DRAW FOR MAITLAND SHIELD, CITY OF ABERDEEN FOURSOMES

                                                         SPONSORED BY THE CULTS HOTEL
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Royal Aberdeen Golf Club are the hosts for this year's City of Aberdeen Foursomes for the Maitland Shield (named after Adam Maitland, who was Lord Provost from 1914-1918).

Bon Accord are the trophy-holders. Their quartet of

Barrie Edmond, Neil Mitchell, Matt Greig and Graham

Somers beat Peterculter, the host club, in last year's final by a combined aggregate of four holes.

The popular men's double foursomes tournament,
one of the oldest on the North-east golfing calendar, is sponsored by The Cults Hotel.

DRAW

FIRST ROUND
Monday, May 21
5pm Northern v Bon Accord.
5.15 Royal Aberdeen v Hazlehead.
5.30 Deeside v Stonehaven.
Tuesday, May 22
5pm Caledonian v Portlethen.
5.15 Newmachar v Murcar Links
5.30 Peterculter v Nigg Bay.

QUARTER-FINALS
Wednesday, May 23
4.45 Banchory v Auchmill.
5pm Northern or Bon Accord v Royal Aberdeen or Hazlehead.
5.15 Deeside or Stonehaven v Caledonian or Portlethen.
5.30 Newmachar or Murcar Links v Peterculter or Nigg Bay.

SEMI-FINALS
Thursday, May 24
4.45 Banchory or Auchmill v Northern/Bon Accord or Royal Aberdeen/Hazlehead.
5pm Deeside/Stonehaven or Caledonian/Portlethen v Newmachar/Murcar Links or Peterculter/Nigg Bay.

FINAL
Friday, May 25
4.45pm

BURGOYNE ONLY SCOT IN CONTENTION AT SENIORS' Q SCHOOL

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
American Dick Mast carded a second consecutive four under par 67 to take a four stroke lead at the halfway mark of the European Senior Tour Qualifying School Final Stage in Portugal.
The 59 year old, who finished third in The 2006 Senior Open Championship at Turnberry, sank a curling 12ft birdie putt on the par three fifth hole to kick-start his round before adding four more birdies to his card, dropping his only shot of the day on the 11th.
Mast’s eight under par total of 134 at Pestana Golf Resort’s Vale da Pinta leaves him in pole position to secure one of the 14 available cards, as he surged past compatriot and overnight leader Charlie Bolling, who followed up his opening round course record 64 with a three over par 74 to slip back to four under par, alongside Englishman Paul Wesselingh who carded a 67.
With two rounds remaining on Portugal’s Algarve, Mast knows he needs to remain patient if he is to succeed countryman Tim Thelen as winner of the Senior Tour Qualifying School.
“I didn’t hit it as well today but I managed myself better and I knew the course a little better,” said Mast. “I didn’t make any big mistakes today unlike yesterday when I three-putted three times and hit it out of bounds once.
“I scored well today for the way I hit it and hung in well. I was patient today which pleased me. The course is toughening up as it dries out and you need to have good position out there. With the position I’m in now it suits me as I can go for the middle of the green as I don’t always need to make birdie. If someone is trying to catch you they have to go for flags.
“I’ve quite a naturally aggressive player so I’ve been reminding myself to back off a little. But that can hurt you too as you need to play your game but I will try to play percentage shots aggressively over the next two days.”
With five of his compatriots Mitch Adcock, JC Anderson, Bolling, Zeke P Martinez and Kris Moe also contending for the all-important top 14 positions at the halfway mark, Mast is hopeful of a strong American graduation onto the 2012 Senior Tour following Thursday’s final round.
“There are more of us here this year and it would be nice to get three or four us through together so we can travel together,” said Mast. “It’s looking good so far.”
Five-time Senior Tour champion Delroy Cambridge is also on course to secure playing privileges for the new season after a second round 70 moved the Jamaican into joint fourth position with Englishman Steve Cipa on three under par.
Another former Senior Tour winner, 2009 Scottish Senior Open winner Glenn Ralph, is a further shot back in a share of sixth position, alongside Australian Tim Elliott and Englishman Jeff Hall.
SCOTSWATCH
Only Oban-based Terry Burgoyne of the seven Scots in the field of 74 is in contention for pass marks after 72 holes. The top six will gain full playing rights on the over-50s circuit while the next eight will be able to play in a limited number of events in 2012.
Burgoyne is in joint ninth place at the halfway stage with rounds of 68 and 73 for 141 - seven shots behind the pacemaking American Dick Mast, who has had a pair of 67s for eight-under-par 134 to lead by four.
All the other Scots have a fight on their hands to survive the third-round cut.
Edzell pro Alastair Webster is close to the borderline in joint 36th position with rounds of 72 and 75 for 147.
Lindsay Mann (Carnoustie) and Iain Parker (Royal North Devon) are joint 42nd on 148. Mann has shot 75-73, Parker 71-77.
Deeside's Peter Smith, David James from Dumfries and Murray White (Penfold Park, Watford) are seemingly right out of it on the eight-over 150 mark. Smith has had a pair of 75s, James 78-72 and White 72-78 for a share of 52nd place.


LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 142 (2x71)
134 Dick Mast (US) 67 67.
138 Paul Wesselingh (Eng) 71 67, Charlie Bolling (US) 64 74.
SCOTS' SCORES
141 Terry Burgoyne 68 73 (T9).
147 Alastair Webster 72 75 (T36).
148 Lindsay Mann 75 73, Iain Parker 71 77 (T42).
150 Peter Smith 75 75, David James 75 72, Murray White 72 78 (T52).

COMPLETE SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 142 (2x71)
134 D Mast (USA) 67 67
138 C Bolling (USA) 64 74, P Wesselingh (Eng) 71 67
139 D Cambridge (Jam) 69 70, S Cipa (Eng) 70 69
140 J Hall (Eng) 71 69, T Elliott (Aus) 68 72, G Ralph (Eng) 69 71
141 P Horrobin (Jam) 69 72, M Guzman (Arg) 74 67, T Burgoyne (Sco) 68 73, J Heggarty (Nir) 70 71, R Gibson (Can) 68 73
142 A Takamatsu (Jpn) 71 71, D Wettlaufer (Can) 71 71, M Briggs (Eng) 70 72, S Bennett (Eng) 72 70
143 M Adcock (USA) 70 73, Z Martinez (USA) 72 71, J Laforce (Can) 71 72, K Dickens (Eng) 71 72, P Dahlberg (Swe) 71 72, K Moe (USA) 69 74
144 E Rodriguez (Esp) 72 72, M Stokes (Eng) 72 72, J Buendia (Esp) 73 71, N Mitchell (Eng) 73 71, W Grant (Eng) 72 72, K Tarling (Can) 73 71, J Anderson (USA) 68 76
145 M Fernandez (Arg) 73 72
146 K Olsen (Aus) 74 72, P Brostedt (Swe) 75 71, M Donald (USA) 76 70, J Fronceda (Esp) 73 73
147 A Webster (Sco) 72 75, R Sabarros (Fra) 78 69, L Soto (Ven) 75 72, M Deboub (Alg) 76 71, M Girouard (Can) 77 70, S Okuda (Jpn) 77 70

========== PROJECTED THIRD-ROUND CUT ===============

148 M Bianco (Ita) 78 70, L Mann (Sco) 75 73, L Turner (Eng) 73 75, I Parker (Sco) 71 77, C Grenier (Aut) 73 75, P Allan (Eng) 73 75
149 J Mathews (Eng) 74 75, A Macdonald (Eng) 73 76, P Dugeny (Fra) 71 78, R Masters (Eng) 74 75
150 M Bright (RSA) 74 76, M White (Sco) 72 78, P Smith (Sco) 75 75, J Salgado (Esp) 76 74, D James (Sco) 78 72
151 B Boudreau (Can) 78 73, B Evans (Eng) 74 77, S Davidson (Eng) 78 73, D Edwards (USA) 76 75, P Ebner (Aut) 76 75, D Stirling (Eng) 77 74, P Jonas (Can) 80 71
152 S Ball (Eng) 76 76, A Mori (Ita) 76 76, P Mortimer (Swe) 75 77,
153 N Clarke (RSA) 76 77
154 J Delgado (Fra) 80 74, J Sallat (Fra) 76 78, D Gavrilovic (Eng) 74 80
156 J King (Eng) 79 77
157 M Gallagher (Eng) 77 80
158 A Dean (USA) 80 78
160 M Söderberg (Swe) 81 79

ROSS CAMERON FINISHES JT 14TH IN SUENO DUNES CLASSIC

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Ellon's Ross Cameron finished joint 14th with three par rounds of 69 for 207 while Paul O'Hara from Motherwell pulled himself up to a final placing of joint 23rd with his best round of the three, a 69, for 210 in the third EPD (German PGA) Tour event in its Turkey swing.
Cameron earned 502 Euros for finishing seven shots behind the first-time pro winner, Austrian Florian Pogatschnigg, who shot 66-069-65 for seven-under 200 in the Sueno Dunes Classic at Belek.
He won the 5,000 Euros first prize by two shots from Germany's Daniel Wunsche.
Said Cameron:
"The course this week was quite short but tricky with some pins in challenge positions. While i have improved on my finishing positions as the tournaments have gone on, I really need a four-figure cheque in the last tournament in Turkey to keep up with the top money winners."
O'Hara, starting at the 10th, was heading for a sub-par scoring and a bigger pay-out than the one he got, 382 Euros, until he double-bogeyed his third last hole, the seventh after birdies at the short 17th, first and short fourth.

