Huguet to succed Mann as Musselburgh head professional

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

Dean Robertson reappointed head

coach of Europe's Palmer Cup team

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

McIlroy reaches career high seventh in world rankings

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

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

R&A NAME VENUES FOR 2013 CHAMPIONSHIPS

AND INTERNATIONAL MATCHES

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R&A

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

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

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

DATES AND VENUES FOR 2013

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

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

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

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

Galgorm Castle GC, Ballymena the venue

Northern Ireland stages its first EuroPr0 Tour event in June

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

McIlroy set for scan on injured back

FROM THE IRISHTIMES.COM WEBSITE

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

Alan Steel Asset Management backs Gallacher

to return sub par performance

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

NORTHERN TRUST OPEN REPORT

Stricker rises to World No 2

after holding off Donald's

last- round challenge

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

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

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

E-mail from Bruce Eaton in Tasmania:

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

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

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

Peterhead player leads Scots in Jones Cup Invitational

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

Philip McLean finishes joint 11th in Georgia

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

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

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

Northern Trust Open at Riviera, California

Steve Stricker leads by six with 18 holes to play

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

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

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

Jimenez beats Westwood in Dubai play-off

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

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

Herman beats Kirk in Moonah Classic play-off

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

BRILLIANT BHULLAR FIRES SUPERB 64

TO WIN ASIAN TOUR INTERNATIONAL

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

Luke Donald leads chase in Northern Trust Open

Stricker five strokes clear when play suspended

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

JONES CUP INVITATIONAL

Philip McLean will start final round

in joint fifth place after 81 on Day 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE COMPLETE SCOREBOARD

Par 144 (2x72)

Players from US unless stated

147 Blayne Barber 73 74.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

163 Joe Vickery (Wales) 83 80.

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

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

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

168 Garland Ferrell 80 88, Sebastian Kannler 88 80.

169 Allen John 84 85.

172 Scott McAlpine 80 92.

173 Michael Barbosa 89 84.

177 Gene Elliott 88 89.

195 Tanner Smith 89 106.

SCROLL DOWN FOR ROUND 3 NEWS

Late finisher Dustin Johnson takes lead in

Northern Trust Open after 36 holes

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

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

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

Luke Donald signs new, multi-year

agreement with Mizuno

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

GERMAN WINS BY EIGHT IN TURKEY

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

US Tour suspend jail-bound Jim Thorpe

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

Omega Dubai Desert Classic

Westwood, in four-way tie for lead, says

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

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

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

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

NATIONWIDE TOUR'S MOONAH CLASSIC

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

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

KIRADECH SOARS ON EAGLE’S WINGS AT

ASIAN TOUR INTERNATIONAL

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Bangkok: Thailand ’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot a superb eagle on the last hole to open up a two-shot lead after the third round of the season-open ing Asian Tour International today.
Chasing a maiden Asian Tour victory, the burly 20-year-old produced a grandstand finish by converting a 10ft putt following a lucky break and two mighty blows for a three-under-par 69 at the Suwan Golf and Country Club.
Korea ’s Hwang Inn-choon carded the day’s best of 67 to move to second place while Singaporean Lam Chih Bing signed for a 71 to lie a further stroke back in tied third with American rookie David Johnson, who shot a 69.
Filipino Angelo Que (70), last year’s runner-up Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan (68), South African Jbe Kruger (69) and Thailand ’s Piya Swangarunporn (69) will start the final round four off the pace.
Kiradech, a former world junior champion, enjoyed a stroke of fortune at the closing par-five hole as his wayward tee shot hit a light post. Under the Tour regulations, it required the player to retake the shot with no penalty and the Thai made sure his second attempt split the fairway. From 225 yards out, he then nailed a four-iron approach shot to 10 feet for his eagle.
“I’m very happy. I played great golf on the back nine. On the front nine, I was struggling with my putts but it came in on the back nine. I got a lucky rule on 18. I hit the light post and I had to rehit it and got a good line on the second shot. If not for the rule, my first drive would have ended up in the 10th fairway,” said Kiradech, who has held the joint lead at the US$300,000 event since the opening day.
He is determined to win on Sunday and erase the disappointment of finishing second at last year’s Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters where he also led by two going into the final round.
“I’ll try to be better than Malaysia . I couldn’t make any putts then but my routine is now different. My coach has been working with me on my putts. That experience will help me and I think it’ll be good tomorrow,” said Kiradech, whose card included four birdies against as many bogeys.
“It’ll be a proud moment for me if I can win at home as my parents are here. I’ll be trying hard.”
The 34-year-old Hwang, winner of the 2008 GS Caltex Maekyung Open on the Asian Tour, wielded a hot putter as he charged into contention with six birdies. He rolled in long putts on the 10th and 13th holes to give himself a chance of a second victory.
“My putting was good and I hit it all the greens in regulation on the back nine and holed a few long putts. It was good. I’m going to try and win this tournament. I like the course as it rewards good drives,” said the Korean, who s pen t a month in Thailand practising in January due to the cold weather in Seoul .
Lam kept up his title bid where a birdie at the last hole eased the disappointment of bogeys on 16 and 17 from missed putts. A winner on the domestic Thai event last weekend, he reckons he can still overhaul the leader.
“It was a good way to finish with a birdie and still be within striking range. It was blowing all day and it made it a lot trickier. I missed two short putts on 16 and 17 but I guess it’s good not to be in the last flight tomorrow. Maybe I can mount a charge from behind,” said Lam.
“It’s easy to make mistakes. You need to go out there and stay patient and hope for the putts to drop.”
Johnson, who graduated from Qualifying School last month, stayed in the hunt with an impressive 69, erasing an open ing bogey with four birdies. “I got the best out of my round and put myself in a good position. Three back, it’s doable on this course. If I just keep focus on what I’m doing, my goal is to play the golf course. Obviously there are great players and I can’t control what the others are doing,” he said.
Like Lam, Que was also victorious in a local event in Manila last weekend and believes the work put in with his coach Bong Lopez is paying off at the scenic Suwan course.
“We worked on some shots into the wind because a lot of holes last week were into the wind and right to left which is one of my weaknesses. I was able to work out something and practiced it the whole week and used it on the course. This week, a lot of the shots are similar and I wouldn’t have dared to hit those shots if I didn’t work it out with Bong,” he said.
“The way I’m hitting it, I could have done better. I’m still happy. I hit it into the water on 18 but managed to get it up and down for par. I guess it’s a good omen.”
THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
207 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha) 68 70 69
209 Hwang Inn-Choon (Kor) 72 70 67
210 David Johnson (USA) 71 70 69, Lam Chih Bing (Sin) 69 70 71
211 Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Jpn) 71 72 68, Jbe Kruger (Rsa) 70 72 69, Angelo Que (Phi) 74 67 70, Piya Swangarunporn (Tha) 70 72 69
213 Siddikur (Ban) 70 74 69, Antonio Lascuna (Phi) 70 72 71, Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind) 71 71 71, Kenichi Kuboya (Jpn) 73 69 71, Thammanoon Srirot (Tha) 72 69 72
214 Chan Yih-Shin (Tpe) 72 72 70, Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) 69 73 72, Lucas Lee (Bra) 68 74 72, Mars Pucay (Phi) 69 69 76
215 James Kamte (Rsa) 73 73 69, Toni Karjalainen (Fin) 73 72 70, Lin Wen-Hong (Tpe) 71 74 70, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (Tha) 72 72 71, Kim Dae-Hyun (Kor) 69 73 73, Wisut Artjanawat (Tha) 72 69 74
216 Scott Barr (Aus) 72 74 70, Daisuke Maruyama (Jpn) 73 72 71, Panuwat Muenlek (Tha) 73 72 71, Somchai Pongpaew (Tha) 72 72 72, S. Sivachandran (Mal) 72 72 72, Lee Sung (Kor) 73 71 72, Jason Knutzon (USA) 68 75 73, Takao Nogami (Jpn) 73 71 72, Kim Hyung-Tae (Kor) 70 73 73
217 Simon Dunn (Sco) 72 74 71, Guido Van Der Valk (Ned) 73 73 71, Boonchu Ruangkit (Tha) 72 74 71, Yeh Chang-Ting (Tpe) 75 71 71, Ted Oh (Kor) 76 70 71, Hiroshi Iwata (Jpn) 73 73 71, Ben Fox (USA) 70 75 72, Varut Chomchalam (Tha) 73 72 72, Yang Ji-Ho (Kor) 74 70 73, Pornsakon Tipsanit (Tha) 76 68 73, Peter Karmis (Rsa) 73 71 73, Ben Leong (Mal) 70 72 75, Sattaya Supupramai (Tha) 73 73 71
218 Hirohito Koizumi (Jpn) 72 74 72, Simon Griffiths (Eng) 73 72 73, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Tha) 73 71 74, Darren Beck (Aus) 72 72 74
219 Lu Wei-Chih (Tpe) 72 73 74, Han Seung-Su (Kor) 70 74 75, Quincy Quek (Sin) 69 73 77
220 Rohan Blizard (Aus) 69 74 77, Chaipat Darapanich (Tha) 72 74 74, Shigemasa Higaki (Jpn) 72 73 75, Alexandre Rocha (Bra) 71 74 75, Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha) 72 73 75, Taichiro Kiyota (Jpn) 71 74 75, Tatsuya Sato (Jpn) 73 70 77
221 Michio Matsumura (Jpn) 73 73 75, Kwanchai Tannin (Tha) 71 72 78, Tatsuhiko Ichihara (Jpn) 70 73 78
223 Martin Rominger (Swi) 74 72 77, Jason King (Aus) 72 73 78, Peter Cooke (Aus) 71 73 79, Atiwit Janewattananond (Tha) 69 73 81
224 Sean Shahi (USA) 72 73 79
225 Nakul Vichitryuthasastr (Tha) 73 72 80
226 Richard Karlberg (Swe) 69 77 80

Rose beginning to bloom in Northern Trust Open

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Justin Rose put himself into contention in the Northern Trust Open as play was suspended for the day at Riviera Country Club with darkness preventing the completion of the second round.
England's Ryder Cup star posted a four-under-par 67 on a rainy day near Los Angeles to get to six under, four shots off the lead held by Steve Stricker and the still-to-finish Dustin Johnson.
A hole in one from Johnson had helped the first-round leader regain the initiative from Stricker, who had posted an early 65 to get to 10 under and take the clubhouse lead.
World number three Stricker had moved to the top of the leaderboard with a seven-birdie, one-bogey 65. Johnson, though, soon made inroads with birdies at the par-five first and the par-three fourth and moved into the outright lead when he aced the 199-yard, par-three sixth.

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Links to more golf news:
Woods return date still a mystery
Thongchai leads the way
Kiradech, Pucay share lead
=======================
But he fell back to 10 under with a bogey at the 15th in fading light, managing to finish just one more hole before the suspension came.
Romero was seven under after 15 holes when play was halted, followed in a tie for fourth by Rose, Stadler, who shot a level-par 71 to finish at six under, and Tim Wilkinson, who had also carded a 67.
Rose's compatriot and Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald was one under after 14 holes, in a group at four under that also included American Brandt Snedeker (72), South Africa's Ernie Els (70) and defending champion Phil Mickelson - who got his bid for a third Northern Trust Open title in a row back on track with a 66 following his opening 72.
With the halfway cut mark hovering around the one-over-par mark but conditions and scores worsening as the afternoon wore on, some of the later starters were having to be mindful of making the weekend's play.
Padraig Harrington was one of those as he bid to shake off some rust in his first tournament of the year. The three-time major winner had opened with a 72 and started his second round well with two birdies in his first three holes, only to card four bogeys between the fourth and 15th.
A birdie at the 16th got Harrington heading back in the right direction only for play to be brought to a close with the Irishman on two over par with two to play. Martin Laird of Scotland was three over after 15 holes, two over for the day.
SECOND ROUND SCOREBOARD
Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California
Par 142 (2x71)
Note: Second round play has been suspended due to darkness. The second round will resume at 7:30 a.m local time
132 Steve Stricker 67 65
136 Kevin Stadler 65 71, Justin Rose (Eng) 69 67, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl) 69 67
137 Ricky Barnes 66 71, Steve Marino 70 67, Anthony Kim 71 66
138 Phil Mickelson 72 66, Ernie Els (Rsa) 68 70, Brandt Snedeker 66 72
139 Kevin Na 72 67, George McNeill 70 69, Michael Allen 69 70, Bryce Molder 71 68
140 Rodney Pampling (Aus) 70 70, Bo Van Pelt 70 70, Matt Kuchar 69 71, Alex Prugh 71 69
141 D.A. Points 69 72, Robert Allenby (Aus) 72 69, Roland Thatcher 68 73, Ben Curtis 73 68, Tim Clark (Rsa) 69 72, Y.E. Yang (Kor) 71 70, Fred Couples 69 72
142 Brian Davis (Eng) 72 70, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 68 74, John Merrick 70 72, Stewart Cink 71 71, John Rollins 71 71, Chad Campbell 70 72, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) 68 74, Marc Leishman (Aus) 71 71, Scott Verplank 68 74, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 71 71, Nicholas Thompson 69 73
143 Michael Letzig 71 72, Woody Austin 71 72, David Duval 68 75, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 69 74, Webb Simpson 70 73, J J Henry 70 73, Brett Quigley 70 73, Jimmy Walker 71 72, Rich Beem 74 69, Craig Bowden 69 74
144 Bill Lunde 72 72, Greg Chalmers (Aus) 71 73, Matt Bettencourt 70 74, Parker McLachlin 71 73, Mark Wilson 72 72, Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 72, Cameron Beckman 67 77, Jason Bohn 69 75, Ryan Moore 70 74
145 Jeff Klauk 70 75, Hunter Mahan 71 74, Michael Bradley 74 71, Tim Petrovic 73 72, James Driscoll 71 74
146 Pat Perez 73 73, Chris Stroud 71 75, Adam Scott (Aus) 73 73, Bubba Watson 71 75, Will MacKenzie 70 76, Vijay Singh (Fij) 73 73, Mike Weir (Can) 69 77, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) 74 72, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 70 76, Rickie Fowler 71 75
147 Bill Haas 72 75, Joshua Wooding 71 76, Jeff Quinney 71 76, Lee Janzen 72 75, Corey Pavin 72 75
148 Scott McCarron 74 74, John Senden (Aus) 75 73, Alex Cejka (Ger) 75 73, Jason Day (Aus) 74 74
149 Mathew Goggin (Aus) 78 71, John Mallinger 70 79
150 Jerry Kelly 73 77, Michael Sim (Sco/Aus) 77 73, Brett Lederer 72 78, Chez Reavie 75 75
152 Nathan Green (Aus) 74 78, James Nitties (Aus) 73 79
153 Jeff Templeton 74 79

Philip McLean (69) leads field in Jones Cup Invitational

Peterhead's Philip McLean leads the Jones Cup Invitational with a three-under-par 69 on Sea Island, Georgia. Read the report, see the leading scores by switching over to our sister website, www.Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

Golf writers an endangered species on both sides of Atlantic

FROM THE GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE
By Alex Miceli
Sitting in the rain at Riviera, I thought it might be nice to spread some good news for a change about the golf industry.
Jeff Shain, formally of the Miami Herald, has hooked on at the Orlando Sentinel as – believe it or not – the newspaper’s golf writer.
Now this is REAL news, a welcome change from what we had become all too accustomed to hearing with newspaper after newspaper dropping both golf writers and a considerable amount of golf coverage.
This week alone, outside of the local newspapers, only Larry Dorman of the New York Times is reporting at the Northern Trust Open.
In the old days, five or six newspapers from places such as Boston, Orlando, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Dallas used to make the trip on a annual basis.
With the fact that the Florida papers have not seen a US PGA Tour stop in a long time, having Shain joining the Sentinel can only be a plus for golf coverage.

