed from four feet at the 13th and three feet on the 16th.
He returned a 70, while 25-year-old Schwartzel - twice a winner in his home country already this year - matched Harrington's round.
Allenby is in fourth place two back, while German Martin Kaymer (66) and England's Paul Casey (68) are not out of the running at eight under and seven under respectively.
Casey was given extra motivation afterwards when told about television commentator Johnny Miller calling him "the biggest under-achiever in golf."
Second and fourth in his last two events - and three times a winner last season before tearing a rib muscle - Casey could go second in the world with victory.
"I feel I'm coming into the prime of my career," he said. "I've gone through ups and downs and I'm just coming off an injury."
Kaymer, Europe's best putter last season, showed American golf fans what he was capable of, needing only 22 putts in his best-of-the-day effort. Already a winner in Abu Dhabi this season, he is currently eighth in the world, but relatively unknown in the States.
THIRD-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Blue Monster, Doral Resort, Miami, Florida
Par 216 (3x72)
Players from United States unless stated otherwise
204 Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 67 70 67, Ernie Els (Rsa) 68 66 70
205 Padraig Harrington (Irl) 70 68 67
206 Robert Allenby (Aus) 68 67 71
207 Bill Haas 71 66 70
208 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 70 72 66
209 Vijay Singh (Fij) 68 71 70, Soren Hansen (Den) 69 69 71, Paul Casey (Eng) 69 72 68, Matt Kuchar 71 71 67
210 John Senden (Aus) 69 70 71, Camilo Villegas (Col) 72 68 70, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 72 69 69
211 Hunter Mahan 72 70 69, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa) 72 68 71
212 Phil Mickelson 71 69 72, Francesco Molinari (Ita) 69 71 72, J.B. Holmes 69 70 73, Graeme McDowell (NIrl) 74 68 70, Liang Wen Chong (Chn) 72 69 71
213 Steve Stricker 73 69 71, Yuta Ikeda (Jpn) 71 68 74, Tim Clark (Rsa) 70 69 74
214 Peter Hanson (Swe) 74 66 74, Adam Scott (Aus) 74 69 71, Mike Weir (Can) 73 66 75, Alistair Presnell (Aus) 72 70 72, Luke Donald (Eng) 70 75 69, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 71 72 71
215 Jerry Kelly 70 72 73, Ross Fisher (Eng) 73 72 70, Lucas Glover 72 72 71, Angel Cabrera (Arg) 74 71 70, Heath Slocum 74 71 70, Kenny Perry 73 74 68, Anthony Kim 71 73 71, Jim Furyk 70 76 69
216 Nick Watney 73 72 71, Ben Crane 74 73 69, Sean O'Hair 71 71 74, David Toms 72 72 72, Lee Westwood (Eng) 74 68 74
217 Dustin Johnson 69 72 76, Jason Dufner 73 69 75, Zach Johnson 76 70 71, Brian Gay 74 69 74, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 74 72 71, Scott Verplank 76 72 69, Ross McGowan (Eng) 76 71 70
218 Kevin Na 78 70 70, Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 72 71 75, Simon Dyson (Eng) 72 73 73, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 73 72 73, Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 72 74 72
219 Ryan Palmer 79 68 72
220 Anders Hansen (Den) 76 70 74, Retief Goosen (Rsa) 76 71 73, Y.E. Yang (South Korea) 73 72 75
221 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 78 70 73, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 73 75 73, Stewart Cink 75 74 72
222 Rory McIlroy (NIrl) 76 73 73, Marc Leishman (Aus) 78 73 71, Ian Poulter (Eng) 72 78 72
223 Steve Marino 75 71 77
225 Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 74 78 73
226 Michael Sim (Aus) 75 74 77
229 Oliver Wilson (Eng) 78 74 77

CHANG THAILAND SENIOR MASTERS

Local hero Boonchu leads by three after three rounds

By SCOTT CROCKET
European Tour Chief Press Officer
Home hero Boonchu Ruangkit kept on course for back-to-back victories on the European Senior Tour when he fashioned a three-shot lead going into the final round of the Chang Thailand Senior Masters presented by ISPS.
England’s Peter Mitchell was the last man to notch successive Senior Tour victories back in October 2008 when he won in consecutive weeks in Scotland and Italy but now Ruangkit is poised to follow him into the record books after another stirring showing in front of his adoring Thai public.
The 53 year old followed his stunning opening 64 on Friday with a second round 66 at the Royal Gems Golf Club in Nakhonpathom for a 14 under par total of 130, three shots clear of his fellow countryman Jamnian Chitprasong who kept the Thai flag flying at the head of affairs with a 67 for 133.
England’s David J Russell and Frankie Minoza of the Philippines share third on nine under par 135 in the third European Senior Tour event of the 2010 season but, as with last week when he captured The Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters, the tournament so far has been all about Boonchu.
“I am very happy with my form right now although I must admit I’m a little tired,” he said. “But if I get a good night’s rest I am sure I’ll be up for the challenge tomorrow.
“To win two weeks in a row would be a fantastic achievement for me and one I’ll be going all out to accomplish although I know it won’t be easy as there are a lot of good players behind me, especially Jamnian who played really well today and who I know will be difficult to beat.”
Certainly if Ruangkit produces similar form to his first two days, he will be tricky to topple from pole position. Four birdies in a flawless opening half to his second round saw him to the turn in 32 and while his momentum was halted slightly with a bogey six at the tenth, he recovered in style with further birdies at the 12th, 13th and 18th.
Second placed Chitprasong continued his fine week’s showing with a flawless second round 67 to add to his opening 66, the highlight of the round for the 51 year old coming at the 523yd 10th where he notched an eagle 3.
Leading European challenger, England’s David J Russell finished in style with an eagle three at the 507 yard 18th hole for a 68 to see him share third place with Frankie Minoza whose flawless 65 was the best round of the second day’s play.
“I was hitting some good shots but I didn’t really feel I was getting the reward for them which is why it was nice to finish with the eagle at the end there,” said Russell.
“To have a chance tomorrow I’m going to have to go out and shoot low because Boonchu and Jamnian ahead of me are obviously playing very well. But I’m just going to go out and try and play the best I can and if I can shoot in the mid to low 60s then it might worry them a little.”
Further down the leaderboard, current European Senior Tour Order of Merit leader, England’s Kevin Spurgeon, is in a share of 28th place on one under par 143 following his second round 73 while last season’s Number One, Scotland’s Sam Torrance, is one shot further back on level par 144 after his second round 71.

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Royal Gems Golf Club, Nakhonpathom, Thailand
Par 144 (2x72)
130 B Ruangkit (Tha) 64 66,
133 J Chitprasong (Tha) 66 67,
135 D Russell (Eng) 67 68, F Minoza (Phi) 70 65,
136 M Saengsui (Tha) 65 71,
137 J Rhodes (Eng) 68 69, A Sowa (Arg) 67 70, K Tomori (Jpn) 66 71,
138 P Harrison (Eng) 67 71, S Ebihara (Jpn) 68 70, T Johnstone (Zim) 69 69,
139 J Bruner (US) 68 71,
140 G Brand (Eng) 70 70, R Chapman (Eng) 71 69, H Carbonetti (Arg) 69 71,
141 S Lyle (Sco) 70 71, C Rocca (Ita) 71 70, F Mann (Sco) 70 71, C Williams (South Africa) 72 69, N Job (Eng) 71 70,
142 B Cameron (Eng) 70 72, B Boyd (USA) 71 71, M Williams (Zim) 68 74, J Quiros (Esp) 68 74, D Merriman (Aus) 70 72, G Gunn (Can) 70 72, L Carbonetti (Arg) 69 73,
143 G Ryall (Eng) 70 73, K Spurgeon (Eng) 70 73, G Ralph (Eng) 72 71, S Bennett (Eng) 69 74, B Lincoln (South Africa) 68 75, D O'Sullivan (Irl) 69 74, J Rivero (Esp) 70 73, M Harwood (Aus) 69 74, N Meesom (Tha) 67 76, M Ramayah (Mas) 71 72
144 S Bunpimuck (Tha) 71 73, P Teravainen (US) 74 70, M Farry (Fra) 68 76, S Saengsui (Tha) 71 73, S Torrance (Sco) 73 71, J Heggarty (N Ireland) 71 73
145 G Banister (Aus) 71 74, L Stephen (Aus) 72 73, P Oakley (US) 75 70, M Clayton (Aus) 75 70
146 J Hawkes (South Africa) 76 70, M Gray (Sco) 78 68, P Mitchell (Eng) 71 75, T Gale (Aus) 73 73, I Woosnam (Wal) 72 74, G Cali (Ita) 70 76, S Owen (Nzl) 72 74, L Yong-Kun (South Korea) 69 77,
147 N Ratcliffe (Aus) 75 72, S Taylor (US) 74 73, B Longmuir (Sco) 73 74, M Cunning (US) 69 78
148 A Tapie (US) 75 73, P Dahlberg (Swe) 71 77, B Hardwick (Can) 72 76, M Miller (Sco) 75 73,
149 J Chillas (Sco) 72 77, M Poxon (Eng) 72 77, P Allan (Eng) 74 75, T Chen (Tpe) 76 73,
150 K Nam (Kor) 73 77, J Hall (Eng) 74 76
151 B Smit (South Africa) 74 77, D Johnson (US) 76 75, I Mosey (Eng) 76 75, D Cambridge (Jam) 74 77, 152 T Burgoyne (Sco) 77 75, A Johnsson (Swe) 77 75
154 M Piñero (Esp) 75 79, I Palmer (South Africa) 75 79
158 A Garrido (Esp) 75 83

