MONTY THREE OFF THE PACE WITH ONE
ROUND TO GO IN THE FRENCH OPEN

Collated scores after the third round in the Open de France ALSTOM, Le Golf National, Guyancourt, Paris (Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 71):

206 Soren Hansen (Den) 69 71 66
207 Simon Khan 70 67 70
209 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 70 70 69, Colin Montgomerie 68 70 71
210 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 71 72 67, David Lynn 72 69 69, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 68 71 71
211 Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 66 77 68, Graeme Storm 66 74 71, Zane Scotland 68 71 72
212 Ian Poulter 70 74 68, Stephen Dodd 71 72 69, Lee Westwood 71 72 69, Pelle Edberg (Swe) 73 69 70, Peter Lawrie 69 72 71, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 68 72 72
213 Phillip Archer 72 72 69, David Griffiths 70 74 69, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 66 76 71, Darren Fichardt (Rsa) 71 71 71, Benn Barham 66 75 72, Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 68 72 73, Paul McGinley 69 69 75
214 Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 75 71 68, Bradley Dredge 73 71 70, Gregory Havret (Fra) 69 74 71, Robert Rock 71 72 71, Damien McGrane 68 72 74
215 Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 70 75 70, Oliver Wilson 73 69 73, Nick Dougherty 73 69 73
216 Alessandro Tadini (Ita) 73 72 71, Miguel Angel Martin (Spa) 68 77 71, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 72 73 71, Mark Foster 72 72 72, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 75 69 72, Richard Finch 71 70 75, Kyron Sullivan 65 74 77, Tom Whitehouse 70 69 77
217 Rafael Echenique (Arg) 72 74 71, Johan Axgren (Swe) 69 76 72, Cristian Cevaer (Fra) 71 74 72, Patrik Sjoland (Swe) 73 71 73, Stephen Gallacher 71 73 73, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 73 69 75, Thomas Levet (Fra) 67 73 77
218 Oliver Fisher 70 75 73, Marcel Siem (Ger) 72 72 74, Paul Lawrie 71 72 75, James Kamte (Rsa) 66 78 75, Richard Sterne (Rsa) 71 71 76
219 Steve Webster 72 72 75, Markus Brier (Aut) 68 76 75, Gary Lockerbie 74 70 75
220 Peter O'Malley (Aus) 73 73 74, Marcus Higley 70 76 74, Sven Struver (Ger) 72 74 74, Santiago Luna (Spa) 70 75 75, Ariel Canete (Arg) 70 74 76, Taichi Teshima (Jpn) 72 72 76
221 Simon Dyson 75 70 76, Juan Parron (Spa) 71 72 78
222 Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 72 74 76, Michael Campbell (Nzl) 71 74 77

MACAULAY BLOWS CHANCE OF CLEAR LEAD IN EAST
OF SCOTLAND OPEN AT LUNDIN LINKS

British amateur championship semi-finalist Callum Macaulay from Tulliallan looked set for at least a two-shot halfway lead in the East of Scotland Open amateur championship at Lundin Golf Club, Fife.
Callum, tied with fellow American college circuit player Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) on four-under-par 67 at the end of the first round, had improved to six under par for the tournament with just four holes to play in the second round.
With Stewart, who played the last four years on the college circuit as a student at Jacksonville University, Florida, back in the clubhouse after a second-circuit 71 for a tally of four-under-par 138, Macaulay, a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi, stumbled unexpectedly and dropped three shots over the 15th, 16th and 17th holes.
He finished on 72 for 139.
It still looks a Stewart v Macaulay shoot-out over Sunday’s final 36 holes as they are two shots clear of Scott Henry (Cardross), the non-playing reserve to the Scotland squad of six for next week’s European amateur team championship at Western Gailes.
But don’t write off the 2005 champion, Wallace Booth (Comrie) – another who has just finished four years on the American college circuit as a student at Augusta State University.
Wallace had a third-round 64 in last weekend’s Tennant Cup to win that title by vie shots when rain washed out the final round.
Booth, whose 15-year-old sister Carly won the Scottish Under-21 girls’ open title at Auchterarder by NINE shots on Friday after Wallace gave her some tips, is four shots off the pace on 142 with rounds of 68 and 74.

QUALIFIERS FOR SUNDAY ROUNDS
Par 142 (2 x 71)
138 D Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 67 71.
139 C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 67 72.
141 S Henry (Cardross) 68 73.
142 W Booth (Comrie) 68 74, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 71 71, S Neilson (Dunbar) 72 70.
143 M Hillson(Craigielaw) 73 70, M Lamb (Haddington) 74 69, S McAllister (Craigielaw) 69 74, R Dixon (Barassie) 75 68, D Downie (Sutton) 70 73, R McCarthy (The Island) 72 71.
144 B Soutar (Leven GS) 70 74, J Stewart (Troon Welbeck) 72 72.
145 J White (Lundin) 76 69, J Hamilton (NZ) 74 71, G Dear (Murrayshall) 76 69, P O’Hara (Colville Park) 73 72.
146 G Paterson (St Andrews New) 73 73
148 I Colquhoun (Glasgow) 73 75, S Mann Carnoustie) 70 70, Z Culverwell (Dunbar) 71 77.
149 T Mathieson (Murcar Links) 72 77, G Yates (Hilton Park) 72 77, R Bell (Downfield) 71 78, J Mathers (Haggs Castle) 72 77.
150 K Nicol (Fraserburgh) 74 76, S Clark (Haggs Castle) 75 75, D Sommerville (St Andrews) 73 77, A Lynch (Glenbervie) 74 76, R Carson (Dalmahoy) 75 75, A Main (Thornton) 76 74.
151 B Fotheringham (Forres) 73 78, C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 77 74, G Turner (West Linton) 78 73, Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 75 76, D Gould (Ladybank) 74 77, M Clark (Kilmacolm) 74 77, N McBride (Glasgow) 73 78.
152 R Crowe (Newcastle Utd) 76 76, S McEwan (Caprington) 74 78, S Graham (Blairgowrie) 76 76, M Anderson (Leven Thistle) 73 79.
MISSED THE CUT
153 M Kerr Craigielaw) 73 80, E Polson (Inverness) 76 77, J Yuille (Royal Burgess) 76 77, J Clarke (Royal Montrose) 78 75, S Elder (Kirkcaldy) 79 74, J Paterson (Hayston) 80 73, S Herald (Whitecraigs) 77 76, S Hume (Murrayshall) 79 74, G Smith (Stirling) 78 75.
154 J Welsh (Australia) 76 78, S Machin (Cowglen) 76 78.
155 M Cunningham (Longniddry) 78 77, E Brown (Barassie) 73 82, M Main (Thornton) 80 75.
156 C Gray (West Kilbride) 74 82, K Mathieson (Royal Dornoch) 76 80, D Simpson (Crieff) 76 80, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 77 79, I Rennie (Royal Dornoch) 74 82.
157 J Farmer (St Andrews) 80 77.
158 C Haugh (Cathkin Braes) 82 76, R Noon (Longniddry) 81 77.
159 R Leeds (Muckhart) 81 78.
160 E Malcolm (Dunfermline) 78 82, A Howard (Murrayshall) 77 83.

SAM CAIRNS WINS £1,172 WITH A SEVEN-
UNDER-PAR 63 IN HAYSTON PRO-AM

Westerwood professional Sam Cairns won the £1,172 top prize with a seven-under-par round of 63 in the Hayston Golf Club pro-am today.
Cairns' bogey-free score - believed to be a professional course record - had birdies at the first four holes, then the eighth in an outward five-under 31. He birdied the 11th and 13th and then parred the last five holes for 32 (two under par) homne.
Home course pro Steven Gray was runner-up on 65.
Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) led the Repdoruction Plaster amateur trio of Allister Fountain (6) Gary Fountain (9) and David Shearer (9) to victory in the pro-am team event with a net score of 14-under-par 56.
LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 70
63 S Cairns (Westerwood).
65 S Gray (Hayston).
66 P McKechnie (Braid Hills), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs).
67 J McKinnon (Irvine).
68 G Law (Uphall), M Loftus (Cowglen).
69 C Gillies (Kingsfield), C Kelly (Cawder).
70 S Morrison (Glenbervie), P Wardell (Whitekirk.

LATE FLURRY KEEPS BAKER IN FRONT
IN PORTUGUESE CHALLENGER EVENT

By RODDY WILLIAMS
Press Officer, European Tour

Former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker of England remains on course for back-to-back titles as he takes a one stroke lead into the final round of the Estoril Challenge de Portugal.
Two birdies in the last three holes for a 73 ensured the three-time European Tour champion kept his nose in front of Welshman Jamie Donaldson after a testing day in which strong winds swept across the Quinta da Marinha course, Cascais, about 30 miles to the west of Lisbon.
The 39 year old Baker, who ended a 14 year victory drought when he won last week’s Credit Suisse Challenge, suffered two double bogeys but his strong finish for a nine under par total of 204 gives him the edge over another of the season’s champions, Donaldson, who carded a superb 67.
“If someone offered me a one stroke lead going into the final round, I would have snapped their hand off,” said Baker. “My confidence is high although it took a bit of a dent today. But those two birdies got something out of the day. I now need to play as I did on Thursday and Friday.”
Baker looked to be pulling clear of the field but double bogeys on the tenth, where he got a flier from the rough, and the par three 14th, where again he flew through the green, opened the door for the chasing pack although he remains the man in form.
“Last week’s win was a big relief as it had been a long while, and it has given me something to look forward to,” said Baker, currently 11th on the Challenge Tour Rankings. “Now I am looking forward to the last round. You have to keep giving yourself chances and make it pay. “
Donaldson played magnificently in the ferocious wind, picking up four birdies without dropping a shot. A huge drive hooked around the corner on the sixth left him with only a pitching wedge into the par five to set up his first birdie of the day. Two more shots were picked up on the eighth and ninth, the latter of which came from an impressive four iron tee shot on this tough par three which came to rest a foot from the hole which he tapped in for an outward nine of 32.
KEPT MOMENTUM GOING
But it was the par on the 11th which kept the momentum going in his bid to add the Estoril Challenge de Portugal title to his victory in Guatemala in February. After driving in the water, Donaldson was forced to drop under penalty and found a poor lie in a sandy hole. But from there he hit undoubtedly the shot of the week as he cut a two iron 275 yards over trees which ran up to 25 feet. He holed the par saving putt and went on to birdie the 15th for a back nine of 35 and round of 67.
“I played really well today,” he admitted. “It sometimes takes me a while to get playing really well after a break and this is my third week out after a week off. When I won in Guatemala, that was my third week in a row so maybe that is a good omen."
A second Englishman, Ross McGowan, is only one shot further back on seven under par 206 after a round of 70 while Welshman Stuart Manley and Anthony Tarchetti, another of the English contingent, lie at six under par and only three off the pace.
THIRD-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 213 (3 x 71)
204 Peter BAKER (ENG) 65 66 73
205 Jamie DONALDSON (WAL) 68 70 67
206 Ross McGOWAN (ENG) 68 68 70
207 Anthony TARCHETTI (ENG) 68 69 70
Stuart MANLEY (WAL) 65 72 70
208 Robert COLES (ENG) 67 67 74
Daniel DENISON (ENG) 70 72 66
209 Kasper Linnet JORGENSEN (DEN) 67 69 73
Pablo LARRAZABAL (ESP) 72 68 69
210 Magnus A CARLSSON (SWE) 72 67 71
Jan-Are LARSEN (NOR) 66 73 71
211 Felipe AGUILAR (CHI) 67 75 69
António SOBRINHO (POR) 71 68 72
Simon ROBINSON (ENG) 73 67 71
212 Eric RAMSAY (SCO) 75 69 68
Inder VAN WEERELT (NED) 73 70 69
Phil WORTHINGTON (ENG) 69 71 72
Van PHILLIPS (ENG) 72 71 69
Martin WIEGELE (AUT) 74 65 73
Alvaro VELASCO (ESP) 71 71 70
Fredrik WIDMARK (SWE) 71 71 70
David PATRICK (SCO) 71 72 69
213 Eduardo DE LA RIVA (ESP) 67 77 69
Marco CRESPI (ITA) 72 71 70
Jamie MCLEARY (SCO) 68 74 71
Stephen SCAHILL (NZL) 71 71 71
214 Sebastian FERNANDEZ (ARG) 69 72 73
Ilya GORONESKOUL (FRA) 69 73 72
Emilio DOMINGUEZ (ARG) 73 70 71
Andrew MCARTHUR (SCO) 69 70 75
Ally MELLOR (ENG) 68 73 73
Andrew OLDCORN (SCO) 76 68 70
Raphaël EYRAUD (FRA) 75 68 71
215 Liam BOND (WAL) 74 69 72
Francis VALERA (ESP) 73 71 71
Hernan REY (ARG) 70 73 72
Kariem BARAKA (GER) 72 72 71
André BOSSERT (SUI) 71 71 73
Soren JUUL (DEN) 70 71 74
Scott HENDERSON (SCO) 75 67 73
Peter KAENSCHE (NOR) 70 72 73
Gustavo ACOSTA (ARG) 69 70 76
Nicola MAESTRONI (ITA) 71 73 71
216 Carlos AGUILAR (ESP) 70 71 75
Bernd WIESBERGER (AUT) 72 68 76
Kevin HARPER (ENG) 73 71 72
Jeppe HULDAHL (DEN) 69 72 75
Kalle EDBERG (SWE) 71 73 72
Tiago CRUZ (POR) 71 68 77
Ben MASON (ENG) 68 72 76
Gary CLARK (ENG) 68 70 78
217 Pedro LINHART (ESP) 71 70 76
Adam GEE (ENG) 68 73 76
Jose LORCA (ESP) 72 72 73
Alejandro VILLAVICENCIO (GTM) 71 71 75
Daniel WARDROP (ENG) 71 72 74
Lorenzo GAGLI (ITA) 69 72 76
218 Manuel QUIROS (ESP) 71 71 76
Murray URQUHART (SCO) 71 71 76
Carlos BALMASEDA (ESP) 70 69 79
219 Jamie LITTLE (ENG) 74 70 75
Alfredo GARCIA-HEREDIA (ESP) 72 72 75
220 Elliot SALTMAN (SCO) 68 74 78
221 David DIXON (ENG) 70 70 81
223 Diego BORREGO (ESP) 72 72 79
225 Kieran STAUNTON (ENG) 70 73 82

YANKEE DOODLE LADS TO THE FORE IN
EAST OF SCOTLAND OPEN

Two players who completed four years on the American college circuit last month, Duncan Stewart from Grantown on Spey, and Callum Macaulay of Tulliallan, shared the lead on four-under-par 67 at the end of the first round in the 72-hole East of Scotland Open championship at Lundin Golf Club, Fife today (Saturday).
And yet another past US golf scholarship student, Wallace Booth from Comrie, last weekend's winner ofr the Tennant Cup at Glasgow Killermont and winner of this title two years ago, was sharing third place on 68 with Scott Henry (Cardross), first reserve to the Scotland squad for next week's European men's amateur team championship at Western Gailes.
The six-man line-up have had to miss the East of Scotland Open to put in some last-minute practice over the Ayrshire links.
Stewart spent a very successful four years at Jacksonville University, Florida while Macaulay's experience on the highly competitive American college circuit showed in the recent British amateur championship at Royal Lytham where Macaulay reached the semi-finals.
The field will but cut to the leading 40 and ties for the final 36 holes on Sunday.

FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 71
67 D Stewart (Grantown on Spey), C Macaulay (Tulliallan).
68 S Henry (Cardross), W Booth (Comrie).
69 S McAllister (Craigielaw).
70 D Downie (Sutton), B Soutar (Leven GS), S Mann (Carnoustie).
71 G Campbell (Blairgowrie), Z Culverwell (Dunbar).
72 S Neilson (Dunbar), M Stewart (Troon Welbeck), J Mathers (Haggs Castle), G Yates (Hilton Park), T Mathieson (Murcar Links), R McCarthy (Ireland).
73 M Hillson (Craigielaw), P O'Hara (Colville Park), D Sommerville (St Andrews), E Brown (Barassie), G Paterson (St Andrews New), I Colquhoun (Glasgow), N McBride (Cowglen), M Kerr (Craigielaw), M Anderson (Leven Thistle), B Fotheringham (Forres).
74 M Lamb (Haddington), M Clark (Kilmacolm), A Lynch (Glenbervie), I Rennie (Royal Dornoch), C Gray (West Kilbride), D Gould (Ladybank), S McEwan (Caprington), J Hamilton (NZ), K Nicol (Fraserburgh).
75 R Dixon (Barassie), R Carson (Dalmahoy), Z Saltman (Craigielaw), S Clark (Haggs Castle), G McNab (Leven Thistle).
76 J White (Lundin), G Dear (Murrayshall), S Machin (Cowglen), J Yuille (Royal Burgess), J Welsh (Aust), R Crowe (Newcastle United), K Mathieson (Royal Dornoch), E Polson (Inverness), D Simpson (Crieff).
77 C Watson (East Renfrewshire), A Howard (Murrayshall), P Betty (Hayston), S Herald (Whitecraigs).
78 J Clarke (Royal Montrose).
78 G Turner (West Linton).

MICHAEL SIM MAKES THE BUICK OPEN CUT

Aberdeen-born Australian Michael Sim survived the halfway cut in the Buick Open at Warwick Hills Golf Club with scores of 72 and 68 for 140.
That puts him six strokes behind the triple joint leaders, Brett Quigley, Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry.
LEADERBOARD
134 Brett Quigley (US) 65 69, Jim Furyk (US) 66 68, Kenny Perry (US) 71 63.
135 Rocco Mediate (US) 64 71, Scott Verplank (US) 66 69, Brian Bateman (US) 65 70.
OTHER QUALIFIERS
139 Brian Davis (Eng) 70 69 (jt 29th).
140 Greg Owen (Eng) 70 70, Michael Sim (Aus) 72 68 (jt 46th).
141 Darren Clarke (NIr) 73 68 (jt 47th).

MARTIN LAIRD MAKES NATIONWIDE CUT
Meanwhile Martin Laird from Glasgow beat the cut in the Nationwide Tour event, the quaintly-named Peen'n Peek Classic at Findley Lake in New York State.
Martin, winner of an event on the No 2 US Tour earlier in the season, scored 73 and 69 for 142 and a share of 29th place behind the four-shot leader, American Paul Claxton.
SCOREBOARD
132 Paul Claxton (US) 66 66.
OTHER QUALIFIERS
142 Martin Laird (Sco) 73 69 (jt 29th).
143 Keith Nolan (Ire) 71 72 (jt 44th).

AN ENGLISHMAN WINS RUSSIAN OPEN TITLE
FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
For the second year in a row, an Englishman has won the Russian open amateur international men's championship at Pestovo Golf & Leisure Resort, about 25 miles north of Moscow.
Last year it was Seve Benson, this week it was Christopher Wood (Long Ashton) who, the week before, lost in the quarter-finals of the British men's amateur championship at Royal Lytham.
Wood shot rounds of 70, 70, 73 and 72 for a three-under-par total of 285.
In a tournament marked by some sudden "lurches" in the standard of scoring - for whatever reason - Wood won by seven shots from a Russian, Andrey Pavlov, who scored 73, 72, 70 and 77.
Dale Whitnell (Forrester Park) finished third on 295 and the other lads sent by the English Golf Union did not too badly. Sam Hutsby from Liphook, last year's winner of The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy tournament, finished joint fourth with - and here's what I mean by lurches in scoring - 71, 81, 75 and 69 for 296.
Matthew Baldwin (Royal Birkdale) shared sixth place on 297.
The Russian rules permit professionals to play in what is ostensibly an "amateur" tournament which explains why Yorkshire's Gordon Brand, a European Seniors Tour player, tied for eighth place on 304 in a field of 41 of whom three or four were professionals.
Germany's Nina Holleder won the women's championship with scores of 72, 72, 72 and 78 for six-over-par 294. Russian Galina Rotmistrova was second on 298 and Stephanie Doering from Germany third on 307.
Lizzie Brand finished fifth in a female field of 14 despite having a horrendous total of 328, made up on 82, 75, 86 and 85.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
MEN (par 288: 4 x 72)
285 Christopher Wood (Long Ashton) 70 70 73 72.
292 Andrey Pavlov (Russia) 73 72 70 77.
295 Dale Whitnell (Forrester Park) 72 68 77 78.
296 Dmity Vinogradov (Russia) 75 77 71 73, Sam Hutsby (Liphook) 71 81 75 69.
297 Matthew Baldwin (Royal Birkdale) 74 74 79 70, Philipp Mejow (Germany) 72 77 75 73.
304 Gordon Brand (Yorkshire) (pro) 79 75 73 77, Mikhail Morozov (Russia) 79 76 72 77.
WOMEN (par 288: 4 x 72)
294 Nina Holleder (Germany) 772 72 72 78.
298 Galina Rotmistrova (Russia) 75 77 69 77.
307 Stephanie Doering (Germany) 76 76 81 74.
322 Elizaveta Nikulina (Russia) 81 83 80 78.
327 Lizzie Brand (Ilkley) 82 75 86 85.

JUSTIN ROSE WINS EUROPEAN TOUR
SHOT OF THE MONTH FOR MAY

The superb wedge played by Justin Rose to secure a play-off in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club has been recognised as the European Tour Shot of the Month for May.
Knowing that only a birdie 4 at the last would suffice to catch Denmark’s Anders Hansen – who ultimately prevailed at the first hole of sudden-death – Rose played a threequarter pitching wedge from 109yd to within six inches of the hole.
The Englishman’s spectacular effort was judged to be the best played during a month sprinkled by outstanding shot-making on the European Tour International Schedule.
In second place was Padraig Harrington’s five-wood to the ninth green at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort which set up an eagle 3 and a first home win in the Irish Open for 25 years.
Third place went to a wonderful approach played by Welshman Bradley Dredge as he tried to catch Harrington, a perfectly judged seven-iron from the rough to 2 1/2 ft for a birdie at the 71st hole.
Looking back on his winning shot, Rose said: “I certainly knew what I had to do. I took a long walk up to the green to see if Anders had made a birdie. I knew I needed to make a 4 to get in the play-off and I had the perfect yardage for a three4quarter pitching wedge to fly it past the hole and spin it back. It was nice to pull it off and have a tap-in!”
The European Tour Shot of the Month Award is presented to a Tour Member for the shot judged to be the most outstanding during each calendar month on The European Tour International schedule.

SEVEN SCOTS SURVIVE HALFWAY CUT IN
EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT
By SCOTT CROCKET
Chief Press Officer, European Tour

Former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker continued to prove he was back in the groove when he carved himself a three shot lead at the halfway stage of the Estoril Challenge de Portugal at Quinta da Marinha, 30-odd miles west of Lisbon at Cascais, Estoril.
The 39 year old Englishman had been without an individual professional victory since August 1993 – a month before he played against the United States at The Belfry – but he put paid to that statistic in style last week when he won the Credit Suisse Challenge.
Now Baker, currently 11th on the Challenge Tour Rankings, is in line for his second successive tournament victory and one which would give him a great chance of cementing his place in the top 20 at the end of the season and gaining his European Tour card for 2008 by right.
Baker added a 66 to his opening 65 for an 11 under par total of 131 and a three shot lead over his fellow countryman Robert Coles who had set the target of eight under par 134 with his second consecutive 67 earlier in the day.
Out in 33, with one dropped shot at the eighth hole, Baker was flawless on the inward half, his only departures from par coming with birdies at the 11th and 13th and another to finish at the 18th where he fired a seven iron to six feet and rolled home the putt.
While Baker’s second round score was actually one shot worse than his opening round, the three time winner on The European Tour admitted it had been a better day’s work.
“That was a very good round of golf because the conditions, with the wind getting up, were certainly harder than my morning round on Thursday so I am very pleased with that,” he said.
“I saw Robert’s score before I went out and to be honest, my only real target was to keep around that mark so I was in the mix for the weekend. I would have been delighted to finish around eight under so to end up at 11 under is great.”
Second placed Coles might not have had the chance to watch his beloved West Ham perform their Houdini-like escape from relegation certainty last season, but the 34 year old is determined to utilise the same battling spirit as the boys from Upton Park to regain his own playing privileges for The European Tour.
The Englishman lost his card last year and, like Baker, has vowed to play the entire 2007 season on the Challenge Tour in an attempt to win it back. Currently in 40th place he is moving in the right direction but gave himself the ideal chance with another fine round at Quinta da Marinha.
“I actually saw a couple of the West Ham games towards the end of the season but then in the final game, against Manchester United at Old Trafford, I was playing in Toulouse and couldn’t go,” he said.
“But I had an early tee time on the Sunday and I saw a bar across from the hotel had Sky Sports so I thought, perfect, get back, get changed and have a few beers and watch the game – I couldn’t believe it when I turned up to find the bar didn’t open on a Sunday!
“I had to rely on my mates texting me from the game and every time my phone went off I thought, here we go, 1-0 Man United – I couldn’t believe it when we went 1-0 up and held on. It was brilliant and now I hope I can do as well this season on the course.”
Coles got off to a flying start in his second round with four birdies in his first seven holes. Tree trouble cost him shots at the eighth and 12th but recovered them with birdies at the tenth and 15th as he held his score together well in the strengthening winds.
“I’ve been doing okay this year on the Challenge Tour but apart from a third place earlier in the year where I had a good last round, to be honest, I’ve been treading water a little bit.
“I’ve never really been able to put four good rounds together to get a little run going and that is what you need to do on this Tour to push you up the top of the Rankings. This is by far and away my best start of the season so hopefully I can keep it going.”
Third place, two shots adrift of Coles, is shared by another Englishman, Ross McGowan, and Kasper Linnet Jorgensen of Denmark, who carded 68 and 69 respectively to finish on six under par 136.
Seven Scots in all were among those with 36-hole tallies of two-over-par 144 or better who will contest the weekend 36 holes - Andrew McArthur, Jamie McLeary, Elliot Saltman, Murray Urquhart, Scott Henderson, David Patrick, Eric Ramsay and Andy Oldcorn.
Scott Henderson put together his best round for a while - a bogey-free 67 to make the cut on level par 142. Scott birdied the fourth, sixth, seventh and 17th.

SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 142 (2 x 71)
131 P Baker (Eng) 65, 66
134 R Coles (Eng) 67, 67
136 R McGowan (Eng) 68, 68; K-L Jorgensen (Den) 67, 69
137 S Manley (Wal) 65, 72; A Tarchetti (Ita) 68, 69
138 G Clark (Eng) 68, 70; J Donaldson (Wal) 68, 70
139 J-A Larsen (Nor) 66,73; C Balmaseda (Esp) 70, 69; G Acosta (Arg) 69, 70; T Cruz (Por) 71, 68; M Carlsson (Swe) 72, 67; A McArthur (Sco) 69, 70; A Sobrinho (Por) 71, 68; M Wiegele (Aut) 74, 65.
Other Scots who beat the cut were:
142 J McLeary 68 74, E Saltman 68 74, M Urquhart 71 71, S Henderson 75 678.
143 D Patrick 71 72.
144 E Ramsay 75 69, A Oldcorn 76 68.
Scots who missed the cut were:
147 P Whiteford 74 73.
148 G Brown 78 70, G Murray 75 73, E Thomson 73 75.
150 C Doak 74 76.

ends




Scott Crockett
Chief Press Officer
The European Tour

MONTGOMERIE ONLY ONE SHOT OFF THE LEAD
AT HALFWAY STAGE OF FRENCH OPEN

Le Golf National, Guyancourt, Paris,
Par 142 (2 x 71)
137 Simon Khan 70 67
138 Paul McGinley 69 69, Colin Montgomerie 68 70
139 Tom Whitehouse 70 69, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 68 71, Zane Scotland 68 71, Kyron Sullivan 65 74
140 Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 68 72, Thomas Levet (Fra) 67 73, Graeme Storm 66 74, Damien McGrane 68 72, Soren Hansen (Den) 69 71, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 68 72, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 70 70
141 Richard Finch 71 70, Robert-Jan Derksen (Ned) 69 72, Peter Lawrie 69 72, Benn Barham 66 75, David Lynn 72 69, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 68 73
142 Nick Dougherty 73 69, Darren Fichardt (Rsa) 71 71, Richard Sterne (Rsa) 71 71, Oliver Wilson 73 69, Pelle Edberg (Swe) 73 69, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 66 76, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 73 69
143 Juan Parron (Spa) 71 72, Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 71 72, James Kamte (Rsa) 66 78, Paul Lawrie 71 72, Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 66 77, Robert Rock 71 72, Lee Westwood 71 72 , Stephen Dodd 71 72, Gregory Havret (Fra) 69 74
144 Gary Lockerbie 74 70, Taichi Teshima (Jpn) 72 72, Bradley Dredge 73 71, Mark Foster 72 72, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 75 69, Markus Brier (Aut) 68 76, Steve Webster 72 72, Stephen Gallacher 71 73, Ariel Canete (Arg) 70 74, David Griffiths 70 74, Patrik Sjoland (Swe) 73 71, Phillip Archer 72 72, Ian Poulter 70 74, Marcel Siem (Ger) 72 72
145 Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 72 73, Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 70 75, Miguel Angel Martin (Spa) 68 77, Santiago Luna (Spa) 70 75, Christian Cevaer (Fra) 71 74, Michael Campbell (Nzl) 71 74, Simon Dyson 75 70, Johan Axgren (Swe) 69 76, Oliver Fisher 70 75, Alessandro Tadini (Ita) 73 72
146 Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 75 71, Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 72 74, Sven Struver (Ger) 72 74, Marcus Higley 70 76 , Peter O'Malley (Aus) 73 73, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 72 74
MISSED THE CUT
147 Julien Guerrier (Fra) 73 74, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 69 78, Andrew Tampion (Aus) 74 72, Thongchai Jaidee (Thai) 71 76, David Park 73 74, Kenneth Ferrie 73 74, Francesco Molinari (Ita) 75 72
148 Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 74 74, Philip Golding 75 73, Graeme McDowell 71 77, Benoit Teilleria (Fra) 71 77, Mark Pilkington 72 76, David Carter 75 73, James Kingston (Rsa) 70 78, Wade Ormsby (Aus) 75 73, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 73 75
149 Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 74 75, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 75 74, Edward Rush 71 78, Emanuele Canonica (Ita) 80 69, Richard Bland 75 74, Renaud Guillard (Fra) 74 75, Andrew Marshall 77 72, John Bickerton 71 78, Ross Fisher 71 78, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 73 76
150 Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 74 76, Julien Quesne (Fra) 80 70, Joakim Backstrom (Swe) 74 76, Peter Gustafsson (Swe) 73 77, Jean Van de Velde (Fra) 78 72, Anthony Wall 69 81, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 73 77, James Hepworth 72 78, Gary Murphy 70 80
151 Thaworn Wiratchant (Thai) 70 81, Paul Broadhurst 74 77, Christopher Hanell (Swe) 74 77, Phillip Price 75 76, Scott Drummond 77 74, Carl Suneson (Spa) 78 73, Malcolm Mackenzie 76 75, Brett Rumford (Aus) 74 77 , Diego Torne (Spa) 75 76, Ian Garbutt 74 77
152 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa) 77 75, Eric Moreul (Fra) 76 76, Matthew Millar (Aus) 74 78, Andrew Coltart 76 76, James Heath 76 76, Richard Green (Aus) 79 73
153 Cedric Menut (Fra) 76 77, Steven O'Hara 74 79, Alexandre Rocha (Bra) 79 74, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 75 78, Jonathan Evans 78 75
154 Shiv Kapur (Ind) 75 79, Alexander Noren (Swe) 78 76, Mardan Mamat (Sing) 72 82, Anders Hansen (Den) 74 80, Andres Romero (Arg) 79 75, Jean-Francois Remesy (Fra) 77 77
155 Miles Tunnicliff 82 73, Adrien Mork (Fra) 77 78, Francois Calmels (Fra) 77 78, David Bransdon (Aus) 71 84
156 Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 78 78, Raphael Pellicioli (Fra) 77 79, Laurent Richard (Fra) 76 80, YE Yang (Kor) 75 81
157 Mattias Eliasson (Swe) 79 78, Terry Price (Aus) 79 78, Sam Walker 83 74
158 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 75 83, Simon Wakefield 82 76, Adam Frayne 75 83, Cesar Monasterio (Arg) 85 73
159 Julien Foret (Fra) 76 83
160 Lee Slattery 79 81
161 Marc Warren 81 80
162 Simon Hurd 80 82
166 Anton Haig (Rsa) 83 83
Retired Gary Orr, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa), Garry Houston, Gary Emerson
Withdrew Philip Walton, Andrew McLardy (Rsa)
Disqualified Ignacio Garrido (Spa)

FORMER SHINTY ACE JOHN FRASER

WINS FIRST SCOTTISH SENIOR

CIRCUIT TOURNAMENT

Former Newtonmore shinty star John Fraser won the Central Scotland seniors’ open amateur stroke-play title at Stirling Golf Club today – the first event in a new national circuit for over-55s, although over-50s are being encouraged to enter as well.
Fraser, now a teacher in Edinburgh and a member at Royal Burgess Golf Club, combined being a top-class shinty player with being a district class golfer – he played regularly for North-east District’s six-man team and Murcar Golf Club when he was on the teaching staff at Mearns Academy.
John, who is 55 and plays off one of a handicap, had rounds of 73 and 71 for a total of level par 144 to win the inaugural event by three strokes from Colin Christy (Kilmacolm), age 57 and one of a handicap, and Gordon Brown (Vale of Leven), age 57 and two of a handicap, who both finished on 147 with matching rounds of 74 and 73.
Joint fourth-placed on 148, Gordon Thomson (Bearsden), also age 57 but a three-handicapper, matched John Fraser’s net aggregate of 142, the lowest in the tournament.
+Picture shows John Fraser with the Nairn Golf Club five-day open tournament trophy from about four or five years ago.

LEADING SCRATCH
Par 144 (2 x 72). CSS 72 72

144 J Fraser (Royal Burgess) 73 71.
147 C Christy (Kilmacolm) 73 74, G Brown (Vale of Leven) 73 74.
148 G Thomson (Bearsden) 76 72, I Taylor (Royal Burgess) 74 74.
149 W Brown (Strathaven) 79 70, T Stafford (Alloa) 76 73, G Rodaks (Moffat) 71 78.
150 J W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 76 74, B Grieve (King James VI) 76 74, W Erskine (Kilsyth Lennox) 73 77.
151 J Aman (Grangemouth) 77 74, J Kinloch (Cardross) 77 74, A Fiddes (Murcar Links) 75 76, R Humble (Kilspindie) 75 76, D Murphy (Kinross) 74 77.
152 R McLellan (Turnberry) 81 71, J Noon (Leven GS) 79 73, I Stewart (Curragh) 76 76, J Watt (Letham Grange) 76 76, G MacDonald (Callander) 76 76, A Elder (Kirkcaldy) 75 77, H Milligan (Hamilton) 71 81.
153 A K Pirie (Hazlehead) 77 76, G Paterson (Northerh) 77 76, S Ellis (Cowal) 76 77, J McDponald (Cowglen) 76 77, R Gill (Gerrards Cross) 72 81.
154 W Crosbie (Crieff) 79 75, D Millar (St Andrews New) 77 77, A Ferguson (Drumpellier) 76 78, D Smith (Stirling) 76 78, A Wilson (Clober) 75 789, H Anderson (Callander) 73 81.
155 A Williamson (Bruntsfield Links) 79 76.
156 J Broadfoot (Turnberry) 81 75,D McQuade (Glenbervie) 79 77, B Edgar (Blackpool North Shore) 78 78, K Howie (West Kilbride) 76 80, P Boyd (Fereneze) 74 82.
157 K Bruce (Edzell) 77 80, R Stewart (Tulliallan) 76 81, P Kinloch (Cardross) 76 81.
158 W Morton (Dun bar) 83 75, J S Macdonald (Dunfermnline) 83 75, J Johnson (Northumberland) 81 77, B Bingham (Haggs Castle) 80 78.
159 J Wilson (Paisley) 78 81.]
160 J McNally (Williamwood) 81 79, M Lironi (Cathkin Braes) 81 79, D McKinnon (Ballochmyle) 80 80, C Moir (Worksop) 78 82.
161 R Thomson (St Andrews) 83 78, I Cumming (Eastwood) 82 679, K Forrest (Lenzie) 81 80, R MacDonald (Monifieth) 80 81, I Malcolm (Stirling) 79 82.

162 A William Wallace (Strathaven) 84 78.

163 S Quinn (Stirling) 86 77, C Gibson (Glenbervie) 84 79, M Jenkins (Duff House Royal) 80 83, A MacLennan (Stirling) 78 85.

164 A Cameron (Gourock) 78 86.

165 I Dickson(Lundin) 84 81, R Grant (Caledonian) 83 82, A Laird (Deeside) 83 82, I Habbick (Cathkin Braes) 80 85, R Barton (Alloa) 78 87.

166 L Fowler (Royal Aberdeen) 78 88.

167 J Fairbairn (Bonnybrige) 84 83, J Stevens (Hayston) 83 84, V Trojan (Kirriemuir) 82 85.

168 N MacDonald (Glenbervie) 82 86.

169 P Costello (The Hirsel) 84 85.

170 K Lumsden (Glenbervie) 980 80, M Brook (Queens Park) 87 83, I Wilson (Craigie Hill) 87 83, M Mather (Ballater) 85 85.

171 R Goodale (Aberdour) 89 92, A Cross (Whitecraigs) 88 83, R Barton (Alloa) 84 87.

172 B Highley (Buchanan Castle) 86 86, M Hill (Douglas Park) 83 89.

173 J Scott Miller (Crieff) 88 85.

176 C Griffin (Stirling) 87 89, D Nelson (Aboyne) 87 89, D Anderson (Balmore) 809 89.

180 R Hepburn (Kames) 94 86.

187 R Stark (Drumpellier) 93 94.

LOWEST NET AGGREGATES

142 J Fraser (Royal Burgess) (1) 72 70, G Thomson(Bearsden) (3) 73 69.

143 G Brown (Vale of Leven) (2) 71 72, A Williamson (Bruntsfield Links) (6) 73 70.

144 J W Johnson (Royal Aberdeen) (3) 73 71, W Crosbie (Crieff) (5) 74 70, A Wilson (Clober) (5) 70 74, D McQuade (Glenbervie) (6) 73 71.

145 C Christy (Kilmacolm) (1) 72 73.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview

Scotland team captain Scott Knowles, back row, centre-left, receives the trophy from Barry Doyle, president-elect of the Irish Golf Union, after the Scots' victory over Ireland in the annual youths international match at West Waterford. Coach Neil Marr is on the right of the front row.

BORROWMAN CATCHES BUT CANNOT HOLD
LOCAL HERO POWER WHO GOES ON TO WIN
IRISH YOUTHS' OPEN STROKE-PLAY

With the exception of a short spell during the last nine holes, local hero Seamus Power led from pillar to post to capture the Irish youths' amateur open championship at West Waterford Golf Club in the south-east corner of Ireland.
Host club members were out in force at the wonderfully scenic course, which is nestled between the Comeragh and Knockmealdown Mountains to the north and east and the Drum Hills to the south, to witness a historic occasion for the club which has boasted a junior friendly policy since its foundation in 1993.
Power led by two strokes after day one of the championship, having recorded a four-under-par 68 in round one followed by a 71.
Scots Zander Culverwell and Scott Borrowman lay tied for second place and while Culverwell fell away with a third round 74, Borrowman, the new Scottish youths champion, closed the gap to one stroke with a fine round of 69.
Power edged further ahead early in the final round but back to back birdies from Borrowman at the seventh and eighth left the pair level playing the ninth.
They each made pars on the ninth, 10th and 11th holes before Borrowman birdied the 12th to edge to the lead for the first time.
Borrowman found the Brickey river on the difficult 14th hole and a dropped shot left the pair level again before a Power birdie on the 15th lifted the Irishman back in front.
Borrowman’s tee shot on the 16th found an unplayable lie in the trees on the right hand side and the Scot ran up a double bogey 7 which put paid to his title hopes and left Power with what proved an unassailable lead.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
280 S Power (West Waterford) 68 71 70 71.
283 S Borrowman (Dollar) 71 70 69 73.
284 B Kerr (Eng) 72 72 71 69, S Healy (Claremorris) 71 73 72 68.
285 N Kearney (Royal Dublin) 74 72 70 69, A Hogan (Newlands/UCD) 72 72 71 70, D Lernihan (Castle/UCD) 69 76 72 68.
286 F Rafferty (Dungannon) 71 73 70 72.
288 Z Culverwell (Dunbar) 71 70 74 73.
290 L Kirton (Newmachar) 75 74 74 67, B Campbell (Malone) 71 71 74 74.
292 J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 73 71 73 75, N O'Briain (Royal Dublin) 72 72 73 75.
293 W McCully (Donaghadee) 74 75 75 69, R O'Connor (The Island) 73 75 75 70, H Pyykola (Finland) 72 72 78 71, R McGee (Rosapenna) 71 74 76 72.
294 J Monaghan (The Island) 74 71 74 75, C McNamara (Limerick) 73 75 76 70, D Leathem (Lisburn) 72 73 73 76.
295 A Pitcher (The Island) 76 75 73 71, L Cameron (Eng) 75 76 75 69.
296 P O'Kane (Moyola Park) 79 71 77 69, R Kellett (Colville Park) 70 77 75 74.
297 J Tobin (Carrick-on-Suir) 78 72 75 72, N Grant (Knock) 78 69 78 72.
298 A O'Callaghan (Douglas) 75 73 74 76, T Coulson (England) 73 71 80 74.
300 C O'Connor (UCD/Athlone) 75 73 76 76.
301 C Carvill (Belvoir Park) 77 73 76 75, G Dunne (Seapoint) 74 74 81 72.
302 G Smyth (Clonmel) 76 75 78 73, D Carvill (Belvoir Park) 73 78 74 77, G Reid (Spa) 71 76 78 77.
303 C Jusslin (Finland) 71 79 81 72.
305 B Walton (Island/UCD) 72 78 78 77308: R Weldon (Hermitage) 73 75 77 83.
311 R O'Reilly (Headfort) 73 77 77 84.
Withdrew: L Mulligan (Stackstown) 74 76 86 WD

GRAY WINS £858 PRIZE AT TORRANCE HOUSE PRO-AM

Hayston's Steven Gray won the top cash prize of £858 in the Torrance House Golf Club pro-am today (Friday) with a five-under-par round of 67. He had seven birdies - at the first, third, sixth, seventh, 12th, 13th and 17th - and bogeys at the eighth and 11th in winning by two shots from a group of five players.
Sam Cairns (Westerwood) lead the P R Interiors trio of amateurs, Craig McDonald (handicap 15), Steven Reid (6) and Robert McLintoch (13) to victory in the pro-am team event with a net scorfe of 16-under-par 56.
LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 72
67 S Gray (Hayston).
69 R Arnott (Bishopbriggs), C Gillies (Kingsfield), G Law (Uphall), J McKinnon (Irvine), M King (Kingsfield).
70 S Cairns (Westerwood), A Lockhart (Ladybank), G Hutcheon (Peterculter), S Catlin (Greenburn).

Carly Booth with the Under-21 championship trophy resting on the Menzies Trophy (best Under-18 years performance) at Auchterarder.


CARLY WINS SCOTTISH UNDER-21 TITLE BY
NINE STROKES - AND SAYS HER BROTHER
WALLACE DESERVES THE CREDIT

Only a few days after her old brother Wallace won the Tennant Cup by five shots, Carly Booth from Comrie spreadeagled the field to win the Scottish Under-21 girls’ open amateur stroke-play championship by nine strokes at Auchterarder Golf Club today (Friday).
“Anything he can do, I can do better,” joked Carly, who had her 15th birthday only last week and has a +2 handicap that should soon be +3.
“Seriously, I owe this win to Wallace for sorting out my golf swing after I came home from a few months at the Golf Academy in Florida. My brother took me back to basics, back to the natural swing that I had lost and he has worked hard to put me back on track.”
Carly, a former member of the Auchterarder club, had rounds of 70, 68 and 69 for a three-under-par total of 207 over a course lengthened by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association to 5,488yd with a par of 70, but a standard scratch score of 72 specially for this event. Carly was 10 under the combined CSS (73-72-72) of 217 for the tournament.
Despite dropping three shots late on in her final round, including a double-bogey at the par-3 last where she was plugged in a bunker, Miss Booth won by the runaway margin of nine strokes from Robert Gordon University student Laura Murray (Alford) and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle).
Carly's final round of 69 was made up of an eagle 3 at the ninth, birdie 2s at the short eighth, short 14th and short 16th, and a birdie 3 at the 10th. She had a bogey 6 at the long sixth and a bogey 5 at the seventh and a bogey 6 at the long 15th as well as that double bogey at the short 18th hole.
Over the three rounds, Miss Booth had one eagle and 14 birdies - fantastic scoring for one so young. One wonders what the future holds for a player so good so young.
Carly also won the Menzies Cup for the lowest scored by an Under-18 year old
The record winning margin in this championship was set only 12 months ago by Krystle Caithness who beat the field by 11 shots with a record low total of 202. Krystle was unable to defend the title this week because she was required to practise with the rest of the Great Britain & Ireland squad at Fairmont St Andrews for next month’s Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent.
Carly, who has played for Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup match, has now won two Scottish titles. Last year, she won the Scottish Under-16 girls’ open title.
Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), beaten quarter-finalist in the recent Ladies British open amateur championship, finished fourth, thanks to a 68, the best final round by anyone, for a total of 218.
Fifth on 221 was 16-year-old Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar).

FINAL TOTALS
Par 210 (3 x 70) CSS 73 72 72
207 C Booth (Comrie) 70 68 69.
216 L Murray (Alford) 76 71 69, K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 75 69 72.
218 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 76 74 68.
221 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 77 73 71.
222 E Alonso (France) 75 75 72.
224 R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 75 78 71.
226 R Niven (Crieff) 81 75 70, K Brotherton (Tulliallan) 79 76 71, E Fairnie (Dunbar) 77 76 73.
228 H Owers-Bradley (Wollaton Park) 79 73 76.
229 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 78 78 73.
230 E Muirhead (Pitlochry) 78 72 80.
231 R Wilson (Monifieth) 76 80 75, G Webster (Hilton Park) 82 72 77, E Briggs (Kilmacolm) 76 77 78.
232 E Lowrey-Gold (Eaton) 78 78 76.
234 M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 87 72 75, C-M Carlton (Fereneze) 76 75 83.
235 L Hendry (Routenburn) 82 77 76.
237 S Vass (Tain) 81 80 76.
238 J Meldrum (Dullatur) 79 82 77, L MacGregor (Falkirk) 79 80 79, G Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) 80 80 78.
241 J Sneddon (Alyth) 80 80 81.
243 S Leslie (Westhill) 80 84 79, S Herd (Dunblane New) 79 82 82.
245 R McIntyre (Eden) 84 78 83.
247 R McQueen (Troon Bentinck Ladies) 80 89 78.
248 J Wycherley (Merchants of Edinburgh) 87 83 78, A Niven (Crieff) 85 82 81, L MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) 83 82 83, J Linklater (Largs) 84 81 83.
250 L Whitehead (Droitwich) 86 86 78, I Craigie (Torwoodlee) 81 80 89.
252 L Allan (Kilbirnie Place) 85 82 85.
253 E MacKay (Nairn Dunbar) 83 85 85, L Atkins (Minto) 88 80 85.
255 L McGillivray (Oldmeldrum) 85 87 83.
256 R Watton (Mortonhall) 87 82 87.
258 C Mulholland (Hilton Park) 85 89 84, A Smith (Monifieth) 83 88 87.
259 R Archibald (Merchants of Edinburgh) 83 89 87.
260 A McKechin (Elderslie) 88 85 87, F Blair (Monifieth) 80 92 88, G Arnott (Kilbirnie Place) 85 86 89.
261 K Scott (Windyhill) 86 87 88.
263 A McGarty (Harburn) 88 89 86, L Meldrum (Dullatur) 87 89 87.
265 N Qayum (Ranfurly Castle) 87 93 85.
266 H Gaunt (Troon Bentinck Ladies) 89 90 87.
267 G MacDonald (Prestonfield) 92 90 85.
270 J Vass (Tain) 89 85 96.
280 H Goodwin (Glenbervie) 96 96 88.
282 N Taylor (Thornton) 99 88 95.
285 M Aird (Strathmore) 96 100 89.
290 A A Alston (Royal Montrose) 101 96 93.
297 A Goodwin (Glenbervie) 98 93 106.
313 J Smith (Kinross) 105 106 102.
320 A Burnett (Dunkeld) 116 109 95.
357 E Aird (Strathmore) 134 114 109.
Withdrew: R Howie (West Kilbride) 108 103 - , L Smith (Monifieth) 83 80 -.

