JULIE OTTO, CLAIRE-MARIE MACAULAY MISS OUT AT AUCHTERARDER

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Former British women's open amateur champion Julie Otto (Elie Sports Club) and Calum Macaulay's wife Claire-Marie (Playsport Golf) didn't quite make it as Ross Jack (Dumfries and Galloway) and Adam McCabe of Gordon Sherry Golf shot two-under-par 67s to head the field of 64 at the Powerade PGA Assistants Championship Scottish qualifying round at Auchterarder Golf Club today. Jack and McCabe led 17 qualifiers in all from the Perthshire venue for  the £32,500 Championship final, in association with FootJoy, at East Sussex National course on June 13-15. But Jack might have been pursuing another career path had it not been for the encouragement he received at his home club of Dumfries and Galloway. Jack has been coached by PGA professional Joe Fergusson since he was six and has been a club member since the age of 10. And first year assistant Jack said: "I was encouraged to go down the PGA route to try and realise some of the potential I was told was there. "I did have a place at Strathclyde University, where I was going to study electrical engineering. "But I decided to choose golf instead. So I'm pleased to have won my first PGA event. "Taking the PGA course gives you so many career opportunities as well as the chance to play or coach. "At the moment, I'm concentrating on the playing side and I'm looking forward to playing at East Sussex. "If you do well there then it's a chance to make a bit of a name for yourself. "I made a good start with three birdies and by the time I was dropping shots I'd made sure I was qualified." Jack and McCabe finished one shot ahead of Christopher McMaster of Panmure Golf Club. Former Curtis Cup player and twice a finalist in the British women's open amateur championship - she won the title at Dunbar in 1990 - Julie Otto, who made her name as an amateur first as Julie Wade and then Julie Hall,  worked for the Ladies Golf Union and then the R & A before she decided to turn pro fairly recently  with a view to a teaching career at Elie Sports Club. She shot a 73 to fail by a couple of shots. Claire-Marie Macaulay, wife of the European Challenge player and former Scottish amateur champion Callum,, was another who did not make it. She had a 76. QUALIFIERS Par 69 67 Adam McCabe (Gordon Sherry Golf, Ross Jack (Dumfries and Galloway). 68 Chris McMaster (Panmure). 69 Graeme Brown (Monrose Links), Martin Lawrence (Newmachar). 70 Joseph McBrearty (Haggs Castle), Fraser Dunlop (Gleneagles), Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm), Ross McConnachie (Peterculter), Iain McNab (Dundonald Links). 71 Jonathan Belford (Noah's Ark), Kevin Mora (Balbirnie Park), Jamie Mackay (Western Gailes), Fraser Clarke (Newmachar), Stuart Williamson (West Kilbride), Matthew Burtt (Haggs Castle). 72 Callum Nisbet (Bathgate). RESERVES IN ORDER 72 Paul Betty (Hamilton), Scott McGregor (Forfar), David Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie), Alastair Thomson (Douglas Park), Jordan Ramanauskas (Gullane). 73 Shaun Clarke (Elie SC), Craig Armstrong (Burntisland), Ross Leeds (Turnberry), Gregor Wright (Ladybank), Fraser Rummins (Canmore), Julie Otto (Elie SC), Scott Costello (Strathaven), Ian Anderson (Colville Park), Andrew Burns (Bothwell Castle), Graeme Nethercott (Deeside), Michael Mackenzie (Edzell), Paul Robinson (Largs), Stuart Roberts (unatt). 74 Adam Rolfe (Royal Troon), Fraser Cramb (Noah's Ark). 75 Ewan Grimes (Carrick on Loch Lomond), Gordon Hillson (Dunbar), Duncan Anderson (Murrayfield), Calum Lawson (Blairgowrie), Cameron Tortolano (Stirling). 76 Stuart Milne (Balbirnie Park), Craig Haugh (Linlithgow), Claire-Marie Macaulay (Playsport Golf), Mark Pomphrey (Gleneagles), Ewan MacPhereson (Auchterarder). 77 Martin Shaw (Kilm arnockBarassie), Peter Scanlan (Playsport Golf), Michael Maxwel (Carnoustie), Cameron West (Scotscraig). 78 Ryan Stirling (Lanark), Emma Fairnie (Gullane) 79 Duncan Bain (Aberdour), Grant Smith (Gleneagles). 80 Ricardo Scarafile (Eastwood), Richard Holt (Balbirnie Park). 81 Jack Thorburn (Lundin). 82 Oliveer Huish (North Berwick) 83 James Boyce (Erskine), Richard Mackenzie-Smith(Kings Acre), Graeme Ritchie (Greaves Sports).

DOWNFIELD "A" WIN ANGUS COUNTY BOYS' TEAM TITLE

  WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! Downfield A team's winning line-up (left to right):

Lewis George, Scott Grant, Graeme Walker and Connor Dempsey.

Downfield A emerged as winners of the Angus county boys' team trophy competion, played in in a bitterly cold and very strong wind at Ballumbie Castle Golf Club.

They won with a total of 326 which was seven strokes better than runners-up Monifieth A.

Best individual score of the day was a 73 by Ewen Matthew (Kirriemuir A), a great score in the difficult conditions. Unfortunately one of his team-mates had a No Return, which meant that Kirriemuir A could not return a team score.