-

More stops than starts on US PGA Tour event on Puerto Rico

FROM THE PGATOUR.COM WEBSITE
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico -- Skip Kendall topped the Puerto Rico Open leaderboard at 5 under after nine holes when first-round play was suspended because of darkness onFriday in the rain---delayed US PGA Tour event. No-one has yet completed 18 holes!
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PGATOUR.COM: Complete coverage of the Puerto Rico Open
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Heavy morning rain suspended play just 20 minutes after the first tee time and the round didn't resume until 4:35 p.m. Downpours also forced the suspension of play Thursday, when 6.6 inches fell at oceanside Trump International Golf Club-Puerto Rico.
The 45-year-old Kendall holed a 7-iron shot from 159 yards for eagle on the par-4 10th on Thursday, then chipped in for birdie on the par-3 11th Friday morning. He also birdied the par-4 13th and par-3 16th.
"Overall, I hit some really quality shots out there. I like the way I'm playing right now, and hopefully that will continue," Kendall said.
Richard S. Johnson and Kevin Streelman were 4 under. Johnson completed eight holes, and Streelman played seven. John Daly was 1 under through eight.
Kendall has barely used his putter, which elicited some good-natured ribbing from his fellow players.
"Coming back into the clubhouse, I took a lot of heckling from the guys. `Are you not going to use your putter today? How's that putting lesson I gave you working out?' I took a lot of heck from the guys," Kendall said.
Tournament Chairman Sidney Wolf was looking forward to better weather for the weekend, but he said he was pleased with how the course was faring amid the rains.
"The golf course is in better shape than most of us knew it would be after 14-plus inches of rain. It's held up very nicely," Wolf said.
During the delay Friday, players lingered around the clubhouse when they weren't practising putting or testing their drivers.
At midday, an unusual strategy for drying the waterlogged course got under way. A helicopter belonging to Trump International Golf Club owner Jorge Diaz hovered over the first fairway, its powerful propeller acting as an enormous blowdryer.
Tommy Armour III withdrew Friday. He was replaced by alternate Grant Waite.

Harrington makes move but Poulter has a painful day

FROM THE SCOTSMAN SPORT.COM WEBSITE
By Mark Garrod in Miami
Playing partners Ian Poulter and Padraig Harrington went in totally opposite directions in the second round of the WGC-CA Championship in Miami yesterday.
Harrington moved into contention on six-under-par following a four-under 68, four behind clubhouse leader Ernie Els in joint fifth place. But, three weeks on from his World Match Play victory, Poulter crashed to near last place with a 78 for 150 and then revealed that he had nearly quit the event because of a neck problem.
The pair finished their day's work just before play was held up briefly because of an approaching thunderstorm, officials having made a very wise move in bringing forward tee times by nearly three and a half hours.
South African Els, 40, added a 66 to his opening 68 to lead on 10-under-par 134 by one shot from Australian Robert Allenby who had a hole in one - the 14th of his career - at the 233yd 13th. Allenby finished with a 67 for 135.
Harrington's only 2009 success came in the non-Tour Irish PGA Championship, but he was making no promises about putting that right this weekend.
The Dubliner has dropped to 13th in the world with nothing better than a 16th place finish in four starts so far this season. With that in mind he said:
"I have a tradition that I don't normally win out of the blue. It's very rare. I normally warm up by getting into contention a few times. I'm happy with my scoring but I made a few mental errors out there and missed a few putts. Obviously, though, I hit enough good shots and I seemed to have a lot of reasonable chances for birdies."
His only dropped shot came after he hooked his drive into the lake on the treacherous 18th, his ninth of the day.
Poulter did the same, but for him it was one of seven bogeys.
"I nearly didn't play yesterday," said the world No 5. "My usual physio guy is in Australia so I had to get some treatment when I got to the course and as I went to practice I still wasn't sure I'd be playing."
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Blue Monster at Doral Golf Resort, Miami, Florida
Par 144 (2-71)
134 Ernie Els (South Africa) 68 66.
135 Robert Allenby (Australia) 68 67
136 Bill Haas 71 67.
137 Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 67 70.
138 Soren Hansen (Denmark) 69 69, Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 70 68.
139 Yuta Ikeda (Japan) 71 68, J B Holmes 69 70, Vijay Singh (Fiji) 68 71, Mike Weir (Canada) 73 66, Tim Clark (South Africa) 70 69, John Senden (Australia) 69 70.
140 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spain) 72 68, Peter Hanson 74 66, Phil Mickelson 71 69, Camilo Villegas (Colombia) 72 68, Francesco Molinari (Italy) 69 71.
141 Alvaro Quiros (Spain) 72 69, Paul Casey (England) 69 72, Dustin Johnson 69 72, Wen-Chong Liang 72 69.
142 Alistair Presnell 72 70, Hunter Mahan 72 70, Steve Stricker 73 69, Matt Kuchar 71 71, Jason Dufner 73 69, Sean O'Hair 71 71, Lee Westwood (England) 74 68, Martin Kaymer (Germany) 70 72, Jerry Kelly 70 72, Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 74 68.
143 Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 72 71, Brian Gay 74 69, Adam Scott (Australia) 74 69, Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 71 72.
144 David Toms 72 72, Lucas Glover 72 72, Anthony Kim 71 73.
145 Heath Slocum 74 71, Luke Donald (England) 70 75, Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) 73 72, Simon Dyson (England) 72 73, Y E Yang 73 72, Nick Watney 73 72, Ross Fisher (England) 73 73, Angel Cabrera (Argentina) 74 71.
146 Steve Marino 75 71, Zach Johnson 76 70, Sergio Garcia (Spain) 74 72, Anders Hansen 76 70, Edoardo Molinari (Italy) 72 74, Jim Furyk 70 76.
147 Ryan Palmer 79 68, Ben Crane 74 73, Kenny Perry 73 74, Ross McGowan (England) 76 71, Retief Goosen (South Africa) 76 71.
148 Kevin Na 78 70, Robert Karlsson (Sweden) 78 70, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 73 75, Scott Verplank 76 72.
149 Michael Sim (Australia) 75 74, Stewart Cink 75 74, Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 76 73.
150 Ian Poulter (England) 72 78.
151 Marc Leishman (Australia) 78 73.
152 Oliver Wilson (Engloand) 78 74, Soren Kjeldzen 74 78.

Soren Hansen in court next Friday on tax evasion charge

Danish Ryder Cup player Soren Hansen will be in a Danish court next Friday to answer charges of tax evasion.
Hansen, 35, is charged with misreporting earnings from the years 2000 to 2006, stemming from his claim that he resided in Monaco and not Denmark, his country of birth.
In February this year, US Seniors Tour player Jim Thorpe, 61, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and ordered to pay $2million in back taxes for tax evasion.

Ernie Els early clubhouse leader at Miami

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
South African Ernie Els was the clubhouse leader at the second round of the World Golf Championships-CA Championship before play was held up briefly because of an approaching thunderstorm at the Doral Golf Resort, Miami in Florida.
It vindicated the officials, who made a very wise move in bringing forward tee times by nearly three and a half hours.
Els, 40, who last year failed to land a title for the first time since his rookie season in 1990, has been putting in the hours on the practice range recently.
That certainly paid off as he added a 66 to his opening 68 and he shared top spot with Australian Robert Allenby, who still had three holes to complete when the suspension came.
The pair were three clear of closest challenger Bill Haas and overnight leader Charl Schwartzel.
Padraig Harrington finished just before the break, sitting tied for fifth with Søren Hansen on six under.
The Irishman's only 2009 success came in the Irish PGA Championship, but he was making no promises about putting that right this weekend.
The Dubliner has dropped to 13th in the world with nothing better than a 16th place finish in four starts so far this season.
With that in mind he said: "I have a tradition, unfortunately for me, that I don't normally win out of the blue.
"It's very rare. I normally warm up by getting into contention a few times.
"I'm happy with my scoring but I made a few mental errors out there and missed a few putts.
"Obviously, though, I hit enough good shots and I seemed to have a lot of reasonable chances for birdies."
His only dropped shot came after he hooked his drive into the lake on the treacherous 18th, his ninth of the day.
Els said: "I'm just pleased we got it done. The weather is changing a lot.
"I'm in pretty good shape. Halfway there and, you know, just got to keep it up."
Dane Hansen kept alive his hopes of the first prize with a second successive 69 to be alongside Harrington.
“Playing really well. Hitting a lot of greens. Giving myself a lot of chances and I suppose that's what it's all about in this game,” he said afterwards.
SCOREBOARD TO COME