EPD TOUR - Sueno Dunes Classic
Sueno Dunes GC, Belek, Turkey
Leading final totals
Par 207 (3x69). Prize money in Euros
200 Florian Pogatschnigg (Aut) 66 69 65 (5,000).
203 Marek Novy (Cze Rep) 69 67 67, Christoph Peau (Aut) 66 68 69 (1,750 each).
204 Sven Mauritz (Net) 70 67 67, Floris De Haas (Net) 69 67 68, Kenny Le Sager (Fra) 70 65 69, Tiago Cruz (Por) 67 66 71 (1,150 each).
Selected totals
206 Grant Jackson (Eng) 67 658 71 (T11) (646)
207 Ross Cameron (Sco) 69 69 69 (T14) (502)
208 Lee Corfield (Eng) 66 72 70, James Wilson (Eng) 71 68 69 (T18) (443 each).

WIND OF CHANGE BLOWING AT FALKIRK GOLF CLUB

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY FALKIRK
 GOLF CLUB
Falkirk Golf Club Head Greenkeeper Matt Thomson is in shock after having to cut the greens at the golf course in January, the first time he has every had to undertake this task in his 35-year career as a greenkeeper.
Falkirk Golf Club have recently introduced an in house "tea-brewing" system to produce organic fertiliser rather than chemical alternatives. A mixture of onsite soils and bottled bacteria creates a spray full of NATURAL organisms is used to treat the greens.
Matt commented “Since starting with the 'Carmuirs Cocktail' there has been no new incidence of turf disease. In fact disease scars previously present have, against convention, started to heal.”
Falkirk Golf Club is one of the few courses in Scotland that offer the full package of extensive practice facilities, a parkland 18-hole course along with a nine-hole, par-3 course (the wee course) developed for the encouragement of Juniors and the condition of the greens is very important to the members. Hamish Rodger, the club's greens convener, is also upbeat with the results.
“On a recent inspection of the course we could not believe the condition of the greens. Whether it's all down to the environmentally friendly fertiliser system or the exceptionally mild weather over the winter, climate change or not, we are really pleased with the results.”
Falkirk Golf Club is also pro-active in developing young golfers and has recently introduced a new membership category with discounted fees between the age of 23 and 30. It is also offering "Free Golf for Kids" on the par-3 course.

OPEN de ANDALUCIA RETURNS TO ALOHA GC FROM MARCH 15-18

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR

The European Tour will return to Aloha Golf Club on Spain’s Costa del Sol for the first time since 2008 when the 2012 Open de Andalucía takes place in March.

The Marbella venue, which hosted the Open de Andalucía in 2007 and 2008, has been confirmed for the tournament from March 15-18, which carries a €1 million prize fund.

ABERDEEN PENNANT LEAGUE, sponsored by Cults Hotel, FIXTURES

Clubs to confirm arranged fixture dates to Steven Craig at RAGC (steven.craig@craig-group.com).

WEEK 1 (May 29 or 31)
A Peterculter v Caledonian
A Nigg Bay v Hazlehead
A Newmachar v Murcar Links
B Royal Aberdeen v Auchmill
B Northern v Bon Accord
B Deeside v Banchory

WEEK 2 (June 5 or 7)
A Newmachar v Caledonian
A Murcar Links v Hazlehead
A Nigg Bay v Portlethen
B Northern v Stonehaven
B Deeside v Auchmill
B Banchory v Bon Accord

WEEK 3 (June 12 or 14)
A Newmachar v Peterculter
A Hazlehead v Caledonian
A Murcar Links v Portlethen
B Deeside v Royal Aberdeen
B Banchory v Stonehaven
B Bon Accord v Auchmill

WEEK 4 (June 18 or 21)
A Peterculter v Nigg Bay
A Portlethen v Newmachar
A Caledonian v Murcar Links
B Royal Aberdeen v Northern
B Stonehaven v Deeside
B Auchmill v Banchory

WEEK 5 (June 26 or 28)
A Hazlehead v Peterculter
A Murcar Links v Nigg Bay
A Caledonian v Portlethen
B Auchmill v Stonehaven
B Banchory v Northern
B Bon Accord v Royal Aberdeen

WEEK 6 (July 3 or 5)
A Portlethen v Hazlehead
A Peterculter v Murcar Links
A Nigg Bay v Newmachar
B Northern v Deeside
B Stonehaven v Bon Accord
B Royal Aberdeen v Banchory

WEEK 7 (July 10 or 12)
A Hazlehead v Newmachar
A Portlethen v Peterculter
A Caledonian v Nigg Bay
B Auchmill v Northern
B Bon Accord v Deeside
B Stonehaven v Royal Aberdeen

WEEK 8 (July 17 or 19)
Buffer for weather cancellations 

AUGUST 5 or 12
Semi Finals

SEPTEMBER 2
Final at Royal Aberdeen

+Officials of home clubs are requested to E-mail match results ASAP to steven.craig@craig-group.com and colin@scottishgolfview.com
Similarly, postponements and any rearrangements should be advised.

SCOTLAND BOYS' SQUAD BOUND FOR ABU DHABI FEBRUARY 8-16

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNIONScotland’s national boys’ squad are set to reap the benefits of further warm weather winter training after a return trip to one of the world’s finest new golf developments in the United Arab Emirates was pencilled in for next month.
The full nine-strong squad, led by national youth coaches Neil Marr, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and Kevin Hale, will travel for an intensive training camp at Yas Links Golf Club in Abu Dhabi from February 8-16, allowing them to take advantage of superb facilities in an excellent climate at this time of year.
The trip comes hot on the heels of the successful four-week training camp undertaken by a 10-strong men’s and boys’ national squad late last year to Yas, who together with Centro Yas Island Hotel and long-standing supporter of the SGU, Aberdeen Asset Management, sponsored the programme.
The same partners are providing in-kind support to help fund the boys’ eight-day camp.
The national men’s squad, meanwhile, are currently in week two of an eight-week winter performance programme in South Africa, thanks to the support of Aberdeen Asset Management and South African businessman Johann Rupert, coupled with continued funding from sportscotland.
Four members of the boys’ squad – reigning SGU boys’ Order of Merit winner Greig Marchbank (Dumfries and County), Blairgowrie’s up-and-coming Bradley Neil, talented Ewan Scott of St Andrews, the former English Under-14 boys winner, and Lothians star Anthony Blaney – will again be involved in the Abu Dhabi trip, after experiencing the opening 10 days of the previous camp.
They will be joined by five other emerging talents in the boys’ squad, Calum Hill (Tantallon), Ben Kinsley (St Andrews), Jamie Savage (Cawder), Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) and 2011 Scottish boys champion David Wilson (Troon Welbeck).
The squad will make use of the wonderful modern facilities at Yas, which boasts an 18-hole par-72 Kyle Phillips-designed course - the first links lay-out in the region which was opened in 2010 – a nine-hole academy course, state-of-the-art golf academy and floodlit practice facilities. It is arguably the finest golf facility in the UAE.
The trip, which again reflects the growing partnership between Scottish and UAE golf, is an excellent opportunity for all members of the travelling group to work on fitness and technical aspects of their game ahead of the new domestic season.
During their visit, the Scotland squad will work closely with Marr, National Under-18’s coach, and Hale, National Under-16’s coach, as well as receiving support from Scottish Institute of Sport staff also involved in the camp.
Eighteen-year-old Blaney, of Liberton, said: “I’m really looking forward to going back to Yas Links again in February with the boys.
“With four of us having already been there, we’ll share our experiences with the other boys. The facilities are fantastic and everything we’re working on this winter can be added to and then finalised in Abu Dhabi to make sure we are ready for the new season.”
Marr, the coach in lead charge of the trip, added: “Having seen how good the facilities are at Yas when I was over in November, I know that the boys’ golf games will improve by spending time at Yas. The weather is guaranteed which is great.
“It's the ideal time of year for this, there will be more focus on their playing and scoring ahead of the new season and less on technical input and changes.”

MICKELSONS PUT THEIR HOUSE ON MARKET FOR $7.095million

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE

Phil Mickelson is focusing on the future. According to Market Watch, he and his wife, Amy, have recently put their luxurious Rancho Santa Fe, Southern California estate on the market for $7.095 million.

"Simply put, this is one of the finest and most private estates you'll find -- anywhere," said Susan Bartow, listing agent for the Mickelsons. "The materials used and craftsmen who built this incredible estate are second to none."

The 9,500 square foot, five-bedroom, Tuscan-style home sits on 4.88 acres and comes with two guest villas. The estate includes lavish landscaping, a swimming pool, and its very own putting green.

Which begs the question - to where are the Mickelsons going to move? Phil will be 42 on June 16. He was born in California - San Diego - and has lived in the there all his life.

Finally, a great lie for Donald Trump...

Like Phil Mickeson, Donald Trump seems to be looking to the future.
According to The [Newark] Star-Ledger, Donald Trump plans to seek New Jersey state approval in order to build a burial ground next to Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

The 1.5-acre site would become the exclusive final resting place for wealthy club members who pay as much as $300,000 in membership fees. And a section of the lush plot would be carved out for Trump and his next of kin, said Ed Russo, a Trump consultant.

"It’s a very personal decision, but he’s considering it," Russo said. "This is really about members, but we do plan to set something aside for Mr. Trump and his family."