BUICK OPEN FIRST ROUND SCORES
Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club.
Par 72. Players from US unless stated.
64 Rocco Mediate
65 Brett Quigley, Woody Austin, Brian Bateman
66 Jim Furyk, Cameron Beckman, Scott Verplank, Steve Elkington (Aus)
67 Jeff Quinney, Kyle Reifers, Mark Hensby (Aus), Craig Kanada
68 Robert Garrigus, Marco Dawson, Lucas Glover, Gavin Coles (Aus), Alex Cejka (Ger), Charlie Wi (Kor), Billy Andrade, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe), Corey Pavin, Ryuji Imada (Jpn), Bubba Dickerson
69 Joey Sindelar, Brian Gay, J.P. Hayes, Stephen Leaney (Aus), Daisuke Maruyama (Jpn), Charles Howell III, John Daly, Bob Estes, Justin Leonard, Craig Bowden, Frank Lickliter II, Andrew Ruthkoski, Jason Dufner, Joe Ogilvie, Matt Kuchar, Scott Piercy, Stephen Marino, Jeff Maggert, Robert Allenby (Aus), Mathew Goggin (Aus), Tripp Isenhour, Lee Williams
70 Tom Byrum, Chris Couch, Greg Owen (Eng), Steve Wheatcroft, Daniel Chopra (Swe), Dicky Pride, Briny Baird, Pablo Martin (Spa), Robert Gamez, Brian Davis (Eng), Jeff Sluman, Steve Flesch, Steve Lowery, Michael Putnam, Parker McLachlin, Fred Funk, Brent Geiberger, Tom Pernice Jnr., Bob Tway, Scott Hebert, Kevin Na (Kor), Michael Boyd, John Rollins, Jarrod Lyle (Aus), Arjun Atwal (Ind), DJ Brigman, Ryan Moore
71 Jeff Overton, Jeff Gove, Tag Ridings, Mathias Gronberg (Swe), Will MacKenzie, Chris Tidland, Craig Lile (Rsa), Bill Haas, Sean O'Hair, Ken Duke, Jason Gore, Kent Jones, John Merrick, John Senden (Aus), Vance Veazey, Tom Lehman, Bob May, Kenny Perry, Kevin Stadler, J J Henry, Scott Gutschewski, Jay Williamson, Glen Day, Tom Gillis, Brandt Snedeker, Johnson Wagner
72 Tom Johnson, Charley Hoffman, David Branshaw, Kris Cox, Jim Rutledge (Can), B.J Staten, Jesper Parnevik (Swe), Brendon De Jonge, Michael Sim (Aus), Rodney Pampling (Aus), Andrew Buckle (Aus), Chris DiMarco, Jeff Brehaut, Mark Wilson, Matt Hendrix
Richard S Johnson (Swe), Trevor Immelman (Rsa), John Cook, Olin Browne, Paul Sheehan (Aus), Rich Barcelo,
73 Charles Warren, Chris Riley, Chris Stroud, Stuart Deane, Eric Axley, Darron Stiles, Lee Janzen, Jaco Van Zyl (Rsa), Harrison Frazar, Heath Slocum, Darren Clarke (NIrl), Steve Allan (Aus), J.B. Holmes, Bob Heintz, Jason Schultz
74 Brian Hadley, Paul Gow (Aus), Paul Stankowski, Andy Matthews, Ted Purdy, Todd Hamilton, Matt Harmon, Peter Lonard (Aus), Jerry Smith, George McNeill, Michael Allen, Duffy Waldorf
75 Tim Petrovic, Bo Van Pelt
76 Brad Faxon, Douglas Labelle, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn), John Mallinger
77 Tommy Armour III
78 Craig Perks (Nzl), Ryan Armour
79 Steven Bowditch (Aus)

MICHELE WIE 82 IN US WOMEN'S OPEN

Michele Wie had an 82 in the first round of the US Women's Open today.

Read the sad story by switching to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

STILL SHORT OF TWO ABERDEEN PENNANT LEAGUE RESULTS

We now have two of the four Ritson Smith Aberdeen & District Pennant League results from Thursday evening:

BON ACCORD 2, NIGG BAY 4
EAST ABERDEENSHIRE 3, CALEDONIAN 3

If you know the results of the other ties;

CRAIBSTONE v DEESIDE
NEWMACHAR v ROYAL ABERDEEN

Please E-mail the information to colin@scottishgolfview.com

STEADY JACK IS TOP SCOT IN JOINT SIXTH
PLACE ON PGA EUROPRO CHAMPIONSHIP

South Wales-based Glaswegian Jack Doherty was the highest placed Scot after the third and final round of the Stoke by Nayland PGA EuroPro Tour championship at the Essex venue today.
Jack had rounds of 71, 71 and 72 for two-under-par 214, which earned him joint sixth place and a cheque for £1,100.
He finished three shots behind the £10,000 prize winner, Irishman Michael McDermott, with 72, 67 and 72 for five-under-par 211.
Callum Nicoll from Prestwick subsided with a final round of 77 to a share of 26th place on 219 for which he earned £308.
Lee Harper got £245 for joint 40th place on 221.
Graham Gordon from Aberdeen and Christopher Campbell from the far north (Carnegie Skibo to be precise) kept each other company "down among the dead men." Both signed off with rounds of 80, Graham with a pair of double bogeys and Christophere with a triple bogey 7 at the fourth and a double bogey 7 at the fifth in an outward 41.
They finished joint 52nd on 226 and their take-home pay was £185 each.
FINAL TOTALS
211 Michael McDermott (Ire) 72 67 72.
212 Matthew Cort (Eng) 74 68 70, Francis McGuirk (Eng) 69 72 71, Warren Bladon (Eng) 71 70 71.
Other scores:
214 Jack Doherty (Sco) 71 71 72 (jt 6th).
219 Callum Nicoll (Sco) 71 71 77 (jt 26th).
221 Lee Harper (Sco) 75 73 73 (jt 40th).
226 Graham Gordon (Sco) 71 75 80, Christopher Campbell (Sco) 75 71 80 (jt 52nd).

MONTY NOT READY TO THROW IN THE
TOWEL YET: THREE-UNDER-PAR 68
IN FRENCH OPEN FIRST ROUND

Colin Montgomerie is not ready yet to accept being written off - not even after four missed cuts in a row in the majors and an 82 at the US Open two weeks ago.
In his first tournament round since that Oakmont horror show, Montgomerie began the French Open on Thursday with a three-under-par 68 and then took aim at his critics.
Asked if he would like to silence people, presumably those who doubt he will ever challenge for a major again now he has turned 44, the Scot said:
"Yes, there is an element to that. There is one thing to shut everybody up and that's to win. That's the aim - of course it is."
He added: "When I changed [clubs] from Wilson to Callaway after winning the Order of Merit twice people were talking about 'What's that all about?'. The first two rounds in Dubai were 68-63 and that shut everybody up."
Montgomerie went on to six more European Tour money list titles and he has also had five second-place finishes in majors - more than anybody in history without capturing one.
He has not won any tournament now since the Hong Kong Open in December 2005, the second longest barren spell of his entire career, and has fallen from 17th to 48th in the world this year.
"There's nothing better for confidence than a win and I've got to get back there. If I can win before the Open (at Carnoustie in three weeks) that would be fantastic."
Surprisingly high scores by two Scots in the first round in Paris were an 80 by Alastair Forsyth and an 81 by Marc Warren.

FRENCH OPEN FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Le Golf National, Guyancourt, Paris
Par 71. Players GB&I unless stated.
65 James Kamte (Rsa), Kyron Sullivan
66 Christian Nilsson (Swe), Benn Barham, Steven Jeppesen (Swe), Graeme Storm
67 Thomas Levet (Fra)
68 Colin Montgomerie, Jose-Filipe Lima (Por), Markus Brier (Aut), Damien McGrane, Miguel Angel Martin (Spa), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Raphael Jacquelin (Fra), Jyoti Randhawa (Ind), Zane Scotland
69 Gregory Havret (Fra), Anthony Wall, Johan Axgren (Swe), Peter Lawrie, Soren Hansen (Den), Paul McGinley, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Robert-Jan Derksen (Ned)
70 Santiago Luna (Spa), James Kingston (Rsa), Marcus Higley, Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer (Ger), Oliver Fisher, Gary Murphy, Tom Whitehouse, Thaworn Wiratchant (Thai), Simon Khan, Ariel Canete (Arg), Soren Kjeldsen (Den), David Griffiths
71 David Bransdon (Aus), Lee Westwood, Richard Sterne (Rsa), Christian Cevaer (Fra), Michael Campbell (Nzl), Garry Houston, John Bickerton, Stephen Dodd, Ross Fisher, Juan Parron (Spa), Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Richard Finch, Gary Orr, Stephen Gallacher, Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Thongchai Jaidee (Thai), Benoit Teilleria (Fra), Robert Rock, Edward Rush
72 Mark Pilkington, Sven Struver (Ger), Mardan Mamat (Sing), Phillip Archer, Marcel Siem (Ger), Rafael Echenique (Arg), James Hepworth, David Lynn, Mark Foster, Taichi Teshima (Jpn), Steve Webster, Maarten Lafeber (Ned), Francois Delamontagne (Fra)
73 Kenneth Ferrie, Peter Gustafsson (Swe), Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra), Oliver Wilson, Peter O'Malley (Aus), Peter Hedblom (Swe), Alejandro Canizares (Spa), Pelle Edberg (Swe), Alessandro Tadini (Ita), Jean-Bapiste Gonnet (Fra), Bradley Dredge, Nick Dougherty, Julien Guerrier, David Park, Patrik Sjoland (Swe)
74 Andrew Tampion (Aus), Matthew Millar, Anders Hansen (Den), Brett Rumford (Aus), Renaud Guillard (Fra), Gary Emerson, Ian Garbutt, Gary Lockerbie, Christopher Hanell (Swe), Jarmo Sandelin (Swe), Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg), Paul Broadhurst, Steven O'Hara, Joakim Backstrom (Swe)
75 David Carter, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Richard Bland, Francesco Molinari (Ita), Wade Ormsby (Aus), Adam Frayne, YE Yang (Kor), Simon Dyson, Diego Torne (Spa), Marcus Fraser (Aus), Philip Golding, Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Phillip Price, Shiv Kapur (Ind), Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den), Daniel Vancsik (Arg)
76 Andrew Coltart, Malcolm Mackenzie, James Heath, Cedric Menut (Fra), Eric Moreul (Fra), Laurent Richard (Bel), Julien Foret (Fra)
77 Francois Calmels (Fra), Scott Drummond, Andrew Marshall, Jean-Francois Remesy (Fra), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa), Adrien Mork (Fra), Raphael Pellicioli (Fra)
78 Jonathan Evans, Carl Suneson (Spa), Jose Manuel Lara (Spa), Jean Van de Velde (Fra), Lee Slattery, Alexander Noren (Swe)
79 Alexandre Rocha (Bra), Richard Green (Aus), Andres Romero (Arg), Mattias Eliasson (Swe), Martin Erlandsson (Swe), Terry Price (Aus)
80 Emanuele Canonica (Ita), Simon Hurd, Alastair Forsyth, Julien Quesne (Fra)
81 Marc Warren
82 Simon Wakefield, Miles Tunnicliff
83 Anton Haig (Rsa), Sam Walker, Andrew McLardy (Rsa), Ignacio Garrido (Spa)
85 Cesar Monasterio (Arg)
89 Philip Walton

CARLY BOOTH SIX STROKES CLEAR AT AUCHTERARDER

CARLY BOOTH, WITH SUPER SCORES OF 70 AND 68, IS SIX SHOTS CLEAR OF THE FIELD WITH ONE ROUND TO PLAY ON FRIDAY IN THE SCOTTISH UNDER-21 GIRLS' OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP AT AUCHTERARDER.

READ THE STORY AND THE SCORES BY SWITCHING TO OUR SISTER WEBSITE, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

THREE SHARE LEAD ON 71 IN START OF NEW
SCOTTISH SENIORS CIRCUIT AT STIRLING

Three players – Peter Lamb (Biggar), Hamilton’s Harry Milligan and George Rodaks (Moffat) – share the halfway lead in the Central Scotland seniors open stroke-play tournament at Stirling Golf Club, the first event of a new national circuit for the over-55 senior amateur golfer in Scotland.
Lamb, Milligan and Kodaks all scored 71 to lead by one shot from Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross) with five players sharing third place on 73 in a highly-competitive field of 100.
Gordon MacDonald (Callander), the Spanish seniors open champion and a past winner of the Scottish seniors title, is one of the driving forces behind the new tour. He had a first-round 76.

FIRST ROUND SCORES
71 P Lamb (Biggar), H Milligan (Hamilton), G Rodaks (Moffat).
72 R Gill (Gerrards Cross).
73 H Anderson (Callander), J Fraser (Royal Burgess), G Brown (Vale of Leven), W Erskine (Kilsyth Lennox), C Christy (Kilmacolm).
74 D Murphy (Kinross), I Taylor (Royal Burgess), P Boyd (Fereneze), J Wilson (Pailsey).
75 A Fiddes (Murcar), A Elder (Kirkcaldy), R Humble (Kilspindie), A Wilson (Clober).
76 J MacDonald (Cowglen), T Stafford (Alloa), R Stewart (Tulliallan), J Watt (Letham Grange), G Thomson (Bearsden), J W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen), G MacDonald (Callander), S Ellis (Cowal), I Stewart (Curragh), P Kinloch (Cardross), K Howie (West Kilbride), A Ferguson (Drumpellier), B Grieve (King James VI), D Smith (Stirling).
77 A McEwen (Hamilton), J Aman (Grangemouth), G Paterson (Northern), K Bruce (Edzell), J Kinloch (Cardross), D Millar (St Andrews New), A K Pirie (Hazlehead), C McLachlan (Glenbervie).
78 A Cameron (Helensburgh), B Edgar (Blackpool North Shore), L Fowler (Royal Aberdeen), R Barton (Alloa), A MacLennan (Stirling), C Moir (Worksop).
79 W Brown (Strathaven), J Noon (Leven GS), D McQuade (Glenbervie), W Crosbie (Crieff), I Malcolm (Stirling), H Brown (Lothianburn), A Williamson (Bruntsfield).
80 B Bingham (Haggs Castle), D McKinnon (Ballochmyle), R MacDonald (Monifieth), M Jenkins (Duff House Royal), I Habbick (Cathkin Braes).
81 K Forrest (Lenzie), J Johnston (Northumberland), R McLellan (Turnberry), J McNally (Williamwood), J Broadfoot (Turnberry), M Lironi (Cathkin Braes), J Hamilton (Alloa).
82 N MacDonald (Glenbervie), V Trojan (Kirriemuir), I Cumming (Eastwood).
83 M Hill (Douglas Park), W Morton (Dunbar), J Stevens (Hayston), J (Hamish) Mullen (Bonnybridge), A Laird (Deeside), J S Macdoanld (Dunfermnline, R Thomson (St Andrews), R Grant (Caledonian).
84 I Dickson(Lundin), J Fairbairn (Bonnybridge), A W Wallace (Strathaven), P Costello (The Hirsel), D Forbes (Sonning), C Gibson (Glenbervie).
85 M Mather (Ballater).
86 S Quinn (Stirling), B Highley (Buchanan Castle).
87 C Griffin (Stirling), D Nelson (Aboyne), M Brook (Queens Park), I Wilson (Craigie Hill).
88 A Cross (Whitecraigs), J Scott Miller (Crieff).
89 R Goodale (Aberdour).
90 D Anderson (Balmore), K Lumsden (Glenbervie).
91 J Todd (Stirling).
93 R Stark (Drumpellier).
94 R Hepburn (Kames).

BRIGHT YOUNG SCOTS HEADING SOUTH OF
THE BORDER FOR UNDER-16s' TOURNAMENT

The Scottish Golf Union is sending eight bright young prospects to Southport & Ainsdale, Lancashire next week to contest the English Under-16 boys' open stroke-play championship for the McGregor Trophy.Two teams of three will represent Scotland in the Nations Cup, held in conjunction with the main event, while Inchmarlo’s Chris Robb and Aberdonian William Russell, the youngest ever men's champion of The Duke's Golf Club, St Andrews, will compete alongside the six other Scots in a field of 132 for the individual title race for the McGregor Trophy.
The Scotland teams are:
1 Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle), David Law (Hazlehead), Paul McPhee (King James VI).
2 Daniel Young (Craigie Hill), Tom Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy), Andrew McLachlan (Bonnyton).
The 72-hole tournament starts on Wednesday and finishes on Friday.
ends

SCOTS PAIR ON THE HEELS OF LEADER IN IRISH
YOUTHS OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Seamus Power, playing over his home West Waterford course, cashed in on his local knowledge to establish a two-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Irish youths' open amateur stroke-play championship at the south-east Ireland venue today (THU)
Power had rounds of 68 and 71 for a five-under-par tally of 139 to lead by two shots from a pair of Scottish challengers - new Scottish youths champion Scott Borrowman from Dollar and Zander Culverwell from the Dunbar club.
Borrowman and Culverwell had matching rounds of 71 and 70 for 141.
Former British boys' champion Jordan Findlay from Fraserburgh, who plays on the American college circuit in the same East Tennessee State University team as tournament leader Power, is lying joint fifth on level par 144 with scores of 73 and 71.
Only those with aggregates of 151 or better survived the cut to play the final 36 holes on Friday.
Peter Latimer (St Andrews New) and Robert McKnight (Barassie) missed out by a single shot on 152. Latimer had scores of 79 and 73, McKnight a pair of 76s.
Philip McLean (Peterhead) failed to make it with 78 and 76 for 154.
QUALIFIERS
Par 144 (2 x 72) CSS 72 72
139 S Power (West Waterford) 68 71.
141 S Borrowman (Dollar) 71 70, Z Culverwell (Dunbar) 71 70.
142 B Campbell (Malone) 71 71.
144 J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 73 71, T Coulson (Eng) 73 71, H Pyykola (Fin) 72 72, N O'Briain (Royal Dublin) 72 72, A Hogan (Newlands) 72 72, B Kerr (Eng) 72 72, S Healy (Claremorris) 71 73, F Rafferty (Dungannon) 71 73.
145 J Monaghan (The Island) 74 71, D Leathem (Lisburn) 72 73, R McGee (Rosapenna) 71 74, D Lernihan (Castle) 69 76.
146 N Kearney (Royal Dublin) 74 72.
147 N Grant (Knock) 78 69, G Reid (Spa) 71 76, R Kellett (Colville Park) 70 77.
148 A O'Callaghan (Douglas) 75 73, C O'Connor (UCD) 75 73, G Dunne (Seapoint) 74 74, C McNamara (Limerick) 73 75, R Weldon (Hermitage) 73 75, R O'Connor (The Island) 73 75.
149 L Kirton (Newmachar) 75 74, W McCully (Donaghadee) 74 75.
150 P O'Kane (Moyola Park) 79 71, J Tobin (Carrick-on-Suir) 78 72, C Carvill (Belvoir Park) 77 73, L Mulligan (Stackstown) 74 76, R O'Reilly (Headfort) 73 77, B Walton (The Island) 72 78, C Jusslin (Fin) 71 79.
151 G Smyth (Clonmel) 76 75, A Pitcher (The Island) 76 75, L Cameron (Eng) 75 76, D Carvill (Belvoir Park) 73 78.
SCOTS WHO MISSED CUT
152 P Latimer (St Andrews New) 79 73, R McKnight (Barassie) 76 76.
154 P McLean (Peterhead) 78 76, S Keane (Cathkin Braes) 78 76.
158 A Weir (Montrose Mercantile) 81 77.
159 R Carson 78 81.

SEAMUS SHOWS HIS POWER OVER HOME
COURSE IN IRISH YOUTHS' EVENT

Seamus Power, playing over his home course, led with a 68 at the end of the first round of the 72-hole Irish youths' open championship at West Waterford Golf Club today.
Power plays on the American college circuit as a student at East Tennessee State University and is a team-mate of former British boys champion Jordan Findlay from Fraserburgh.
Ross Kellett from Colville Park Golf Club, Motherwell was the leading Scot after one round. He had a 70 to be in third place.
The field play another round today with the qualifiers going on to the final two rounds on Friday.
The tournament has been a stepping stone to fame and fortune for several leading players who have won the title, mainly Ronan Rafferty but also Graeme McDowell.
Scots who have won the championship include Steven Young twice, Craig Everett and Craig Hislop.

FIRST ROUND

68 S Power (West Waterford).
69 D Lernihan (Castle/UCD).
70 R Kellett (Colville Park).
71 R McGee (Rosapenna), F Rafferty (Dungannon), B Campbell (Malone), G Reid (Spa), S Borrowman (Dollar), A Culverwell (Dunbar), C Jusslin (Finland), S Healy (Claremorris).
72 B Walton (Island/UCD), G McGrane (Ireland), A Hogan (Newlands / UCD), D Leathem (Lisburn), N O'Briain (Royal Dublin), B Kerr (England), H Pyykola (Finland).
73 D Carvill (Belvoir Park), R O'Reilly (Headfort), J Findlay (Fraserburgh), R Weldon (Hermitage), G Boyd (Donaghadee), R O'Connor (The Island), T Coulson (England), C McNamara (Limerick).
74 W McCully (Donaghadee), L Mulligan (Stackstown), G Dunne (Seapoint), D Kneafsey (England), J Monaghan (The Island), R McNamara (Headfort), N Kearney (Royal Dublin).
75 C O'Connor (UCD/Athlone), L Cameron (England), L Lennox (Moyola Park), L Kirton (Newmachar), A O'Callaghan (Douglas).
76 P Sheehy (Limerick), A Pitcher (The Island), G Smyth (Clonmel), R McKnight (Barassie).
77 C Carvill (Belvoir Park), C Drumm (Rosslare), B Cahill (Douglas), R Whitson (Mourne).
78 S Webster (Castle), R Dunne (Charlesland/UCD), S Keane (Scotland), D Ruddy (Thurles), N Grant (Knock), S Smyth (Co Louth), R Carson (Scotland), D Cantrell (Woodbrook), J Tobin (Carrick-on-Suir), T Murtagh (England), G Dillon (UCD/Heath), S Doherty (Malone), P McLean (Peterhead).
79 P Latimer (Scotland), T O'Flynn (Fota Island), P O'Kane (Moyola Park), K Stack (Dungarvan/UCC).
80 G Kelly (Co Louth).
81 B Fennelly (The Royal Dublin), A Weir (Scotland), A Glynn (England).
82 R O'Sullivan (Fota Island), P Palosuo (Finland).
84 J Somers (L'town & B'town).
85 A Sorsimo (Finland).
87 N Tyry (Finland), T Fernandes (England).

BAKER AND MANLEY SET THE PACE IN PORTUGAL
BUT SALTMAN AND McLEARY ON 68

By SCOTT CROCKETT
Chief Press Officer, European Tour

Former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker got his quest for a second consecutive Challenge Tour title off to the perfect start when he moved into a share of the lead with Welshman Stuart Manley in the Estoril Challenge de Portugal at Quinta Marinha, to the west of Lisbon.
Last Sunday Baker claimed his first individual professional victory for 14 years when he triumphed in the Credit Suisse Challenge and an excellent opening six under par 65 in Portugal gave the 39 year old Englishman real hope of back to back title successes and the chance to regain his European Tour card at the end of the season through the Challenge Tour Rankings.
“We can think about that nearer Sunday but I have to admit I’m delighted with that start,” he said. “I was a little tired after the victory in Switzerland last weekend but I got off to great start in my round here and that was important to get me going again.”
Beginning his round at the 10th hole, Baker’s start was indeed impressive as he rattled in four birdies in his first six holes before adding another one at the 18th to be ‘out’ in 31.
Turning for home, an increase in the strength of the wind made his second nine holes a little harder, but his only dropped shot of the day at the fifth, where he found a plugged lie in a greenside bunker, was negated by birdies at two of the Estoril course’s five par threes – the second and the seventh.
“I had a chance for a final birdie at the ninth hole which is another one of the par 3s but the ball just slipped by from about 12 feet,” said Baker. “But I can’t be too disappointed. Obviously I want to get back onto The European Tour but I said at the start of the year that I will try and do that through the Challenge Tour which I feel is the best way and I intend to play the year here and try and finish in the top 20 of the Rankings at the end of the season.
“It can be a little hard out here sometimes because I am regularly 20 or 30 yards behind most of the young lads from the tee but I try to use my head and experience wherever possible after that and I think today showed that.”
While Baker started well it was the finish which was impressive for joint leader Manley, four birdies in his last six holes helping the Welshman to a back nine of 33 and giving further credence to the fact that a switch of putter two weeks ago had been exactly the right decision.
“My putting really was the difference today,” he said. “I have played fantastically well tee to green all year but I just couldn’t get the ball in the hole which is why I haven’t been able to get into the top tens but today was much better.
“I was a great putter a couple of years ago but I just lost my way with that a bit recently but over the past couple of weeks there is the sign that it is coming back and I think that’s the reason I finished 20th last week in Switzerland which was my best finish of the season so far.
“If I can continue to play as well from tee to green as I have been doing and then succeed in getting my putting in order, I don’t think I’ll be far away.”
Baker and Manley led the way by a shot from Norwegian Jan-Are Larsen who carded a 66 while four players shared fourth place after opening with 67s including Chile’s Felipe Aguilar, at No 3 the highest-ranked player in the field from the current Challenge Tour Rankings.
Also on 67 was Spain’s Eduardo de la Riva who produced one of the shots of the day, holing in one with a seven-iron at the 166yd seventh. The 25 year old from Barcelona’s feat was matched later in the day by fellow countryman Manuel Quiros who aced the 142yd second with a pitching wedge on his way to a level par 71.
Leading Scots at the end of the first day were Elliot Saltman from Dalkeith and Jamie McLeary from Scotlandwell, Kinross, both on 68. McLeary reached the turn in four-under-par 31 with birdies at the first, second, third and fifth. Then he was slightly derailed with a bogey 6 at the 10th and then a double bogey 7 at the 11th. A couple of birdies at the 13th and 15th got him back on track.

FIRST-ROUND LEADERS
Par 71
65 P Baker (Eng), S Manley (Wal)
66 J-A Larsen (Nor)
67 K-L Jorgensen (Den), E de la Riva (Esp), F Aguilar (Chi), R Coles (Eng)
68 R McGowan (Eng), A Mellor (Eng), A Gee (Eng), E Saltman (Sco) 35-33, G Clark (Eng), B Mason (Eng), A Tarchetti (Eng), J McLeary (Sco) 31-37, J Donaldson (Wal)
69 L Gagli (Ita), T Dier (Ger), P Worthington (Eng), I Goroneskoul (Fra), S Fernandez (Arg), G Acosta (Arg), A McArthur (Sco) 34-35, J Huldahl (Den).
Other Scots' scores:
71 M Urquhart 34-37, D Patrick.
73 E Thomson.
74 P Whiteford.
75 S Henderson.
76 A Oldcorn.
78 G Brown.

CELTIC PRO TOUR PRESS RELEASE

GRIFFITHS WINS CARMARTHEN BAY
OPEN BY EIGHT STROKES

Whitchurch’s Matthew Griffiths led from start to finish to win the Carmarthen Bay Open golf tournament at Machynys Peninsula.
In blustery conditions and with very soft ground underfoot, Griffiths shot a remarkable four-under-par par 68 on day one, the only player under par in the field.
He stretched his lead on day two by shooting another under par round of 71, to finish on five under 139.
This was the fourth event of the Dragon Tour, Wales’ first professional golf tour, and now part of the Celtic Pro Tour.
Griffiths’ nearest challengers, Ian Brown (Newent) and amateur Richard Hooper (Neath) were eight shots back at +3.
Hooper is in a rich vein of form, having won the first event of the Celtic Pro season at Pyle and Kenfig earlier this month in a play-off against former European Tour player Stuart Manley (Mountain Ash). He also recently won the prestigious amateur event at Gower Golf club, the Gower Gauntlet.
Griffiths said: “I’m delighted to win on the Celtic Pro Tour. I played last year too under the Dragon Tour brand and have been very impressed with the way the tour is run and set up, and hope it continues to grow.
“I’m feeling very confident with my game at the moment and have had a successful start to the season. I’ve already won twice on the South Wales Alliance circuit and have had a number of top three finishes on the PGA West Region events. I hope to continue the good form over the summer as I strive forward towards my ultimate goal of gaining a European Tour card through the qualifying school process in September.”
Griffiths picks up the first prize cheque for £1,000 and 100 Order of Merit points, a Powerbug Trolley and a Sunderland of Scotland waterproof suit.
Brown collected £500 in second place with Hooper winning the voucher for the leading amateur. In third place in the professional event was David Price (Aber Wrought Iron / www.vale-hotel.com) on +4, who wins £250, and four players were tied for fourth place – Alun Evans (Newport Links), Lewis James (Southerndown), Mark Govier (Morriston) and Tom Davies (Machynys), each winning £100.
"Fresh" from his third place finish in the Wexford Open in Ireland last week, Davies shot a first round nine over par 81 to lie in joint 19th place overnight on his home course.
Day two was a different story for the golfer from Maesteg, with a one under par 71, moving him into the money winning places, and catapulting the only ever-present player on the Tour since its inception in 2006 straight to the top of the Order of Merit.
Davies overtakes 2006 Order of Merit Winner, Alex Smith (Pyle and Kenfig), who did not play at Machynys due to a clashing Europro Tour event.
The next Celtic Pro Tour event, the Carmarthenshire Open takes place at Garnant Park, on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th July.
For more information, visit the website at www.celticpro.com, or contact Tour Director, Rhydian Thomas on 07861 686568

STARS MISS EAST OF SCOTLAND OPEN
BUT STILL PLENTY OF BIG NAMES
LEFT IN FIELD AT LUNDIN LINKS

The absence from this weekend's East of Scotland Open of a clutch of the best players in Scotland is a blow to Scottish Golf Union president David Moir who just happens to be the livewire organiser of the 72-hole SGU Order of Merit event at Lundin Links.
Title-holder Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie) is absent alongwith the five other top players in the Scotland squad for next week's European men's amateur team championship at Western Gailes - James Byrne (Banchory), Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen), Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw), Kevin McAlpine (Alyth) and Jonathan King (Glasgow).
Then there's this week's Ireland v Scotland youths international match at West Waterford followed by the Irish youths open amateur stroke-play championship in which new Scottish youths champion Scott Borrowman (Dollar), Ross Kellett (Colville Park), Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh), Lewis Kirton (Newmachar), Philip McLean (Peterhead) and Robert McKnight (Barassie) are all playing.
The tournament ends Friday but they won't be back in time to play the first two rounds at Lundin Golf Club on Saturday.
That is not to say that the East of Scotland Open title is there for the taking. There are still a host of very good players in the field, including the in-form Wallace Booth (Comrie), the former Scottish youths champion who won the Tennant Cup last weekend, thanks to a magnificent third and final round of 64 at Glasgow Killermont.
Then there's former Scottish match-play champion Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie), past British amateur champion Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire), who led the Tennant Cup field after 36 holes at Glasgow Gailes and was then left behind in Wallace Booth's slipstream last Sunday, and Paul O'Hara (Colville Park), who feels he should be in next week's Scotland line-up and desperately wants to win a 72-hole SGU Order of Merit event to prove his point.
Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan), a semi-finalist in the British amateur championship last week, Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey), Bryan Fotheringham (Forres), Iain Colquhoun (Glasgow), Gavin Dear (Murrayshall) and Scott Mann (Carnoustie) are also capable of mounting a challenge in this 72-hole event.

ABERDONIAN MICHAEL IS BACK ON
TRACK ON US PGA TOUR

The US PGA Tour career of 22-year-old Aberdeen-born Michael Sim is back on track and he is looking to improve in this week’s Buick Open on last weekend’s joint 36th place finish which earned him $27,042 in the Travelers’ Championship.
Sim, who qualified for the US Tour through finishing in the top 20 of last season’s Nationwide Tour money-winners, was unable to make his debut on the No 1 circuit until April after being diagnosed with a stress fracture of the lower back last November.
After finishing joint 18th and earning $76,860 in his comeback event, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in mid-April, Sim had more fitness problems to overcome and he missed the cut in three subsequent tour events over a two-month period, although he did go back to the Nationwide Tour for a one-off, confidence-boosting 14th place finish which earned him $10,200 in early June.
Michael was seven when he emigrated with his parents to Perth, Western Australia in the early 1990s. In his teens in Australia, young Sim became a leading amateur golfer and was world ranked No 1 for a spell before he turned pro in late 2005.

SEMI-FINALS IN ABERDEEN JUNIOR PENNANT
LEAGUE, SPONSORED BY PAUL LAWRIE

Final placings in the qualifying league tables of the Aberdeen Junior Pennant League, sponsored by Paul Lawrie Junior Golf Development.

Section A
Hazlehead 10pt, Oldmeldrum 8pt, Inchmarlo 6pt, Peterculter 4pt, Newmachar 2pt, Alford 0pt.
Section B
Peterhead 8pt (19.5-4.5) from 4 games, Murcar 8pt (22.5-7.5) from 5 games, Royal Aberdeen 6pt, Cruden Bay 3pt, Auchmill 1pt from 4 games, Northern 0pt from 3 games.
Section C
Deeside 8pt (24.5-5.5), Portlethen 8pt (22-8), McDonald Ellon 8pt (19.5-10.5), Stonehaven 4pt, Kintore 2pt, Caledonian 0pt.
Section D
Westhill 9pt, Banchory 6pt, Aboyne 5pt, Newburgh 4pt, Nigg Bay 4pt, Inverurie 2pt.

SEMI-FINALS ON SUNDAY, JULY 15

Peterhead v Westhill at Newburgh (tee off 12.00).
Hazlehead v Deeside at Portlethen (tee off 12.00)

FINAL AT McDONALD ELLON ON SUNDAY, JULY 29
Tee off 12.00.

LAWRIE (only one in every two drives finds fairway) SEEKING SOLUTION TO PULLED

TEE SHOTS

Writing in "The Scotsman" today, Mike Aitken has interviewed Adam Hunter, Paul Lawrie's erstwhile coach, on their parting of the ways which, Adam says, is a permanent one this time.

Hunter says he quite understands why Paul wants a change of coaching advice at this stage of his career and with a return to Carnoustie and the Open coming up.

Mike Aitken writes:

Never the straightest driver on Tour, Paul Lawrie has worked hard to eliminate pulled tee shots. However, his driving accuracy stats are ordinary with only one in every two drives finding the fairway.
While Lawrie wants to find a solution to the wayward tee shots which have plagued his career, Hunter felt the last European golfer to win a major might have been better concentrating on honing his short game rather than fretting over ball striking.
Hunter believes Lawrie needs to scramble more effectively and pointed to a much improved short game performance at Celtic Manor in the Wales Open as the way forward for the Aberdonian.
FRIENDSHIP WILL ENDURE

Confirming there was no animosity in the split and that their friendship would endure, Hunter said he was proud to have played a part in four of Lawrie's five Tour wins and would always treasure the major championship success at Carnoustie.
He explained how their relationship was closer than between most coaches and players. "There were a few calls in the early hours of the morning and at times I almost felt like his manager as much as a coach," added Hunter.

"I put in a lot of time and effort and, of course, I felt disappointed when he told me something had to change in his game and it was time to take a break. On the other hand, we had a good run and it will free up more time for the teaching I do at Mearns Castle golf academy in Newton Mearns."
Although news of the split only became public this week, Hunter said the men hadn't worked together since before the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month. He also indicated there was little likelihood of the pair ever getting back together again, as happened after a previous split three years ago. "I doubt if we would go back down that road, because the truth is it didn't work," admitted Hunter.

GROWING REPUTATION
Having worked with Marr in readiness for his tee time at Le Golf National in the company of Soren Kjeldsen and Jyoti Randhawa this afternoon, Lawrie said: "I've known Neil for a few years but I haven't taken him on board out of convenience or because he is local. He is making a name for himself in youth circles and is a lad whose reputation is growing. I am sure we will do well together."

Midlothian players with the trophy. Back row (left to right): Jane Turner, Wendy Nicholson, Karen Marshall, Claire Hargan. Front row: Fiona de Vries, Belinda Murphy, Claire Macdonald, Rachael Livingstone.

MIDLOTHIAN TOPPLE SCOTTISH CHAMPIONS
FIFE AND EARN PLACE IN COUNTY FINALS

Midlothian dethroned Scottish champions Fife in the East Division women’s inter-county team championship title decider at Ladybank Golf Club today.
Both team went into the match with two wins out of two and it was Midlothian who triumphed 5 ½-3 ½ to finish with a 100 per cent record and a place in the Scottish county finals at Tulliallan Golf Club at the end of August.
Midlothian took a 2-1 lead in the morning foursomes and shaded the singles 3 ½-2 ½ with wins by Claire Macdonald, teenager Jane Turner and Belinda Murphy. County champion Claire Hargan halved the top singles with Fife’s Jocelyn Carthew.
Claire Macdonald (Midlothian) and former Scottish champion Elaine Moffat (Fife) were the most successful players in the three-day tournament Both finished with five points out of a possible six.
Claire Hargan was second best in the Midlothian points parade with 4 1/2pt, just ahead of Jane Turner with 4pt.
Jocelyn Carthew and Fiona Lockhart, another former Scottish champion in the Fife line-up, each contributed 4pt to the Fife effort.
Stirling & Clackmannan beat East Lothian 5-4 in the other third-day match, which earned them third place in the table.
Midlothian join Aberdeenshire and Dumfries-shire, who won the North and South divisional titles earlier this week, in the county finals. The West Division team championship, at Prestwick St Nicholas from July 9 to 11, will decide who completes the four-team line-up at Tulliallan..
Final day details at Ladybank:
EAST LOTHIAN 4, STIRLING & CLACKMANNAN 5
Foursomes: K Brotherton & E Fairnie bt L Allan & S Mitchell 1 hole; L Nicholson & J Smith lost to H MacRae & V Stevenson 2 and 1; F Prior & L Mortensen lost to L Macgregor & M Tough 1 hole (1-2).
Singles – L Nicholson lost to MacRae 3 and 1, Brotherton bt Allan 5 and 4, Mortensen bt E Allison 3 and 2, M Thomson lost to Macgregor 1 hole, S Penman lost to Mitchell 1 hole, Fairnie bt Tough 1 hole (3-3).
FIFE 3 ½, MIDLOTHIAN 5 ½
Foursomes: L Kenney & J Carthew lost to C Hargan & W Nicholson 4 and 2; F Lockhart & E Moffat bt K Marshall & F De Vries 6 and 4; L Bennett & B Copland lost to C MacDdonald & J Turner 4 and 2 (1-2).
Singles – Carthew halved with Hargan, Lockhart lost to Macdonald 3 and 2, Moffat lost to Turner 2 and 1, Kenney bt Marshall 2 holes, Bennett lost to B Murphy 2 holes, L Fury bt W Nicholson 3 and 2 (2 ½-3 ½)
HOW THEY FINISHED
Midlothian 3pt, Fife 2pt, Stirling & Clackmannan 1pt, East Lothian 0pt.

NICOLL, JACK DOHERTY LEAD SCOTTISH
CHALLENGE ON PGA EUROPRO TOUR

Callum Nicoll from Prestwick and South Wales-based Glaswegian Jack Doherty are the leading Scots in joint sixth place after 36 holes of the Stoke by Nyland PGA EuroPro Tour championship in Essex.
Nicoll has had a pair of 71s for two-under-par 142 and must be rueing a double bogey 6 at the second hole today. He had six birdies on his card.
Doherty has also marked up two rounds of 71 but he had a double-bogey 5 at the short 11th in his second round. Doherty has had one bogey and one double bogey in 36 holes - pretty consistent scoring.
Chris Campbell and Graham Gordon are joint 25th on 146. Campbell improved from 75 (which included two double bogeys) to 71 while Gordon slumped from 71 to 75 with a double bogey 7 at the long fifth.
The only other Scot to survive the two-round cut at 148 was Lee Harper, the former Scottish boys' match-play champion from Musselburgh, now attached to Archerfield Links. Lee had scores of 75 and 73 to qualifying in joint 43rd place.
Alasdair Hay (Royal Winchester) missed out by one with 75 and 74 for 149 while South Wales-based Paul Doherty, a past Scottish boys' match-play champion, was a non-qualifier with 79 and 71 for 150.
Irishman Michael McDermott (Stackstown) leads the field on five-under-par 139 with 72 and 67.

SCOREBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
139 M McDermott (Ire) 72 67.
141 W Bladon (Eng) 71 70, D Mooney (Ire) 6y9 72, D Ray (Wal) 72 69, F McGuirk (Eng).
Other scores:
142 C Nicoll (Sco) 71 71, J Doherty (Sco) 71 71 (jt 6th).
146 C Campbell (Sco) 75 71, G Gordon (Sco) 71 75 (jt 25th).
148 L Harper (Sco) 75 73.
MISSED CUT
149 A Hay (Sco) 75 74.
150 P Doherty (Sco) 79 71.

FIFE GOLF ASSOCIATION INTER-CLUB LEAGUES
RESULTS AND PLACINGS

Results and placings in the Fife Golf Association Summer Inter-Club Leagues, sponsored by Innes Johnston & Company, Solicitors & Estate Agents:

DIVISION 1
Leven Thistle 3, Thornton 3; Kirkcaldy 2, Burntisland GH 4; Thornton 3.5, Burntisland GS 2.5; Burntisland GH 3, Thornton 3; Leven Thistle 3.5, Kirkcaldy 2.5; Thornton 5, Leven Thistle 1; Kirkcaldy 2.5, Thornton 3.5; Burntisland GH 5, Leven Thistle 1.
How they stand: Thornton 8pt from 5 games, Burntisland GH 5pt from 4 games; Leven Thistle 3pt from 4 games; Kirkcaldy 0 pts from 3 games.
DIVISION 2
Lundin 4, Pitreavie 2; Dunnikier Park 4.5, Balbirnie Park 1.5; Balbirnie Park 4, Pitreavie 2; Balbirnie Park 4.5, Lundin 1.5; Dunnikier Park 5, Pitreavie 1; Dunnikier Park 2, Lundin 4; Pitreavie 4.;5, Lundin 1.5; Pitreavie 2, Balbirnie Park 4.
How they stand: Balbirnie Park 6pt from 4 games; Dunn ikier Park 4pt from 3 games; Lundin 4pt from 4 games; Pitreavie 2pt from 5 games.
DIVISION 3
Dunfermline 4, Drumoig 2; Scotscraig 3, Drumoig 3; Forrester Park 4, Dunfermline 2; Drumoig 5.5, Forrester Park 0.5; Dunfermline 3.5, Scotscraig 2.5; Dunfermline 4.5, Forrester Park 1.5; Drumoig 2.5, Dunfermline 3.5; Drumoig 4, Scotscraig 2.
How they stand: Dunfermline 8pt from5 games; Drumoig 5 pt from 5 games; Forrester Park 2pt from 3 games; Scotscraig 1pt from 3 games.
DIVISION 4
Cowdenbeath 6, St Michaels 0; Lochgelly 5.5, Leven GS 0.5; Cowdenbeath 5, Leven GS 1; St Michaels 4, Lochgelly 2; St Michaels 3, Elmwood 3; Cowdenbeath 5.5, Lochgelly 0.5; Leven GS 4, St Michaels 2; Leven GS 3.5, Lochgelly 2.5; St Michaels 3, Cowdenbeath 3; Lochgelly 3.5, St Michaels 2.5; Elmwood 4, Lochgelly 2; Elmwood 3, Cowdenbeath 3.
+Scoonie has withdrawn: games null and void.
How they stand: Cowdenbeath 8pt from 5 games; Elmwood 4pt from 3 games, Lochgelly 4pt from 6 games, St Michaels 4 pt from 6 game,s Leven GS 4pt from 4 games.

SEVEN-WAY TIE FOR FIRST PLACE IN
AIRDRIE GOLF CLUB PRO-AM

There was a seven-way tie for first place in the Airdrie Golf Club pro-am today.
Jim McKinnon (Irvine), Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), Ian Taylor (Drumpellier), Mark Loftus (Cowglen), Mark King (Kingsfield), Ricky Gray (Torrance House) and Dean Robertson (unattached) all returned one-under-par 68s.
Their financial reward was £609 apiece.
Alan Fleming (North Highland College) led the CPC Ltd trio of amateurs, George McHutchison (8), Lynn Hamilton (21) and Iain Gardiner (18) to victory in the team event with a net score of 56.
LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 69
68 J McKinnon (Irvine), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs), I Taylor (Drumpellier), M Loftus (Cowglen), M King (Kingsfield), R Gray (Torrance House), D Robertson (unatt).
69 N Holligan (Royal Burgess), C Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre), C Ronald (Carluke).

CLOBER PIP SAXONE AND DEACONSBANK
IN BELHAVEN BEST QUALIFIER

FROM THE SGU WEBSITE
Clober Golf Club captain Jim Graham, a former Scotland youth international, and club secretary Brian Davidson combined to great effect to take the honours in the second Belhaven Best Captains & Secretaries regional final at Eastwood.
The duo fired an impressive five-under par 65 as the sun shone on the south side of Glasgow, to pip runners-up Saxone and third place Deaconsbank on an inward nine countback.
One handicapper Graham, who played alongside Gordon Brand Jnr and Brian Marchbank in the Scottish Youths team in the late 70s, is relishing the prospect of returning to Blairgowrie for the final in September.
“The last time I played there was a Youth match against Ronan Rafferty so I’ve got great memories of the Rosemount course. It was great fun playing with my secretary Brian – we dovetailed well and we’re delighted to win,” said Jim.
“It’s a real pleasure to play with Jim. He’s a great player and having just missed out on the Belhaven final last year (after a countback) I’m grateful for having such a strong partner.” added the Clober secretary.
The Saxone pairing of Gordon Bettany and Michael O’Brien recorded an excellent card of 65, which only included one 5, but were nudged into second spot by virtue of an inward half 33 to Clober’s 32. Deaconsbank Golf Club’s combination of Patrick Kane and 2-handicapper William McMillan stormed out in four-under par but weren’t quite able to keep on the birdie trail to finish in third place.
Sealing their place in the Belhaven Final were Ranfurly Castle and Loch Ness with matching 67s, the latter of which made the long journey south the night before, which proved more than fruitful.
The remaining final spots were taken by Clydeview & Cleddans, Sheddans Lethamhill, 19th Hole, Ayr Seafield and Kirkintilloch, all of whom shot 2-under par 68s. The unlucky 11th spot went to Renfrew, who missed out by way of a last hole card play-off.
The third regional final of the Belhaven Best Captains & Secretaries Championship takes place on the July 17 at Lanark.
Eastwood details today:
Belhaven Best Captains & Secretaries Championship
Regional Qualifier West of Scotland

1 Q Clober 65 (inward half 32).
2 Q Saxone 65 (inward half 33).
3 Q Deaconsbank 65.
4 Q Ranfurly Castle 67 (inward half 32).
5 Q Loch Ness 67 (inward half 37).
6 Q Clydeview & Cleddans 68 (inward half 33).
7 Q Sheddens Lethamhill 68 (inward half 34).
8 Q 19th Hole 68 (inward half 35, last six holes 25).
9 Q Ayr Seafield 68 (inward half 35, last six holes 26, last three holes 12).
100 Q Kirkintilloch 68 (inward half 35, last six holes 26, last three holes 13, last hole 4).
NON-QUALIFIERS:
11Renfrew 68 (inward half 35, last six holes 26, last three holes 13, last hole 5).
12 Greenhills 69
12 Lochwinnoch 69.
12 North Beach 69.
15 Abbotsford 70.
15 Brunston Castle 70.
15 Eastwood 70.
15 Linn Park 70.
15 Stirling 70.
15 Troon Welbeck 70
15 Vale of Leven 70.
22 Aberfoyle 71.
22 Greenock 71.
22 Irvine Ravenspark 71.
22 Stewarton 71.
22 Thornhill 71.
27 West Linton 72.
27 Wishaw 72.
29 Dunblane New 73.
29 Glacier 73.
29 Lochgoilhead 73.
29 Palacerigg 73.
33 New Cumnock 74.
34 Burnfield 75.
35 Bute 76.
35 Clydebank & District 36.
35 Fereneze 76.
38 Larkhall 78.
39 Tam O'Shanter 91.
40 Lochgilphead NR.

REVENGE FOR SCOTS YOUTHS OVER IRISH

Scotland gained a measure of revenge for last year’s 5 1/2-3 1/2 defeat by Ireland at Blairgowrie when they won the annual youths international golf match 6-3 at West Waterford Golf Club today.
The Under-21 Scots put themselves in a very strong position when they won two and halved the other in the three morning foursomes.
The Irish came out fighting for the six singles and Seamus Power, playing over his home course, beat Newmachar’s Lewis Kirton 6 and 4 in the top singles. But Scott Borrowman, the new Scottish youths champion from Dollar, steadied the ship by winning the No 2 singles tie by 2 and 1 against Andrew Hogan. Borrowman was one down after nine but gradually gained the upperhand after birdieing the 12th.
Ireland did gain a second win in the singles when Niall Kearney won a tight one against Philip McLean (Peterhead) on the last green. McLean, who had an eagle at the 16th, played well and was unlucky not to salvage a halved match.
But Scotland’s tail wagged with Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh), who had been two down with five to play, halving his match against Neil O’Briain before Robert McKnight (Barassie) - four birdies on the inward half - beat Dara Lernihand 3 and 2 and Ross Kellett (Colville Park), with a bag of five birdies, was a 2 and 1 winner over Fergal Rafferty.
The Scots have stayed on at West Waterford Golf Club for the two-day Irish youths open stroke-play championship at the same venue, starting on Thursday.
Details:
IRELAND 3, SCOTLAND 6
Irish names first
Foursomes – N Kearney & S Power lost to L Kirton & S Borrowman 3 and 1; A Hogan & D Lernihan lost to J Findlay & P McLean 7 and 6; N O’Briain & F Rafferty halved with R McKnight & R Kellett (1/2-2 ½)
Singles – Power bt Kirton 6 and 4, Hogan lost to Borrowman 2 and 1, Kearney bt McLean 1 hole, O’Briain halved with Findlay, Lernihan lost to McKnight 3 and 2, Rafferty lost to Kellett 2 and 1 (2 ½-3 ½).