Spaniard Del Moral leads by three on home territory

FROM THE ALPS TOUR WEBSITE
Jordi Garcia Del Moral, a 24-year-old Spaniard, took the lead at the Peugeot Open El Escorpion in Spain, signing for the best score of the day, a seven-under-par 64, for a three-stroke advantage ahead of Italian Matteo Delpodio.
Del Moral is full member of the Challenge Tour but is just coming back from wrist surgery.
“I know the course well. I live about one hour from here and I often play practice rounds here. I feel relaxed to play here because it is not my circuit. I came to train. I have a medical exemption from the Challenge Tour.
"I will play some small European Tour events in April if I can, then I will focus on the Challenge Tour. Today, my back nine was a dream. I putted so well and I holed one putt for eagle on the 15th hole after a great three-wood of 243 metres.
"I am very pleased to play with Matteo tomorrow. We are good friends.”
Yesterday's leader, Delpodio holed a beautiful eagle putt too on the 18th hole, his ninth. Confident teeing off the back nine, he missed some putts to increase his advantage. He dropped one shot with a three-putt on the third hole, short par 4.
On the following green, after a wonderful shot from 60m range, he holed for a birdie. It was his last one. After that his driving was not so precise and he had to play great golf to save pars. He scored 69 and completed his two rounds with a seven-under-par total.
“I know Jordi well. We have played together for the Continent of Europe in the St Andrews Trophy match of 2006 as amateurs. We are really good friends. Tomorrow will be a good and fun day. I will need to hole more putts if I want to challenge him.”
In third place are two Spanish players at five-under-par, Jorge Campillo and Jesus Legarrea. Then one stroke behind, a big-hitting former European Tour player, Italy's Emanuele Canonica and English Steve Lewton, recently graduated from the Challenge Tour via his second place at the 2009 Alps Tour final order of merit.
The cut is fixed at +2.
SCOTSWATCH: Murrayshall members as amateurs, Steven Home and Gavin Dear continue stick fairly close together on the Alps Tour. Hume is outscoring is star Pertshire colleague with rounds of 69 and 70 for a share of sixth place of three-under-par 139. Dear is two shots back with scores of 71 and 70.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 142 (2x72)
132 Jordi GARCIA DEL MORAL (ESP) 68 64
135 Matteo DELPODIO (ITA) 66 69
137 Jorge CAMPILLO (ESP) 71 66, Jesus LEGARREA (ESP) 71 66
138 Steve LEWTON (ENG) 69 69, Emanuele CANONICA (ITA) 70 68 »»
139 Borja ETCHART (ESP) 70 69, Steven HUME (SCO) 69 70, Santiago LUNA (ESP) 69 70, Xavier GUZMAN SADABA (ESP) 71 68
140 Jose ROMERO (ESP) 69 71, Kim JOON (ITA) 70 70, Christophe BRAZILLIER (FRA) 67 73, Carlos DEL MORAL (ESP) 70 70, Ivan LARA (ESP) 73 67, Marco GUERISOLI (ITA) 71 69, Ivo GINER (ESP) 69 71.
141 Moises COBO (ESP) 69 72, Alex LARRAZABAL (ESP) 71 70, Jose Manuel OCEJO (ESP) 76 65, Carlos BALMASEDA (ESP) 71 70, Gavin DEAR (SCO) 71 70, Jose Manuel LARA (ESP) 70 71, Andrea PERRINO (ITA) 67 74, Lawrence DODD (ENG) 69 72, Pedro ORIOL (ESP) 69 72, Olivier SERRES (FRA) 72 69.
142 Farren KEENAN (ENG) 71 71, Pol BECH (ESP) 70 72, Vicente BLAZQUEZ (ESP) 71 71, Juan PARRON (ESP) 72 70, Daniel ALONSO (ESP) 74 68, Jose Luis ADARRAGA (ESP) 72 70,
Simone BRIZZOLARI (ITA) 71 71, Paolo TERRENI (ITA) 74 68, Bruno-Teva LECUONA (FRA) 72 70, Matthew CRYER (ENG) 72 70, Jorge GARCIA FERNANDEZ (ESP) 74 68, Sam ROBINSON (ENG) 72 70.
143 Jason PALMER (ENG) 71 72, Ismael DEL CASTILLO (ESP) 70 73.
144 Damien PERRIER (FRA) 71 73, Uli WEINHANDL (AUT) 73 71, Michael MOSER (AUT) 73 71, Jose Miguel ROSILLO (ESP) 73 71, Andrea SIGNOR (ITA) 73 71, Javier COLOMO (ESP) 71 73, Neil CHAUDHURI (ENG) 73 71, Matjaz GOJCIC (SLO) 72 72.
MISSED THE CUT
145 Mariano SAIZ (ESP) 73 72, Carlos GARCIA SIMARRO (ESP) 75 70, Matthew BALDWIN (ENG) 72 73, Pedro LINHART (ESP) 71 74, Jann SCHMID (SWI) 73 72, Francisco VALLS (ESP) 75 70, David ANTONELLI (FRA) 73 72, Benn BARHAM (ENG) 76 69, Nicholas MURTAGH (ENG) 71 74.
Selected non-qualifiers:
146 Richard KILPATRICK (NIR) 70 76.
148 Max BRACKLEY (ENG) 72 76.
149 Andy SMITH (ENG) 76 73
150 Ricki NEIL-JONES (ENG) 76 74
151 Jason Barnes (Eng) 75 76, Mark Hooper (ENG) 73 78.
156 Jordon Smith (Eng) 79 77.

Chang Thailand Senior Masters Scoreboard
FIRST ROUND
64 B Ruangkit (Tha)
65 M Saengsui (Tha)
66 K Tomori (Jpn), J Chitprasong (Tha)
67 A Sowa (Arg), P Harrison (Eng), N Meesom (Tha), D Russell (Eng),
68 J Bruner (US), S Ebihara (Jpn), M Williams (Zim), J Quiros (Esp), J Rhodes (Eng), B Lincoln (RSA), M Farry (Fra)
69 S Bennett (Eng), D O'Sullivan (Irl), L Yong-Gun (Kor), M Harwood (Aus), T Johnstone (Zim), M Cunning (USA), L Carbonetti (Arg), H Carbonetti (Arg),
70 S Lyle (Sco), J Rivero (Esp), G Brand (Eng), F Minoza (Phi), F Mann (Sco), D Merriman (Aus), G Gunn (Can), G Ryall (Eng), G Cali (Ita), K Spurgeon (Eng), B Cameron (Eng),
71 S Saengsui (Tha), C Rocca (Ita), M Ramayah (Mas), N Job (Eng) , R Chapman (Eng) , G Banister (Aus) , B Boyd (US) , J Heggarty (Nir) , P Mitchell (Eng) , P Dahlberg (Swe) , S Bunpimuck (Tha)
72 L Stephen (Aus) , J Chillas (Sco) , C Williams (RSA) , M Poxon (Eng) , S Owen (Nzl) , G Ralph (Eng) , B Hardwick (Can) , I Woosnam (Wal) ,
73 B Longmuir (Sco) , T Gale (Aus) , S Torrance (Sco) , K Nam (Kor) ,
74 P Teravainen (USA) , J Hall (Eng) , B Smit (RSA) , P Allan (Eng) , S Taylor (US) , D Cambridge (Jam) ,
75 N Ratcliffe (Aus) , M Miller (Sco) , M Piñero (Esp) , P Oakley (US) , I Palmer (RSA) , A Garrido (Esp) , M Clayton (Aus) , A Tapie (USA) ,
76 I Mosey (Eng) , J Hawkes (RSA) , T Chen (Tpe) , D Johnson (US)
77 A Johnsson (Swe) , T Burgoyne (Sco)
78 M Gray (Sco)

Nine Scots warm up in South Africa - thanks to Rupert!

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Nine of Scotland’s leading amateur golfers arrive in South Africa today to complete their winter training programme, boosted by the support of the man behind the Dunhill Links Championship, Johann Rupert.
The South African business tycoon has sponsored the SGU’s Men’s Elite Squad training camp in his home country, providing golf, accommodation and facilities to the Scotland players over the next ten days. The Scots will use three different world-class courses during the trip as the final part of their preparation for the season ahead under the warmth of the South African sunshine.
The trip will include a two-day Test Match against South Africa at Leopard Creek, a three-team tournament against the South African Development and Junior sides at Houghton Golf Club and a match at Pearl Valley – scene of Richie Ramsay’s recent win in the South African Open - against a combined Provincial team.
A mixture of youth and experience has been selected for the squad, with four other players heading for Spain to play in the European Nations Cup next week. Former Allied Surveyors Scottish Amateur Champion Glenn Campbell is included in the squad alongside the youngest member of the team, Jack McDonald, the reigning firstpointusa.com Scottish Boys Stroke Play Champion.
Kirkhill’s Paul Shields, a recent Academy graduate to the Men’s Elite Squad makes the trip, whilst another youngster, 18-year-old Scott Gibson earns his first call up to the senior team. Fraserburgh’s Kris Nicol and Hilton Park’s Gordon Yates, fresh from reaching the knock-out stages of the Spanish Amateur Championship, are included alongside former SGU Order of Merit winner Steven McEwan, 2008 Scottish boys stroke play champion Mark Bookless and St Andrews’ Greg Paterson.
Rupert, who is the current chairman of the South African PGA Tour, said:
“I am delighted to support the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad and bring them over to South Africa to experience our wonderful facilities and beautiful golf courses. I am very proud to be associated with the Home of Golf through the Dunhill Links Championship and wanted to give something back to the development of talented young golfers in Scotland.”
“We will also be offering our support to the young South African golfers by way of competition against some of Scotland’s best, which will assist with their development. There should be some great matches in prospect.”
Douglas Connon, SGU Chairman, added:
“This is an exceptional gesture from Johann Rupert and we are very grateful for his generous support. This new partnership allows us to further expand our winter training programmes for our elite squads, providing opportunities for our players to experience world class facilities.”
The Scotland squad is also sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management and TaylorMade adidasGolf.
Scotland Squad for Player Development Camp in South Africa:
1. Mark Bookless (Sandyhills)
2. Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie)
3. Scott Gibson (Southerness)
4. Jack Macdonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)
5. Steven McEwan (Caprington)
6. Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh)
7. Greg Paterson (New Club, St Andrews)
8. Paul Shields (Kirkhill)
9. Gordon Yates (Hilton Park)

Squad Itinerary:
March 12-13
Practice at Vodacom World of Golf in Johannesburg
March 14-15
Triangular Match: Scotland v South Africa Junior Team v South Africa Development Team, Houghton GC
March 16
Practice, Leopard Creek Golf Club
March 17-18
Test Match: South Africa v Scotland, Leopard Creek Golf Club
March 19
Fly to Cape Town
March 20
Practice at the River Club
March 21
Provincial Match: Combined Provincial Select v Scotland, Pearl Valley GC
Depart