COMMENT FROM COLIN FARQUHARSON
The Scottish/British public are probably not aware and wouldn't care anyway but the number of full-time newspaper staff golf writers/reporters is dwindling just as much on this side of the Atlantic as it is in the States.
When I was a young general sports reporter cutting my teeth at Scottish golf tournaments back in the 1960s-1970s, there could be as many as eight, nine or 10 staff golf writers sent by the sports editors of Scottish morning and evening newspapers to tournaments such as the Northern Open, the Scottish professional championship, the Scottish amateur championship, etc.
But these are increasingly hard times for newspapers. Their income from advertising is diminishing, their circulation figures are going through the floor as readers get their news from TV or even websites such as this!
Live scoring offered by some tournament organisers on websites means sports editors don't have to authorise expensive hotel stays and daily meals away from home. Their man can report on a tournament without leaving his office desk, although without access to players' quotes.
Newspapers still devote a lot of space to top-level professional tournaments, sometimes covered by an agency, but carry increasingly less about smaller, domestic competitions.
Where will it all end? I don't think golf writers as a breed will go the way of the Dodo ... but they are an endangered species. Cherish them while the few survivors are still among you!

Any comments? E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Montgomerie says he won't name his Ryder Cup

vice-captains until after Open

FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By Trent Baker
Europe's Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie will not announce his vice-captains for the October 1-3 Celtic Manor match until AFTER July's Open Championship at St Andrews at the earliest.
American counterpart Corey Pavin has named former Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman, Davis Love, Jeff Sluman and Paul Goydos as his vice-captains for October's showdown at Celtic Manor. Montgomerie's predecessor Nick Faldo named Paul McGinley as his vice-captain at May's BMW PGA Championship in 2008, a move which led to the Irishman to later decline the role as he still had hopes of qualifying for Valhalla.
"There will be nothing announced on Europe's part until at least after the British Open this year, so that's the third week in July at least before any announcement is made," said Montgomerie. "I want to give everybody an opportunity of qualifying for the team and we will know more about what the qualifying situation is around that time."
Montgomerie is believed to be considering Thomas Bjorn, Jose Maria Olazabal – who was Faldo's only vice-captain – and McGinley for the role.
Europe's nine automatic-place qualifiers will be confirmed after August's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles before Montgomerie completes the 12-man team with three wild cards.
As for Pavin's vice-captains, Montgomerie said: "I don't really have any thoughts, I was never going to have any thoughts at all. That's up to him and the American team and I wish them well."
One talking point, however, is that two of Pavin's picks have never competed in the matches against Europe.The only assistant not considered a surprise was Lehman, one of Pavin's closest friends. Lehman was the Ryder Cup captain in Ireland in 2006 and chose Pavin as one of his assistants.
The big surprise is Goydos, although the announcement brought a thumbs-up from Phil Mickelson. "That'll be cool," the world No 2 said.
Goydos said his only Ryder Cup experience has been watching it on TV. Even so, he is among the most popular US PGA Tour players in the locker room because of his dry wit and honest opinions.
Pavin thought Goydos's lack of experience would be an advantage. "He is unconventional, thinks outside the box, and is an excellent judge of character and talent," he said.
Sluman is a former US PGA champion who never made a Ryder Cup team, but has plenty of experience. He was the assistant to Jack Nicklaus for three straight years in the Presidents Cup.
The choice of Love is somewhat of a surprise because at 45, the 20-time US PGA Tour winner still hopes to make the team for the first time since 2004. He is expected to be a Ryder Cup captain, perhaps as early as 2012 in Medinah.
"I get to try to make the team, and if I don't make the team, I still get to go. I think it's an honour for me to be in this group," said Love.
*The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper.

Renault EPD Tour Scoreboard
MONTGOMERIE CLASSIC
Papillon Golf Resort & Hotel, Belek, Antalya, Turkey
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
139 Nicolas Meitinger (Germany) 70 69.
144 Thomas de Kesel (Belgium) 70 74.
146 Bjorn Petterson (Sweden) 73 73, Jochen Lupprian (Germany) 75 71.
147 Grant Jackson (England) 74 73.
148 Vincent Simoni (France) 74 74, Bernd Ritthaumner (Germany) 76 72.
149 Johan Eerdmans (Netherlands) 75 74, Brian McElhinney (Ireland) 75 74.
Selected scores:
151 Reinier Saxton (Netherlands) 74 77, Matthew Dearden (Wales) 79 72.
152 Lee Corfield (England) 75 77.
153 Michael Lowe (England) 75 78, Tim Rice (Ireland) 77 76, Stephen Grant (Ireland) 77 76.
155 Ben Welch (England) 80 75.
156 Simon Boyd (England) 79 77.

MISSED CUT (156 or better)
160 Cian McNamara (Ireland) 81 79,
Retired: Jay Taylor (England) 79 ret.
Withdrew: Oliver Lindup (England) 83 WD.

Gateway Tour Scoreboard
WINTER SERIES - Anthem G&CC, Ironwood, Arizona
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
Players from US unless stated
206 Jesse Mueller 70 70 65 ($16,000).
206 Josh Persons 66 74 66, Eric Meierdierks 66 68 72 ($8,500 each).
208 Kane Hanson 68 69 71 ($5,500).
Selected scores:
216 Niall Turner (Cork, Ireland) 74 71 71 (jt 23rd) ($1,275).
MISSED CUT (145 or better qualified)
148 Chris Cole (Wales) 75 73.
WITHDREW
Jimmy Gunn (Dornoch, Scotland) 74 WD

Reports suggest Tiger comeback in Arizona Match-play

FROM THE BBC.CO.UK SPORTS WEBSITE
Tiger Woods is reportedly targeting a return to golf at the WGC Match Play Championship in Arizona the week after next.
World No 1 Woods, 34, who has won 14 majors, has not appeared in public since crashing his car last November and later admitting to "infidelity".
"Rumours of his return surfaced in Australia and were initially greeted with scepticism, but persist," said BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter.
"It would be a surprise but a reliable source says he will play in Arizona."
Woods, announced on December 12 that he was taking an indefinite break from playing golf to tackle problems in his private life.
His last tournament was the Australian Masters in Melbourne, which he won on November 15. The crash happened 12 days later.
The Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper reports that his management team has approached organisers about the logistics of playing at the WGC event at Dove Mountain in Arizona.
But Carter said: "It remains hard to believe that Woods, who has not appeared in public since crashing his car outside his home, would choose to return at the Match Play.
The world's top-ranked 64 players automatically qualify for the Match Play event and competitors have until February 12 to notify organisers of any withdrawal.
But any comeback by Woods would need extra planning because of the intense media interest in him.
"Although he has been on 'indefinite leave' from the game he has only missed one tournament that he would routinely play, last week's US PGA Tour stop in San Diego," added Carter.
"The Matchplay is sponsored by Accenture, one of the companies that ended sponsorship deals with Woods in the wake of his fall from grace.
"It would be unlike Woods to play in a tournament backed by a sponsor that had embarrassingly ditched him.
"But, given this background, to return in Arizona could send a powerful message that he intends to be a changed man.
"The tournament is unique on the (American pro) golf calendar because it is a knock-out event culminating in a 36-hole final. Woods made his return from knee surgery there last year and has won it three times."

Omega Dubai Desert Classic report and halfway scores

Jaidee leads by one from Westwood,

Jimenez and Dodd as six Scots fail

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Asian No 1 Thongchai Jaidee carded a bogey-free second round of six under par 66 to claim a one-shot halfway lead at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic today.
World No 4 Lee Westwood blazed a flawless seven under par 65 in his best ever showing in 50 rounds at Emirates Golf Club to head the chasing pack at seven under alongside early pacesetters Stephen Dodd and Miguel Angel Jiménez.
Evergreen Spaniard Jiménez blazed seven birdies in a five under par 67, while Wales’ Dodd remained in contention with a bogey-free 69.
World No 59 Thongchai, who posted two European Tour victories last season, is reaping the benefits of long hours spent on the putting green to fine tune the weaker aspect of his game.
“I played very consistent, it was a solid day,” said the 40 year old former paratrooper.
“I hit 13 greens in regulation, missed just five fairways. I am very confident because my putting is getting better. That’s why my game is getting better.”
Defending champion Rory McIlroy (70), Edoardo Molinari (70), Alvaro Quiros (69), Australia’s Marcus Fraser (68) and Charl Schwartzel (70) are all well-placed at six under, with a two shot gap behind them to Paul Casey (71), Graeme McDowell (68) and Jeev Milkha Singh (72).
Westwood is still not fully satisfied with his new driver after cracking the face of his previous club in Qatar, but continued his love affair with Dubai following his superb Dubai World Championship success at the end of last year.
After earning a share of the lead with a superb up and down from the rough after driving the reachable par-4, the 36 year old Englishman missed a 10ft birdie chance at the last after a poor tee shot forced him to lay-up.
Westwood was briefly tempted to try for the green over the lake, but after a warning from caddie Billy Foster and after watching player partner Henrik Stenson find the water, he opted to play safe.
“I think we have had the hardest conditions over the first couple of days in the morning and then the afternoon. But you try and make the best of whatever is thrown at you,” said Westwood, who opened with a level par 72.
“And if you come out on the right end of that, obviously it gives you a massive confidence boost and it’s a big pat on the back.
“It’s the goal all the time to get into contention and keep testing yourself and getting accustomed to being under pressure.”
McIlroy looked in ominous form as the World No 9 briefly established a three-shot lead at eight under par in the morning following a run of four consecutive birdies around the turn.
But the 20-year-old, who claimed his first and only career title with a wire-to-wire victory 12 months ago in this tournament, found water at the last to run up a double bogey after leaving a seven iron approach just short to card a two under par 70.
“I am still happy where I am heading into the weekend. Apart from the mistake at the last it was another really good day’s work. I putted really solidly, made a few birdies around the turn and also could have made a few more,” said McIlroy.
“There is a little bit of a sour taste in the mouth after the last hole. I had not made a mistake all day and to do it at the last was disappointing, but if I make two birdies in the first two holes tomorrow all is forgotten.”
Italy's teenager British amateur champion Matteo Manassero carded a 72 for 141 to comfortably beat the cut (146 or better) at a second successive European Tour event with eight-time Major winner Tom Watson two shots further back after a two under par 70.
Only Ross Bain (143), Stephen Gallacher (144) and David Drysdale (146) of the Scots entrants will be competing over the weekend.
South African Open champion Richie Ramsay (76 for 147) missed the cut for a second time on his return after the Festive break. Ryder Cup skipper Colin Montgomerie also bowed out with rounds of 71 and 76.
Marc Warren (77-71) and Paul Lawrie (73-75) took two shots to many on the 148 mark.
Alastair Forsyth's disappointing returned continued with a 150 (77-73) total.
Gary Orr slipped from a first-day 73 to a 79 for 152.
SCOREBOARD
Emirates GC, Dubai
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
136 Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 66.
137 Stephen Dodd 68 69, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 70 67, Lee Westwood 72 65
138 Rory McIlroy 68 70, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 70, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70 68, Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 68 70, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 69 69
140 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 72, Graeme McDowell 72 68, Paul Casey 69 71
141 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 70 71, Richard Bland 74 67, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 70 71, Gareth Maybin 73 68, Matteo Manassero (Ita) (am) 69 72, Marcel Siem (Ger) 71 70, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 70, Darren Clarke 71 70
142 Peter Hanson (Swe) 73 69, James Kingston (Rsa) 75 67, Anders Hansen (Den) 69 73, Alexander Noren (Swe) 68 74, Ross Fisher 70 72
143 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 76 67, Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 75 68, Soren Hansen (Den) 71 72, Tom Watson (USA) 73 70, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 72, John Bickerton 73 70, David Lynn 72 71, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 71, Ross Bain 72 71, Richard Green (Aus) 69 74, Bradley Dredge 72 71
144 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 74 70, Robert Rock 70 74, Stephen Gallacher 73 71, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 71 73, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 74 70, David Horsey 71 73, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 73 71, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 74 70, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 73, Paul Broadhurst 72 72
145 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 74, Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 74 71, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 74 71, Tano Goya (Arg) 73 72, Simon Dyson 71 74, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 76 69
146 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 75, Chris Wood 72 74, Seung-yul Noh (Kor) 72 74, Damien McGrane 73 73, Erik Compton (USA) 73 73, Oliver Wilson 72 74, Paul Waring 74 72, Nick Dougherty 72 74, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 74 72, Kenneth Ferrie 74 72, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 77 69, Brett Rumford (Aus) 73 73, David Drysdale 72 74, Mark Foster 74 72, Thomas Levet (Fra) 73 73
MISSED THE CUT
147 Richie Ramsay 71 76, Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 75 72, Colin Montgomerie 71 76, Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 74 73, Peter Lawrie 77 70, Shaun Micheel (USA) 77 70, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 80 67, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa) 74 73, Michael Hoey 75 72, Ross McGowan 75 72
148 Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 74 74, Joost Luiten (Ned) 75 73, Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) 72 76, Mark Brown (Nzl) 78 70, Oliver Fisher 75 73, Anthony Wall 73 75, Marc Warren 77 71, Paul Lawrie 73 75, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 75 73, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 76 72, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 75 73
149 David Howell 76 73, Phillip Price 75 74, Seve Benson 74 75, Anthony Kang (USA) 77 72, Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 76 73, Scott Hend (Aus) 77 72, Shane Lowry 75 74, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) 77 72, Oskar Henningsson (Swe) 76 73
150 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 78 72, Alastair Forsyth 77 73, Jamie Donaldson 80 70, Ariel Canete (Arg) 73 77, Sam Little 76 74, Graeme Storm 72 78
151 Danny Lee (Nzl) 74 77, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 74 77, Scott Strange (Aus) 77 74, Todd Hamilton (USA) 74 77
152 Christian Cevaer (Fra) 75 77, Steve Webster 76 76, Gary Orr 73 79, Darren Fichardt (Rsa) 76 76, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 75 77, Mark O'Meara (USA) 77 75, Anirban Lahiri (Ind) 78 74, Barry Lane 74 78, Gregory Havret (Fra) 75 77
153 Richard Finch 80 73, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 74 79, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 74 79, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 76 77, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 76 77
154 Arjun Atwal (Ind) 77 77, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 75 79, Danny Willett 79 75
155 Michael Campbell (Nzl) 81 74
157 Gary Lockerbie 80 77, Thomas Aiken (Rsa) 77 80
158 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 80 78, David Dixon 80 78
161 Wayne Westner (Rsa) 74 87
162 Miki Mirza (UAE) 81 81
163 Stephen Deane 82 81