The handicap team prize was won by Downfield C with a total of 290

SCRATCH TEAM TOTALS

326 Downfield A

333 Monifieth A

349 Ballumbie A

353 Monifieth B

359 Downfield C

363 Downfield B

418 Royal Montrose

NO RETURNS

Montrose Mercantile

Kirriemuir A

Kirriemuir B

Arbroath

Forfar

Ballumbie B 

THREE SHARE VICTORY IN WEST OF ENGLAND STROKE-PLAY

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLAND GOLF
Josh White (Chipstead, Surrey), a member of the England squad, finished as joint winner of the weather-reduced West of England stroke-play championship at Royal North Devon Golf Club.
The 20 year old finished on 223, seven over par, alongside Charlie McLean (Brickhampton Court, Gloucestershire) and Matthew Daley (Hainsworth Park, Yorkshire), just a stroke ahead of five other players as rain and strong winds forced the event to be reduced to 54 holes.
Paul Kinnear (Formby, Lancashire) led on 68 after a fine first day but Daley surged four strokes ahead on 140 after two days, his second round 71 being one of only two sub-par returns as the weather deteriorated over the north Devon coast.
But Daley could do no better than 83 in what turned out to be the final round, while McLean shot 75 and White a best-of-the-day 74. Daley might have wrapped up the title but for an unfortunate episode on the 15^th green.  He fired his approach to three feet but the wind took his putt off the green and he finished with a double-bogey six.
White, the reigning Surrey Champion and 2011 Berkshire Trophy winner, climbed through the field with his closing 74, which included a back nine of 38 in driving rain and dipping temperatures.  
Leading final scores:
223 J White (Chipstead) 71 78 74, C McLean (Brickhampton Court) 72 76 75, M Daley (Hainsworth Park) 69 71 83
224 A Hogan (Newlands) 72 76 76, T Fox (China Fleet) 70 78 76, T Workman (Stinchcombe Hill) 70 78 76, M Williams (Cuddington) 70 77 77, J McCormick (Styal) 71 73 80

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LANARKSHIRE GOLF NEWS

James Steven of Bothwell Castle retained his Lanarkshire Spring Meeting trophy with a scratch 73 round Carnwath in very blustery and bitter cold conditions.
James won by virtue of best last six holes on a countback from Craig Boyd of Lanark.
The handicap event was won by Stephen Kelly of Carluke with a nett 70 playing off 8.
Lanarkshire President Alan Wilson of Carluke Presented the prizes.

Results:     
Scratch
1 James Steven (Bothwell Castle) 73 BL6        

2 Craig Boyd   (Lanark) 73
3 Callum Harrison (Carluke) 74 
4 David Clelland  (Hamilton)   76  BL3 
5 Blair Murphy  (Lanark)  76               

Handicap  Prizes
1 Stephen Kelly  (Carluke)  78-8=70  BIH 
2 Paul McHugh  (Calderbrae) 82-12=70 BIH 
3 K McCormick   (Crow Wood)  89-19=70 BIH
4  C Docherty       (Crow Wood)  83-13=70                

CSS  72

SNOW REAL, MACDONALDS SUPPORT SCOTTISH HYDRO CHALLNGE

Team Scottish Hydro players Jamie McLeary, Jack Doherty, Chris Doak, Callum Macaulay and Andrew McArthur at the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts announcement at the top of the CairnGorm Mountain

At a truly unique announcement at the summit of CairnGorm Mountain in the Highlands of Scotland, Macdonald Hotels and Resorts were today named as the hosting sponsor of the Scottish Hydro Challenge, which takes place at Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Course from June 21-24.

 The new agreement, confirmed at the spectacular mountain location, means that the tournament, one of the flagship events on the European Challenge Tour schedule, will now be known as the ‘Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts’.

The UK’s highest building – the picturesque Ptarmigan Restaurant near Aviemore, 1097 metres above sea level - was the venue where five of Scotland’s most talented Challenge Tour stars, all members of Team Scottish Hydro 2012, were present for the official announcement.

The Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts also benefits from the considerable support from Scottish Government agency EventScotland, currently to the tune of £150,000 per annum, as part of the country’s strong golf tournament investment programme in conjunction with the hosting of The 2014 Ryder Cup.

EventScotland’s continued support, which is confirmed through to at least 2018, means Challenge Tour golf will play a major part in the build-up to golf’s biggest team event, which takes place at Gleneagles, Perthshire, in two years’ time.

This year’s tournament, at the spectacular Dave Thomas-designed course, will be the sixth consecutive year that Macdonald Hotels have provided the host venue for the Scottish Hydro Challenge, with Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Course staging the event from 2009 following two years at Macdonald Cardrona Golf and Country Club in the Scottish Borders.

Macdonald Hotels and Resorts’ hosting sponsorship will provide the tournament with another huge boost following last year’s exciting announcement that Scottish Hydro will sponsor the event until 2014 - the year in which The Ryder Cup makes that eagerly-awaited return to Scotland for the first time since 1973.

Ruaridh Macdonald, Sales and Marketing Director for Macdonald Hotels, said: “Macdonald Hotels and Resorts have, since 2007, been extremely proud hosts to this growing tournament and to have our name in the title only reaffirms our commitment to golf in Scotland and, in particular, the Highlands.

“With the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles just two years away, this is an extremely exciting time for golf in Scotland and to have one of the country’s largest golf tournaments named the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts is a source of immense pride for us.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: "EventScotland is proud to once again be a major supporter of the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts as part of our ongoing investment in golf tournaments in the build up to the 2014 Ryder Cup.

“Scotland is ‘The Home of Golf’, and as such it is fitting that we continue to host one of the most successful tournaments on the Challenge Tour, which in turn helps Scotland’s rising stars make the step up to the top ranks of the professional game.

“The tournament also delivers an important platform to showcase Clubgolf, our national junior golf programme, to children from across the Highlands and Islands. So on every level this tournament continues to raise the profile of golf in Scotland.”

Jonny Petrie, Sponsorship Manager for Scottish Hydro said: “Scottish Hydro is delighted with the continued support provided for the event by both Macdonald Hotels and EventScotland. We have made significant investment in golf in Scotland over the past few years and this further commitment from two other event partners will do nothing but good for the game of golf in Scotland. We are very much looking forward to being up in Aviemore again in June.”

Alain de Soultrait, Director of the European Challenge Tour, said: “This tournament is truly one which encapsulates all that is great and exciting about Challenge Tour golf and we are delighted and grateful to have such great backing from the various parties involved.

“To have Macdonald Hotels and Resorts further their commitment is another huge boost and, with Scottish Hydro and EventScotland right behind us until at least 2014, the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts is sure to continue to thrive as one of the most eagerly- awaited events on the Challenge Tour schedule.”