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

ENGLISH PAIR SHARE LEAD IN RUSSIAN
INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Two young Englishmen, Christopher Wood (Long Ashton) and Dale Whitnell (Forrester Park) are sharing the halfway lead on four-under-par 140 in the Russian open international golf championship at Pestovo Golf Club, north of Moscow.
Wood, quarter-finalist in the recent British amateur championship, has had a pair of 70s, Whitnell and 72 and a 68.
Two other young English players, Matthew Baldwin (Royal Birkdale) and Sam Hutsby (Liphook) are lying fourth and joint seventh respectively on 148 and 152.
The championship is open to professionals and European Senior Tour player Gordon Brand from Yorkshire is in joint ninth place on 154 with 79 and 75.
Germany's Nina Holleder leads the women's championship by eight strokes on level par 144 with a pair of 72s.
Gordon Brand's daughter Lizzie from Ilkley is in joint fourth place on 157.

MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Par 144 (2 x 72)
140 C Wood (Long Ashton) 70 70, D Whitnell (Forrester Park) 72 68.
145 A Povlow (Rus) 73 72.
148 M Baldwin (Royal Birkdale) 74 74.
Other scores:
152 S Hutsby (Liphook) 71 81 (jt 7th).
154 G Brand (professional) 79 75 (jt 9th).
WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Par 144 (2 x 72)
144 N Holleder (Ger) 72 72.
152 S Doering (Ger) 76 76, G Rotmistrova (Rus) 75 77.
157 L Brand (Ikley) 82 75.

ANY COMMENTS? You can E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

MICKELSON TO PLAY AT LOCH LOMOND EN ROUTE TO CARNOUSTIE AND THE OPEN

World No 2 Phil Mickelson has confirmed that, injury permitting, he will once more tee off in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond in the week preceding next month's Open at Carnoustie.
Mickelson has been struggling with a wrist injury since the US Open where he missed the cut.
But the American left-hander is hopeful he can recover in time to have another tilt at the Open, which he has never won.
"I like to compete the week before a major and going to the Scottish Open also helps me acclimatise," Mickelson said.
"I'm well aware Loch Lomond is an inland course, but I'm sure I'll get the chance to play some links golf around the event."
It will be Mickelson's fifth entry at the Scottish Open, which takes place this year from July 12-15. His best showing to date was seventh in 2000.
Also confirmed for Loch Lomond are world top 20 players Ernie Els, Luke Donald, Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia, not to mention the new US Open champion Angel Cabrera who campaigns on the European Tour, much to the chagrin of the US PGA Tour.
Cabrera will make his "comeback" after his US Open triumph at next week's European Open at the K-Club outside Dublin.

ANY COMMENTS? You can E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

ANGUS COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION RESULTS
IN MONTH OF JUNE
Supplied by secretary David Speed

CAMPERDOWN SHIELD
Scratch & Handicap championships
Sponsored by Keyline
Sunday, June 24 at Montrose Links
CSS: Non-counting

Scratch
0-8: D Saunders (Royal Montrose) 73, S Smith (Arbroath) 74.

Handicap
0-8: J Paterson (Edzell) (6) 74 (better inward half); J Collier (Montrose Mercantile (4) 74.

Scratch
9-18: A Douglas (Caird Park) 90.

Handicap (Camperdown Shield)
9-18: G Paton (Dalhousie) (10) 77.
87-10= 77

GLAMIS QUAICH
At Kirriemuir Golf Club.
June 3. CSS 68.

Scratch
Ross Coull (Edzell) 66 (better inward half), Gary Tough (Letham Grange) 66; George Finlay (Ballumbie Castle) 67.

Handicap
Greg Hughes (Downfield) (4) 64; Norman Dyce (Kirriemuir) (3) 65; Andrew Simpson (Royal Montrose) (7) 66.

LOTHIANS BOYS BEAT FIFE BOYS AT LIBERTON

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE

Lothians boys' team overcame the absence of four of their leading players to chalk up a 6½-3½ win over their Fife counterparts at Liberton in an annual friendly.
Neil Henderson, Paul Ferrier and Myles Cunningham - three of the players in the side that finished second in the recent Scottish boys' area team championship - were missing along with Mark Dickson.
But, showing the strength in depth in Lothians golf at this level, the home side still managed to record a comfortable victory.
Results:

LOTHIANS 6 1/2, FIFE 3 1//2
At Liberton GC
Lothians players named first
S Deegan (Craigielaw) halved with M Main (Thornton).
O Huish (Glen) halved with R Dziennik (Cowdenbeath).
G Currie (Gullane) bt I Finlay (St Andrews).
S Gordon (Glen) halved with B Jamieson (St Andrews).
J Ross (Royal Burgess) bt G Crawford (Burntisland) 3 and 2.
F McAndrew (Dalmahoy) lost to M Lindsay (Pitreavie) 4 and 2.
Tom Blennerhasset (Dalmahoy) bt N Beattie (St Andrews) 5 and 4.
S Boyle (Harburn) bt J Penman (Thornton) 4 and 3.
B Pelling (Prestonfield) bt J Thorburn (Forrester Park) 1 hole;.
S Young (Turnhouse) lost to C Spence (Balwearie) 2 and 1.

THREE SCOTS SHARE FOURTH PLACE IN PGA
EUROPRO TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Aberdonian Graham Gordon, Callum Nicoll from Prestwick and Welsh-based Scot Jack Doherty were lying joint fourth on one-under-par 71 at the end of the first round of the Stoke by Nayland PGA EuroPro Tour championship today.
Damian Mooney (Northern Ireland and Francis McGuirk (Princes) set the pace on 69, one ahead of Lloyd Kennedy (Chelmsford).
Gordon bogeyed the first, 10th and 14th but had birdies at the ninth, 13th, 15th and 16th in halves of 36 and 35.
Callum was out in 35 and home in 36 with birdies at the fifth and 16th and a solitary bogey at the 12th.
Jack Doherty had halves of 37 and 34, made up of a bogey at the first and birdies at the 125th and 16th.
SCOREBOARD
Par 72
69 Damian Mooney (NIr), F McGuirk (Princes).
70 Lloyd Kennedy (Chelmsford).
Other scores:
71 Graham Gordon (Aberdeen) 36-35, Callum Nicoll (Prestwick) 35-36, Jack Doherty (South Wales) 37-34 (jt 4th).
75 Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) 36-39, Alasdair Hay (Royal Winchester) 38-37, Chris Campbell (Carnegie Skibo) 38-37 (jt 56th).
79 Paul Doherty (South Wales0 36-43 (jt 107th)

IT'S A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RUSSIAN-STYLE
... ANYTHING GOES AT RESORT OF THE RICH


By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Only at the Russian open amateur international championships could you have professionals - Gordon Brand, for one - figuring among the first-round scores at the Pestovo Golf Club for the well-heeled Russians, about 20 miles north of Moscow.
And only at a Russian championship would you find 17 players - 12 men and five women - who did not break 100 in the first round.
The highest score of the day was returned by one Sergey Kronfeld who is last of 71 men with a score of 123. He required 64 shots for the outward half and 59 for the inward half, running up three 9s and four 8s. All credit to Mr Kronfeld for returning a score - but should he really be playing in a country's national championship?
The English Golf Union sent four of their brightest young lads to see if one of them could repeat Seve Benson's victory in the men's event last year.
So far so good with Christopher Wood from Long Ashton, Bristol - a quarter-finalist in last year's British amateur championship at Royal Lytham - leading the men's field with a two-under-par 70.
Compatriot Sam Hutsby (Liphook), winner of The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy tournament at Dundonald Links, Ayrshire last year, is lying second on 71 and Dale Whitnell (Forrester Park) is sharing third place with a professional, Alex Gruzdov, and a Philipp Mejow of no known country.
Matthew Baldwin (Royal Birkdale) completed the English quartet's satisfactory day with a two-over-par 74 - five shots better than the aforementioned professional, Gordon Brand.
Germany international player Nina Holleder is leading the women's field with a par 72 - three ahead of Russian hope Galina Tormistrova, with Germany's Stephanie Doering third on 76.
Lizzie Brand, from England, had an 82 but that was good enough to give her fifth place in a field of 25 girls going into the second round.
Pestovo Golf Club has a yacht club, an equestrian centre and other leisure facilities in its spacious grounds which include villas as well.
Leading scores:
MEN
70 Christopher Wood (Long Ashton).
71 Sam Hutsby (Liphook).
72 Dale Whitnell (Forrester Park), Alex Gruzdov (professional), Philipp Mejow.
Other scores:
74 Matthew Baldwin (Royal Birkdale).
79 Gordon Brand (professional).
123 Sergey Kronfeld (Russia).
WOMEN
72 Nina Holleder (Germany).
75 Galina Rotmistrova (Russia).
76 Stephanie Doering (Germany).
Other score:
82 Lizzie Brand.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

ABERDEEN PENNANT LEAGUE MATCHES ON THURSDAY


The next Ritson Smith Aberdeen Pennant League matches are on Thursday evening. The fixtures are:

Bon Accord v Nigg Bay
Craibstone v Deeside
East Aberdeenshire v Caledonian.
Newmachar v Royal Aberdeen.

Scottishgolfview.com will display any or all of the results if they are E-mailed to colin@scottishgolfview.com either on Thursday night or on Friday morning

NOT ONLY THE FISH ARE BITING IN FLORIDA

If you are thinking about going on a golfing holiday to Florida ... well, maybe, you should think again.
That's because there's report today from the Sunshine State that a golfer nearly lost more than his golf ball in a water hazard at the sixth hole at Lake Venice Golf Club, Florida
An alligator, estimated length 11ft from nose to tail, suddenly appeared out of the depths and grabbed his right arm, pulling him into the water as he tried to get his golf ball out.
Gary Morse, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said that the golfer, a Mr Burger, used his left arm to hit the alligator until it released him from its grip.
Burger, a visitor from Tennessee, was taken to a hospital but was not seriously injured - shaken but still in one piece.
It took seven Fish and Wildlife officers an hour to trap the one-eyed alligator which inhabited the pond where there is a warning sign: "Beware of Alligator".
Course general manager Rod Parry said. "There's wildlife in these ponds so people should think twice before putting their hands into the water to lift out a golf ball."

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE

SCOTLAND NAME STRONG YOUTHS
TEAM TO PLAY IRELAND
Ross Kellett heads a six strong team representing Scotland competing in the Youths International Match against Ireland, which gets underway on Wednesday at West Waterford Golf Club.
The Colville Park player, buoyed by a recent momentous win under his belt - after dismounting Jamie Moul the former world number one from the British Amateur title race last week, before his own Amateur hopes were dashed after reaching a well earned place in the quarter final – is joined by the newly crowned Scottish Youths Stroke Play Champion, Scott Borrowman.
Kellett and his five fellow standard bearers will hope that good form and good fortune will favour them tomorrow over the par 72 parkland course set on the banks of the River Brickey, after Ireland imposed a crushing defeat on the Scots last year at Blairgowrie.
Dollar ace Borrowman, speaking just after his title win at the weekend at Erskine said, “I am feeling confident, the title will certainly bolster me heading into the youths match, and I am keen to get more wins under my belt.”
Former British Boys Champion Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) and Philip McLean (Peterhead) join the ranks along with Lewis Kirton – a key figure in the silver medal winning team last year at the European Boys Championship – with Robert McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie) completing the team.
STRONG INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS
Commenting ahead of the one day event, comprising morning foursomes, followed by singles matches in the afternoon, SGU Performance Manager Stuart Turner said, “Scotland is fielding a strong team in this friendly match, undoubtedly keen to make amends for last year’s result. With such strong individual performers within the team, they will certainly provide a strong challenge to the Irish side.”
The team will remain in Ireland to compete in the Irish Youths Amateur Open Championship at the same venue on Thursday and Friday.
It is:
Scott Borrowman (Dollar)
Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh)
Ross Kellett (Colville Park)
Lewis Kirton (Newmacher)
Robert McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Philip McLean (Peterhead)

FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS SIGN UP SAM TORRANCE


Fairmont St Andrews (formerly St Andrews Bay Hotel & Golf Resort) today announced a partnership with 2002 victorious Ryder Cup captain, Sam Torrance, OBE.
Sam has represented Europe in eight Ryder Cup matches and has won over 40 tournaments to date in his 35 years on Tour. He has made a very successful transition onto the European Seniors Tour, winning the Order of Merit in 2005 and 2006. Sam won his first tournament of the year last week at the Bendinat London Seniors Masters.
His relationship with Fairmont St Andrews began several years ago when he worked with them on his first course design project, The Torrance, which opened in 2002. It is one of two beautiful courses on offer at the Fairmont St Andrews and Sam’s first foray into course design is considered a resounding success.

The five star Fairmont St Andrews is located just 55 minutes from Edinburgh airport, sitting proudly overlooking a rugged coastline and the skyline of the Home of Golf. A luxurious five star hotel with two magnificent golf courses, the Torrance and the Devlin. The Torrance an Open qualifying course for 2010.

Charles Head, General Manager of Fairmont St Andrews said “we are delighted to extend our relationship with Sam Torrance. We think he is a wonderful and charismatic ambassador for the resort and the Torrance course and we look forward to an exciting few years.”

Sam added, “I really have enjoyed the experience of working on the my first course design project, not least because during each visit my family and I have been able to enjoy the wonderful, luxurious facilities and breathtaking location of the Fairmont St Andrews. I am proud of the feedback I have received on our course design and I will be very proud to represent the Fairmont St Andrews on the Tour”.

ABERDEEN & DISTRICT JUNIOR PENNANT LEAGUE

OFF THE TEE TROPHY

Aberdeen City Section
MONDAY, JULY 2 (Nigg Bay GC, Balnagask 5.30pm)
Nigg Bay v Caledonian.
Deeside v Westhill.
TUESDAY, JULY 3 (Nigg Bay GC, Balnagask, 5.30pm)
Auchmill v Hazlehead.
Portlethen v Northern.
SUNDAY, JULY 8 (Nigg Bay GC, Balnagask 9am)
1 Nigg Bay or Caledonian v Deeside or Westhill.
2 Auchmill or Hazlehead v Portlethen or Northern.
SUNDAY, JULY 8 (Nigg Bay GC, Balnagask 1.30pm)
Winners of Match 1 v Winners of Match 2

Deeside Section
MONDAY, JULY 2 (Stonehaven GC, 5.30pm)
Stonehaven v Inchmarlo.
SUNDAY, JULY 8 (Stonehaven GC, 9am)
1 Stonehaven or Inchmarlo v Aboyne.
2 Peterculter v Banchory.
SUNDAY, JULY 8 (Stonehaven GC, 1.30pm)
Winners of Match 1 v Winners of Match 2.

West Section
MONDAY, JULY 2 (Newmachar GC, 5.30pm)
Oldmeldrum v Kintore.
Alford v Newmachar.
Kemnay v Craibstone.
SUNDAY, JULY 8 (Newmachar GC, 9am)
1 Oldmeldrum or Kintore v Alford or Nerwmachar.
2 Kemnay or Craibstone v Inverurie.
SUNDAY, JULY 8 (Newmachar GC, 1.30pm)
Winners of Match 1 v Winners of Match 2.

North Section
MONDAY, JULY 2 (McDonald GC, 5.30pm).
Peterhead v Newburgh.
Cruden Bay v Murcar Links.
SUNDAY, JULY 8 (McDonald GC, 9am)
1 Peterhead or Newburgh v Royal Aberdeen.
2 Cruden Bay or Murcar Links v McDonald Ellon.
SUNDAY, JULY 8 (McDonald GC, 1.30pm)
Winners of Match 1 v Winners of Match 2.

FINALS DAY
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19 (McDonald GC).
Semi-finals at 9am.
Final at 1.30pm

LAURA, RACHAEL BEING SENT
BY SLGA TO PLAY IN FINNISH
AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP


Robert Gordon's University student Laura Murray, a member of Alford and Aboyne golf clubs, has been selected, alongwith Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old), by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association to represent Scotland in the Finnish women's amateur golf championship at Helskini Golf Club from August 9 to 11.
Laura, pictured above left, with six wins out of six for champions Aberdeenshire, was the top player in the North Division women's inter-county team championship which ended at Cruden Bay on Monday.
Rachael, pictured above right, is 19 years old, Laura will be 19 in August.
Rachael, beaten finalist in last year's Scottish Under-18 girls' championship at Peebles, gains her first full cap for Scotland in next month's European women's team championship in Italy.
Helskinki Golf Club, founded in 1932, is the oldest and most prestigious golf club in Finland. It is six kilometres from the centre of Helskini. A 19th Century mansion serves as the clubhouse at this beautiful parkland course which has a par of 71 and measures 4,782 metres off the women's tees.

CARNOUSTIE HEAD GREENKEEPER BACK IN CHARGE

According to the Scottish Daily Express, John Philip, the Carnoustie Links Trust's head greenkeeper, is back at work, having been suspended for two weeks for "allegedly laying hands on an apprentice over smoking breaks."

US OPEN CHAMPION ANGEL CABRERA PLAYS
IN EUROPEAN OPEN AT THE K CLUB

New US Open champion Angel Cabrera has added the Smurfit Kappa European Open to his playing schedule, meaning that five major champions will feature in the field at The K Club, Co. Kildare, Ireland, from July 5 to 8.
Cabrera penned his name into the golfing history books when he became the first Argentine to lift the US Open trophy, having held off the challenges of Tiger Woods and another former winner, Jim Furyk, at Oakmont Country Club.
Cabrera shot a final round of 69, one of only two rounds under par on the final day, for a five over par total of 285, one better than Woods and Furyk.
Having successfully scaled one of golf’s four Major peaks, Cabrera will next week turn his attentions to securing a maiden European Tour victory in the Smurfit Kappa European Open.
The big-hitting South American has an impressive record at The K Club with six top-ten finishes in his 11 previous appearances in the tournament, the highlight of which was his second place in 2000. Cabrera led after 54 holes seven years ago but was ultimately beaten by a stroke when England’s Lee Westwood closed with a brilliant round of 66.
If Cabrera can manage to go one better next week, he will become the third US Open winner to capture the Smurfit Kappa European Open title at The K Club after New Zealand’s Michael Campbell in 2002 and South African Retief Goosen in 2004.
Campbell and Cabrera are joined next week by fellow major champions of varying vintage - Paul Lawrie, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam of Wales.
Sweden’s Niclas Fasth, who finished fourth behind Cabrera at Oakmont, has also confirmed his participation just two days after his brilliant victory in the BMW International Open in Munich.
Cabrera said: “I have always enjoyed playing in Ireland, where the fans are both appreciative and knowledgeable. There’s a great atmosphere about The K Club and I’ve done well there in the past and look forward to getting another chance to win one of the leading titles on The European Tour.”
The 2007 Smurfit Kappa European Open will be played over the Smurfit Course with a prize fund of £2,400,000 and, once again, the public can enjoy the first day’s play for free thanks to the ‘Free Ticket Thursday’ initiative from Ulster Bank. The application process for free tickets has now closed with more than 30,000 availing of the offer.

PAUL LAWRIE SWITCHES COACHES:

ADAM HUNTER IS REPLACED

BY NEIL MARR

The Press and Journal reveals today that Paul Lawrie has split with coach Adam Hunter and replaced him with Meldrum House Golf Club head professional Neil Marr.

Paul Lawrie is quoted by the newspaper as saying:

"We have split and I have been working with Neil. Adam and I have worked together for nine years and we have had a phenomenal working relationship in that time but I just felt that I wanted and needed a different input.

"Telling Adam I wanted a change was one of the hardest things I have had to do as we are really good friends.

"Adam is an extremely good coach who has done a really good job for me and I will never forget the help he gave me at Carnoustie in 1999 when I won the Open. But I feel it is time for a different angle on things."

Neil Marr, pictured above, coaches the Scottish Golf Union under-14 and under-16 boys teams.

2007 FIFE HANDICAP SINGLES MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

DRAW FOR ROUND 2 to be played by 26 JULY 2007


EARLSFERRY THISTLE (Home Club) versus DRUMOIG (Away Club)

SCOTSCRAIG (Home Club) versus LUNDIN (Away Club)

DUNFERMLINE (Home Club) versus KIRKCALDY (Away Club)

HOLDER (Gary Cunningham) versus ELMWOOD (Away Club)

A new draw is made for each round.

The winner must report the result to David Moir by email on davidmoir@randa.org or by fax to 01334 460005 no later than midnight on the Closing Date of that round but preferably as soon as the tie is played.

A new draw is made for each round.

WELSH SQUAD FOR WESTERN GAILES

Wales' squad for the European men's amateur team championship at Western Gailes GC, Ayrshire is:

Rhys Davies – Royal Porthcawl
Nigel Edwards - Whitchurch
Rhys Enoch - Truro
Craig Evans – West Monmouthshire
Llewellyn Matthews - Southerndown
Ryan Thomas - Aberdare

Non-Travelling Reserve: Zachariah Gould – Vale of Glamorgan

Team Captain: JR Parry
Team Manager: Richard Dixon
National Coach: David Llewellyn

IRELAND TEAM FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Team to represent Ireland in the European Team Championship at Western Gailes Golf Club from July 3 to 7 is:
Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye).
Shane Lowry (Esker Hills).
Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge).
Rory McIlroy (Holywood).
Gareth Shaw (Lurgan)'
Simon Ward (Co Louth)
Reserves:
1 Niall Turner (Muskerry).
2 Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin)

IRELAND YOUTHS TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND

Team to represent Ireland in the Youths International match against Scotland at West Waterford Golf Club on Wednesday:
Andrew Hogan (Newlands).
Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin).
Dara Lernihan (Castle/ UCD).
Neil O Briain (Royal Dublin).
Seamus Power (West Waterford).
Fergal Rafferty (Dungannon).
Reserves:
1 Nick Grant (Knock).
2 Paul Cutler (Portstewart)

+The Scotland team for the above match has yet to be announced.

Feeling just champion! That's the Aberdeenshire team and officials after their victory in the North Division championship at Cruden Bay.



YOUNG SHIRE TEAM NOW GO FORWARD TO SCOTTISH
FINALS AS CHAMPIONS
OF NORTH DIVISION

Aberdeenshire completed a clean sweep of victories in the North Division women’s inter-county team golf championship at Cruden Bay today by beating Angus 6 ½ -2 ½ in cold, windy and sometimes wet weather more akin to a winter’s day than the end of June.
In the other closing match in the three-day schedule, Northern Counties found their form to score their first win by 8-1 over defending champions Perth & Kinross. Northern Counties, who were officially placed second on games-won, were handicapped by the loss of Donna MacLeod with a back injury on Saturday morning.
Having beaten Perth & Kinross 6-3 on Saturday and Northern Counties 7-2 on Sunday, Aberdeenshire, captained by Ros Dunsmuir, go forward with rising confidence to play Scotland’s three other regional title-winners in the county finals at Tulliallan Golf Club at the end of August.
It’s been five years – at Glenisla GC in 2002 – since Shire won the North Division title but they may be in for a more successful period. The winning team at Cruden Bay contained five players who have graduated from the county’s competitive girls’ programme.
Most successful player of the tournament was Aberdeenshire’s Laura Murray (Alford) with six wins out of six. She was closely followed by team-mate Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) with 5 ½ pt. Sara Thomson (Murcar Links) marked her county team debut with gaining 3pt out of three.
Kerri Harper (Inverness) was best for Northern Counties with 4pt out of six. Dawn Dewar top-scored for Angus with 4pt out of six and Emily Ogilvy gained 3pt for Perth & Kinross.

+Picture shows Aberdeenshire president Mary Robinson and long-serving county team player Sheena Wood (she played for Shire the last time the North Division championship was hosted by Cruden Bay - 20 years ago!) with the trophy.

Monday’s details:

PERTH & KINROSS 1, NORTHERN COUNTIES 8
Foursomes: A Bushby, R Niven lost to L Walker, J Milne 2 and 1; J Yellowlees, J Sneddon lost to K Harper, M Smith 3 and 1; E Ogilvy, E Muirhead lost to A Ingram, K MacDonald 5 and 4 (0-3).
Singles: Ogilvy lost to Harper 3 and 1, Niven lost to MacDonald 6 and 4, Bushby lost to Ingram 6 and 4, G Lambie lost to Milne 2 holes, F Ramsay lost to Smith 1 hole, Sneddon bt Walker 2 holes (1-5).

ANGUS 2 ½ , ABERDEENSHIRE 6 ½
Foursomes: D Dewar, A Ramsay bt D Pocock, S Wood 1 hole; H Anderson, M Summers lost to L Murray, M Thomson 2 and 1; S Raitt, F Millar lost to J Harrison, C Wilson 5 and 4 (1-2).
Singles: Dewar lost to Murray 4 and 2, Raitt lost to M Thomson 2 and 1, K Sutherland lost to S Thomson 3 and 2, Summers lost to Wilson 6 and 5, F Gilbert bt L McLardy 2 and 1, Ramsay halved with Wood (1 ½ -4 ½).

HOW THEY FINISHED
P W L F A Pts
Aberdeenshire 3 3 0 19 ½ 7 ½ 3
Northn Counties 3 1 2 13 ½ 13 ½ 1
Angus 3 1 2 11 16 1
Perth & Kinross 3 1 2 10 17 1

+++For news of the start of the East Division women's inter-county team championship at Ladybank and the end of the South Division women's inter-county team championship at Thornhill, switch over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

JAMIESON EARNS $16,000 FROM FIRST
EIGHT EVENTS AS A TOUR PRO

Rookie tour pro Scott Jamieson earned $16,000, missing only one cut in eight events, in the first half of the NGA Hooters Tour which now has a six-week break over the hot American summer months.
Jamieson, a Cathkin Braes Golf Club, Glasgow member during his amateur days, earned $1,485 for a joint 29th place finish in the weather-hit Buffalo Run Casino Classic which ended at Peoria Ridge Golf Club, Miami in Oklahoma on Sunday.
Two rounds had to be played on Sunday after torrential rain flooded the course on Saturday and postponed the third round.
Scott, last year’s Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit winner, turned professional last November. He spent four years on the American college circuit while a student at Augusta State University.
Jamieson’s scores in the Buffalo Run Casino Classic were 65, 69, 69 and 71 for a 14-under-par 274.
Florida-based Edinburgh exile David Kirkpatrick earned $2,534 for a joint 15th place finish on 272 with scores of 67, 67, 72 and 66.
Steven Tiley from Canterbury tied for 47th place on 277 with scores of 69, 68, 72 and 68. He earned $1,057.
David Skinns from Lincoln finished joint 55th on 279 with scores of 69, 70, 69 and 71. He earned $996.
The low-scoring tournament was won by Jordan Dempsey from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a 24-under-par total of 264, made up of rounds of 67, 65, 67 and 65 to scoop the first prize of $33,566.
Two Australians, Andrew Tschudin from Melbourne and Bronson La Cassie (Queensland), eighth in the R&A WAR until making his pro debut in this event, finished joint second on 265. Tschudin shot 64, 64, 67 and 70, La Cassie 65, 67, 65 and 68. Each earned $13,762.

VIKKI LAING JOINT 15TH IN CINCINNATI

Musselburgh's Vikki Laing finished joint 15th in the US Futures Tour's Duramed Championship at Stonelick Hills Golf Club near Cincinnati. She had rounds of 77, 63 and 72 for a four-under-par total of 212. Her second round of nine-under-par 63 was a career low.
Vikki earned $1,032 for finishing 11 shots behind South Korean winner Seo-Jae Lee who shot 66, 66 and 69 for 15-under-par 201 to take the $14,000 first prize.
Eunjung Yi from California and Violeta Remoza (Mexico) finished joint runners-up on 204 over the 6,349yd, par-72 course. Yi had rounds of 65, 70 and 679; Remoza 66, 66 and 72. They each won $8,562.

US PRO TOURNAMENTS SCOREBOARD

TRAVELERS' CHAMPIONSHIP
The TPC at River Highlands.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4 x 70)
265 Hunter Mahan 62 71 67 65, Jay Williamson 66 66 67 66
269 Nick O'Hern (Aus) 67 70 66 66
270 Vijay Singh (Fij) 68 71 66 65
271 Fred Funk 70 65 67 69
272 David Toms 67 65 69 71, Bo Van Pelt 73 68 67 64, Tom Lehman 67 68 70 67
273 Kevin Na (Kor) 70 67 69 67, Justin Rose (Eng) 69 68 68 68, B.J Staten 67 71 69 66, Billy Mayfair 67 72 66 68
274 Stephen Marino 68 67 71 68, J J Henry 68 73 69 64
275 Jerry Kelly 69 68 68 70, Kenny Perry 65 71 70 69, Chad Campbell 69 70 70 66, Mathew Goggin (Aus) 69 71 67 68, Steve Allan (Aus) 66 75 67 67, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) 67 69 73 66, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 65 72 72 66
276 Charles Warren 67 67 73 69, Billy Andrade 66 71 71 68, Eric Axley 67 70 69 70, Joe Ogilvie 71 68 69 68, Olin Browne 67 67 72 70, Tom Pernice Jnr. 68 70 68 70, Heath Slocum 68 68 70 70
277 Bill Haas 72 68 68 69, Arjun Atwal (Ind) 68 71 74 64, Kevin Sutherland 68 71 73 65, Peter Lonard (Aus) 68 69 73 67
278 Brad Faxon 65 74 70 69, Tim Petrovic 71 68 68 71, Ryan Moore 66 71 69 72
279 Pat Perez 69 68 66 76, Rodney Pampling (Aus) 66 71 72 70, Michael Sim (Aus) 65 70 78 66, Joey Sindelar 66 70 72 71, Craig Bowden 71 69 71 68, Corey Pavin 70 66 77 66, Bob Tway 71 70 69 69
280 Brian Davis (Eng) 71 69 74 66, Woody Austin 66 73 71 70, Douglas Labelle 68 73 71 68
281 Michael Allen 66 69 76 70, J.B. Holmes 72 69 71 69, Andrew Buckle (Aus) 71 70 72 68, Chris DiMarco 64 70 74 73, Cliff Kresge 71 70 69 71, Brent Geiberger 73 68 70 70, Steve Wheatcroft 68 71 74 68, Jason Gore 68 70 72 71
282 Kevin Stadler 68 70 75 69, Mark Calcavecchia 71 70 71 70, Jeff Overton 69 71 72 70, Tim Herron 71 70 74 67, Ryan Armour 67 74 68 73, Ben Curtis 69 71 73 69, Padraig Harrington (Irl) 71 68 74 69
283 Cameron Beckman 75 65 74 69, Daisuke Maruyama (Jpn) 68 72 75 68, Bob Heintz 65 72 76 70, Frank Lickliter II 69 71 75 68
284 David Branshaw 70 71 69 74, Jesper Parnevik (Swe) 72 69 78 65
285 Robert Gamez 70 69 73 73, Jason Dufner 71 70 70 74, Steve Flesch 71 69 72 73, Brett Wetterich 70 70 80 65
286 Alex Cejka (Ger) 68 71 77 70
288 Will MacKenzie 67 74 75 72, Glen Day 69 70 76 73, John Mallinger 71 69 75 73
289 Stewart Cink 68 70 75 76, Craig Kanada 68 71 75 75
290 Tripp Isenhour 72 68 73 77
291 Mark Brooks 70 70 78 73
296 Scott Gutschewski 72 69 77 78.

WEGMANS LPGA
Locust Hill Country Club.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
280 In Kyung Kim (Kor) 70 67 71 72, Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 69 71 67 73 (Ochoa won play-off at second hole).
281 Mi-Hyun Kim (Kor) 69 68 75 69
282 Cristie Kerr 66 75 70 71
283 Lindsey Wright (Aus) 70 70 72 71, Jeong Jang (Kor) 71 73 71 68
284 Angela Stanford 70 69 73 72
285 Jee Young Lee (Kor) 71 77 69 68, Rachel Hetherington (Aus) 70 71 73 71, Morgan Pressel 70 72 73 70, Brittany Lincicome 69 75 73 68, Wendy Ward 74 70 69 72, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 70 71 73 71
286 Jin Joo Hong (Kor) 71 73 69 73, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 70 74 75 67, A.J Eathorne (Can) 72 71 69 74, Pat Hurst 74 69 70 73
287 Giulia Sergas (Ita) 76 68 75 68, Mhairi McKay (Sco) 72 72 74 69, Suzann Pettersen (Nor) 68 75 72 72
288 Young-A Yang (Kor) 76 72 69 71, Beth Bader 73 72 70 73, Meena Lee (Kor) 71 71 73 73, Lorie Kane (Can) 71 74 72 71, Angela Park 76 71 72 69, Leta Lindley 72 71 72 73, Paula Creamer 70 76 70 72, Seon Hwa Lee (Kor) 71 71 71 75, Ai Miyazato (Jpn) 73 71 73 71, Jimin Kang (Kor) 70 75 73 70, Hye Jung Choi (Kor) 74 74 71 69
289 Sun Young Yoo (Kor) 72 73 75 69, Nina Reis (Swe) 76 70 70 73, Diana D'Alessio 71 74 74 70
290 Joo Mi Kim (Kor) 74 73 70 73, Brandie Burton 74 73 76 67, Reilley Rankin 73 71 73 73, Michele Redman 73 72 74 71, Karine Icher (Fra) 74 70 70 76, Se Ri Pak (Kor) 73 74 71 72, Amy Hung (Tha) 70 75 73 72, Moira Dunn 73 71 71 75, Katherine Hull (Aus) 71 73 75 71
291 Beth Daniel 75 71 76 69, Becky Morgan (Wal) 70 72 76 73, Catriona Matthew (Sco) 71 75 75 70, Janice Moodie (Sco) 74 70 72 75, Soo Young Moon (Kor) 72 73 72 74
292 Vicki Goetze-Ackerman 71 74 73 74, Kate Golden 71 77 71 73, Karrie Webb (Aus) 72 73 76 71, Jamie Hullett 74 74 74 70, Erica Blasberg 75 68 74 75, Eva Dahllof (Swe) 70 77 77 68, Sherri Steinhauer 74 74 73 71
293 Gloria Park (Kor) 72 76 69 76, Young Kim (Kor) 70 76 76 71, Silvia Cavalleri (Ita) 76 70 76 71, Nancy Scranton 76 71 74 72
294 Ji-Young Oh (Kor) 71 76 74 73, Sherri Turner 71 76 76 71, Charlotta Sorenstam (Swe) 70 77 70 77, Katie Futcher 71 76 74 73
295 Alena Sharp 67 74 77 77, Song-Hee Kim (Kor) 73 75 71 76, Candie Kung (Tai) 72 74 78 71
296 Yu Ping Lin (Tai) 73 74 78 71, Na Ri Kim (Kor) 74 72 76 74, Christina Kim 70 75 76 75
298 Il Mi Chung (Kor) 72 73 77 76, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc (Fra) 72 75 75 76
305 Karin Sjodin (Swe) 72 75 81 77

CLACKMANNANSHIRE COUNTY GOLF NEWS

By HUGH HUNTER

It was a golden week for two top Wee County golfers, with successful campaigns by Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan) and Scott Borrowman (Dollar).
The trail started on Monday, June 18 when both were in action trying to gain a place in the top 64 qualifiers for the match-play stages of the Amateur Championship at the Royal Lytham Golf Course, venue of many Open championships.
Callum qualified easily with a ten under par score while Scott’s six-over missed the cut by eight shots. Callum went on to gain a bronze medal by reaching the semi-finals of the Amateur while Scott bounced back a few days later to take his second dational title, the Scottish Youths title at Erskine.
These two outstanding results put Clackmannan into the forefront of Scottish Golf at present, and hopefully there will be more to come. Both golfers must be feeling confident for upcoming events, especially the Scottish Amateur Championship at Prestwick at the end of July.

+Picture of Callum Macaulay on left, courtesy of Hugh Hunter.

MORE MACAULAY MAGIC

After finishing his course successfully at the University of Mississippi, Callum returned home to play the elite golf events, and has performed pretty well. In his first qualifying round at St Anne’s Old course, he showed immediately that he meant business with a six-under-par 66 score, containing eight birdies and two bogeys.
His second round over the tougher and longer Lytham course continued the fine form. Callum raced to the turn in two under par 33. Four further birdies followed and the round was only spoiled by a double bogey at the short 12lfth where he encountered bunker trouble.
The end result was a 67 and a 10 under aggregate, leaving him in second equal qualifying position. Nine Scots beat the qualifying score for the 64 match-play spots, with Callum playing the local star Sam Stuart (with a substantial number of spectators).
In a close match, Callum came through with a good five foot putt at the nineteenth hole. His next match was a bit easier -- a similar outward nine score as the previous day gave him a commanding six hole lead against Rhys Enoch (Truro), and despite a couple of lapses, a 20 ft putt sealed the match on the 15th green.
The next game really tested Callum, both in the golfing sense but also patience. Against an excruciatingly slow French player Kenny Le Sager ( he took about 80 to 100 seconds to play his shots), Callum (incidentally taking 35 seconds per shot) fought back from a two-hole deficit to take the match at the 20th when the Frenchman found sand from the tee at the par 4 hole.
Now in the quarter finals, the match against fellow Scot Ross Kellett (Colville Park) went Callum’s way by 4 and 3, and although the golf was below the standard of his previous matches, it was enough to take him to the semi-finals and a tie against Aussie champion Tim Stewart.
In another tight match, Callum was a hole up at the twelfth, but a missed putt and a bunker visit at the last hole allowed Tim to reach the final, leaving the Tulliallan player with the bronze medal.
Naturally, Callum was disappointed, but nevertheless, it was a great performance (he did finish top Scot) proving that he has the game to take on the best amateurs, and “Team Macaulay” with dad Harry on the bag drew much favourable comment from the spectators who appreciated the golf shots and Callum’s confident manner.
Well done to Callum - best performance ever from a wee County golfer in the Amateur!!

ANOTHER SUPER SCOTT

With rounds of 76 and 73 in the Amateur qualifying, and missing the cut, Scott Borrowman (Dollar), Stirling University student, must have felt a bit down, but perhaps inspired by Callum’s progress, he bounced back at Erskine Golf Club to take the 2007 Scottish Youths title, five years after he captured the Under 16’s trophy at Ratho Park.
Maintaining the lead from the first two days' play, Scott recorded another sub par third round, closing with a one over par in the final round, an aggregate of nine under par, and a two shot win.
However the scores do not tell the real story where Scott lost his lead as others clawed back, and only a birdie, birdie finish by Scott allowed him to snatch the trophy. Another top class performance!!
Final Results 1 Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 68,66,69,72 275 (9 under)
2 Ben Newsome (East Sussex) 70,67,69,71 277 (7 under)

Scott is in Ireland this week, representing Scotland in a Youths International Match at West Waterford Golf Club.

REPORT, RESULTS FROM CRUDEN BAY ON
www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

Aberdeenshire, with two wins out of two, go into the final day of the North Division women's inter-county team championship at Cruden Bay as favourites to clinch a place in the Scottish county finals at Tulliallan GC at the end of August.
However, as we know ... there is many a slip twixt cup and lip and Angus will be doing their best to upset the Shire applecart.
Read the report and the weekend results by switching over to www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

TOP TEN FINISH IN FRANCE FOR LYNN KENNY

Lynn Kenny had one of her best finishes on the Ladies European Tour in the French Women's Open championship today. Read all about it by switching over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

BORROWMAN WINS SECOND NATIONAL
TITLE WITH CAPTURE OF
SCOTTISH YOUTHS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

Scott Borrowman, winner of the Scottish Under-16 boys’ title in 2002, added another national title to his collection at Erskine Golf Club today when he won the Scottish youths open amateur stroke-play championship.
The 20-year-old Stirling University student and member of Dollar Golf Club, Clackmannanshire took over the lead with a five-under-par 66 in Saturday’s second round and he was two strokes clear of the field after 54 holes and still two shots ahead after 72.

But the scores don't tell the whole story. Borrowman had to hang on in there under severe pressure over the final round. He was caught by his pursuers but shook them off in the style of a champion with birdies at the 17th and 18th holes.
Borrowman’s four rounds were 68, 66, 69 and 72 for a nine-under-par total of 275 over the par-71 lay-out.
He won by two strokes from English challenger Ben Newsome (East Sussex National) with three players tied on 278 – Sam McLaren (King James VI), last year’s Scottish Under-16 champion, Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton), a quarter-finalist in the Scottish boys’ match-play championship in early April, and Robin Kind from the Netherlands.

McLaren bogeyed the 16th and 17th but birdied the 18th to finish joint third.
Now Scott’s ambition must be to match his mother’s international achievements – she played for Scotland and Great Britain at hockey.

++Image of Scott Borrowman with the championship trophy is the copyright of the Scottish Golf Union.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4 x 71)
275 S Borrowman (Dollar) 68 66 69 72.
277 B Newsome (East Sussex National) 70 67 69 71.
278 S McLaren (King James VI) 69 68 71 70, R Kind ((Ned) 69 70 70 69, A Campbell (Dumbarton) 67 69 69 73.
279 J White (Lundin) 71 68 70 70.
280 C Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 69 73 70 68, M Daily (Erskine) 66 73 69 72, L Kirton (Newmachar) 66 73 73 68.
281 S Ballingall (Dunston Hall) 71 66 71 73.
283 C Morrison (Kilmacolm) 70 70 72 71, B Sloan (Hamilton) 67 72 72 72, P McLachlan(Bonnyton) 71 67 74 71.
284 G Turner (West Linton) 70 71 70 73, M Kraemer (Ger) 75 65 70 74, Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 66 71 72 75..
285 G Robertson (Glenbervie) 69 72 71 73, N Henderson (Glen) 68 72 73 72.
286 D Yeats (Newmachar) 73 70 69 74, G Paterson (St Andrews New) 71 71 72 72.
287 A Schwartz (Fra) 68 75 71 73, C Robinson (Wigtown & Bladnoch) 70 71 70 76, E Polson (Inverness) 70 72 72 73.
288 S McGarvey (Glencorse) 75 68 75 70, J Reiss (Aldeburgh) 71 70 73 74, P Latimer (St Andrews New) 72 69 71 76, P McLean (Peterhead) 71 68 73 76
289 A Main (Thornton) 70 73 71 75, S Keane (Cathkin Braes) 71 72 71 75, S Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 70 73 72 74.
290 S Mann (Garmouth & Kingston) 71 71 74 74, M Bookless (Sandyhills) 75 66 74 75.
294 C Wedgeworth (Cowglen) 74 69 75 76, A Murdoch (Stranraer) 72 70 72 80, C Conroy (Paisley) 73 69 73 79, S Larkin (Banchory) 69 72 72 81.
295 S Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) 70 73 76 76.
296 R Hyland (Hazlehead) 73 70 76 77, O Rozner (Fra) 67 76 78 75, J Clarke (Royal Montrose) 71 72 73 80.
297 C-H Raindre (Fra) 71 69 78 79.
298 J Mackay (Barassie) 68 73 80 77.300 J Hendrick (Pollok) 72 71 72 85.
303 J Gardiner (Montrose Mercantile) 73 69 78 83.


MISSED THE CUT
144 A Richardson (East Sussex National) 72 72, B Ducros (Fra) 71 73, R Noon (Longniddry) 70 74, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 73 73, A Wallace (Glenbervie) 72 72, D Sommerville (St Andrews)( 72 72, L McGowan ( St Andrews New) 70 74, M Mayer (Ger) 70 74, A Culverwell (Dunbar) 74 70, C Cowie (Strathlene) 73 71, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 71 73, J Bradley (Paisley) 73 71, M Lawrence (Newmachar) 73 71, J Duff (Newmachar) 70 74, P Shields (Kirkhill) 70 74.
145 B Kerr (Newmarket Links) 73 72, A Gordon (Portpatrick Dunskey) 74 71.
145 N Cameron (King James VI) 76 69, S Herald (Whitecraigs) 70 75, N McBride (Cowglen) 70 75, K Turlan (Fra) 70 75, T Hayes (West Byfleet) 70 75, R Bell (Downfield) 71 74, D Parlane (Helensburgh) 71 74, O Loftsson (Ice) 70 75, C Baron (Oldmeldrum) 76 69, M Smyth (Royal Troon) 71 74, G Villard (Fra) 71 74.
146 K Broders (Latvia) 71 75, R Graham (Hayston) 70 76, C Dougill (Stoneleigh Deer Park) 73 73, J Hamilton (NZ) 75 71, J Shanks (Irvine) 71 75, P McGhee (US) 74 72, F-R Rouilleaux (Fra) 73 73, D Huizing (Ned) 73 73.
147 T Spencer (Inchmarlo) 71 76, K Finaisson (Ice) 74 73, G Mitchell (Braemar) 73 74, M Gavars (Latvia) 75 72, J Lockie (Tantallon) 73 74, C Gray (West Kilbride) 77 70, R Leeds (Muckhart) 74 73, R King (Dumbarton) 75 72, J Dunkley (US) 74 73, F Fotheringham (Nairn) 72 75.
148 K Harper (Cazrnoustie) 76 72, R Crowe (Newcastle United) 75 73, K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 70 78, P Petursson (Ice) 73 75.
149 R McKen (Newburgh on Ythan) 73 76, A Sweeney (Carnoustie) 73 76, R Anderson (Duddingston) 76 73, M Main (Thornton), E Brown (Barassie) 74 75, L Stokinger (Ger) 71 78, F McKenna (Balmore) 76 73, D Addison (Barassie) 7970.
150 K Branum-Burns (Bearwood Lakes) 78 72, D Mitchell (Leven Th) 73 77, A Moir (Thornton) 77 73, B Rushford (Grangemouth) 73 77, S Phillips (Royston) 78 72, E Malcolm (Dunfermline) 75 75.
151 C McLaughjlin (Largs) 78 73, C Robb (Inchmarlo) 75 76, S Neilson (Dunbar) 77 74, R Rebecchi (Greenock) 73 78, P Gissurarson (Ice) 76 75, S Barras (Helensburgh) 78 73.
152 W Bremner (Edzell) 80 72, K Smith (Barassie) 75 77, S Bordon (Mouse Valley) 77 75.
153 C McHaugh (Cathkin Braes) 73 80, A Weir (Montrose Mercantile) 78 75, J Neilson (Dunbar) 73 80.
154 D Harrison (Crieff) 81 73, S Maxwell (Windyhill) 76 78.
155 T Dagwell (East Sussex National) 77 78, K Spence (Newmachar) 80 75.
156 M Cunningham (Longniddry) 76 80.
157 S Crichton (Abverdour) 77 80, D Hunter (Cowal) 75 82, O Lavelle (Elderslie) 78 79, F Niven (Crieff) 74 83.
158 S Tully (Duddingston) 81 77.
159 A Shah (East Aberdeenshire) 78 81.
164 J Fleming (Dullatur) 83 81.

COWAL CHARITY MIXED GREENSOMES ON
SUNDAY, JULY 1 DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT

Have you ever played Cowal Golf Club, Dunoon?
No? Well, here's you chance to put matters right.
Cowal Golf Club's charity mixed greensomes will be held on Sunday, July 1.
The charity is "McMillan Nurses in Dunoon."
There are still some spaces left at various times between 12.00 and 3.00 and all entrants would be most welcome, says Steve Ellis who contacted Scottishgolfview.com, asking for our help in a very good cause.
Entry fee is £10 per couple.
This event is in its 2nd year and last year raised over £2,000 for the local hospice.
Inquiries to club secretary Margaret Grant on 01369705673 or 01369705137.

DOAK WINS EDZELL PRO-AM WITH FIVE-UNDER 66

Chris Doak won today's Edzell Golf Club pro-am by two strokes with a five-under-par round of 66.
The former Northern Open winner had birdies at the first, foufth, eighth, ninth, 11th and 18th. His only bogey came at the 14th. His financial reward was £1,085.
James McGhee (Turnhouse) and Sam Cairns (Westerwood) shared second place on 68.
Ross Cameron (McDonald Ellon) led the B J Services 1 team to victory in the pro-am with a net score of 15-under-par 127. The amateur team members were: Bob Wright (handicap 12), Glen Cairs (11) and Trevor Spry (5).
LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 71
66 C Doak (unatt).
68 J McGhee (Turnhouse), S Cairns (Westerwood).
69 M Loftus (Cowglen), A J Webster (Edzell).
70 J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), C Kelly (Cawder), J McKinnon (Irvine), G Hutcheon (Peterculter).
WINNING TEAM
127 R Cameron (McDonald Ellon) & B J Services 1: B Wright (12), G Caird (11), T Spry (5).