Tiger Woods' early comeback is on the cards

FROM THE BBC.CO.UK WEBSITE
Speculation is growing that Tiger Woods will make his return to competitive golf within the next few weeks.
The American world number one has not played since November when revelations about his marital infidelities began.
In February, Woods said he did not know when he would return, but he has been working out with his coach Hank Haney.
"If he wasn't going to play for six months, why would Hank be there?" said Australian pro Roger Allenby, a Florida neighbour of Woods.
"I look at that as maybe he's getting ready."
Woods announced in December that he was taking an indefinite break from golf to try and save his marriage to wife Elin Nordgren. The couple have two children.
In an apology for his conduct which was televised worldwide last month, he again said he did not know how long he would be away from the sport. But the New York Post, citing two unnamed "sources in the golf community," said on Thursday that Woods was preparing for a possible return at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando on March 25.
The newspaper also reported Woods had consulted Ari Fleischer, a former presidential adviser to George W Bush, on a strategy to manage his return.
The Bay Hill tournament is run by Woods' management company, International Management Group, but tournament director Scott Wellington said he has not heard from the player's agent, Mark Steinberg.
"At this point, we still don't know," he said. "Tiger has until next Friday to commit. But it was a busy day, for sure. We had a lot of calls, a lot of interest and we sold some tickets. It was interesting."
Woods has won at Bay Hill six times, from 2000-2003 and again in 2008 and 2009, and it is the only US PGA Tour event he has never missed since turning professional.
The first major championship of the year, the Masters at Augusta (April 8-11), also remains a likely venue for his return.
Augusta National is famed for its water-tight security, which means it would be next to impossible for the paparazzi to gain access to the course.
Speculation has also centered on the Tavistock Cup, a made-for-TV exhibition team event between PGA talent from rival Florida golf clubs Isleworth and Lake Nona.
Golfer Mark O'Meara, a friend and neighbour of Woods, fanned that flame this week when he told Golf Channel that he "wouldn't be surprised" to see Woods play in the March 22-23 competition.
Woods has represented Isleworth in the past, and the club is hosting the event this year, meaning he would not even have to leave the exclusive estate where he lives.
And Allenby added: "I hope he plays Tavistock Cup, because we need him on our team. And I hope he plays Bay Hill and then I hope he plays Augusta.
"He's the best golfer in the world and we want to play the best, (although) I'm definitely making more money when he's not playing."

Seve OK after falling off golf cart

Seve Ballesteros has fully recovered after falling off a golf cart and banging his head on the ground in his home town of Pedrena in northern Spain.
The three-time Open champion, 52, underwent hospital exams for four days before being discharged.
In 2008, Ballesteros underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Windy start at Miami to WGC-CA Championship

Casey content to be only two behind Allenby


FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
England's in-form Paul Casey was thrilled to finish the opening round of the WGC-CA Championship only two shots off the lead in windy Miami - after thinking Robert Allenby must have been playing somewhere else.
Australian Allenby defied the conditions with an eagle and six birdies to stand eight under par after 12 holes, but then bogeyed the last four at the Doral Resort & Country Club.
That handed top spot to South African Charl Schwartzel with his five under par 67 - the only bogey-free round of the day - while Casey had four successive birdies late in the day before dropping a shot at the last to be in a tie for fifth spot.
=================================
More News
Guessing game continues over Woods' return
Westwood and Casey target rankings rise
Dyson delights in big year
Noh caps dream week with Open berth
=================================
"I thought Robert was playing a different course," said the world number six, who has a chance this week to become Tiger Woods' closest challenger on the rankings for the first time.
"That was very impressive stuff - there are a lot of tough holes here - and I'm very happy with my 69."
Far from satisfied, though, was Rory McIlroy as he handed in a bitterly disappointing 76 and then sentenced himself to some hard labour on the practice range.
McIlroy had only a few of the 68-strong field behind him after no fewer than six bogeys and so many shots into bunkers that he could not remember the final tally.
"I'm just struggling," said the world number nine, outscored by five by playing partner and defending champion Phil Mickelson.
"I'm not playing well and just can't keep things going. I've been struggling since the weekend in Dubai (now over a month ago)."
ALL THE FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Doral Resort & CC, Miami, Florida
Par 72. Players from United States unless stated
67 Charl Schwartzel (South Africa)
68 Vijay Singh (Fiji), Robert Allenby (Australia), Ernie Els (South Africa)
69 Dustin Johnson, Francesco Molinari (Italy), J.B. Holmes, Soren Hansen (Denmark), John Senden (Australia), Paul Casey (England)
70 Jerry Kelly, Jim Furyk, Luke Donald (England), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Tim Clark (Rsa), Padraig Harrington (Ireland)
71 Phil Mickelson, Anthony Kim, Bill Haas, Sean O'Hair, Yuta Ikeda (Japan), Matt Kuchar, Henrik Stenson (Sweden)
72 Lucas Glover, David Toms, Geoff Ogilvy (Australia), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spain), Simon Dyson (England), Liang Wen Chong (China), Alvaro Quiros (Spain), Hunter Mahan, Alistair Presnell (Australia), Ian Poulter (England), Camilo Villegas (Colombia), Edoardo Molinari (Italy)
73 Nick Watney, Steve Stricker, Ross Fisher (England), Jason Dufner, Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand), Kenny Perry, Mike Weir (Can), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain), Y.E. Yang (South Korea)
74 Soren Kjeldsen (Denmark), Graeme McDowell (N Ireland), Adam Scott (Australia), Brian Gay, Sergio Garcia (Spain), Angel Cabrera (Argentina), Heath Slocum, Peter Hanson (Sweden), Ben Crane, Lee Westwood (England)
75 Steve Marino, Michael Sim (Aus), Stewart Cink
76 Rory McIlroy (N Ireland), Zach Johnson, Retief Goosen (South Africa), Anders Hansen (Denmark), Scott Verplank, Ross McGowan (England)
78 Robert Karlsson (Sweden), Kevin Na, Oliver Wilson (England), Marc Leishman (Australia)
79 Ryan Palmer

Puerto Rico Open hit by heavy rain suspension of play

Heavy rain halted the first-round action very early and then eventually washed out the rest of the opening day's play at Rio Grande in the US PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open.
============================================
Click on this link for more details:
PGATOUR.COM: Complete coverage of the Puerto Rico Open
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Six inches of rain had fallen on Donald Trump's 7,526yd tropical, oceanside course by early afternoon.
The first round will restart on Friday morning, with preferred lies in closely mown areas.
Before play was first suspended at 7:19 am, Skip Kendall hit an eagle on the par-4 10th hole. Eighteen players teed off prior to the suspension of play.
The $3.5 million tournament in Puerto Rico is being held opposite the World Golf Championship at Doral, which has attracted the best players from around the world.

Hume 69, Dear 71 in Alps Tour event in Spain

FROM THE ALPS TOUR WEBSITE
Play in the first round of Peugeot/Alps Tour's tournament at Club de Golf El Escorpion, Valencia in Spain was suspended due to the darkness. About 30 players were still on course at the time and play will resume tomorrow morning at 8am local time.
The leader in the club house teed off in the morning today. Italian Matteo Delpodio signed for a perfect 66, five under par. He reached the turn with nine par figures but stayed patient.
The 24-year-old from Turin seemed much more untroubled than last season:
“Last year, I was not relaxed when I was on a tournament. I made a mistake by playing on each circuit if I could enter the field. I was jumping from Challenge Tour to Alps Tour and I even played my National Open on the main Tour.
"It was not a good choice because each week was very important for my ranking and I missed some casual attitude. This year I feel really better. I have learned from my mistake, I am a professional in my work, I play well, I have a good team around me so I know that if the win doesn't come this week I can do it another week.
"Today, I was patient and knew that I would obviously holed some putts. I was very close to the holes with my putts on front nine. Then I holed five birdie putts on back nine. The work I did with the Italian Federation is paying off.
"Massimo Scarpa is running a group of 20 players and he really helps us. He is a excellent coach, knows exactly what to say to make us play our best golf.”
Same kind of words came from compatriot Andrea Perrino, joint second on 67. Perrino won the Alps Tour order of merit last year and came to Spain to practice. He scored 67, -4 and shared second provisional place with Challenge Tour French player Christophe Brazillier.
“Obviously, I have less pressure since I am not playing on my circuit but it is a good thing to practice here. The course is in a really good shape and the greens are firm. Last year, I did not start the season very well but I played consistent since July. I want to be ready earlier this year.”
The weather conditions were tougher for afternoon players. The wind started to blow and it was colder. The leading Spanish player, Jordi Garcia del Moral, was in morning group as well and scored 68, -3 for a 4th position.
SCOTSWATCH. Perthshire pair Steven Hume and Gavin Dear returned scores of 69 and par 71 respectively. Hume is joint fifth, Dear tied for 21st place.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
+Play suspended early because of darkness, 30 players still to complete rounds.
Par 71
66 Matteo Delpodio (Italy).
67 Christophe Brazillier (France), Andrea Perrino (Italy).
68 Jordi Garcia del Moral (Spain).
69 Steven Hume (Scotland), Santiago Luna (Spain), Lawrence Dodd (England), Pedro Oriol (Spain), Ivo Giner (Spain), Moises Cobo (Spain), Jose Romero (Spain), Steve Lewton (England).
Selected scores
70 Richard Kilpatrick (N Ireland) (jt 13th).
71 Gavin Dear (Scotland), Farren Keenan (England), Jason Palmer (England), Nicholas
Murtagh (England (jt 21st).
72 Matthew Cryer (England) (jt 37th).
73 Neil Chaudhuri (England), Mark Hooper (England) (jt 49th).
75 Jason Barnes (England), Daniel Coughlan (England) (jt 73rd).
+Field of 111 players.