Yesterday , four of the players also hosted a golf clinic each at four Highlands venues, Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Course (Andrew McArthur), Fairways Driving Range Inverness (Chris Doak) Inverness Golf Club (Jamie McLeary) and Nairn Dunbar Golf Club (Callum Macaulay).

BRIAN SMITH WINS SOUTH SENIORS OPEN AT POWFOOT

Kilmacolm's Brian Smith won the South of Scotland seniors' open tournament at Powfoot Golf Club on the Solway Firth coastline with a pair of 71s for a par-matching aggregate of 142, compared with the CSS figures of 73 and 71 for the two-day competiion. Smith won by a shot from Stuart Pond (Worksop), who followed up a 78 with an excellent round of 65, and Stuart Black (Cathcart Castle) (73-70). Keith Howie had a hole in one at the 15th (200yd) with a rescue club. Brian Smith, who plays off three, also had the best net total of 136, five strokes ahead of Stuart Pond (1), Stuart Black (1) and Adrian Donkersley (Gerards Cross) (3). LEADING SCRATCH Par 142 (2x71) CSS 73 71 142 Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) 71 71 143 Stuart Pond (Worksop) 78 65, Stuart Black (Cathcart Castle) 73 70. 144 Malcolm Reid (Sonning) 74 70, Peter Jack (Carlisle) 74 70. 145 Fraser McCluskey (Royal Burgess) 72 73. 146 Graham Forrest (Northumberland) 74 72, Lindsay Blair (Grangemouth) 76 70. 147 David Gardner (Broomieknowe) 76 71, Adrian Donkersley (Gerards Cross) 71 76. 148 Keith Bruce (Edzell) 76 72, Ian Gillan (Bishopbriggs) 72 76, John Fraser (Royal Burgess) 75 73, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 75 73, Tony Stafford (Dunochil) 75 73. 149 Jim Kinloch (ardross) 73 76, Ian Brotherston (Dumfries and Co) 78 71 150 lan O'Neil (West Lothian) 80 70. LEADING HANDICAP 136 Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) (3) 68 68 141 Stuart Pond (Worksop) (1) 77 64, Adrian Donkersley (Gerards Cross) (3) 73 68, Stuart Black (Cathcart Castle) (1) 72 69.

HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

BRAEHEAD GOLFERS TAKE THE PRIZES

In the recent Spring meeting at Braehead and Tulliallan, the full prize-winners list has been published resulting in the following

Division 1

SCRATCH

1 A Watson 70, 2 D Findlay 71. 3 R Benvie 71. All from Braehead.

HANDICAP

1 R Alexander (Braehead) 67, 2 J Maley (Tulliallan) 67, 3 B Allan (Braehead) 67, 4 D Beaton (Braehead 69; 5 N Cully (Alloa) 70; 6 A Anderson (Braehead) 70.

Division 2        

Handicap    1.  E Fairway 69. (Tulliallan); 2. S Harris 69 (Tulliallan); 3 S Young (Alloa) 69, 4 A Lee (Tulliallan) 70, 5 S Weir (Braehead) 71; G McMundie (Alloa) 71.

County Match Play Qualifiers (from Braehead)   

A Watson, D Findlay, R Benvie, S Moffat, R Alexander, A Anderson, S Horne, D Beaton.

These eight players will be joined by a further eight from the Summer Meeting, to play off for the 2012 County Match Play Championship.

In the County Order of Merit, Allan Watson (Braehead) leads with 100 points, and his scratch 70 also leads the Harrower Trophy.

CLACKMANNAN JUST MISS OUT IN PROVAN SALVER.

In the final match of the series held at Dollar on a cold windy day, Clackmannan County took the honours against Perth and Kinross with a 5 - 3 victory. However, that was not enough as Angus took the 2012 title after a count back on games won and lost.

  MATCH DETAILS.  ( Clackmannan names first)

1.  Daren Hulston (Dollar) bt Glenn Campbell 2 and 1

2.  Scott Borrowman (Dollar) bt Connor Neil 6 and 5.

3.  Scott Moffat (Braehead) bt T White 5 and 3.

4.  Lawrence Allan (Alva) bt G Brass 1 hole

5.  Michael Robertson (Alva) lost to S Michie 2 holes

6.  Ross Benvie (Braehead) bt W Hutton   2 holes

7.  S McIvor (Alva) lost to P Scott 3 and 1.

8.  A Watson (Braehead) lost to M Cameron 5 and 3

Clackmannan have selected a team to represent the County in the Scottish Area Team Championship to be held at Rosemount and Lansdowne on the 19^th and 20^th May. Regrettably Scott Moffat is unable to play.

Clackmannan team (Jamie Aitken (Alloa- Captain);  Darren Hulston, Scott Borrowman  ( both Dollar). Lawrence Allan, Michael Robertson (both Alva); Ross Benvie (Braehead).

  The qualifying is over 36 holes stroke play on the Saturday with the top 4 Areas out of 16 to qualify for match play.

    COMING UP--------LOCAL GOLF FIXTURES

  The golf season gathers pace---- this weekend sees the Tillicoultry Open ( Scr-12  Saturday 5^th May)   13- 28  Sunday. There is a Belhaven Open at Tulliallan also on the 6^th and the final stages of the County Fours and County Boys Match Play Championships take place next week

  County golfers are reminded of the Summer Meetings next weekend---- B Division 12^th May at Braehead and A Division 13th May at Alloa. Late entries will probably be available for all these events

KERRS' CLASSY GESTURE - DONATION OF TROPHY FOR TARTAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT

FROM THE PGA WEBSITE
It's been a while but leading Scottish players from the past 31 years are to finally get their names on a special trophy in recognition of their Order of Merit triumphs.
The inspiration for the trophy came from the sponsors of Hayston's Stephen Gray who were taken aback to discover that there was no trophy on offer to mark his achievement of winning the 2011 order of merit.
Raymond and Jim Kerr, long-standing supporters of the PGA in Scotland including a long-standing sponsorship of the Kerr Investments 36 Hole OOM tournament at Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club, decided that they needed to rectify the situation.
As a result they commissioned a new trophy to be made and engraved, and this was presented to Gray at a ceremony at Mar Hall on April 25.
However, the Kerrs also covered the costs of engraving the names of all the previous winners' right back to 1981 when the Order of Merit, in its current format, was instigated.
Jim Farmer was the very first name to be inscribed, and others whose names have been added to the roll of honour include such luminaries as five time winner Russell Weir, David Huish (three times), Andrew Oldcorn, John Chillas, Ross Drummond (twice) and Greig Hutcheon (another three time winner).
Scottish regional secretary Michael MacDougall said: "This is a magnificent gesture from Kerr Investments who have been great supporters of Scottish golf and I think all the players will appreciate having their names on such a superb trophy."