MARS AND KIRADECH SHARE LEAD ON 138

AT ASIAN TOUR INTERNATIONAL

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ASIAN TOUR
Thailand ’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat stepped closer to victory at the Asian Tour International today but standing in his way is Filipino Mars Pucay.
The 39-year-old Pucay, who has plied his trade in Asia since 1995 without a win, fired a second successive three-under-par 69 at the Suwan Golf and Country Club, Bangkok to share the halfway lead with co-overnight leader Kiradech, who returned a 70 for a six-under-par 138 total in the US$300,000 season-opening tournament.
One shot back is in-form Singaporean Lam Chih Bing, who also carded a 70 while American rookie David Johnson sneaked into contention with another 70 to lie three shots back with Thai duo Thammanoon Srirot and Wisut Artjanawat and Filipino Angelo Que, who shot the day’s best of 67.
Thai amateur Atiwit Janewattananond wrote a slice of history by becoming the youngest player at 14 years and 71 days to make the halfway cut on the Asian Tour after shooting a 73 for tied eighth place on 142, with amongst others, Malaysia’s Ben Leong, India’s rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar and eight-time Japan Tour winner Hideto Tanihara. Attiwit, a grade eight student and a member of the Thai amateur squad, eclipsed Chinese Taipei’s Lo Shih-kai, who was 14 years and 275 days at the 2003 Taiwan Open.
Pucay kept his round steady with four birdies against a lone bogey. “It was a great day for me. I hit the ball really well except for two tee shots which I managed to save par on the last hole. Other than that, I played really well,” he said.
The veteran Filipino, who holed the season’s first ace on Thursday, said the key this weekend would be to remain patient. “I am waiting for my first win, which is my goal this year. I’ll attack when I have an open chance but if the pins are tucked, I’ll play it safe. It’s tough out there,” said Pucay, who holds 11 career top-10s on the Asian Tour.
Former world junior champion Kiradech turned in 37 but fought back with four birdies and another bogey to keep alive his dreams of a first Asian Tour victory at home. “I had two three-putts for bogeys on the front nine. But on the back nine, I hit it closer to the pins,” said the burly Thai, who finished 30th on the Order of Merit as a rookie last year.
“I am hitting the driver well this week. I’m not feeling nervous at all. As I’m playing in Thailand , my family and friends are here and I’m not feeling too excited. I’m keeping my concentration well.”
Lam kept himself within touching distance of the leaders with a fighting performance. He won a domestic Thai event last weekend but a second Asian Tour triumph is very much the goal for the Singaporean.
“On the front nine, I was struggling but made a lot of par putts and on the back nine, I hit it good but missed a lot of opportunities. I’m still within striking distance. As long as I stay in contention, that’s the key,” said Lam.
“I know my swing pretty well now that when I hit a bad shot, I kind of know what I am doing wrong. My caddie told me to stay patient. On the 15th hole, I hit it to five feet and finally made one. And then I made a 12 footer on the next hole,” he said.
Lam was impressed by Kiradech’s game, saying the Thai could be the man to beat. “Kiradech makes the game look so easy. He hits it long and chips and putts well. He’s much longer than I am, about 20 or 30 yards easy. But at the end of the day, it’s the score that count,” said Lam, who is by no means a short hitter.
Johnson, a 22-year-old from Florida , shot three birdies against a lone bogey to move up the leaderboard on 141. Although it is his first time to Asia, he is feeling right at home in Bangkok.
“I grew up on these sort of stuff (grainy greens) and it’s very refreshing. My goal this year is to give myself an opportunity to play into the final groups and just learn and grow as a professional golfer. I’ve got no expectations. I have put myself in a good position and if I don’t pull it off, the experience will be good enough for me,” said Johnson, who was a semi-finalist in the 2008 US Amateur Public Links Championship.
Defending champion James Kamte of South Africa shot a second straight 73 to make the halfway cut right on the 146 mark, which saw 69 players progressing into the weekend rounds.

SECOND ROUND LEADERS
Par 144 (2x72)
138 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 68-70, Mars Pucay (PHI) 69-69
139 Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 69-70
141 Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 72-69, David Johnson (USA) 71-70, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 72-69, Angelo Que (PHI) 74-67
142 Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 70-72, Hwang Inn-choon (KOR) 72-70, Kenichi Kuboya (JPN) 73-69, Lucas Lee (BRA) 68-74, Ben Leong (MAS) 70-72, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 71-71, Hideto Tanihara (JPN) 69-73, Quincy Quek (SIN) 69-73, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 70-72, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 70-72, Kim Dae-hyun (KOR) 69-73, Atiwit Janewattananond [A] (THA) 69-73

Visit www.asiantour.com for more information and live scoring from final two rounds.

Herman leads by three in Moonah Classic

FROM THE CBS SPORTS.com WEBSITE
FINGAL, Australia -- American Jim Herman has shot a 2-under-par 70 to take a three-stroke lead after the second round of the Moonah Classic today.
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• Moonah Classic leaderboard
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Herman, who shot a course-record 62 in the opening round at Moonah Links, had a bogey-free, two-round total of 12-under 132 on the course designed by five-time Open champion Peter Thomson.
Australian Steven Jones shot 70 and was in second place at 9-under.
He was followed by compatriot Andrew Buckle and Fabian Gomez of Argentina, both with 68s and tied for third, five strokes behind Herman in the tournament jointly sanctioned by the U.S. Nationwide and Australasian PGA tours.
American Douglas LaBelle (69), Australians Steven Bowditch (68) and Andre Stolz (72) and Canadian Jon Mills (70) were tied for fifth, six strokes off the lead.
Herman strong showing comes after missing the cut in his previous seven tournaments.
"That's the high point right now, staying bogey-free," Herman said. "There's plenty of birdie opportunities but to not give any back so far is pretty fulfilling for me.
"I just wanted to do the same things I did yesterday, just drive the ball well, stay out of the fairway bunkers and give myself opportunities."
Herman had an early start today after his late one Thursday, which he preferred. And the wind picked up during the afternoon, helping to protect his lead.
"I had a quick turnaround, which was nice," Herman said. "Keep the momentum going was a good thing for me. I didn't have to sit around."
Defending champion Ewan Porter of Australia shot a 79 and missed the cut.

Mickelson's poor finish leaves him eight shots in arrears

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Phil Mickelson put the wedge controversy behind him but his bid for a third successive Northern Trust Open victory got off to a slow start at Riviera Country Club near Los Angeles.
The three-time major winner had drawn heavy criticism at last week's Farmers Insurance Open when he chose to exploit a loophole in the new rules allowing only clubs with shallow and narrow V grooves by putting in play a pre-1990 Ping Eye 2 wedge, but said on Wednesday he would not use it this week "out of respect" for his fellow professionals.
After 11 holes of his first round at the par-71 Riviera, the world number two was three under par, four shots back on clubhouse leader and fellow American Dustin Johnson.
Mickelson's round began to fall apart from there, however, with bogeys at the par-four 12th and 15th holes and then the par-three 16th as the left-hander fell back to level par. There was more woe as Mickelson, who had opened with a 63 in 2009, also bogeyed the par-four 18th to leave him with a one-over 72, eight shots behind Johnson.
The early-starting Johnson fired a seven-under 64 to lead by a stroke from Argentina's Andres Romero.
Of the afternoon starters in Pacific Palisades, Kevin Stadler got off to a fast start at six under after eight holes, having begun his round at the famous par-four 10th. The front nine proved less productive despite a birdie at the first, with a bogey at the second followed by pars all the way home for a share of second place with Romero as he starts the second round on his 30th birthday.
Americans Ricky Barnes and Brandt Snedeker were a further shot off the lead at five under with world number three Steve Stricker one of a trio at four under, along with fellow Americans Steve Lowery and Cameron Beckman after 67s.
England's Luke Donald, Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa, former world number one David Duval and veterans Scott Verplank and Jesper Parnevik were all part of a large group on three under. Sweden's Parnevik carded his 68 despite a bout of sciatica and credited some great putting.
Englishman Justin Rose finished at two under, as did newly-appointed US Ryder Cup vice-captain Paul Goydos. Rose's compatriot Greg Owen carded a level-par 71 but Goydos' captain, Corey Pavin, fared less well with a one-over 72.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington also got his season up and running with a 72, Scotland's Martin Laird and England's Brian Davis shooting the same score. Harrington had been practising with an Eye 2 wedge but opted not to put it in play, leaving only Ryder Cup player Hunter Mahan (71) and former Masters champion Fred Couples (69) using the controversial club.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 71
Note: First round play has been suspended due to Darkness & will resume at 8am local time. Second round play will begin as scheduled
64 Dustin Johnson
65 Kevin Stadler, Andres Romero (Arg)
66 Ricky Barnes, Brandt Snedeker
67 Steve Stricker, Cameron Beckman, Steve Lowery
68 Charley Hoffman, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa), David Duval, Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn), J.B. Holmes, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe), Ernie Els (Rsa), Roland Thatcher, Luke Donald (Eng), Jonathan Byrd, Scott Verplank, Troy Matteson, Jesper Parnevik (Swe), Stephen Ames (Can)
69 Matt Kuchar, Kevin Sutherland, Nick O'Hern (Aus), Fred Couples, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl), Kevin Streelman, D.A. Points, Michael Allen, Justin Rose (Eng), Paul Goydos, Mike Weir (Can), Craig Bowden, Tim Clark (Rsa), Nicholas Thompson, Jason Bohn
70 Jeff Overton, Matt Bettencourt, John Mallinger, Webb Simpson, Will MacKenzie, Jeff Klauk, Steve Marino, Chad Campbell, Brett Quigley, Bo Van Pelt, Briny Baird, Rodney Pampling (Aus), John Merrick, J J Henry, George McNeill, Carl Pettersson (Swe), Ryan Moore
71 Michael Letzig, Jeff Quinney, Woody Austin, James Driscoll, Brenden Pappas (Rsa), Greg Owen (Eng), Justin Leonard, Marc Leishman (Aus), Jimmy Walker, Bryce Molder, Stuart Appleby (Aus), Y.E. Yang (Kor), Chris Stroud, Jason Dufner, Greg Chalmers (Aus), Bubba Watson, Stewart Cink, Angel Cabrera (Arg), Parker McLachlin, Hunter Mahan, John Rollins, Anthony Kim, Jim Furyk, Joshua Wooding, K J Choi (Kor), Johnson Wagner
72 Bill Lunde, Charles Howell III, Bob Estes, Bill Haas, Martin Laird (Sco), Brian Davis (Eng), Davis Love III, Lee Janzen, Scott Piercy, Mark Wilson, Charlie Wi (Kor), Kevin Na, Phil Mickelson, Aaron Baddeley (Aus), Robert Allenby (Aus), Corey Pavin, Padraig Harrington (Irl), D.J. Trahan
73 Jerry Kelly, Pat Perez, Adam Scott (Aus), Vaughn Taylor, Steve Flesch, Ted Purdy, Ben Curtis, James Nitties (Aus), Vijay Singh (Fij), Ben Crane, Tim Petrovic, Ryuji Imada (Jpn), Marc Turnesa
74 Michael Bradley, Scott McCarron, Chris Couch, Jason Day (Aus), Richard S Johnson (Swe), Nathan Green (Aus), Jeff Templeton, Rich Beem, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn)
75 Daniel Chopra (Swe), John Senden (Aus), Rocco Mediate, Chez Reavie, Alex Cejka (Ger)
76 Nick Watney
77 Michael Sim (Sco/Aus)
78 Brad Faxon, Mathew Goggin (Aus

James Byrne having a nightmare on Hawaii

Banchory's James Byrne is 20 over par after 36 holes of a US college tournament on Hawaii. Switch over to http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/ for the story.

Renault EPD Tour
MONTGOMERIE CLASSIC
Papillon Hotels Resort & Spa, Belek, Antalya, Turkey
FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72
70 Thomas De Kessel (Belgium), Nicolas Meitinger (Germany).
73 Maximillian Tschinkel (Germany)), Bjorn Petterson (Sweden).
74 Grant Jackson (England), Benjamin Miara (Germany), Vincent Simon (France), Reinier Saxton (Netherlands).
75 Jochen Lupprian (Germany), Richared Eccles (Netherlands), Brian McElhinney (Ireland), Michael Lowe (England), Juan Peters (Germany), Johan Eerdmans (Netherlands), Benjamin Ludwig (Germany), Lee Corfield (Eng).
Selected scores:
77 Stephen Grant (Ireland), Tim Rice (Ireland) (jt 20th).
79 Matthew Dearden (Wales), Jay Taylor (England) (jt 34th).
80 Simon Boyd (England), Ben Welch (England) (jt 43rd).
81 Cian McNamara (Ireland) (jt 51st).
83 Oliver Lindup (England) 68th.
Field of 86 players.

Hi5 Pro Tour in Spain

England 1-2 with Lloyd Saltman joint third

The Spanish Hi5 Pro Tour's Valle del Este Open this week provided an England 1-2 with Lloyd Saltman tieing for third place with Spain's Miguel Angel Martin.
Alex Bett shot rounds of 67, 66 and 70 over the par-71 course for a 10-under-par total of 203.
He won 2,000 Euros and a Thomas Sabo watch by finishing five shots ahead of another Englishman, Matthew Cryer, who scored 67, 68 and 73.
Former Walker Cup player and Open leading amateur, Saltman, who finished with a four-under-par total of 209, will be cursing his second-round 77 which was the not so tasty "meat" in the sandwich of a first round of seven-under 64 and a third and last round of three-under-par 68.
Even a par-matching round of 71 on the second day would have seen him tie with winner Bett on 203.
Elliot Saltman shared fifth place on three-under-par 210 with scores of 70, 71 and 69.
Zack, the youngest of the three Saltman brothers finished on 27-over-par 240 with scores of 87, 75 and 78. That put him in a tie for 33rd place.
The ladies' pro event was won by Rhian Wyn Thomas, who, as a Vale of Glamorgan player, was a member of the Wales team who made a successful defence of the Women's Home Internationals crown at Irvine Golf Club, Ayrshire last September.
Rhian is now a rookie pro and she had three impressive scores of 73, 71 and 74 for a five-over-par total of 218, winning by eight shots from Norway's Caroline Martens (75-80-71) with Switzerland's Sabina Imboden last of three on 253 with scores of 84, 84 and 85.
FINAL TOTALS
MEN (par 213: 3x71)
203 Alex Bett (England) 67 66 70.
208 Matthew Cryer (England) 67 68 73.
209 Lloyd Saltman (Scotland) 64 77 68, Miguel Angel Martin (Spain) 71 69 69.
210 Elliot Saltman (Scotland) 70 71 69, Roberto Lantsoght (Spain) 70 66 74.
212 Stain Hanson (Norway) 73 73 68, Manuel Quiros (Spain) 67 75 70.
213 Christian Aronsen (Norway) 70 71 72.
214 Jose Manuel Garzon (Spain) 73 70 71.
215 James Busby (England) 74 70 71, Simon Fernoux (France) 73 68 74.
218 Pecout Thomas (France) 81 68 69, Matthew Evans (England) 71 73 74.
219 Kevin Harper (England) 75 71 73.
220 Ropbert Svensson (Sweden) 70 74 76.
221 Gary Kiong (England) 73 76 72.
222 Edouard Penin (France) 81 70 71, Sam Haywood (England) 73 71 78.
223 Brad Clapp (Canada) 75 75 73, James Housby (England) 77 69 77.
224 Rob Harris (England) 75 73 76.
Selected scores:
228 Stephen Shields (England) 77 76 75, John Green (England) 79 75 74, Richard Cartner (England (amateur) 74 75 79.
232 Jonathan Smart (England) 79 74 79 (jt 29th).
240 Zack Saltman (Scotland) 87 75 78 (jt 33rd).
243 Edward Barry-Walsh (England) 83 83 79.
245 Trevor Wissen (England) 83 78 84.
WOMEN (Par 213: 3x71)
218 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wales) 73 71 74.
226 Caroline Martens (Norway) 75 80 71.
253 Sabina Imboden (Switzerland) 84 84 85.