PAUL SHIELDS HITS THE HEIGHTS WITH A 61 ... BUT FINISHES SIXTH

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Cambuslang's Paul Shields, who finished in sixth place after a career-best opening round of 11-under-par 61 over a course of 7,700 yards, performed best of the six Scots who played in the Gauteng North Open at Pecanwood Golf Club, the first compeititive outing of their SGU-organised trip to South Africa.
Shields, who an eagle, 10 birdies (eight of them in a remarkable outward half) and a bogey in halves of 28 and 33, to surge clear of the first-day field, came down to earth with a bump in the second round when his 75 included a 9 at the par-5 seventh in an outward 42.
But Paul, pictured, steadied up to add last-day scores of 73 and 71 for a creditable eight-under-par total of 280, finishing nine shots behind the winner, Toby Tree , a member of the England boys' squad.
Daniel Kay, the Dunbar player who was beaten finalist in last year's Scottish men's amateur championship, tied for 39th place on 294 with scores of 71, 75, 76 and 72.
Brian Soutar (Leven Golfing Society) scored 69, 73, 75 and 78 for 295 and a share of 44th place.
Aberdour's Scott Crichton finished joint 48th on 296 with rounds of 70, 77, 74 and 75.
Players needed to scored four-over-par 148 or better to survive the halfway cut.
Fraser McKenna (Balmore) (76-73) and Conor O'Neil (Pollok) (75-74) both missed out by one shot on 149 in a huge field of 196 players at a very long course north of Johannesburg.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72) Yardage 7,700
271 Toby Tree (Eng) 69 66 66 70.
273 Zander Lombard (SAf) 66 68 68 71.
275 Brandon Stone (SAf) 67 72 67 69
SCOTS' SCORES
280 Paul Shields (Kirkhill) 61 75 73 71 (6th)
294 Daniel Kay (Dunbar) 71 75 76 72 (T39)
295 Brian Soutar (Leven GS) 69 73 75 78 (T44)
296 Scott Crichton (Aberdour) 70 77 74 75 (T48).
MISSED THE CUT (148 or better qualified)
149 Fraser McKenna (Balmore) 76 73, Conor O'Neil (Pollok) 75 74.
Field of 196 players.



ends

OBAN-BASED SCOT BURGOYNE JOINT THIRD AT SENIORS' Q SCHOOL

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
With just six places on the European Seniors Tour up for grabs, only Oban-based Terry Burgoyne of the seven Scots in the field hit the ground running to have any chance of gaining pass marks at the end of the over-50s Qualifying School four-round Final Stage at Pestana Golf Resort's Vale da Pinta course on Portugal's Algarve today.
Burgoyne, pictured by courtesy of Getty Images(c), who lived in Sweden for 24 years before moving to Oban and Glencruitten Golf Club, shot a three-under-par 68 to be joint third at the end of the first day, four shots behind American Charlie Bolling.
The six other Scots in the field of 74 did not have many reasons to be cheerful.
Iain Parker is joint 15th with a par-matching 71 over the 6,553yd course.
Edzell club pro Alastair Webster birdied the long second and short third and was sharing the tournament lead at one stage of his outward half. But he subsided to a 72 to share 24th place with compatriot Murray White.
Deeside GC teaching pro Peter Smith, a former Northern Open champion, lived dangerously in last week's Stage 1 eliminator and an opening round of 75 has piled the pressure on himself again. Also on the four-over mark is Carnoustie's former Walker Cup player Lindsay Mann.
David James from Dumfries, who played so well last week, had a nightmare round of 78 to be joint 65th overnight.

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 71. Yardage 6,553
64 Charlie Bolling (US).
67 Dick Mast (US).
68 Rick Gibson (Can), J C Anderson (US), Tim Elliott (Aus), Terry Burgoyne (Sco).

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
71 Iain Parker (T15)
72 Alastair Webster, Murray White (T24).
75 Peter Smith, Lindsay Mann (T47).
78 David James (T65).

ALL THE SCORES

64 C Bolling (USA) 
67 D Mast (USA)
68 T Elliott (Aus), T Burgoyne (Sco) , J Anderson (USA) , R Gibson (Can) ,
69 P Horrobin (Jam) , K Moe (USA) , D Cambridge (Jam) , G Ralph (Eng) ,
70 M Adcock (USA) , J Heggarty (Nir) , M Briggs (Eng) , S Cipa (Eng) ,
71 I Parker (Sco) , J Hall (Eng) , K Dickens (Eng) , D Wettlaufer (Can) , P Dugeny (Fra) , A Takamatsu (Jpn) , P Wesselingh (Eng) , J Laforce (Can) , P Dahlberg (Swe) 
72 S Bennett (Eng) , M Stokes (Eng) , W Grant (Eng) , Z Martinez (USA) , M White (Sco) , A Webster (Sco) , E Rodriguez (Esp) ,
73 J Buendia (Esp) , K Tarling (Can) , J Fronceda (Esp) , N Mitchell (Eng) , M Fernandez (Arg) , L Turner (Eng) , C Grenier (Aut) , P Allan (Eng) , A Macdonald (Eng)
74 M Guzman (Arg) , B Evans (Eng) , D Gavrilovic (Eng) , R Masters (Eng) , J Mathews (Eng) , M Bright (RSA) , K Olsen (Aus) 
75 P Brostedt (Swe) , P Smith (Sco) , L Soto (Ven) , P Mortimer (Swe) , L Mann (Sco)
76 P Ebner (Aut) , M Donald (USA) , M Deboub (Alg) , D Edwards (USA) , J Sallat (Fra) , N Clarke (RSA) , J Salgado (Esp) , S Ball (Eng) , A Mori (Ita) ,
77 M Girouard (Can) , M Gallagher (Eng) , D Stirling (Eng) , S Okuda (Jpn) ,
78 M Bianco (Ita) , B Boudreau (Can) , R Sabarros (Fra) , D James (Sco) , S Davidson (Eng) 
79 J King (Eng)
80 P Jonas (Can) , A Dean (USA) , J Delgado (Fra)
81 M Söderberg (Swe)

CAMERON, O'HARA BEAT TURKEY CUT BUT FINDLAY, LAW FAIL

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Ellon's Ross Cameron repeated his opening score of level par 69 on the second day of the Sueno Dunes Classic at Belek in Turkey but dropped from joint 11th to joint 18th on 138 - that's how high the standard of scoring is on the EPD (German PGA) Tour.
Cameron, started at the 10th with a bogey but cancelled that out with a birdie at the long 13th. Then he reeled off 14 straight pars to be five shots behind leader Tiago Cruz from Portugal, who has shot 67-66 for five-under 133.
Motherwell's Paul O'Hara was the only other Scot to beat the 36-hole cut. He has had rounds of 70 and 71 for three-over 141, tied 31st and one shot inside the limit mark.
The former Walker Cup reserve, starting at the 10th, covered his first nine in two-under 33 with birdies at the 11th, 15th and 18th and only one shot dropped, at the short 17th. O'Hara looked set for a sub-par score when he got his fourth birdie at the third but then he inexplicably dropped four shots to par over his last six holes with bogeys at the short fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth.
Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) missed the cut in his debut in Turkey while Aberdeen's David Law missed it for his second tournament in a row
Findlay had a 72 for 149 after a double bogey at the 10th, his fifth double bogey of the tournament. In the first round he had an astonishing bag of five birdies but today he birdied only the 16th.
Northern Open champion Law had no birdies in a disappointing 77 for 156, an astronomical score for a young man of his capablities.
Started at the 10th, Davide had a double bogey 5 at the shot 12th - his third double bogey in two days and turned in three over par after a bogey at the 18th.
On his inward half, Law bogeyed the second, short fourth, fifth, short seventh and eighth.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 138 (2x69)
133 Tiago Cruz (Por) 67 66.
134 Chris Ackermann (Swi) 67 67, Christoph Pau (Aut) 66 68.
135 Kenny Le Sager (Fra) 70 65, Grant Jackson (Eng) 67 68.
Selected scores:
138 Ross Cameron (Sco) 69 69, Lee Corfield (Eng) 66 72 (T18th).
139 James Wilson (Eng) 71 68.
141 Paul O'Hara (Sco) 70 71 (T31).
142 Matthew Dearden (Wales) 75 67 (T37).
MISSED THE CUT (142 or better qualified)
145 Ian Brown (Eng) 71 74.
147 Nicholas Murtagh (Eng) 74 73.
148 Tom Boys (Eng) 74 74, Adam Carson (Eng) 74 74.
149 Jordan Findlay (Sco) 77 72
156 David Law (Sco) 79 77.

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION OPEN UP ENTRY TO JUNIOR TOUR EVENTS

FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE
The Scottish Golf Union has made changes to the entry system for the three Junior Tour Events for the 2012 season.
Traditionally, an invitation process was used to allow SGU selectors to assess boys’ performances over challenging courses, with a view to then picking national teams.
Now for 2012, entry will be open for the trio of Junior Tour competitions, with a nominated number of invites per event coming from SGU selectors.
As in the past, these three events will combine with other national championships and events to count towards the Scottish Hydro Boys Order of Merit (formerly the SGU Boys Order of Merit).
In December, the SGU announced an exciting new sponsorship agreement with Scottish Hydro who will be investing in junior golf over the next three years (2012-14). Scottish Hydro is this year’s official sponsor of the SGU Boys’ Order of Merit and Junior Tour series.
Scottish Golf Performance Development Manager Kevin Cademy-Taylor said: “We are trying to ensure the best players are in all our junior fields so we have a first-class competitive season for Scottish Boys.”
The SGU Junior Tour was launched in 2004 to provide leading Scottish Boys (Under-18) with additional competitive play on challenging courses; to provide coaching staff and selectors an opportunity to assess players and their development over such venues; and, to provide an appropriate competition structure and added incentive for young players to pursue higher honours.
Entry forms for the Junior Tour events along with all other national championships will be available for download from the SGU website – www.scottishgolf.org – from the beginning of February. The entry fee for Junior Tour events will be £15.
The fields for the Junior Tour events will be limited to a certain number, with a handicap ballot used to determine the final field.
The schedule for the Scottish Hydro Boys Order of Merit, including the three Scottish Hydro Junior Tour events, is a follows:
March 31-April 1: Scottish Hydro Junior Tour – Event 1 (Gullane No 2)
April 9-14: Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish boys' championship (Murcar Links)
May 11-13: Golf Data Lab Scottish youths open amateur stroke play championship (Ladybank)
May 26-27: Scottish Hydro Junior Tour – Event 2 (The Roxburghe)
June 10: Dunfermline BS Scottish boys' area team championship (Cowglen)
June 16-17: Scottish Hydro Junior Tour – Event 3 (Rowallan Castle)
July 3-4: Loretto School Scottish boys' Under-14s open stroke-play championship (Buchanan Castle)
July 11-13: Scottish boys' Under-16s open stroke-play championship (Strathaven)
July 24-16: Scottish boys' open amateur stroke-play championship (Cardross).
August 14-19: British boys' amateur championship (Notts and Coxmoor)
August 21-22: Nick Faldo Junior Series Scottish qualifier (Panmure)
September 1-2: Paul Lawrie Foundation Junior Jug (Elgin)