IN-FORM McKENNA SPEARHEADS DUNBARTONSHIRE AT BLAIRGOWRIE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWS RELEASE FROM DUMBARTONSHIRE GOLF UNION

MONEYGATE SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Our team for this event will be;

Fraser McKenna, (Balmore), pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, arguably the form player in Scotland this year, after his semi final in the South African match play he returned home to win the Champion of Champions at Leven; a 6^th place finish in the Craigmillar Open, then last week winning the Battle Trophy.

Andrew Campbell, (Dumbarton); 2011 Dunbartonshire Stroke play Champion;

Richard Docherty, (Bearsden); at present at College in the States, and 2011 DGU Match Play Champion.

Gordon Yates, (Hilton Park); 2010 Scotland Futures squad player.

Paul Gault; (Westerwood); winner of several 36 holes tournaments over the past few years and despite the terrible weather last year was the only one the field to break par over Old Preswick.

Craig Checkley presently leading the DGU Order of Merit.

JIM PATON

DGU Team Manager.

NEWS RELEASE FROM CLACKMANNAN COUNTY

Here's the Clackmannanshire team for the area team championship at Blairgowrie.

Jamie Aitken (Alloa)
Lawrence Allan (Alva)
Ross Benvie (Braehead)
Scott Borrowman (Dollar)
Darren Hulston (Dollar)
Michael Robertson (Alva)


JAMIE AITKEN

Clackmannan team captain

LANARKSHIRE

Paul Shields (Kirkhill)

Steven Rennie (Drumpellier)

Craig Ross (Kirkhill)

Eamon Bradley (Mount Ellen)

James Steven (Bothwell Castle)

Andy Fairbairn (Kirkhill).

Team captain

W S O Sharpe (Hamilton

By ROBIN WILSON

North District champion Bryan Fotheringham (Inverness) and namesake Fraser Fotheringham (The Nairn) will spearhead the North District team for a second year but it was touch and go whether the Nairn golfer would be playing again so early in the season.

Last December an inoculate splinter in the index finger of Fraser's his right had turned septic and he was in danger of having the finger removed. Fortunately the infection cleared and the former youth cap was back in action last weekend with a solid level par 70 over the Tain links where in two weeks time the Scottish Women's (close) championship will be staged.

Bruce Thomson, who this season has switched his home club to Nairn, is the only other survivor of the six who last year finished eighth of the 16 areas at Prestwick St. Nicholas.

Into this year's North six-man team has been called three first timers to the competition, Elgin's Jordan Milne, Fortrose and Rosemarkie's Chris Gaittens and Thurso's Dougie Thorburn.

NORTH

Bryan Fotheringham  (Inverness)

Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn)

Chris Gaittens (Fortrose and Rosemarkie)

Jordan Milne (Elgin)

Bruce Thomson (Nairn)

Douglas Thorburn (Thurso)

 ARGYLL and BUTE

Allan Mckie
Stephen Renfrew
Craig Pirie
Greg Watson
David Graham
Robert MacIntyre

+E-mail your teams for publication to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

ROSS PROCTOR WINS NORTH OF SCOTLAND BOYS' CHAMPIONSHIP FOR H R SPENCE TROPHY

     Ross Proctor (left), North District president Robert McKerron, Jake Scott.

                    Picture by courtesy of Peter Abbott

Ross Proctor (Forres) won the North of Scotland boys' championship for the H R Spence Trophy by three strokes over two rounds at Kinloss Golf Club on Sunday. The event was sponsored by J and C Fotheringham.
 Proctor shot rounds of 66 and 69 for an aggregate of 135, one over par.
Runner-up was Buckpool's Jake Scott who did well in the recent Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish boys' championship at Murcar links. Scott had rounds of 71 and 67 for 138.
Shaun Hogg (Alness) was third on 140 with scores of 71 and 69.
^{LEADING FINAL TOTALS}                         

Par 134 (2x67)
135 Ross Proctor (Forres) 66 69

138 Jake Scott (Buckpool) 71 67

139 Kieran MacKay (Inverness) 68 71

140 Shaun Hogg (Alness) 71 69, Cameron Franssen (Inverness) 68 72.

141 Andrew Burgess (Nairn) 72 69               

144 Michael Schinkel (Orkney) 72 72, Jonathon Keith (Inverness) 71 73, Jack Ross (Royal Dornoch) 67 77, David Grindell (Inverness) 70 74

145 Calum MacMillan (Inverness) 75 70, Greg Bennett (Inverness) 72 73

146 Mark Dingwall (Forres) 71 75, Jordan Shaw (Kingussie) 70 76, Stephen Hopes (Elgin) 74 72.

147 Sandy Scott (Nairn) 73 74, Rory Franssen (Inverness) 73 74, Craig Black (Inverness) 72 75, Rory MacEwan (Moray) 76 71

148 Cameron Kerr (Elgin) 73 75, Rory Asher (Nairn) 70 78, James Asher (Nairn) 76 72, Andrew Kenyon (Inverness) 73 75, Jamie Whittet (Muir of Ord) 74 74, Alasdair Ross (Fort William) 70 78.
149 Alastair Boyd (Lybster) 74 75

Lowest Scratch Aggregate U16 (as at 00.00 on 1^st Jan 2012)
1 Keiran MacKay (Inverness) 68 71 139
2 Cameron Franssen (Inverness) 68 72 140
3 David Grindell (Inverness) 70 74 144

Lowest Handicap Aggregate
1 Andrew Moir (Elgin)  (24) 114
2 Gregor Miller (Forres) (17) 120
3 Jack Ross (Royal Dornoch) (11) 122

US NATIONWIDE TOUR REPORT AND FINAL TOTALS

Long-hitting Luke List won the weekend's US Nationwide Tour event.
To read the US PGA Tour website report:

CLICK HERE


TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

LUKE DONALD FINISHES THIRD, REGAINS WORLD NO 1 SPOT

FROM THE BBC SPORTS.COM WEBSITE

Luke Donald regained top spot in the world rankings from Rory McIlroy after finishing third in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans yesterday.