LANGER JUST FAILS IN BID TO BECOME
OLDEST PLAYER TO WIN ON EUROPEAN
TOUR - JT 2nd BEHIND FASTH

Bernhard Langer - 50 on August 27 - narrowly failed in his bid to become the oldest winner in European Tour history as Sweden's Niclas Fasth took the BMW International Open in Munich by two strokes with a closing 70 and 13 under par total of 275.
Langer had nearly pulled out on Thursday when a neck problem saw him struggle to a 76 and joint 135th place, but he then added rounds of 66 and 68 and was only one behind after five birdies in his first 17 holes of the final round.
However, much to his disappointment and that of the home crowd, he pulled his second into rough at the par-5 home holel, failed to salvage a birdie and Fasth doubled his advantage with a seven-foot birdie putt on the 17th.
A sixth Tour victory and the £225,396 first prize was the Swede's after a par on the last.
Langer was joint second - with Portugal's Jose-Filipe Lima - just as he was to South African Rory Sabbatini after a play-off on the US Tour a month ago. The German had also just failed to become the first player on the European circuit to win after surviving the halfway cut with nothing to spare.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
Players GB&I unless stated.
275 Niclas Fasth (Swe) 67 65 73 70
277 Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 65 70 70 72, Bernhard Langer (Ger) 76 66 68 67
278 Anders Hansen (Den) 68 70 72 68, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 68 71 69 70, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 71 67 73 67
279 Ernie Els (Rsa) 67 71 74 67, Simon Khan 70 71 72 66
280 Benn Barham 72 69 71 68, Thomas Levet (Fra) 68 67 72 73
281 Peter Hanson (Swe) 68 66 74 73, Anthony Wall 72 70 73 66, Alastair Forsyth 68 73 67 73, Simon Dyson 72 66 73 70, Emanuele Canonica (Ita) 69 73 70 69, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 65 74 73 69, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 70 69 73 69
282 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 69 72 70 71, Sven Struver (Ger) 72 66 71 73, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 69 69 74 70, Oliver Wilson 70 68 75 69
283 Shiv Kapur (Ind) 72 70 73 68, Andres Romero (Arg) 67 68 75 73, Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 68 74 74 67, Sam Little 74 67 74 68
284 Ross Fisher 71 71 76 66, Nick Dougherty 68 68 71 77, David Frost (Rsa) 67 70 70 77, David Lynn 71 66 74 73, Steven O'Hara 69 70 73 72, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 73 66 73 72, Ian Garbutt 69 71 75 69
285 Christian Cevaer (Fra) 70 67 72 76, David Griffiths 69 69 73 74, Phillip Price 73 69 68 75, Peter Fowler (Aus) 68 73 71 73, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 69 70 74 72, Philip Golding 71 69 74 71
286 Paul Casey 68 70 74 74, Henrik Nystrom (Swe) 71 68 75 72, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Spa) 66 72 72 76, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 70 75 70
287 Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 68 72 75 72, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 74 66 78 69
288 Peter Gustafsson (Swe) 73 65 75 75, Terry Price (Aus) 74 68 74 72, Peter Lawrie 71 67 77 73
289 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 67 73 75 74, Lee Slattery 75 66 76 72, Markus Brier (Aut) 71 69 74 75, David Higgins 73 69 74 73
290 Tom Whitehouse 70 68 77 75, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 74 67 77 72, Paul Broadhurst 66 73 79 72
291 Edward Rush 71 70 75 75
292 Brett Rumford (Aus) 70 70 77 75
293 David Park 72 70 77 74
294 Alexander Noren (Swe) 72 69 74 79
295 Juan Parron (Spa) 74 67 72 82
297 Marc Farry (Fra) 66 76 75 80, Jamie Spence 71 71 78 77, Darren Fichardt (Rsa) 73 69 80 75
298 Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 71 71 79 77
299 Alexandre Rocha (Bra) 73 67 78 81, Graeme Storm 71 69 78 81

ICE-COOL SAM WINS LONDON SENIOR
MASTERS WITH A PITCH-AND-PUTT
AT THE LAST HOLE


By STEVEN FRANKLIN
Press Officer, European Seniors Tour

Sam Torrance held his nerve to produce a magnificent up-and-down on the final hole to secure a one-stroke victory over José Rivero in the Bendinat London Seniors Masters at The London Golf Club.
It was the Scot's his second success in three editions of the over-50s tournament.
The former Ryder Cup captain from Ayrshire reached the 54th hole with a two-stroke lead but after driving into the water and missing the green left with his third shot, a play-off looked on the cards.
However, Torrance produced a majestic pitch that travelled 30 yards across the 18th green and finished three inches short of the cup, before tapping in for a round of two under par 70 and a winning 54 hole aggregate of 10-under 206.
Rivero, the Spanish former Ryder Cup player, closed in six under par 66 to finish one stroke back, while third place on 208 was shared by England's Carl Mason, a winner in Wales last week, and Eamonn Darcy of Ireland.
Rookie senior Ross Drummond from Prestwick finished sixth on 212 and Aberdonian John Chillas came joint 12th on 216
The glory, however, belonged to Torrance, who celebrated his first title of the season and the first in partnership with his son Daniel, who took over as his dad's full-time caddie four weeks ago.
"This was an important win for me, as I have made a slow start to the season and I want to win a third Order of Merit. Also it is extra special to do it with my son," said Torrance, after collecting a winner's cheque for £22,500 that will move him into the top 10 on the Order of Merit.
England's Martin Foster was also feeling flush after a hole-in-one at the seventh earned him a £10,000 travel voucher to South Africa from safari and golf holiday company Wedge & Wildlife and 159 bottles of Hardys wine.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)]

206 Sam Torrance (Sco) 68 68 70.
207 Jose Rivero (Esp) 69 72 66.
208 Eamonn Darcy (Ire) 70 69 69, Carl Mason (Eng) 68 70 70.
210 Jim Rhodes (Eng) 70 69 71.
212 Ross Drummond (Sco) 70 68 74.
213 Bobby Lincoln (RSA) 73 66 74.
214 John Bland (RSA) 72 70 72, Gordon J Brand (Eng) 70 69 75, Tony Johnstone (Zim) 71 68 75, Juan Quiros (Esp) 71 71 72.
216 Giuseppe Cali (Ita) 74 69 73, John Chillas (Sco) 71 70 75.
217 Jerry Bruner (USA) 69 73 75.
218 Stewart Ginn (Aus) 74 73 71, David Merriman (Aus) 76 69 73, Mike Ferguson (Aus) 70 73 75, Pete Oakley (USA) 71 72 75.
219 Jean Pierre Sallat (Fra) 74 74 71, Bob Cameron (Eng) 73 74 72, Seiji Ebihara (Jap) 75 71 73, Costantino Rocca (Ita) 70 75 74, David Good (Aus) 75 70 74, Tony Allen (Eng) 69 72 78, Martin Poxon (Eng) 72 72 75.
220 Angel Fernandez (Chi) 74 74 72, Denis Durnian (Eng) 76 70 74, Tim Rastall (Eng) 72 70 78, Gery Watine (Fra) 73 70 77.
221 John Mashego (RSA) 73 77 71, Simon Owen (Nzl) 71 76 74, Bruce Heuchan (Can) 74 73 74, Bill Longmuir (Sco) 75 72 74, Bill McColl (Sco) 75 70 76, Kevin Spurgeon (Eng) 75 70 76, Glenn Ralph (Eng) 70 74 77.
222 Andrew Murray (Eng) 73 74 75.
223 Doug Johnson (US) 74 77 72, Nick Job (Eng) 73 74 76, Emilio Rodriguez (Esp) 75 72 76.
224 Martin Foster (Eng) 79 74 71, Martin Gray (Sco) 79 70 75, David J Russell (Eng) 75 75 74, Robin Mann (Eng) 70 77 77, Terry Gale (Aus) 74 73 77.
225 Philippe Dugeny (Fra) 76 75 74, Jim Lapsley (Nzl) 72 76 77, Ian Mosey (Eng) 74 74 77, Bertus Smit (RSA) 76 72 77, John Benda (US) 74 72 79.
226 Denis O'Sullivan (Ire) 78 75 73, Manuel Piñero (Esp) 77 75 74, Andrew Reynolds (Eng) 74 75 77.
227 Bob Larratt (Eng) 75 72 80.
228 Maurice Bembridge (Eng) 74 77 77, Delroy Cambridge (Jam) 83 70 75, Terry Dill (US) 76 79 73, Tony Jacklin (Eng) 79 71 78, Guillermo Encina (Chi) 77 71 80.
229 Tommy Horton (Eng) 80 75 74, Steve Martin (Sco) 78 74 77, Mike Miller (Sco) 74 77 78, Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) 81 70 78.
230 Bob Charles (Nzl) 77 77 76, Jimmy Heggarty (NIr) 78 76 76.
231 Tony Charnley (Eng) 78 75 78, David Creamer (Eng) 73 78 80, Victor Garcia (Esp) 75 79 77.
234 Craig Defoy (Wal) 75 74 85, Eddie Polland (NIr) 76 77 81.
235 Bill Malley (US) 73 77 85.
242 Bob Shearer (Aus) 81 81 80

Rain washes out fourth round at Glasgow Killermont

BOOTH WINS TENNANT CUP AFTER SPLENDID
64 IN THIRD ROUND TO GO FIVE SHOTS CLEAR

Wallace Booth from Comrie, who recently graduated with honours in business management studies after four years at Augusta State University, finished top of the class in the Tennant Cup today after the torrential rain washed out the fourth and final round
Young Booth would probably have won the prestigious silver medal and £500 first place voucher anyway because he put together a magnficent third round of 67 over the Glasgow Golf Club Killermont course for a three-round total of 204, sweeping past Craig Watson who had led by two shots from Booth after Saturday's first two rounds at Glasgow Gailes.
It was a second SGU 72-hole Order of Merit tournament win for Wallace. He won the North of Scotland open stroke-play at Elgin two or three years back. He won the Scottish youths championship more recently.
Watson had a 71 at Killermont for 209.
Joint third on 210 were Gavin Dear (Murrayshall) and Mark Lamb (Haddington), like Booth, both experienced on the American college circuit.

First two rounds Glasgow Gailes, Third round Glasgow Killermont.
Fourth round cancelled because of rain.
FINAL TOTALS
(CSS 74 74 69)
204 W Booth (Comrie) 69 71 64.
209 C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 69 69 71.
210 G Dear (Murrayshall) 73 70 67, M Lamb (Haddington) 69 71 70.
211 G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 71 70 70.
212 K Nichol (Fraserburgh) 74 70 68.
213 J King (Glasgow) 73 72 68, R McKnight (Barassie) 71 72 70.
214 I Colquhoun (Glasgow) 73 74 67, M Clark (Kilmacolm) 73 72 69.
215 K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 70 74 71.
216 P O’Hara (Colville Park) 72 75 69, D Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 78 69 69, B Fotheringham (Forres) 75 71 70.
217 G Gorrie (Glasgow) 72 74 71.
218 S Mann (Carnoustie) 75 72 71, S Clark (Haggs Castle) 78 68 72.
219 C Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 76 75 68, L Millar (Cawder) 71 76 72, M Kerr (Craigielaw) 69 74 76..
220 B Anderson (Cambuslang) 73 76 71.
222 D Simpson (Crieff) 73 76 73.
223 C Riddick (Dumfries & Galloway) 74 77 72, D Miller (Kilmacolm) 75 77 71, K Hamilton (Whitecraigs) 76 73 74.
224 P Betty (Hayston) 81 73 70, M Dargie (Cawder) 71 78 75.
225 G Munro (Ranfurly Castle) 76 75 74.
226 R Dixon (Barassie) 80 75 71, J Hempstock (Dumfries & Galloway) 79 75 72, J R Michell (Fraser burgh) 76 76 74, G Smith (Stirling) 75 76 75.
229 S Michie (Thornton) 76 79 74, G Richards (Kingsknowe) 73 77 79, S Rennie (Airdrie) 76 77 76.
230 J Wybar (Aldeburgh) 75 79 76.
231 G Findlay (Ballumbie Castle) 77 76 78, P Dempsey (Alloa) 72 80 79.
233 A McKie (Glencruitten) 81 74 78.
235 J Welsh (Aus) 75 80 80.

MISSED THE CUT
155 S Michie (Thornton) 76 79, S Rennie (Airdrie) 76 79. J Walsh (Aus) 75 80, R Dixon (Barassie) 80 75, A McKie (Glencruitten) 81 75.
156 K A Mathieson (Royal Dornoch) 78 78, G Grimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 81 75, F Drum (Cowglen) 82 74.
157 D Dale (Cawder) 80 77, A Howard (Murrayshall) 75 82, G McLetchie (Mouse Valley) 77 80, M Stewart (Ranfurly Castle) 77 80, I Rennie (Royal Dornoch) 78 79.
158 C Carson (Innellan) 77 81, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 81 77, N Gold (Bonnyton) 85 73.
160 G Stewart (Murcar Links) 80 80, G E Erskine (Glasgow) 79 81, J Paterson (Hayston) 81 79.
165 P Edwards (Meldrum House) 81 84.
166 K Shanks (Hilton Park) 84 83.

McARTHUR OUT IN 28 ON HIS WAY TO
SECOND-PLACE FINISH BEHIND
BAKER ON CHALLENGE TOUR

By MICHAEL GIBBONS
Press Officer, European Challenge Tour.
Former Scottish amateur champion Andrew McArthur fired an astonishing front nine of eight under par 28 at the Wylihof Golf Club in Switzerland on his way to finishing second behind former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker at the Credit Suisse Challenge today.
The 28-year-old Windyhill professional made eight birdies and a single par by the time he reached the turn in what was a sensational display.
But Andrew's luck deserted him on the back nine where he lipped out twice for birdie before eventually posting a fourth round of nine under 64 and finishing one behind Baker on 19-under- par 273.
McArthur’s second place prize of £10,413 lifted the 2002 Scottish amateur title-winner to 27th place on the Challenge Tour Rankings and has ignited his season after a slow start to the year.
“It was one of those days where it just felt so easy,” said McArthur.
“I wasn’t really thinking about scores or anything, my main thoughts were to stay relaxed and try and make as many birdies as I could.
“It could have been better if I had holed the ones that lipped out on the back nine, but I am delighted with how I have played and feel that this is the start of my season because I have not been playing well up until now.”
Baker took the £15,146 first prize after a final round of six under 67 left him with a winning total of 20 under 272.
The former Ryder Cup player, who also Vice-Captained Ian Woosnam during Europe’s record equalling win over the USA at The K Club last year, rediscovered his putting form at Wylihof by using the same Ping B-60 putter he had won three points out of four with at The Belfry in 1993.
“I can’t remember winning tournaments being that difficult!” smiled Baker.
“I’m delighted to win here – it definitely feels like I am on the way back now and I am going to keep playing on the Challenge Tour and try and win my card through the top 20 on the Rankings.”
Euan Little was the next best Scot in the field in 14th place on 12 under, while Peter Whiteford finished 20th, Scott Henderson 32nd and Eric Ramsay 43rd.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 292 (4 x 73)
272 P Baker (Eng) 72 67 66 67.
273 A McArthur (Sco) 67 72 70 64.
274 R Dinwiddie (Eng) 67 68 71 68.
275 C Del Moral (Esp) 65 71 69 70.
Scots & others:
280 E Little (Sco) 68 68 75 69 (jt 14ty).
282 P Whiteford (Sco) 70 70 70 72 (jt 20th),.
284 S Henderson (Sco) 74 71 68 71 (jt 32nd).
286 E Ramsay (Sco) 73 70 70 73 (jt 43rd).
287 G Wright (Wal) 72 73 70 72, J Doherty (Sco) 69 75 71 72 (jt 50th).
288 J McLeary (Sco) 73 67 73 75 (jt 55th).

SCORES FROM US PGA TOUR

Travelers Championship
The TPC at River Highlands
Par 210 (3 x 70)

199 Jay Williamson 66 66 67
200 Hunter Mahan 62 71 67
201 David Toms 67 65 69
202 Fred Funk 70 65 67
203 Pat Perez 69 68 66, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 67 70 66
205 Jerry Kelly 69 68 68, Vijay Singh (Fij) 68 71 66, Justin Rose (Eng) 69 68 68, Billy Mayfair 67 72 66, Tom Lehman 67 68 70
206 Kenny Perry 65 71 70, Kevin Na (Kor) 70 67 69, Stephen Marino 68 67 71, Eric Axley 67 70 69, Olin Browne 67 67 72, Heath Slocum 68 68 70, Tom Pernice Jnr. 68 70 68, Ryan Moore 66 71 69
207 Charles Warren 67 67 73, B.J Staten 67 71 69, Mathew Goggin (Aus) 69 71 67, Tim Petrovic 71 68 68
208 Billy Andrade 66 71 71, Joey Sindelar 66 70 72, Bill Haas 72 68 68, Chris DiMarco 64 70 74, Joe Ogilvie 71 68 69, Bo Van Pelt 73 68 67, Steve Allan (Aus) 66 75 67
209 Brad Faxon 65 74 70, Rodney Pampling (Aus) 66 71 72, Chad Campbell 69 70 70, Ryan Armour 67 74 68, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) 67 69 73, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 65 72 72
210 J J Henry 68 73 69, David Branshaw 70 71 69, Woody Austin 66 73 71, Cliff Kresge 71 70 69, Peter Lonard (Aus) 68 69 73, Jason Gore 68 70 72, Bob Tway 71 70 69
211 Michael Allen 66 69 76, Jason Dufner 71 70 70, Craig Bowden 71 69 71, Brent Geiberger 73 68 70
212 Robert Gamez 70 69 73, J.B. Holmes 72 69 71, Jeff Overton 69 71 72, Mark Calcavecchia 71 70 71, Steve Flesch 71 69 72, Kevin Sutherland 68 71 73, Douglas Labelle 68 73 71
213 Michael Sim (Aus) 65 70 78, Andrew Buckle (Aus) 71 70 72, Stewart Cink 68 70 75, Ben Curtis 69 71 73, Steve Wheatcroft 68 71 74, Kevin Stadler 68 70 75, Arjun Atwal (Ind) 68 71 74, Corey Pavin 70 66 77, Tripp Isenhour 72 68 73, Bob Heintz 65 72 76, Padraig Harrington (Irl) 71 68 74
214 Brian Davis (Eng) 71 69 74, Cameron Beckman 75 65 74, Craig Kanada 68 71 75
215 Tim Herron 71 70 74, Glen Day 69 70 76, Daisuke Maruyama (Jpn) 68 72 75, John Mallinger 71 69 75, Frank Lickliter II 69 71 75
216 Will MacKenzie 67 74 75, Alex Cejka (Ger) 68 71 77
218 Scott Gutschewski 72 69 77, Mark Brooks 70 70 78
219 Jesper Parnevik (Swe) 72 69 78
220 Brett Wetterich 70 70 80

US CHAMPIONS (seniors) TOUR

Bank of America Championship, Nashawtuc CC.

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
134 Tom Purtzer 66 68
137 Jack Ferenz 71 66, Kirk Hanefeld 71 66, R.W. Eaks 73 64, Tom Jenkins 68 69, Tom Watson 65 72, Keith Fergus 68 69, Jay Haas 71 66
138 Jim Thorpe 71 67, Danny Edwards 72 66, Leonard Thompson 69 69
139 Brad Bryant 71 68, Rick Karbowski 70 69, Chip Beck 71 68, Masahiro Kuramoto (Jpn) 68 71, John Jacobs 67 72, Bob Gilder 71 68, Morris Hatalsky 71 68
140 Jay Sigel 70 70, Tom Kite 70 70, Tim Conley 70 70, Scott Simpson 70 70, Jim Ahern 71 69, Lonnie Nielsen 68 72
141 Bruce Summerhays 69 72, Dana Quigley 72 69, David Eger 72 69, Larry Nelson 68 73, Joe Inman 69 72, Allen Doyle 71 70, Tom McKnight 70 71
142 Bruce Fleisher 70 72, David Edwards 71 71, James Mason 71 71, Denis Watson 72 70, Des Smyth 74 68, Michael Smith 72 70, Nick Price (Zim) 72 70
143 Denny Hepler 68 75, Joe Ozaki (Jpn) 70 73, Jim Dent 72 71, Mark McNulty 71 72, Wayne Levi 72 71
144 Mike McCullough 72 72, Andy Bean 71 73, D A Weibring 71 73, Curtis Strange 72 72, Craig Stadler 70 74, Kenny Knox 72 72, Jerry Pate 73 71, Ed Dougherty 71 73, Dave Eichelberger 70 74, John Harris 68 76, Walter Hall 73 71, Bobby Wadkins 74 70
145 Peter Jacobsen 71 74, Mike Reid 73 72, Hale Irwin 74 71, John Ross 71 74
146 Bruce Lietzke 77 69, Bruce Vaughan 74 72, Graham Marsh (Aus) 73 73
147 Lee Trevino 77 70, Scott Hoch 76 71, Jim Colbert 78 69
148 Mark Johnson 75 73, Mike Goodes 74 74, Mike Hill 74 74
149 Tim Simpson 75 74
150 Tom Wargo 77 73, Jim Albus 78 72, Dale Douglass 77 73, Pat McDonald 79 71, Jack Renner 74 76
151 Ron Streck 73 78
152 Dick Mast 77 75, J.C Snead 76 76
155 Hugh Baiocchi (Rsa) 75 80.

LPGA TOUR

Wegmans LPGA Championship
Locust Hill Country Club.
Par 216 (3 x 72)
207 Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 69 71 67
208 In Kyung Kim (Kor) 70 67 71
211 Cristie Kerr 66 75 70
212 Lindsey Wright (Aus) 70 70 72, Mi-Hyun Kim (Kor) 69 68 75, Angela Stanford 70 69 73, A.J Eathorne (Can) 72 71 69
213 Seon Hwa Lee (Kor) 71 71 71, Jin Joo Hong (Kor) 71 73 69, Wendy Ward 74 70 69, Pat Hurst 74 69 70
214 Rachel Hetherington (Aus) 70 71 73, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 70 71 73, Karine Icher (Fra) 74 70 70
215 Morgan Pressel 70 72 73, Meena Lee (Kor) 71 71 73, Beth Bader 73 72 70, Moira Dunn 73 71 71, Suzann Pettersen (Nor) 68 75 72, Leta Lindley 72 71 72, Jeong Jang (Kor) 71 73 71
216 Paula Creamer 70 76 70, Nina Reis (Swe) 76 70 70, Janice Moodie 74 70 72
217 Joo Mi Kim (Kor) 74 73 70, Young-A Yang (Kor) 76 72 69, Charlotta Sorenstam (Swe) 70 77 70, Reilley Rankin 73 71 73, Brittany Lincicome 69 75 73, Lorie Kane (Can) 71 74 72, Jee Young Lee (Kor) 71 77 69, Ai Miyazato (Jpn) 73 71 73, Gloria Park (Kor) 72 76 69, Erica Blasberg 75 68 74, Soo Young Moon (Kor) 72 73 72
218 Vicki Goetze-Ackerman 71 74 73, Jimin Kang (Kor) 70 75 73, Becky Morgan 70 72 76, Se Ri Pak (Kor) 73 74 71, Alena Sharp 67 74 77, Amy Hung (Tha) 70 75 73, Mhairi McKay 72 72 74
219 Giulia Sergas (Ita) 76 68 75, Michele Redman 73 72 74, Angela Park 76 71 72, Diana D'Alessio 71 74 74, Song-Hee Kim (Kor) 73 75 71, Kate Golden 71 77 71, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 70 74 75, Hye Jung Choi (Kor) 74 74 71, Katherine Hull (Aus) 71 73 75
220 Sun Young Yoo (Kor) 72 73 75
221 Ji-Young Oh (Kor) 71 76 74, Karrie Webb (Aus) 72 73 76, Catriona Matthew 71 75 75, Nancy Scranton 76 71 74, Sherri Steinhauer 74 74 73, Christina Kim 70 75 76, Katie Futcher 71 76 74
222 Il Mi Chung (Kor) 72 73 77, Beth Daniel 75 71 76, Young Kim (Kor) 70 76 76, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc (Fra) 72 75 75, Jamie Hullett 74 74 74, Silvia Cavalleri (Ita) 76 70 76, Na Ri Kim (Kor) 74 72 76
223 Sherri Turner 71 76 76, Brandie Burton 74 73 76
224 Eva Dahllof (Swe) 70 77 77, Candie Kung (Tai) 72 74 78
225 Yu Ping Lin (Tai) 73 74 78
228 Karin Sjodin (Swe) 72 75 81

CRAIG WATSON TWO STROKES AHEAD

AT HALFWAY STAGE OF TENNANT CUP

Former British amateur champion Craig Watson (pictured right) started the last two rounds of the Tennant Cup at Glasgow Killermont today with a two-stroke lead after a pair of 69s on Saturday at Glasgow Gailes.

On 138 - 10 shots under the combined CSS for the day, the East Renfrewshire man is two ahead of Wallace Booth (Comrie) and Mark Lamb (Haddington).

Saturday evening scoreboard:

GLASGOW GAILES (CSS 74 74)

138 C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 69 69.
140 W Booth (Comrie) 69 71, M Lamb (Haddington) 69 71..
141 G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 71 70.
143 G Dear (Murrayshall) 73 70, M Kerr (Craigielaw) 69 74, R McKnight (Barassie) 71 72.
144 K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 70 74, K Nichol (Fraserburgh) 74 70.
145 M Clark (Kilmacolm) 73 72, J King (Glasgow) 73 72.
146 B Fotheringham (Forres) 75 71, S Clark (Haggs Castle) 78 68, G Gorrie (Glasgow) 72 74.
147 D Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 78 69, L Millar (Cawder) 71 76, S Mann (Carnoustie) 75 72, P O’Hara (Colville Park) 72 75, I Colquhoun (Glasgow) 73 74
149 D Simpson (Crieff) 73 76, B Anderson (Cambuslang) 73 76, M Dargie (Cawder) 71 78, K Hamilton (Whitecraigs) 76 73.
150 C Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 76 74, G Richards (Kingsknowe) 73 77.
151 B Soutar (Leven GS) 74 77, G Smith (Stirling) 75 76, G Munro (Ranfurly Castle) 76 75, C Riddick (Dumfries & Galloway) 74 77.
152 K McAlpine (Alyth) 75 77, D Miller (Kilmacolm) 75 77, J R Mitchell (Fraserburgh) 76 76, S Lockhart (Bathgate) 79 73, P Dempsey (Alloa) 72 80, S Machin (Cowglen) 79 73.
153 F Campbell (Clober) 78 75, G Finlay (Ballumbie Castle) 77 76.
154 J Wybar (Aldeburgh) 75 79, J Hempstock (Dumfries & Galloway) 79 75, P Betty (Hayston) 81 73.
155 S Michie (Thornton) 76 79, S Rennie (Airdrie) 76 79. J Walsh (Aus) 75 80, R Dixon (Barassie) 80 75, A McKie (Glencruitten) 81 75.
156 K A Mathieson (Royal Dornoch) 78 78, G Grimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 81 75, F Drum (Cowglen) 82 74.
157 D Dale (Cawder) 80 77, A Howard (Murrayshall) 75 82, G McLetchie (Mouse Valley) 77 80, M Stewart (Ranfurly Castle) 77 80, I Rennie (Royal Dornoch) 78 79.
158 C Carson (Innellan) 77 81, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 81 77, N Gold (Bonnyton) 85 73.
160 G Stewart (Murcar Links) 80 80, G E A Erskine (Glasgow) 79 81, J Paterson (Hayston) 81 79.
165 P Edwards (Meldrum House) 81 84.
166 K Shanks (Hilton Park) 84 83.

BORROWMAN LEADS BY TWO STROKES

WITH ONE ROUND TO PLAY IN

SCOTTISH YOUTHS CHAMPIONSHIP

Stirling University student Scott Borrowman (Dollar), the 2003 Scottish Under-16 stroke-play champion, is on the trail of a second national title - the Scottish youths open amateur stroke-play championship at Erskine Golf Club.
Borrowman, pictured right, shot a two-under-par 69 in this morning's third round - his third successive sub-par score - for a 54-hole tally of 10-under-par 203 over the par-71 course.

He leads by two shots from Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton), who also had a 69 today.

THIRD ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 213 (3 x 71)

203 S Borrowman (Dollar) 68 66 69.

205 A Campbell (Dumbarton) 67 69 69.

206 B Newsome (East Sussex National) 70 67 69.
208 S McLaren (King James VI) 69 68 71, M Daily (Erskine) 66 73 69, S Ballingall (Dunston Hall) 71 66 71.
209 Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 66 71 72. R King (Newd) 69 70 70, J White (Lundin) 71 68 70.
210 M Kraemer (Ger) 75 65 70.
211 B Sloan (Hamilton) 67 72 72, C Robinson (Wigtown & Bladnoch) 70 71 70, G Turner (West Linton) 70 71 70.
212 C Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 69 73 70, D Yeats (Newmachar) 73 70 69, P McLachlan (Bonnyton) 71 67 74, L Kirton (Newmachar) 66 73 73, P McLean (Peterhead) 71 68 73, C Morrison (Kilmacolm) 70 70 72, G Robertson (Glenbervie) 69 72 71, P Latimer (St Andrews New) 72 69 71..
213 N Henderson (The Glen) 68 72 73, S Larkin (Banchory) 69 72 72.
214 G Paterson (St Andrews New) 71 71 72, E Polson (Inverness) 70 72 72, A Schwartz (Fra) 68 75 71, A Main (Thornton) 70 73 71, S Keane (Cathkin Braes) 71 72 71, J Reiss (Aldburgh) 71 70 73, A Murdoch (Stranraer) 72 70 72.
215 S Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 70 73 72, J Hendrick (Pollok) 72 71 72, C Conroy (Paisley) 73 69 73, M Bookless (Sandyhills) 75 66 74.
216 J Clarke (Royal Montrose) 71 72 73, S McGarvey (Glencorse) 75 68 75, S Mann (Garmouth & Kingston) 71 77 74.
218 C Wedgeworth (Cowglen) 74 69 75, C-H Raindre (Fra) 71 69 78.
219 S Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) 70 73 76, R Hyland (Hazlehead) 73 70 76.
220 J Gardiner (Montrose Mercantile) 73 69 78.
221 O Rozner (Fra) 67 76 78, J Mackay (Barassie) 68 73 80.

Non-qualifiers for Sunday’s final two rounds

144 A Richardson (East Sussex National) 72 72, B Ducros (Fra) 71 73, R Noon (Longniddry) 70 74, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 73 73, A Wallace (Glenbervie) 72 72, D Sommerville (St Andrews)( 72 72, L McGowan ( St Andrews New) 70 74, M Mayer (Ger) 70 74, A Culverwell (Dunbar) 74 70, C Cowie (Strathlene) 73 71, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 71 73, J Bradley (Paisley) 73 71, M Lawrence (Newmachar) 73 71, J Duff (Newmachar) 70 74, P Shields (Kirkhill) 70 74.
145 B Kerr (Newmarket Links) 73 72, A Gordon (Portpatrick Dunskey) 74 71, N Cameron (King James VI) 76 69, S Herald (Whitecraigs) 70 75, N McBride (Cowglen) 70 75, K Turlan (Fra) 70 75, T Hayes (West Byfleet) 70 75, R Bell (Downfield) 71 74, D Parlane (Helensburgh) 71 74, O Loftsson (Ice) 70 75, C Baron (Oldmeldrum) 76 69, M Smyth (Royal Troon) 71 74, G Villard (Fra) 71 74.
146 K Broders (Latvia) 71 75, R Graham (Hayston) 70 76, C Dougill (Stoneleigh Deer Park) 73 73, J Hamilton (NZ) 75 71, J Shanks (Irvine) 71 75, P McGhee (US) 74 72, F-R Rouilleaux (Fra) 73 73, D Huizing (Ned) 73 73.
147 T Spencer (Inchmarlo) 71 76, K Finaisson (Ice) 74 73, G Mitchell (Braemar) 73 74, M Gavars (Latvia) 75 72, J Lockie (Tantallon) 73 74, C Gray (West Kilbride) 77 70, R Leeds (Muckhart) 74 73, R King (Dumbarton) 75 72, J Dunkley (US) 74 73, F Fotheringham (Nairn) 72 75.
148 K Harper (Cazrnoustie) 76 72, R Crowe (Newcastle United) 75 73, K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 70 78, P Petursson (Ice) 73 75.
149 R McKen (Newburgh on Ythan) 73 76, A Sweeney (Carnoustie) 73 76, R Anderson (Duddingston) 76 73, M Main (Thornton), E Brown (Barassie) 74 75, L Stokinger (Ger) 71 78, F McKenna (Balmore) 76 73, D Addison (Barassie) 7970.
150 K Branum-Burns (Bearwood Lakes) 78 72, D Mitchell (Leven Th) 73 77, A Moir (Thornton) 77 73, B Rushford (Grangemouth) 73 77, S Phillips (Royston) 78 72, E Malcolm (Dunfermline) 75 75.
151 C McLaughlin (Largs) 78 73, C Robb (Inchmarlo) 75 76, S Neilson (Dunbar) 77 74, R Rebecchi (Greenock) 73 78, P Gissurarson (Ice) 76 75, S Barras (Helensburgh) 78 73.
152 W Bremner (Edzell) 80 72, K Smith (Barassie) 75 77, S Bordon (Mouse Valley) 77 75.
153 C McHaugh (Cathkin Braes) 73 80, A Weir (Montrose Mercantile) 78 75, J Neilson (Dunbar) 73 80.
154 D Harrison (Crieff) 81 73, S Maxwell (Windyhill) 76 78.
155 T Dagwell (East Sussex National) 77 78, K Spence (Newmachar) 80 75.
156 M Cunningham (Longniddry) 76 80.
157 S Crichton (Aberdour) 77 80, D Hunter (Cowal) 75 82, O Lavelle (Elderslie) 78 79, F Niven (Crieff) 74 83.
158 S Tully (Duddingston) 81 77.
159 A Shah (East Aberdeenshire) 78 81.
164 J Fleming (Dullatur) 83 81.

RAIN HOLDS UP JAMIESON BID IN OKLAHOMA

Torrential rain washed out Saturday's play in the NGA Hooters Tour event, the Buffalo Run Casino at Peiora Ridge Golf Club, Miami in Oklahoma.
The organisers will now try, weather permitted, to squeeze the final two rounds into Sunday's schedule.
Scott Jamieson from Glasgow was joint 12th after two rounds.
Scroll down for the earlier news from the tournament.

VIKKI LAING SHOOTS LOWEST ROUND
OF HER LIFE – A NINE-UNDER-PAR 63

Vikki Laing from Musselburgh shot a career-low nine-under-par round of 63 to improve from joint 120th to tied 10th with one round to go in the United States Futures Tour’s Duramend Championship at Stonelick Hills Golf Club near Cincinnati, Ohio.
Vikki had opened the 54-hole tournament disappointingly with a 77 over the 6,349yd, par-72 course which left her worrying about making the 36-hole cut. Now, at four-under-par 140, she has given herself the chance of a decent pay check.
The 26-year-old former Curtis Cup player, four times Scottish girls match-play champion (1996-97-98-99) and St Rule Trophy winner, is eight shots behind joint leaders Violet Retamoza (Mexico) and Seo-Jae Lee from Seoul, South Korea but only five behind third-place Eunjung Yi from California.
“I would have been happy with a 68, but I’ll take this,” said Laing, who stayed on in the United States to turn professional after four years at the University of California Berkeley.
“I was just trying to be around here on Sunday to play.”
Vikki’s bogey-free round included eight birdies and an eagle-2 on the par-four eighth hole, where she holed an eight-iron from 148 yards. The blonde Scot hit 17 greens, every fairway and rolled in 28 putts for her career-low round.
“I guess the difference between scoring 73 and 63 is you just hole the putts,” she said. “I felt really good on the greens and today I could see the lines. I haven’t felt that comfortable in a long time.”
This season on the Futures Tour, America’s No 2 women’s circuit, Vikki has been far more consistent than at any time in her pro career which saw her gain LPGA Tour status at one time but not a high enough category to get her regular outings and so build up some kind of momentum.
A total of 71 players made the36-hole cut at two-over-par 146 or better.
They did not include South Wales amateur Natasha Morgan, spending her summer holidays playing the Futures Tour, nor Brenda McLarnon from Belfast. Natasha had a 74 for 150 and Brenda a 75 for 154.
And if you are wondering how warm it is in Ohio compared with Scotland at this time of the year, the official tournament temperature was 78 degrees with a 9mph breeze.

LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
132 Violeta Retamoza (Mex) 66 66, Seo-Jae Lee (Seoul) 66 66.
135 Eunjung Yi (US) 65 70.,
138 Janell Howland (US) 71 67, Cortney Reno (US) 70 68, Emily Bastel (US) 68 70.
Other score:
140 Vikki Laing (Sco) 77 63 (jt 10th).
Non-qualifiers:
150 Natasha Morgan (Wal) (am) 76 74.
154 Brenda McLarnon (NIr) 79 75.

HUTCHEON AND McKINNON WIN £965
APIECE IN PORTLETHEN PRO-AM

Greig Hutcheon (Peterculter) and Jim McKinnon (Irvine) shared the top prize with seven-under-par 65s in the Portlethen Golf Club pro-am on Saturday.
They both received £965.
Hutcheon birdied the second, third, fourth, sixth, 11th, 13th, 15th and 18th in halves of 32 and 33. He had one bogey, at the 10th.
McKinnon had two bogeys, at the 10th and 17th but he had birdies at the second, third, fourth, seventh, ninth,13th and 15th and - vitally important - and eagle 3 at the last which enabled him to tie with Hutcheon.
McKinnon also led the Aiken Sheet Metal 1 team to victory in the pro-am event with a net score of 16-under-par 56. The team members were Neil Jolly (handicap 18), Bruce Finnie (18) and Mike Dalgarno (7).
LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 72
65 G Hutcheon (Peterculter), J McKinnon (Irvine).
66 J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), C Gillies (Kingsfield).
68 S Cairns (Westerwood), C Kelly (Cawder), M Loftus (Cowglen), A Mackrell (Gary McFarlane Golf).
69 R Arnott (Bishopbriggs), P Wardell (Whitekirk).

Alastair Forsyth only three off the pace in Munich

BMW INTERNATIONAL OPEN
Golf Club Munchen Eichenried, Germany

THIRD ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72).
Players from GB&I unless stated.
205 Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 65 70 70, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 67 65 73
207 David Frost (Rsa) 67 70 70, Nick Dougherty 68 68 71, Thomas Levet (Fra) 68 67 72
208 Alastair Forsyth 68 73 67, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 68 71 69, Peter Hanson (Swe) 68 66 74
209 Sven Struver (Ger) 72 66 71, Christian Cevaer (Fra) 70 67 72
210 Bernhard Langer (Ger) 76 66 68, Phillip Price 73 69 68, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa) 66 72 72, Anders Hansen (Den) 68 70 72, Andres Romero (Arg) 67 68 75
211 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 69 72 70, Simon Dyson 72 66 73, David Griffiths 69 69 73, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 71 67 73, David Lynn 71 66 74
212 Emanuele Canonica (Ita) 69 73 70, Peter Fowler (Aus) 68 73 71, Benn Barham 72 69 71, Steven O'Hara 69 70 73, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 65 74 73, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 73 66 73, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 70 69 73, Ernie Els (Rsa) 67 71 74, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 69 69 74, Paul Casey 68 70 74
213 Simon Khan 70 71 72, Juan Parron (Spa) 74 67 72, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 69 70 74, Oliver Wilson 70 68 75, Peter Gustafsson (Swe) 73 65 75
214 Markus Brier (Aut) 71 69 74, Philip Golding 71 69 74, Henrik Nystrom (Swe) 71 68 75
215 Anthony Wall 72 70 73, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 72 70 73, Sam Little 74 67 74, Alexander Noren (Swe) 72 69 74, Francesco Molinari (Ita) 67 73 75, Ian Garbutt 69 71 75, Martin Erlandsson (Swe), Peter Lawrie 71 67 77, Tom Whitehouse 70 68 77
216 Terry Price (Aus) 74 68 74, Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 68 74 74, David Higgins 73 69 74, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 70 75, Edward Rush 71 70 75
217 Marc Farry (Fra) 66 76 75, Lee Slattery 75 66 76, Brett Rumford (Aus) 70 70 77
218 Ross Fisher 71 71 76, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 74 67 77, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 74 66 78, Alexandre Rocha (Bra) 73 67 78, Graeme Storm 71 69 78, Paul Broadhurst 66 73 79
219 David Park 72 70 77
220 Jamie Spence 71 71 78
221 Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 71 71 79
222 Darren Fichardt (Rsa) 73 69 80

PETER BAKER PUTTS FOR DOUGH IN EURO
CHALLENGE TOUR'S SWISS EVENT

By MICHAEL GIBBONS
Press Officer, European Challenge Tour

Peter Baker revealed tonight that he used the same putter he won three points out of four with at the 1993 Ryder Cup to storm into second place with a superb third round of seven under par 66 at the European Challenge Tour’s Credit Suisse Challenge.
The 39 year old Englishman, who is hoping to win back his place on the European Tour via the top 20 of the Challenge Tour Rankings, put on a vintage display of shot-making and, of course, putting to move to 14 under par 205 at the par 73 Wylihof Golf Club in Switzerland.
Baker is just one behind his third round playing partner Marco Crespi of Italy, whose brilliant 65 took him to 15 under 204, with Spain’s Carlos Del Moral also on 14 under 205.
“It’s been a long time since I had the adrenaline and excitement of being in real contention going into the final round,” said Baker, who vice-captained Ian Woosnam during Europe’s recent Ryder Cup success at The K Club last year.
“I got the old Ryder Cup putter out of the garage this week – the old Ping B-60. I have been putting well for the first time in a long while. That has been my biggest problem, but it has been feeling good this week.”
Scotland’s Andrew McArthur (209), Peter Whiteford (210) and Euan Little (211) are still in with a chance after posting respective aggregate scores of ten, nine and eight under par going into Sunday’s final round.
SCOREBOARD
Par 219 (3 x 73)
204 Marco Crespi (Ita) 69 70 65.
205 Carlos Del Moral (Esp) 65 71 69, Peter Baker (Eng) 72 67 66.
206 Robert Dinwiddie (Eng) 67 68 71.
Scots scores:
209 Andrew McArthur 67 72 70 (jt 6th).
210 Peter Whiteford 70 70 70 (jt 12th).
211 Euan Little 68 68 75 (jt 16th).
213 Scott Henderson 74 71 68 Eric Ramsay 73 70 70, Jamie McLeary 73 67 73 (jt 24th).
215 Gareth Wright (Wal) 72 73 70, Jack Docherty 69 71 71 (jt 44th).

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

TORRANCE LEADS FROM

DRUMMOND, MASON WITH

ONE ROUND TO GO IN

LONDON SENIOR MASTERS

By STEVEN FRANKLIN

Press Officer, European Seniors Tour

Sam Torrance spearheads a strong Scottish challenge going into Sunday's final round of the Bendinat London Seniors Masters at the exclusive London Golf Club, a tournament which marks the return to competitive action on these shores of two-time Major winner Tony Jacklin.

Torrance, pictured right, a winner of this event two years ago, has produced two rounds of 68 for an eight under par total of 136 and a two stroke lead over fellow Scot Ross Drummond and England's Carl Mason.

Mason, who captured his 15th European Seniors Tour title in Wales last weekend, added a bogey-free 70 to his opening 68 while Drummond, boosted by an eagle and birdie over the closing three holes, tagged a 68 onto Friday's 70.

Englishmen Gordon J Brand and Jim Rhodes, the latter having had three eagles in 36 holes, lie three shots back on five under par alongside Ireland's Eamonn Darcy, Sunningdale-based Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone and big-hitting South African Bobby Lincoln.

Aberdonian John Chillas is not out of the hunt for a high-place finish.

Torrance has topped the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit in each of the past two seasons, during which time he won seven times, but this year has been a different story with his best finish to date being a share of third place at the Jersey Seniors Classic.

"I know that I need to win soon or otherwise the Order of Merit is gone. I am playing well enough to do that on Sunday and I really like this golf course," commented the 2002 Ryder Cup captain, who is languishing in 16th place on the over-50s' money list.

Jacklin, who is making his first competitive appearance in the UK since The Open at St Andrews two years ago, bounced back from his opening round 79 with a one under par 71.

European Seniors TourBendinat London Seniors Masters
The London Golf Club

SECOND ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
136 Sam Torrance (Sco) 68 68.
138 Ross Drummond (Sco) 70 68, Carl Mason (Eng) 68 70.
139 Bobby Lincoln (RSA) 73 66, Tony Johnstone (Zim) 71 68, Eamonn Darcy (Ire) 70 69, Gordon J Brand (Eng), Jim Rhodes (Eng) 70 69.
141 John Chillas (Sco) 71 70, José Rivero (Esp) 69 72, Tony Allen (Eng) 69 72.
142 John Bland (RSA) 72 70, Tim Rastall (Eng) 72 70, Juan Quiros (Esp) 71 71, Jerry Bruner (USA) 69 73.
143 Giuseppe Cali (Ita) 74 69, Gery Watine (Fra) 73 70, Pete Oakley (US) 71 72, Mike Ferguson (Aus) 70 73.
144 Martin Poxon (Eng) 72 72, Glenn Ralph (Eng) 70 74.
145 David Good (Aus) 75 70, Bill McColl (Sco) 75 70, David Merriman (Aus) 76 69, Kevin Spurgeon (Eng) 75 70, Costantino Rocca (Ita) 70 75.
146 John Benda (USA) 74 72, Denis Durnian (Eng) 76 70, Seiji Ebihara (Jap) 75 71.
147 Bob Cameron (Eng) 73 74, Terry Gale (Aus) 74 73, Stewart Ginn (Aus) 74 73, Bruce Heuchan (Can) 74 73, Nick Job (Eng) 73 74, Bob Larratt (Eng) 75 72, Bill Longmuir (Sco) 75 72, Andrew Murray (Eng) 73 74, Emilio Rodriguez (Esp) 75 72, Simon Owen (Nzl) 71 76, Robin Mann (Eng) 70 77.
148 Guillermo Encina (Chi) 77 71, Angel Fernandez (Chi) 74 74, Ian Mosey (Eng) 74 74, Jean Pierre Sallat (Fra) 74 74, Bertus Smit (RSA) 76 72, Jim Lapsley (Nzl) 72 76.
149 Craig Defoy (Wal) 75 74, Martin Gray (Sco) 79 70, Andrew Reynolds (Eng) 74 75.
150 Tony Jacklin (Eng) 79 71, Bill Malley (USA) 73 77, John Mashego (RSA) 73 77, David J Russell (Eng) 75 75151 Maurice Bembridge (Eng) 74 77, David Creamer (Eng) 73 78, Philippe Dugeny (Fra) 76 75, Doug Johnson (USA) 74 77, Mike Miller (Sco) 74 77, Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) 81 70.
152 Steve Martin (Sco) 78 74, Manuel Piñero (Esp) 77 75.
153 Delroy Cambridge (Jam) 83 70, Tony Charnley (Eng) 78 75, Martin Foster (Eng) 79 74, Denis O'Sullivan (Ire) 78 75, Eddie Polland (NIr) 76 77.
154 Bob Charles (Nzl) 77 77, Jimmy Heggarty (NIr) 78 76155 Terry Dill (US) 76 79, Tommy Horton (Eng) 80 75.
162 Bob Shearer (Aus) 81 81.

NEW FROM WOMEN'S INTER-COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

FOR NEWS OF THE NORTH DIVISION AND SOUTH DIVISION WOMEN'S INTER-COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TIES AT CRUDEN BAY AND THORNHILL, PLEASE SWITCH OVER TO OUR SISTER WEBSITE, http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/

Scottish 72-hole youths championship

BORROWMAN TAKES UP THE RUNNING
AT HALFWAY WITH 66 IN SECOND
ROUND AT ERSKINE

Dollar's Scott Borrowman swept into the halfway lead of the Scottish boys' match-play championship with a sizzling five-under-par 66 for a 36-hole tally of 134 at Erskine Golf Club today.

With a few players still to finish, Stirling University student Borrowman had gone two shots clear of long-time leader Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton), a quarter-finalist in this year's Scottish boys' match-play championship at Dunbar.

After a promising opening round of 68, Borrowman, a +2 player whose mother played hockey for Scotland and Great Britain, did not have the best of starts on the second circuit with a bogey at the first hole. That was the first and only mistake that Scott made. He settled down and covered the last 13 holes in six under par with birdies at the sixth, eighth, ninth, 10th, 14th and 18th.

He is on the eight-under-par mark with two rounds to go on Sunday.

Campbell has had scores of 67 and 69 for a six-under-par tally of 136 over the par-71 lay-out.
He bogeyed the third but birdied the fourth and ninth to be out in one-under-par 31. Andrew got a 2 at the short 11th but dropped a second shot of the day at the 16th before birdieing the 18th for halves of 35 and 34.
Stuart Ballingall from Norfolk had a 66 to be one of a cluster in joint third place on 137.
The Dunston Hall Golf Club junior member birdied the first, third and fourth before dropping his first shot of the day at the fifth. He birdied the ninth to be out in 33. Ballingall had further birdies at the 12th, 15th and 18th on the inward half with only a bogey at the 16th to take him down a peg.
Ben Newsome (East Sussex National) joined Ballingall on 137 with a second-round 67.
Lewis Kirton (Newmachar), a student a the University of Louisville, Kentucky, one of three joint leaders on 66 overnight, slipped back a bit with a 73 for 139. Kirton bogeyed the eighth to be out in one-over 37. He did birdie the 12th but it was his only sub-par figure of the day. Bogeys at the 14tjh and 17th pushed him out to two over par.
Zack Saltman (Craigielaw), the first player to hit the 66 mark on Friday, had to settle for a par 71 to be a third player one shot off the pace on 137 at halfway. Zack started well enough in his second round with birdies at the first and fourth but his bogeys tended to come in clusters - the fifth and seventh, then, late on, the 13th, 16th and 17th. Fortunately he was able to cancel them out with further birdies at the ninth, 10th and 18th. Winner of the inaugural world hickory championship last year against adults - and professional adults at that - is by no means out of the hunt at this Under-21 level with 36 holes to go.

The halfway cut fell at 143 - totals of 144 and worse did not qualify for Sunday play.