If you have any questions regarding the Order of Merit, please contact Kevin Cademy-Taylor on 01334 466 486

TORVEAN'S MACDONALD WINS ALLIANCE AT KINLOSS CC

By ALAN COWIE
North Scottish Golfers Alliance secretary
Gordon Macdonald (Torvean) won his second North Scottish Golfers’ Alliance fixture in a row with a two under par 65 at Kinloss Country Golf Club.
Birdies were recorded at the 11th, 13th, 15th and 17th against bogeys at the 16th and 3rd.
He won by three strokes from Duncan Stewart (Grantown) who recorded 15 pars in his 68.
Frosty conditions made scoring difficult for the early starters.
The course played started at the 10th and ended at the ninth. Par for holes 10-18 - 34; Par for holes 1-9 - 33.
Leading Scratch Scores
65 G.S. Macdonald (Torvean)
68 D. Stewart (Grantown) pro.
69 V. Tilman (Muir of Ord)
71 C. Dixon (Moray)
72 S. Wilson ( Inverness ), K. Barnett (Torvean), P. Masson (Rothes), A. Imrie (Muir of Ord), M. Macdonald (Grantown)
73 W. Donnelly (Fortrose and Rosemarkie), N. Mcwilliam ( Elgin ), R. Mckerron (Forres)
74 R. Harrower (Boat of Garten) pro, J.A.G. Innes ( Elgin ), Brian Mellis (Rothes), A. Cowie (Moray)
75 G. Hay (Grantown), W. Hutchison (Inverness), T. Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar);
76 M. Lyall (Torvean), A. Cameron (Fortrose and Rosemarkie)
77 K. Thomson (Moray), J.R. Ingram (Boat of Garten), J. Simpson (Forres), B. Rennie ( Inverness ), R. Mellis (Rothes)
78 R. Younie (Rothes), A. Henry (Inverness), S. Johnston ( Elgin ), L. Duncan (Elgin), I. Hamilton (Elgin)
79 N. Shanks ( Elgin ), J.A. Grant (Grantown), D. Spence (Fortrose and Rosemarkie), R. Innes (Torvean)
80 P Matheson (Grantown), C. Small (Nairn), A. Boxx (Boat of Garten), S. Mitchell (Moray), R. Laing (Grantown), R. Stewart (Nairn Dunbar)
Handicap Section One (7 and under)
64 V. Tilman (Muir of Ord)(5)
65 P. Masson (Rothes)(7), A. Imrie (Muir of Ord)(7)
67 W. Donnelly (Fortrose and Rosemarkie)(6), M. Macdonald (Grantown)(5)
Handicap Section Two (8 to 14)
65 D. Spence (Fortrose and Rosemarkie)(14)
66 Brian Mellis (Rothes)(8), A. Cowie (Moray)(8)
67 B. Rennie ( Inverness )(10), M. Lyall (Torvean)(9)

SNEDEKER WINS PLAY-OFF AFTER LEADER STANLEY'S 8 AT 18th

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
LA JOLLA, California-- Brandt Snedeker sat in the media center, resigned to the fact that his 67 in the final round Sunday at Torrey Pines would not be good enough to catch Kyle Stanley in the Farmers Insurance Open.
"I just was too far back. Kyle had too big a lead," Snedeker said, glancing at the television next to him as Stanley, with a three-shot lead, played a simple sand wedge from 77 yards for his third shot to the par-5 18th.
"Uh-oh," said Snedeker, pictured by courtesy of Getty Images(c).
The ball landed behind the pin and zipped off the front of the green, tumbling slowly down the bank and into the water.
A sure thing suddenly became surreal.
In a meltdown that ranks among the most shocking in golf, Stanley three-putted from 45 feet for a triple bogey on his final hole, then lost on the second playoff hole when his 5-foot par putt caught the right edge of the cup.
"It's just crazy," Snedeker said. "To get my mind around what happened the last 30 minutes is pretty hard to do right now. My heart is out to Kyle. I feel bad for him to have to go through this."
Minutes away from a celebration, Stanley was in tears. His lip quivered as he tried to explain what went wrong, a sad ending to an otherwise spectacular week along the Pacific bluffs.
"It's not a hard golf hole," Stanley said. "I could probably play it a thousand times and never make an 8."
With his play-off victory at Torrey Pines, Brandt Snedeker made an early move to No. 2 in the race for the FedExCup. Standings
Stanley led by seven shots early in the final round, and he still had a four-shot lead as he stood on the tee at the par-5 18th, the easiest hole at Torrey Pines on Sunday. Just like that, the 24-year-old went from being anointed a rising star to being listed with Jean Van de Velde, Robert Garrigus and so many others who learned the hard way how cruel this game can be.
"I'm kind of in shock right now," Stanley said.
Snedeker, playing in the group ahead of Stanley, bogeyed the 17th to fall four shots behind. He hit wedge to a foot on the 18th hole for one last birdie to finish on 16-under 272.
Both made birdie on the 18th in the playoff, and it ended on the par-3 16th with another good break for Snedeker. His 5-iron bounced hard over the green and was headed into the canyon when it bounced off a television tower. He chipped to 5 feet and made par. Stanley left his 45-foot birdie putt about 5 feet short, and missed it for a bogey.
"You never want to see anybody go through that," Snedeker said. "I don't care who it is -- not even your worst enemy on the planet. Golf is such a funny game, and to have that kind of lead coming into the last hole and not to win is tough. It will be a tough night for him. But he's an unbelievably talented player, and the sky's the limit for him.
"And I hope he does not beat himself up too much over this."
Snedeker is making a habit of these comebacks. In all three of his US PGA Tour wins, he trailed by at least five shots going into the last round. At Hilton Head last year, he came from six shots back and wound up beating Luke Donald in a playoff.
This one was handed to him.
"This one I kind of backed into," Snedeker said. "You never like winning a tournament that way. But you do like winning."
Stanley birdied his first two holes -- Snedeker was nine behind at that point -- and led by six shots at the turn until he started dropping shots from the sand. Even so, he made three straight par putts, starting with a 12-footer on the 14th, to seemingly regain control.
The kid knows heartache. Last summer, he was two shots ahead at the John Deere Classic until he bogeyed the final hole from a bunker, and Steve Stricker closed with two straight birdies to win.
This loss, however, put him in the wrong kind of company.
It was reminiscent of Van de Velde at Carnoustie, who made triple bogey on the last hole of the 1999 British Open and lost in a playoff; of Garrigus, who made triple bogey on the last hole of the FedEx St. Jude Classic in 2010 and lost in a playoff; and even of Frank Lickliter at Torrey Pines, who three-putted from 12 feet on the 17th hole in 2001 to make triple bogey in the third playoff hole in losing to Phil Mickelson.
"I know I'll be back," Stanley said, pausing to allow the words to come out of his mouth. "It's tough to swallow right now."
Stanley stood over a 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole with a four-shot lead, and it was matter of staying upright for the next 20 minutes to collect his first PGA TOUR win.
If only it were that simple.
Snedeker made his tap-in birdie to finish. Stanley hit a 300-yard drive and kept it simple by laying up.
Then, he fell apart.
His sand wedge had too much spin and did not get high enough on the green, spinning quickly down the slope.
"We tried to lay it up close enough so that we wouldn't put that much spin on it," Stanley said. "Thought I had a pretty good shot, but just had too much spin."
Stanley showed little emotion, as he had done all week, and took his drop in the first cut to eliminate some of the spin. His fifth shot was safely on the back of the green, some 45 feet away.
With a putt down into the bowl of the green, he came up about 3 1/2 feet short, then missed it well to the left for a triple-bogey 8. He had to sign for a 74, without breaking the pencil, then head back to the 18th for a playoff.
Snedeker caught a minor break on the first extra hole when his second shot stopped directly in front of a loose divot. He managed to remove it without moving the ball, then hit sand wedge to 3 feet for birdie. Stanley went for the green in two this time, just over the green, and chipped down to the same spot as Snedeker and matched his birdie.
John Rollins had 235 yards to the green on the 18th hole, two shots behind Snedeker, two shots clear of fourth place. He elected to lay up and wound up with a par. It gave him a 71, and he finished alone in third at 14-under 274.
John Huh, the 21-year-old rookie out of Q-school, had a buried lie in a bunker, a duffed chip, a chip-in for birdie and an approached that nearly went over the cliff, all in the first four holes. He birdied the last for a 74, and while he was never a factor in the final group, he at least tied for sixth and earned a spot next week in the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
But this was a two-man show at the end.
And for the longest time on a day filled with sunshine and hang gliders, it was a one-man show.
Staked to a five-shot lead, Stanley didn't let anyone close to him until early on the back nine and he was still six clear at the turn. Only when Snedeker began to creep up the board did the lead finally get under six shots, and then Stanley made it hard on himself.
Starting with the par-3 eighth hole, he was in five bunkers on the next seven holes, and three of them led to bogeys. But he made three straight par putts from 12 feet, 5 feet and 8 feet on the 16th hole, and it looked like a done deal.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
Players from US unless stated
272 Brandt Snedeker 67 64 74 67, Kyle Stanley 62 68 68 74 (Snedeker won sudden-death play-off at second extra hole).
274 John Rollins 70 65 68 71
276 Bill Haas 63 71 70 72, Cameron Tringale 67 72 66 71.
277 Hunter Mahan 69 65 74 69, John Huh 64 71 68 74

SELECTED TOTALS
282 Justin Rose (England) 71 68 70 73 (T33).
285 Ernie Els (South Africa) 71 70 72 72 (T52)
289 Gary Christian (England) 72 70 71 76 (T66).
291 Greg Owen (England) 75 67 71 78 (72nd).