Omega Dubai Desert Classic report and scores

Rory McIlroy shares lead with five others on 68

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Defending champion Rory McIlroy shared a six-way tie for the lead after the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic today.
It was a testing first day at the Emirates Golf Club but McIlroy started the defence of his only pro career title with a promising four-under 68 to finish the day alongside Alexander Noren, Charl Schwartzel, Jeev Milkha Singh, Edoardo Molinari and Stephen Dodd.
With reduced visibility caused by sand whipping across the Majlis course and thick, unforgiving rough to contend with, Schwartzel's bogey-free effort was the pick of the day.
====================================
Links to more golf news:
Monty in no rush to name vice-captains
Pavin: Four is the magic number
Loophole must be fixed - Mickelson
Knutzon keeps illness at bay to share lead
=====================================
McIlroy opened with a stunning 64 last year - a round he rated as "the easiest 64 I'll ever shoot" - although Thursday's effort was much more of a patient grind.
"It was very important to start my defence with a good score, I would have taken anything under 70 looking at the scoring and conditions," said world No 9 McIlroy.
"So to shoot 68 was very pleasing. When defending it's nice to get off to a nice start, but there's still a lot of golf to play."
With only 31 of the 132-man field under par, Anders Hansen, former champion Richard Green, a fatigued Paul Casey, Alvaro Quiros and Italian amateur Matteo Manassero headed the chasing pack at three under.
Qatar Masters champion Robert Karlsson heads a group of seven two shots off the pace alongside Ross Fisher, with Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and Abu Dhabi winner Martin Kaymer in the final contingent under par.
European number one Lee Westwood posted a level-par 72, with Open Championship runner-up Tom Watson a further shot back after an "up-and-down" 73 from the 60-year-old American.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72. 7,301 yards
68 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Rory McIlroy, Stephen Dodd, Alexander Noren (Swe), Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Edoardo Molinari (Ita)
69 Anders Hansen (Den), Richard Green (Aus), Matteo Manassero (Ita) (am), Paul Casey, Alvaro Quiros (Spa)
70 Robert Karlsson (Swe), Robert Rock, Christian Nilsson (Swe), Ross Fisher, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Marcus Fraser (Aus), Thongchai Jaidee (Tha)
71 Francesco Molinari (Ita), Richie Ramsay, Colin Montgomerie, Soren Hansen (Den), Marcel Siem (Ger), David Horsey, Martin Kaymer (Ger), Simon Dyson, Peter Hedblom (Swe), Darren Clarke, Felipe Aguilar (Chi), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Pablo Martin (Spa)
72 Seung-yul Noh (Kor), Chris Wood, Graeme McDowell, Oliver Wilson, Nick Dougherty, Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel), David Lynn, Ross Bain, Johan Edfors (Swe), Graeme Storm, Paul Broadhurst, David Drysdale, Bradley Dredge, Lee Westwood
73 Damien McGrane, Gary Orr, Erik Compton (USA), Gareth Maybin, Tom Watson (USA), Maarten Lafeber (Ned), John Bickerton, Anthony Wall, Peter Hanson (Swe), Brett Rumford (Aus), Stephen Gallacher, Paul Lawrie, Ariel Canete (Arg), Tano Goya (Arg), Thomas Levet (Fra)
74 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned), Mikko Ilonen (Fin), Todd Hamilton (USA), Kenneth Ferrie, Danny Lee (Nzl), Prayad Marksaeng (Tha), Michael Jonzon (Swe), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa), Wayne Westner (Rsa), Richard Bland, Shiv Kapur (Ind), Francois Delamontagne (Fra), Paul Waring, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Seve Benson, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg), Daniel Vancsik (Arg), Ignacio Garrido (Spa), Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Mark Foster, Barry Lane
75 Christian Cevaer (Fra), Jeppe Huldahl (Den), Martin Erlandsson (Swe), James Kingston (Rsa), Joost Luiten (Ned), Phillip Price, Rafael Echenique (Arg), Oliver Fisher, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa), Niclas Fasth (Swe), Shane Lowry, Ross McGowan, Gregory Havret (Fra), Michael Hoey, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind)
76 Hennie Otto (Rsa), Steve Webster, David Howell, Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Pablo Larrazabal (Spa), Raphael Jacquelin (Fra), Jose-Filipe Lima (Por), Oskar Henningsson (Swe), Sam Little, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Henrik Stenson (Swe)
77 Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Scott Strange (Aus), Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind), Peter Lawrie, Anthony Kang (USA), Scott Hend (Aus), Marc Warren, Mark O'Meara (USA), Arjun Atwal (Ind), Shaun Micheel (USA), Alastair Forsyth, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par)
78 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), Mark Brown (Nzl), Anirban Lahiri (Ind)
79 Danny Willett
80 Gary Lockerbie, Mikael Lundberg (Swe), Richard Finch, David Dixon, Jamie Donaldson, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra)
81 Michael Campbell (Nzl), Miki Mirza (UAE)
82 Stephen Deane

Paul Lawrie signs sponsorship deal with Cloud9 personal aviation

NEWS RELEASE
Paul Lawrie has signed an exclusive sponsorship agreement with Cloud9, the international personal aviation company.
Lawrie, from Aberdeen, has not only achieved success on golf’s European Tour with four tournament wins, but has also managed one of golf’s greatest ever achievements by winning the Open championship in 1999.
Cloud9, based in New York and Edinburgh, have also developed into an established player in its own field of private aviation, where it prides itself on an elite level of service to an elite group of private and corporate clients. Through its global network, Cloud9 is perfectly placed to provide flights and servicing to its clients worldwide.
CEO Andrew Mason commented: “We are delighted to form a relationship with Paul Lawrie, who is one of Scotland’s greatest achievers in the game of golf. To have Paul promoting and supporting Cloud9 when he plays events all over the World is a fantastic marketing tool for us. The demographic of golf and golf professionals is a perfect target audience for the elite air travel service that we offer.”
On signing the agreement, Lawrie was similarly pleased to be partnering with a company dedicated to providing a first class personal service to its clients. He stated: “I’m really excited to be starting a relationship with Cloud9 and I look forward to using their fleet of aircraft to travel back from a number of tournaments this year. We’ve been very impressed by their dedicated team and the service that they provide.”
The agreement will see Lawrie wearing the Cloud9 corporate logo on his clothing in the coming year.

About Cloud9:
Cloud9 International is one of the leading aviation companies operating globally and offering a range of services including jets, helicopters, limousines, concierge and close protection. Its client base is drawn from music and entertainment, celebrity, sports, private wealth and corporate. For more information on the incredible range of membership benefits, go to
www.cloud9-jets.com

Schwartzel named European Tour Golfer of Month for January

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel has been named as The European Tour Golfer of the Month for January after beginning 2010 in spectacular fashion by recording back-to-back victories in his homeland.
Schwartzel, who receives a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne and an engraved alms dish in recognition of his achievements, leapt to the top of The Race to Dubai Rankings by capturing the Africa Open in the second week of January and followed by that with success in the Joburg Open seven days later.
The 25 year old finished one shot ahead of fellow countryman Thomas Aitken in the Africa Open with a 20 under par total of 272 at East London Golf Club, then returned to his home town of Johannesburg to claim the Joburg Open with a 23 under par score of 261 on this occasion.
With a combined total of 43 under par for those two events, Schwartzel became the fourth South African golfer to win consecutive European Tour tournaments following in the footsteps of Ernie Els, Dale Hayes and Richard Sterne.
Schwartzel, who saw off stiff competition from Germany’s Martin Kaymer, winner of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and Robert Karlsson, champion last week in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy, said: “Obviously, being named as The European Tour’s Player of the Month is a nice achievement to have. I am very pleased with the award, since you can never have enough trophies!”
Following an opening round of 68 to share the early lead in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club today, Schwartzel added: “I couldn’t have asked for a much better start to 2010. At the end of last year I felt like I was starting to play really well but it just wasn’t happening for me. Then I came out after Christmas and all of a sudden things started happening.”

European Tour Scoreboard
OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC
Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
EARLY FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72. 7,301yd
68 Stephen Dodd (Wales), Alexander Noren (Sweden), Charl Schwartzel (South Africa), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland).
69 Anders Hansen (Denmark), Paul Casey (England), Alvaro Quiros (Spain).
SCOTS' SCORES:
71 Colin Montgomerie, Richie Ramsay.
72 David Drysdale.
73 Gary Orr, Paul Lawrie.
77 Alistair Forsyth

Three share lead on 68 in Asian Tour International

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Thailand’s rising star Kiradech Aphibarnrat battled to a four-under-par 68 to share the first round lead with American Jason Knutzon and Brazilian newcomer Lucas Lee at the season-opening Asian Tour International on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Kiradech, a former world junior champion, rolled in five birdies at the Suwan Golf and Country Club, Bangkok to join Knutzon, who played despite being ill, and Lee atop the leaderboard at the US$300,000 event.
Filipino Mars Pucay shot the season’s first hole in one en route to a 69 to trail in tied fourth place with Singaporean duo Quincy Quek and Lam Chih Bing, Sweden’s Richard Karlberg, Korea’s Kim Dae-hyun, Australian Rohan Blizard, Thailand’s 14-year-old amateur Atiwit Janewattananond and Hideto Tanihara, an eight-time winner in Japan.
Entering the week, the burly Kiradech declared his intention of breaking through for a first title in Asia and a round helped greatly by his big-hitting game pushed him to the forefront.
“I’m very happy. I hit many wedges into the greens and got four birdies from close range. This is my chance to win. I’ll try to keep it up as it’s my goal to win on the Asian Tour,” said Kiradech, who finished 30th on the Order of Merit in his rookie season last year.
“I drove the ball well and my putting was really good. It’s a tough course. The pins were tucked and the greens are really firm and fast. I had to stay patient out there. It’s a very good first round,” added the Thai, who dropped a lone bogey on the 18th hole, his ninth of the day.
Knutzon rose from his sick bed to set the morning pace. The two-time Asian Tour winner has been down with fever for the past two days but he lived up to the adage ‘Beware the sick golfer’ by firing five birdies against a lone bogey.
“It’s pretty amazing when you have something else to think about,” said a weary Knutzon. “Luckily it was pretty cool this morning which helped but I was kind of gassing it in the last few holes. Anytime you shoot under par, it should make you feel a bit better.”
Lee, who is of Korean origin, made the most of his Asian Tour debut by tying for the lead late in the day, thanks to a birdie at his last hole. “I hit a lot of greens and made the putts I needed to make today. I wasn’t hitting a lot of fairways,” said the 22-year-old, who graduated from Qualifying School last month.
It was truly an exhilarating start to the new season, thanks to Pucay’s magical ace at the third hole which came on the back of an eagle as he recovered from an outward 38 to end the day just one off the pace.
“I turned in two over and hit a great five wood to three feet for eagle on the par five second hole. Then I stepped onto the next tee and made a hole in one,” said Pucay. “This ace is my gift for my wife (Leslie) as it’s our 15th wedding anniversary today.”
After 15 years on Tour, Pucay is desperate for a first title. “Hopefully this year, it’ll be time for me to win. I’m going to play more aggressively, especially with my putting. I’ll charge a bit more when I’m in position to win,” he said.
The highly-rated Quek, who earned his card from Qualifying School , was delighted to start strongly where he finished his round in style with a 20-foot birdie conversion. “My putting helped. I drained quite a few longs ones. I was hitting it alright and kept it in play. When I had opportunities, I made them which was nice,” said the 22-year-old.
Defending champion James Kamte of South Africa , whose clubs arrived on Wednesday night, was four under through 10 holes but stumbled home with five bogeys to settle for a 73.
Leading first round scores
Par 72
68 Jason Knutzon ( USA ), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), Lucas Lee (BRA)
69 Rohan Blizard (AUS), Quincy Quek (SIN), Hideto Tanihara (JPN), Kim Dae-hyun (KOR), Atiwit Janewattananond [A] (THA), Richard Karlberg (SWE), Lam Chih Bing (SIN), Mars Pucay (PHI)
70 Tatsuhiko Ichihara (JPN), Kunal Bhasin (AUS), Ben Fox (USA), Ben Leong (MAS), Antonio Lascuna (PHI), Jbe Kruger (RSA), Han Seung-su (KOR), Frankie Minoza (PHI), Siddikur (BAN), Oscar Fraustro (MEX), Piya Swangarunporn (THA), Kim Hyung-tae (KOR)

Left to right at Millbrook: Sir Bob Charles, Jim Hardie, Michael Hill and Geoff Saunders. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Sir Bob and Lady Verity make Jim Hardie's latest trip to New Zealand