2,100 Euros cash prize for Lothians man, 7,176 Euros from three events

Lloyd Saltman, lady pro winner Johanna Lundberg (Sweden) and senior award winner Miguel Angel Martin (Spain) pictured after the prizegiving today.

Lloyd Saltman wins by five, Callum Macaulay jt second

FROM THE SPANISH Hi5 PRO TOUR WEBSITE

Lloyd Saltman from Scotland went wire to wire to capture the 2010 Polaris World Condado Open today with an 11-under-par total of 205 earning him a five-shot margin of victory. The middle brother of the “Saltman brothers” had tremendous composure the entire round today, reported tournament director Wayne Hachey.

“You could see how cool he played his round today, the mark of a real champion. He just got on with it and took care of business, and did not let anyone come from behind with his solid performance of 70 today and a -11 total.”

Another Scotsman, former European Tour player Callum Macaulay, and Challenge Tour player Floris de Vries (Netherlands) were his nearest rivals. Both finished at -6.

De Vries fired a great 65 today on the demanding Nicklaus layout. After a short frost delay, the blue skies and gentle winds provided great scoring conditions to go along with the superb putting surfaces at Condado.
In the ladies section Johanna Lundberg (Sweden) shot a final round 71 to win by one shot over Josefin Leijon also from Sweden.
The senior award was won by European Tour veteran Miguel Angel Martin (Spain) who displayed his usual talents and closed the event with a fine 69 (nine shots better than his opening round.

*Lloyd Saltman's cash reward for victory was 2,100 Euros, giving him a grand total of 7,716 Euros from the three Hi5 Pro Tour events he has played.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
1-205 Lloyd Saltman (Scotland) 68 67 70.
T2-210 Floris De Vries (Netherlands) 73 72 65, Callum Macaulay (Scotland) 71 68 71.
4-211 Andreas Hogberg (Sweden) 71 68 72.
T5-214 Felix Fihn (Sweden) 71 72 71, Gary King (England) 68 76 70.
7-216 Gareth Davies (Wales) 75 70 71.
T8-217 Miguel Angel Martin (Spain) 78 70 69, Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark) 70 72 75.
10-220 Alex Belt (England) 71 73 76.
T11-221 Elliot Saltman (Scotland) 72 77 72, Patrick O'Neill (amateur) 72 74 75, Lasse Sonne Nielsen (Denmark) (amateur) 70 73 78.
14-222 Tim Sluiter (Netherlands) 70 72 80.
T15-224 Ruaidhri McGee (Ireland) 75 76 73, Richard Kind (Netherlands) 70 76 78, Jan-Philip Neuendorf (amateur) 73 75 76.
18-225 Ryan Street 76 77 72.
19-226 James Housby (England) 72 76 78.
T20-227 Zack Saltman (Scotland) 75 76 76, Martyn Hamer (England) 73 77 77, Emilo Rodriguez Aguilera (Spain) 73 76 78.
T23-228 Richard Carter (England) (amateur) 71 79 78, Adrian Axelsson (Sweden) 73 82 73.
T25-229 Stian Hansen (Norway) 79 75 75, Juhana Pernaa (amateur) 77 74 78.
27-230 Brad Clapp (Canada) 77 78 75.
T28-231 Emilio Rodriguez Senior 77 74 80, Vidar Thorstensen 74 81 76.
30-232 Stephen Shields 83 77 72.
T31-233 Paul O'Hanlon 74 76 83, Fredrik Thorin 80 77 76.
T33-235 Christer Friis 78 79 78, Scott Fitzgerald (England) 80 79 76, Edward Barry-Walsh (England) 82 81 72.
36-237 James Johnson (England) 77 83 77.
37-239 Alvaro Herrero (Spain) 83 76 80.
38-241 Ronan Collins (Ireland) 84 82 75.
39-271 Roy Van der Loop (Netherlands) 86 95 90
40-296 Jan Skoglund Paltto 99 103 94.

LADIES SCOREBOARD ON www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

Gullane gallop away with title as defending champs drop

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Gullane turned out for their final match in the East Lothian Winter League knowing anything but a 5-0 home defeat would be enough to secure the title.
That thought may have given some hope to opponents Haddington, themselves in need of a couple of league points to make sure of avoiding relegation.However, the match was more of a victory march for Jeff Aitken's side, with the hosts quickly taking control of all but the top tie, and in the end, there was some doubt as to which pairing secured the vital first point that won the title for Gullane.
Whether that claim fell to Fraser Syme and Murray Saunders on the 15th green in match 2, to Rob Jack and Mike Corrie on the 14th in match 3, or to Stuart Menzies and George Paterson on the 13th in match 5, nobody is quite sure.
What is certain is that Gullane secured their first Winter League title for 29 years, and Duncan Low and Scott Walker completed the day's work with a victory on the last green over Keith Nicholson and David Warner in the top tie.
Last year's Division 2 champions, Longniddry, completed their campaign with a win on the road at Kilspindie, and in so doing claimed runners-up spot.
However, there were more twists and turns in the race to avoid relegation and Dunbar completed their struggle for survival with a solid win away to Craigielaw. That was enough to preserve their top-flight credentials for another season and, at the same time, send the defending champions down.
Royal Musselburgh, the champions 11 times, suffered defeats at Haddington on Saturday and at Tantallon on Sunday and that leaves them vulnerable to the drop.
Tantallon's emphatic home win went some way to restoring confidence in a side that has been inconsistent this term, though they travel to Haddington next Saturday in the knowledge that they still need a draw to avoid the third automatic relegation spot.
And, should they win that match, they will move up to third place and send Royal Musselburgh into the play-off. Haddington will take heart from the 5-0 thrashing they handed out when they travelled to the coast in October, and have their sights set on a home win that will earn them the right to contest Sunday's play-off at Tantallon's expense.
Kilspindie return to Division 2 and will be joined in the drop by last year's champions, Craigielaw.
Glen have been on top of the Division 2 table all season, and duly finished off the job with a 4-1 win on the road against Musselburgh Old.
With just one defeat all season, Innes Christie's side can now look forward to competing in an elite six-team Division 1 next year.
Whitekirk have kept up the pressure all the way, and started the day just a point in arrears. Their match at Gifford was postponed due to snow and, with the title decided, that fixture cannot now have any bearing on the final placings.
As Division 2 runners up, Andy Ovens' men will have a second shot at promotion in the play-off match at Gullane next Sunday.

Lothians warm up with match at Kingsknowe
Lothians are to face a club side in Edinburgh as part of their preparations for the new season.
Keith Nicholson has indicated he'll be trying to field his strongest side possible for the friendly at Kingsknowe on Saturday week.
"This is a real feather in our cap as I don't think it's something the Lothians have done before," said Kingsknowe team captain Bill Buchan.
"We were delighted that Keith liked the idea straight away when we made the approach."
The following weekend – on 27 March – a Lothians Select will face a Lothians Boys/Youths Select at Craigielaw, giving Nicholson another chance to run the rule over players.

Windyhill Pro David Roger takes West Alliance

honours at Lanark Golf Club with two-under 68

By JOHN CARRELL
West of Scotland Golfers' Alliance secretary
A total of 60 amateurs and 15 professionals were put to the test in this week's West of Scotland Golfers' Alliance competition at a frosty Lanark Golf Club.
The start was delayed by an hour and a half while we waited for the sun to soften the ground. Play got underway at 9.30 with only one winter green. The course looked in great condition and the players enjoyed their time on this Open Qualifying course.
David Roger, the pro from Windyhill, took an early lead on 68 with five birdies and no bogies in the first nine. The second nine was looking good with par all the way till the 18th where he took a triple bogey 6 to leave him on two under par. The mistake on the 18th turned out to be okay though as no-one managed to overtake him for the rest of the day.
Previous winner Stevie Gray, the pro from Hayston, came equal second with two young amateurs, James Hendrick (+1) from Bonnyton and Conor O'Neill (+2) from Pollock, both on par 70.
The amateurs' prize went to Kevin McCann (7) who finished with a net 66. Kevin Caldwell (4) from Hayston and Brian Robertson (11) from Forrester Park shared second place on 69.
Seniors prize went to the last outing's amateur winner, John Greene (12), who carded a net 70.
PRIZEWINNERS
Scratch
68 David Roger (Windyhill) p £110.
70 Stevie Gray (Hayston)p £60, James Hendrick (+1) (Bonnyton) and Conor O'Neill (+2) (Pollock) £60 vouchers each.
Handicap
Prize Vouchers
66 Kevin McCann (Vale of Leven) (7) £80.
69 Kevin Caldwell (Hayston) (4), Brian Robertson (Forrester Park) (11) £42.50 each.
71 Andrew Sturton (Forrester Park) (9) £25.
Seniors
Prize Vouchers
70 John Greene (Cowglen) (12) £30.
72 John Mansfield (Troon Merchants) (15) £20.

Our top three handicap winners also shared the sweep money, while eight players who achieved 2s on the day shared our amateurs' 2s sweep money.

Greig Marchbank tops SGU U16s' Winter Series Order of Merit

SCOTTISH GOLF ACADEMY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Winter Series Under-16 boys' Final Order of Merit

Event 1 at Nairn Dunbar (October 18, 2009).
Event 2 at Whitekirk (November 22, 2009).
Event 3 at Eden course, St Andrews (February 7, 2010).
Event 4 at Forrester Park (March 7, 2010).