TO  VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS ON THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

CLICK HERE

MACAULAY THIRD, DOAK AND RUSSELL JOINT SIXTH IN INDIA

REPORT FROM CHALLENGE TOUR PRESS OFFICER
NEIL AHERN

Callum Macaulay is predicting big things in 2012 after his season got off to an impressive start with a third placed finish at the Gujarat Kensville Challenge in India, thanks to a two under par round of 70 which left him two shots behind eventual winner Max Kieffer.
The 28 year old former Scottish amateur champion from Tulliallan had a roller-coaster final round which concluded with three successive birdies on a positive day for the three Scots who made the half-way cut.
Chris Doak and Raymond Russell matched each other as they both shot three under par rounds of 69 to occupy tied sixth spot.
But it was Macaulay, pictured in action today by courtesy of Karolina Gembara, who took the bigger prize of €12,000, though he had to work hard for his 70 as he followed up his three under par front nine with a double bogey on the 13th, followed by a bogey on the 14th.
“I just hit the wrong club on 13,” he lamented. “I hit a driver and the wind wasn’t as strong as I expected it to be, so it went too far left up against the wall. I tried to get an unplayable [drop] but I couldn’t, so I had to go back up onto the tee.
“I composed myself then and birdied the last three, so I’m really happy with the finish. It’s been a great week; my first time in India and I really enjoyed it. The course is great, it was good to play a hard, firm course.
“I suppose we’re used to playing links golf; bump and runs and things like that. It’s more about strategy, rather than just booming it. It’s good to play well on the first tournament.”
After two full seasons on the Challenge Tour, Macaulay is now confident he can push on this year and finally seal a top 20 finish in the Rankings to earn a card for The European Tour.
“I'm looking for big things this year,” he said. “I feel like, having played two years on the Challenge Tour, I’m ready to make the step-up again. In 2009 it was of a fairy-tale year, I didn’t expect to be on The European Tour but qualified at Q-School as an amateur. It was more of a ‘finding my feet’ year, although I didn’t quite find them soon enough.
“I feel like now I’m experienced enough that I can go out and contend for one of the top five positions on the Challenge Tour, and this is a great start.”
Doak, meanwhile, finished in style as he saved his best round of the week until last. Five birdies and an eagle on the par five sixth, where he chipped in, elevated him to three under for the day and the tournament, and he was delighted to make up for the two-shot penalty he incurred on the third day.
“It was my best round of the week today,” said the Greenock man. “It was karma coming around after a two shot penalty yesterday. I just grazed the grass in between the ball and the hole on the 16th hole with my putter, so I called over the referee and it was a penalty. So instead of a finish of birdie-birdie-birdie it was bogey-birdie-birdie, so I think it was karma!
“It’s good to see all the Scottish lads up there. This week has been my best ball-striking week in a while, as well as course management and short game. The putting’s definitely improving with the belly-putter, it made a big difference.”
Russell also chipped in for an eagle, this time at the par four third hole, before picking up another shot on the sixth to reach the turn on three under par. Two bogeys and two birdies followed as he and Doak collected €7,200 each.
Kieffer won after a tense play-off with home favourite Rahil Gangjee, the German’s par on the first play-off hole beating Gangjee’s double-bogey to claim his first Challenge Tour title.

FINAL TOTALS
281 M Kieffer (Ger) 70 71 70 70, R Gangjee (Ind) 68 69 73 71 (Kieffer won sudden-death play-off at first hole).
283 A Hartø (Den) 73 70 69 71, P Dwyer (Eng) 71 72 72 68, C Macaulay (Sco) 74 70 69 70,
285 C Doak (Sco) 74 70 72 69, R Russell (Sco) 73 69 74 69,
286 C Lloyd (Eng) 72 70 74 70,
287 S Benson (Eng) 70 68 76 73, S Kapur (Ind) 69 68 78 72,
288 P Archer (Eng) 73 71 68 76,
289 D Kemmer (USA) 69 72 70 78, J Dantorp (Swe) 70 68 74 77, P Uihlein (USA) 76 72 71 70,
290 L Goddard (Eng) 71 71 70 78, J Gibb (Eng) 72 72 72 74, O Henningsson (Swe) 73 72 68 77, C Brazillier (Fra) 72 70 74 74,
291 G Lockerbie (Eng) 69 69 80 73, S Tiley (Eng) 75 71 74 71, B Åkesson (Swe) 70 73 72 76,
292 C Paisley (Eng) 72 70 75 75, M Cryer (Eng) 73 73 74 72, M Ford (Eng) 72 71 76 73, A Snobeck (Fra) 71 71 75 75,
293 A Kumar (Ind) 75 70 74 74, D Gaunt (Aus) 73 68 76 76,
294 B Barham (Eng) 71 72 76 75, M Perera (Sri) 73 72 77 72,
295 C Hanson (Eng) 72 73 73 77, E Kofstad (Nor) 77 71 76 71, J Walters (RSA) 71 73 75 76, B Ritthammer (Ger) 71 74 75 75, M Carlsson (Swe) 71 73 75 76,
296 B Parker (Eng) 71 73 74 78,
297 K Kumar (Ind) 73 73 74 77, G Bhullar (Ind) 71 75 75 76, D Singh (Ind) 72 73 75 77, B Evans (Eng) 71 77 75 74,
298 T Ferreira (RSA) 70 76 76 76, R Dinwiddie (Eng) 72 75 77 74,
299 M Kumar (Ind) 72 73 78 76,
300 J Hansen (Den) 77 71 71 81, H Bacher (Aut) 70 74 74 82, B An (Kor) 76 71 74 79, S Pinckney (USA) 72 76 79 73, R Singh (Ind) 71 73 78 78,
301 A Lohan (Ind) 72 73 78 78, V Kumar (Ind) 76 72 74 79, M Singh Pathania (Ind) 75 72 74 80,
302 B Chapellan (Fra) 75 71 81 75, S Khan (Ind) 72 75 75 80, Å Nilsson (Swe) 76 72 78 76,
303 A Parr (Can) 74 72 76 81,
304 F Praegant (Aut) 73 75 77 79, M Jaini (Ind) 70 77 77 80, S Engell Andersen (Ken) 75 69 75 85,
310 A John (Ger) 71 77 83 79, V Kumar (Ind) 75 71 81 83, A Sandhu (Ind) 72 76 83 79,

ROSS CAMERON LEADING SCOT IN TURKEY'S SUENO DUNES CLSSC

FROM THE EPD TOUR WEBSITE
Belek/Turkey – Three under par, 66 strokes on the par 69 course: That was the score needed in the 1st round of the 30,000 Euros Sueno Dunes Classic today in order to share the lead after 18 holes of the third event of the 2012 EPD Tour.
Two Austrians, Florian Pogatschnigg and Christoph Pfau, as well as Ferdinand Osther from the Netherlands and Lee Corfield from England managed to do so
to share the first-day honours
While Christoph Pfau played a flawless round with three birdies on the front nine, his co-leaders all made four birdies and a bogey.
One stroke behind the leaders there is another group of four: Daniel Slott Mogensen from Denmark, Tiago Cruz (Portugal), Swiss Chris Achermann and Grant Jackson from England.
There are four Scots competing in this event - Ross Cameron (Saltire Energy), Motherwell's Paul O'Hara and Northern Open champion David Law from Aberdeen being joined by former British boys champion Jordan Findlay.
Cameron is the best placed of the quartet with a par-matching 69 for a share of 11th place. The man from Ellon had two birdies and two bogeys.
O'Hara is sharing 21st place on 70 with two birdies and three bogeys.
Findlay and Law had rounds they will want to forget. Findlay's debut in Turkey was certainly not a delight for him - a eight-over-par 77 which included only four par figures. He had five birdies, more than the leaders!, four double bogey 6s and five single bogeys.
Law, playing in his second event on the EPD Tour had a 79 in which the low light was a quadruple bogey 8 at the par-4 10th. He also had a triple bogey 67a tht eshort 17th as he required 44 blows (nine over) to complete the inward half.
David is T85 in the field of 88 players. Things can only get better.
LEADERBOARD
Par 69
66 Florian Pogatschnigg (Aut), Lee Corfield (Eng), Ferdinand Osther (Net), Christoph Peau (Auit)
67 Daniel Mogensen (Den), Tiago Cruz (Por), Chris Ackerman (Swi), Grant Jackson (Eng).
Selected scores
69 Ross Cameron (Sco) (T11).
70 Paul O'Hara (Sco) (T21).
71 Ian Brown (Eng), James Wilson (Eng) (T29).
74 Nicholas Murtagh (Eng), Tom Boys (Eng), Adam Carson (Eng) (T58).
77 Jordan Findlay (Sco) (T79).
79 David Law (Sco) (T85).