The Englishman needed a top-seven finish to move back to the head of the standings and a final-round 67 saw him finish third, two shots adrift.
American Jason Dufner beat Ernie Els in a play-off for his first US PGA Tour title after they finished tied on 19 under.
Masters champion Bubba Watson carded 70 to end tied 18th at 11 under.
The world No 1 spot has changed hands nine times in the last 18 months, with Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer also holding the position.
With Donald absent this week, McIlroy can regain top spot in the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina.
"It's been going back and forth a little bit. Rory's turn next week. It was a little bit of a motivation to try to play well today," said Donald.
Dufner took a two-shot lead into the fourth round but his two-under 70 was not enough to hold off Els's 67.
Both missed birdie putts within eight feet on the par-five 18th on the first play-off hole, but Dufner holed a short birdie putt and Els missed one from the fringe on the 18th for a second time to hand the 35-year-old a first title in 164 starts on the US Tour.
Dufner lost play-offs last year to Mark Wilson in the Phoenix Open and Keegan Bradley in the US PGA Championship for two of his three career runner-up finishes.
"To get the monkey off of my back, it's a great feeling," said Dufner, who is getting married next weekend.
Three-time major winner Els last won on the US Tour in the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
"It was a nice little charge I made and, you know, nice to catch the leader," said the South African. "I had a chance to win the tournament with a six-footer and missed it, but I made quite a few putts on the back nine to keep myself in it."
Defending champion Watson, playing for the first time since his Masters win over Easter weekend, entered the final round eight shots off the lead and was unable to mount a charge after bogeys on his first two holes.
"All in all, pretty good week being tired, coming back for the first time after winning the Masters, all this different media attention," Watson said.
"It's something you got to get used to. It wears on you, tires you out. Somehow I finished in the top 20. A lot of guys wished they did that."
Russell Knox from Invrness totalled 133 (69-64) for his first two rounds and 146 (74-72) for his third and fourth rounds.
His 279 total placed him joint 30th.

Zurich Classic final-round leaderboard (US unless stated)

• -19: J Dufner, E Els (SA) [Dufner wins after play-off]
• -17: L Donald (Eng)
• -16: R Palmer, G DeLaet (Can)
• -15: S Stricker
• Selected others:
• -13: J Rose (Eng)
• -11: B Watson
• -9: G Owen (Eng)

TO READ THE REPORT ON THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

CLICK HERE

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

CLICK HERE

RICHIE RAMSAY RUNNER-UP TO WIESBERGER IN BALLAINTINE'S CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR
Bernd Wiesberger sealed a dominant maiden European Tour victory in style at the Ballantine’s Championship, holing a 20 foot birdie on the final hole to finish five shots clear of Aberdonian Richie Ramsay at Blackstone Golf Club.
The Austrian closed with a nerveless round of 68 to consolidate his overnight advantage and never looked like relinquishing his stranglehold on the €2.2million event in Korea, producing a faultless display of front running.
Wiesberger won 367,500 Euros; Ramsay 245,000 Euros (£199,660)
A two-time runner up on The European Tour in 2011, Wiesberger had played himself into pole position for his first victory with consecutive flawless rounds of 65 on Friday and Saturday, and he was steady rather than spectacular on the front nine with his only birdie on the par five fifth.
Scot Ramsay, who closed with an impressive 65 to claim second place, put some pressure on the 26 year old, reducing the gap to three shots with a birdie on the 16^th, but Wiesberger stepped up another gear on the way in and picked up shots himself on the 15^th and 16^th holes before a memorable birdie on the last hole signed off a week he will never forget.
“I can't say I wasn't nervous on the first tee box, but when I got the first shot out there on the fairway, it was a bit of a relief,” he said.
“I was under a bit of pressure when I had to hang in there on 13 and 14, and I was able to make a couple of good shots, and great putts, and I was pleased to finish the way I did.
“That long putt on the last and the celebration reflects the last four days which were awesome, and I really enjoyed it out there today.
“I felt comfortable out there. I thought I just had to do what I did the last couple of days, hit those greens and make two putts, and make a couple of birdies. It was key for me to do that and I hung in there. I was very proud of how I finished the round up.”
The two-time European Challenge Tour winner, who finished on 18 under par 270, did not drop a shot for the final 59 holes of the tournament following his double bogey on the 13th hole on Thursday. He became the third Austrian to win on The European Tour following Markus Brier and Martin Wiegele.
“Every sportsman dreams about winning, especially a tournament that was so well organised and has such great players in the field,” he said. “To play the way I did this week is very special.”
Ramsay, winner of the South African Open in 2010, carded seven birdies to finish on 13 under par 275, with Frenchman Victor Dubuisson (66) and Australian Marcus Fraser (70) two shots further back on 11 under par 277.
Whilst disappointed he could put more pressure on his playing partner, 2010 Ballantine’s Championship winner Fraser was full of admiration for the performance of Wiesberger who he believes has a big future in the game.
“I said to him get used to that because you're going to do that quite a bit,” he said. “He's as impressive a golfer as I've ever seen. If he keeps working on the right things and doing what he's doing, he's obviously got a great support team around him and he can go onto do whatever he wants.
“He's got so much in his game. A guy that size and who hits it that far and still putts unbelievably, you don't see that too often. He's got massive things ahead of him and I wish him all the best. He's an absolute gentleman on the course. It was great fun being out there and watching it.”
Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez (69) finished tied fifth on ten under par 278, along with Englishman Anthony Wall who eagled the last for a 67.
Australian Adam Scott, the World Number 12, finished tied 12^th after closing with a 65 for an eight under par total of 280, surging up the leaderboard in similar fashion to his move on the Sunday of the Masters Tournament earlier this month.
“The game is right there,” he said. “I had three really good rounds this week, and I was away with the fairies on Friday.
“It's all there. I'm very confident with where my game is at, and I saw it there at the Masters. It came through on the weekend and it's come through here. It's soon going to be putting me in position for four good rounds.”
YE Yang, the 2009 US PGA Champion, finished as the leading Korean player after birdieing the final two holes for a 70. He ended the tournament in a five-way share of 15^th place on seven under par 281, alongside, amongst others, Ryder Cup player Ian Poulter on seven under par 281
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72) Prize money in Euros
270 Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) 72 65 65 68 (367,500)
275 Richie Ramsay (Scotland) 70 72 68 65 (199,660)
277 Victor Dubuisson (France) 68 75 68 66, Marcus Fraser (Australia) 71 67 69 70 (124,142 each)/