1 Greig Marchbank Thornhill 4 675.00
2 Ewan Scott St Andrews 3 585.00
3 Lawrence Allan Alva 4 572.50
4 Craig Howie Peebles 4 535.00
5 Calum Hill Tantallan 4 515.00
6 Daniel Flannery Peebles 4 425.00
7 Anthony Blaney Liberton 4 367.50
8 Bradley Neil Blairgowrie 4 363.33
9 James Steven Kirkhill 4 361.88
10 Bob Macintyre Glencruitten 4 343.33
11 Cameron Farrell Cardross 3 340.00
12 Blair Carnegie Dunblane New 4 310.00
13 Jordan Shaw Kingussie 3 297.50
14 Alasdair McDougall Elderslie 4 271.88
15 Charlie Linton Dunblane New 4 269.38
16 Jamie Savage Cawder 4 269.00
17 Fraser Lauder Paisley 4 267.50
18 Euan Bowden Glen 3 230.00
19 Scott Whannel Newton Stewart 4 227.50
20 Ewen Ferguson Bearsden 4 214.83
21 Alasdair McDougall New Club St Andrews 4 204.38
22 Andrew Loch Pumpherston 4 172.50
23 Ross Proctor Forres 4 164.38
24 Euan Walker Kilmarnock (Barassie) 4 156.50
25 Ben Murray Portlethen 3 149.00
26 Greig Stewart Crieff 4 144.38
27 Craig Oram Nairn Dunbar 4 135.00
28 Craig Anderson Sandyhills 4 115.00
29 Calum John Mckay Grange 3 97.50
30 Charlie Macneal Troon Wellbeck 1 87.50
31 Jack Moir Newburgh on Ythan 2 85.00
32 David Slack Gourock 1 75.00
33 Robbie Gauld Cruden Bay 4 69.00
T34 Connor Syme Dumfries & County 3 49.38
T34 Neil McArthur Bishopbriggs 3 49.38
T36 Ryan Gordon Alford 3 35.00
T36 Jamie Boon Forres 2 35.00
T36 Ray Gordon Alford 2 35.00
39 Craig Boyd Lanark 4 20.00
T40 Gary Foley Ralston 4 10.00
T40 Robbie Spriddle Dunfermline 4 10.00

+Under-16 girls' Winter Series Final Order of Merit on www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL FINAL QUALIFYING - ASIA

Teenager Noh wins
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place at Open

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Kuala Lumpur: Noh Seung-yul of South Korea completed a sensational run in Malaysia after qualifying for the Open at St Andrews in July with Malaysia ’s Danny Chia, Japanese Hiroyuki Fujita and amateur Eric Chun of South Korea at the International Final Qualifying – Asia today.
Noh, winner of last week’s Maybank Malaysian Open, claimed one of the four tickets to the world’s oldest Major after closing with a four-under-par 68 in the tournament that was won by Fujita who signed off with a 66 for a two-day total of 11-under-par 133 at the Saujana Golf and Country Club.
Chia shot a 68 to finish in tied second position alongside Noh on 134 and will make his third appearance in the Open. Chun, who finished second at the inaugural Asian Amateur Championship in China last year, birdied his last hole to join the trio at St Andrews in July.
“I’m really happy but honestly it hasn’t settled in yet. It has been a great two weeks for me but I’m not going to let it get to my head,” said the 18-year-old Noh.
Noh romped home with two birdies on his last two holes and was delighted with his round except for a bogey on the 16th hole and is now relishing the opportunity to play in his first Major.
“I’m more experienced now after last week and that has certainly carried over to this week. I treat every tournament the same and I’m looking forward to playing against the world’s best,” added the South Korean.
Chia got off to a bright start with an eagle 2 on the fourth hole when his drive landed 15 feet from the pin. He last played in the Open in 2005, which was also held at St Andrews and in 2008.
He said that he felt confident going into the final three holes. “The thrill of returning to The Open started with three more holes to go. I always want to show my fans that I’m not going to crack at the pressure point and kept telling myself to keep calm and focus,” said Chia who has won once on the Asian Tour.
“A lot of things were going through my mind yesterday. I found it hard to sleep! I always try to prove myself in front of the home crowd that Malaysian professionals can make it into the next level in golf and I did that today,” added the Malaysian who mixed his round with an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys.
Fujita, the highest ranked player at 80th in the world, who also featured in the Open in 2005 where he played in all four rounds, was delighted to top the qualifier courtesy of a flawless round highlighted by six birdies.
“My ball striking wasn’t really good but my putting helped a lot this week. There was a lot of good players here and I didn’t expect to win so I’m glad to be able to win it and of course to play in a Major again,” said the two-time Asian Tour winner.
Chun, who was on five-under alongside three other players going into the final hole, held his nerve to sink his birdie putt from four feet to claim the last place at St Andrews.
“I have never been so nervous in my life and I’m just happy it worked out well. I was really patient today and that was the key for me. Every putt I had out here these two days were as important as my last putt. All these other good putts led me to this opportunity.
“I haven’t played at St Andrews before or let alone been anywhere near there! So I’m looking forward to it. I’ve only seen it on television and heard about it so to play there is amazing,” said Chun who turned 20 on Monday.
The Open will celebrate its 150th anniversary at the Old Course, St Andrews from July 15-18 this year.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS


Par 144 (2x72)
133 Hiroyuki FUJITA (JPN) 67-66
134 NOH Seung-Yul (KOR) 66-68, Danny CHIA (MAS) 66-68
138 Eric CHUN (A) (KOR) 67-71
Top-four above qualify for The Open.
139 KIM Dae-Hyun KOR 73-66, Keith HORNE (RSA) 73-66, Andrew DODT (AUS) 74-65
140 HIDETO Tanihara (JPN) 72-68, Guido VAN DER VALK (HOL) 71-69
141 Tetsuji HIRATSUKA (JPN) 73-68, HAN Chang-Won (A) (KOR) 73-68
142 LAM Chih-Bing (SIN) 73-69, Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 69-73, David GLEESON (AUS) 74-68
143 M.Sasidaran (MAS) 72-71, Miles TUNNICLIFF (ENG) 71-72
144 Airil Rizman ZAHARI (MAS) 73-71, Mars PUCAY (PHI) 72-72, Yoshinobu TSUKADA (JPN) 72-72, LEE Sung (KOR) 70-74

Leading Scots in R&A World Amateur Rankings

The top seven Scots in this week's R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings are:

49 Ross Kellett (down four places from last week).
66 James Byrne (down 6).
169 Glenn Campbell (down 2).
180 Michael Stewart (down 1).
188 Mark Hillson (down 17).
278 James White (down 13).
324 David Law (down 14).

Fairways Target Golf Leagues Week 7

By Neil D. Hampton
Golf & Marketing Director, Loch Ness Golf Course
Web: www.golflochness.com
MONDAY LEAGUE REPORT
It was a night of upsets in the Monday league as both the top two teams lost. Orion and BM Trucks found themselves in the unusual position of being the night’s two lowest scoring teams as they tasted rare defeats.
Orion fell to the Parahandies, the night’s top scorers and now second in the league but it was the BM Trucks defeat that caused the biggest sensation as they lost to the Happy Gilmour's who recorded only their second win of the season.
The Sainties had their best score of the season but are still to get off the mark as the Neverwillbees also had their highest score! As this was the last game before the league splits the crunch match was for the final place in the top half and Royal Swingers who were 4th faced their nearest challengers the Specialists.
It was the Specialists who took the win and joined the Royal Swingers on 6 points but the Swingers held onto 4th spot by virtue of a better shots scored record having scored a total of just 10 more points than the Specialists in 7 games!. There are now 3 games left to decide the two qualifiers for the end of season play-offs.
RESULTS
Specialists 55 – 48 Royal Swingers
Sainties 43 – 63 The Neverwillbees
Parahandies 64 – 34 Orion
Happy Gilmour’s 37 – 32 BM Trucks.

TUESDAY LEAGUE REPORT
Things were a little bit more clear cut in the Tuesday League and only one of the top teams suffered defeat but this was not enough to drop them out of the top half. It was the Senior Moments who took the scalp of Muirton Marvels with their best score of the season so far but it was just too late and they will have to content themselves with being the best of the rest at the moment now that the league table split has been made.
The Marvels drop down to 4th place as the Luckless Leadbetters finally got back on form knocking in an impressive 61 (their best of the season too!) against the Coastguards. Fairhurst continued their good form and consolidated their second place in the league table with a solid win over the Mad Drivers but it was league leaders King Kenyon’s Klan who had the best score of the night with 72 as the thumped stable mates Fairways who are still adrift at the bottom.
The Klan have a 2 point lead over Fairhurst moving into the split but the Leadbetters look menacing just 2 points behind Fairhurst with 3 games to go.
RESULTS
Coastguards 27 – 61 Luckless Leadbetters
Mad Drivers 28 – 40 Fairhurst Fore
King Kenyon’s Klan 72 – 21 Fairways
Muirton Marvels 36 – 53 Senior Moments.