SCOTTISH YOUTHS CHAMPIONSHIP
Erskine Golf Club
Par 142 (2 x 71)

134 S Borrowman (Dollar) 68 66.
136 A Campbell (Dumbarton) 67 69.
137 S Ballingall (Dunston Hall) 71 66, B Newsome (East Sussex National) 70 67, Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 66 71, S McLaren (King James VI) 69 68.
138 P McLachlan (Bonnyton) 71 67.
139 L Kirton (Newmachar) 66 73, R Kind (Ned) 69 70, J White (Lundin) 71 68, B Sloan (Hamilton) 67 72, M Daily (Erskine) 66 73, P McLean (Peterhead) 71 68.
140 C-H Raindre (Fra) 71 69, M Kraemer (Ger) 75 65, N Henderson (Glen) 68 72, C Morrison (Kilmacolm) 70 70.
141 J MacKay (Barassie) 68 73, S Larkin (Banchory) 69 72, M Bookless (Sandyhills) 75 66, P Latimer (St Andrews New) 72 69, G Robertson (Glenbervie) 69 72, C Robinson (Wigtown & Bladnoch) 70 71, G Turner (West Linton) 70 71.
142 C Conroy (Paisley) 73 69, S Mann (Garmouth & Kingston) 71 71, A Murdoch (Stranraer) 72 70, J Gardiner (Montrose Mercantile) 73 69, G Paterson (St Andrews New) 71 71, E Polson (Inverness) 70 72.
143 O Rozner (Fra) 67 76, S Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) 70 73, J Clarke (Royal Montrose) 71 72, A Schwartz (Fra) 68 75, S Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 70 73, S Keane (Cathkin Braes) 72 71, A Main (Thornton) 70 73, R Hyland (Hazlehead) 73 70, D Yeats (Newmachar) 73 70.

MISSED CUT
144 A Richardson (East Sussex National) 72 72, B Ducros (Fra) 71 73, R Noon (Longniddry) 70 74, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 71 73, A Wallace (Glenbervie) 72 72, L McGowan (St Andrews New ) 70 74, M Mayer (Ger) 70 74, A Culverwell (Dunbar) 74 70, C Cowie (Strathlene) 73 71, J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 71 73, J Bradley (Paisley) 73 71, P Shields (Kirkhill) 70 74.
145 B Kerr (Newmarket Links) 73 72, A Gordon (Portpatrick Dunskey) 74 71, N Cameron (King James VI) 76 69, S Herald (Whitecraigs) 70 75, N McBride (Cowglen) 70 75, T Hayes (West Byfleet) 70 75, K Turlan (Fra( 69 65,.
146 K Broders (Latvia) 71 75, R Graham (Hayston) 70 76, C Dougill (Stoneleigh Deer Park) 73 73, J Hamilton (NZ) 75 71, J Shanks (Irvine) 71 75.
147 T Spencer ((Inchmarlo) 71 76, K Einaisson (Iceland) 74 73, G Mitchell (Braemar) 73 74, M Gavers (Latvia) 75 72, J Lockie (Tantallon) 73 74, C Gray (West Kilbride) 77 70, R Leeds (Muckhart) 74 73, J Dunkley (US) 74 73, F Fotheringham (Nairn) 72 74.
148 K Harper (Carnoustie) 76 72, R Crowe (Newcastle United) 75 73, K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 70 78, P Petursson (Ice) 73 75.
149 R McKen (Newburgh on Ythan 73 76, A Sweeney (Carnoustie) 73 76, R Anderson (Duddingston) 73 76, K Branum-Barnes (Bearwood Lakes) 78 72, L Stockinger (Ger) 71 78, E Brown (Barassie) 74 75.
150 D Mitchell (Leven Thistle 73 77.
151 C McLaughlin (Largs) 78 73, C McLaughlin (Largs) 78 73, C Robb (Inchmarlo) 75 76.
152 W Bremner (Edzell) 80 72, K Smith (Barassie) 75 77.
153 C Haugh (Cathkin Braes) 73 80, A Weir (Montrose Mercantile) 78 75.
155 T Dagwell (East Sussex National) 77 78., K Spence (Newmachar) 80 75.

156 M Cunningham (Longniddry) 76 80.
157 S Crighton (Aberdour) 77 80, D Hunter (Cowal) 75 82.
158 A Shan (East Aberdeenshire 78 81.
162 J Fleming (Dullatur).

TO BE UPDATED LATER

American Weaver wins British amateur title

FROM R&A WEBSITE

Six up with six to play, Drew Weaver had to go to the 35th hole before overcoming a determined fight-back by Tim Stewart in the final of the British men's amateur championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, finally claiming the title by holing a vital seven-foot putt to win by 2 and 1.
He became the first American to win the championship since Jay Sigel in 1979.
"At six up with six to play I didn't feel that my game had slipped, I was still controlling the match," commented Weaver after his victory.
"The 17th was by far the most intense hole I have ever played. When I saw his putt go by, I said to myself 'Don't let it slip away, don't let it go to the 18th'. I got a good read on the putt and just concentrated on making a good stroke.
"I played great for 12 holes this afternoon and felt I was in control. I just concentrated on making pars so that he would have to win with birdies.
"Getting into the Walker Cup would be fantastic, but I just came here to experience links golf and it is up to the captain to decide whether I've done enough to get into the team. There are some areas of my game that need to be improved and I'll be working on those."
Stewart said: "I guess if you had told me at the beginning of the week that I would be runner-up I would have been delighted. Some you win and some you don't."
Weaver had established a two-hole lead after the first 18 holes and at the start of the afternoon round Stewart pitched to six feet and saved his par for a half at the first but lost the second when Weaver birdied from close range.
In a strange turn of events at the 457-yard third hole Weaver putted off the green into a bunker to lose the hole, then made amends when he holed from a bunker at the next for a winning birdie to remain three up.
Although both players were through the back of the short fifth they got up and down for a half in threes, but Weaver went further ahead when he reached the green in two at the par-five sixth and two-putted for a winning birdie.
At Lytham's longest hole, the 555-yard seventh, Weaver missed the green with an eight-iron second shot after a massive drive, but pitched to eight feet and holed out for another birdie to take a five-hole lead.
The American increased his advantage to six up with a two at the 196-yard 12th before Stewart began a remarkable come-back. Weaver dropped a shot to lose the 13th, Stewart holed from 30 feet at the next and took the 15th with a par four when Weaver blocked his tee shot into the right rough and could not make the green in two.
In the space of three holes the Australian had halved the deficit from six holes to three, and there was more to come. At the 16th Stewart holed from 18 feet for a birdie that kept the match alive, but Weaver gained a half in four at the 17th to claim his title.

RESULT
Final (36 holes)

Drew Weaver (United States) beat Tim Stewart (Australia) 2 and 1.

SCOTS LYING JOINT 12TH IN HOOTERS
TOUR EVENT IN OKLAHOMA

Glasgow's Scott Jamieson, campaigning as a rookie professional on the NGA Hooters Tour in the United States, was lying joint 12th at the halfway stage of the Buffalo Run Casino Classic at Peoria Ridge Golf Club, Miami in Oklahoma.
Jamieson, who turned pro last November after four years on the US college circuit as a student at Augusta State University and also topping the SGU Order of Merit table in 2006, has had scores of 65 and 69 for 10-under-par 134 over the 6,960yd course.
This is his eighth event on the mini-tour and he has missed only one cut so far. So high is the standard of play on the Hooters Tour that only those who scored five-under-par 134 survived the halfway cut in this event.
They included Florida resident and Edinburgh exile David Kirkpatrick, who has had a pair of 67s to be alongside Jamieson on 134.
Ulsterman Gareth Maybin from Ballyclare, one of the most successful non-Americans on the Hooters Tour over the past couple of years, is in joint 20th place on 135 with scores of 68 and 67.
Englishmen Steven Tiley from Canterbury and Lincoln's David Skinns, both former US college players, are on 137 and 139 respectively.
Colin Speirs from Dunkeld, another ex-American college student, missed the cut by seven shots with 77 and 69 for 146.
Australian Andrew Tschudin leads the field with a pair of 64s for 16-under-par 128.

LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
128 A Tschudin (Aus) 64 64.
129 C Provost (US) 64 65.
132 B LaCassie (Aus) 65 67, J Teater (US) 66 66, J Dempsey (US) 67 65, T Ailes (US) 65 67, B Aydlett (US) 64 68.
Other scores:
134 S Jamieson (Sco) 65 69, D Kirkpatrick (Sco) 67 67 (jt 12th).
135 G Maybin (NIr) 68 69 (jt 20th).
137 S Tiley (Eng) 69 68 (jt 35th).
139 D Skinns (Eng) 69 70 (jt 51st).
MISSED CUT (139 or better)
146 C Speirs (Sco) 77 69.

VIKKI DISAPPOINTS AT CINCINNATI

Vikki Laing from Musselburgh had a disappointing opening round of five-over-par 77 in the US Futures Tour's $100,000 Duramed Championship at Stonelick Hills Golf Club, near Cincinnati, Ohio.
Vikki had halves of 40 and 37 over the par-72 (36-36), 6,349yd course.
South Wales amateur Natasha Morgan, a student at Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida, was the leading British player in a field of 144 with a round of 76 (40-36).
Brenda McLarnon from Belfast had a 79 (41-38).
Eunjung Yi, based in California and winner of the 2005 US Women's Amateur Public Links championship, leads the field by one shot with a 65 (31-34) which included only 26 putts.
The leading 70 and ties after 36 holes will go forward to the final round.

LEADERBOARD
Par 72 (36-36)
65 Eunjung Yi (US) 31-34).
66 Seo-Jae Lee (SKor) 33-33, Violeta Retamoza (Mex) 35-31.
68 Emily Bastel (US) 36-32, Ashley Prange (US) 36-32.
GB&I scores:
76 Natasha Morgan (Wal) (am) 40-36 (jt 106th).
77 Vikki Laing (Sco) 40-37 (jt 120th).
79 Brenda McLarnon (NIr) 41-38 (jt 132nd).

CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT HIT BY WEATHER

Less than half the field have completed their second rounds in the weather-hit Credit Suisse Challenge, this week's European Challenge Tour event in Switzerland.
It will be Saturday afternoon before the 36-hole cut figure is known and the third round start.
COMPLETED TOTALS
Par 146 (2 x 73)
135 Robert Dinwiddie (Eng) 67 68.
136 Christoffer Lange (Den) 66 70.
137 Richard Treis (Ger) 68 69.
Scots scores:
140 Jamie McLeary 73 67.
143 Eric Ramsay 73 70.

PAUL LAWRIE AND STEPHEN GALLACHER AMONG
SCOTS HALFWAY FAILURES IN BMW
INTERNATIONAL OPEN IN MUNICH

Four Scots - Stephen Gallacher, Paul Lawrie, Scott Drummond and Andrew Coltart - have missed the cut in the BMW International Open in Munich.
Gallacher scored 72 and 73, Lawrie 74 and 74 for 145 - two shots too many to survive into the weekend play.
Drummond had 73 and 75 for 148 and Coltart 75 and 74 for 149.
Swedish players took over at the top of the halfway leaderboard.
Niclas Fasth is in the pole position at 12-under-par 132 with rounds of 67 and 65.
Compatriot Peter Hanson is on 134 with a 68 and 66.
Ernie Els is not out of it by any means on 138
The Scots who did make the cut were Steven O'Hara on 139 (69-70), Alastair Forsyth (68 73) on 141 and Marc Watten on 143 (76-67).
HALFWAY LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
132 Niclas Fasth (Swe) 67 65
134 Peter Hanson (Swe) 68 66
135 Thomas Levet (Fra) 68 67, Andres Romero (Arg) 67 68, Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 65 70
136 Nick Dougherty 68 68
137 David Frost (Rsa) 67 70, Christian Cevaer (Fra) 70 67
138 Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 71 67, Tom Whitehouse 70 68, David Griffiths 69 69, Sven Struver (Ger) 72 66, Anders Hansen (Den) 68 70, Paul Casey 68 70, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 69 69, Peter Lawrie 71 67, Peter Gustafsson (Swe) 73 65, Simon Dyson 72 66, Ernie Els (Rsa) 67 71, Oliver Wilson 70 68, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa) 66 72
139 Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 70 69, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 73 66, Paul Broadhurst 66 73, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 65 74, Henrik Nystrom (Swe) 71 68, Steven O'Hara 69 70, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 69 70, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 68 71
140 Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 68 72, Graeme Storm 71 69, Alexandre Rocha (Bra) 73 67, Philip Golding 71 69, Ian Garbutt 69 71, Brett Rumford (Aus) 70 70, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 74 66, Markus Brier (Aut) 71 69, Francesco Molinari (Ita) 67 73
141 Juan Parron (Spa) 74 67, Alexander Noren (Swe) 72 69, Edward Rush 71 70, Benn Barham 72 69, Alastair Forsyth 68 73, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 70, Simon Khan 70 71, Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 69 72, Lee Slattery 75 66, Peter Fowler (Aus) 68 73, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 74 67
142 David Park 72 70, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 71 71, Darren Fichardt (Rsa) 73 69, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 72 70, Emanuele Canonica (Ita) 69 73, Phillip Price 73 69, Bernhard Langer (Ger) 76 66, Ross Fisher 71 71, David Higgins 73 69, Marc Farry (Fra) 66 76, Anthony Wall 72 70
143 Simon Hurd 75 68, Marcel Siem (Ger) 78 65, Robert-Jan Derksen (Ned) 70 73, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 71 72, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 70 73, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 70 73, Marc Warren 76 67, Shaun Webster 74 69, Peter O'Malley (Aus) 75 68, Patrik Sjoland (Swe) 76 67, Andrew Tampion (Aus) 74 69, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 72 71
MISSED THE CUT
144 Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 75 69, Miles Tunnicliff 71 73, Soren Hansen (Den) 72 72, Thongchai Jaidee (Thai) 71 73, Garry Houston 73 71, Matthew Millar (Aus) 72 72
145 Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 71 75, Gary Lockerbie 73 72, Richard McEvoy 73 72, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 73 72, Kyron Sullivan 73 72, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 72 73, Stephen Gallacher, Steve Webster 70 75, Alexander Knappe (Ger) (am) 72 73, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 73 72, Paul McGinley 74 71, Paul Lawrie 74 71
146 Robert Rock 72 74, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 69 77, Ian Poulter 73 73, Andrew McLardy (Rsa) 75 71, Joost Luiten (Ned) 79 67, Cesar Monasterio (Arg) 73 73, Andrew Marshall 71 75
147 Yang Yong-eun (Kor) 77 70, Jonas Kolbing (Ger) (am) 71 76, Oliver Fisher 74 73, John Bickerton 74 73, Anton Haig (Rsa) 72 75, David Carter 74 73, Joakim Haeggman (Swe) 74 73, Tino Schuster (Ger) 75 72, Jean Van de Velde (Fra) 73 74, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 73 74, Mardan Mamat (Sing) 71 76
148 Alessandro Tadini (Ita) 76 72, Scott Drummond 73 75, Gary Emerson 71 77, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 73 75, Damien McGrane 74 74
149 Marcus Higley 75 74, Marcel Haremza (Ger) 76 73, Andrew Coltart 75 74
150 Mark Foster 72 78, Joakim Backstrom (Swe) 78 72, Phillip Archer 73 77
151 Mattias Eliasson (Swe) 74 77, Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 72 79, Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 75 76, Christopher Hanell (Swe) 73 78, James Hepworth 71 80
152 Ariel Canete (Arg) 75 77, Mark Pilkington 75 77, Richard Bland 76 76, James Kingston (Rsa) 78 74
153 Simon Wakefield 78 75
154 Johan Axgren (Swe) 77 77, Chris Gane 77 77, Nicolas Meitinger (Ger) 80 74
157 Niklas Lemke (Swe) 77 80
Retired Stephen Dodd, Andrew Raitt
Disqualified Raul Ballesteros (Spa)
Withdrew Sandy Lyle

Royal Lytham 36-hole Saturday finalists

IT'S AMERICAN WEAVER v AUSSIE

STEWART FROM BRITISH MEN'S

AMATEUR TITLE

FROM THE R&A WEBSITE

Saturday's 36-hole final of the British men's amateur championship will be between American student Drew Weaver and last year's Australian Amateur champion Tim Stewart from Sydney at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The only Australian to win the championship was Doug Bachli in 1954 and the last of 20 American victories was by Jay Sigel in 1979.
Weaver, pictured right, a 20-year-old student at Virginia Tech from High Point, North Carolina, who was on campus when the recent fatal shootings took place, had a 2 and 1 victory over Jason Shufflebotham of Wales in the semi-finals. Two down after two, he birdied the third from eight feet and hit a three-wood and wedge into the eighth for a birdie that squared the match.
Shufflebotham birdied the 10th, where Weaver missed from eight feet, and both players got up and down from bunkers for a half at the short 12th. The Welshmen missed the green at the next to lose the hole to par and compounded the problem by three-putting the 14th to go one down.
When he missed the green at the 17th the match was over.
"He got off to a fast start and that was a bit of a shock," said Weaver of his opponent who birdied the short first when he chipped in from the second tee having blocked his tee shot well to the right of the green.
"I didn't start with any high expectations, " said Weaver. "That way you get shot down. I tend to get very high and my dad, who's a doctor, carried the bag for me. He talks me down and keeps me on a level keel."
Shufflebotham said: "It was a close match but I didn't convert the putts when I needed to. I carried my bag all week and I'm very tired. Maybe that was a mistake, but it's been a great week and maybe this is the start of better things for me."
Weaver's opponent in the final is Tim Stewart, a 6ft 6in 22-year-old who won the Australian amateur championship last year and who has Scottish ancestors on his father's side.
Tim closed out a high-quality match against Tulliallan's Callum Macaulay by one hole. The last remaining Scot - who had beaten compatriot Ross Kellett in the quarter-finals, opened with a birdie from 10 feet.
They halved the second and sixth in birdies, but the Australian lost a ball at the third. Macaulay reached the 555yd seventh in two and his birdie put him one ahead at the turn. But he conceded the 14th after driving into heavy rough and dropped a shot to go one behind at the next.
The 16th and 17th were halved.
At the final hole Stewart hit a one-iron tee shot into a bunker on the right and Macaulay followed him in. The half in 5 was enough to give the tall Australian the match and the chance to become only the second player from his country to win the title.
"It would be a huge honour to win this championship," he said. "But I don't want to get ahead of myself."
Tim won his country's amateur title last year and this season captured the prestigious Riversdale Cup. He is currently at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Macaulay said: "Obviously I'm disappointed, but I made a great 4 at 17 to keep the match alive. Overall I'm happy with the way I played and it gives me something to build on for the rest of the year."
The Scot, who has just completed four years on the American college circuit as a student at the University of Mississippi, does not intend turning professional before the end of next season. He has taken a part-time job in a golf shop in Stirling to finance his amateur golfing activities for the next 18 months or so.
Results:
SEMI-FINALS (18 holes)
Weaver bt Shufflebotham 2 and 1.
Stewart bt Macaulay 1 hole.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE MORNING QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

TORRANCE SHARES LEAD WITH MASON IN
BENDINAT LONDON SENIORS MASTERS By STEVEN FRANKLIN
European Seniors Tour Press Officer.

Sam Torrance is hoping to move his European Seniors Tour season up a gear at The London Golf Club, near Brands Hatch, Kent, this weekend after an opening round of four under par 68 gave him a share of the lead in the Bendinat London Seniors Masters.
The former Ryder Cup Captain won this tournament two years ago en route to capturing the the over-50s' Order of Merit, but this time he needs a strong performance to kick-start a subdued start to the season and will go into Saturday's second round tied at the top with England's Carl Mason, a winner in Wales last week.
The pair lead by one stroke from England's Tony Allen, José Rivero of Spain and Jerry Bruner of the United States, who were all round in 69.
Costantino Rocca of Italy and Eamonn Darcy of Ireland are among a group on two under par 70. In the past two years Torrance has won seven times and finished as Europe's top Senior golfer on both occasions. A finger injury has hampered his progress this season but recent top-tens in Ireland and Jersey were evidence that he is feeling better, as was today's four under par score in blustery conditions around the Jack Nicklaus-designed Heritage Course at The London Golf Club.
"I am delighted as I played really nicely. To be honest I never really holed anything until a 25 footer at 17 for par and then a nice putt for birdie at the last," commented Torrance, who put together five birdies against a lone dropped shot.
"It has been a slow start to the season, but the game is very solid now and everything is heading in the right direction. Obviously I need to win soon or otherwise the Order of Merit is gone. I am playing well enough for that and I really like this golf course."
Ross Drummond, who is in his maiden season on the European Seniors Tour, continued his early promise with a round of 70 that included an eagle 3 at the 563yd eighth hole.The Prestwick golfer finished in a tie for second place at last week's Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open and has registered two other top 10 finishes from six tournaments to date.
Aberdonian John Chillas was round in one under par 71 and Torrance-based Mike Miller, who had a hole-in-one during one of the tournament's pro-Am competitions, had a two over par 74.
Fellow Scot Bill Longmuir, who is attached to The London Golf Club, could not take advantage of 'home advantage' as he carded a 75, as did Bill McColl.
Dundee's Steve Martin had a 78 while Martin Gray was the worst of the Scots with a 79.
Tony Jacklin, making his golfing comeback in this event ahead of The Open at Carnoustie, showed signs of rust with a 79.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72.
68 Sam Torrance (Sco), Carl Mason (Eng).
69 Tony Allen (Eng), José Rivero (Esp), Jerry Bruner (US).
70 Eamonn Darcy (Ire), Costantino Rocca (Ita), Robin Mann (Eng), Jim Rhodes (Eng), Glenn Ralph (Eng), Gordon J Brand (Eng), Ross Drummond (Sco).
71 Pete Oakley (USA), Tony Johnstone (Zim), John Chillas (Sco), Juan Quiros (Esp), Simon Owen (Nzl).
72 Tim Rastall (Eng), Jim Lapsley (Nzl), Martin Poxon (Eng), John Bland (RSA).
73 Gery Watine (Fra), Bob Cameron (Eng), Andrew Murray (Eng), John Mashego (RSA), David Creamer (Eng), Bobby Lincoln (RSA), Nick Job (Eng).
74 Maurice Bembridge (Eng), Ian Mosey (Eng), Giuseppe Cali (Ita), Andrew Reynolds (Eng), Stewart Ginn (Aus), Terry Gale (Aus), Mike Miller (Sco), Bruce Heuchan (Can), John Benda (USA), Jean Pierre Sallat (Fra). 75 Craig Defoy (Wal), Bill McColl (Sco), Seiji Ebihara (Jap), Bill Longmuir (Sco), Kevin Spurgeon (Eng), David Good (Aus), Bob Larratt (Eng).
76 Bertus Smit (RSA), David Merriman (Aus).
77 Guillermo Encina (Chi), Bob Charles (Nzl), Manuel Piñero (Esp).
78 Tony Charnley (Eng), Steve Martin (Sco), Denis O'Sullivan (Ire), Jimmy Heggarty (NIr).
79 Martin Foster (Eng), Martin Gray (Sco), Tony Jacklin (Eng).
80 Tommy Horton (Eng).
81 Noel Ratcliffe (Aus).

Click on the image of the GB&I PGA Cup team to enlarge the picture.

MEET THE MEN WHO WILL DEFEND PGRA CUP
IN GEORGIA COME SEPTEMBER

A blend of youth and experience will be charged with helping Great Britain & Ireland defend the PGA Cup against America later in the summer.
The 10-man team to face the United States in Georgia at Reynolds Plantation Oconee Course from September 21-23 was decided following the recent Glenmuir Club Professional Championship at Royal Porthcawl which was won by Ireland's John Dwyer.
One man set to play a key role will be Kedleston Park pro and PGA Cup veteran Paul Wesselingh, aged 45, who will be making his fifth successive appearance.
He and Dwyer, 33, from Ashbourne in County Meath, who played in the 2000 and 2003 matches, are the only members of the team with experience of the contest.
Joining Derbyshire-based Wesselingh are two other Midland region pros, Ilkeston's James Whatley, 24, (Morley Hayes) and Lichfield's Danny Taylor, 33, (Swingers Driving Range) while the North region is represented by Clwyd's Andrew Barnett, 37, (North Wales Golf Range), Newcastle's Michael Nesbit, 30, (Westerhope GC) and Cumbria's Craig Goodfellow, 32, (Carlisle Driving Range).
The West region supply two pros in the shape of 48-year-old George Ryall (Players Club, Bristol) and Jon Bevan, 40, from Wessex Golf Centre in Weymouth.
Italy-based 43-year-old Duncan Muscroft (Montecchia), son of a former European Tour player Hedley, completes the line up.
GB&I will be led by captain Gary Alliss who will be aiming to become the first man in history to mastermind a PGA Cup victory on American soil since the club pros' equivalent of the Ryder Cup was first played in 1973 at Pinehurst.
The weight of history might be against them but Alliss is confident his side can retain the famous Llandudno Trophy which GB&I reclaimed at The K Club two years ago."It's a great mix of experience and youth with some strong characters," he said.
"With that blend of youth and experience, exuberance and calmness, I think we've got every chance of retaining the Llandudno Trophy."ends

Team picture. Front row (l to r): Andrew Barnett, Jon Bevan, Gary Alliss (captain), Michael Nesbit, John Dwyer. Back row: Paul Wesselingh, George Ryall, Craig Goodfellow, James Whatley, Duncan Muscroft, Daniel Taylor.

THREE SHARE LEAD ON 66 IN

SCOTTISH YOUTHS

CHAMPIONSHIP AT ERSKINE

Late finisher Michael Daily used his local knowledge of the Erskine Golf Club course to join Zack Saltman (Craigielaw) and Lewis Kirton (Newmachar) in a share of the first-round lead on the five-under-par 66 mark.
Daily birdied the third, fourth, fifth and ninth in a flawless 32 to the turn. He got another birdie at the 109th to be five under but then dropped his one and only shot at the 13th before a birdie at the 14th put him on course for a 66.
Zack Saltman, pictured right, the reigning world hickory champion, had birdies at the second, seventh, eighth, ninth, 17th and 18th in halves of 33. His only bogey over the par 71 course came at the second.
Kirton, who will be 19 next Friday, has only recently returned from completing his first year at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Lewis was a shot ahead of Saltman after covering the first nine holes in four-under-par 32.
Kirton birdied the first, third, fifth, sixth and eighth but dropped a shot at the seventh.
Kirton gained the sixth and seventh birdies of his round at the short 11th and 13th but he also dropped a shot at the 12th. He parred the last five holes for 34 in and a 66.
On 67 alongside French challenger Olivier Rozner, was Dumbarton’s 18-year-old Andrew Campbell who birdied the second, fifth, ninth, 13th and 18th, dropping a shot only at the seventh.

FIRST ROUND (Par 71)
66 Z Saltman (Craigielaw), L Kirton (Newmachar), M Daily (Erskine).

67 O Rozner (Fra), A Campbell (Dumbarton), B Sloan (Hamilton).

68 S Borrowman (Dollar), J MacKay (Barassie), A Schwartz (Fra).

69 G Robertson (Glenbervie), C Thomson (East Renfrewshire), S McLaren (King James VI), R Kind (Ned), S Larkin (Banchory).

70 L McGowan (St Andrews New), A Main (Thornton), S Herald (Whitecraigs), G Turner (West Linton), O Loftsson (Ice), N McBride (Cowglen), K Turlan (Fra), J Duff (Newmachar), C Robinson (Wigtown & Bladnoch), C Morrison (Kilmacolm), M Mayer (Ger), T Hayes (West Byfleet), E Polson (Inverness), R Noon (Longniddry), R Graham (Hayston), P Shields (Kirkhill), S Fraser (Royal Aberdeen), K Duncan (McDonald Ellon), B Newsome (East Sussex National).

71 D Parlane (Helensburgh), R Bell (Downfield), M Smyth (Royal Troon), J Findlay (Fraserburgh), G Paterson (St Andrews New), P McLean (Peterhead), L Stockinger (Ger), J Reiss (Aldeburgh), T Spencer (Inchmarlo), C-H Raindre (Fra), J White (Lundin), J Clarke (Royal Montrose), G Stevenson (Whitecraigs), K Broders (Latvia), G Villard (Fra), B Ducros (Fra), S Ballingall (Dunston Hall), S Mann (Garmouth & Kingston), J Shanks (Irvine).

72 J Hendrick (Pollok), F Fotheringham (Nairn), A Richardson (East Sussex National).

73 R Hyland (Hazlehead, M Lawrence (Newmachar), J Bradley (Paisley), F-R Rouilleaux (Fra), P Petursson (Ice), B Rushford (Grangemouth), R Rebecchi (Greenock), C Cowie (Strathlene), J Gardiner (Montrose Mercantile), C Dougill (Stoneleigh Deer Park), J Neilson (Dunbar), D Huizing (Ned), D Yeats (Newmachar), R McKen (Newburgh on Ythan), A Sweeney (Carnoustie), C Haugh (Cathkin Braes), G Mitchell (Braemar), B Kerr (Newmarket Links), C Conroy (Paisley), J Lockie Tantallon, D Yeats (Newmachar), R Anderson (Duddingston).

74 A Culverwell (Dunbar), C Wedgeworth (Cowglen), F Niven (Crieff), E Brown (Barassie), J Dunkley (US), A Gordon (Portpatrick Dunskey), K Einaisson (Ice).

75 E Malcolm (Dunfermliine), S McGarvey (Glencorse), M Bookless (Sandyhills), R Crowe (Newcastle United), J Hamilton (NZ), M Kramere (Ger), C Robb (Inchmarlo), M Gavars (Latvia), K Smith (Barassie).
76 C Baron (Oldmeldrum), F McKenna (Balmore), P Gissurarson (Ice), S Maxwell (Windyhill), K Harper (Carnoustie), N Cameron (King James VI).

77 S Bordon (Mouse Valley), A Moir (Thornton), S Neilson (Dunbar), M Main (Thornton), T Dagwell (East Sussex National), S Crichton (Aberdour).

78 S Phillips (Royston), S Barras (Helensburgh), C McLaughlin (Largs), A Shah (East Aberdeenshire).
79 D Addison (Barassie).
80 K Spence (Newmachar), W Bremner (Edzell).
81 D Harrison (Crieff), S Tully (Duddingston).
83 J Fleming (Dullatur).

ENGLISH BOYS UNDER-16 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
AT SOUTHPORT & AINSDALE, JULY 4 to 6

England will field two strong teams in defence of the Nations Cup when the English Boys Under 16 open championship for the McGregor Trophy is played at Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club on 4th - 6th July.
One three-man team will consist of Tom Lewis (Mid Herts), Chris Lloyd (The Kendleshire) and Adam Myers (Northants County). The other will comprise Jonathan Bell (Royal Blackheath), Tom Berry (Wentworth) and Jack Brooks (Pleasington).
All six are members of the England under 16 training squad and some have been capped at under 16 level.
This year’s Nations Cup contest will involve 16 three-man teams. England, Scotland, Wales, the Netherlands and Spain are fielding two teams each and there will be one each from Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal.
The Nations Cup is contested over the first 36 holes of the McGregor Trophy and will be decided by the aggregate of the best two from three scores each round. In the event of a tie the Cup will be shared.
In the McGregor Trophy itself, Oscar Sharpe will not be defending the title he won at Worthing a year ago as he will be away with the rest of the England team at the European boys' team championships in Denmark. The same applies with Eddie Pepperell, who Sharpe beat by a stroke last year. That leaves Myers as the only former champion competing but the quest for the title is certain to be keen with the rest of the under 16 squad in the field, while the overseas challenge is likely to be strong. A
mong the past winners of the under 16 title are Steve Webster, Graeme Storm and Justin Rose, along with Jim Payne, now the professional at Southport & Ainsdale, who will take a keen interest in proceedings.
More recent champions have been internationals James Heath, Michael Skelton, Paul Waring, Matthew Baldwin and Oliver Fisher The title has also been won by non-British players on three occasions, by Eduardo Molinari in 1996, by his fellow Italian Roberto Paolillo in 1997 and by Wouter de Vries from the Netherlands in 2003.
A total of 200 entries were received for 132 places. All but one player with handicaps of four were balloted out, while 37 four-handicappers are on the reserve list.

BRITISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL
RESULTS FROM ROYAL LYTHAM

Results of this morning's quarter-finals in the British men's amateur championship at Royal Lytham were:

Jason Shufflebotham (Prestatyn) bt Rick Kulacz (Australia) 1 hole.
Drew Weaver (United State) bt Chris Wood (Long Ashton) 2 and 1.
Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan) bt Ross Kellett (Colville Park) 4 and 3.
Tim Stewart (Australia) bt Jorge Campillo (Spain) 1 hole.

R&A PRESS RELEASE

DAVID DUVAL WITHDRAWS FROM OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

David Duval, the winner of the 2001 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, has today, 22 June, intimated that as a result of personal family matters he has unfortunately had to withdraw from this year's Championship.

SCOTLAND FINISH DISAPPOINTING 12th OF
14 IN TOYOTA WORLD BOYS'
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP IN JAPAN

Scotland’s second-half slump in the Toyota world boys’ team golf championship continued on the fourth and final day when their team score of 226 was their worst of the week and the poorest by any of the 14 countries in the fourth round.
Their counting scores (best three from four) on the last day over the 6,846yd, par-71 course, were a 73 by James Byrne, a 76 by Michael Stewart and a 77 by Shaun McAllister. Paul Ferrier had the non-counting score of 79.
The Scots’ 72-hole total of 20 over par 872 gave them a very disappointing final position of 12 of 14 in the table, with only Singapore and Venezuela behind us.
Sweden, second to Norway last year, turned the tables on their Scandinavian rivals and won the title with an impressive tally of 29-under-par 823 – nine strokes ahead of the defending champions Norway.
Norway provided the leading individual boy in Anders Kristiansen with a 14-under-par total of 270.
James Byrne from Banchory was Scotland’s best player over the four rounds with scores of 73, 65, 75 and 73 for a two-over-par total of 286 and joint 20th place in the final standings.
Michael Stewart from Troon Welbeck dipped in his final round with scores of 67, 72, 72 and 76 for three-over-par 287 and a share of 25th place.
Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) finished 52nd in the boys’ field of 56 with scores of 74, 75, 75 and 77 for 17-over-par 301.
Scottish boys’ match-play champion Paul Ferrier (Baberton) came 55th on 27-over-par 311 with scores of 72, 85, 75 and 79.

TOYOTA WORLD BOYS’ TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Chukyo Golf Club, Nagoya, Japan.
Ishino Course, 6,846yd. Par 71

FINAL TEAM TOTALS
Par 852 (4 x 213)
823 SWEDEN 201 204 211 207.
832 NORWAY 205 205 207 215.
841 AUSTRALIA 216 207 207 211.
844 CHINESE TAIPEI 212 213 207 212.
845 SOUTH AFRICA 210 210 214 211.
847 NEW ZEALAND 210 213 204 220.
849 UNITED STATES 207 216 212 214, JAPAN 211 208 215 215.
854 MEXICO 216 214 209 215
856 CANADA 210 213 219 214.
862 ARGENTINA 215 217 211 219
872 SCOTLAND 212 212 222 226.
878 SINGAPORE 225 218 215 220.
882 VENEZUELA 219 218 222 223.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4 x 71)
270 A Kristiansen (Nor) 67 66 67 70.
272 Cheng-Taung Pan (Tpe) 73 66 67 66.
274 B Akesson (Swe) 68 71 68 67, J Kennegard (Swe) 65 68 69 72.
276 P Widegren (Swe) 68 66 74 68.
278 M Giles (Aus) 69 70 70 69, M Azcue (Mex) 69 65 74 70.
Scots’ totals:
286 J Byrne 73 65 75 73 (jt 20th).
287 M Stewart 67 72 72 76.
301 S McAllister 74 75 75 77 (52nd).
311 P Ferrier 72 85 75 79 (55th).

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

JAMIESON ONE SHOT OFF THE PACE IN OKLAHOMA
BUT NOW FOUR SHARE LEAD ON HOOTERS TOUR

Scott Jamieson shot a seven-under-par 65 to be one shot off the pace at the end of the first round of the Buffalo Run Casino Classic, this week's event on the NGA Hooters Tour, at Peoria Ridge Golf Club, Miami in Oklahoma.
The Glasgow-born rookie pro - he quit the amateur ranks last November after topping the Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit - had birdies at the fifth, seventh, eighth, 12th, 15th, 16th and 17th in a bogey-free round.
He was one shot behind four players on the eight-under-par 64 mark.
Long-time Edinburgh exile David Kirkpatrick had a 67 to be sharing 14th place.
Ulsterman Gareth Maybin from Ballyclare had a 68 to be in joint 22nd place.
Englishman David Skinns from Lincoln and Steven Tiley from Canterbury were in joint 38th place on 69.
Colin Spiers from Dunkeld looked unlikely to beat the halfway cut on this very competitive mini tour after starting with a 77. He starts the second round in joint 156th place in a field of 168 players.

LEADERBOARD
Players from US unless stated
64 B Aydlett, A Tschidin (Aus), J Buezas (Arg), C Provost.
65 S Jamieson (Sco), T Ailes, B Myers, B LaCassie (Aus).
Other scores:
67 D Kirkpatrick (Sco) (jt 14th).
68 G Maybin (NIre) (jt 22nd).
69 D Skinns (Eng), S Tiley (Eng) (jt 38th).
77 C Spiers (Sco) (jt 156th).

TEAMS AND TIES FOR THIS WEEKEND'S
NORTHERN DIVISION WOMEN'S
CHAMPIONSHIP AT CRUDEN BAY

For a full preview of the Saturday-Sunday-Monday Northern Division women's inter-county team championship at Cruden Bay, switch over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk
All spectators will be made welcome.
The teams and the matches are:

ABERDEENSHIRE – J Harrison (Cruden B ay), L McLardy (Murcar Links), L Murray (Alford), D Pocock (Murcar Links), M Thomson (McDonald Ellon), C Thomson (Murcar Links), C Wilson (Murcar Links), S Wood (Aberdeen Ladies).
ANGUS – H Anderson (Downfield), D Dewar (Monifieth), F Gilbert (Carnoustie), F Millar (Carnoustie), S Raitt (Forfar), A Ramsay (Kirriemuir), M Summers (Panmure Barry), K Sutherland (Royal Montrose).
NORTHERN COUNTIES – K Harper (Inverness), A Ingram (Fort William), K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), D MacLeod (Inverness), E Manson (Thurso), J Milne (Elgin), M Smith (Tain), L Walker (Nairn Dunbar).
PERTH & KINROSS – A Bushby (Strathmore), G Lambie (Dunkeld & Birnam), E Muirhead (Pitlochry), R Niven (Crieff), E Ogilvy (Auchterarder), F Ramsay (Crieff), Jacqueline Sneddon (Alyth) J Yellowlees (Murrayshall).

PROGRAMME
Saturday: Angus v Northern Counties, Aberdeenshire v Perth & Kinross.
Sunday – Aberdeenshire v Northern Counties, Angus v Perth & Kinross.
Monday – Perth & Kinross v Northern Counties, Angus v Aberdeenshire.

RITSON SMITH ABERDEEN & DISTRICT
PENNANT LEAGUE RESULTS

Thanks to everybody who E-mailed (most of them Murcar Links members) the results of last night's Pennant League results. We have them all now except for one:

Murcar Links 6, Peterculter 0.

Northern 4 1/2, Newmachar 1 1/2.

Nigg Bay 5, Stonehaven 1.

Royal Aberdeen 6, East Aberdeenshire 0.

+With a little bit of help from Pennant League organiser, Alan Sheldrick, we hope to be able to display the update league placings sooner rather than later.

DUNFERMLINE EXILE ROSS

BAIN JOINS TEAM TO

PROMOTE DUBAI AS

GOLFING DESTINATION

Golf in Dubai has signed Dubai-based Scot Ross Bain as one of its newest global ambassadors to promote the emirate's golf courses on the world stage.
Bain, now 31, has been a well-respected name on the Asian Tour since he finished runner-up in the 2001 Indian Open.
Ross was born at Dunfermline but has lived in Dubai since he was seven.
"It's a great honour and privilege to represent Golf in Dubai and be part of a team which consists players of the statures of Ernie Els, Mark O'Meara, Colin Montgomerie, Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjorn, Lee Westwood, Jeev Milkha Singh and revered Peter Cowen as their global ambassadors," said Bain.
"Dubai has always been close to my heart and this is the place where I grew up, learning the basics of the game. I have seen how the city has progressed over the years as one of the most sought-after golf and lifestyle destinations. Everything about Dubai has got excellence written on it.
"Events like the Dubai Desert Classic which each year attracts virtually the who's who of international golf have contributed immensely to the growth of game in Dubai, in particular. I too took to golf inspired by exploits of top players at the Classic," said Bain who had won every amateur tournament in the UAE before turning professional in 1998.
"We welcome Ross on board. He is a great talent and his qualification for the 2007 Bristish Open just proves that he will go places," said Mohamed Buamaim, vice-chairman & CEO of Golf in Dubai – the promoters and organisers of world-class events like the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Ladies Masters.

GRAMMAR WIN

SCHOOLS TITLE

AFTER CAPTAIN

MHAIRI HOLES

BIRDIE PUTT

Aberdeen Grammar School won the Aberdeen schools golf championship final by the narrowest of margins over Robert Gordon’s College over the Hazlehead No 1 course this evening.
The final ended in a draw: Grammar 1 ½, Gordon’s 1 ½ and the title went to Grammar by one hole on a holes-up countback.
Nick McAndrew and David Law won the first tie for Grammar by beating Michael Kelly and Steven Smith 4 and 3.
Gordon’s College pair Chris Black and Andrew Harris levelled the overall score at 1-1 by beating William Rennie and Kevin Bass 3 and 2.
Under the holes-up format, that meant Grammar had a one-hole lead (4 to 3) which would prove decisive should the last match to finish end all square.
And it did.
Gordon’s boys Neale Barnes and Harris Jones were one up on Grammar’s Donald McAndrew and Mhairi Johnstone playing the last hole in front of a large gallery.
Mhairi played a real captain’s part for Grammar by holing a 6ft birdie putt on the 18th green to halve the match and secure the trophy for the school on the countback.
Details:
Grammar School names first:
N McAndrew, D Law bt M Kelly, S Smith 4 and 3.
W Rennie, K Bass lost to C Black, A Harris 3 and 2.
D McAndrew, M Johnstone halved with N Barnes, H Jones.
++Picture, by courtesy of Derek Johnstone, shows the winning Grammar School team with Mhairi Johnstone holding the trophy.

Mhairi Johnstone said later:
Through 10 holes, Donald and I were three down and feeling down and out, but when Donald holed for a 2 at the 12th, all of a sudden we were pumped and and ready for the ultimate comeback.
We went back to being thre down on the 14th but birdies at the 15th and 16th got us back to one down.
By this time we that that David and Nick had won and that Kevin and William had been beaten.
Donald had a putt on 17 to win the hole but it just slid by. We knew we had it all to do, going down the last but, having played with each other before, we knew that, beween the two of us , we could make something happen.
Donald hit his drive and I hit my five wood. Donald was unlucky with his lie and his second shot landed short of the green.
Our opponents had both hit to the back of the green and I knew I had to land my ball close. Using my nine iron, I stuck the ball into six feet and at that point I had a feeling that it might just be our night.
After some discussion with my partner, I strode up to the ball and slotted it home, just like any other putt.
Afterwards I was overwhelmed. The looks on my team-mates' faces summted it up perfectly. We were all in complete shock.
Our first pair, Nick McAndrew and David Law, played phenomenal golf. They were seven under par through 15 holes, including five consecutive birdies from the 11th.

JAMIESON ONE SHOT OFF THE PACE
IN OKLAHOMA

Scott Jamieson shot a seven-under-par 65 to be one shot off the pace among the early finishers in the first round of the Buffalo Run Casino Classic, this week's event on the NGA Hooters Tour, at Peoria Ridge Golf Club, Miami in Oklahoma.
The Glasgow-born rookie pro - he quit the amateur ranks last November after topping the Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit - had birdies at the fifth, seventh, eighth, 12th, 15th, 16th and 17th in a bogey-free round.
He was one shot behind Brandon Aydlett from Baton Rouge, Louisana.
Other Scots Joel Hendry, David Kirkpatrick and Colin Speirs were among the later starters.

INGLIS MISSES ANOTHER CUT IN FLORIDA

Former Walker Cup player and past British boys champion David Inglis, a member of Glencorse Golf Club, Penicuik during his successful amateur career, missed the cut with rounds of 77 and 75 for 152 in the latest Gateway Tour event at West Palm Beach, Florida.
It was the 14th time in 18 tour events this year that he had missed the 36-hole cut, the last nine of them in a row from mid-March.

TRIPLE TIE AT DOUGLAS PARK PRO-AM

Chris Doak, Craig Ronald and Gary McFarlane tied for first place in the Douglas Park Golf Club pro-am in aid of the East Park Home for Infirm Children today
All three hit the three-under-par 66 mark and earned £846 apiece.
Dean Robertson steered the Abercrombie Gemmell No 4 trio of amateurs, Andrew Abercrombie (3), Dougie McFarlane (12) and Martin Sim (18) to victory in the team event with a net score of 19-under-par 119 (two players to count per hole).
LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 69
66 C Doak (unatt), C Ronald (Carluke), G McFarlane (Clober).]
67 S Gray (Hayston).
68 J Sharp (Carrick at Cameron House), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs), M Loftus (Cowglen), G Law (Uphall), J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle).
TEAM WINNERS
119 Dean Robertson (unatt) & Abercrombie Gemmell No 4 team: A Abercrombie (3), D McFarlane (12), M Sim (18).]

SCOTS OUT OF THE HUNT AT BOVEY CASTLE
IN PGA EUROPRO TOUR EVENT

The Scots trio of Paul Doherty, Alasdair Hay and Graham Gordon finished well down the field in the Bovey Castle Championship, the PGA EuroPro Tour event near Newton Abbot, Devon.
Former Scottish boys' match-play champion Doherty, based in South Wales, had three consecutive double bogeys in his second round and finished with scores of 71, 72 and 73 for a six-over-par total of 216, which earned him joint 32nd place and £282.
Anglo-Scot Hay from the Royal Winchester Club scored 70, 71 and 79 for 220 and a share of 42nd place. His pay cheque amounted to £232.
Former Scottish amateur champion Graham Gordon from Aberdeen got much worse every day, shotting 69, 74 and 79 for 222 to fill 48th place among the 50 qualifiers. Gordon started his final round with a double bogey 6 and it didn't get much better. He won £210.
Englishman Matthew Woods (Donnington Grove) won he £10,000 top prize with a 10-under-par total of 220 (70-65-65) by three shots from Irishman Colm Moriarty.

BOVEY CASTLE CHAMPIONSHIP
Par 210 (3 x 70)
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
200 M Woods (Eng) 70 65 65.
203 C Moriarty (Irfe) 71 66 66.
204 C Hanson (Eng) 64 70 70.
205 P Hendricksen (Eng) 68 70 67.
206 D Wardrop (Eng) 65 71 70.
Scots scores:
216 P Doherty 71 72 73 (jt 32nd).
220 A Hay 70 71 69 (jt 42nd).
222 G Gordon 69 74 79 (48th).

McARTHUR SHOOTS SIX-UNDER-PAR 67
AFTER SIX-HOUR STORM DELAY

By MICHAEL GIBBONS
Press Officer, European Challenge Tour

Glasgow’s Andrew McArthur ignored a six hour weather delay to storm into third place at the European Challenge Tour’s Credit Suisse Challenge at Wylkihof Golf Club, Luterbach in Switzerland today.
After a thunder and lightning storm that brought torrential rain to the 7,202yd, par-73 course, McArthur, a 28-year-old former Scottish amateur champion from the Windyhill club and an American college circuit player for four years, returned a six-under-par 67.
Starting at the 10th, Andrew birdied the 10th, 11th, 14th and 18th to cover his first nine holes in four-under-par 33.
He carried on his excellent run with birfdies at the second and fourth before dropping his only stroke of the round at the sixth.
The Scot is only two shots behind clubhouse leaders Carlos del Moral of Spain and Argentina’s Julio Zapata.
Stranraer’s Euan Little is just one behind McArthur on five under-par 68 while Fifers Peter
Whiteford and George Murray carded respective first round scores of 69 and par 73 respectively.
Whiteford had a really good round going when he started at the 10th and birdied the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th. Six under par, he dropped his first shot at the 18th, to turn in five-under-par 32. Then he dropped another at the first and could not recapture the sparkle in covering his second nine holes in 37.
Half the field will complete their first rounds on Friday morning, including Scots
Jack Doherty, Scott Henderson, Jamie McLeary and Eric Ramsay.

SELECTED CLUBHOUSE SCORES
(Half the field still to complete their first rounds)
65 Carlos del Moral (Esp), Julio Zapata (Arg).
67 Andrew McArthur (Sco).
68 Nicolas Vanhootegem (Bel), M McGeady (Ire), E Little (Sco), F Aguilar (Chi).
69 Peter Whiteford (Sco).
72 Gareth Wright (Wal).
73 George Murray (Sco).