OTHER SCOTS' TOTALS
288 Scott Jamieson 76 678 73 71 (T49) (9,482)
289 Peter Whiteford 71 74 76 68 (T54( 7,186)
290 Marc Warren 76 72 69 73 (60th) (6,174)

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PABLO LARRAZABAL WINS PEUGEOT ALPS DE BARCELONA EVENT

Spain's Pablo Larrazabal won the Peugeot + Alps Tour de Barcelona with a 16 under par final total.
To read all about it

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SEVE'S AMATEUR SON JAVIER HELD HIS OWN AMONG THE PROS

 FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE

By OLIVER BROWN

 

With impeccable poise and a heartfelt dedication to his late father, Javier Ballesteros on Sunday completed his remarkable debut in a professional event with a final-round 68 to finish tied for 12th at the Peugeot Alps de Barcelona.

 Sant Cugat, the same course where the great Seve had taken his bow in the paid ranks in 1974, heightened a symbolic occasion for his family.

The 21-year-old Javier, Ballesteros’s eldest son, was consistently impressive throughout rounds of 65, 73 and 68, which left him at four under par, 12 behind winner Pablo Larrazábal. His position, remarkably, was higher even than Seve had managed 38 years ago, when the five-time major winner came 20th at the

Spanish Professional Championship and later broke down in tears in the locker room, having failed to register the victory he had expected.

After his opening 65, Javier said on Twitter: “I dedicate it to my father. I think he would be happy.” While Javier holds a handicap of 0.4, his time for practice is limited by his

continued studies in law at Madrid’s Complutense University. He has yet to decide whether to pursue a career as a professional, maintaining that he will first finish his education on the advice of his parents.  

“My mother and father always supported me to play golf, but both always told me that studies come first,” he explained. “With every day that passes I enjoy golf more, but I do not plan challenges or set goals. For now I enjoy, have fun.”
His father, who died of a brain tumour last May, had described his ambition for Javier to The Daily Telegraph in his final newspaper interview in July 2010: “If he wants to be a professional golfer, he will have my support, but I want for him is to have a solid education.”
Javier, who had not realised the Sant Cugat connection to Seve when he signed up for the event on the Alps Tour, said: “I have always played golf. I was on the national team between the ages of 14 and 16, and being surrounded by golf at home always made me think about being a pro in the future. But it’s not just a case of turning professional as soon as I leave college. We will see what happens.”
But his top-15 finish in the company of Larrazábal, a professional of eight years’ experience, was a promising indication that he could carve out a career in the game.
The Alps Tour constitutes the third tier of European Golf, below the European Tour and Challenge Tour.
Larrazábal said: “Javier has started very strongly — he is close to competing with us very soon. He has the makings of a great player.”

US NATIONWIDE TOUR: South Georgia Classic report and scores

To access the US PGA Tour website summary of the third day's play in the Nationwide Tour event, the South Georgia Classic

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LUKE DONALD FIVE OFF THE PACE IN ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS AFTER 66

To read the US PGA Tour website report on the third day's play in this weekend's US PGA Tour event, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans

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THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3x72)
Players from US unless stated
199 Jason Duffner 67 65 67
201 Graham DeLaet (Canada) 68 67 66
202 John Rollins 67 66 69, Ernie Els (S Africa) 66 68 68
203 Ryan Palmer 72 67 64, Steve Stricker 66 68 69, Cameron Tringale 65 70 68
204 Luke Donald (England) 73 65 66, KenDuke 65 68 71, Ben Curtis 67 70 67
SELECTED SCORES
207 Justin Rose (England) 72 67 68, Russell Knox (Scotland) 69 64 74 (T16)
210 Greg Owen (England) 70 69 71, Brian Davis (England) 71 67 72 (T38)
211 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 69 73 69 (T45)
MISSED THE CUT (142 or better qualified)
144 Gary Christian (England) 75 69.
153 John Daly 73 80
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SOUTH NAME TEAM FOR AREA CHAMPIONSHIP AT BLAIRGOWRIE

South team for the Moneygate Scottish men's area team championship at Blairgowrie Lansdowne on May 19-20 is:

               

Greig Marchbank (Dumfries and County)

Kyle  McClung (Wigtownshire County)

Rory  Thomson (Dumfries and Galloway)

Danny McConnachie (Dumfries and County)

Scott Gibson (Southerness)

Martin McNae (Dumfries and Galloway) 

+If area team secretaries wish their line-ups displayed on scottishgolfview.com, E-mail the information to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

WIESBERGER OPENS UP FIVE-SHOT LEAD AFTER THREE ROUNDS OF BALLANTINE'S CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWS RELEASE FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

Austrian Bernd Wiesberger has given himself the best possible chance of his maiden European Tour triumph to date, by opening up a five shot lead after the third round of the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea.