TABLES

MONDAY LEAGUE
1 Orion 12pt
2 Parahandies 12
3 BM Trucks 10
4 Royal Swingers 6
5 Specialists 6
6 Neverwillbees 6
7 Happy Gilmour's 4
8 The Sainties 0
TUESDAY LEAGUE
1 King Kenyon's Klan 12pt
2 Fairhurst Fore 10
3 Luckless Leadbetters 8
4 Muirton Marvels 8
5 Senior Moments 6
6 Coastguards 6
7 Mad Drivers 4
8 Fairways

Royal Lytham to host Walker Cup in 2015

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NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R&A
The R&A has announced that Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club will host the 45th Walker Cup Match, in 2015. The biennial contest between Great Britain & Ireland and the USA will take place on the Lancashire links on September 12 and 13 that year.
“We are delighted that Royal Lytham & St Annes has agreed to host the Walker Cup in 2015,” said David Hill, The R&A’s Director of Championships. “As one of Great Britain and Ireland’s premier links courses, it will undoubtedly provide a stern test befitting a contest that has come to represent the pinnacle of amateur achievement.
“The golfing public in the north-west of England are extremely knowledgeable and have always shown a keen interest in the amateur game,” Hill added. “We look forward to welcoming them to Lytham in 2015 for what will be a fantastic celebration of golf.”
Lytham has a proud association with the amateur game. Bobby Jones became only the third amateur to lift the Claret Jug when he won the first of his three Open Championships there, in 1926. The venue has also staged four Amateur Championships in 1935, 1955, 1986 and in 2007, when Drew Weaver, a member of the USA’s winning Walker Cup team last year, defeated Australian Tim Stewart 2&1 in the final.
“Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club is both delighted and honoured to be asked to host the Walker Cup in 2015,” said Paul Gardner, captain of the club. “Royal Lytham prides itself on strong connections with the amateur game, which it supports every year by holding the Lytham Trophy, a major event for those seeking Walker Cup selection.
“The last two years have seen significant Course improvements, following consultation with The R&A, which will lead to an enhanced challenge for all competitors in major events throughout this decade and beyond.”
Though the Club will be hosting the Walker Cup for the first time in 2015, it is no stranger to international team matches, having hosted the Ryder Cup in 1961 and 1977: the USA beating Great Britain & Ireland on both occasions.
Royal Lytham & St Annes has hosted The Open Championship on 10 previous occasions and will do so again in 2012.
In 2011 the Walker Cup will be played at Royal Aberdeen in Scotland. Following that, the 2013 Match will be contested at the National Golf Links of America, Long Island, New York.

Hi5 TOUR REPORT AND SCORES

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Lloyd Saltman birdie blitz
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to lead by four in Spain
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FROM THE SPANISH Hi5 PRO TOUR WEBSITE
Scotland's Lloyd Saltman (Aegon) enjoys a four-shot lead going into the final round of the Polaris World Condado Open despite starting his second round with a couple of bogeys.
However, the middle brother, pictured right, of the three Saltman siblings from the Lothians who are playing in Spain this week, answered with eight birdies during the remainder of his round en route to a fine 67 on the 6800 metre Nicklaus signature course.
His nearest rivals are Andreas Hogeberg (Sweden) and fellow-Scot Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan), both at five under par.
Cool temperatures with strong winds faced the players today to go along with the slick greens so scoring was not very easy. made scoring not very easy.
In the ladies' division ladies LET player Josefin Leijon (Sweden) took over the lead after a 75 today and holds a two-shot lead over Mari Suusalu from Estonia and yesterday's leader Johanna Lundberg (Sweden) who slipped back with a 79 today.
LEADING MEN'S SCORES
Par 144 (2x72)
135 Lloyd Saltman (Scotland) 68 67.
139 Andreas Hogeberg (Sweden) 71 68, Callum Macaulay (Scotland) 71 68.
142 Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark) 70 72, Tim Sluiter (Netherlands) 70 72.
143 Lasse Nielsen (Denmark) (amateur) 70 73, Felix Fihn (Sweden) 71 72.
144 Gary King (England) 68 76, Alex Belt (England) 71 73.
Selected scores
149 Elliot Saltman (Scotland) 72 77 (jt 17th).
151 Zack Saltman (Scotland) 75 76 (jt 22nd)
LEADING LADIES' SCORES
151 Josefin Leijon (Sweden) 76 75.
153 Mari Suursalu (Estonia) 78 75, Johanna Lundberg (Sweden) 74 79.
155 Caroline Martens-Larson (Norway) 81 74

Ewan Scott captain of SGU Under-16s for Netherlands

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
St Andrews starlet Ewan Scott will captain Scotland’s Under-16s boys team at next month’s Boys Quadrangular Development Series against Holland, Ireland and Wales in The Netherlands from April 13 to 15.
The 14-year-old, who last summer became the first Scot to win the English Boys U14s Championship, recently finished second in the Scottish Golf Academy Winter Series Order of Merit and has been rewarded with the captain’s armband in a team of eight.
Thornhill’s Greig Marchbank, who pipped Scott to win the Winter Series title at the weekend, is also included alongside Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie), who won the Loretto School Scottish Boys U14s Championship at Largs in July and Alva’s Lawrence Allan, winner of the opening Academy winter event.
Peebles have two representatives in the team, with 15-year-olds Craig Howie and Daniel Flannery – fourth and sixth respectively in the Winter Series – included, with the Lothians duo of Callum Hill (Tantallon) and Anthony Blaney (Liberton) also featuring in the line-up.
The event is still in its infancy, having been first piloted at Forrester Park in Fife three years ago, with the Scots defending the title they won in Wales last year. The team has been selected based on the top six in the Winter Series, with two additional picks by the selectors.
National Junior Coach Spencer Henderson said:
“The Boys Quadrangular Development Series gives our younger players the experience of playing for their country against some of the leading youngsters from other European countries and the chance to prove themselves in a highly competitive environment.”
“Our new Junior Winter Series has been hugely beneficial in identifying young players and in fact the top eight in the rankings have all been selected, including four from our Boys Development Squad. We have a strong team with some good experience in competing at a high level for their age group, with two national champions in Ewan and Bradley, so we are confident of performing well again.” he added.
The side players will be accompanied by Scottish Golf Academy Coach Neil Marr and Team Manager Walter McLean.
Scotland Boys U16s Team:
Ewan Scott (St Andrews) Captain
Greig Marchbank (Thornhill)
Lawrence Allan (Alva)
Craig Howie (Peebles)
Calum Hill (Tantallan)
Daniel Flannery (Peebles)
Anthony Blaney (Liberton)
Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie)

Non-travelling reserve:
Blair Carnegie (Dunblane New)

Lockhart and McKay tie with 69s at Burntisland Golf House

By LEE SUTHERLAND, Professional, Ballumbie Castle Golf Club.
This week the Midland Golfers Alliance held the Eddie Sherry pro-am at Burntisland Golf House Club in Fife.
There was a tie for first scratch between Ladybank assistant pro Alan Lockhart and Donald McKay, the Wellsgreen professional, both with scores of two-under-par 69.
Winners of the team competition by a margin of five shots were Guy Mathieson (Dunnikier Park), Jim Brown (Kirkcaldy), Jack Cree (Thornton) and Jim Muir (Scotscraig) with a score of 124.
LEADING SCRATCH
69 A Lockhart (Ladybank) ap, D McKay (Wellsgreen) p.
71 R Stewart (Tulliallan).
72 R Ford (Scotscraig).
73 P Jamieson (Dunblane New) p, M Rae (Alyth) ap, A J Webster (Edzell) p.
LEADING TEAMS
124 G Mathieson (Dunnikier Park) (4), J Brown (Kirkcaldy) (9), J Cree (Thornton) (11), J Muir (Scotscraig) (10).
129 (better inward half) R Ford (Scotscraig) (4), R Redpath (Scotscraig) (4), J Rankin (Scotscraig) (9), R Beatt (Scotscraig) (12).
129 S O'Donnell (Balbirnie Park) ap, C Wallace (Caird Park) (10), G Milne (Aberdour) (5), C Marr (Glenrothes) (13).

Next week's meeting: THURSDAY, MARCH 18 - CRIEFF GOLF CLUB (8.30am - 12.30)

Because of the current snow at Crieff there is a doubt if it will be playable next Thursday. If it is unplayable, then Drumoig is on standby.
Watch this space for on-off news.

EDINBURGH & EAST OF SCOTLAND ALLIANCE
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Duddingston Golf Club

THORNTON CUP - Overall Winner: Ian Fraser (Duddingston) 65

SCRATCH PRIZEWINNERS
1st £100 Smith Stuart Duddingston 67
2nd equal £60 Erskine Andrew Ratho Park 69
2nd equal £60 Patrick David Elie 69
2nd equal £60 Thomson Mike Torwoodlee 69
5th £20 Catlin Scott Greenburn 71

HANDICAP PRIZEWINNERS
vouchers for amateurs
1st £100 Fraser Ian Duddingston (4) 65
2nd £80 Kemp Alex Duddingston (9) 67
3rd equal £40 Graham David Lochend (5) 68
3rd equal £40 Stewart Duncan Craigielaw (9) 68
3rd equal £40 Paterson Bryan Dunfermline (7) 68