REBECCA HUDSON LEADS FRENCH WOMEN'S
OPEN WITH FIVE-UNDER-PAR 67

French Women's Open first-round scores:
Par 72.
67 Rebecca Hudson (Eng)
68 Lotta Wahlin (Swe), Trish Johnson (Eng)
69 Leah Hart (Aus), Sarah Kemp (Aus), Veronica Zorzi (Ita), Lynn Kenny (Sco)
70 Marta Prieto (Spa), Joanne Mills (Aus), Gwladys Nocera (Fra), Linda Wessberg (Swe), Anna Rossi (Ita), Sophie Walker (Eng), Rebecca Coakley (Irl)
71 Ursula Wikstrom (Fin), Lara Tadiotto (Bel), Iben Tinning (Den), Samantha Head (Eng), Isabella Maconi (Ita), Elisa Serramia (Spa), Rebecca Stevenson (Aus), Cecilia Ekelundh (Swe), Sophie Giquel (Fra), Becky Brewerton (Wal), Karen-Margrethe Juul (Den), Diana Luna (Ita), Marina Arruti (Spa)
72 Kristie Newton (Aus), Maria Verchenova (RUS), Maria Boden (Swe), Karen Lunn (Aus), Lora Fairclough (Eng), Nikki Garrett (Aus), Paula Marti (Spa), Anja Monke (Ger), Nicole Gergely (Aut), Jo Clingan (Eng), Stefania Croce (Ita), Asa Gottmo (Swe), Georgina Simpson (Eng), Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den), Lisa Hall (Eng), Cassandra Kirkland (Fra), Emilie Alonso (Am) (Fra)
73 Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin), Mianne Bagger (Den), Carlie Butler (Aus), Ellen Smets (Bel), Lill Kristin Saether (Nor), Anna Temple (USA), Cherie Byrnes (Aus), Beatriz Recari (Spa), Louise Friberg (Swe), Kathryn Imrie (Sco), Louise Stahle (Swe), Kirsty S Taylor (Eng), Margherita Rigon (Ita), Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa)
74 Emma Zackrisson (Swe), Bree Turnbull (Aus), Mette Buus (Den), Laura Cabanillas (Spa), Natalie Claire Booth (Eng), Rikke Rasmussen (Den), Nina Karlsson (Swe), Danielle Masters (Eng), Nienke Nijenhuis (Ned), Shani Waugh (Aus), Stephanie Arricau (Fra), Catrin Nilsmark (Swe), Sophie Sandolo (Ita), Frederique Dorbes (Fra)
75 Carina Vagner (Den), Tullia Calzavara (Ita), Nathalie David-Mila (Fra), Laurette Maritz (Rsa), Ludivine Kreutz (Fra), Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra), Stacy Lee Bregman (Rsa), Stefanie Michl (Aut), Sara Beautell (Spa), Virginie Auffret (Fra), Kirsty Taylor (Eng), Lynn Brooky (Nzl), Tania Elosegui (Spa)
76 Frederique Seeholzer (Swi), Jade Schaeffer (Fra), Lisa Jean (Aus), Anna Knutsson (Swe), Federica Piovano (Ita), Elisabeth Esterl (Ger), Anna Rawson (Aus), Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal), Claire Coughlan (Irl), Anne-Lise Caudal (Fra), Ana Larraneta (Spa), Anna Tybring (Swe), Jehanne Jail (Fra), Christine Hallstrom (Swe)
77 Carmen Alonso (Spa), Ana B Sanchez (Spa), Fany Schaeffer (Fra), Jenni Kuosa (Fin), Nora Angehrn (Swi), Elin Ohlsson (Swe), Riikka Hakkarainen (Fin), Kiran Matharu (Eng)
78 Eva Steinberger (Aut), Felicity Johnson (Eng), Sarah Heath (Eng), Alexandra Vilatte (Am) (Fra), Sofia Renell (Swe), Clare Queen (Sco), Natascha Fink (Aut), Melodie Bourdy (Fra)
79 Isabelle Boineau (Am) (Fra), Audrey Decharne (Am) (Fra), Martina Gillen (Irl), Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den), Caroline Afonso (Am) (Fra), Elena Giraud (Am) (Fra)
80 Fame More (Eng), Helena Alterby (Swe), Bettina Hauert (Ger), Denise Simon (Ger)
81 Julie Berton (Fra).

For news of the rounds by Lynn Kenny, Kathryn Imrie and Clare Queen, switch over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

FIFE GOLF ASSOCIATION SUMMER LEAGUES

Latest results and placings in the Fife Golf Association Summer Inter-club Leagues, sponsored by Innes Johnston & Company, are:

DIVISION 1
Leven Thistle 3, Thornton 3.
Kirkcaldy 2, Burntisland GH 4.
Thornton 3.5, Burntisland GH 2.5.
Burntisland GH 3, Thornton 3.
Leven Thistle 3.5, Kirkcaldy 2.5.
Thornton 5, Leven Thistle 1.
Kirkcaldy 2.5, Thornton 3.5.
HOW THEY STAND
Columns played-won-lost-halved-for-against-halved-points.
1 Thornton 5-3-0-2-16-10-4-8pt
2 Burntisland GH 3-1-1-1-8-7-3-3pt.
3 Leven Thistle 3-1-1-1-7-10-1-3pt.
4 Kirkcaldy 3-0-3-0-6-10-2-0pt.

DIVISION 2
Lundin 4, Pitreavie 2.
Dunnikier Park 4.5, Balbirnie Park 1.5.
Balbirnie Park 4, Pitreavie 2.
Balbornie Park 4.5, Lundin 1.5.
Dunnikier Park 5, Pitreavie 1.
Dunnikier Park 2, Lundin 4.
Pitreavie 4.5, Lundin 1.5.
HOW THEY STAND
1 Dunnikier Park 3-2-1-0-10-5-3-4pt.
2 Balbirnie Park 3-2-1-0-9-7-2-4pt.
3 Lundin 4-2-2-0-9-11-4-4pt.
4 Pitreavie 4-1-3-0-7-12-5-2pt

DIVISION 3
Dunfermline 4, Drumoig 2.
Scotscraig 3, Drumoig 3.
Forrester Park 4, Dunfermline 2.
Drumoig 5.5, Forrester Park 0.5.
Dunfermline 3.5, Scotscraig 2.5.
Dunfermline 4.5, Forrester Park 1.5.
Drumoig 2.5, Dunfermline 3.5..
HOW THEY STAND
1 Dunfermline 5-4-1-0-16-11-3-8pt.
2 Drumoig 4-1-2-1-11-9-4-3pt.
3 Forrester Park 3-1`-2-0-5-11-2-2pt.
4 Scotscraig 2-0-1-1-4-5-3-1pt

DIVISION 4
Cowdenbeath 6 St Michaels 0.
Lochgelly 5.5, Leven GS 0.5.
Cowdenbeath 5, Leven GS 1.
St Michaels 4, Lochgelly 2.
St Michaels 3, Elmwood 3.
St Michaels 3, Cowdenbeath 3.
Cowdenbeath 5.5, Lochgelly 0.5.
Leven GS 4, Sty Michaels 2.
Leven GS 3.5, Lochgelly 2.5.
HOW THEY STAND
1 Cowdenbeath 4-3-0-1-19-4-1-7pt.
2 St Michaels 5-1-2-1-12-18-2-4pt.
3 Leven GS 4-2-2-0-8-14-2-4pt.
4 Lochgelly 4-1—3-0-9-12-3-2pt
5 Scoonie –Withdrawn, all games played null and void.

British men's amateur championship at Royal Lytham

KELLETT AND MACAULAY IN

LAST EIGHT - AND THEY PLAY

EACH OTHER FOR PLACE

IN SEMI-FINALS

Ross Kellett from Colville Park Golf Club, Motherwell and Tulliallan's Callum Macaulay are the only two Scots to reach the last eight of the British men's amateur championship at Royal Lytham - and they will meet in Friday morning's quarter-finals.
Kellett, 19 years of age, reached the quarter-finals by beating Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland), ranked the No 2 amateur in the world after being No 1 for 13 weeks earlier in the year.
Ross beat him on the 18th green for his greatest ever victory ... so far.
Callum Macaulay, pictured above, recently graduated after four years at the University of Missippi, won through at the 20th in the early evening against Kenny Le Sager (France) tie.
Walker Cup man Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw), the favourite, went down to little known Chris Wood from Long Ashton, Bristol, by one hole.

Wood was four under par for the last six holes of the match.

Wood, the fifth best qualifier for the match-play stages, now plays the American Dean Weaver who ousted Kevin McAlpine (Alyth), holder of the Scottish match-play and stroke-play amateur titles. Weaver won by 2 and 1.

Weaver is a 20-year-old second-year student at Virginia Tech University where that awful shooting of 30-odd students by a deranged colleague took place just a few months ago. Weaver was in the college library at the time - and stayed there for the best part of 4 hours before he felt it was safe to come out.
McAlpine's quality of play was high enough possibly to win any other tie on the course. He was four under par for the 17 holes played. Unfortunately for the Scot Weaver was SIX under par.

Weaver rushed into a three-hole lead after only six holes, including a chip-in eagle 3 from some 30 yards at the sixth among his red figures.

McAlpine was two down after 10 holes but squared an epic contest by birdieing the 11th and 12th. Weaver hit back with a birdie of his own to regain the lead at the 13th and then sank a crucial 12ft birdie putt to get back to two holes up at the 16th. A pitch-and-putt par - one of the few in the game - finished the contest in the American's favour at the next hole.

Another Scot to bow out was Mark Kerr from Craigielaw. Kerr, who works part-time in his father's public bar business to fund his amateur golf actitivies, lost by 3 and 1 to Australian Rick Kulacz.


AFTERNOON/EVENING RESULTS

J Shufflebotham (Prestatyn) bt T Glissmeyer (US) 3 and 2.
R Kulacz (Aus) bt M Kerr (Craigielaw) 3 and 1.

D Weaver (US) bt K McAlpine (Alyth) 2 and 1.
C Wood (Long Ashton) bt L Saltman (Craigielaw) 1 hole.

R Kellett (Colville Park) bt J Moul (Stoke by Nayland) 1 hole.
C Macaulay (Tulliallan) bt K Le Sager (Fra) at 20th.

J Campillo (Esp) bt A Sullivan (Purley Chase) 2 and 1.
T Stewart (Aus) bt G Boyd (Cherwell Edge) 1 hole.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE MORNING RESULTS AT ROYAL LYTHAM

MATT ENJOYS GLOSS FINISH IN LA MANGA
FOOTBALLERS' CLASSIC

Former Southampton and England footballer Matt Le Tissier fought off the challenge of 38 former professional footballers to win the Addison Lee Footballers’ Golf Classic at La Manga Club.
Goalkeeping legend Pat Jennings had set the early pace on the first two days of the competition but a strong final round from Le Tissier saw him take the coveted crystal trophy by one point.
Le Tissier, who plays off six, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted to have finally won this event after trying for five years.”
The tournament was the 11th year Barwell Events has organised the competition and once again 40 teams competed in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Ex-Arsenal and Ireland defender, Terry Mancini, now Barwell’s sports events director, said: “We’ve been organising the Footballers’ Classics for a long time now and it’s amazing how it seems to get better every year.
“Some great golf was played and everyone involved has had a terrific time.”
The team event was also won by a single point. The Goodies, made up of Alan Lindsey (handicap two), Mark Seagraves (eight), and Claire Fensome (eight), amassed 257 points over the 54 holes beating the Property Boys into second place.
The runners-up are now considering changing their name to The Bridesmaids as this was their fourth consecutive second-place finish in the event.

FILIPE-LIMA AND JACQUELIN SHARE LEAD
ON 65 IN BMW INTERNATIONAL OPEN:
FORSYTH (68) IS LEADING SCOT

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

A spectacular last hole eagle helped José Filipe-Lima enjoy not only a reversal of recent fortune, but also a share of the first round lead in the BMW International Open with Raphaël Jacquelin.
The 25 year old Portugese player has missed the last six cuts on the European Tour to find himself languishing at 216th on the Order of Merit and when he began with a bogey 5 at Golfclub München Eichenried, he could have been forgiven for thinking his disappointing run was about to continue.
But nothing could have been further from the truth as, after that, the winner of the 2004 Aa St Omer Open was flawless, carding four birdies and an eagle 3 at the sixth to go along with his one at the 18th to finish the day on seven under par 65.
It gave Lima and Jacquelin a one-shot lead over Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, looking for his second victory of the season after his win in the Telecom Italia Open, surprise packet of the opening day, Frenchman Marc Farry and England’s Paul Broadhurst.
World No 5 Ernie Els and Niclas Fasth, fourth in last week’s US Open Championship, lurk menacingly on five under par after respective opening 67s.
“I hit a very bad drive on the first hole but in a funny way I think that helped relax me a little bit because I was a little stressed after the way I have been playing,” said Lima.
“I changed some things on my swing and I started the year very badly, missing a lot of cuts – a good round today is very good for me and my confidence. Obviously there is a long way to go until Sunday but I will try to keep playing like that.”
FRONT-NINE HIGHLIGHT
Highlight of the front nine was his eagle 3 at the 481 yard sixth hole where a five iron second shot was followed by a successful 12 foot putt. But he bettered that at the 18th to finish in style with a superb drive and a six iron second shot on the 568 yard hole to within six feet of the pin where his putter again did the needful.
Joint leader Jacquelin continued to show his love for the tournament as well as the sponsor.
In 2001 the Frenchman won a car for holing in one at the 17th and in 2003 he carded a ten under par at Golfclub München Eichenried to enjoy a share of the course record. Of course this April, too, he also won the BMW Asian Open in Shanghai.
“Although I do enjoy the course and coming here, it is getting more difficult every year,” he said. “But if you put the ball in the fairway you will have chances and I managed to do that. Of course I also love coming to the BMW tournaments – you could say that I am a BMW man.”
Leading the chase of the two leaders was 47 year old Farry who won this title in 1996 when the tournament was reduced to 36 holes because of inclement weather but who has spent the last two years in the virtual golfing wilderness after suffering badly from tendonitis in both elbows.
Knowing he would play in this event as a past champion, Farry, who lost his European Tour playing privileges at the end of the 2003 season, entered last week’s Open de Saint Omer and although he missed the cut through a lack of confidence on the greens, he saw enough in his game to approach this week with some confidence.
“Apart from my putting last week I prepared myself well for this week,” he said. “I changed putter yesterday as well and that seemed to work as I had a pretty good round in the pro-am here too.
“I’m not a millionaire, I need the money like anyone else but I would say my main concern is that I miss the Tour and the people on it. It is like a big family and one I have been part of for many years. But I would say now my main goal is to prepare for the Seniors Tour because I’ll be 48 next month.”
BAG OF SEVEN BIRDIES
Like Lima, Farry had only one dropped shot on his card but more than made up for that with seven birdies elsewhere including a fine start to his round of four birdies in the first six holes.
Joining the Frenchman in a share of third place was Fernandez-Castaño who had a day on the sleek and smooth putting surfaces at Golfclub München Eichenried that all professionals dream about. In total the Spaniard had eight birdies but felt like he would knock in every putt he stood over.
“I holed absolutely everything out there and for a while I even felt sorry for my playing partners because everything was going into the hole, it didn’t matter the distance or the break,” he said. “It was just one of those days and I really hope I can have three more like that.
“The greens are wonderful here and the thing about them is that I seem to find them very easy to read. Maybe it is the fact that I took two weeks off to rest and recharge my batteries that I have come back refreshed and I can see all the lines!”
Late in the day, Broadhurst joined the Frenchman and the Spaniard in a tie for third place, an eagle three at the sixth hole being the highlight of the Englishman’s day.
While the leading quintet did well, the name all eyes gravitated towards on the leaderboards was Els who also eagled the 18th – his ninth hole of the day – on the way to a 67.
“That was a decent start to my tournament,” he said. “We had beautiful weather conditions in the morning apart from towards the end (when play was suspended for 45 minutes due to thunder and lightning in the area).
“I think I only hit one bad drive all day on the 15th (where he dropped his only shot of the day) but apart from that I was pretty solid and for the rest of the day I kept it in play, hit a lot of greens and made a putt here and there. It was a nice, enjoyable round, especially coming from last week.”

FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 72 Players from GB&I unless stated.

65 Jose-Filipe Lima (Por), Raphael Jacquelin (Fra).
66 Marc Farry (Fra), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa), Paul Broadhurst
67 Niclas Fasth (Swe), Ernie Els (Rsa), Andres Romero (Arg), Francesco Molinari (Ita), David Frost (Rsa)
68 Alastair Forsyth, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg), Thomas Levet (Fra), Peter Fowler (Aus), Steven Jeppesen (Swe), Martin Erlandsson (Swe), Paul Casey, Anders Hansen (Den), Nick Dougherty.
69 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), David Griffiths, Emanuele Canonica (Ita), Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), S O'Hara.
70 Steve Webster, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe), Oliver Wilson, Brett Rumford (Aus), Simon Khan, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa), Kariem Baraka (Ger), Tom Whitehouse, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind), Christian Cevaer (Fra), Robert-Jan Derksen (Ned)
71 Peter Lawrie, Gary Emerson, Andrew Marshall, James Hepworth, Peter Hedblom (Swe), Markus Brier (Aut), Mardan Mamat (Sing), David Lynn, Jamie Spence, Ignacio Garrido (Spa), Miles Tunnicliff, Maarten Lafeber (Ned), Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra), Jonas Kolbing (Ger) (am), Graeme Storm
72 Stephen Gallacher, Benn Barham, Alexander Knappe (Ger) (am), Simon Dyson, Matthew Millar, Christian Nilsson (Swe), Anthony Wall, Jochen Lupprian (Ger), David Park, Robert Rock, Shuv Kapur (Ind), Daniel Vancsik (Arg), Sven Struver (Ger), Soren Hansen (Den), Mark Foster
73 Scott Drummond, Christopher Hanell (Swe), Garry Houston, Cesar Monasterio (Arg), Peter Gustafsson (Swe), Jean Van de Velde (Fra), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Phillip Archer, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra), James Heath, Sam Walker, Wade Ormsby (Aus), Richard Finch, Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Gary Lockerbie, Phillip Price, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson (Swe)
74 Andrew Tampion (Aus), Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den), Shaun Webster, Damien McGrane, Paul McGinley, Paul Lawrie, Alejandro Canizares (Spa), Terry Price (Aus), Gary Murphy, Sam Little, Juan Parron (Spa), Mattias Eliasson (Swe), Oliver Fisher
75 Peter O'Malley (Aus), Lee Slattery, Andrew Coltart, Gregory Havret (Fra), Santiago Luna (Spa), Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe), Pelle Edberg (Swe), Ariel Canete (Arg), Mikko Ilonen (Fin), Simon Hurd, Marcus Higley, Mark Pilkington, Andrew McLardy (Rsa), Stephen Dodd
76 Patrik Sjoland (Swe), Marc Warren, Andrew Raitt, Ralf Geilenberg (Ger), Bernhard Langer (Ger)
77 Manuel Kempe (Ger), Johan Axgren (Swe), Yang Yong-eun (Kor), Chris Gane
78 Joakim Backstrom (Swe), James Kingston (Rsa), Simon Wakefield, Marcel Siem (Ger)
80 Nicolas Metinger (Ger), Wolfgang Huget (Ger)
82 Sandy Lyle
Withdrew Colin Montgomerie

TONY JACKLIN MAKES COMEBACK IN
LONDON SENIORS MASTERS

Tony Jacklin, the last European to win the the US Open Championship, will make his first appearance in Britain for almost two years when he tees up on Friday in the first round of the Bendinat London Seniors Masters at The London Golf Club in Kent.
The two-time Major winner (1969 Open and the 1970 US Open) features in a strong field that includes Costantino Rocca of Italy, Sam Torrance and 1963 Open Champion Bob Charles of New Zealand in addition to 27 of the top 30 from last year's European Seniors Tour Order of Merit.
Jacklin, who now lives in Florida, conducted the official opening of this week's venue in 1994 with two other golfing luminaries, Seve Ballesteros and Jack Nicklaus, but Friday's play in the 2007 Bendinat London Seniors Masters will represent his first round under competition on the Nicklaus-designed Heritage Course.
"I last played in the Open at St Andrews two years ago and have not played competitively since," explained Jacklin. "I got talked into playing this year's Senior Open Championship and The Open by some friends of mine when I was out in Barbados, so I am here at The London Golf Club to feel my way back into the game.
"However, this is a challenging golf course and we have had brisk winds for the past two days. It's all the golf course anyone in this field will need. I opened it in 1994 with Seve and Jack and it was a good test then, and it's a good test now."
During his hiatus from the game, the former Ryder Cup captain has reverted to a short putter and feels a renewed sense of confidence.
"Since I have stopped playing competitively the pressure has been off and I have got more comfortable with my putting. That's a big thing for me as I never cared much for the crutch, as I used to call it," added Jacklin.
Torrance, a winner of this event in 2005 en route to topping the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit that year, is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Jacklin, given the pair's shared experiences in the Ryder Cup.
It was Torrance who holed the winning putt in the 1985 Ryder Cup at The Belfry to end Europe's 28-year drought in the competition and give Jacklin the first of his two wins as captain. To this day Jacklin is the only man to have twice led a European Ryder Cup team to victory over the United States. His other success came at Muirfield Village, Ohio in 1987. Defending champion this year is Italy's Giuseppe Cali.

British men's amateur championship at Royal Lytham

SALTMAN AND MOULE MAKE PROGRESS
BUT LEADING QUALIFIER GOES OUT

FROM THE R&A WEBSITE
Walker Cup player Lloyd Saltman and R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking No 2 Jamie Moul have both safely negotiated the third round of the Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
But leading qualifier David Horsey lost by two holes to Jason Shufflebotham.
Horsey(Styal) was one up after 15 but Shufflebotham (Prestatyn), an 18-year-old who reached the semi-finals of the 2006 Welsh Amateur, birdied the final three holes to take the match.
Shufflebotham holed from 15 feet at the last.
Saltman (Craigielaw) had a one hole advantage at the turn, but lost the 10th when he drove into a bunker on the left. He was gifted the 11th when his opponent, experienced French player Alexandre Kaleka, knocked his tee shot into trees.
Saltman had a tap-in birdie after a seven-iron tee shot at the short 12th, and won the 14th with a par four.
Despite hitting his tee shot into a bunker at the 15th he holed a 20-foot putt for par and held on for a 3 and 2 victory.
"He's a tough opponent and I'm pleased with that result," said Saltman, who was three under par for the 16 holes played.
Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland), who led The R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking for many weeks earlier in the season, won a close fought match with Australian Rohan Blizard by 3 and 1. Square after 14 holes, Moul won the next with a par four, increased his lead at the 16th and holed from 30 yards off the green at the 17th.
"I was just trying to knock it up close and it trundled in. I was quite lucky," he said.
In this afternoon's fourth round Saltman will play Chris Wood (Long Ashton), a 2 and 1 winner against Scottish student Gordon Yates (Hilton Park) and Moul will face another Scot Ross Kellet (Colville Park) who beat Matt Allen (North Hants) by 3 and 2.

MORNING RESULTS

J Shufflebotham bt D Horsey 2 holes.
T Glissmeyer bt J Caldwell 3 and 2.

M Kerr bt K Borsheim 3 and 2.
R Kulacz bt F Fritsch 2 and 1.

D Weaver bt S Ward 2 holes.
K McAlpine bt D Willett 2 holes.

C Wood bt G Yates 2 and 1.
L Saltman bt A Kaleka 3 and 2.

R Kellett bt M Allen 3 and 2.
J Moul bt R Blizard 3 and 1.

K Le Sager bt A Dodt 5 and 4.
C Macaulay bt R Enoch 4 and 3.

J Campillo bt S Uzzell 7 and 6.
A Sullivan bt L Goddard 5 and 4.

G Boyd bt G Shaw at 19th.
T Stewart bt B Evans 3 and 2.

ENGLISH GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE

ENGLAND NAME STRONG SQUAD FOR EUROPEAN
AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS AT WESTERN
GAILES FROM JULY 3 TO 7

Jamie Moul and Gary Wolstenholme, who helped England win the European Men’s Team Championships two years ago, have been named in the team to defend the title in Scotland next month.
The pair are the only members of the side who played before at Hillside in 2005 that have not turned professional. They will be joined at Western Gailes from July 3 to 7 by Gary Boyd, David Horsey, John Parry and Paul Waring.
All are members of England’s Elite Squad and featured in the team that comprehensively beat Spain at Royal Ashdown Forest last month.
Two years ago, Moul gained four points from five in the match-play stages while Wolstenholme won all five of his contests on the way to the title.
Boyd, 20, made his full England debut in last year’s Home Internationals in Wales. This followed a successful career at under 16 and boys level during which he reached the quarter-finals of the English Amateur Championship and the semi-finals of the Spanish Amateur.
Last winter the Northamptonshire player won the inaugural Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in China and this year was a quarter-finalist in the Spanish Amateur.
Horsey, 22, gained his first full England cap against France last year and has enjoyed a number of individual successes. These include victories in the North of England Youths Championship, the English Champions Tournament, the West of England Stroke Play, in the past two years, and the Lee Westwood Trophy.
He has also been runner-up in the English Amateur and the Tasmanian Amateur, third in the South African Stroke Play and was joint fourth recently in the Brabazon Trophy. Horsey won all four of his matches against Spain.
Moul, 22, is another former boy cap, who made his full England debut against France at Royal St George’s in 2004. In 2005, the Essex-based Suffolk player finished runner-up in the St Andrews Links Trophy and was a Walker Cup reserve.
Since then he has been one of England’s leading performers. Last year, he won the Lytham Trophy and reached the semi-finals of the Amateur Championship and the English Amateur, was runner-up in the German Amateur and third in the European Amateur.
Recently Jamie Moul was the joint winner of the Brabazon Trophy and finished fourth in the St Andrews Links Trophy.
Parry, 20, is the youngest member of the England side. Like Horsey, he made his full England debut against France last year. A former winner of the McEvoy Trophy, the Yorkshireman has also finished runner-up in the Carris Trophy (English Under 18 Championship) and the Daily Telegraph Junior Championship. In 2005, he was Yorkshire Champion and won the Danish Open Amateur, earning a place in the Vietnam Open on the Asian Tour in which he played all four rounds.
After a less successful 2006, Parry has bounced back this year to win the Spanish Amateur and the Welsh Open Stroke Play, beating Waring in a playoff.
Waring, another 22 year old, has enjoyed considerable success over the past seven years, starting with victory in the McGregor Trophy (English Under-16 Championship) in 2001. Capped at under 16 and boys levels, Waring was Cheshire Boys Champion in 2002 and England Boy Captain the following year.
After being dogged by injury, he won the English title over his home course at Bromborough in 2005 and made his full England debut in that year’s Home Internationals and has been a member of the side since.
Last year, Waring finished runner-up in the West of England, fifth in the Mexican Amateur and reached the last 16 in defence of his English title. This year, he reached the quarter-finals of the Spanish Amateur and lost the playoff to Parry in the Welsh Open Stroke Play. Wolstenholme, 46, will be playing in his seventh European Team Championships.
The most-capped England player, he recorded his 200th appearance against the Spanish last month and recently collected an MBE at Buckingham Palace. A prolific winner nationally and across the world since making his England debut in 1988, his successes in 2007 include victory in the New South Wales Amateur and a successful defence of his European Mid Amateur Championship earlier this month.
This will be the 25th playing of the Championships and England has lifted the title on nine occasions.
England team for Western Gailes:
Gary Boyd (Cherwell Edge).
David Horsey (Styal).
Jamie Moul (Stoke-by-Nayland).
John Parry (Harrogate).
Paul Waring (Bromborough).
Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs).
Non-travelling reserve:
Ben Parker (Royal Birkdale).

BAD DAY FOR THE YOUNG SCOTS IN JAPAN

Scotland's squad of four had a collective bad third day in the Toyota world boys' team golf championship at Chukyo Golf Club, Nagoya in Japan.
None of the 14 teams had a worse score than Scotland's mediocre 222 for the third round - 10 shots more than their first and second day team scores.
Only bottom of the table Singapore also scored 222 today (Thursday).
The Scots - James Byrne (Banchory), Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), Paul Ferrier (Baberton) and Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) - have slumped to 12th in the table with one day to go.
Their 54-hole aggregate of 646 is 30 shots behind leaders Sweden who are one shot ahead of the defending champions, Norway.
On the first two days, one Scotland boy scored in the 60s - par of the course is 71 - but in the third round, the lowest score the Scots could muster was a one-over 72 from Michael Stewart. Shaun McAllister, Paul Ferrier and James Byrne each returned a four-over 75.
Byrne was one over par when he eagled the seventh and birdied the 18th to get to two under par for the day. Then he was in the water at the ninth to double-bogey the hole and turn in level par.
James seemed to have lost a bit of confidence after that and he bogeyed the 10th, 11th, 15th and 17th for a four-over-par 75.
Stewart parred the first 14 holes before going out of bounds with his drive at the 15th. He did well to escape with just one shot dropped. At the 16th Michael got his only birdie of the round.
Stewart is joint 17th in the individual standings with a three-round total of two-under-par 211. Byrne comes next in joint 22nd place on 213. McAllister is tied 50th on 224 and Ferrier is 55th in the field of 56 with a total of 232. Ferrier had a double bogey at the 10th.
Details:
Chukyo Golf Club, Nagoya, Japan. Par 71, 6,886yd

THIRD-ROUND TEAM TOTALS
Par 639 (3 x 213)
616 Sweden 201 204 211 (B Akesson 68, J Kennegard 69, P Widegren 74. NC: D Jennevret 75).
617 Norway 205 205 207 (A Kristiansen 67, M Thorp 70, A Friestad 70. NC: F Kollevold 71).
627 New Zealand 210 213 204 (P Spearman-Burn 67, D Pearce 68, S Shin 69. NC: P Hayman 76.
630 Chinese Taipei 216 207 207.
632 South Africa 212 213 207.
634 Australia 210 210 214, Mexico 211 208 215.
635 Japan 207 216 212.
639 United States 216 214 209.
642 Canada 210 213 219.
643 Argentina 215 217 211.
646 Scotland 212 212 222 (M Stewart 72, P Ferrier 75, J Byrne 75, S McAllister 75).
658 Venezuela 225 218 215.
659 Singapore 219 218 222.

LEADING INDIVIDUALS
Par 213 (3 x 71)
200 A Kristiansen (Nor) 67 66 67.
202 J Kennegard (Swe) 65 68 69.
206 M Thorp (Nor) 70 66 70, C-T Pan (Chinese Taipei) 73 66 67.
207 P Spearman-Burn (NZ) 69 71 67, B Akesson (Swe) 68 71 68.
Scottish scores:
211 M Stewart 67 72 72 (jt 17th).
213 J Byrne 73 65 75 (jt 22nd).
224 S McAllister 74 75 75 (jt 50th).
232 P Ferrier 72 85 75 (55th).

SCOTLAND TEAM FOR EUROPEAN SENIOR
WOMEN'S TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP IN SWEDEN

The Scottish Ladies Golfing Association has named the Scotland squad of six to compete in the European senior women's amateur team championship at Royal Drottningholm Golf Club, Stockholm from July 24 to 28. It is:

Lorna Bennett (Ladybank).
Fiona de Vries (St Rule).
Helen Faulds (Douglas Park).
Kathleen Sutherland (Royal Montrose).
Moira Thomson (North Berwick).
Pamela Williamson (Baberton)

ELLIOT SALTMAN MISSES

CUT AT BOVEY CASTLE

AFTER DOUBLE BOGEYS

Elliot Saltman, pictured right, missed the 36-hole cut by two shots in the Bovey Castle Championship - this week's event on the PGA EuroPro Tour - near Newton Abbot, Devon.
The Dalkeith man had rounds of 72 and 74 for a six-over-par total of 146. He had a double-bogey 7 at the last hole in his first round and a double-bogey 5 at the short 11th in his second round.
Only three Scots made the cut - Anglo-Scot Alasdair Hay on 141 and Graham Gordon and Paul Doherty on 143.
Scroll down for a full report on the first day's play.

LEADING SCORES
134 C Hanson (Eng) 64 70.
135 M Woods (Eng) 70 65.
136 D Wardrop (Eng) 65 71.
137 N Vowles (Eng) 68 69, C Moriarty (Ire) 71 66.
138 A Smith (Wal) 66 72, P Hendricksen (Eng) 68 70, P Rowe (Eng) 69 69.
Scots qualifiers (144 or better):
141 A Hay 70 71 (jt 22nd).
143 G Gordon 69 74, P Doherty 71 72 (jt 35th).
Scots non-qualifiers
146 E Saltman 72 74.
153 C Farr 75 78.
159 I Simpson 78 81.

YOUR VIEW
We asked for your views on whether or not Paul O'Hara was right to criticise publicly the Scottish Golf Union selectors for leaving him out of the six-man Scotland team for the forthcoming European team championship at Western Gailes (He was invited to be first reserve, but declined).
Scroll down to see our original story and some of the comments.
Here is the latest:

'SELECTORS PICK GOLFERS THAT WIN 72-HOLERS'

Having read Scottishgolfview.com's coverage on the upcoming European team championship at Western Gailes, it is obvious and has been known for some time that the Scottish selectors will pick the golfers that win the 72-hole competitions.
The gauntlet been thrown down to Paul O Hara and the rest - Go out and win the 72-holers .
As for Paul's comment " I don’t care ." That means he cares a lot
All the best to your excellent website and the Scots team at Wetern Gailes

David Ferguson
Paisley

If you have a view to express on the "Paul O'Hara affair" or any other golfing topic, E-mail it to colin@scottishgolfview.com

CABRERA A HERO IN ARGENTINA, SAYS
84-year-old ROBERTO DE VICENZO

Roberto de Vicenzo, winner of the Open at Royal Liverpool in 1967, was the last Argentine golfer to win a major tournament before Angel Cabrera pulled off his shock win at Oakmont on Sunday in the United States Open.
De Vicenzo, who is now 84, says he watched every minute ot the championship on television at his home in Argentina.
"Cabrera is now a hero in Argentina,'' he said. "He's my hero. I'm very happy for him, because I didn't want to leave this world before I saw something like this.''
"The biggest different is that when Angel won the US Open, many more people saw it on television,'' De Vicenzo said. "When I won the British Open 40 years ago not as many saw it. Millions saw Cabrera win.''
One other slight difference is that when Roberto won the Open, it was a three-day championship, finishing with two rounds on the Friday.
Cabrera competes on the European Tour. De Vicenzo made a special trip from Argentina to compete at Hoylake 40 years ago.
Cabrera was welcomed by thousands of his fellow countrymen during a motorcade from the airport to his home in Argentina earlier this week.
With the flag of Argentina over his shoulders, Cabrera held the US Open championship trophy above his head during the drive with a police escort at Villa Allende in the central province of Cordoba.
Cabrera was joined by his two sons in the motorcade to his home, not far from where he first learned to golf as a caddie at a local club.

CARNOUSTIE LINKS SUSPEND HEAD GREENKEEPER

John Philp, head greenkeeper at Carnoustie Links, host to the Open championship next month, has been temporarily suspended by his employers after an alleged confrontation with one of the apprentices on his staff.
Philp was sent home last week after officials launched an inquiry into his dispute with the 16-year-old apprentice, which reportedly centred on the teenager's cigarette breaks.
Philp, 59, hopes to be back in time for the July 19-22 championship. He said: "I cannot talk about the facts surrounding my suspension in detail, but hopefully this will be resolved soon."
Graeme Duncan, general manager of Carnoustie Golf Links, said: "We have no concerns for being ready for the Open. We have a really experienced team here, most of whom were here in 1999. The course is in excellent condition."
Philp, a man who does not suffer fools gladly, made headlines in 2004 when he moved a suggestion box to the middle of a pond because he was "sick of whingers" complaining about the course.

AIR-CONDITIONED GOLF CARTS AT THE MONTGOMERIE

News from Dubai this morning that this summer, The Montgomerie, Dubai will be the first golf club in the Middle East to introduce a climate-controlled cooling system known as the Coolwell G2 to its fleet of golf carts.
The Montgomerie, Dubai — winner of numerous accolades and awards in recent times — has discovered yet another means of enhancing the Troon Golf experience and proving why the luxury golf brand is continually setting new benchmarks for service and quality standards world wide.
The Coolwell G2, enables golf to be played in comfort 365 days of the year, irrespective of changing climates. The Coolwell G2’s functionality is two-fold, providing cooling air-conditioning to golfers on warm summer days and, with the flip of a switch, heating during the colder months.
The powerful G2 uses ice, physics and 1 amp of battery from a golf cart to provide the air-conditioning.
One presumes that golfers actually have to come out of the golf carts to play shots!

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

HANSON LEADS WEATHER-HIT PGA EUROPRO
TOUR EVENT AT BOVEY CASTLE, DEVON

Huddersfield player Christopher Hanson remained on course for another top ten finish in the 2007 PGA EuroPro Tour season.
Hanson is in first place after two days of a weather-hit sixth event, which is being staged at Bovey Castle, Devon.
A thunder and lightning storm had delayed proceedings yesterday as more than 60 players could not complete their opening round on Tuesday.
That meant an early start on day two as some competitors finished their first round and then began their second shortly afterwards.
Hanson was one of those who was in action twice in the same day as he recorded a six-under round one and then a level par 70 on Wednesday.
It continues his fine season that has seen him come inside the top ten at three of the four tournaments he has played.
He has finished ninth at Wensum Valley, fifth at Roganstown and second at Cardrona, while only a poor final round stopped him securing another high spot at Faithlegg.
Other players performing well in Devon include Matthew Woods (Donnington Grove, Berkshire - five-under), Neil Vowles (Burton-on-Trent - three-under) and Daniel Wardrop (Manchester - also three-under).
Neil Walker, who won at Cardrona, Peebles, had fired a five-under on Tuesday but suffered a disastrous second day as he went back to level par after a five-over round today.
Once again the round could not be completed so some players will finish their second round before the cut, which is the top 50 plus ties, is known.
As with all EuroPro Tour events, Matchroom Sport will produce a two-hour highlights package, which will be shown on Sky Sports on Wednesday, July 4 and the following day.
The next event will be staged at the Stoke-by-Nayland Golf Club in Leavenheath, Colchester, Essex and will run from Tuesday, June 26 to Thursday, June 28.

++Apologies for not being able to show you a scoreboard from the Bovey Castle Championship but the PGA EuroPro Tour website is not functioning.

R&A UPDATED MEN'S WORLD AMATEUR
RANKINGS: MOULE LOSES LEAD AGAIN
American college student golfer Jamie Lovemark has regained the top spot from Jamie Moule (Stoke by Nayland) in the updated R&A World Men's Amateur Golf Rankings released today.
Here are the top positions:
1 Jamie Lovemark (US) 1148.28.
2 Jamie Moule (Eng) 1129.27.
3 Billy Horschel (US) 1078.18.
4 Rhys Davies (Wal) 1050.79.
5 Chris Kirk (US) 1047.37.
6 Dustin Johnson (US) 1033.33.
7 Lloyd Saltman (Sco) 1032.79.
8 Bronzon LaCassie (Aus) 1012.90.
9 Webb Simpson (US) 1000.00.
10 Gary Wolstenholme (Eng) 998.53.
11 Kyle Stanley (US) 991.07.
12 John Parry (Eng) 987.80.
13 Richie Ramsay (Sco) 980.85.
14 Niklas Lemke (Swe) 974.36.
15 Gary Boyd (Eng) 964.86.
16 Alan Wagner (Arg) 958.82.
17 Nigel Edwards (Wal) 951.02.
18 Kevin Chappell (US) 949.12
19 Rohan Blizard (Aus) 948.05.
20 Michael Thompson (US) 937.21.
21 Trip Kuehne (US) 921.88.
22 Rob Grube (US) 920.83.
23 Dawie van der Walt (SAf) 912.16.
24 Benhamin Alvarado (Chi) 907.89.
25 David Horsey (Eng) 906.78.
26 Charlie Beljan (US) 904.88.
27 Rory McIlroy (Ire) 903.57.
28 Roberto Castro (US) 902.44.
29 Daniel Summerehays (US) 900.00.
30 Cameron Tringale (US) 898.46.
31 Jonathan Moore (US) 896.43.
32 Brendon Todd (US) 890.38.
33 Gary Woodland (US) 887.50.
34 Johan Carlsson (Swe) 884.85.
35 Paul Waring (Eng) 884.38.
36 Colt Knost (US) 884.00
37 Rick Kulacz (Aus) 882.89.
38 Peter Uihlein (US) 876.74.
39 Danny Lee (NZ) 866.67.
40 James Byrne (Sco) 856.25.
41 Louis de Jager (SAf) 855.74.
42 Alexandre Kaleka (Fa) 854.90.
43 Ruan Botha (SAf) 852.94.
44 Oscar Floren (Swe) 847.50.
45 Bronson Burgoon (US) 843.24.
46 Tyler Leon (US) 842.59.
47 Adam Mitchell (US) 842.50.
48 Bjorn Akesson (Swe) 840.62.
49 Robert Gates (US) 840.48.
50 Brian Harman (US) 837.50.
Other Scottish rankings in the top 250:
70 Paul O'Hara 801.79.
79 John Gallagher 790.91.
102 Kevin McAlpine 764.71.
133 Wallace Booth 735.59.
147 Keir McNicoll 724.00.
153 Callum Macaulay 719.70.
158 Craig Watson 716.00.
168 Jonathan King 708.11
188 Gavin Dear 687.93.
192 Duncan Stewart 6785.42.
209 Mark Kerr 670.77.
224 Glenn Campbell 658.21.
225 Scott Henry 657.41
235 Bryan Fotheringham 647.69.
243 Steven McEwan 635.48.
248 Russell Knox 633.33.

Was Paul O'Hara right to criticise the SGU selectors?

COMMENT FROM ALASDAIR MALCOLM

Regarding the Scottishgolfview.com article on the non selection of Paul O'Hara for the European team (scroll down to read it).
The selectors have a difficult enough job in selecting the final six, a task made all the more trying due to the quality of the contenders this year. I have no doubt that the selectors will consider many factors in the performance of likely contenders before making the final decision.
It is no doubt extremely disappointing for Paul not to be selected as one of the first six. However his criticism of the SGU, and the selectors in particular, is unduly harsh, and his apparent refusal to be a reserve, if I read the article right, seems somewhat petulant.
I have no doubt that there are many excellent golfers in Scotland who would be honoured to be named as a reserve for the European team, and perhaps it would have been better for Paul to be a little more philosophical and accept the honour of the reserve place.
I fully expect that his outburst will not influence the selectors in any way in the selection of future teams and hope that Paul's talent will be called upon, and be made available, in future national sides.
I sincerely hope, as I am sure many others do, that the selectors' decision is proved to be the right one come the beginning of July, and the Scotland team enjoy success at Western Gailes.

Alasdair J. Malcolm
Prestwick

THE EDITOR'S VIEW
When I read Paul O'Hara's reaction to being classed as only the seventh best Scottish men's amateur player at the moment - he was invited to be first reserve to the squad of six for the European team championships, but turned it down - I thought he was being just a little too big for his golf shoes.
After all, can you remember Paul actually WINNING a tournament?
Then I saw the R&A World Amateur Rankings, updated today, and, according to the computer that analyses current form and recent past form, without bias, fear or favour, the Scotland team for Western Gailes should have been:
LLOYD SALTMAN (ranked No 7)
RICHIE RAMSAY (ranked No 13)
JAMES BYRNE (ranked No 40).
PAUL O'HARA (ranked No 70).
JOHN GALLAGHER (ranked no 79)
KEVIN McALPINE (ranked No 102).

So cack-handed John Gallagher from Swanston also has a bone to pick with the selection committee!
Keir McNicoll and Jonathan King, who have been selected, are ranked Nos 147 and 168 in the world respectively by the R&A.

You might not agree, and the SGU selection committee certainly wouldn't, but in this computerised age, where they can do everything but talk - and I believe some computers actually can talk - perhaps it is time to dispense with humans doing the selecting of teams from world-ranked golfers.
Leave it to the computers who do not have personal favourites or personal dislikes.
The R&A WAR has already decided who got in and who did not get into the field for this week's British amateur championship ... those who were too far down the rankings were left on the sidelines.
The next step, and I admit it may take another 25 or 50 years, is for the official world amateur rankings to decide any country's international line-up.
Remember where you heard it first - and if the SLGA and LGU ladies are reading this and thinking it doesn't really concern them, I've got news for them ... there will be R&A World Women's Amateur Rankings before the world of golf is very much older.

Colin Farquharson
Editor
Scottishgolfview.com

IS THE EDITOR SPEAKING THROUGH A HOLE IN HIS HAT?

You can E-mail your opinon to colin@scottishgolfview.com

SALTMAN HEADS FOR PRACTICE GROUND AFTER
BEATING CANADIAN IN TIGHT MATCH

FROM THE R&A WEBSITE

There will be a strong international challenge to the home countries players on the second day of match play in the (British men's) Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes as the surviving 32 include entrants from the US, Norway, Germany, Australia, France and Spain.
Australia has four players through to the third round after Rohan Blizard beat Niall Turner (Muskerry) 3 and 2 and was joined in the last 32 by fellow countrymen Rick Kulacz, Andrew Dodt and Tim Stewart.
Walker Cup player Lloyd Saltman headed for the practice ground to work on his driving after a tight match against Canadian Jason Wellings, which the Scot won by 3 and 2 despite hitting his tee shot out-of-bounds to the right of the 15th.
"The driver's been letting me down a little bit," he admitted. He won the first hole and went three ahead after birdies at the eighth and ninth. He got away with a poor drive at the 10th where Wellings hit an even worse tee shot and eventually conceded the hole.
Tomorrow Saltman plays Frenchman Alexandre Kaleka, a 5 and 4 winner over Michael Bush (Rochester & Cobham Park). "I've played him before in Morocco," said Saltman, "and I know I will have to play well to beat him."
England elite squad member Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland), only recently replaced at the top of The R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking after many weeks as number one, beat Paul Waring (Bromborough) by 2 and 1.
"It was a bit scrappy," said Moul. "My short game saved me. I pitched and putted very well."
Simon Ward (County Louth), losing finalist in last year's Irish amateur close championship, beat Jack Senior (Heysham) by 3 and 1 and Gordon Yates (Hilton Park), an R&A bursary student at the University of Stirling who played in the recent Palmer Cup against the US, was a 3 and 2 winner over Benjamin Sigl of Germany.
Rhys Enoch (Truro), a member of the GB&I team in the Jacques Leglise Trophy boys' match against Europe last year, had a comfortable 5 and 4 victory over Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin).

SCROLL DOWN FOR TODAY'S RESULTS FROM ROYAL LYTHAM

£120 A ROUND TO PLAY CASTLE COURSE, St

ANDREWS WHEN IT OPENS NEXT SPRING

When the seventh St Andrews Links’ course – the Castle Course – opens for play next spring, the visitor green fee will be in the upper range of pay-and-play venues in Scotland and, in fact, almost as costly as a round over the Old Course.

The rate will be £120 per round although, as is the case at all the other courses administered by the St Andrews Links Trust, residents of St Andrews will enjoy a discounted rate. For residents, the Castle Course will cost only £40 for a single round.
The Castle course will be open for seven months – from April to October – which is roughly the same schedule as Kingsbarns Links. The intervals between tee times will be 12min.

+Current green fees for St Andrews courses (April 16 to October 14) are:

Old Course: Adult - £125. Under-16 - £125.

New Course: Adult - £65. Under-16 - £32.

Jubilee Course: Adult - £65. Under-16 - £32.

Eden Course: Adult £35. Under-16 - £17.

Strathtyrum Course: Adult £24. Undcer-16 - £12.

Balgove Course: Adult - £12. Under-16 - £4.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

Scottish Golf Union Press Release

SCOTTISH YOUTHS ANGLE IN EARNEST FOR
TITLE AT ERSKINE

By KATE WELDON, SGU Press Officer

A number of contenders are in the frame for the Scottish Youths Open Amateur Stroke Play title which gets underway at Erskine this weekend (22 – 24 June), with the notable omission of last year’s champion Spaniard, Francisco Pintor choosing not to defend his title.
With handicap ballots at a number of the SGU majors this season being set at an all time record low, the Youths Open Stroke Play is no exception, with the ballot set at 0.9 – attracting the strongest fields of competitors in the history of the event.
The lure of the championship has enticed the usual international mix of golfers, with competitors from the USA, France, Germany, Portugal, Iceland and as far a field as New Zealand to tee up on Friday to angle for the prestigious Scottish national title.
From the domestic scene, former Scottish Boys Champion James White will prove a likely contender along with Thornton’s Michael Main - who was left in White’s wake to settle for a 2006 Scottish Boys runner- up finish - and will undoubtedly want to go one better in this title race.
Other hopefuls include the youngest of the Saltman clan, Craigielaw player Zack Saltman who will be keen to emulate his brother Lloyd’s hot form at present to etch his name on the Youths trophy, plus an array of Scottish Boys caps including likely lads Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) and fellow Quadrangular team mate, Cameron Gray (West Kilbride).
Dumbarton’s Andrew Campbell, semi finalist at this year’s Scottish Boys Championship at Dunbar has also thrown his hat in the ring, hoping to progress to a place in Sunday’s final for a chance to contest the title.
Commenting on the event, SGU Performance Manager Stuart Turner said, “The Scottish Open Youths title has attracted a very strong field and for competitors from near and far the competition will be fierce, which will provide a very exciting championship.
He added, “With the handicap ballot at an all time low, having dropped from 3.6 since the championship in 2000, golfers must raise their game and cannot afford poor scoring rounds if they are to make the grade and secure their place in the final.”
The Glen’s Neil Henderson, fresh from his Junior Tour event win at Kilmarnock (Barassie) last weekend, will no doubt be casting his eye over the silverware up for grabs. The +2.1 handicapper has high hopes of securing a much coveted Scottish cap and a fine performance this weekend could certainly pave the way for Henderson, the Scottish schoolboys' champion, to realise his ambition.
He is joined in the field by Perthshire’s jewel in the crown Sam McLaren, current U16 Stroke Play Champion from King James VI - joint runner up with Scott Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) last weekend at the 5th Junior Tour event – who is also in the draw and not to be discounted.
The field of 144 competitors embark on their title quest on Friday when round one gets underway. Only the top 40 players plus ties will make the cut following round two on Saturday to progress to contest the 36 hole final on Sunday.
Spectators are welcome to come along and support Scotland’s rising stars, hoping to savour their first taste of national success at the scenic par 71 course in Renfrewshire. Past champions at the event include Andrew Oldcorn, Stephen Gallacher and Europe’s Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley.