On a beautiful day at Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, the 26 year old from Vienna – who began the day with a one-shot cushion – took full advantage of the ideal scoring conditions to stamp his authority on the tournament with a master-class in front running.
Birdies at the fourth and sixth were followed by five more in a stunning inward half of 31 which gave him his second consecutive bogey free 65, a 14 under par total of 202, and a healthy advantage over his nearest challenger Marcus Fraser of Australia, who posted a respectable 69 for the nine under par mark of 207.
England’s Oliver Fisher and Felipe Aguilar of Chile share third on eight under par 208 while European Ryder Cup veterans Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain and Paul McGinley of Ireland share fifth on seven under par 209 but, like the rest of the field, they were mere support acts to the main Wiesberger feature.
 “I think that's what they call a great day at the office,” he said. “It was fun out there. It was nice conditions again like yesterday, and the course was really well set up. I enjoyed myself, I made a lot of putts and that was the key to the day. Perfect. 

 “I don't know if I've ever carded two bogey‑free 65s in a row so that was great as well. On the greens, I really felt like I saw the lines perfectly and even though I didn't hit it as close as I wished on some occasions, I felt that I could make birdies from anywhere.”

Last season Wiesberger – who won twice on the Challenge Tour in 2010 – finished second twice on The European Tour which helped him end the year in 64^th place in The Race to Dubai – the highest ranking of his European Tour career.
“I think The Challenge Tour experience will help me tomorrow but I’ve never gone into a final round with a five shot lead as I came from behind in Lyon and two shots was the lead going into the final round in Toulouse,” he said.
“Anyways, it feels like I'm getting into position more often, and I played well when I was in those positions in the last half of last year. The last two years have been a good preparation so I hope they pay off tomorrow.
Can he be caught? Anyone who studies this game knows anything is possible in golf, but the feelings of second placed Fraser summed up the mood of many around the Blackstone resort.
“I’ve said for a while that Bernd is one of the rising stars of European golf and I think he showed that today with the way he played,” said the Australian. “Of course I will be trying my hardest to catch him but if I was a betting man and he plays tomorrow the way he played today, I’d bet my house on him.”
Third placed Aguilar, who had six birdies and only two dropped shots in a tidy third round 68 had an even more dramatic, although tongue-in-cheek method of stopping the young Austrian maestro.
 “Perhaps we could sneak up behind him and break one of his legs!” joked the winner of the 2008 Indonesia Open on The European Tour. “Seriously though, he is playing very well and deserves his lead but, like the rest of the guys, I’ll be doing everything I possibly can to stop him picking up the trophy tomorrow night.”
Alongside Aguilar, Fisher – who claimed his own maiden European Tour title in the 2011 Czech Open – finished strongly with four birdies in the last six holes to post a third round 67 and keep alive his title dreams.
“I was pretty solid today,” said the 23 year old Englishman. “This is one of those courses where, if the wind is nowhere near as strong as yesterday or the day before, you feel like you can give yourself a lot of chances. 

“I managed to make a few coming in on the back nine and I'm hitting the ball well and I’m happy with how I'm playing. Bernd is obviously going pretty low out there but I hope I have a good day tomorrow.”

Jointly seven shots adrift of Wiesberger going into the final round, both Jiménez and McGinley face an uphill battle to claim the title and the €367,500 first prize but two of the most determined competitors on The European Tour over the last two decades will give it their best shot.
McGinley, a 2010 Ryder Cup Vice-Captain who is returning to full fitness following a knee operation, was in the first group out on the first tee in the third round but wasted little time in making an impression with his own stunning 65.
“The start of my round set me up beautifully,” he said. “To birdie five of the first six holes is a dream start. I don't think I've ever started a round like that before. To keep making birdies the way I did was great. That set me up nicely and I played solid. “This tournament has been good to me over the years. I enjoyed this golf course last year and that was one of the reasons why I made an effort to come out to it again this year. It's a really good course and one that suits my game.”
Jiménez added a third round 69 to his opening efforts of 72 and 68 to keep himself on the fringes of contention. “I played well from tee to green today but didn’t hole enough putts,” he revealed. “You can’t make 32 putts in a round and expect to be right in contention so I’ll have to improve on that tomorrow if I’m to have a chance.”

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARDPar 216 (3x72
202 Bernd Weisberger (Austria) 72 68 65
207 Marcus Fraser (Australia) 71 67 69.
208 Oliver Fisher (England) 71 70 67, Felipe Aguilar (Chile) 71 69 68
209 Paul McGinley (Ireland) 71 83 75, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 72 68 69.
SCOTS' SCORES
210 Richie Ramsay 70 72 68 (T7)
217 Scott Jamieson 76 68 73, Marc Warren 76 72 69 (T50)
221 Peter Whiteford 71 74 76 (T68)

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RUSSELL KNOX LYING SECOND IN US PGA TOUR EVENT

Russell Knox from Inverness has shot 69-64 for 133 to be lying second at the halfway stage of this weekend's US PGA Tour event, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
To read a report of the second day's play from the US PGA Tour website

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TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

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TO READ THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE REPORT FROM THE NATIONWIDE TOUR EVENT THIS WEEKEND

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MyGolfRanking.co.uk, FIFE GOLFING ASSOCIATION

 Week ending April 22, 2012

T1 N Jones (Scoonie) 750 pts

T1 D Waddell (Kirkcaldy) 750

3 A Hodge (Earlsferry Th) 741.67

4 P Taylor (Kirkcaldy) 737.5

5 G Walker (Earlsferry Th) 725

6 J Stenhouse junior (Scoonie) 704.17

7 I Fleming (Auchterderran) 683.3

8 M J Anthony (Aberdour) 612.5

9 R Stenhouse (Scoonie) 608.33

10 D Cummins (Scoonie) 604.17

11 R Thomson (St Andrews) 602.83

12 J Brister (Scoonie) 583.33

13 J Haddow (Scoonie) 570.83

T14 J Henderson (Ladybank) 566.67

T14 J Paisley (Earlsferry Th) 566.67

T14 H W Penman (Scoonie) 566.67

T14 B Ramsay (Drumoig) 566.67

18 G J Walker (Kirkcaldy) 558.33

T19 A Cannon (St Andrews)) 550

T19 S Johnston (Scoonie) 550

T19 H J Thomson (Royal and Ancient) 550

T19 D N Watson (Kirkcaldy) 550.