GERMAN KIEFFER SCORES FIRST WIN ON CHALLENGE TOUR

German Max Kieffer has claimed his maiden Challenge Tour title after he battled through a play-off against home favourite Rahil Gangjee, his par on the first play-off hole beating Gangjee's double-bogey to win the Gujarat Kensville Challenge in India.

FULL REPORT AND TOTALS TO COME

Tournament Leaderboard
Pos Player name Nat Hole Par
T1 GANGJEE, Rahil IND 18 -7
T1 KIEFFER, Maximilian GER 18 -7
T3 DWYER, Paul ENG 18 -5
T3 MACAULAY, Callum SCO 18 -5
T3 HARTØ, Andreas DEN 18 -5
T6 RUSSELL, Raymond SCO 18 -3
Full Leaderboard

STEADY AS A ROCK - ROBERT HOLDS WAYWARD TIGER TO WIN

And the winner is ..... Robert Rock, pictured with the championship trophy. Image by courtesy of Getty Images(c).

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Robert Rock held off 14-time Major winner Tiger Woods and US Open Champion Rory McIlroy to claim a sensational victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship today.
With the theme tune to the "Rocky" films being sung by fans - many of them having witnessed England's cricket collapse the day before - the 34 year old from Armitage, near Lichfield, Staffordshirecame up with a true knock-out performance.
Only 117th in the Official World Golf Ranking at the start of the week, Rock said after his one stroke triumph over McIlroy: "I really can't believe I have done that today."
"I was just very happy to be playing with Tiger. That's a special honour in itself."
While he shot a two under par 70 to finish 13 under, Woods scrambled his way to a 72 and instead of recording a second successive victory on the comeback trail had to settle for a share of third place with Graeme McDowell and Thomas Björn.
"I was just a touch off," said the former World Number One, who hit only one fairway on the back nine and only six greens in regulation all day.
"But Robert played great. He made a couple of key up-and-downs and a couple of beautiful iron shots down the stretch."
McIlroy's closing birdie for a 69 looked as if it might give him a play-off when Rock's drive down the same hole headed towards the lake.
It stopped short of the water, but in the hazard amongst rocks and plants and, with a two-shot lead, he wisely elected to take a penalty drop.
Short of the green in three, his pitch came up 25 feet short and still left him with work to do, but after holing birdie putts from ten and six feet at the 14th and 16th his touch did not let him down and two putts completed the greatest day of his career.
McIlroy was runner-up for the second year running, but will remember this one for the incident when he brushed sand away just off the green midway through his second round, leading to a costly two shot penalty.
For years Rock worked in the Swingers Golf Centre in Tamworth, "selling Mars bars and watching Tiger win Majors".
He was 26 before he made it onto The European Tour and 31 when he finally tasted success at last year's BMW Italian Open.
"It's been a steady progression and I've worked hard, but I didn't think this would happen," he said.
In addition to Woods all the world's top four were present. Number One Luke Donald came 48th, while Lee Westwood's 17th place means McIlroy regains second spot off his former stablemate.
Every one of Woods' 14 Major titles came with him at least sharing the lead with a round to go and this was only the ninth time in his entire career that he has not gone on to victory from such a position.
He was odds-on to come out on top again when he birdied the second and third, but Rock matched both of them and the American's bogeys at the next two separated them.
After a seven foot birdie on the sixth the gap was three, but by the turn it was back to one. Rock ran up a six at the long eighth and Woods birdied the next.
That made him favourite again, but a bogey six on the 582 yard tenth was his only deviation from par on the back nine.
There was still a chance Rock might crack after bogeying the 13th, but his response was superb and after the scare down the last the €347,024 first prize became his.
The most dramatic finish, however, came from McDowell. He holed-in-one on the 12th - Sergio Garcia and Jose Manuel Lara did it in the first round - chipped in on the next and then closed with two more birdies.
That does not tell the full story. The Ulsterman thinned his third shot at the 18th and, after hitting the grandstand behind the green, the ball rebounded some 30 feet to within six feet of the flag.
Like McIlroy, though, McDowell was left to rue something earlier in the week. He went in the water and double-bogeyed the 17th on day one after his driver broke.
Paul Lawrie finished the leading Scot in joint eighth place after his worst round of the four - a par 72 - for nine-under-par 279. He was in contention for third place until a couple of late bogeys.
Paul writes on his website:
"I shot 72 today, which doesn't sound very good but I played really well again and missed soooooo many putts it was frightening. I finished in a tie for 8th but really should have been better but that's golf. I hit a really poor putt on the ninth, which threw me a bit and I struggled on the back nine. I was extremely disappointed when I came off as I should have done better but it's another top 10 finish and still a good week. I managed to knock a few drives past Rory McIlroy, which made an old man feel a bit younger.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72). Yardage: 7,600. Prize money in Euros
275 Robert Rock (England) 69 70 66 70 (347,024).
276 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) 67 72 68 69 (231,349).
277 Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 72 69 68 68, Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) 73 71 65 68, Tiger Woods (US) 70 66 69 72 (107,577).
278 Matteo Manassero (Italy) 73 65 71 69, George Coetzee (South Africa) 71 72 65 70 (67,670).
279 Keith Horne (South Africa) 71 71 68 69, Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark) 70 67 71 71, Francesco Molinari (Italy) 74 67 66 72, Paul Lawrie (Scotland) 70 69 68 72 (T8) (44,662)
280 Sergio Garcia (Spain) 71 69 71 69, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (France) 68 71 69 72 (34,668)

SELECTED TOTALS
282 Lee Westwood (England) 72 72 68 70 (17) (25,194)
285 Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) 72 72 70 71, David Drysdale (Scotland) 70 72 71 72, Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 71` 69 72 73 (T35) (14,367).
286 Peter Whiteford (Scotland) 73 73 68 72 (T42) (11,660)
287 Richie Ramsay (Scotland) 69 71 77 70 (T48)  (8,945)

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

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HUNTER MAHAN MAKES MIDDLE-EAST DEBUT IN QATAR MASTERS

NEWS RELEASE
Doha (QATAR): US PGA Tour star Hunter Mahan will aim to become the first American winner of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy when he makes his Middle East debut in Doha from February 2-5.
Since its launch in 1998, the Commercialbank Qatar Masters has proved to be a difficult hunting ground for US players with European Tour stars proving to be hard to beat over the challenging 7,414-yard course at Doha Golf Club.
The 29 year-old Californian is one of a growing breed of globetrotting US stars and he will be keen to make his mark on a tournament that has historically attracted a powerful field and which, for 2012, includes fellow US PGA Tour star KJ Choi, World Number Two Lee Westwood, World Number Four Martin Kaymer and World Number Ten Jason Day.
A winner three times on the US PGA Tour, World Number 17 Mahan has also played for the US in three Presidents Cup teams and twice in The Ryder Cup – including in 2010 when he played in the final singles match against Graeme McDowell and lost out to the Northern Irishman on the penultimate hole at Celtic Manor in Wales.
“We always enjoy welcoming the US players to Qatar and while no American has managed to tame the course, it is surely only a matter of time before the Mother of Pearl trophy finds a US winner,” said Hassan Al Nuaimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association (QGA), organisers of the $2.5 million event in collaboration with the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and title sponsors The Commercial Bank of Qatar.

NISBET WINS LAKE MACQUARIE TOURNAMENT IN AUSTRALIA

Australian Daniel Nisbet won the prestigious Lake Macquarie championship at Belmont Golf Club, New South Wales today.

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

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KYLE STANLEY LEADS US PGA TOUR EVENT BY FIVE STROKES

Kyle Stanley has gone five shots clear of the field with only Sunday's final round to come in this weekend's US PGA Tour event, the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, California.
Stanley shot a third-round 68 for an 18-under-par 54-hole tally of 198.
Nearest challenges are fellow Americans John Huh and John Rollins on 203.
Justin Rose is the leading Englishman in joint 25th place on 209.
Russell Knox did not survive the 36-hole cut. Neither did Phil Mickelson!