- where it's a boiling hot summer - one to cherish forever

North-east businessman and golfer Jim Hardie reports on his
annual winter trip to New Zealand.
Greetings from, at long last, a boiling hot New Zealand !
I say at long last as the first five weeks were a bit like a bad Scottish summer, and to quote Sir Bob Charles, he saw more rain in New Zealand in the first two weeks in January than he saw in his entire Scottish Wish list Tour last year.
To start from the beginning, way back early December, I had my first game with the great man at Pegasus Golf Club just outside Christchurch, and on a day more like a winter alliance day at Inverallochy, I'm glad to report that Geoff Saunders and I had a 4 and 3 victory over Sir Bob and Simon Robinson, with yours truly having the distinction of birdieng the 15th to finish the game.
Sir Bob at this point said, "Geez, you fly thirteen thousand miles to beat me up in my own back yard!"
Geoff Saunders still plays off 2 and is a former Canterbury team player, as was Simon Robinson who plays off 5.
I felt great as not too many people can claim a victory over Sir Bob!
Pegasus is the venue for the forthcoming New Zealand Ladies Open, and a wondeful new course.
I had the pleasure later that night of dining with Sir Bob and Lady Verity at their house overlooking the 17th fairway at Clearwater, another fabulous course in Christchurch.
The golf stories were simply amazing, could have listened for ever, but as much as that evening was special, a few days later they invited me to their farm at Oxford, which, not surprisingly, is named Lytham, and is approximately 800 acres.
We spent some time going round the property, saw his herd of deer,and then the process of how they produce Deer Velvet, which acts as an anti-inflamatory!
Sir Bob showed me a lot of memorabillia from years gone by. What a collection he has, far too numerous to even mention, but he has a complete book showing his Open championship victory in verse and pictures, news reports etc of other events he won what at the time, including the Piccadilly World match-play at Wentworth. Simply awesome reading!
During this visit we had been discussing various courses all round the Central Otago area, which is about 350k south of Christchurch, and as I metioned several of my favourites, discovered that Sir Bob had never played a couple, so he suggested a "mini tour" of Central Otago.
First point of call was Wanaka Golf Club, and Sir Bob partnered Bob Mcrae, a well-known farmer in that area, and I played with my cousin Bill Grigor who, like myself, originates from Ballater.
A wonderful sunny day, game was very well balanced until Bob Mcrae decided to hole a 30 footer on the 17th to close the game 2 and 1 to them !
Following day we were off to Cromwell Golf Club, one of my all time New Zealand favourites, and this time I've got the President of Shirley Golf Cub in Christchurch, Ken Fergus, a five- handicapper as my partner, against Sir Bob and John Roache, a very good senior golfer from Alexandra, just along the road from Cromwell, and a four-handicapper.
Ken and I combined really well and despite Sir Bob being three under after 13, Ken and I were two up!
Sir Bob did sort of mention at this time, "Doesn't twp up with five to play never win?"
I said "Well, today looks like it will buck the trend."
WRONG, Sir Bob throws in a couple of birdies to stand all square on the 18th, a wonderful 200 metre par 3, and then John decides to hole a 25-footer for a birdie 2, and, oh dear, another defeat by one hole !
After a great lunch Sir Bob and I visited a few wineries in the Bannockburn area of Central Otago, then back to his house at the Millbrook Resort, which is where Peter Smith (former Northern Open champion from the North-east) was at one time was the Director of Golf.
Next venue was the Hills Course, where the NZ Open has just been played, and this was mind blowing. I can't describe it as anything else.
We played with the owner, Michael Hill, and I can honestly say I was in hysterics all the way round. What acharacter this man is and his devotion to golf is absolute.
This game was unfortunately cut short by rain, but what a course, simply incredible.
On we went and Sir Bob arranged our next game to be at Millbrook, where Greg Turner has recently redesigned a new nine holes. I have to say its the best new nine holes I personally have ever seen!
Sir Bob played with Michael Hill, and Geoff Saunders and myself were the opposition .
I honestly think we were "set up" as Michael, who normally plays off 13, decided with his own unique handicapping system, that as he was not playing well and he had not played the "new nine" at Millbrook, "I'll just play off 18 today just to assist Sir Bob!"
Michael then has nine pars, so Geoff and I were "beaten" 2 and 1. I refrain from making any other "comment," suffice to say Michael did sort of see the funny side !
Having returned to the clubhouse, we then meet Mr and Mrs Peter Alliss who had just arrived three hours earlier as Peter was commentating for the NZ Open later that week.
Next port of call was another new course called Jacks Point, just outside Queenstown, where I have Sir Bob as a partner, this time against Geoff Saunders and a four-handicapper from England named Kevin Sutherland, who I believe is involved in Corporate Finance within the ANZ Banking Group in Australasia.
The scenery i could not even begin to describe. Breathtaking does not do this course justice. I can honestly say I have never seen views from a golf course like this, ever!
Great game ended all square after Sir Bob and I trailed most of the way, but a couple of late birdies, one each, saved our bacon, and we were all happy with a drawn match.
The NZ Open at the Hills was simply awesome, and I had lunch one day with Sir Bob and the great Peter Thomson. Yes, I've got the autograph to prove it!
Peter talked about his love of Brora, and, of course, Sir Bob had played it last year. Peter did laugh when I told him I'd sort of "set up" Sir Bob when he played there as I arranged for him to play with Jim Miller. Sir Bob said that guy can play some!
Returning to Christchurch, I am playing at Shirley Links, where I had the pleasure of lunch again with Peter Thomson, as he was visiting to see how the course changes were coming along.
Returning to Pegasus, Sir Bob had Aliatair Kidd as a partner against myself anf the Director of Golf at Pegasus, Brett James, an ex tour pro, who played in Australia.
This was probably yours truly's best display so far, and Brett and I went into a three-hole lead over Sir Bob and Alistair, when,on the 15th tee, Brett says "Sorry guys, I've got to attend a PGA meeting, so I'll have to leave."
And he says to me "Your playing well, I'm sure you can bring home a victory for us."
Well, Sir Bob starts the birdie stuff and I'm only one up playing the last but managed to halve the hole in par, so hang on I did, albiet just!
Alistair Kidd used to be a touring European pro way back, and was attached to Turnberry and Troon, before moving to New Zealand and was pro at the Otago Golf Club (Balmacewen) in Dunedin for a while.
You will see that I have been fortunate with a couple of victories over Sir Bob, but golf apart, i can't speak highly enough of this man. He has gone out of his way to reciprocate my small involvment in last year's wish list tour os Scotland.
The kindness of Sir Bob and Lady Verity I will cherish forever.
New Zealand should be justifiably proud of this gentleman. He is in a class of his own, and I recall Gordon Brand junior saying the same thing last year after playing with Sir Bob in a Seniors event.
Anyway that's an update. I still have another two weeks of sun to survive, and I have at least another two games arranged with Sir Bob, so onwards and upwards.
In closing, I'd like to say to all your readers, anyone thinking of visiting New Zealand, don't hesitate. A long way from Scotland it most certainly is, but once you get here, you are in one of the most beautiful unspoiled areas of the world.
Jim Hardie

James White takes time out from Stirling

University to make bid for Scotland place

FROM THE SCOTSMAN NEWSPAPER
By Martin Dempster
James White, the 2006 Scottish boys' champion, is sitting out a semester at Stirling University in a bid to make a serious challenge for a place in the Scotland teams that will defend the world and European titles later this year.
The 21-year-old Fifer, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, who is in his honours year of a business studies degree, has made the decision so that he can play in the early-season events he's normally been forced to miss.
White, a member at Lundin, is one of four Scots teeing off tomorrow in the Jones Cup at Sea Island in Georgia and he'll also be playing in the forthcoming Portuguese and Spanish amateur championships.
When the domestic season gets underway in the spring, White will be hoping to make his presence felt in events like the Irish and Welsh open stroke-play championships and the Brabazon Trophy.
"I've not been able to play in events like the Irish, Welsh and Brabazon because they usually clash with exams in the first three weeks of May," he said. "I'm in my fourth year at Stirling so it's honours year, but I will finish at the end of 2010, due to taking the semester out."
Ross Kellett, Steven McEwan and Philip McLean are the other Scots in the Jones Cup field, the quartet having spent last week preparing for the event in Florida, where they were joined at the IMG Academy at Bradenton by Callum Macaulay and Gavin Dear, two of Scotland's Eisenhower Trophy-winning team two years ago but both now professionals.
"To have the use of such a world-class facility was awesome," said Kellett, who ended his 2009 campaign on a high by reaching the final of the Argentine amateur championship.
"Now we are hoping the practice pays off for the Jones Cup and the season ahead. It's a big season with Scotland defending the European team championship in Sweden and also the world amateur team championship in Argentina in October."
+The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper.

Corey Pavin names his four Ryder Cup assistants

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
A former Ryder Cup captain and another player many believe will serve in that capacity in the not-too-distant future are among four assistants announced today by US Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin.
Pavin chose Tom Lehman, who captained the 2006 American team at the K Club, six-time Ryder Cup player Davis Love III, Jeff Sluman and Paul Goydos as his four assistants for the matches in September at Celtic Manor, Wales.
Pavin served as one of Lehman's assistants in 2006. The Americans suffered an 18 ½-9 ½ defeat that year but will head to Wales with the Cup in hand after snapping a three-match losing streak at Valhalla, Kentucky in 2008.
Love is one of the United States' most experienced international players. He has a 9-12-5 record overall in the Ryder Cup that includes a 3-1-2 record in singles. Love has also played in six Presidents Cups.
Sluman, who won the 1988 PGA, never played in the Ryder Cup. He has served as an assistant captain in three Presidents Cups, though.
Goydos has never played in a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup but is a veteran well-liked by his peers.
Pavin will announce his four Captains' team picks on September 7, the Tuesday after the Deutsche Bank Championship.
European captain Colin Montgomerie has yet to announce his vice captains.

Phil Mickelson taking Ping Eye2 wedge out of his bag

FROM THE GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE
Phil Mickelson now says he won’t be using again the Ping Eye2 wedge that led a fellow player to accuse him of “cheating.”
The left-handed World No 2 says he has made his point about a rules problem he wants to see fixed.
Mickelson said he accepted an apology from Scott McCarron, who last week said it was “cheating” for Mickelson or any other player to use a club with square grooves that only is allowed under a legal settlement from 20 years ago.
Mickelson said he hopes players continue using the Ping wedge to keep focus on what he called a ridiculous rule.
Meanwhile, US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem says he is working with Ping officials on a solution.

Tom Watson tells Tiger to "show some humility to public'

CBSSports.com wire reports
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Tom Watson says Tiger Woods needs to "show some humility to the public" when he returns to golf after sorting out his personal life.
Watson also said today that Woods should clean up his on-course behaviour in order to be considered among the true greats of the game.
Woods is on an indefinite break since his car accident November 27 that fuelled sordid tales of extra-marital affairs.
"I'll let the cat out of the bag," Watson said ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic. "Tiger has to take ownership of what he has done. He must get his personal life in order. I think that's what he's trying to do. And when he comes back he has to show some humility to the public.
"(If it were me) I would come out and I would do an interview with somebody and say, 'You know what? I screwed up. And I admit it. I am going to try to change. I am trying to change. I want my wife and family back."
The 60-year-old Watson, one of golf's elder statesmen, also criticised Woods -- a 14-time major winner -- for bad language and other on-course behaviour.
"I feel that he has not carried the same stature that other great players that have come along like Jack [Nicklaus], Arnold [Palmer], Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, in the sense that there was language and club throwing on the golf course," said Watson, a play-off loser to Stewart Cink at last year's Open at Turnberry (Woods missed the cut).
"You can grant that of a young person that has not been out here for a while. But I think he needs to clean up his act and show the respect for the game that other people before him have shown."
Despite beginning his year with victories in Hawaii in the Champions Skins and the senior's Mitsubishi Electric Championship, Watson played down his chances of winning the annual Desert Classic on the European Tour.
After playing in the pro-am, Watson said he was impressed with the condition of the Emirates course but had trouble keeping his drives on the narrow fairways.
"The rough is very tough," he said. "It is very tough to get the ball on the green from the rough. You have probably only got a one-in-seven or one-in-eight chance to get the green if you drive into the rough."
The field also includes England's Lee Westwood and Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who will be among the favorites for Sunday's $416,600 prize.
After problems with his club specifications at last week's Qatar Masters, Westwood tested four drivers on the practice range in hopes of regaining the form that helped him win last year's Race to Dubai.
Stenson, the Desert Classic winner in 2007, had more than half a dozen drivers at his side in practice. He spent most of 2009 using a 3-wood off the tee after losing confidence in his driver.
Jock MacVicar writes (in the Scottish Daily Express):
Tom Watson also said that if he were the US PGA Tour commissioner he would also get rid of the broomhandle putter.
"That's not a stroke," he insisted. "I'd also reduce the size of the driver head and reduce by 10 per cent, the distance the golf ball goes."

Lloyd Saltman's pain in Spain:

Slump from 64 to 77

Lloyd Saltman, at one time one of the world's leading amateurs, continues to struggle as a professional.
After leading the field with a first-round, seven-under-par 64 in the Spanish Hi5 Pro Tour's Valle d'Este Open in the Murcia province, south-east Spain, the Archerfield pro, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, required 13 shots more for his second circuit - a six-over-par 77 for a two-round tally of 141.
The biggest blots on his scorecard were a double bogey 5 at the short second and a quadruple bogey 8 at the par-4 15th.
That drops him down the leaderboard to joint fifth with older brother Elliot who has had steadier rounds of 70 and 71.
The third Saltman sibling, young Zack, is just about last in the field of 40-odd with rounds of 87 and 75 for 162.
Englishman Alex Belt and Matthew Cryer lead the field with 36-hole tallies of 133 and 135 respectively. Belt's rounds have been 67 and 66, Cryer 67 and 68.
In the women's event Rhian Wyn Thomas leads the field of three by 11 shots with scores of 73 and 71 for 144.
Caroline Martens (Norway) is on 155 (75-80) and Sabina Imboden (Switzerland) is on 168 with a pair 84s.
MEN'S SCOREBOARD
par 142 (2x71)
133 Alex Belt (Eng) 67 66.
135 Matthew Cryer (Eng) 67 678,
136 Roberto Lantsoght (Spa) 70 66.
140 Miguel Angel Martin (Spa) 71 69.
141 Elliot Saltman (Sco) 70 71, Lloyd Saltman (Sco) 64 77, Simon Ferouz (Fra) 73 68, Christian Aronsen (Nor) 70 71.
142 Manuel Quiros (Spa) 67 75.
Selected scores:
144 James Busby (Eng) 74 70, Sam Haywood (Eng) 73 71, Matthew Evans (Eng) 71 73.
146 Kevin Harper (Eng) 75 71, James Housby (Eng) 77 69.
148 Rob Harris (Eng) 75 73.
149 Gary King (Eng) 73 76, Richard Carter (Eng) (am) 74 75.
153 Jonathan Smart (Eng) 79 74, Stephen Shields (Eng) 77 76.
154 John Green (Eng) 79 75.
161 Trevor Wissen (Eng 83 78.
162 Zack Saltman (Sco) 87 75.
164 Edward Barry-Walsh (Eng) 81 83.
WOMEN
144 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wal) 73 71.
155 Caroline Martens (Nor) 75 80.
168 Sabina Imboden (Swi) 84 84.

North-east Alliance report and scores

Kris Nicol back in 29 for

a 62 at frosty Edzell

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Fraserburgh greenkeeper Kris Nicol is used to working on a golf course in all sorts of conditions - so, perhaps no surprise, that in very frosty conditions for today's North-east Alliance at Edzell Golf Club, the +3 handicapper headed a field of 61 brave souls with an excellent score, even over a shorteneded winter course, of seven-under-par 62.

Nicol reached the turn in two-under-par 35 with birdies at the first, fifth and eighth and one shot dropped, a bogey at the sixth.

Everyone, well, almost everyone, seemed to find the inward nine a lot easier and Nicol was no exception. He went into over-drive with only 29 shots required, made up of eight 3s (six of them birdies and two of them pars) and a bogey 5 at the 13th.

You can have a look at Kris's scorecard below.

Golf magazine writer Fergus Bisset (Banchory) was runner-up with a 64. He came home in 30 with the highlight an eagle 2 at the 12th.
Third-placed Brian Nicolson (Auchmill) had two eagle 2s - at the third and eighth - as well as four bogeys in an outward 35 on his way to a 65.
Leading scores (par 69)
SCRATCH
62 Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh).
64 Fergus Bisset (Banchory).
65 Brian Nicolson (Auchmill).
66 Stewart Pert (Huntly).
69 Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh), Martin Foser (Cruden Bay).
70 George Paterson (Northern), Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon).
71 Ian Bratton (Newburgh).
72 David Naylor (Banchory), Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon), Mar Lawrie (Kemnay), Jim Murray (Banchory).
73 Brian Harper (Newburgh), Harry Roulston (Stonehaven), Bill Urquhart (Murcar Links).
HANDICAP
Class 1 - F Bisset (Banchory) (2) 62; B Nicolson (Auchmill) (2) 63; S Pert (Huntly) (2), M Foster (Cruden Bay) (5), J Murray (Banchory) (8) 64; K Nicol (Fraserburgh) (+3) 65.
Class 2 - S Kennedy (Craibstone) (13), M Rogers (Kemnay) (15) 63; A Petrie (Oldmeldrum) (10) 64; D Townsley (Peterculter) (15), I Grant (Huntly) (18) 66; D Wood (Newburgh) (13) 68.

EDZELL WINTER SCORECARD

OUT: 4-4-4-4-4-3-4-4-4--35. IN: 4-4-4-4-3-4-4-3-4--34.

KRIS NICOL 62

OUT: 3-4-4-4-3-4-4-3-4--33. IN: 3-3-3-5-3-3-3-3-3-- 29.

FERGUS BISSET 64

OUT: 3-5-4-4-4-3-3-4-4--34. IN: 4-4-2-4-3-3-3-3-4--30.

BRIAN NICOLSON 65

OUT: 5-5-2-4-4-4-5-2-4--35. IN: 4-3-3-4-2-3-4-3-4--30.