-

CELTIC PRO TOUR PRESS RELEASE

GAVIN McNEIL WINS CELTIC PRO TOUR EVENT
IN IRELAND WITH COURSE-RECORD 66

The first Celtic Pro Tour event to be staged in Ireland took place at Seafield Golf and Country Club in Wexford this week and was won by Waterford’s Gavin McNeill, who walked away with the Wexford Open title.
The Celtic Pro Tour has developed out of the Welsh-based Dragon Tour, Wales’ first professional golf tour, which started last season. The Irish events on the tour are staged under the Shamrock Tour brand (www.shamrocktour.com)
McNeill shot a brilliant four-under-par round of 66 in the second round to set a course record at the Seafield resort and win by two clear strokes at two-under-par 138.
Runner-up was Jason Law from East Cork. He finished level par 140. McNeill pocketed the £1,000 cheque (1,400 euro) with Law winning £500 (700 euro).
Third place went to Welsh golfer Tom Davies (Machynys Peninsula) on 142. He won £250 (350 euro) in the process, which puts him into second place in the current Celtic Pro Tour Order of Merit.
Fellow Welshman Alun Evans (Newport Links) was a further three shots back at 145 in fourth position. He won £150 (210 euro), which also catapults him up the Order of Merit to third place.
EuroPro Tour golfer Alex Smith currently leads the Order of Merit but was not able to travel to Ireland for the event.
Leading amateur was James Fox (Portmarnock) on 146. He won the £50 (70 euro) voucher, with Patrick Geraghty (Seafield) a further two shots back at 148 winning the last of the prize money - £100 (140 euro) for fifth place professional.

The Celtic Pro Tour will stage 15 events this season, with 11 in Wales, two in Scotland and two in Ireland. The next Irish event, the Wicklow Open, is at Tulfarris on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th July.

“We were delighted with the welcome we received from Seafield Golf and Country Club and with the way the Irish professionals supported our first event in Ireland”, said Rhydian Thomas, Celtic Pro Tour Director. “The Dragon Tour in Wales was set up last season because professionals felt there was a gap in the market, and its success gave us the incentive to push on and support golfers in Ireland and Scotland also. The sole purpose of the Celtic Pro Tour is to act as the leading developmental tour for the Celtic nations.”

Roger Maliphant, Event Organiser, added: “We were really pleased to see the two Welsh golfers travel over to compete, and also Kevin Goude, an amateur from Cambridge. We hope to see more Irish golfers in our Welsh-based events too. Our ultimate aim is a 24 event season from April to October, which will incorporate eight events in each of the three countries, and following the success of the Seafield event this week, we have already received offers from clubs to host events in 2008.”

The next Celtic Pro Tour event, takes place in Wales next week. The Carmarthen Bay Open takes place at Machynys Peninsula, next Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th June. Entry costs £99 for professionals, with £50 temporary membership, and £55 for amateurs. Membership of the tour is priced at £175. For more information, visit the website at www.celticpro.com.

- ends –

Further information:
Rhydian Thomas,
Celtic Pro Tour, Director
00 44 7861 686568.
info@celticpro.co.uk
www.celticpro.com

The Celtic Pro Tour's first event in Ireland, the Wexford Open, was won earlier this week by Waterford's Gavin McNeill. His second and final round of 66 was a course record, giving him a two-stroke victory from East Cork's Jason Law.
Full results will be made available shortly.

PAUL O'HARA HITS OUT AT SELECTORS

FOR NOT CHOOSING HIM FOR

EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Paul O'Hara, 20-year-old younger brother of Steven, the European Tour player, has publicly criticised the Scottish Golf Union selectors for not naming him as one of the six players to represent Scotland in the forthcoming European men's amateur team championship at Western Gailes.

"It's a joke. I'm ranking. As soon as I got the letter saying I was the reserve, I called the SGU and told them I didn't want to be a reserve and that I shoould have been in the team in the first place," said Paul, pictured right, a member of Colville Park Golf Club, Motherwell.

O'Hara was seventh in the recent Scottish stroke-play championship at Royal Dornoch where James Byrne (Banchory), the new cap in the team for Western Gailes, finished second.

O'Hara has been involved in the Scottish men's squads since he reached the final of the Scottish amateur championship at Gullane in 2004.

He is in the GB&I squad for 23 for Walker Cup training and practice.

"It looks as if it's easier to get into the Walker Cup team that the Scotland team," he said.

Asked if he was worried that his criticism of the SGU selection process might jeopardise his chances of being picked for future Scotland teams, O'Hara said: "I don't care."

Paul failed to get past the Monday-Tuesday qualifying rounds of this week's British amateur championship at Royal Lytham - but neither did Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie) and Jonathan King (Glasgow) who are in the six-man Scotland team for the European championships.

ANY COMMENTS? Do you think Paul O'Hara may live to regret publicly criticising the Scottish Golf Union international selectors? Would he have been better to keep his mouth shut and let his clubs do the talking by WINNING tournaments
E-mail your view to colin@scottishgolfview.com

BRITISH AMATEUR RESULTS FROM ROYAL LYTHAM

FIRST ROUND
G Shaw (Lurgan) bt A Runcie (Abergele) 3 and 1.
T Sherreard (Chart Hills) bt P Baunsoe (Den) 4 and 3.
B Evans (Rye) bt S Benson (Wentworth) 2 holes.

SECOND ROUND
Upper Half
D Horsey (Styal) bt J Parry (Harrogate) at 21st.
J Shufflebotham (Prestatyn) bt P O'Keefe (Douglas) 1 hole.
J Caldwell (Clandeboye) bt B Parker (Gut Waldhof) 2 and 1.
T Glissmeyer (US) bt G Blainey (Bearwood Lakes) 4 and 3.
K Borsheim (Nor) bt C Evans (West Monmouthshire) 6 and 5.
M Kerr (Craigielaw) bt D Whiteness (Five Lakes) 2 and 1.
F Fritsch (Ger) bt G Dear (Murrayshall) 3 and 2.
R Kulacz (Aus) bt J Abbott (Fynn Valley) 1 hole.
S Ward (Co Louth) bt J Senior (Heysham) 3 and 1.
D Weaver (US) bt L Garcia (Esp) 4 and 3.
D Willett (Rotherham) bt R McIlroy (Holywood) 2 and 1.
K McAlpine (Alyth) bt L Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 5 and 3.
C Wood (Long Ashton) bt F De Vries (Ned) at 19th.
G Yates (Hilton Park) bt B Sigl (Ger) 3 and 2.
L Saltman (Craigielaw) bt J Wellings (Can) 3 and 2.
A Kaleka (Fra) bt M Bush (Rochester & Cobham Park) 5 and 4.

Lower Half
M Allen (North Hants) bt F Schulte (Ger) 7 and 6.
R Kellett (Colville Park) bt E Goya (Arg) at 22nd.
R Blizard (Aus) bt N Turner (Maskerry) 3 and 2.
J Moul (Stoke by Nayland) bt P Waring (Bromborough) 2 and 1.
A Dodt (Aus) bt D Corsby (Fleetwood) 5 and 4.
K Le Sager (Fra) bt V Dubuisson (Fra) 1 hole.
R Enoch (Truro) bt N Kearney (Royal Dublin) 5 and 4.
C Macaulay (Tulliallan) bt S Stuart (St Annes Old Links) at 19th.
J Campillo (Esp) bt S Mann (Carnoustie) 3 and 2.
S Uzzell (Hornsea) bt A Pavan (Ita) at 21st.
L Goddard (Henton) bt C Schwierz (Ger) 6 and 4.
A Sullivan (Purley Chase) bt W Booth (Comrie) 1 hole.
G Boyd (Cherwell Edge) bt M Kieffer (Ger) at 20th.
S Lowry (Esker Hills) bt Shaw 1 hole.
T Stewart (Aus) bt Sherreard 3 and 2.
Evans bt M Thistleton (Hayling) at 19th.

GRAMMAR v GORDON’S FOR ABERDEEN
SCHOOLS GOLF TITLE ON THURSDAY

Arch rivals Aberdeen Grammar School and Robert Gordon’s College will meet in the final of the Aberdeen schools golf championship over the Hazlehead No 1 course tomorrow. The first match will tee off at 4.33pm.
When Gordon’s and Grammar last met in the final, two years ago, Grammar won the title 3-0.
Results of Tuesday evening's semi-finals:
Aberdeen Grammar School 3, Bridge of Don Academy 0.
Robert Gordon’s College 2, Hazlehead Academy 1.

JAMES BYRNE COOKS UP A 65
BUT REST OF THE SCOTS BOYS
GO OFF THE BOIL IN JAPAN

James Byrne served up a sizzling, six-under-par 65 but the rest of the Scotland team went off the boil in the second round of the Toyota world boys’ team golf championship in Japan.
Byrne, whose score was the joint best of the day, improved by eight shots on his opening 73 and is sixth in the individual standings with an aggregate of four-under-par 138 over the 6,886yd, par-71 Ishino course at Chukyo Golf Club.
Unfortunately, none of James’ three team-mates could match or better par on the day.
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) fell back from first-day 67 to a 72 and Scottish boys’ match-play champion Paul Ferrier (Baberton) had a nightmare 85, a 13-shot slump compared with Tuesday.
Shaun McAllister’s 74 in the first round was Scotland’s non-counter but his 75 in the second round had to become the third counting score, given Ferrier’s problems.
Scotland’s second-round total of 212 matched their first-round effort but with a 36-hole tally of 424 they actually slipped from eighth to ninth place among the 14 competing nations.
Sweden, runners-up to Norway in this championship 12 months ago, have opened up a five-stroke lead over their Scandinavian rivals with a 21-under-par tally of 405 to the Norwegians’ 410.
At the halfway stage, Sweden and Norway appear to have outstripped the field because third-placed Mexico are nine shots adrift of Norway.

TOYOTA WORLD BOYS’ TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Chukyo Golf Club, Ishino course (6,886yd, par-71)

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 426 (6 x 71)
405 SWEDEN 201 294 (P Widegren 66, J Kennegard 68, D Nennevret 70. NC: B Akesson 71).
410 NORWAY 205 205 (A Kristiansen 66, M Thorp 66, A Friestad 73. NC: F Kollevold 74).
419 MEXICO 211 208 (M Azcue 65, R Cazaubon 69, R Rodrigruez 74. NC: K Hernandez 77).
420 AUSTRALIA 210 210 (D Nisbet 69, M Giles 70, M Jager 71. NC: J Scrivener 73).
423 CHINESE TAIPEI 216 207 (C-T Pan 66, C-H Hsieh 70, T Huang 71. NC: F-C Pan 74),
NEW ZEALAND 210 213 (D Pearce 71, P Hayman 71, P Spearman-Burn 71, S Shin 71), CANADA 210 213 (J P Paiement 70, M Hill 71, M Rivard 72, E Wong 73), JAPAN 207 216
(S Sonoda 71, S Maeawakura 72, T Kondo 73, S Kodaira 83).
424 SCOTLAND 212 212 (J Byrne 65, M Stewart 72, S McAllister 75. NC: P Ferrier 85).
425 SOUTH AFRICA 212 213.
430 UNITED STATES 216 214.
432 ARGENTINA 215 217.
437 SINGAPORE 219 218.
443 VENEZUELA 225 218.

LEADING INDIVIDUALS
Par 142 (2 x 71)
133 A Kristiansen (Nor) 67 66, J Kennegard (Swe) 65 68.
134 M Azcue (Mex) 69 65, P Widegren (Swe) 68 66,.
136 M Thrp (Nor) 709 66,.
138 J Byrne (Sco) 73 65.
139 D Nisbet (Aus) 70 68, M Giles (Aus) 69 70, S Sonoda (Jap) 68 71, M Stewart (Sco) 67 72, B Akesson (Swe) 68 71, C-T Pan (Tpe) 73 66.
Other Scots scores:
149 S McAllister 74 75 (jt 47th).
157 P Ferrier 72 85 (55th).

JAMIESON AND INGLIS HAVE

CONTRASTING FORTUNES ON

AMERICAN MINI-TOURS

Two former Scottish amateur international golfers in their 20s, Scott Jamieson from Glasgow and Edinburgh’s David Inglis, are campaigning on American mini-tours – with contrasting fortunes.
Jamieson, who turned pro last November after topping the Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit, has missed the cut in only one of his seven outings on the NGA Hooters Tour. He is 43rd in their money table with earnings of $14,516.
Last week 23-year-old Scott, pictured right, who played out of Cathkin Braes during his amateur career and spent four years on the American college circuit as a student at Augusta State University, scored seven-under-par 277 with scores of 74, 67, 68 and 67 in the Loma Linda Classic in the state of Missouri . So high is the standard of play on the Hooters Tour , he finished “only” 21st and earned $2,007 for the week.
This week Jamieson and fellow Scots Joel Hendry from Elgin, Colin Spiers from Dunkeld and David Kirkpatrick from Edinburgh, are competing in the Buffalo Run Casino Classic at Peoria Ridge Golf Club, Miami in Oklahoma.
Meanwhile, based in Florida so that he can play the Gateway Tour, the golf career of David Inglis from the Glencorse club, Penicuik has nosedived since the days when he was a Walker Cup player (Ganton, 2003) and British boys’ champion (Hillside, 2000) and a successful player for the University of Tulsa in the States.
He has missed the cut in 13 of the 17 Gateway Tour events he has entered this year.
David has not earned a cent in eight events in a row since March.
He did start the year well and won $5,297 from his first three events. Then came a slump until March when he boosted his earnings to $7,374 with cheques for $800 and $1,277 for down-the-field placings.
In this week’s Gateway Tour event at West Palm Beach, Inglis started with a five-over-par 77. Out in one-under-par 35, Inglis went down the tubes with 42 for the inward half, including a triple bogey 6 at a short hole. In last week’s tournament, David withdrew after a first-round 82.

RITSON SMITH ABERDEEN & DISTRICT
PENNANT LEAGUE RESULTS

We have all last night's four Ritson Smith Aberdeen & District Pennant League results:

Caledonian 2, Portlethen 4.
Deeside 3, Hazlehead 3.
Nigg Bay 4, Auchmill 2.
Royal Aberdeen 4, Murcar Links 2.

Thursday evening's matches:

Murcar Links v Peterculter.
Nigg Bay v Stonehaven.
Northern v Newmachar.
Royal Aberdeen v East Aberdeenshire.

Results can be E-mailed to colin@scottishgolfview.com and we'll display them within minutes.

MEET LAWRENCE ALLAN, ALVA MEN'S CLUB CHAMPION AT 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS

Very well done, indeed, Lawrence Allan - men's club champion of Alva Golf Club at the age of only 12 years and eight months. Andy Bain, the beaten finalist, is pictured with Lawrence who has brought his handicap down from 10 to seven this season.
Do you know of or have you ever heard of a men's club champion anywhere in Scotland as young as Lawrence?
E-mail any information you have to colin@scottishgolfview.com

COMMENT FROM WILLIE MacCALLUM

What a great achievement for one so young. However, it does open a slightly controversial topic in that young Lawrence was given the chance to compete in his local men's club championship. I can think of a few North-east clubs who choose not to allow their junior members the chance to compete and I'm including girls in the same context. I wonder how your readers would react to that topic?

William MacCallum
Operations Manager
Aberdeen Service Centre
Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd
Kirkton Drive
Pitmedden Ind. Est.
Dyce, Aberdeen

YOUR VIEW? E-mail it to colin@scottishgolfview.com

HEATHER MAKES DEBUT FOR SCOTLAND
VETS TEAM TO DEFEND TITLE


Heather Anderson from Downfield Golf Club, Dundee is the only newcomer in the Scotland team to defend the Veteran Ladies' Golf Association national area championship for the Miller Stirling Trophy at Royal Cromer Golf Club, Norfolk from August 7 to 9.

Team is:
Heather Anderson (North), Lorna Bennett (Midlands), Fiona De Vries (Midlands), Helen Faulds (West), Noreen Fenton (East, Kathleen Sutherland (North), Moira Thomson (East), Pamela Williamson (East).
Reserves: Liz Campbell (Borders), Margaret Tough (Midlands).

GRAHAM GORDON JOINT SEVENTH DESPITE
BRACE OF DOUBLE BOGEYS AT BOVEY CASTLE

Former Scottish amateur champion Graham Gordon managed to absorb the damage of two double bogeys to be sitting joint seventh at the end of the first day of the latest PGA EuroPro Tour event, the Bovey Castle Championship, at Newton Abbot, Devon.
The Aberdonian shot a one-under-par 69 which could have equalled the 65s by joint leaders Daniel Wardrop and Neil Walker but for 6s at the par-4 10th and 16th.
Gordon, after bogeying the second, did birdie the fourth, sixth, ninth, 12th, 15th and 18th
Paul Doherty, a past Scottish boys’ match-play champion now based in south Wales, started with a triple bogey 7 and did well to salvage a 71, with the help of birdies at the second, foufrht, sixth, 10th, 16th and 18th.

BOVEY CASTLE CHAMPIONSHIP
FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 70
65 D Wardrop (Eng), N Walker (Eng).
67 M Laskey (Wal).
68 P Hendriksen (Eng0, M Kent (SAf), B O’Dell (Eng).
689 G Gordon (Sco), P Rowe (Eng).
70 A Hay (Sco), M Ford (Eng), M Woods (Eng0, J Dransfield (Eng), S Whiffin (Eng0, A Smith (Eng).
Other Scots scores:
71 P Doherty (jt 15th).
72 F Valenti (jt 25th).
75 C Farr (jt 59th).
78 I Simpson (jt 78th).

AMERICAN DESIGNER OF

KINGSBARNS CREATING

ANOTHER CLASSIC LINKS

AT CASTLE STUART

By ROBIN WILSON

A new £70 million golf development at Castle Stuart on the outskirts of Inverness is destined, when it opens in 2009, to rival the North’s leading links courses at Dornoch, Nairn, Brora and Tain.
Castle Stuart is the second venture in Scotland for American golf course architect Mark Parsinen (pictured right), the creator of the renowned Kingsbarns course in Fife, a man with great vision for changing the most unlikely of sites into great golf golfing destinations.
Parsinen’s vision of a links golf course is a simple one. The fairways should be wide and receptive and the holes all individuals. He expects the low handicap golfer to plan a strategy from tee to green for the best reward.
On the other hand the club member and visiting player should be able to enjoy the experience of his course, its scenic surroundings, and complete the round with the same ball as taken out of the bag on the first tee.
These are the qualities to be found at Kingsbarns, and they will also become evident at Castle Stuart.

FIRST OF TWO 18-HOLE COURSES
After months of design and planning, work has begun on the first of two 18-hole courses, and a further nine holes are planned. On the championship course all 18 tees and greens will be of sight from the previous hole played and in three directions the golfer can take in panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Northwards the Black Isle and Munlochy Bay….To the east the lighthouse on Chanonry Point and Fort George ... and to the west, Ben Wyvis, Kessock Bridge and Alturie Point come into view.
After selling his interest in Kingbarns, Parsinen went seeking another golf venture. What took him to the Highlands was the result of a survey of US golfers of whom 70% voted the Highlands their favourite golfing destination in Scotland.
He looked at several sites in the surrounding area: Cawdor, Loch Ness and the neighbouring Alturie Point, but eventually chose Castle Stuart, not only for its topography of sea and differing land levels but also its close proximity to Inverness Airport.
His passion with links golf ruled out Loch Ness and Cawdor and after a couple of walks over the land of Balnaglaich Farm, a leasing deal was arranged with Moray Estates and Cornerstone Golf of which Mr. Parsinen is a managing partner along with course co-designer Gill Hanse. Work on the first of two 18-hole courses and a future nine holes got underway about 14 months ago.
Beginning with the beach area, he removed all the existing gorse bushes. Parsinen believes gorse is an encroachment onto links courses that did not exist 100 years ago, and the holes that run by the sea will only have the water lapping the fairways.

NATURAL BUNKERING RETAINED
The natural bunkering from wind and animal erosion has, where possible, been retained and in other areas will be replicated with banked turf. Revetted bunker faces have been kept to a minimum.
The design team have gathered an experience squad around them. David Sutherland and Tullochs are also part of the developing company, supplying the earth-moving machines although the operators are men who have worked with Parsinen before at Kingsbarns and in America.
From Kingsbarns has also been recruited the head greenkeeper Stuart McCombe who worked through the Kingsbarns experience after beginning his green keeping life as an apprentice on the Inverness Golf Course and then Invergordon
In progress is an awesome transformation of the land. Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of sand and soil have been moved and shaped to form fairways and greens. The designer’s desire to hide all unwanted views are exampled at the short fourth where the course turns east again after three opening holes heading west.
Before the digging started, the Norboard factory provided an unwelcome skyline but, by lowering the ground level, the line to the green is taken on the crown spire of the castle, now chosen as the club insignia.
Recruited in March was Fraser Cromarty, the former manager of Golf Highland who came from the recently completed Dave Thomas venture at Spey Valley in Aviemore. Cromarty’s role also covers the sales and marketing of the project that will also include a 57-bedroom hotel, associated spa and 148 lodges and apartments.
Parsinen presently resides in one of the completed show lodges from where he personally monitors daily progress. It is hoped to have the first ball struck around September 2008 and officially open for play in June 2009.

CLOSE TO 7,000yd OFF BACK TEES
A standard design - four par-3s, four par-5s and 10 par-4s, giving a par of 72 - at its full length from a variation of tees the course will measure close to 7,000 yards, with the longest hole 595 yards.
When Kingsbarns opened for play in 2000 it was immediately voted the best newcomer by Golf World magazine and in 2002 it went straight to No 13 in their course-rating poll. Kingsbarns has already become part of the fabric of one of the greatest golf destinations in the world, St. Andrews, and early indications are that Castle Stewart will make the same impact in the Highlands

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

McKECHNIE WINS £1,115 WITH 66 AT BONNYTON

Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) won the top pro prize of £1,115 for a six-under-par round of 66 in the BMI Ross Hall Hospital/Lexus Bonnyton professional’s pro-am today (Tuesday).
McKechnie, starting at the 18th in this double shotgun event, birdied the first, third and fourth, eagled the fifth, birdied the sixth, had his only bogey of the round at the eighth and then had his last birdie of the day at the 10th.
He parred his last seven holes to win by two shots from Ricky Gray (Torrance House).
Gray led the "Hays" trio of amateurs to victory in the pro-am with a team net score of 19-under-par 125.
LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 72
66 P McKechnie (Braid Hills).
68 R Gray (Torrance House).
69 P Brookes (Pitreavie).
71 S Rettie (Royal Troon), M King (Kingsfield), G Hutcheon (Peterculter).
72 G McFarlane (Clober).
73 S Cairns (Westerwood), J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), C Ronald (Carluke).

BRITISH MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD

NINE Scots among qualifiers for match-play

A total of 67 players with 36-hole aggregates of 141 or better qualified for the match-play stages of the British men's amateur championship at Royal Lytham.
Nine Scots made it through - Callum Macaulay (pictured right), Gordon Yates, Lloyd Saltman, Mark Kerr, Kevin McAlpine, Ross Kellett, Gavin Dear, Wallace Booth and Scott Mann.
Here's whom they play under the automatic draw system:
UPPER HALF
Mark Kerr v Dale Whitnell (Five Lakes).
Gavin Dear v Florian Fritsch (Ger).
Kevin McAlpine v Luke Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan).
Gordon Yates v Benjamin Sigl (Ger).
Lloyd Saltman v Jason Wellings (Can).
LOWER HALF
Ross Kellett v Estabislao Goya (Arg).
Callum Macaulay v Sam Stuart (St Annes Old Links).
Scott Mann (Carnoustie) v Jorge Campillo (Esp).
Wallace Booth (Comrie) v Andrew Sullivan (Purley Chase).

Top Scottish qualifier was Callum Macaulay from Tulliallan and a recent graduate in history and English after a four-year golf scholarship at the University of Mississipi. Macaulay had an aggregate of 10-under-par 222.
Macaulay is not planning to turn proessional for another couple of years. He has managed to get a part-time job at a golf shop in Stirling and this will give him some income to finance his plans to play the major amateur golf circuit.

LEADING QUALIFIERS

132 D Horsey (Styal) 64 68.
133 M Thistleton (Hayling) 66 67, C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 66 67.
134 S Ward (Co Louth) 68 66.
135 C Wood (Long Ashton) 67 68, A Sullivan (Purley Chase) 66 69, P Waring (Bromborough) 68 67.
136 C Evans (West Monmouthshire) 65 71.
137 Steven Uzzell (Hornsea) 69 68, S Lowry (Esker Hills) 69 68, L Saltman (Craigielaw) 71 66, E Goya (Arg) 68 69, D Willett (Rotherham) 71 66, K Le Sager (Fra) 68 69, J Caldwell (Clandeboye) 67 70.
138 M Kerr (Craigielaw) 69 69, G Blainey (Bearwood Lakes), M Kieffer (Ger), K McAlpine (Alyth) 65 73, M Bush (Rochester & Cobham Park) 68 70, F Schulte (Ger) 69 69, J Abbott (Fynn Valley) 69 69.
139 G Yates (Hilton Park) 69 70, C Schwierz (Ger) 67 72, N Turner (Maskerry) 66 73, D Weaver (US) 69 70, N Kearney (Royal Dublin) 69 70, T Stewart (Aus) 71 68, J Parry (Harrogate) 68 71, G Dear (Murrayshall) 68 71,L Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 68 71, P O'Keefe (Douglas) 72 67, D Whitnell (Five Lakes) 71 68, R Blizard (Aus) 66 73.
140 W Booth (Comrie) 71 69, R McIlroy (Holywood) 69 71, A Dodt (Aus) 70 70, S Stuart (St Annes Old Links) 72 68, G Boyd (Cherwell Edge) 68 72, J Wellings (Can) 69 71, K Borsheim(Nor) 70 70, M Allen (North Hants) 70 70, V Dubuisson (Fra) 69 71, L Goddard (Hendon) 71 69, F De Vries (Ned) 69 71, R McIlroy (Holywood) 69 71.
141 L Garcia (Esp) 70 71, S Mann (Carnoustie) 67 74, T Glissmeyer (US) 70 71, J Senior (Heysham) 72 69, B Parker (Gut Waldhof) 66 75, P Baunsoe (Den) 71 70, A Runcie (Abergele) 69 72, G Shaw (Lurgan) 71 70, B Evans (Rye) 71 70, T Sherreard (Chart Hills) 69 72.

NON-QUALIFIERS FOR MATCH-PLAY STAGES

142 S Hutsby (Liphook) 70 72, S Grant (Birr) 67 75, G Taylor (Meldrum House) 73 69, S Gross (Ger) 72 70, E Dubois (Fra) 74 68, P Westermann (Ger) 70 72, R Bechu (Fra) 66 786, B Innes (Murcar Links) 70 72, L Collins (Mendip Spring) 71 71, R Schneider (Fra) 71 71, J Barnes (Ashford) 72 70, E Richardson (Southern Valley) 71 71.
143 P O'Hara (Colville Park) 71 72, L Moolman (SAf) 74 69, R Gates (US) 70 73, R Kilpatrick (Banbridge) 678 75, S Einhaus (Ger) 70 73, P Acuna (Guatemala) 73 70, N Gians (Swe) 75 68, M Haines (Rochester & Cobham Park) 75 68, E Marcadier (Fr) 72 71, P Nelson (SAf) 71 72, M Cryer (Coventry) 71 72, S Piaget (Swi) 67 76.
144 P McLean (Peterhead) 74 70, L Kirton (Newmachar) 76 68, G Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs) 73 71.
145 Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 75 70, K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 74 71, J King (Glasgow) 70 75.
146 J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 68 78, S Clark (Haggs Castle) 74 72, A Dick (Shotts) 71 75, R McKnight (Barassie) 77 69, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 76 70, S Graham (Blairgowrie) 70 76. 147 M Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) 73 74, C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 71 76.
148 S McEwan (Caprington) 78 70.
149 S Borrowman (Dollar) 76 73, N Edwards (Whitchurch) 75 74, D Stewart (Grantown on Spey 78 71.
150 Z Culverwell (Dunbar) 74 76, L Matthews (Southerndown) 70 80.
151 B Fotheringham (Forres) 75 76.
152 E McIntosh (Newmachar) 75 77.
153 M Lamb (Haddington) 71 82, J White (Lundin Links) 82 71, B Soutar (Leven GS) 72 81.
154 S Wilson (Forfar) 80 74, S Henry (Cardross) 80 74.
155 B Scott (Dumfries & Galloway) 77 78.

STIRLING PLAYER JUST FAILS TO WIN BRITISH
STUDENTS' STROKE-PLAY GOLF TITLE

Stirling student David Booth just failed to win the weather-hit British Universities Sports Association men's individual stroke-play golf championship.
The 72-hole competition began at De Vere Slaley Golf Club, Hexham in Northumberland but was completed at Seaton Carew Golf Club, Hartlepool because of flooding at the first venue.
Overhead conditions were awful throughout the tournament and only 20 competitors completed four rounds.
Booth scored 75, 79, 79 and 75 for a total of 15-over-par 312. He failed by one stroke to catch the winner, Craig Wilkinson (Northumbria) who had scores of 69, 77, 79 and 86,
Roberto Laino (Durham) was third on 316 and Jonny Watt (Stirling) fourth on 318.


BUSA MEN'S INDIVIDUAL STROKE-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
De Vere Slaley Hall & Seaton Carew golf clubs.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
311 Craig Wilkinson (Northumbria) 69 77 79 86.
312 David Booth (Stirling) 75 79 75 83.
316 Roberto Laino (Durham) 74 78 80 84.
318 Jonny Watt (Stirling) 74 80 79 85.
319 Ian Winstanley (Leedds) 74 74 85 86.
321 Bobby Rushford (Stirling) 76 80 79 86.
325 Steven Huime (Aberrtay) 79 81 79 86.
332 Patrick Jones (Hertfordshire) 86 83 78 85.
338 Aaron Kearney (Ulster) 74 81 87 96.
339 Tim Baker (Bath) 80 87 83 89.

ROOM FOR ONLY THREE MORE SCHOOL ENTRIES
IN PAUL LAWRIE TEAM CHALLENGE EVENT

There is room for entries from only three more schools in the North, North-east or Tayside for the Paul Lawrie Schools Team Challenge golf tournament at Peterculter Golf Club, near Aberdeen on Monday, September 7.
Each school team is made up of three pupils, boys and/or girls, whose individual scores in a one-round competition will count for scratch (Paul Lawrie Team Trophy) and handicap (A T Personnel Trophy) team prizes. All three scores count.
Pupils must be on the school roll at September 3, 2007.
No caddies are allowed.
Completed entry forms alongwith a fee of £21 per team (cheque made payable to “Torry Academy”) should be sent to Derek Johnstone, Torry Academy, Tullos Circle, Aberdeen AB11 8HD.

SCOTS LYING EIGHTH OF 14 AT END OF FIRST
DAY IN WORLD BOYS’ TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Scotland were joint eighth in the field of 14 at the end of the first round of the Toyota world boys’ team golf championship over the Chukyo Golf Club’s Ishino course (6,886yd, par 71).
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) was the only one of the four Scots teenagers to break par with a fine round of 67, joint second best among the 56 boys competing.
New Scottish boys’ match-play champion Paul Ferrier (Baberton) had a 72.
The third counting score for the Scots came from Banchory’s James Byrne with a 73.
Only the three best scores within a team count in each round. Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) had the non-counting scores of 74.
Scotland’s team total on Day 1 was one-under-par 212.
Norway won the title last year, beating Sweden in the final. The same two countries head the first day standings 12 months later, with Sweden (12-under-par 201) setting the pace from Norway (205) with Japan third on 207.
Sweden were boosted by the lowest individual score of the day, a six-under-par 65 from Jesper Kennegard. All three counting Swedish scores were in the 60s.
United States, expected to be among the front-runners, are back in a tie for 11th place with a first-day team score of 216.

TOYOTA WORLD BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Chukyo Golf Club, Ishino course, 6,886yd (par 71)

TEAM SCOREBOARD

Best three from four scores to count daily for each team.

201 SWEDEN (J Kennegard 65, B Akesson 68, P Widegren 68, NC: D Jennevret 71).
205 NORWAY (A Kristiansen 67, A Friestad 69, F Kollevold 69. NC: M Thorp 70).
207 JAPAN (S Sonoda 68, T Kondo 69, S Kodaira 70. NC: S Maeawakura 74).
210 CANADA (E Wong 70, J P Paiement 70, M Hill 70. NC: M Rivard 71), NEW ZEALAND (P Spearman-Burn 69, S Shin 70, D Pearce 71. NC: P Hayman 75), AUSTRALIA (M Giles 69, D Nisbet 70, J Scrivener 71. NC: M Jager 77).
211 MEXICO (M Azcue 69, R Cazaubon 71, R Rodriguez 71. NC: K Hernandez 74).
212 SCOTLAND (M Stewart 67, P Ferrier 72, J Byrne 73. NC: S McAllister 74), SOUTH AFRICA (D Frittelli 69, J De Beer 71, D O’Riley 72. NC: S Siphayi 74).
215 ARGENTINA (A Zarlenga 70, T Cocha 70, F Barrera 75. NC: A Rodriguez 77).
216 CHINESE TAIPEI (C-H Hsieh 71, F-C Pan 72, C-T Pan 73. NC: T Huang 76), UNITED STATES (s Cole 69, A Putnam 72, S Ziegler 75. NC: R Henley 76).
219 SINGAPORE (k Dengshan 72, G Foo 73, J Ng 74. NC: L Z Qun 78).
225 VENEZUELA (D Tamayo 71, S Quintero 77, F Velazquez 77. NC: F Ceppi 82).

++NC indicates non-counting round.

LEADING INDIVIDUALS
65 J Kennegard (Swe).
67 M Stewart (Sco), A Kristiansen (Nor).
68 P Widegren (Swe), B Akezzon (Swe), S Sonoda (Jap).
69 A Friestad (Nor), F Kollevold (Nor), T Kondo (Jap), P Spearman-Burn (NZ), M Giles (Aus), M Azcue (Mex), D Frittelli (SAf), S Cole (US).

PING PRESS RELEASE

ANGEL CABRERA CARRIES PING

TO US OPEN VICTORY

Battling the world’s No. 1 player and what many called the toughest course in US Open history, PING pro Angel Cabrera outlasted both in claiming his first major championship. The Argentine’s five-over-par total of 285 at Oakmont Country Club came on the strength of a final round 69—one of only eight under-par rounds on the week—that earned him a one-shot victory worth $1.2 million.
With opening and closing rounds of 69, the 37-year-old Angel was the only player in the field to card two rounds under par. He entered the final round four shots off the pace but seized a share of the lead with three birdies on the front nine. He added two more birdies on the back nine that carried him to his victory.
“Angel’s been a valued member of the PING staff since the mid-1990s,” said John Solheim, PING’s Chairman & CEO.
“We’ve watched him grow into a world-class player while having a positive impact on the game of golf in Argentina. This victory will further that cause and have a long-lasting effect in his country. Together with the goodwill this creates for our brand, his victory is especially rewarding.”
Relying on his PING® Rapture® driver, Cabrera averaged 310 yards off the tee for the week—second longest in the field. Among his prodigious drives was one of nearly 400 yards on the 667yd 12th hole.
Precise iron play with his PING S58™ irons ranked him third in Greens-in-Regulation and helped keep his scorecards free of a double-bogey or worse for the four rounds—a claim few could make.
The confidence provided by his PING Redwood® Anser® putter was ideal for negotiating the feared greens of Oakmont. In the end, he counted 13 birdies for the week, including five in the final round.
With several top 10 finishes in major championships, Cabrera’s victory didn’t come as surprise to Solheim.
“Angel’s proven his ability numerous times. Everyone knows it’s not easy to win a major. Everything has to come together at the right time,” said Solheim, who spent some time with Cabrera on the driving range early in the week at Oakmont.
“This week was his time. He showed great poise under tremendous pressure. I was glued to my television as were most of our employees. It was nerve-racking just to watch. I’m awed, but not surprised, at what Angel accomplished.”
++More information on PING is available at http://www.pingeurope.com/
+PING, Rapture, S58, Anser and Redwood are trademarks of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation.

INTRODUCING SAM ALEXIS WOODS

Tiger Woods' wife Elin gave birth to a daughter on Monday. Her name?
Sam Alexis Woods.

Read the full story on www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

BANCHORY TEENAGER SENDS MESSAGE
FROM JAPAN TO SCOTTISHGOLFVIEW

Banchory teenager James Byrne, in Japan this week as a member of the Scotland Under-18 team bidding for the world boys' title, sent this message from the other side of the world to Scottishgolfview.com in response to news of his selection for the Scotland squad of six for the European men's amateur team championship at Western Gailes next month (scroll down to read the announcement of the team):
“My aim this year was to try to get into the Scotland team for the home internationals in September, so to be selected for the Europeans has surpassed all my expectations. Of course, I am over the moon. It is a great honour for me to receive a full Scotland cap and to be part of a team of such accomplished players who I look up to as role models.
"This season is the first year I have entered a full programme of men’s events. I’ve really enjoyed the experience and have learned a great deal from playing with many top players. All the Scottish players and SGU staff have made me feel welcome and have given me lots of support and encouragement.
"My focus this week is on the World junior team championships in Japan. However, I am really looking forward to joining the Scotland team at Western Gailes at the end of the month. We’ll be going all out to win on home soil.”

BANCHORY’S BYRNE IS BABE OF STRONG SCOTLAND
LINE-UP FOR EURO AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Banchory teenager James Byrne will gain first full cap for Scotland at men’s level in the star-studded, six-strong line-up for the European team championship at Western Gailes Golf Club, Ayrshire from July 3 to 7.
Byrne, 18, helped Scotland to win the boys’ home international title at Lossiemouth last year and later played for the Great Britain & Ireland boys’ team in the Jacques Leglise Trophy match against the Continent – but this is his first honour at men’s level.
But the youngster, who starts a four-year golf scholarship at Arizona State University in the autumn has certainly earned his adult spurs.
Last year he became the youngest ever winner of a Scottish Golf Union Order-of Merit 72-hole tournament. And a week or two ago he was officially placed second to Kevin McAlpine, winner of the Scotttish men’s amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Dornoch.
This week James Byrne is in Japan with the Scotland Under-18 squad, bidding to win the world boys’ team champion.
Byrne does not lack self-confidence – he has his own website, for a start – and he will be inspired rather than overawed by his European squad team-mates, who include the US amateur champion Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) and Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw).
Also in the Dark Blues’ line-up is Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie), Jonathan King (Glasgow) and McAlpine (Alyth), holder of both the Scottish match-play and stroke-play titles.

FIRST MEN'S CAP FOR SCOTLAND
Byrne is the only member of the team for Western Gailes who did not figure in Scotland’s successful defence of the men’s home internationals title at Pyle & Kenfig, South Wales last September.
The Scotland line-up is such a strong one, bound to be among the favourites for the title, that Cardross player Scott Henry, a young man with an impressive golfing CV, is “only” first reserve.
Ramsay, still in America, on a private visit to New York after narrowly missing the cut at the US Open, will take consolation from being the top finishing Scot as well as pulling off the second best amateur performance in a field brimming with the world’s best players. The Royal Aberdeen ace said: “I am relishing the prospect of returning to Scotland to compete in the European team championship. It is a great event, and I will be playing alongside a talented crop of Scottish players with the added advantage of competing on home soil.

He added, “I hope to use some of my recent experience playing in two of the majors to spur me on and I will enjoy the challenge of taking on Europe’s best up and coming players, many of whom will become familiar faces on the international golf circuit.”
Fellow Walker Cup player Lloyd Saltman will hope to replicate his recent sizzling form after stringing together a quartet of 72-hole open amateur titles, including the prestigious Lytham Trophy and more recently, the Irish open stroke-play championship.
EAST MEETS WEST TEAM

Keir McNicoll and Jonathan King are the reigning East of Scotland and West of Scotland Open 72-hole amateur champions.
Scottish Golf Union Performance Manager Stuart Turner said, “The team represents a combination of tested international experience and strong individual performers. Five of the six selected players competed successfully together at last year’s Home internationals and are familiar with each other’s game.
“James Byrne is a welcome addition to the team, and his thrilling recent form has warranted his well earned place in the line up, adding youth and dynamism to the mix.
“They have all undoubtedly proven their appetite for international action, which will bode well when lining up against some of the leading golfing nations from the continent.”

The European men’s amateur team championship was last hosted in Scotland iat St Andrews in 1981 when the Scots lost to England in the final.
Scotland’s record in the biennial tournament is a good one – winners in 1975, 1977, 1985, 1995 and 2001 as well as being beaten finalist in 1965, 1971, 1973, 1981, 1989 and 1997.

Twenty countries will compete in the 25th staging of the event at Western Gailes, which has been boosted by a £16,000 grant from EventScotland to help with marketing and event infrastructure, as well as £15,000 from the R&A to support the championship.
The Scotland team is:

Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen), Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw), Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie), Kevin McAlpine (Alyth), Jonathan King (Glasgow), James Byrne (Banchory).
Reserve: Scott Henry (Cardross).

JAMES BYRNE LEAPS 132 PLACES IN
WORLD RANKINGS TO NO 40

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

When I was away at the Ladies British open amateur championship at Alwoodley, Leeds - which coincided with the monsoon season in central Yorkshire - there were some significant moves in the R&A World Men's Amateur Rankings.
None of the morning newspapers seem to be interested in giving weekly updates on the rankings ... but I am. So here we go (a week late):
Englishman Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland) regained the No 1 spot from American Jamie Lovemark.
English Walker Cup veteran Gary Wolstenholm, winner of the European mid-amateur championship by a big margin, has gone up two places to No 10.
James Byrne from Banchory, with his second place to Kevin McAlpine in the Scottish men's open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Dornoch, has made the father and mother of all leaps up the table ... 132 places to the No 40 ranking. Great stuff, James!
Kevin McAlpine will be a bit miffed thought that he won the tournament - and he has gone up only seven places to No 100.
Wallace Booth from Comrie and, for the past four years, Augusta State University, had improved by 23 places to 132.
LEADING RANKINGS
1 Jamie Moul (Eng).
2 Jamie Lovemark (US).
3 Billy Horschel (US).
4 Rhys Davies (Wal).
5 Chris Kirk (US).
6 Lloyd Saltman (Sco).
7 Bronson LaCassie (Aus).
8 Kyle Stanley (US).
9 Webb Simpson (US).
10 Gary Wolstenholme (Eng).
11 Dustin Johnson (US).
12 John Parry (Eng).
13 Niklas Lemke (Swe).
14 Richie Ramsay (Sco).
15 Gary Boyd (Eng0.
16 Alan Wagner (Arg).
17 Nigel Edwards (Wal).
18 Kevin Chappell (US).
19 Rohan Blizard (Aus).
20 Michael Thompson (US).
21 Rob Grube (US).
22 Dawie van der Walt (SAf).
23 Benjamin Alverado (Chile).
24 David Horseyu (Eng).
25 Rory McIlroy (NIr).
26 Charlie Beljan (US).
27 Daniel Summerhays (US).
28 Peter Uihlein (US).
29 Johan Carlsson (Swe).
30 Brandon Todd (US).
31 Gary Woodland (US).
32 Danny Lee (NZ).
33 Paul Waring (Eng).
34 Rick Kulacz (Aus).
35 Colt Knost (US)
37 Jonathan Moore (US).
38 Cameron Tringale (US).
39 Roberto Castro (US).
40 James Byrne (Sco).

VIKKI LAING: FULL-LENGTH FEATURE ON KIRKWOOD GOLF

To read an excellent feature about Vikki Laing by Lisa D Mickey, one of the best (if not THE best) golf writers in the United States, switch over to our sister website, http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/

NEWS FROM BRITISH MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

DAVID HORSEY'S 64 TARGET STANDS
UP ALL DAY AT ROYAL LYTHAM

FROM THE R&A WEBSITE

David Horsey (Styal), one of the first players out on the course just after seven o'clock this morning, set a target of 64 at Royal Lytham & St Annes that was unmatched throughout the day as 36-hole stroke play qualifying for the Amateur Championship got under way.
At St Annes Old Links David Corsby (Fleetwood) and Craig Evans (West Monmouthshire) led the way with 65s
Late in the day Kevin McAlpine (Alyth), the new Scottish stroke-play champion, missed a 20-foot putt at the last that would have equalled Horsey, but four birdies in a row from the 13th consolidated a fine round of 65. Kevin hit a nine-iron to two feet at the 13th and had just pulled on his waterpoofs at the next hole as a storm rolled in over the course when he chipped in from 15 feet.
"My short game is a lot better than it used to be and I'm learning to miss in the right places," he said.
Evans had played 16 holes at St Annes with seven birdies and no dropped shots when he pulled an eight-iron approach into a bunker at the 17th green that cost him a shot. "That was hard to take," he said after making a birdie at the last to match the 65 set earlier in the day by Corsby.
There was little for former champions to celebrate. Gary Wolstenholme, the winner in 1991 and 2003, said: "I couldn't buy a putt," after a round of 73 at Royal Lytham.
Stuart Wilson, who succeeded him as champion in 2004, had a disastrous 80 on the same course. "I three-putted the first and it just got worse from there. I holed everything on the practice putting green, then it all went wrong," he said.
With only the leading 64 players and ties going into the match-play stages of the championship there will be fierce competition during Tuesday's second round. After the first 18 holes there are 63 players on 69 or better and 93 on 70 or better.

Royal Lytham has a par of 71 and St Annes 72.

OVERALL FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD
64 D Horsey (Styal).
65 David Corsby (Fleetwood), Craig Evans (West Monmouthshire), Kevin McAlpine (Alyth).
66 Ben Parker (Gut Waldhof), Andrew Sullivan (Purley Chase), Benhamin Sigl (Ger), Rohan Blizard (Aus), Romain Bechu (Fra), Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan), Mark Thistleton (Hayling), Niall Turner (Maskerry).
67 Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye), Scott Mann (Carnoustie), Andrew Lynch (Glenbervie), Andrea Pavan (Ita), Joel Sjoholm (Swe), Rick Kulacz (Aus), Sandro Piaget (Swi), Gregg Blainey (Bearwood Lakes), Constantin Schwierz (Ger), Stephen Grant (Birr), Chris Wood (Long Ashton). 68 Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge), M Bush (Rochester & Cobham Park), Ross Kellett (Colville Park), Estanislao Goya (Arg), Kenny Le Sager (Fra), Paul Waring (Bromborough), Rasmus Nielsen (Den), Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland), John Parry (Harrogate), Gary Boyd (Cherwell Edge), Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh), Gavin Dear (Murrayshall).
Other scores:
69 Mark Kerr (Craigielaw), Gordon Yates (Hilton Park).
70 Llewellyn Matthews (Southerndown), Jonathan King (Glasgow), Bryan Innes (Murcar Links).
71 Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw), Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire), Wallace Booth (Comrie), Mark Lamb (Haddington).
72 Brian Soutar (Leven GS).
73 Glenn Taylor (Meldrum House), Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen), Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs)..
74 Zander Culverwell (Dunbar), Philip McLean (Peterhead), Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie).
75 Zack Saltman (Craigielaw), Bryan Fotheringham (Forres), Euan McIntosh (Newmachar).
76 Lewis Kirton (Newmachar), Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie), Scott Borrowman (Dollar).
77 Barry Scott (Dumfries & Galloway).
78 Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey).
80 Stuart Wilson (Forfar).
82 James White (Lundin Links).

MATTHEW CLARK IS NEW D M HALL SCOTTISH
MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPION

Matthew Clark from Kilmacolm is the new D M Hall Scottish men's mid-amateur champion. Matthew, who qualified for the match-play stages in fourth place, beat the No 10 qualifier, Steven Rennie (Airdrie) 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final at Duddingston Golf Club, Edinburgh today.
In the morning semi-finals, Clark had ousted the top seed and last year's beaten finalist, Terry Mathieson (Murcar Links) by 5 and 4 while Rennie beat the No 3 qualifier Steven Armstrong (Turnhouse) by one hole.

Details:
Semi-finals
Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) bt Terry Mathieson (Murcar Links) 5 and 4.
Steven Rennie (Airdrie) bt Steven Armstrong (Turnhouse) 1 hole.
Final (18 holes)
Clark bt Rennie 3 and 2.

Press Release from Fife Golf Association

2007 FORRESTER PARK FIFE ORDER OF MERIT for
THE MACKAY BOWL

Positions after nine events

1 Greg Paterson (St Andrews New Club) 260pt.
2 Brian Soutar (Leven Golfing Society) 240pt.
3 Gary Page (Balbirnie Park) 155pt.
4 Darren Gould (Ladybank) 150pt.
5 Colin Martin (Balbirnie Park) 130pt.
6 (equal) Kevin Blyth (Kirkcaldy) & Gary Fotheringham (Canmore), Alex Main (Thornton), Barry McDermott (Leven Golfing Society), Colin Steffen (Dunnikier Park), Steven Swan (Thornton) 125pt.

The next counting event in the 2007 FORRESTER PARK FIFE ORDER OF MERIT
is the TENNANT CUP at Glasgow (Gailes) and Killermont on June 23 & 24.