TRAINEE PRIZEWINNER
£20 Mathieson Terry King's Acre 72

LEADING NET SCORES
1 Fraser Ian Duddingston Senior 69 4 65
2 Kemp Alex Duddingston Amateur 76 9 67
3 Graham David Lochend Amateur 73 5 68
4 Paterson Bryan Dunfermline Senior 75 7 68
5 Stewart Duncan Craigielaw Amateur 77 9 68
6 Denholm Robert Duddingston Amateur 74 5 69
7 Smith Stuart Duddingston Amateur 67 -2 69
8 Summers Alastair Musselburgh Amateur 76 7 69
9 Bootland Hinton Duddingston Senior 76 6 70
10 Brown Stuart Glencorse Amateur 75 5 70
11 Downing Stewart Craigmillar Park Amateur 78 8 70
12 Gilhooley Stephen Duddingston Senior 76 6 70
13 Johnston Richard Glenbervie Amateur 72 2 70
14 Miller William Falkirk Tryst Amateur 76 6 70
15 Sutherland Donald Linlithgow Senior 80 10 70
16 Thomson Mike Torwoodlee Amateur 69 -1 70
17 Laing William Prestonfield Amateur 77 6 71
18 McCluskey John Archerfield Amateur 84 13 71
19 Ritchie Peter Bathgate Senior 80 9 71
20 Rodaks George Dunfermline Amateur 72 1 71
21 Rothney Andrew Deer Park Amateur 72 1 71
22 Black George Torwoodlee Amateur 76 4 72
23 Clark Gavin Duddingston Amateur 79 7 72
24 Cowie Keith Newbattle Amateur 82 10 72
25 Jeffrey Peter Duddingston Amateur 85 13 72
26 Lewis Tom West Lothian Senior 85 13 72
27 Stevens Glyn King's Acre Amateur 80 8 72
28 Dickinson Graham Torwoodlee Senior 81 8 73
29 McLean John Bathgate Senior 77 4 73
30 Reid Kenneth West Lothian Amateur 75 2 73
31 White Justin Harrison Amateur 77 4 73
32 Wight Andrew Glencorse Senior 74 1 73
33 Cordery Thomas Musselburgh Amateur 78 4 74
34 Marr William West Lothian Senior 83 9 74
35 Taylor Ian Royal Burgess Amateur 75 1 74
36 Wilson Thomas Glenbervie Amateur 76 2 74
37 Young Alan Lochend Amateur 82 8 74
38 Doyle Steven Gifford Amateur 79 4 75
39 Fish Derek Glenbervie Amateur 76 1 75
40 Forsyth Walter Peebles Amateur 85 10 75
41 Murray Roy West Lothian Amateur 83 8 75
42 Wyse Ian Falkirk Tryst Amateur 86 11 75
43 Young Scott Turnhouse Amateur 76 1 75
44 Adams Thomas Aberdour Senior 86 10 76
45 Chaplin Mark Deer Park Amateur 76 0 76
46 Fyfe Ian Musselburgh Amateur 78 2 76
47 Knowles Scott Kingsknowe Amateur 78 2 76
48 Leggate Philip Musselburgh Amateur 85 9 76
49 Louden Michael Glencorse Amateur 79 3 76
50 Scott Jim Swanston New Senior 84 8 76
51 Sewell Peter West Linton Amateur 82 6 76
52 Skinner Grant Glencorse Amateur 79 3 76
53 Smith Brian Edinburgh Thistle Amateur 83 7 76
54 Smith William Harburn Senior 88 12 76
55 Wardlaw Stuart Harburn Senior 86 10 76
56 Watson Scott Leven Amateur 81 5 76

TITLE-HOLDER McLEAN DISQUALIFIED
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IN N-E ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Defending champion Philip McLean disqualified himself after returning a three-under-par 65 which would have made him the first-round leader by two strokes of the 36-hole North-east Golfers’ championship at Duff House Royal Golf Club, Banff today.
After driving home to Peterhead and discussing the day’s play with a fellow competitor, McLean realised that he had taken a lift and drop without penalty from an out of bounds area on the bank of the River Deveron at the seventh hole, believing it to be ground under repair.
Alliance secretary Ron Menzies said: “Philip phoned me at the clubhouse and I had to confirm that the club had declared the semi-rough area in question out of bounds on health and safety grounds because the river bank is crumbling at that point and there is a risk that if competitors go too close to the bank, they will fall into the river.
“There was a message about it on the clubhouse noticeboard and also on display at the first tee but I do have some sympathy for the player.”
Three players share the lead on one-under-par 67 at the head of a field of 98 at the halfway stage of the championship - Fraserburgh’s Kris Nicol, one of only two Scots to qualify for the match-play stages of last week’s Spanish amateur championship, Inchmarlo tour pro Paul Cormack , and last man in, Newburgh club pro Ian Bratton.
Nicol recovered from a double-bogey 6 at the first with birdies at the fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth to reach the turn in two-under-par 32. Eight pars and a bogey 6 at the 12th made up an inward half of one-over 35.
Cormack also had a double bogey 6, at the fourth, but birdies at the third, sixth, 12th, 13th and 18th helped him round in halves of 34 and 33.
Bratton, out in 33 with birdies at the second and fifth, added the 10th and 12th to his bag of sub-par figures but faltered with bogeys at the 16th and 17th when set to take a clear lead.
Tongue in cheek, Ian blamed a passing motorist for putting him off his putting stroke by tooting his horn while he was on the 17th green!
Scottish boys’ and men’s match-play champion David Law (Hazlehead) is in fourth position, one shot off the pace with a level par 68 in which he birdied the first, second and fifth in 33 to the turn. He had one birdie, at the short 11th and two bogeys for 35 home.
Banchory's Scott Larkin, the man in form in recent weeks, had to settle for a 72 after driving his first ball out of bounds on to the practice area. His second ball off the tee landed on the green ... but Scott three-putted!
The second and final round of the championship is at Cruden Bay next Wednesday.

+Philip McLean could not have played in the second round anyway. Same goes for David Law. They are in the Scotland squad for next week's European Nations Cup at Sotogrande. But McLean's blunder did cost him the first prize voucher of around £100 for leading the first round scratch scores. Later news: Joint leader Kris Nicol will not be available for next week's fixture either, as he's off to South Africa for warm weather training with the Scottish Golf Union tomorrow for 11 days.
+Two other first-round contestants who are "otherwise engaged" instead of playing in next week's second round are former Press and Journal editor (and Scotland tennis international) Harry Roulston (Stonehaven) and Golf Monthly writer Fergus Bisset (Banchory). Harry is going on a Caribbean cruise while Fergus is playing with D Ford (Royal North Devon) in the Sunningdale foursomes, starting on Tuesday. Their first-round opponents are well-known tennis player of recent Wimbledon history, Tim Henman, apparently a quite useful golfer, and T Crawley, an all-Sunningdale partnership. Both pairings are playing off scratch.
+Roy Pirie (Caledonian), who had returned a 73, also phoned secretary Ron Menzies later to disqualify himself for not observing the seventh hole local rule. Are golfers more honest than any other sportsmen or women? I think so.

CHAMPIONSHIP - FIRST ROUND
Par 68
67 Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh), Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo), Ian Bratton (Newburgh) p.
68 David Law (Hazlehead).
69 Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon).
70 Anthony Bews (Murcar Links).
71 Patrick Lovie (P1 Corporate) p, Brian Nicholson (Auchmill), Mike Jenkins (Duff House Royal), Ryan Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo) p, Kyle Nelson (Murcar Links).
72 Craig Carnegie (Kemnay), Scott Larkin (Banchory), Duncan Clark (Duff House Royal), Fergus Bisset (Banchory), Stewart Finnie (Caledonian).
73 Justin Duff (Fraserburgh), John Nicolson (Auchmill), Laura Murray (Alford), Richard Hyland (Craibstone).
74 Jim Emslie (Royal Aberdeen).
75 Barry Brooks (Meldrum House), David Naylor (Banchory) p, David Corkey (Royal Aberdeen).
76 Paul McIntosh (Newburgh).
77 Billy Main (Murcar Links), Alistair Fiddes (Deeside), Steven Kennedy (Craibstone), Stewart Pert (Huntly), George Paterson (Northern), Craig Stewart (Kippie Lodge).
78 John Hamilton (Murcar Links), Sandy Elrick (Kemnay), Mark Lawrie (Kemnay), David Wilson (Duff House Royal), Keil Beveridge (Aboyne) p, David McKay (Caledonian).
79 John Mitchell (Fraserburgh), Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon), James Moodie (Kingsliffe) p.
80 Brian Harper (Newburgh), Charles Cassie (Nigg Bay), Alister Petrie (Oldmeldrum), Neish Chisholm (Kemnay), Nigel Parker (Murcar Links).
81 John Borthwick (Craibstone), Harry Roulston (Stonehaven), Dave MacKay (Newmachar), Les Fowler (Royal Aberdeen). Mike Booth (Kemnay), Dave Nelson (Aboyne).

HANDICAP
Class 1 – C Carnegie (Kemnay) (4) 68; D Law (Hazlehead) (+1), K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) (scr), B Nicolson (Auchmill) (2), J Nicolson (Auchmill) (4), Laura Murray (Alford) (4), K Nelson (Murcar Links) (2) 69; K Nicol (Fraserburgh (+3), M Jenkins (Duff House Royal) (1), F Bisset (Banchory) (1) 70.

Class 2 – S Kennedy (Craibstone) (11) 69; A Petrie (Oldmeldrum) (10), G Kelly (Peterculter) (14) 70; N Chisholm (Kemnay) (9), N Parker (Murcar Links) (8), M Booth (Kemnay) (10), N Stewart (Northern) (12) 71; H McNaughton (Cruden Bay) (11) 72; I Strachan (Royal Aberdeen) (11) 73; J Jessiman (Oldmeldrum) (14) 74.

DUFF HOUSE ROYAL SCORECARD: Par 68
OUT: 4-4-4-4-4-3-4-4-3--34. IN: 4-3-5-3-4-4-3-4-4--34.

KRIS NICOL 67
OUT: 6-4-4-4-3-3-3-3-2--32. IN: 3-3-6-3-4-4-3-4-4--35.
PAUL CORMACK 67
OUT: 4-4-3-6-4-2-4-4-3--34. IN: 4-4-4-2-4-4-4-4-3--33
IAN BRATTON 67
OUT: 4-3-4-4-3-3-5-4-3--33. IN: 3-3-4-3-4-4-4-5-4--34

DAVID LAW 68
OUT: 3-3-4-4-3-3-5-4-4--33. IN: 5-2-5-3-4-4-3-4-5--35

KEVIN DUNCAN 69
OUT: 4-4-4-4-5-2-5-4-3--35. IN: 4-3-4-3-4-5-3-4-4--34

ANTHONY BEWS 70
OUT: 4-4-4-4-5-4-5-4-2--36. IN: 4-3-4-3-5-4-4-3-4--34
+In case you are interested in the scorecard of the disqualified Philip McLean (65), here is is:
OUT: 4-4-3-4-3-3-4-4-3--32. IN: 4-3-4-3-4-4-3-5--3--33