STEWART PERT 66

OUT: 4-5-4-4-4-3-4-4-4--36. IN: 3-4-4-3-3-3-4-2-4--30

East Lothian Winter League

Gullane, Haddington move in opposite directions

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Haddington resumed their campaign in the East Lothian Winter League following a seven-week break enforced by snow and ice but were caught cold by visitors Gullane at the weekend.
In a close encounter at the top of the order, Duncan Low and Scott Walker came out on top for the visitors against Steven Lamb and Law Hardie.
With an advantage established in the lower order matches, that result tipped the scales in Gullane's favour and, in the end, the Haddington skipper Andrew Doctor's emphatic win, in the company of Keith Nicholson, proved to be the only one for the hosts.
That result saw Gullane move into a share of the lead in a league they last won 29 years ago, and sent their hosts into a relegation scrap with Royal Musselburgh, Dunbar, Tantallon and Craigielaw – four teams that have, between them, claimed the league title in 18 of the last 19 years.
Meanwhile, leaders Longniddry slipped up for the first time this season on the road at Royal Musselburgh. After eight straight wins, Chris Wood and Michael Bacigalupo tasted defeat for the first time this term at the hands of the experienced pairing of Ian Gordon and Cammy Boyd and that was enough to secure victory for Royal.
That result didn't alter the league position of either team, but the title race suddenly seems wide open and, with three, perhaps four teams to be relegated this term, there's plenty still to play for at either end of the table.
As usual, the Dunbar v Craigielaw clash was a tense affair. In recent years these teams have gone head to head for the title more often than not, but this time it was a battle for survival. With three out of five matches going the distance, there was really nothing to pick between the sides but, in the end, it was a triumph for experience over youth, with John Archibald and Gary Queen securing the vital point for the hosts on the final green.
In Division 2, both North Berwick and Winterfield bade farewell to their promotion hopes after suffering home defeats at the hands of Glen and Whitekirk respectively. However, the wins were significant for both visiting sides, who will now slug it out for one guaranteed promotion spot over the next five weeks.
Musselburgh Old kept their slender promotion hopes alive with a hard-earned win at home to lowly Thorntree.

Fairways Target Golf Leagues Week 2 report, results

By Neil D. Hampton
Golf & Marketing Director, Loch Ness Golf Course
Web: www.golflochness.com
The Monday teams were treated to benign, if slightly chilly conditions and almost all the players took advantage with all but one of the teams putting in good scores. BM Trucks were the nights best performers with a high score of 79 and the Neverwillbees will have mixed emotions having played so much better then their efforts in the week 1 but a total of 46 was not enough to beat the Trucks.
Similarly the Parahandies also got into their stride as they beat the top team of the previous week, the Royal Swingers. It was another good scoring match and the Swingers deemed it a good performance in just their second week, despite the loss.
The same goes for the Happy Gilmour’s whose total of 39 was very respectable but the wily old dogs in the Specialists team (a change in personnel from week 1) managed to record 10 more and take the two points.
In the final game both teams bettered their scores from last week but it was Orion who took the win with a total of 50 as the Sainties could only add 2 to their meagre total from last week and scored just 15. These results leave BM Trucks, Orion and Parahandies tied at the top with two wins out of two and the Neverwillbees, Happy Gilmour’s and Sainties still to get off the mark

MONDAY RESULTS
Happy Gilmours 39 – 49 Specialists
The Neverwillbees 46 – 79 BM Trucks
Orion 50 – 15 Sainties
Parahandies 48 – 37 Royal Swingers.

The Tuesday teams were also fortunate with the weather although the ground conditions were a bit firmer making it a little harder to stop the balls in the targets which meant the more experienced teams came through.
The big result of the night was the Muirton Marvels putting one over the Luckless Leadbetters. The Marvels top scored with an excellent 65 and the Leadbetters had no answer to this fire power, scoring less than half of the Marvels total.
The Senior Moments thrived in the bouncy conditions and they had the second highest score of 45, comfortably taking the points from the Mad Drivers who were slipping all over the place. King Kenyon’s Klan also got a grip in the conditions and their total of 38 was more than enough to maroon the Coastguards.
The easiest run of the night was for Fairhurst who, despite just scoring 15, got the two points as Fairways failed again to send out a team. The Muirton Marvels and King Kenyon’s Klan are the only unbeaten teams with two wins out of two and with the Mad Drivers and Fairways at the opposite end of the scale.

TUESDAY RESULTS
Coastguards 11 – 38 King Kenyon’s Klan
Senior Moments 45 – 17 Mad Drivers
Fairhurst 15 – 0 Fairways
Luckless Leadbetters 30 – 65 Muirton Marvels.



Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Against
Diff
Points
1
BM Trucks
2
2
0
0
123
68
55
4
2
Orion
2
2
0
0
80
28
52
4
3
Parahandies
2
2
0
0
68
45
23
4
4
Royal Swingers
2
1
0
1
87
66
21
2
5
Specialists
2
1
0
1
71
83
-12
2
6
Neverwillbees
2
0
0
2
54
99
-45
0
7
Happy Gilmours
2
0
0
2
52
79
-27
0
8
The Sainties
2
0
0
2
33
100
-67
0



Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Against
Diff
Points
1
Muirton Marvels
2
2
0
0
116
71
45
4
2
King Kenyon's Klan
2
2
0
0
87
55
32
4
3
Senior Moments
2
1
0
1
89
66
23
2
4
Luckless Leadbetters
2
1
0
1
72
83
-11
2
5
Fairhurst Fore
2
1
0
1
56
51
5
2
6
Coastguards
2
1
0
1
33
38
-5
2
7
Mad Drivers
2
0
0
2
35
87
-52
0
8
Fairways
2
0
0
2
0
37
-37
0

Barry Hume wins West Alliance at Prestwick St Nicholas

A total of 65 amateurs and 22 professionals contested yesterday's West of Scotland Alliance competition at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club.
Conditions started poorly with snow covering half the country and many players phoning to see if the event was on. However, the micro-climate in Prestwick only managed a trickle of rain which later cleared to lovely sunshine.
The course, in brilliant condition and the favourable weather, helped to produce some fantastic golf.
Stewart Savage, starting in the second group of the day, took an early lead on 66 which included four birdies and two bogeys. Stevie Gray equalled that score later in the day with three birdies.
However, Barry Hume, in the second last group of the day, took advantage of the later favourable conditions and carded a bogey-free, five-birdie round of 64.
New member this year, Jonathan D'Aguillar carded a nett 64 playing off 11 to win the handicap prize. Billy Campbell (5) and Andrew Kent (4) tied for the second place position on 66.
Seniors prize went to another new member, John Mansfield (15), with a net 70.
PRIZEWINNERS
Scratch
64 Barry Hume (Haggs Castle) p (£110).
66 Stephen Gray (pro) (Hayston) p, Stewart Savage (Dalmuir) p (£70 each).
68 Robert Jenkins (Crow Wood) (£40 voucher).
Handicap
(prize vouchers)
64 Jonathan D'Aguillar (Glasgow G) (11) (£80).
66 Billy Campbell (Loudon Gowf Club) (5), Andrew Kent (Troon Wellbeck) (4) (£42.50 each).
69 John Carrell (Torrance House) (12), Gordon Cree (Troon Wellbeck) (3) (£12.50 each).

Senior Prizes
Vouchers
70 John Mansfield (Troon Merchants) (15) (£30).
71 Hugh Smith (Cathkin Braes) (8) (£20).

Top handicap winner Jonathan D'Aguillar also took the sweep money, with Billy Campbell and a visitor on the day James Halpin sharing second place with a net 66.
Only three amateurs on the day managed to share out the 2s' sweep money

Midland Alliance at Arbroath frosted off this week

Tomorrow's Midland Golfers Alliance competition at Arbroath has been cancelled due to the frosty conditions. The William Hill team competition will be moved to next week's meeting at Carnoustie Buddon (Thursday, February 11 - check in at Caledonia G C, tee reserved from 8.30 - 12.30).

McCarron apologises for calling Mickelson a cheat

FROM THE STUFF.CO.NZ WEBSITE
Scott McCarron has apologised to fellow American golfer Phil Mickelson for implying that the world number two had cheated by using a 20-year-old Ping-Eye 2 wedge at last week's San Diego Open.
The pair had a 10min conversation after PGA Tour players met commissioner Tim Finchem at Riviera Country Club yesterday to discuss the lingering debate over the legality of square grooves.
Under United States Golf Association (USGA) rules implemented on January 1, square or U-grooves have been outlawed but the Ping-Eye 2 wedge is deemed legal because of a lawsuit won by its manufacturer over the USGA in 1990.
"I would like to apologise to Phil Mickelson for the comments that I made," McCarron said in the build-up to this week's Northern Trust Open.
"We had a very nice conversation ... and we both realise that we are on the same page on this issue. We think it's an issue that clearly needs to be resolved.
"This issue should have been solved by January 1st and unfortunately there is a lot of legal haggling that has to go on ... before we can actually do something about the rule."
The new rules relating to clubface grooves were implemented after research found modern configurations could allow players to generate almost as much spin with irons from the rough as from the fairway.
All clubs, with the exception of drivers and putters, have been affected by the change, which limits groove volume and groove-edge sharpness, effectively replacing U-grooves with V-grooves.
McCarron told the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper last week that use of the square-grooved Ping wedge amounted to cheating and he was appalled Mickelson and others had put the club in play.
Yesterday, however, McCarron criticised the USGA and the US PGA Tour for not anticipating the Ping groove problem well before January 1.
"I don't think they believed many players would be using a 20-year-old wedge but if you've got a wedge that actually puts more spin on it, then guys are going to use it," he said.
"They have every right to be able to use it. It is legal. I would just like to see everybody play the same clubs. At the moment, we can't.
"There are many guys out here on tour who are under contract and who can't play those (Ping wedges). They don't have an option to play them."
McCarron, a veteran of 16 years on the US PGA Tour and a member of the circuit's player advisory council, expected the rule to be changed "within 90 to 120 days".
He added: "If we're going to start this process, I think it will take somewhere around that period of time. There are a few options and commissioner Finchem will discuss them tomorrow."
Finchem had initially been scheduled to hold a news conference after the meeting with the players but that has been pushed back to today.

GUNN WITHDRAWS AFTER ONE ROUND IN ARIZONA

Jimmy Gunn from Dornoch finished the first round in joint 55th place in a field of 101 at this week's Gateway Tour event at Anthem Golf & Country Club, Ironwood in Arizona.
Gunn had an up and down round of two-over-par 74 with birdies at the first, third, sixth, 13th and 18th but also a double bogey at the short fourth and bogeys at the second, fifth, 12th, 14th and short 17th in halves of 37.
Welshman Chris Cole had a 75.
Two Americans, Eric Meierdierks and Josh Persons share the lead on six-under 66.
+There is no NGA Hooters Tour event until the third week of February, which gives Russell Knox from Inverness a rest.

LATER NEWS: Jimmy Gunn withdrew from the tournament before the second round. No explanation was available.

Paul O'Hara off on the Road to Morocco

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Paul O'Hara, who joined Steven, his older brother, in the professional ranks after topping the Scottish Order of Merit last season, will start his 2010 campaign on the EPD Tour, one of the third-tier circuits in European golf.
The 23-year-old, who just missed out on a Walker Cup spot last year after losing in the final of the Scottish Amateur Championship for the third time in six years, has targeted the German-run Tour on the advice of his new manager, former Scottish international Euan McIntosh.
O'Hara missed out on the opening four events, which are currently being played in Turkey, but he is definitely playing in the three tournaments straight afterwards in Morocco.
"While I played in the Tour School qualifying as a professional, these will be my first tournaments (in the paid ranks] and I can't wait to get going," said O'Hara, who has spent more time in the gym over the past few weeks than he has on a golf course due to the weather.
"The top five on the order of merit at the end of the season get on to the Challenge Tour and that's my target, while I will also be going to the (European] Tour School at the end of the year."
After losing his European Tour card at the end of the 2008 season, Craig Lee played on the EPD Tour last year, winning two events in Turkey on the way to finishing 13th on the order of merit.

Lloyd Saltman leads by three in Spain

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By NICK RODGER
Lloyd Saltman stormed into a three-stroke lead in round one of the Hi5 Pro Tour's Valle del Este Open in the Murcia region of south-east Spain yesterday.
The Archerfield pro, who is preparing for the European Challenge Tour season opener in Colombia later this month, fired a seven-under 64 to open up a commanding early advantage over Spain's Manuel Quiros and Englishmen Alex Belt and Matt Cryer.
Saltman, 24, reeled off seven birdies in a tidy round as the former Open silver medal winner took charge of the contest.
Saltman's older brother, Elliot, opened his challenge with a one-under 70 to share fifth but Zack, the youngest of the Scottish siblings, slumped to a bogey-ridden 87 and finished at the bottom of the standings.
SCOREBOARD
MEN (par 71)
64 Lloyd Saltman (Sco).
67 Alex Belt (Eng), Matthew Cryer (Eng), Manuel Quiros (Spa).
70 Christian Oransen (Nor), Robert Lantsoght (Spa), Robert Svensson (Swe), Elliot Saltman (Sco).
71 Stain Hanson (Nor), Matthew Evans (Eng), Miguel Angel Martin (Spa).
73 Simon Ferour (Fra), Jose Manuel Garzon (Spa), Sam Haywood (Eng), Gary King (Eng).
74 Ryan Street (Can), Richard Carter (Eng) (am), James Bush (Eng).]75 Bread Clapp (Can), Bob Harris (Eng), Kevin Harper (Eng).
76 Ivo Parega (Spa), Charles Goux (Swi).
Selected scores:
77 Stephen Shields (Eng), James Housby (Eng).
79 John Green (Eng), Jonathan Smart (Eng).
81 Edward Barry-Walsh (Eng).
83 Trevor Wissen (Eng).
87 Zack Saltman (Sco) (39th).
Disqualified - Daniel Hewitt (Eng).
WOMEN
73 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wal).
75 Caroline Martens (Nor).
84 Sabina Imboden (Swi).

Higginbottom (16) beats Fleetwood (19)

in New South Wales final

FROM THE NEW SOUTH WALES GOLF ASSOCIATION WEBSITE
Sixteen-year-old Jake Higginbottom (The Australian Golf Club) has won the 2010 New South Wales Amateur Championship, played at The Royal Sydney Golf Club.
Current NSW Junior Champion, Higginbottom played strongly over the 36-hole final, defeating 19-year-old Englishman Tommy Fleeetwood (Formby Hall, Lancashire) by 3 and 2.
Both players were consistent early, with Higginbottom just one up after 18 holes. Some strong play in the next nine holes saw Higginbottom get out to five up, with nine holes remaining. Through these holes, Jake played 10 holes in six under par!
Despite being five down with just five holes to play, Fleetwood (winner of the Scottish open amateur stroke play championship at Murcar Linkis last year) continued to fight back, winning the next two holes.
However it was the youngster who held his composure with a chip in at the 34th hole to secure victory, completing a brilliant six days of golf.
Graeme Phillipson, NSW Golf Association General Manager – Golf Programs and Services was excited at the result. “It really is an incredible achievement for such a young golfer. It’s great to see some exciting young talent coming through the ranks of NSW Golf. Jake continues to go from strength to strength, and it’s exciting to see where he’ll be in the future”.
It has been a grueling Championship, kicking off at Newcastle and Muree Golf Clubs with over 260 players on 26-28 January, participants playing four rounds of 18 holes over the three days. The leading 32 players competed in the match play component at The Royal Sydney Golf Club from 1-3 February, with it eventually getting down to the final two – Higginbottom and Fleetwood.
At completion of play, they have both played 10 rounds over six days, which is indeed a test of skill, mental strength and endurance.
Higginbottom, pictured above with the trophy, by courtesy of the New South Wales Golf Association, will now receive entry into the 2010 British Amateur Championship (at Muirfield and North Berwick from June 14 to 19.

THE 'IS-HE-A-SCOT?' MICHAEL SIM DEBATE

Michael Sim, development as a golfer greatly assisted by Australian bodies.

Another E-mail from Michael Sim's father, George (in Australia)

Colin,
Michael is certainly proud of his Aberdeen roots as are the whole family. However, I think that your readers have to understand that Michael’s development as a golfer has been greatly assisted by The Graham Marsh Junior Golf Foundation in Western Australia as well as the Australian Golf Union and the Australian Institute of Sport, which he attended for two years in Melbourne after leaving school.