TORREY PINES A PITCH-AND-PUTT FOR BIG-HITTER STANLEY

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
By Staff and wire reports
LA JOLLA, California -- Hang gliders were taking off from the cliffs behind the 13th tee at Torrey Pines where Kyle Stanley was waiting to tee off on the 524-yard hole. Then, the 24-year-old launched a shot that was just as majestic.
"Wait `til to you see where this one went," caddie Brett Waldman said.
On another clear day along the Pacific coast, it was hard not to notice.
In a familiar performance -- even if the name might not be all that familiar now -- Stanley overpowered the South Course on Saturday on his way to a 4-under 68 that gave him a five-shot lead going into the final round at the Farmers Insurance Open.
"For some reason, I've always been long," said Stanley, who has a slight but athletic build and generates enormous speed. "But if you take a golf course like this where you're hitting 7-irons into par 5s and short irons into long par 4s, it definitely helps."
It never hurt Tiger Woods, a seven-time winner as a pro at Torrey Pines.
Stanley chose to lay up on the par-5 18th with the large pond in front, and spun a wedge near the hole to about 4 feet. About his only regret in the third round was missing that putt. One last birdie would have broken the 54-hole tournament record that Woods set in 1998, before Rees Jones beefed up the South Course to 7,698 yards for the 2008 U.S. Open.
Stanley grew up outside Seattle when Woods ruled the sport. All through his school, he kept a poster of Woods over his bed.
"I think he's definitely influenced me, and a lot of other people, too," Stanley said.
He gladly settled for a spot alongside Woods in the record book at 18-under 198, and a five-shot lead over John Huh and John Rollins as he goes after his first US PGA Tour title.
Stanley can't recall ever having a lead this large, which can be troublesome if looked upon as only an opportunity to fail.
"I think the biggest thing is you can't necessarily go out there and try to protect it," Stanley said. "You've got to really just keep doing what got you to this point. I'm not going to be any more conservative tomorrow. I'll stick to my game plan off the tee, and hopefully just continue to give myself a lot of chances."
He hit driver on all but three holes, and four of them traveled at least 320 yards, a big number considering Torrey Pines is just a cliff over sea level and even in pleasant weather, the ball doesn't go quite as far as summer in Ohio.
Big numbers are nothing new for Stanley, however.
He recalls coming down to the Titleist Performance Institute when he was a 17-year-old in his senior year in high school. His ball speed was measured at 184 mph.
"Now, I can't get it above 176," he said.
It wasn't just the big drives. Stanley showed exquisite control of his irons, especially his distance, and he has been working overtime the last few years on dialing in his wedges from inside 120 yards.
Even so, he refused to look ahead to Sunday and what a win might mean -- a trip to the Masters, perhaps a spot in the World Golf Championships, a two-year exemption.
No one was giving him the trophy, either.
"If a guy had a 10- or 12-shot lead, you'd feel pretty comfortable," Rollins said after his 68. "But when you're four or five shots, sometimes it's hard to play with a big lead because you get kind of relaxed and everything else."
Rollins should know. He had a three-shot lead with five holes to play in 2009, losing to Nick Watney.
Still, Stanley, the former All-American from Clemson aspires to play boring golf and not look too far ahead.
His lone bogey came on the 12th, when he went just over the green, chipped to 6 feet and missed the putt. Then came the big blast on the 13th -- "As good as I can possibly hit it," he said -- that left him a soft 7-iron to 15 feet on the fringe below the hole for an easy birdie.
"Are you playing this as a par 4?" playing partner Sang-Moon Bae turned and said to him with a smile.
Huh, a 21-year-old rookie who spent three years on the South Korean Tour, also had a 68 and joined Rollins at 13-under 203. FedExCup champion Bill Haas (70) and Bae (72) were another shot behind. Bae was 5 over through five holes until he ran off four straight birdies to start the back nine to get his name back on the leaderboard.
The question is whether anyone else is in contention.
Stanley is no surprise to those who play with him or watch him hit balls, and he nearly joined the parade of rookie winners last year until Steve Stricker rallied with birdies on the last two holes to beat him in the John Deere Classic.
Stanley had a one-shot lead over Brandt Snedeker going into the third round at Torrey Pines, and before long had a comfortable lead, just as Woods has done on this public course.
From deep rough on the par-5 sixth, Stanley hammered a shot just short of the green and pitched up to 12 feet for birdie. He hit sand wedge to 10 feet on the 10th for another birdie, then established himself on the back nine.
Along with the easy birdie on the 13th, Stanley saved par on the 14th. The day before, his approach jumped out of the rough and over the green for a double bogey. Playing it safe this time, he hit 9-iron that went well short, into the bunker, but blasted out to 8 feet and made a tricky, downhill putt for par.
His final birdie came on a 20-foot putt at the par-3 16th. No one else could make a move.
Snedeker went to tap in a 2-foot par putt on the seventh and was shocked when it made a horseshoe around the cup. He then missed his next five greens in regulation, and when he got home in two on the 13th, he three-putted. Snedeker had a 74 and fell seven behind.
"This is something you dream about as a kid," Stanley said. "But there's still one more round."
DIVOTS: Jay Don Blake in 1991 was the last player to make Torrey Pines his first US PGA Tour victory. ... Ryo Ishikawa had his third consecutive round of 69 and was tied for 11th. ... Jonas Blixt had the low round Saturday at 65. Under a "University of Farmers" campaign, that was worth a $20,000 donation to his alma mater, Florida State. Cameron Tringale (Georgia Tech) had a 66 to finish second, which was worth $10,000.
THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3x72)
Players from US unless stated
198 Kyle Stanley 62 68 68.
203 John Huh 64 71 68, John Rollins 70 65 68.
204 Bill Haas 63 71 70, Sang-Moon Bae (South Korea) 65 67 72.
Selected scores
209 Justin Rose (England) 71 68 70 (T25)
213 Greg Owen (England) 75 67 71, Gary Christian (England) 72 70 71 (T57)

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KIWI McCALL LEADS LAKE MACQUARIE CH/SHIP AFTER SUPER 63

Twenty-year-old New Zealander Vaughan McCall soared up the leader board on the third day of the Lake Macquarie Men’s International Golf Championship with a course record equalling round of nine under 63 today. McCall, who plays at the Gore Club on the bottom of the South Island, had an eagle 2 on the par 4 second hole when he holed out his second shot with a wedge.
He had seven birdies on holes 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 15 and 18 and no bogeys in his remarkable round.
McCall had a three under first round of 69 and a one under 71 yesterday and is now in third place at 13 under 203 with one day to go.
“When I holed out on two I knew something special was happening,” he said after his round
today. “ I’ve been playing golf for seven years and this is my best round.”
McCall came to Australia to play in the Australian Amateur Championships last year but this is his first try at the Lake Macquarie tournament.
Still vying for the lead in the tournament are German, Marcel Schneider, who shot five under 67 today to bring his total for the three rounds to 15 under 201 and Caboolture champion Daniel Nisbet, who carded 69 today for a total of 14 under 202.
Best of the local challengers is 18 year old Charlestown product Jake Higginbottom who is four off the pace after a four under 68 today to bring his total to 205.
Higginbottom , 15th in World Amateur rankings, is one of the favourites for the event.
Schneider and Nesbit fought out the Australian Amateur Championships at Woodlands, Melbourne, last week when Schneider won on the 37th hole of the 36 hole match play final.
They are expected to stage an exciting rematch tomorrow (Sunday).

ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE OWNERS MEETING

VENUE: Abbotsley Golf Hotel, Potton Road, St.Neots, PE19 6XN

MONDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2012, 11.30 a.m.

AGENDA

Welcome and Registration from 11 a.m.

Introduction

Update on the Chipping Sodbury Case, involvement, finance, parties involved

Bridport and West Dorset – what it means, the appeal

What if the cases succeed?

Unjust enrichment, partial exemption

VAT – short overview of past – pre-1990, 1993 and all that, 1998-1999 and all that

Abbotsley success case with VAT and others

Subject to commercial influence – the 1999 farce

Fiscal Neutrality – recent cases

Reduced rate VAT – progress on lobbying and negotiation

Our Lobbying work – how we can all work together

Corporation Tax – History, A century of tax evasion, the worst offenders

Producing a level playing field with corporation tax – our action in 2012

How you can help

CASC – the nail in the coffin and the abuse

Affiliation fees to national and county governing bodies.

AGCO’S 2011-2012 Research and Presentation of Report

Some of the above will be dealt with on hand-outs and possibly sent beforehand once major report is finalised.
Questions and comments throughout.
Joint working party approach.

If you haven’t yet booked your place and would like to attend please email us.

Please also ascertain who is your local MP and any additional ones for your members. It would be helpful if you could bring a couple of sheets of your headed notepaper with you to send out lobbying material and report direct from the meeting to your MP/MPs.

Vivien Saunders

Email: viv@abbotsley.com. 07956 628338

Abbotsley Golf Hotel, Potton Road, St Neots, PE19 6XN – 01480 211699

CALLUM MACAULAY NOW ONLY THREE SHOTS OFF PACE IN INDIA

From Challenge Tour Press Officer
 Paul Symes
Callum Macaulay believes he is firmly in contention to win the Gujarat Kensville Challenge after a three under par round of 69 in tough conditions at Kensville Golf and Country Club moved him to within three shots off the lead, going into the final round in India.
The 28 year old former Scottish amateur champion from Tulliallan, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, carded four birdies and just one bogey in a round which included a superb save on the par five ninth hole, when he got up and down for par after his second shot, a six iron from 244 yards, carried into a water hazard behind the green.
“I was in a great position,” he said. “I had 244 yards to the flag, hit a six iron and it went through the green and into the water. I couldn’t believe it when I got up there and it was in the water, but I got it up and down for par and then stayed patient on the back nine and got a birdie at the last.
“That up and down kept my momentum going though, I was pretty annoyed that I went through the green. It literally went, from ball to finish, about 270 yards, a six iron. I’m lucky if I hit my driver 270, never mind the six iron! It’s just that you get very hard bounces out there and that was just one of them and it went the wrong way for me, but overall I’m delighted.”
While the conditions did not favour the Falkirk-born man on that occasion, he feels that the course is a good match for his game and, after finishing tied 11th here last year, is hopeful that he can go one step further and take the title.
“I feel great, I’m striking the ball well,” he continued. “I’ve been working hard on my game. I’ve been working on my fitness recently too and I’ve not felt tired at all on the course this week, and out here that’s a big thing. Hopefully I can keep doing the same things tomorrow, hole a few more putts and see what happens.
“It’s a course that I like and it’s similar kind of style to home, it’s brick hard and it’s windy so it maybe plays into my hands. There’s one day to go and if I can keep doing what I’m doing, hopefully I’ll be there or thereabouts.”
Chris Doak is six shots off the lead going into the final day after he remained level par thanks to a steady round of 72 on the Jeev Milkha Singh-designed course, while Raymond Russell was also tied 14th alongside his compatriot on level par after a two over par round of 74.