For ranking lists of participating clubs, the full Fife and Lothians ranking lists and How It Works, visit www.MyGolfRanking.co.uk

KRIS NICOL MISSES CUT IN SPAIN

Fraserburgh rookie professional Kris Nicol missed the cut by three shots after the second round of the Peugeot Alps de Barcelona at Golf Sant Cugat today. Nicol shot a pair of 71s for 142 after a double bogey at the 10th. Spaniard Pabla Larrazabal covered his last 14 holes in six-under-par for a six-under 64 to lead on 11-under-par 129 with a round to go. Seve Ballesteros's son Javier, a student in Madrid, made the cut with a shot to spare with a 73 for 138. SECOND-ROUND LEADERS Par 140 (2x70) 129 Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 64 65. 130 Jaime Camargo (Spa) 66 64. 131 Ivo Giner (Spa) 62 69. 132 Carlos Aguilar (Spa) 64 68. SELECTED SCORES 133 Jack Senior (Eng) 63 70 (T5) 134 Brendan McCarroll (Ire) 67 67, Stiggy Hodgson (Eng) 67 67 (T8) 136 Matthew Cryer (Eng) 67 69 (T15) 137 Gareth Shaw (N Ireland) 68 9, Ricki Neil-Jones (Eng) 65 72 (T21) 138 Javier Ballesteros (Spa) (am) 65 73. MISSED THE CUT (139 or better qualified) 142 Kris Nicol (Sco) 71 71.

STRONG FINISH EARNS KELLY TWO GRAND

Cawder's Chris Kelly birdied the 11th, 13th and 18th for a second-round 70 and a level-par total of 144 to win £2,100 for joint third place in the opening event of the PGA EuroPro Tour, the Motacaddy Masters at Wensum Valley, Norfolk. The fast-finishing Scot finished only one shot behind two Englishmen, Dan Seymour (71-72) and Liam Burns (73-70) who played off for the £10,000 first prize. Seymour triumphed in the play-off at the second extra hole. Burns pay slip amounted to £5,000. Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey), who has sold shares in himself for the season, earned £340 for a joint 22nd finished on 148 (74-74). His second round included double bogey 6s at the 10th and 11th but he went on to birdie the 12th, 14th and 17th. Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links) and John Gallagher (Swanston) earned £247.50 each for joint 38th place on 150. Saltman shot 74-76, Gallagher a pair of 75s with a double bogey at the 10th in his second round. Wallace Booth (Comrie) finished joint 44th on 151 (75-76) for which he earned £217.50. The money won't be as important to the Perthshire man as staying fit through two rounds after a year out with a shoulder injury. Wales-based Paul Doherty finished joint 51st on 153 (75-78) and earned £190 while Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) was last of the seven Scots who made it through to the end of the weather-truncated tournament. He shot 75-81 for 156 and a share of 55th place, earning £172.50. PGA EUROPRO TOUR - Motacaddy Masters Wensum Valley GC, Norfolk LEADING FINAL TOTALS Par 144 (2x72) 143 Dan Seymour (Eng) 71 72, Liam Burns (Eng) 73 70 (Seymour, £10,000, bt Burns, £5,000, at second hole of play-off). 144 Chris Kelly (Cawder) 74 70, Will Roebuck (Eng) 71 73 (£2,100 each). OTHER SCOTS' TOTALS 148 Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 74 74 (T22) (£340). 150 Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links) 74 76k Johnb gallagher (Swanston) 75 75 (T38) (£247.50 each). 151 Wallace Booth (Comrie) 75 76 (T44) (£217.50 153 Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) 75 78 (T51) (£190). 156 Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) 75 81 (T55) (£172.50). ends Dan Seymour won the opening event of the 2012 PGA EuroPro Tour after a dramatic play-off against Liam Burns in the Motocaddy Masters at Wensum Valley. Seymour (Newbury Golf Centre) shot a final-round of 72 to tie for the lead with Burns (Sundridge Park) but could have avoided the play-off had he holed a short-distance putt on the 18th. With the top two tied on one under Seymour and Burns headed to the 18th tee for a sudden-death play-off but when both hit five they had to jump in a buggy to play the hole again. With the rain which had caused the tournament to be reduced to 36 holes earlier in the week making a return, Seymour birdied his second play-off attempt at the 18th after Burns had missed a tricky putt to match his competitor's score. It was a gripping finale to the opening event of the Tour season and speaking after collecting his cheque, Seymour explained his belief that a good attitude in bad weather had contributed to his victory. "When you play in bad weather it is more about your attitude than it is anything else," he said. "Everybody who entered here can play the game to a high standard - that is why they are here. "I don't mind playing in the bad weather because it is about how you deal with it when the rain does come down heavy. That said, I had a bad finish to my first round; I was five under with three to play when we had a rain delay. I went back out and ended one under for the round!" Seymour played the final round with the leading overnight group. But as they fell away from contention Seymour was able to remain focussed and claim his place in the play-off. "The two lads I was playing weren't doing as well as they would have hoped," he explained. "So as it happened I wasn't too worried about their score it was more about what the other groups were doing. "The leaderboard still showed there was people level par, people one under, and it wasn't the guys I was playing with. That was probably a good thing as I was able to focus more on my own game rather than what those in my group were doing. My coach said I need to focus on my own thing and if that is enough at the end then that is great; today it was. "I started to think about winning it about 14th and it was on that hole that I made a bogey. I was two under at that point and thought if I made birdie I would be up there. I hit a good shot into the green on 15 and I saw I was one behind as we walked down and that was a good thing as I thought 'I'm not defending, I've got to go after that score'."