Michael also represented Australia at both junior and men's level. He represented Australia eight times as an amateur and was part of a three-man Eisenhower Trophy team with James Nitties and Jarrod Lyle.
Therefore, when he turned professional he was always going to represent Australia which I think is the correct decision.
George Sim

Fleetwood and Higginbottom all square after 10 holes of NSW Final

Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall, Lancashire) and 16-year-old Jake Higginbottom (The Australian Club) were all square after 10 holes in the 36-hole final of the New South Wales amateur championship at Royal Sydney Golf Club.
Higginbottom did have a one-hole lead on the outward journey but Fleetwood, the holder of the Scottish open amateur stroke-play championship, had squared him by the ninth.

An insight to a top player's view on the Ping wedge controversy

Padraig Harrington's pre-

tournament interview in

Press Centre at the

Northern Trust Open

FROM THE PGATOUR.COM WEBSITE
DOUG MILNE: Padraig Harrington, thanks for joining us here for a few minutes at the 2010 Northern Trust Open. 2008 PGA Tour Player of the Year. You obviously finished 2009 with a string of very solid Top 10 finishes. I know the goal out here for you is to win, but ending 2009 the way you did has got to at least get you in the right frame of mind here as you start 2010. Just a few comments.
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: It feels like a long time ago. Yeah, it's always interesting obviously starting out a new season. I've done a bit of work over the winter. I've been able to do good work, but while I'm keen to get back out and play, you're a little bit apprehensive about what your game is going to be like. I'd like to think it would be good right from the start, but I have to be realistic and realize that I'm not going to be as sharp as I could be this week, and the key would be to get sharp as quick as possible.
In a nice sense maybe that would be if I maybe -- maybe if I'm in there on Sunday afternoon and things start feeling good, that would be nice. But who knows, it may take a week or two or three weeks as it has done in previous years. But yeah, the end of last year gives me good sense that I have a good idea of what I'm doing, and hopefully I'll be able to replicate that going forward.
Q. A lot of talk this week about the grooves controversy --
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: Took long time to get to that, didn't it? I'm sorry I spent two minutes talking. (Laughter.)
Q. But I saw you had a pair of the Ping wedges in your bag. You were trying them out yesterday. Are those likely to go in play? And what are your general feelings about McCarron's comments that it's cheating to do so?
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: Whether I'm going to use them or not, I'm kind of waiting to see what the TOUR's direction is this afternoon. What I'm doing is I'm preparing myself for all eventualities. It would be naïve not to.
I did some good testing yesterday. Unfortunately the testing showed up exactly what you would expect, and there's a significant difference. I think that significant difference depends on the players. Some players don't find that there was a difference between the old V-groove and box groove. Other players find that there is a big difference. I think they'll find that some players don't feel it's necessary in their game. Other players who are probably a little bit more aggressive do feel like this is something that they need, and the groove change necessarily is not helping their game, let's say.
As regards what I feel about whether it's right or not, I don't know what the direct comments were by Scott McCarron, but I think most of us were brought up that you've got to adhere strictly by the rules, and whatever those rules are in place, you've got to play by them.
We've all played in our career where we've hit it on the cart path and got a drop, and that drop has been substantially to our advantage, and that's the nature of the game. Other times you get a drop and it's -- the rules are substantially against you. You know, it swings around about in that sense, that you can't -- you have to play exactly by them. You can't necessarily -- the interpretation of them, that leads to problems and has led to problems over the years, so that's why we stick by it.
I would like to see a clarification myself. I would like to see a situation. Legally I don't know how they can go about it, but maybe the PGA Tour could play under the rules of the R&A, then we'd have no problem. Maybe Ping could forego the lawsuit, then there would be no problem. Or possibly, I don't know, this is what I would sort of suggest, is that maybe everybody sign up to a charter and say we won't use them. But while they're out there being used, it's a difficult situation not to -- for anybody who's competitive not to go out there and take full advantage of what you can if somebody else is.
It's an interesting one, and as I said, I did the testing, and I still -- every ten minutes it's in the bag, it's out of the bag. That's basically how it's been going. I haven't settled at all on what I'm going to do, but I'll have to -- it could be ten minutes before my tee time and not know what I'm going to do this week.
As I said, I'm hoping for some good clarification this afternoon from Tim Finchem. I'm hoping something comes out of that that makes the decision and takes the decision out of my hands, really.
Q. 60-degree, or what is it?
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: At the moment the only one I have that has a decent set of grooves is 60 degrees, so that's the one I'm considering.
Q. Where did you find it, eBay?
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: No, a professional golfer friend at home Brendan McGovern. I had an interesting thing, which is -- when they changed this rule at home at the end of last season, I looked at all the golf clubs that I've built up over the years, and I sold them all. I sold them all for charity just before Christmas, cleared out everything I had. Then I find out -- amongst the clubs I sold were seven Ping wedges. And then I find out four weeks later at Hawai'i that you can use those clubs.
So I then had to go ask a couple of people did they have any. And I got some from my caddie's mother, she had Ping wedges, a Ping set; and I got some from Brandon McGovern. As I said, the lob wedge, some of them were too late, some were too early, but the lob wedge is within the time frame. And the grooves are reasonable without being absolutely brand new or anything.
It's amazing, I've kept those golf clubs for -- I must have had them for 20 years, and I said I'm getting rid of everything, and I had a total clean-out, and sure enough, I need them next week.
Q. So you were on the shot monitor doing spinning and the whole deal and determined with your angle of attack it works for you?
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: It's essentially 200 rpms more out of the light rough and the heavy rough with short and long shots. No difference to my Wilson wedge off the fairway, none at all. It comes out the exact same. So that's a --
Q. Huge difference?
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: It's significant. It's significant to distance control and that.
Q. Significant enough you can get over what it looks like down there at the end of the stick? That's a very un-traditional looking club.
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: I played a Ping lob wedge for a number of years in my amateur game, so it's not an issue for me or a problem for me at all in that sense.
Q. Does the difference have anything to do with a player's angle of attack?
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: It does indeed. It has a huge difference the way a player swings a golf club. Obviously the narrower he is on the way down and the steeper he is, the less need he has for super sharp grooves. But we could have had this discussion for the last number of years, because many times over the last number of years, the comment about box grooves or sharp grooves would be built up, and there would be a significant number of professional golfers who said it makes no difference to their game.
To me like the difference between a box groove 7-iron and a V-groove 7-iron, at least not getting a flier, is 30 yards in distance. I could explain that to a lot of professionals and they'd look at me as if I had two heads.
That's why I've carry two sets of golf clubs for the last six, seven years, to make sure I always have the right grooves for the right grass.
But it makes a significant difference. But then, as I said, there are players who generally don't miss too many fairways and don't miss too many greens, and you know, and other players who are so steep (in their swing) that it doesn't have such an effect. But if you're aggressive and you're going at par-5s, maybe when you should be laying up and things like that, it certainly takes the aggressive club out of your hand. You can't afford to miss those par-5s coming up short with a -- if you miss the green 15 yards off the bunker, maybe you've got 35 yards to the flag, that's where you're in trouble now.
Not necessarily those five-, ten-yard shots. It's sort of the 35, 40-yard shots out of the rough, and it basically means that you'll see a lot more of conservative play, a lot more laying up, and players will have to play a different way.
As I said, those guys who have already played that way are all in favor of the -- were in favor of the change, and other guys who are a bit more aggressive certainly would like to have what they used to have.
Q. Listening to you talk about this, you've given this a lot of thought, and it's an interesting topic and a lot of people view this as a negative discussion, but it's actually an interesting conversation, isn't it?
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: It is interesting, because there is no -- even going back to the actual change, you know, it was -- you've got to think that the rule was changed because it was a soft one to change. Nobody could come out and say, oh, no, we don't want the players -- we don't want any advantage given to a player that's hit it in the rough and we want the guy who hits it straight -- it was a very easy rule change to make. It would have been a lot harder rule change to go and say, well, we're going to ban long putters because then you would have had people coming out and saying no.
But there were very few people who had a dissenting view, publicly to the groove change. But it is a significant change to a lot of people. I know I've been testing during the winter, and it's quite significant.
You know, I'm surprised that -- I don't know, when did it first come up that this was going to happen? I only heard it in Hawai'i, as I said. I finished up last year selling them off thinking that was the end of those clubs. It does seem like we should have been prepared for this. That's probably the -- who had this idea first? I'd love to know who was the person --
Q. You mean the Ping part?
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: Yeah, did they know six months ago that there was going to be an issue with these box groove clubs?
Q. Well, it was announced in August of 2008 that these would be okay.
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: It wasn't announced to me.
Q. When the USGA announced the rule it was right in the rule, August of 2008, but it just seems to have come up in the fine print.
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: So even when they were changing the rule they knew this was going to be --
Q. An exception, right.
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: Yeah, it's interesting. As I said, there really isn't -- because of the fact, because of the way we govern ourselves when we play golf, we strenuously stick to the rules. You have to. That is the whole idea is that you have to stick to the rules. It has to be black and white, it really does, and the problem here is that it is black and white, that it's legal. So that means there has to be something else done about it. What can be done, because it was a Supreme Court ruling, wasn't it? Is it Supreme Court? It's not like the PGA Tour, you know, who do we think we are if we can overrule the Supreme Court.
It's not like that. We have to go some other way. I'm not sure what that is. But a charter amongst the players would seem like a logical thing, if everybody signs up and says, look, we won't do it, then I don't think anybody would do it.
Q. A little bit about you. Last winter you did some things with your swing and you came out and you had -- a long and mysterious route. Did you do anything comparable this year?
PADRAIG HARRINGTON: I did the same stuff again this year. I was trying to get to the bottom of something in my golf swing. Again this winter -- I put it on hold for the last couple of months of last year, and again this winter I went down the road of trying to sort it out. I've made a couple of significant changes to my swing.
The only difference is last year I came out at this stage and I wasn't happy with the changes and what they resulted in, and I kept working on it. This year I'm not in that mindset. I'm happy with what I've done, and I'm going to just play with that.
While it was the same work, it's finished at the moment and I'm ready to go play golf, which is what I didn't do last year. I just felt it was still very much a work in progress. It's a work in progress now, but I'm more comfortable what I worked on, so let's see how that works for a while, and I'm sure through the course of the year I'll look at a few more opinions about my golf swing and things that need to be changed. But hopefully I'll keep them ready for next winter again.
DOUG MILNE: Padraig, as always we appreciate your time, and best of luck this week.
*Transcript courtesy of ASAP Sports.

Lothians-based pro furthering his golfing education

David Armitage at top club in Orlando

in quest for 'Masters' status

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
A Lothians-based golf professional is spending the next few weeks at the exclusive club in Orlando where Tiger Woods practises in a bid to help him earn a place in the record books.
David Armitage, the director of golf/head professional at The Renaissance Club just outside Gullane, has made the trip to Isleworth to further his golfing education as he attempts to gain 'Master PGA professional' status.
The 28-year-old, pictured, who has been at The Renaissance since it opened in 2008, is playing in the Isleworth Invitational Pro-Am this week and will be involved in the running of the Tavistock Cup as he shadows the club's General Manager and Director of Golf over the coming weeks.
"I believe that the golf industry is getting tougher and tougher and therefore want to keep learning to keep ahead of the game," said Armitage, who started his professional career as an assistant at the Old Course Hotel and Duke's Course at St Andrews and had a spell at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin before returning to Fife to become the senior instructor at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy.
"I learned very early on that the winters in Scotland are very quiet and can be bleak so decided this would be a great time to further my education and experience. Each winter I set myself goals to enable me to come into the season with more experience.
"Despite my tender age within the golf industry, I feel I have a wealth of experience which has helped me extremely in my present positions, but I am always aware of the traditions of the game which are very important to me."
Isleworth is one of the most successful private clubs in the United States. Renowned for its exclusivity and service, it is home to more US Tour players than any other single club in the country.
"I have a specific role within the running of the Tavistock Cup, which is a televised match between Lake Nona and Isleworth that takes place in March each year, alternating home and away venues," added Armitage, who went to the PGA Show in Orlando last week to attend various seminars as well as look at future brands for The Renaissance.
"Both clubs are owned by Joe Lewis and I think my experience at this type of club would be unique and give me great insight into the running of a successful private operation. Completing my advanced certification of the USA PGA will allow me to complete my Masters in the following years and I aim to become the youngest Master PGA professional in the USA. I am also planning to complete it in the UK."

McIlroy sets himself a major goal within four years

FROM THE IRISHTIMES.COM WEBSITE
World number nine Rory McIlroy is targeting a major victory within four years. Twelve months ago the Holywood (Belfast) star was aged 19 years and 273 days when he landed his first European Tour title by winning the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club.
Since then McIlroy has collected 11 top-10 finishes on the circuit, including eight in his last nine events, and was second to Lee Westwood in last season’s Race to Dubai money-list.
"I am gaining experience every year and by the time I'm 24, 25 I will have played in 20, 25 majors ... so hopefully by then I should know how to finish them off," said McIlroy in reference to winning majors.
"That's the ultimate goal ... to win a major championship and try and become the best player I can be."
McIlroy said he had learnt a great deal since making his Dubai breakthrough.
"I've gained a lot of experience since I won here last year and I've put myself in a lot of great positions to win golf tournaments," added the 20-year-old ahead of defending his title at the Emirates this week.
"I haven't quite finished them off but I've learnt from those experiences and feel as if I'm a more-rounded player. I feel as if when I get myself into those positions now that I feel a lot more comfortable in final rounds and final groups."
McIlroy burst on to the international scene in the 2007 Open at Carnoustie where he finished as leading amateur when Pádraig Harrington claimed his first major. Since then his best display in a major was a share of third place in last year's US PGA Championship.
"When I look back on the last 12 months it has been very satisfactory," he said. "It was a year when everything was new to me. The majors were new and the World Golf Championships were new and I felt as if I handled it pretty well. I've gained a lot of experience in them and I feel the experience will help me a lot this year and hopefully I'll perform even better in them." McIlroy begins the defence of his Dubai title on Thursday and is joined by fellow Irishmen; Shane Lowry, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin.
Stephen Deane is the ninth Irishman in the field after the Co Down native, who is one of the resident teaching pros at the Emirates Golf Club, won the UAE regional qualifying open.
McIlroy also told the Associated Press today that he wants golf authorities to reconsider their new regulations on the shape of grooves in clubheads.
"I don't see why they don't firm greens up and get the rough longer to bring scores down (Editor: I think he means push the scores up). They can make golf courses a lot tougher and turn 20-under winning scores into 12 under."
The USGA and The Royal & Ancient in January introduced rules designed to prevent tour professionals from putting excessive spin on golf balls when playing out of long, rough grass.
The measures have been greeted with mixed reactions and confusion on the US PGA and European Tours. Phil Mickelson has found a way around the ban on "U"-shaped grooves by playing with a 20-year-old Ping wedge.
US Tour player Scott McCarron has claimed that it's "cheating" to use them.
The new regulation shrinks the volume and softens the edges of the club head grooves. Mickelson was among at least four players at Torrey Pines last week who used the Ping wedges, which have square grooves.
The Ping wedges made before April 1, 1990, are approved for competition because of a 1990 settlement from Ping's lawsuit against the USGA.
McIlroy says he would prefer other ways to make golf more difficult rather than tampering with club design.
But the 20-year-old acknowledged that more difficult scoring conditions at professional tournaments could cause golf to lose some spectator appeal.
"When I turn on the TV and I am watching a tournament, I don't like to see guys struggling for pars all the time," he said. "I think people like to see birdies as well."