Gangjee one step closer to Gujarat glory

Rahil Gangjee took one more step towards securing victory on his Challenge Tour debut after a one over par round of 73 kept him in pole position heading into the final day of the Gujarat Kensville Challenge, where he is one shot clear of Dodge Kemmer and Max Kieffer on six under, writes Neil Ahern.The 33 year old began the day tied for the lead with his compatriot Shiv Kapur, but a blustery day on the tough Jeev Milkha Singh-designed Kensville Golf and Country Club course claimed many victims and Kapur was one of them, as he dropped to tied 11th with a six over par round of 78.
American Kemmer, on his Challenge Tour debut, and Germany’s Kieffer made hay in the tough conditions as they both carded two under par rounds of 70 to move into tied second place, while there were four players a shot further back in tied fourth.
Gangjee would become the second successive Indian, as well as the second successive Challenge Tour debutant, to win the Gujarat Kensville Challenge after Gaganjeet Bhullar triumphed in the inaugural event on his first appearance on the Tour last year.
The Calcutta man looked on course to establishing a commanding lead, as he was one under for the day when he stepped onto the 16th tee courtesy of birdies at the first, fourth, ninth and 15th holes, combined with bogeys at the second, fifth and seventh.
A bogey at the 16th, however, was followed by an untimely double-bogey at the 17th, where he four-putted after reaching the green in three.
“It was going OK until the 17th hole,” he said. “Then it started to go badly wrong. My first putt from just off the green rolled up the hill and picked up speed as soon as it got to the top, and rolled way past the hole. I thought my next putt was uphill, but it was a lot faster than any other putt I had today, and it ended up 25 feet from the hole. At that point, I felt so embarrassed – it felt like I was playing hockey!
“I’m still going to play positively on the last day, because it’s the only way I know how. If it’s going to be as firm as it was today, someone’s going to have to go really low to come through the field and overtake me.
“As Gary Player said, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I’m probably going to have some nerves, because you’re not human if you don’t, but I’m now much more confident of controlling them.”
Kemmer, meanwhile, continues to dream of a winning Challenge Tour debut after he carded three birdies on the back nine to make up for his single bogey on the front nine and finish the day on five under par.
“Given the conditions out there today, I’ve got to be pleased with that round,” admitted the Californian. “Other than the sixth, I managed to keep the bogeys off my card, and a few birdies on the way in have put me into a pretty good position going into the last day.”
The 24 year old was thoroughly enjoying his first Challenge Tour experience and is keen to play more on the European circuit, something that would be made all the much easier with a win in India.
“I’ve got my Asian Tour card after coming through Qualifying last week,” he said. “But my main goal is to get onto The European Tour by the end of the season. I’m really enjoying my first Challenge Tour event, and I can definitely see myself playing in Europe for the next few years. I think it’d be a lot of fun.”
Kieffer is also chasing a first win on the Challenge Tour after finishing 57th in the Rankings in his first season last season, coming close to victory at the ALLIANZ Challenge de France, where he finished runner-up after losing a play-off against his compatriot Nicolas Meitinger.
The German had three birdies on the front nine, at the fourth, sixth and seventh holes whilst also bogeying the fifth to reach the turn in 34, before a bogey on the 10th was followed by a birdie on the 14th to leave him two under par for the day and five under for the tournament.
“It’s great to be in contention again,” said the 21 year old. “The last time was in France last May, when I lost in a play-off. I was a bit disappointed not to have got into contention again last season, but I’m really looking forward to the final day, and hopefully I can get the job done this time.”
Phillip Archer, Jens Dantorp, Andreas Hartø and Luke Goddard are the four players in tied fourth spot while Oskar Henningsson and Callum Macaulay are a shot further back.
THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
210 R Gangjee (Ind) 68 69 73
211 D Kemmer (USA) 69 72 70, M Kieffer (Ger) 70 71 70
212 J Dantorp (Swe) 70 68 74, A Hartø (Den) 73 70 69, L Goddard (Eng) 71 71 70, P Archer (Eng) 73 71 68
213 O Henningsson (Swe) 73 72 68, C Macaulay (Sco) 74 70 69
214 S Benson (Eng) 70 68 76,
215 S Kapur (Ind) 69 68 78, P Dwyer (Eng) 71 72 72, B Åkesson (Swe) 70 73 72,
216 J Gibb (Eng) 72 72 72, R Russell (Sco) 73 69 74, C Doak (Sco) 74 70 72, C Lloyd (Eng) 72 70 74, C Brazillier (Fra) 72 70 74
217 D Gaunt (Aus) 73 68 76, A Snobeck (Fra) 71 71 75, C Paisley (Eng) 72 70 75
218 B Parker (Eng) 71 73 74, C Hanson (Eng) 72 73 73, G Lockerbie (Eng) 69 69 80, H Bacher (Aut) 70 74 74
219 J Walters (RSA) 71 73 75, A Kumar (Ind) 75 70 74, M Ford (Eng) 72 71 76, S Engell Andersen (Ken) 75 69 75, B Barham (Eng) 71 72 76, M Carlsson (Swe) 71 73 75, J Hansen (Den) 77 71 71, P Uihlein (USA) 76 72 71
220 M Cryer (Eng) 73 73 74, B Ritthammer (Ger) 71 74 75, D Singh (Ind) 72 73 75, K Kumar (Ind) 73 73 74, S Tiley (Eng) 75 71 74
221 G Bhullar (Ind) 71 75 75, M Singh Pathania (Ind) 75 72 74, B An (Kor) 76 71 74
222 T Ferreira (RSA) 70 76 76, M Perera (Sri) 73 72 77, R Singh (Ind) 71 73 78, S Khan (Ind) 72 75 75, A Parr (Can) 74 72 76, V Kumar (Ind) 76 72 74
223 M Kumar (Ind) 72 73 78, B Evans (Eng) 71 77 75, A Lohan (Ind) 72 73 78
224 R Dinwiddie (Eng) 72 75 77, M Jaini (Ind) 70 77 77, E Kofstad (Nor) 77 71 76
225 F Praegant (Aut) 73 75 77
226 Å Nilsson (Swe) 76 72 78
227 S Pinckney (USA) 72 76 79, B Chapellan (Fra) 75 71 81, V Kumar (Ind) 75 71 81
231 A John (Ger) 71 77 83, A Sandhu (Ind) 72 76 83

TIGER WOODS AND ROBERT ROCK SHARE LEAD AT ABU DHABI

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Tiger Woods was ideally placed to put down a huge marker for the season after charging into a share of the lead with Robert Rock ahead of the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Having ended 2011 with his first victory for over two years, Woods has a great chance to start 2012 with another.
Thanks to a superb bogey-free display, the 14-time Major winner is on 11 under par and tied with England's Rock, who ensured it was not all about the American when he birdied the final two holes for a matching 66.
They are two in front of four Ryder Cup players - Scot Paul Lawrie, Swede Peter Hanson, Italian Francesco Molinari and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy, the 22 year old US Open Champion, would of course be sharing top spot if he had not incurred his two stroke penalty for brushing sand away off the ninth green in his second round, but a 68 kept him firmly in the hunt.
Woods joked that "it will be nice to get rid of him" after playing with McIlroy three days in a row - and also for nine holes of practice.
Delighted though he was with his position, the former World Number One was not inclined to scream "I'm back" afterwards.
Instead Woods said: "I was just kind of consistent. I didn't do a whole lot wrong, I didn't do a whole lot right.
"Six birdies piled up, but I was methodically going about my business and grinding.
"This course is playing difficult enough. You can make birdies, but you can go the wrong way quickly. I've still got to post a good number."
There were an amazing 24 changes at the top of the leaderboard during the day and at one point eight players were locked together.
Woods made himself the man to catch, however, when he followed his front nine of 34 with further birdies on the tenth, 12th and 14th.
Another came when he found the green in two and two-putted the 567 yard last, but Rock fired in an approach to five feet on the 17th and closed with an eight footer.
The 34 year old's only European Tour victory in well over 200 starts came at the BMW Italian Open last season.
He admitted he was thinking about the possibility of playing the final round with Woods as he entered the finishing stretch.
Less than a decade ago Rock was working at the Swingers Golf Centre in Tamworth.
"[I was] selling Mars bars, chatting to my mates, watching him (Woods) winning Majors," he said.
"Today I was keeping an eye on the leaderboard wondering if I had a chance to play with him.
"It's cool - I can't wait. Maybe not many opportunities (like this) will come my way."
McIlroy said: "I've seen up close how Tiger is playing and I feel if I play my best I've got a great chance.
"It will be a bit different not playing with him. Tiger will bring most of the crowd and maybe I can go quietly about my business."
Hanson had a best-of-the-week 64, Molinari had a 66 and Lawrie a 68 as he continued to enjoy himself in the desert. Last month the former Open Champion, now 43, was runner-up to Alvaro Quiros at the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.
World No 1 Luke Donald managed only a 73 after setting off with three birdies in four holes and now finds himself down in joint 55th place on level par.
Among those who overtook him was second-ranked Lee Westwood, whose 68 came a day after he was struggling with a neck problem.
Halfway leader Thorbjørn Olesen's 71 dropped him into a tie for seventh, while Padraig Harrington found that, like the England cricket team just up the road, a score of 72 was no good. It dropped the Irishman from 11th to 27th.
Paul Lawrie continues to play quality golf and, with rounds of 70, 69 and 68 he is joint second, only two shots behind Woods and Rock.
On his website, Paul writes:


"I played afa (very) well again today. I shot 68 (-4) to be nine under and in a tie for third. My only mistake today was missing the 14th green right when the pin was tight right but apart from that I played well and have given myself a chance for tomorrow, which is all you can do."


THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3x72)
205 Tiger Woods (US) 70 69 66, Robert Rock (England) 69 70 66.
207 Peter Hanson (Sweden) 74 69 64, Francisco Molinari (Italy) 74 67 66,
Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 67 72 68, Paul Lawrie (Scotland) 70 69 68.

OTHER SCOTS SCORES
213 David Drysdale 70 72 71 (T35)
214 Peter Whiteford 73 73 68, Stephen Gallacher 72 72 70 (T41)
217 Richie Ramsay 67 71 77 (T62).


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