The Carrick on Loch Lomond to stage International Pairs World Final

NEWS RELEASE
The 2010 International Pairs World Final will be held at The Carrick on Loch Lomond as part of a new agreement between the world’s largest competition of its kind for club golfers and leading hotel group De Vere.
Ross Honey, founder and managing director of International Pairs, has finalised a deal with the hoteliers for them to become one of the event‘s chief sponsors.
In addition to The Carrick on Loch Lomond staging this year’s world final from October 6-8, the tournament’s regional finals will be hosted by De Vere venues across England, with the UK Final to be played at Wychwood Park in Cheshire in September.
De Vere has a long-standing relationship with golf having hosted numerous events on the European, Seniors and Ladies Tours since the 1990s and Honey believes the arrangement will signal a new chapter in International Pairs’s history.
Honey said: "To reach an agreement for De Vere to become our hotel partner is an exciting and major new development for International Pairs. Their name is synonymous with the game and some of the finest courses in the UK. At International Pairs, we pride ourselves on selecting top-class venues for our world final competitors and The Carrick on Loch Lomond is a perfect fit.
"The venue has quickly established itself as one of Scotland's outstanding new courses and it will not only provide an excellent test of golf for this year’s finalists, but is set against the breathtaking backdrop of Loch Lomond."
This year will be fourth in a row that Scotland has hosted the event but it will be the first time that it has been staged at The Carrick, overlooking the banks of Loch Lomond.The award-winning five-star venue is the flagship venue of De Vere’s 11 golfing destinations in the UK and has won a steady stream of accolades since it opened to widespread acclaim in November 2006.
The course, which was designed by renowned golf architect Doug Carrick, measures 7,068 yards from the championship tees and has already staged the Ladies European Tour’s De Vere Scottish Open in 2007 and 2008 and the PGA Cup - the equivalent of the Ryder Cup for PGA professionals - last autumn.
For more details on International Pairs, visit their website at www.internationalpairs.com or e-mail info@internationalpairs.com

More on the "Is Michael Sim a Scot" great debate

E-mail from Euan MacKinnon

Colin,
Scottishgolfview.com asked if it annoyed any of its readers that it was proud of Michael Sim's Scottish roots (following an E-mail from Stan Drews that it was time to recognise that he has become an Australian).
Indeed it does not. Last year I watched via your site with excitement and pride as Michael played so well on the Nationwide Tour and shared the disappointment, probably along with many others, that due to the Play-Offs etc he got so few PGA Tour starts.
Your site (and Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk) provides me with so much comprehensive information, all in one place, that it has become my primary source for golf news.
In my opinion that, along with your title Scottishgolfview entitles you to some editorial freedom, including phraseology and comment that I can either agree or disagree with.
In general I abhor society's apparent need to label and categorise everything and everyone.
In Michael's case he potentially will have to categorise himself. Does he feel like he is a young Aberdonian who moved with his family to Australia, taking up golf there and rising up through their amateur system until he was able to gain firstly membership of the Nationwide and ultimately the US PGA Tour itself?
In the last couple of years he will have mainly domiciled in the US but underneath all he is a Scot.
On the other hand, does Michael feel his place of birth is largely irrelevant. He learned his golf in Australia, played his amateur golf there and feels Australian.
What is most important is Michael must choose for himself. Maybe our Editor can ask him this question!
Why? Well if Michael continues to progress at this rate, he will have to choose whether to play in the Ryder or President's Cup!
Finally, whether Scot or Aussie, it is great to see a young man breaking through into golf's elite and I am excited at the prospect of following Michael over the next few years, courtesy of Scottishgolfview.com
Euan MacKinnon

E-mail No 2 from Stan Drews (the man who started the debate!)

Colin,
I can assure you Michael Sim is proud of his Aberdonian roots and he is also a Scot by birth - why did his parents not tell him to represent Scotland as a professional then?
My point is he has elected to represent Australia as a professional golfer so could never play in a Ryder Cup or represent Scotland in a tournament like the old Dunhill Cup or the Omega World Team Championships played last year in China.
I do hope he makes the Open at St Andrews.
I think he will qualify automatically if he keeps up this early season form.
Stan Drews

E-mail from Michael's father, George Sim in Australia

Colin,
Everyone is entitled to an opinion and it is good to see some healthy debate on the subject. We are really pleased that Michael has had a good start to the PGA tour. Susan and I are going to the Masters in April and have rented a house near St Andrews for the Open. We will have family and friends turning up at the Open in good numbers to support Michael.
George Sim

£200,000 Challenge Tour event at Aviemore starts ball rolling

Scotland leads the way for tournaments in 2010

FROM THE SCOTTISH DAILY EXPRESS
By JOCK MacVICAR
Scotland is bucking the trend at a time of severe financial constraint by promoting even more tournaments this year.
Scottish Hydro and Macdonald Hotels, together with EventScotland, yesterday announced they are backing the Scottish Challenge tournament for this year and beyond.
Over the two years, more than £1million in cash and payment in kind is going into the Scottish Hydro Challenge which will again be played at the stunning Macdonald Spey Valley course in Aviemore.
The announcement completes an enormously impressive portfolio of golf tournaments north of the border this year.
The season swings into action with the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Aviemore from June 10 to 13, followed by the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, The Open at St Andrews, the Senior Open at Carnoustie, the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the Ladies Scottish Open at Archerfield, the Scottish Seniors Open at Fairmont St Andrews and the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
Throw into the mix Colin Montgomerie's eagerly-awaited Ryder Cup team announcement immediately after the final round of the "Johnnie Walker " and, without doubt, Scotland has regained its position at the forefront of the game in terms of hosting events.
Only a few years ago, leading up to the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club, Ireland was being held up as an example for Scotland to follow.
This season, Ireland has no Challenge Tour or Senior Tour event. Its only tournament is the Irish Open.
England has no Challenge Tour event either, with the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth its only main Tour event.
Robbie Clyde, EventScotland's project director for the 2014 Ryder Cup, is convinced Scotland will go on to cement its place as a leading tournament venue.
He said: "This is a long-term investment. When we sat down with Ryder Cup Europe, we actually suggested what we believed should be all our obligations.
"We are committed to investment in golf tournaments betyond 2014. Golf is one of those things that the rest of the world would love to have a bit of. Scotland has it but we can't be complacement. We have to keep our game ahead of the opposition.
"Only last month it was estimated that golf is worth £220million to the Scottish economy and although club membership is falling, the pay-and-play sector is booming in some quarters."
Tour official Mark Aspland admits one of the problems south of the border is that England does not have a body like EventScotland, which has invested £150,000 in the Spey Valley tournament.
It does not have a body like Iain Stoddart's Bounce Sports Management either, which acts as the Challenge Tour's commercial partner in Scotland. Prize money at Spey Valley in June will be £200,000 with £32,000 going to the winner.
Jamie McLeary became the first Scot to take the title last year when he beat Italy's Edoardo Molinari by two shots in a field that also included past Ryder Cup player Peter Baker and 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie.
The calibre of Challenge Tour events can be measured by the fact that Molinari later won the World Cup in China with his brother Francesco, and Richie Ramsay, fourth as an amateur in 2006 at Murcar Links, is now the South African Open champion.
Clyde added: "Richie is a good example of what this tournament can do for youn players."

Tommy Fleetwood meets Fotheringham

conqueror in New South Wales Final

Scottish men's open amateur stroke-play champion Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall) is through to the final of the New South Wales amateur championship at Royal Sydney.

He will play 16-year-old Australian Jake Higginbottom (The Australian Golf Club), conqueror of Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) in the second round of the match-play stages.

Walker Cup player Fleetwood, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, who won the Scottish stroke-play title at Murcar Links last year, came through after a titantic struggle in the quarter-finals.

Fleetwood, the No 7 seed, beat No 2 qualifier Yeong Jin Jeong at the 23rd.

In the semi-finals, the Englishman from Formby Hall, Lancashire beat Luke Humphries by 4 and 3, having been three down after six holes. He squared the match at the 11th.

Higginbottom, the fifth best qualifier from the stroke-play rounds, won his semi-final by 4 and 3 against the No 9 seed, Patrick Wilson. The Aussie teenager had had to go to the 19th to win his quarter-final tie against Alex Pitty.

Results:

QUARTER-FINALS

Patrick Wilson (No 9 seed) bt Brett Drewitt (16) 1 hole.

Jake Higginbottom (5) bt Alex Pitty (20) at 19th.

Tommy Fleetwood (7) bt Yeong Jin Jeong (2) at 23rd.

Luke Humphries (27) bt Luke Henwood (30) 1 hole.

SEMI-FINALS

Higginbottom (5) bt Wilson (9) 4 and 3.

Fleetwood (7) bt Humphries (27) 4 and 3.

SOL to construct links course at Menie Estate

Irish company gets

multi-million contract

from Donald Trump


NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY TRUMP INTERNATIONAL-SCOTLAND
Donald J. Trump has awarded the multi-million pound golf course construction contract at Menie Estate, Aberdeenshire, to SOL Golf Course Construction Limited – the foremost links golf course construction firm in the UK.
Growing from an Irish-based operation to include projects across the British Isles, SOL has worked on many of the world’s best golf courses and is currently working on various Open Championship courses on behalf of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews including Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham & St Annes, Muirfield and Royal Birkdale.
Following an extensive tendering process, Donald J. Trump, president and chief executive of The Trump Organisation, stepped in to negotiate the final deal and select his preferred contractor and stated: “SOL’s experience of championship links courses is unequalled and their workmanship is second-to-none. They will do an outstanding job.”
Specialising in the construction of new courses and the modification of existing golf courses, SOL has built some of the finest courses in the world.
Managing director, Michael O’Leary stated: “We have worked on over 40 world-class links courses across Ireland and Britain, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a world leading course on terrain such as this. The land is incredible and the course design is flawless - we are thrilled to have secured the contract to build Donald Trump’s course. It would be wonderful to one day see a young rising star, such as Rory Mcllory, win an Open Championship at Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.”
From fairways and bunkers to tees and greens, SOL is now responsible for developing all aspects of the championship links course, and will work alongside Dr Martin Hawtree, golf course architect for Trump International, Scotland.
Hawtree has worked on a number of award-winning projects with SOL including Portmarnock Golf Course, Lahinch Golf Course and Dooks Golf Course.
In response to their appointment, Dr Hawtree stated: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with SOL on this site. SOL has done great work with us in the past on some of the best known courses in Ireland and Britain. Their huge experience of working on links sites makes them very suitable partners on what is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and stimulating golfing projects for very many years."
SOL recently completed the golf course at Lough Erne Golf Club in Ireland, where Sir Nick Faldo described their work: “The course is going really well - just look around at the quality of work by SOL Construction Group.”
SOL is also currently creating a short games practice facility at Rory Mcllroy’s private residence in Belfast.

Links for more informatiion:
http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/
SOL Golf Course Construction Ltd Ballinahulla, Ballydesmond, Co. Cork.
www.solgolfconst.com

Links courses worked on by SOL include:
Hesketh Golf Club, Southport, Lancashire
Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, Mersyside
Royal Lytham & St Annes, Lancashire
Muirfield Golf Club, East Lothian
Ballybunion Golf Club, Ballybunion, Co Kerry
Baltray Golf Club, Drogheda, Co Louth
Bundoran Golf Club, Dundoran, Co Donegal
Ceann Sibeal Golf Club, Dingle, Co Kerry
Doonbeg Golf Club, Doonbeg, Co Clare
Dooks Golf Club, Dooks, Glenbeigh, Co Kerry
Enniscrone Golf Club, Enniscrone, Co Sligo
Galway Golf Club, Blackrock, Salthill, Co Galway
Kilkee Golf Club, Kilkee, Co Clare
Lahinch Golf Club, Lahinch, Co Clare
Malahide Golf Club, Co Dublin
Narin Golf Club, Co Donegal
Portmarnock Golf Club, Portmarnock, Co Dublin
Portmarnock Links Golf Course, Portmarnock, Co Dublin
Rosapenna Golf Resort, Downings, Co Donegal
Royal Dublin Golf Club, Dollymount, Dublin
Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Co Antrim
St Anne’s Golf Club, Dollymount, Dublin
The Island Golf Club, Donabate, Co Dublin
Tralee Golf Club, Ardfert, Co Kerry

SOL is also currently tendering for projects in Poland, Spain, Portugal and Italy.

+Any comments? E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

New Tartan Tour supremo gets £1million

challenge from Sandy Jones

FROM THE PGA E-BULLETIN
The new head of Scottish PGA golf has been set a million pound target to hit in the next five years.
Michael MacDougall, pictured, has been tasked with nearly doubling the Tartan Tour’s £575,000 prize fund which includes the flagship Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones, a former Scottish Regional secretary himself, has laid down the challenge and it’s one 28-year-old MacDougall is eager to embrace.
“Sandy likes setting challenges and I’d be ecstatic if I could achieve that, but I’m being realistic at the moment, hardly having my feet under the desk, (he officially took over
from Gordon Dewar on January 1),” said MacDougall who hails from Rothesay and picked up a degree in history and politics at Glasgow University five years ago.
MacDougall, a qualified PGA referee, who had a two-handicap as a teenager, has already been in action in the US PGA Championship and last year’s Open Championship at Turnberry.
But his new job, based at the Scottish Region’s headquarters at Gleneagles Hotel, brings
substantial challenges.
“Over the last 20 years or so, competitive
golf has mushroomed in every area –
amateur male and female, pro male and
female, and seniors,” he added.
“You’ve now got levels of competition like the
Challenge Tour, the Europro Tour, the EDP Tour,
the Alps Tour, and they’re all battling for
sponsorship – and for space in newspapers
and magazines, who’ve expanded their football
coverage enormously in the last few years.
“Nor is the current financial state of the
country doing us any favours. Potential
sponsors are surely out there; it’s just that
bit tougher to identify them.”

Spey Valley pay-and-play enoys huge revenue increase

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
It came as no surprise really but the revenue increase at one of Scotland's leading 'pay-and-play' courses last year certainly highlights why golf clubs are finding it difficult at the moment to fill their memberships.
According to Ruaridh Macdonald, the sales and marketing director of Macdonald Hotels and Resorts, the overall revenue at the Spey Valley course, Aviemore increased by 25 per cent year on year in 2009 and the forecast for this year is a rise of 30-35 per cent.
"As a business, we have seen a huge upturn across the country in people paying and playing," he said, adding it had become a preferred option for many "because they can't finance a year's membership at a golf club."
He's right, of course, and that's making life difficult for clubs but hats off to those who are trying to address the problem by thinking out of the box. Take Dollar, for example. One of the first clubs in Scotland to admit that membership loss was threatening its existence, it has just taken an enterprising step by creating a holiday flat in the upper floor of the clubhouse.
Club officials are confident 'The Glen' apartment will become an attractive tourist venue and it certainly should with golf on offer to visitors for only £10 per day and, what's more, they can play in club medals if they have an official handicap certificate.
Little things like that can have a big impact, so let's see more clubs coming up with similar money-making ideas.

... on the other hand, East Aberdeenshire complex to close

David Watson, owner and founder of the East Aberdeenshire Golf Centre at Milden, north of Aberdeen and near Balmedie, is to close its facilities for good on April.
Farmer Watson built the 18-hole course on his land at a cost of £1.2million - having been turned down by the Scottish Sports Council's lottery fund committee - and the course and 16-bay driving range opened for business on May 1, 1999.
Mr Watson said that after a happy 10 years in the business, it was time for him to focus on other interests.
"We would like to thank our loyal members and their families for the support and friendship over the years and look forward to keeping these relations," said Mr Watson who employed former North-District Golf Association president Ian Creswell as his course designer and director of golf in the early year or two.
The course is just under 6,400yd with a par of 70.