SHARPE'S THE WORD FOR OSCAR, CAPPED AT
14 FOR ENGLAND BOYS' EURO LINE-UP

Oscar Sharpe, just 14 years of age, is one of three new caps in the England team for the European boys' team championships at Rold Skov Golf Club near Aalborg in Denmark from July 10 to 14.
The other newcomers are Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Haines while the rest of the team members are Jack Hiluta, Andrew Johnston and Eddie Pepperell as England seek to regain the title they last held three years ago.
Sharpe is one of the youngest players ever to represent England at boys level, having made his debut for the Under-16 team in last year’s match with Spain at Heswell.
The Gloucestershire lad, who will turn 15 in September, enjoyed a triumphant 2006, winning the Under-14, 15 and 16 national titles as well as the Douglas Johns Trophy and the North of England boys championship. He also won the Gloucestershire under 15, 16 and 18 titles.
A member of the England under 16 squad, the Millfield Schoolboy has enjoyed top-ten finishes in the Selborne and Hampshire Salvers and the McEvoy Trophy this year before winning the Ashton Vase at Long Ashton recently.
Fleetwood, 16, a former Lancashire under 15 champion, has played for England at under 16 level for the past two years. He finished third to Sharpe in the North of England Boys last year and represented England in South Africa earlier this year. Recently he won the Southport and Ainsdale Bowl and finished runner-up in the Lancashire Championship.
Haines, 17, an emerging talent from Kent, has hit the national scene this year after winning the McEvoy Trophy in April and finishing tied fifth in the Hampshire Hog.
Hiluta, 18, from Essex, completed five wins from six matches on his debut in last year’s boys home internationals at Lossiemouth. A former under 16 cap, Hiluta reached the last 16 of the Spanish Amateur in March and has also represented England in South Africa and the United States this year.
Middlesex-based Johnston, 18, also made his debut in last year’s boys home internationals and was a semi-finalist in the British Boys Championships. Another former under 16 cap, he finished runner-up in last year’s South East Junior Championship and in this year’s McEvoy Trophy. He was also the best placed English player in the recent Skandia Junior Championship in Sweden.
Pepperell, 16, won the English Under 14 title in 2005 and was runner-up to Sharpe in last year’s Under 16 Championship. He represented England at under 16 level before making his debut in last year’s Boys Home Internationals.
Earlier this year he played in South Africa before losing a playoff for the Hampshire Hog and finishing tied fourth in the McEvoy Trophy.
England have won the European Boys title on eight occasions since 1980. They were champions in 1981, ‘85, ‘86, ‘89, ‘94, ‘95, ‘99, and 2004. The complete England team is:
Thomas Fleetwood (Formby Hall), Matthew Haines (Rochester & Cobham), Jack Hiluta (Chelmsford), Andrew Johnston (North Middlesex), Edward Pepperell (Drayton Park), and Oscar Sharpe (Minchinhampton).

FIONA IS TOP SCOTS SENIOR IN EUROPEAN
AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS AT VILAMOURA

St Andrews hotelier Fiona De Vries, last year’s Scottish senior women’s champion, achieved the highest finish of all the Scots – men and women – who took part in the European senior amateur championships at Vilamoura on Portugal’s Algarve.
St Rule member Fiona finished sixth in the women’s event over the Vilamoura Old Course with rounds of 78, 75 and 78 for a total of 231 - nine shots behind the women’s champion, Virginie Burrus from France.
Bogeys at the two of the last four holes cost Mrs De Vries a possible top four finish.
Former Scottish women’s amateur champion Fiona Anderson, formerly of Blairgowrie but now living in Merseyside and a member of Formby Ladies, finished joint ninth with scores of 76, 77 and 83 for 236.
Helen Faulds and Maureen Richmond tied for 15th place on 238.
David Smith from Stirling, a former winner of the European senior men’s title, and Donald McCart (Castlerock), tied for 11th place on 228 over the Vilamoura Pinhal course.
Smith had a double bogey 6 at the 18th in his final round of 76 while McCart took 45 to the turn in his last round of 83.
Another Scot, Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross) filled joint 15th place on 229.

FINAL TOTALS

MEN (at Vilamoura Pinhal)
Par 216 (3 x 72)
216 N Swenson (US) 73 68 75.
219 M Kelly (Ire) 73 71 75.
221 M Preysler de la Riv a (Spa) 73 74 74.
222 H-H Giesen (Ger) 73 74 75.
223 B Ronning (Nor) 76 72 75.
224 T Brown (Eng) 71 77 76.
Other totals:
228 D Smith (Sco) 75 77 76, D McCart (Sco) 70 75 83, D Lane (Eng) 69 81 78 (jt 11th).
229 R Gill (Sco) 73 78 78 (jt 15th).
234 R McLellan (Sco) 80 76 78.
241 J Deas (Sco) 78 81 82 (jt 67th).
243 J Broadfoot (Sco) 79 85 79, D Millar (Saco) 78 79 86 (jt 75th).

WOMEN (at Vilamoura Old Course)
Par 219 (3 x 73)
220 V Burrus (Fra) 76 75 69.
223 C Mourgue DAlgue (Fra) 75 75 73.
228 M Buscaini (Ita) 74 789 75.
229 E Ikalstad (Den) 78 72 69.
230 V Hoff (Swe) 79 75 76.
231 F De Vries (Sco) 78 75 78, A-K Hermansson (Swe) 79 74 78.
Other totals:
236 C Quinn (Eng) 79 79 78,.F Anderson (Sco) 76 77 83 (jt 9th).
238 H Faulds (Sco) 82 77 79, M Richmond (Sco) 78 84 76 (jt 19th).
240 P Williamson (Sco) 80 74 86 (24th).
244 J Paterson (Sco) 82 83 79 (jt 31st).
245 S Quinn (Sco) 82 82 81 (jt 33rd).
248 B Woodham (Eng) 83 81 84 (jt 37th)
249 V Hassett (Ire) 87 82 80 (jt 39th).
257 V Shannon (Ire) 85 84 88 (56th).
260 B Biggart (Sco) 86 87 87 (57th).
261 J Mack (Sco) 88 89 84 (58th).

VIKKI'S FORM DIPS IN FUTURES TOUR MAJOR

Vikki Laing from Musselburgh finished a disappointing joint 61st in the Michelob Ultra Players’ Championship – the only 72-hole major touornament on the US Futures Tour – at Hickory Point Golf Club, Decatur in Illinois.
The Scot had been playing consistently well going into the event but her form dipped with scores of 71, 75, 72 and 76 for a six-over-par total of 294 for which she earned $645.
South Wales amateur Natasha Morgan, a student at Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida, finished joint 50th on 292.
The title and top cash prize of $14,700 went to Emily Bastel from Ohio. She beat Onnarin Sattayanabanphot from Bangkok with a birdie at the second hole of a sudden death play-off after they had tied on 10-under-par 278.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288. 6,596yd.
278 E Bastel (US) 69 68 71 70, O Sattayabanphot (Thai) 72 68 68 70 (Bastel won play-off at second hole).
280 M Frankhauser (US) 73 71 70 66, C Larsson (Swe) 71 69 71 69, R Bai8ley (Aus) 70 72 69 68.
Other scores:
292 N Morgan (Wal) 74 71 76 71 (jt 50th).
294 V Laing (Sco) 71 75 72 76 (jt 61st).

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

TERRY MATHIESON THROUGH TO SEMI-FINALS
FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW OF MID-AMATEUR


Leading qualifier Terry Mathieson (Murcar Links), beaten finalist last year, is through to the semi-finals once more of the D M Hall Scottish mid-amateur championship at Duddingston Golf Club, Edinburgh.
Terry's opponent on Monday with a place in the final at stake is Matthew Clark from Kilmacolm.
The other semi-final is between Steven Rennie (Airdrie) and Steven Armstrong (Turnhouse).
Match-play details:
FIRST ROUND
T Mathieson (Murcar Links) bt M Riddell (Baberton) 4 and 3.
S Smith (Duddingston) bt F McCarron (Stonehaven) 4 and 3.
M Clark (Kilmacolm) bt N Bell (Carlistle) 5 and 4.
S Michie (Thornton) bt D Miller (Duddingston) 1 hole.
S Robertson (Sandyhills) bt M Hand (Carlisle) 2 and 1.]
S Rennie (Airedrie) bt E Kennedy (Stonehaven) 4 and 3.
S Armstrong (Turnhouse) bt B Gray (Pines) 3 and 2.
A Farmer (Kilmacolm) bt K Reid (Prestwick) 1 hole.
QUARTER-FINALS
Mathieson bt Smith at 19th.
Clark bt Miochie 3 and 2.
Rennie bt Robertson 2 and 1.
Armstrong bt Farmer at 23rd.

HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN ROUND-UP

At 12 years and eight months, Lawrence Allan from Alva has netted a significant number of golf trophies. In addition to the Clackmannan County Junior Stroke and Match Play titles won earlier this season, he scooped the Alva club championship title last weekend, beating his father’s achievement by some three years.
Lawrence Allan must be the youngest club champion of any golf club in the country - unless someone knows differently (e-mail the information to colin@scottishgolfview.com)
With two rounds of 69, he qualified for the final stages by taking one of the eight spots available in the match-play section. He then proceeded to eliminate other qualifiers, notably the defending champion, Kevin Macfarlane, in the semi-final, followed by a 6 and 5 victory over Andrew Bain in the 36-hole final.
Already his handicap has dropped from ten to seven and there is undoubtedly more to come. Well done, Lawrence on this outstanding achievement!

ALVA JUNIORS IN TOP FORM

Even although Lawrence Allan was missing from the team line-up, Alva juniors continued their unbeaten home record against the smartly turned out Tillicoultry team. The Alva Juniors now top the league and will be tested in a crunch away game against the Alloa Juniors this weekend.
The tie between Braehead and Dollar was postponed.

Results:
ALVA 4 1/2, TILLICOULTRY 1 1/2.
(Alva names first)
Gary Elliot beat Callum Carberry 3 and 2.
Daniel Ashe halved with Scott Hunter
Scott Thomson lost to Scott Baird 1 hole
Darren Young beat Jonathan Imrie 3 and 2.
Adam Ashe beat Steven Watson 3 and 2.
David Fisher beat Kevin Ross 3 and 1.

MID AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Phil Hendry (Alloa) and Gordon Lyons (Tulliallan) just missed out on the 16 qualifying places at the Scottish mid-amateur championship over the Duddingston course in Edinburgh. After the 36 hole stroke play qualifying, Phil was one shot too many with rounds of 77 and 74 for a 151 aggregate and Gordon was a further three shots back on 154 (82,72)

ANGEL CABRERA FROM ARGENTINA WINS
UNITED STATES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Angel Cabrera from Argentina exceeded even his own expectations by winning a gruelling US Open with a five-over-par total of 285 at Oakmont Golf Club, Pennsylvania.
Cabrera outlasted them all, even Tiger Woods, to win the championship for his first major title. With a one-under-par 69 in his final round, Cabrera finished at five over, edging Woods and Jim Furyk, both former US Open champions, by one shot.
"I never thought this was possible," Cabrera said. "I feel great. It's a great moment for me, I can't believe it."
He continued: "I watched all the majors on TV when I was a kid and I never thought I would be here at this moment. It is very difficult to describe this moment.
"Probably tomorrow, when I wake up with this trophy beside me in my bed, I will realize that I have won the US Open."
Both Woods and Furyk tried to drive the green at the 306-yard 17th but ran into trouble. Furyk bogeyed the hole from the rough to the left of the green and Woods was unable to get up and down for birdie from a greenside bunker.
"I had to hit a three wood and I was trying to put the ball at the flag or to the right," Woods said of his tee shot at 17.
"They haven't watered that green at all and it's all baked out, it's the hardest hole on the golf course."
It wasn't a bad tournament for English players. Nick Dougherty, the first round leader, finished joint seventh on 290, closing with a 71. Paul Casey and Justin Rose tied for 10th place on 291. Casey and Rose both signed off with 76s.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4 x 70)

285 Angel Cabrera (Arg) 69 71 76 69
286 Tiger Woods 71 74 69 72, Jim Furyk 71 75 70 70
287 Niclas Fasth (Swe) 71 71 75 70
289 David Toms 72 72 73 72, Bubba Watson 70 71 74 74
290 Jerry Kelly 74 71 73 72, Nick Dougherty (Eng) 68 77 74 71, Scott Verplank 73 71 74 72
291 Paul Casey (Eng) 77 66 72 76, Justin Rose (Eng) 71 71 73 76, Stephen Ames (Can) 73 69 73 76
292 Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 70 70 80, Steve Stricker 75 73 68 76, Hunter Mahan 73 74 72 73, Lee Janzen 73 73 73 73
293 Jeff Brehaut 73 75 70 75, Tim Clark (Rsa) 72 76 71 74, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 72 72 75 74
294 Vijay Singh (Fij) 71 77 70 76, Anthony Kim 74 73 80 67, Mike Weir (Can) 74 72 73 75
295 Ken Duke 74 75 73 73, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 76 74 71 74, Brandt Snedeker 71 73 77 74
296 J J Henry 71 78 75 72, Boo Weekley 72 75 77 72, Camilo Villegas (Col) 73 77 75 71, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 74 72 71 79
297 Peter Hanson (Swe) 71 74 78 74, Graeme McDowell (NIrl) 73 72 75 77, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 75 73 73 76, DJ Brigman 74 74 74 75, Fred Funk 71 78 74 74, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 76 77 73
298 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 75 75 73 75, Mathew Goggin (Aus) 77 73 74 74, Ian Poulter (Eng) 72 77 72 77, Tom Pernice jun. 72 72 75 79, Lee Westwood (Eng) 72 75 79 72, Shingo Katayama (Jpn) 72 74 79 73
299 John Rollins 75 74 74 76, Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 71 75 78 75, Kenneth Ferrie (Eng) 74 76 77 72
300 Jose-Maria Olazabal (Spa) 70 78 78 74, Zach Johnson 76 74 76 74, Chris DiMarco 76 73 73 78, Ben Curtis 71 77 78 74, Olin Browne 71 75 80 74, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 72 78 77 73
301 Dean Wilson 76 74 76 75, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 73 77 78 73, Ernie Els (Rsa) 73 76 74 78, Charles Howell III 76 73 77 75
302 Anders Hansen (Den) 71 79 79 73, Michael Putnam 73 74 72 83
303 Chad Campbell 73 72 77 81
304 Bob Estes 75 75 77 77, Michael Campbell (Nzl) 73 77 75 79, Harrison Frazar 74 74 74 82, Kevin Sutherland 74 76 79 75
305 Jason Dufner 71 75 79 80
306 George McNeill 72 76 77 81

CARL SUNESON WINS THE AA ST OMER OPEN

FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4 x 71).
Players from GB&I unless stated.
276 Carl Suneson (Spa) 67 70 70 69
279 Marcus Higley 67 70 71 71, Peter Fowler (Aus) 70 67 72 70, Francois Calmels (Fra) 72 69 69 69
280 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 70 68 71 71
281 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 67 73 71 70
283 Stuart Davis 68 70 72 73, Sebastien Delagrange (Fra) 72 68 73 70, Richard McEvoy 74 66 74 69
284 Gareth Paddison (Nzl) 68 72 72 72, Danny Denison 67 74 72 71, Klas Eriksson (Swe) 74 70 71 69
285 Gary Clark 70 73 71 71, Liam Bond 70 73 74 68, Sam Little 72 69 74 70
286 Raphael Eyraud (Fra) 67 73 73 73, Wilhelm Schauman (Swe) 72 70 73 71, Andrew Oldcorn 70 74 71 71, Simon Nash (Aus) 66 74 73 73, Jerome Theunis (Bel) 75 70 72 69, Julio Zapata (Arg) 71 68 75 72, Martin Maritz (Rsa) 74 70 72 70
287 Gustavo Rojas (Arg) 70 75 67 75, Santiago Luna (Spa) 67 71 77 72, Mickael Dieu (Fra) 74 71 68 74
288 Manuel Merizalde (Col) 69 72 71 76, Steve Alker (Nzl) 71 68 73 76, Jesus Maria Arruti (Spa) 75 69 73 71, Andrew McArthur 70 73 70 75, Sion Bebb 69 72 75 72, Thomas Nielsen (Den) 71 74 71 72, Birgir Hafthorsson (Ice) 70 74 72 72
289 Jan Are Larsen (Nor) 74 71 71 73, Anders Schmidt Hansen (Den) 67 75 71 76, Richard Finch 73 72 73 71, David Higgins 65 76 74 74, Paul Nilbrink (Swe) 73 72 71 73
290 Sebastian Fernandez (Arg) 74 70 73 73, Roope Kakko (Fin) 71 73 73 73, Robert Coles 73 70 71 76, Peter Baker 71 73 71 75, Stuart Manley 73 71 73 73, Cedric Menut (Fra) 73 71 73 73, Philip Golding 71 71 74 74, Ross McGowan 70 73 73 74
291 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 72 70 77 72, Paolo Terreni (Ita) 71 68 81 71, Jean-Nicolas Billot (Fra) 70 75 73 73, Mikko Korhonen (Fin) 71 73 78 69
292 Nicolas Vanhootegem (Bel) 75 70 73 74, Ally Mellor 69 72 78 73, Alvaro Velasco (Spa) 73 71 71 77, Iain Pyman 72 72 76 72
293 Adrien Mork (Fra) 72 72 78 71, Jamie Donaldson 69 73 79 72
294 Carlos Del Moral (Spa) 70 74 74 76, Niki Zitny (Aut) 71 69 75 79, Robert Dinwiddie 71 73 75 75, Joost Luiten (Ned) 70 75 75 74, Matthew King (Aus) 72 68 76 78, Sven Struver (Ger) 71 74 77 72, Julien Clement (Swi) 69 71 77 77, Benoit Teilleria (Fra) 71 73 77 73, David Bransdon (Aus) 65 77 78 74
295 Julien Xanthopoulos (Fra) 71 73 79 72, Johan Skold (Swe) 72 73 72 78, Luis Claverie (Spa) 74 70 76 75, Hernan Rey (Arg) 71 72 80 72, Chris Doak 73 69 78 75
296 Gareth Wright 71 73 74 78, Rodolfo Gonzalez (Arg) 70 75 76 75
297 Joakim Haeggman (Swe) 72 72 73 80, Scott Strange (Aus) 71 74 79 73, Andrew Raitt 71 74 75 77, Craig Williams 73 71 78 75
298 Phil Worthington 75 70 76 77, Stephen Browne 71 72 77 78
299 Alessio Bruschi (Ita) 73 72 75 79
300 Alvaro Salto (Spa) 71 74 80 75, Kariem Baraka (Ger) 73 71 81 75
301 Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 74 71 78 78

NEIL HENDERSON WINS LAST SGU JUNIOR
TOUR EVENT OF SEASON.

Neil Henderson, 18-year-old member of The Glen Golf Club, North Berwick, completed a great eight days’ of competitive golf by winning the fifth and final event of the Scottish Golf Union Junior Tour.
From his performances in the Lothians boys’ championship, the Scottish boys’ area team championship, the Scottish schools championships at Gullane and then the Junior Tour event at Kilmarnock Barassie, which finished after 9pm tonight, Neil was an accumulative 25 under par for seven competitive rounds and brought his handicap “down” from +0.3 to +2.1.
“I’m really pleased that I scored my first ever win on the SGU Junior Tour in the last event I will ever be able to play on it. I will be too old for boys’ golf next season,” said Neil.
“I’m going to take a year out from studying to do nothing but play competitive golf and then I hope to get a golf scholarship to an American college, starting in August 2008.”
Master Henderson won the SGU Junior Tour Event No 5 by the commanding margin of six shots with a five-under-par total of 139, made up of scores of 69 and 70.
Over the two rounds, Neil had nine birdies, three of them 2s. His four halves were 33-36-36-34, which suggests he would have a very low eclectic round.
Scott Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) shared the lead with him on 69 at the end of the first round but slipped to a 76 at the second time of asking for a total of 145. Scott shared second placed with Sam McLaren (King James VI).

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
139 N Henderson (Glen) 69 70.
145 S McLaren (King James VI) 74 71, Scott Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) 69 76.
146 T Sharkey (Helensburgh) 75 71, T Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy) 75 71.
147 F McKenna (Balmore) 76 71, F Fotheringham (Nairn) 74 73, M Daily (Erskine) 74 73, M Bookless (Sandyhills) 73 74, A McLachlan (Eastwood) 71 76.
148 C Wyper (Hayston) 70 78.
149 B Sloan (Hamilton) 77 72, D Currie (Kilmarnock Barassie) 73 73, P McPhee (King James VI) 73 76, M Main (Thornton) 73 76.
150 D Parlane (Helensburgh) 76 74, A Wallace (Glenbervie) 71 79.
152 Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton) 78 74, D Law (Hazlehead) 76 76, K Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) 73 79.
153 E Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) 82 71, F Moore (Falkirk Tryst) 79 74, P Shields (Kirkhill) 784 79
154 D Young (Craigie Hill) 79 75, M Cunningham (Longniddry) 78 76, C Gaittens (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 78 76.
155 W Bremner (Edzell) 77 78.
156 C Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 79 77, C Gray (West Kilbride) 76 80.
157 A Lauder (Paisley) 77 80, A Graham (Crow Wood) 77 80, A Sweeney (Carnoustie) 76 81.
158 J Ross (Royal Burgess) 79 79, C Baird (Bothwell Castle) 75 83.
162 M Reid (Downfield) 85 77, C Robb (Inchmarlo) 77 85.
163 R Elder (Nairn Dunbar) 84 79.
182 T Spencer (Inchmarlo) 90 82.

CARL MASON WINS RYDER CUP WALES SENIORS OPEN

By STEVEN FRANKLIN
Press Officer, European Seniors Tour

England’s Carl Mason captured his 15th title in four years on the European Seniors Tour in front of huge galleries at the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open on Sunday.
Mason, four strokes behind after eight holes of his final round, produced four birdies down the testing back nine at Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club to win by two strokes from overnight leader Juan Quiros of Spain and Ross Drummond from

The Oxfordshire golfer’s closing round of four under par 68 gave him a winning 54 hole total of six under par 210 and a healthy winner’s cheque of £75,000 (€110,358).

“This is the second biggest event on the European Seniors Tour and I needed to win this week if I am to challenge for a third Order of Merit title,” said Mason, who moved up to second spot on the money list with this victory, his second in the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open.

Drummond was bitterly disappointed after missing out on his maiden Seniors title. The Scot’s challenge ended with a three-putt bogey at the 17th for a round of 69, which left him on four under par 212.

“I saw that Mason had birdied the 16th so I had to give my first putt from 25 feet a go. I ran it three and half feet past and missed the return. It was a hugely disappointing way to finish as I had played well,” he said.

Quiros, who had matched the course record with a brilliant 64 on Saturday, could not produce similar heroics and closed in 73.

Fourth place on three under par was shared by Italy’s Costantino Rocca (72) and Ireland’s Des Smyth, who stormed through the field with a best-of-the-day five under par 67.


LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club, North Wales

Par 216 (3 x 72)
210 Carl Mason (Eng) 73 69 68
212 Ross Drummond (Sco) 73 70 69, Juan Quiros (Esp) 75 64 73
213 Costantino Rocca (Ita) 70 71 72, Des Smyth (Ire) 71 75 67
214 Bob Cameron (Eng) 75 69 70
215 Luis Carbonetti (Arg) 71 73 71
216 Eamonn Darcy (Ire) 71 73 72, Guillermo Encina (Chi) 69 78 69, José Rivero (Esp) 75 71 70, Horacio Carbonetti (Arg) 72 70 74
217 Martin Gray (Sco) 73 71 73, Tommy Horton (Eng) 72 73 72, Tony Johnstone (Zim) 74 73 70, Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) 74 70 73, Adan Sowa (Arg) 79 65 73, Sam Torrance (Sco) 74 74 69
218 Emilio Rodriguez (Esp ) 73 74 71, Jimmy Heggarty (Nir) 73 74 71, Denis Watson (Zim) 76 69 73, Peter Teravainen (USA) 75 74 69
219 David Good (Aus) 77 72 70, Ray Carrasco (USA) 71 76 72, Jim Rhodes (Eng) 74 72 73, Maurice Bembridge (Eng) 70 73 76
220 Glenn Ralph (Eng) 74 73 73
221 Bertus Smit (RSA) 75 76 70, Bruce Heuchan (Can) 75 74 72, ,John Bland (RSA) 75 74 72, Denis Durnian (Eng) 79 71 71, David J Russell (Eng) 74 73 74, Tony Allen (Eng) 70 78 73, Ian Mosey (Eng) 71 73 77, Denis O'Sullivan (Irl) 75 72 74
222 Stewart Ginn (Aus) 74 77 71, Bobby Lincoln (RSA) 74 75 73, Andrew Murray (Eng) 74 75 73, Gordon J Brand (Eng) 72 77 73
223 Mike Miller (Sco) 72 73 78, Jerry Bruner (USA) 72 77 74, Martin Poxon (Eng) 78 73 72, Bill Longmuir (Sco) 77 71 75, Pete Oakley (USA) 73 75 75, Manuel Piñero (Esp) 75 73 75, Simon Owen (Nzl) 76 74 73
224 Philippe Dugeny (Fra) 80 72 72, Steve Martin (Sco) 73 75 76, Malcolm Gregson (Eng) 76 71 78, Neil Coles (Eng) 78 72 75, Kevin Spurgeon (Eng) 73 76 76
226 John Mashego (RSA) 80 69 77, Nick Job (Eng) 78 72 76
227 Bob Charles (Nzl) 76 74 77, David Merriman (Aus) 78 77 72, Jim Lapsley (Nzl) 77 74 76, Bob Larratt (Eng) 72 74 81, Terry Gale (Aus) 76 78 73
228 Seiji Ebihara (Jpn) 78 77 73, John Chillas (Sco) 78 76 74
229 Giuseppe Cali (Ita) 77 75 77, Mike Clayton (Aus) 78 76 75
230 Angel Fernandez (Chi) 76 72 82
231 Mike Ferguson (Aus) 80 74 77, Terry Hanson (Eng) 73 76 82
232 Doug Johnson (USA) 79 77 76
233 Craig Defoy (Wal) 76 72 85, Delroy Cambridge (Jam ) 80 75 78
234 David Creamer (Eng) 80 79 75
235 Eddie Polland (Nir) 77 77 81, Bill Malley (USA) 79 79 77
235 John Whitcutt (Am) (Wal ) 77 80 78
237 Gery Watine (Fra) 79 79 79
240 Antonio Garrido (Esp) 80 80 80, Basil Griffiths (Am) (Wal) 81 75 84, Phil Jones (Am) (Wal) 80 81 79
W/d Jeff Hawkes (RSA) 81

SUNESON LEADS ST OMER OPEN

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 219 (3 x 72)
207 C Suneson (Spa) 67 70 70.
208 M Higley 67 70 71.
209 M Lundberg (Swe) 70 68 71, P Fowler (Aus) 70 67 72.
Other scores:
213 A McArthur (Sco) 70 73 70.
215 A Oldcorn (Sco) 70 74 71.
220 C Doak (Sco) 73 69 78.

BADDELEY LEADS FROM TIGER IN US OPEN


OAKMONT LEADERBOARD
THIRD ROUND
Par 210 (3 x 70)
212 A Baddeley (Aus) 72 70 70.
214 T Woods (US) 71 74 69.
215 P Casey (Eng) 77 66 72, J Rose (Eng) 71 71 73, B Watson (US) 70 71 74.
216 S Stricker (US) 75 73 68, J Furyk (US) 71 75 70, A Cabrera (Arg) 69 71 76.
Other scores:
219 N Dougherty (Eng) 69 77 74.
220 G McDowell (NIr) 73 72 75.
221 I Poulter (Eng) 72 77 72.
226 L Westwood (Eng) 72 75 79, J M Olazabal (Spa) 70 78 78.

QUALIFIERS FOR MATCH-PLAY STAGES OF
D M HALL SCOTTISH MID-AMATEUR

Terry Mathieson (Murcar Links) and Martin Hand from Carlisle headed the 16 qualifiers for the match-play stages of the D M Hall Scottish mid-amateur men's championship at Duddingston Golf Club.

QUALIFIERS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
146 T Mathieson (Murcar Links) 72 74, M Hand (Carlistle) 71 75.
147 S Armstrong (Turnhouse) 78 69, M Clark (Kilmacolm) 77 70.
148 D Miller (Duddingston) 78 70, A Farmer (Kilmacolm) 76 72, E Kennedy (Stonehaven) 76 72, S Smith (Duddingston) 71 77.
149 F McCarron (Stonehaven) 76 73, S Rennie (Airdrie) 74 75, K Reid (Prestwick) 72 77, S Michie (Thornton) 70 79.
150 N Bell (Carlisle) 78 72, B Gray (Pines) 76 74, S Robertson (Sandyhills) 76 74, M Riddell (Baberton) 74 76.

VIKKI TRAILS BY TEN IN FUTURES TOUR MAJOR

Vikki Laing from Musselburgh was in joint 46th position going into the final round of the Michelo Ultra Players' Championship, the only "major" on the US Futures Tour, at Hickory Point Golf Club, Decatur in Illinois.

Vikki had rounds of 71, 75 and 72 for a two-over-par tally of 218 over the 6,594yd, par-72 course.

Sharing the lead on eight-under-par 208 are Onnarin Sattayabanphot from Bangkok and Emily Bastel from Ohio.

LEADERBOARD

Par 216 (3 x 72)

208 O Sattayabanphot (Thai) 72 68 68, Emily Bastel (US) 69 68 71.

209 L Janangelo (S) 67 71 71.

211 R Bailey (Aus) 70 72 69, J Peterkova (Cze) 68 73 70, J Gleason (US) 70 71 70, C Larsson Swse) 71 69 71, T Leon (US) 71 68 72, B Jackson (US) 68 70 75.

Other score:

218 V Laing (Sco) 71 75 72 (jt 46th).

 

LAWRENCE (12) WINS ALVA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Lawrence Allan, only 12 years old, has won the Alva Golf Club men's championship,
having beaten the current club champion, Kevin Macfarland 2 and 1 in the semi-finals.

LATE ENTRY WALKER SCOOPS £2,000 KINGSBARNS PRIZE

Ron Walker, professional attached to The Duke's Course, St Andrews, got a late call into the small and select field for the Eden pro-am played at Kingsbarns Links.
And he made the most of it by winning the top prize of £2,000 with a three-over-par 75 - which included a 10 at the par-5 ninth in very windy conditions.
Former British amateur champion Gordon Sherry (Barassie) was runner-up with a 77 and third place went to David F G Scott, the director of golf at Kingsbarns Links with an 81.
David's round included his first-ever hole in one at Kingsbarns Links. He aced the second with a four-iron.
Alastair Good (Gullane) led home his line-up of four amateurs - Chris Keey (7), Adrian Fairbourne (16), Alexander Georgiadis (17) and Alastair Stewart (7) - with a net team total of 12-under-par 132.

HUTCHEON WINS STRANRAER PRO-AM

Peterculter Golf Club tour professional Greig Hutcheon won the £1,165 top prize with a three-under-par 67 in the Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press and Stena Line pro-am at Stranraer Golf Club today.
He won by one shot from Steven Gray (Hayston) and Mark King (Kingsfield).
King guided the McMillan Hotels trio of amateurs, Douglas McMillan (handicap 18), David Hardie (9) and Alec Ross (7) to victory in the team event with an 18-under-par total of 122.
LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 70
67 G Hutcheon (Peterculter).
68 S Gray (Hayston), M King (Kingsfield).
70 S Syme (Dumfries & Co), C Nicoll (Prestwick), P McKechnie (Braid Hills), T Buchanan (Duddingston).
71 A Marshall (Houston GR), S Taylor (Bothwell Castle), D Park (Wishaw), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs GR), E Thomson (Largs), C Brown (Westin Turnberry), J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle).

TERRY LEADING QUALIFIERS AT DUDDINGSTON
IN D M HALL SCOTTISH MID-AMATEUR

Terry Mathieson (Murcar Links) took over the lead in the qualifying rounds of the D M Hall Scottish mid-amateur championship with rounds of 72 and 74 for 146 with several players still out on the Duddingston course.
First-round leader Scott Michie (Thornton) fell back from the pole position on 71 with a second-round 78 for 149.

CLUBHOUSE SCORES

146 T Mathieson (Murcar Links) 72 74.
148 A Farmer (Kilmacolm) 76 72, S Smith (Duddingston) 71 77.
149 S Rennie (Airdrie) 74 75, S Michie (Thornton) 70 79.
150 R Bell (Carlisle) 78 72.
151 P Williams (Hillside) 76 75.
152 B Smith (Duddingston) 79 73, R Coull (Edzell) 79 73.
153 A Howard (Murrayshall) 75 78.
154 M Steid (Craigielaw) 77 77.

QUIROS SHOOTS 64 IN RYDER CUP WALES SENIORS
OPEN TO LEAD BY TWO FROM ROCCA

BY STEVEN FRANKLIN
Press Officer, European Seniors Tour

Spain’s Juan Quiros fired a breathtaking eight under par 64 to storm through the field and into contention for victory in the £500,000 Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open at Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club.
Friday’s first round over the testing links at Conwy – which last year became the first Welsh course to stage an Open Championship Final Qualifying event – saw just nine players break the par of 72.
Quiros was one of those carding a 75, but as the winds dropped on Saturday the diminutive Spaniard made massive inroads and on five under par 139 will take a two stroke lead over Italy’s Costantino Rocca into the final round.
England’s Carl Mason, winner of 14 titles on the European Seniors Tour, and Horacio Carbonetti of Argentina, a two-time winner, share third place on two under par.
Quiros’s second round score of 64 matched the course record set by Adrian Johnson and was founded on a stunning scoring spree either side of the turn when, starting at the seventh, he went birdie-birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie.
Quiros left another birdie putt an inch short at the 13th but holed out for a four at the par five 14th, taking him to eight under par for his last eight holes.
At the 18th he had a chance to register a new course record, but his 15 foot putt didn’t turn as expected and finished two inches outside the cup.
Last year, Quiros was among four players tied for second place in this event when he finished strongly on the final day at The Vale Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort near Cardiff, and the former European Tour player expects to have to go low again tomorrow.
“I will play the same way tomorrow – hole to hole. The only thing that could change things is the weather. It will be so difficult to win the title as there are so many good players here this week,” said Quiros, making reference to a leaderboard that includes Eamonn Darcy, Ross Drummond, Carl Mason, Costantino Rocca and recent US Senior PGA Championship winner Denis Watson.

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club, North Wales (par 72)

139 Juan Quiros (Esp) 75, 64
141 Costantino Rocca (Ita) 70 71
142 Horacio Carbonetti (Arg) 72 70, Carl Mason (Eng) 73 69, Ross Drummond (Sco) 73 70
143 Maurice Bembridge (Eng) 70 73
144 Bob Cameron (Eng) 75 69, Martin Gray (Sco) 73 71, Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) 74 70, Adan Sowa (Arg) 79 65, Luis Carbonetti (Arg) 71 73, Eamonn Darcy (Ire) 71 73, Ian Mosey (Eng) 71 73
145 Tommy Horton (Eng) 72 73, Mike Miller (Sco) 72 73, Denis Watson (Zim) 76 69
146 Bob Larratt (Eng) 72 74, Jim Rhodes (Eng) 74 72, José Rivero (Esp) 75 71, Des Smyth (Ire) 71 75
147 Ray Carrasco (USA) 71 76, Guillermo Encina (Chi) 69 78, Malcolm Gregson (Eng) 76 71, Jimmy Heggarty (NIr) 73 74, Tony Johnstone (Zim) 74 73, Denis O’Sullivan (Ire) 75 72, Glenn Ralph (Eng) 74 73, Emilio Rodriguez (Esp) 73 74, David J Russell (Eng) 74 73
148 Tony Allen (Eng) 70 78, Craig Defoy (Wal) 76 72, Angel Fernandez (Chi) 76 72, Bill Longmuir (Sco) 77 71, Steve Martin (Sco) 73 75, Pete Oakley (USA) 73 75, Manuel Pinero (Esp) 75 73, Sam Torrance (Sco) 74 74
149 John Bland (RSA) 75 74, Gordon J Brand (Eng) 72 77, Jerry Bruner (USA) 72 77, David Good (Aus) 77 72, Terry Hanson (Eng) 73 76, Bruce Heuchan (Can) 75 74, Bobby Lincoln (RSA) 74 75, John Mashego (RSA) 80 69, Andrew Murray (Eng) 74 75, Kevin Spurgeon (Eng) 73 76, Peter Teravainen (USA) 75 74
150 Bob Charles (Nzl) 76 74, Neil Coles (Eng) 78 72, Denis Durnian (Eng) 79 71, Job Nick (Eng) 78 72, Simon Owen (Nzl) 76 74
151 Stewart Ginn (Aus) 74 77, Jim Lapsley (Nzl) 77 74, Martin Poxon (Eng) 78 73, Bertus Smit (RSA) 75 76
152 Giuseppe Cali (Ita) 77 75, Philippe Dugeny (Fra) 80 72
154 John Chillas (Sco) 78 76, Mike Clayton (Aus) 78 76, Mike Ferguson (Aus) 80 74, Terry Gale (Aus) 76 78, Eddie Polland (NIr) 77 77
155 Delroy Cambridge (Jam) 80 75, Seiji Ebihara (Jap) 78 77, David Merriman (Aus) 78 77
156 Basil Griffiths (am) (Wal) 81 75, Doug Johnson (USA) 79 77
157 John Whitcutt (am) (Wal) 77 80
158 Bill Malley (USA) 79 79, Gery Watine (Fra) 79 79
159 David Creamer (Eng) 80 79
160 Antonio Garrido (Esp) 80 80
161 Phil Jones (am) (Wal) 80 81

SWITCH TO www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk FOR NEWS FROM ALWOODLEY

Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) lost in this morning's quarter-finals of the Ladies British open amateur championship at Alwoodley, Leeds.
You can read a full report of this morning's matches and get updates of this afternoon's semi-finals (they have been brought forward from Sunday morning, when the 18-hole final will now be played), by switching over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

MICHIE LEADS FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
IN D M HALL SCOTTISH MID-AMATEUR

Leading scores from Duddingston Golf Club:
Par 72
70 Scott Michie (Thornton).
71 Martin Hand (Carlisle), Stuart Smith (Duddingston).
72 Kenny Reid (Prestwick), Terry Mathieson (Murcar Links).
74 Neil Cunningham (Duddingston), Mark Riddelll (Baberton), Steven Rennie (Airdeire), Rogfer Roper (Wike Ridge).
75 Aaron Howard (Murrayshall).
76 Duncan Martin (Longniddry), Paul Williams (Hillside), Euan Kennedy (Stonehaven), Frank McCarron (Stonehaven), A Farmer (Kilmacolm), Steven Robertson (Sandyhills), Stewart Elder (Kirkcaldy), Oliver McCrone (Turnhouse).
77 Paul Telfer (Stoneham), Martin Stein (Craigielaw), Scott Strachan (Letham Grange), Philip Dempsey (Alloa), David Strachan (Turnberry), Torquil McInroy (North Berwick), Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm).

SCOTS TO FORE IN EUROPEAN SENIOR AMATEUR

CHAMPIONSHIPS AT VILAMOURA

Scots Donald McCart, Fiona De Vries and Fiona Anderson are well to the fore in their respective divisions of the European senior amateur championships at Vilamoura on the Algarve.

In the men's event over the Pinhal course, Norman Swenson from the United States is setting the pacfe onf 141. Donald McCart is in third place on 145 after rounds of 70 and 75.

In the women's even at the Old Course, Vilamoura, Fiona De Vries and Fiona Anderson are both on 153, three shots behind joint leaders Else Kalsted (Denmark) and Cecilia Mourgue D'Algue (France).

Details:

MEN (at Pinhal)

141 N Swenson (US) 73 68.

144 M Kelly (Ire) 73 71.

145 D McCart (Sco) 70 75.

147 F Lang (Ita) 77 70, M Preysler (Spa) 73 74, H-H Green (Ger) 73 74.

Other scores:

148 T Brown (Eng) 71 77.

150 S Baker (E ng) 72 78, D Lane (Eng) 69 81.

151 R Gill (Sco) 73 78.

152 G Mellerick (Ire) 75 77, D Smith (Sco) 75 77.

153 A Morrison (Eng) 77 76.

154 P Slater (Eng) 82 72.

156 R McLellan (Scvo) 80 76.

157 D Millar (Sco) 78 79, G Steel (Sco) 79 78.

159 J Deas (Sco) 78 81.

161 I Stewart (Sco) 82 79.

164 I Broadfoot Sco) 79 85.

WOMEN (Vilamoura Old Course)

150 E Kalsted (Den) 78 82, C Mourgue D'Algue (Fra) 75 75.

151 V Burrus (Fra) 76 75.

153 A-K Heermansson (Swe) 79 74, F De Vries (Sco) 78 75, F Anderson (Sco) 76 77, M Buscaini (Ita) 74 79.

154 V Hogg (Swe) 79 75, P Williamson (Sco) 80 74.

Other scores:

159 H Faulds (Sco) 82 77 (jt18th).

162 M Richmond (Sco) 78 84 (jt 26th).

164 S Quinn (Sco) 82 82 (jt 33rd).

167 J Paterson (Sco) 82 83 (40th).

173 B Biggart (Sco) 86 87 (jt 55th).

177 J Mack (Sco) 88 89 (59th).

UPDATES FROM THE LADIES BRITISH OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

For regular updates from today's quarter-finals at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds, please switch over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

VIKKI LAING JUST MAKES CUT IN
FUTURES TOUR MAJOR


Vikki Laing made the cut with nothing to spare in the Michelob Ultra Players’ Championship, the only “major” on the US Futures Tour, at Hickory Point Golf Club, Decatur in Illinois.
Vikki had rounds of 71 and 75 over the 6,954yd, par 72 course for a total of two-over-par 146 – nine shots behind joint leaders, Emily Bastel from Ohio and Jeanne Cho-Hunicke of Florida.
South Wales amateur Natasha Morgan, a student at Lynn University, Boca Raton in Floriday, had scores of 74 and 71 for 145.
Londoner Polly Willett did qualify after rounds of 75 and 73 for 148.
LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
137 E Bastel (US) 69 68, J Cho-Hunicke (US) 68 69.
138 L Janangelo (US) 67 71, M Kim (US) 69 69, B Jackson (US) 68 70.
Other scores:
145 N Morgan (Wal) (am) 74 71.
146 V Laing (Sco) 71 75.
MISSED CUT
148 P Willett (Eng) 75 73.

CHRIS DOAK LEADING SCOT AT SAINT OMER

Chris Doak is five shots off the pace in this week's European Tour/Challenge Tour event in France with scores of 73 and 69 for 142.

Aa SAINT OMER OPEN SCOREBOARD

SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Saint Omer GC, France
Par 142 (2 x 71).
Players from GB&I unless stated.
137 Carl Suneson (Spa) 67 70, Marcus Higley 67 70, Peter Fowler (Aus) 70 67
138 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 70 68, Stuart Davis 68 70, Santiago Luna (Spa) 67 71
139 Steve Alker (Nzl) 71 68, Paolo Terreni (Ita) 71 68, Julio Zapata (Arg) 71 68
140 Raphael Eyraud (Fra) 67 73, Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 67 73, Niki Zitny (Aut) 71 69, Simon Nash (Aus) 66 74, Richard McEvoy 74 66, Matthew King (Aus) 72 68, Gareth Paddison (Nzl) 68 72, Sebastien Delagrange (Fra) 72 68, Julien Clement (Swi) 69 71.
Other scores:
142 Chris Doak (Sco) 73 69.
143 Andrew McArthur (Sco) 70 73.
144 Andrew Oldcorn (Sco) 70 74, Gareth Wright (Wal) 71 73.
MISSED CUT
146 Scott Henderson (Sco) 74 72.
147 Peter Whiteford (Sco) 70 77.
149 David Drysdale (Sco) 72 77.
150 George Murray (Sco) 74 77, Euan Little (Sco) 77 74.

US OPEN SCOREBOARD
Oakmont GC, Oakmont, Pennslyvania.
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 70. Players from US unless stated
140 Angel Cabrera (Arg) 69 71
141 Bubba Watson 70 71
142 Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 70, Justin Rose (Eng) 71 71, Stephen Ames (Can) 72, 69, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 71 71
143 Paul Casey (Eng) 77 66
144 Carl Pettersson (Swe) 72 72, Tom Pernice Jnr. 72 72, Brandt Snedeker 71 73, David Toms 72 72, Scott Verplank 73 71
145 Chad Campbell 73 72, Graeme McDowell (NIrl) 73 72, Nick Dougherty (Eng) 68 77, Tiger Woods 71 74, Jerry Kelly 74 71, Peter Hanson (Swe) 71 74
146 John Rollins 75 71, Jim Furyk 71 75, Jason Dufner 71 75, Lee Janzen 73 73, Olin Browne 71 75, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 74 72, Stephen Ames (Can) 73 73, Shingo Katayama (Jpn) 72 74
147 Hunter Mahan 73 74, Anthony Kim 74 73, Boo Weekley 72 75, Michael Putnam 73 74, Lee Westwood (Eng) 72 75, Pablo Martin (Sp) 71 76
148 Steve Stricker 75 73, Vijay Singh (Fij) 71 77, George McNeill 72 76, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 75 73, DJ Brigman 74 74, Jeff Brehaut 73 75, Tim Clark (Rsa) 72 76, Ben Curtis 71 77, Jose Maria Olazabal (Sp) 70 78, Harrison Frazar 74 74
149 J J Henry 71 78, Ernie Els (Rsa) 73 76, Chris DiMarco 76 73, Ian Poulter (Eng) 72 77, Fred Funk 71 78, Charles Howell III 76 73, John Rollins 75 74, Ken Duke 74 75
150 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 75 75, Michael Campbell (Nzl) 73 77, Zach Johnson 76 74, Kevin Sutherland 74 76, Kenneth Ferrie (Eng) 74 76, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 76 74, Dean Wilson 76 74, Robert Allenby (Aus) 75 75, Camilo Villegas (Col) 73 77, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 72 78, Matthew Goggin (Aus) 77 73, Bob Estes 75 75, Anders Hansen (Den) 71 79, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 73 77.
MISSED CUT
Selected names:
151 Phil Mickelson 74 77, Luke Donald (Eng) 74 77.
152 Richie Ramsay (Sco) (am) 78 74.
153 Padraig Harrington (Ire) 73 80.
154 Sergio Garcia (Esp) 76 75.
155 Martin Laird (Sco) 76 79.
157 Rhys Davies (Wal) (am) 74 83.
158 Colin Montgomerie (Sco) 76 82.

LADIES BRITISH OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
SEMI-FINALS, FINAL DELAYED UNTIL SUNDAY

The Ladies British open amateur championship will now finish on Sunday with the semi-finals in the morning and the 18-hole final in the afternoon.
This follows the loss of 6 ½ hr play this morning when torrential overnight rain made the Alwoodley course, Leeds waterlogged and unplayable until 3pm.
At that point the eight third-round ties started.
But the weather had another blow for the Ladies Golf Union organisers still to come.
The automatic warning device of an electrical storm came into action and forced championship manager Fraser Munro to sound the klaxons and call all players and officials off the course at 7.03 pm.
There were five ties out on the course when play was halted – the quarter-final tie between top seed Carlota Ciganda (Spain) and Michele Thomson from the McDonald club, Ellon in Aberdeenshire plus the unfinished third-round ties:
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) v Rachel Connor (Manchester).
Karin Kinnerud (Swden) v Anna Nordqvist (Sweden)
Rachel Bell (Ganton) v Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan).
Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) v Kira Meixner (Canada).
“The players have been asked to arrive back at the golf club at 8am on Saturday morning. Those still to finish their third-round ties will be bussed out to the points on the course where they were when play was halted this evening,” said Fraser Munro.
“After they have finished these ties, we will then have a break followed by only one more session of Saturday play, featuring the four quarter-final ties.
“Then, on Sunday, we will have the semi-finals in the morning and and the final on Sunday afternoon.”
All of this, of course, is weather permitting. The rain was lashing down again tonight after 8pm on a course that surely cannot take much more rainfall. It has been raining almost non-stop since early on Wednesday afternoon.

IN-FORM ROCCA IN CONTENTION AT END OF
FIRST DAY IN WALES SENIOR OPEN


By STEVEN FRANKLIN
European Seniors Tour Press Officer

Italian Ryder Cup star Costantino Rocca, who won the Irish national Seniors title a fortnight ago, is right in contention to capture the Welsh version after an opening round of two under par on a testing first day at the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open.

Rocca’s 70, secured after a fine up-and-down par save at the last, left him alongside the English duo of Tony Allen and Maurice Bembridge, another former Ryder Cup player, and within a stroke of the clubhouse lead held by Chile’s Guillermo Encina.

Last year, the links at Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club became the first Welsh course to stage an Open Championship Final Qualifying event and the tight layout, with its thick rough and punishing bunkers, was made even more difficult for the Seniors by heavy overnight rain that delayed the start of Friday’s first round by two and a half hours.

Add into the equation a blustery wind and under par scores were in short supply, a fact very much at the forefront of Rocca’s mind. “If you told me now that I can have three rounds of 70 then I would be pleased to take that. I think that could win the tournament,” commented the five-time European Tour winner, who won on only his third Seniors start in Ireland two weeks ago.

The exacting nature of the test was highlighted by the talented Zimbabwean Denis Watson. Having won the US Senior PGA Championship at Kiawah Island three weeks ago, Watson arrived in Wales in confident mood but could do no better than a four over par 76.

The Irish duo of Eamonn Darcy and Des Smyth, both fine exponents of links golf, were better placed after 71s, while two more Ryder Cup players, Englishmen Gordon J Brand and Tommy Horton were round in level par 72.

Former Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance of Scotland struggled over the back nine but finished with a smile after holing his bunker shot at the last for a two over par 74.


Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club, Wales (par 72)
First round scores:
69 Guillermo Encina (Chi)
70 Costantino Rocca (Ita), Tony Allen (Eng), Maurice Bembridge (Eng)
71 Eamonn Darcy (Ire), Ray Carrasco (USA), Luis Carbonetti (Arg), Des Smyth (Ire), Ian Mosey (Eng)
72 Jerry Bruner (USA), Bob Larratt (Eng), Gordon J Brand (Eng), Horacio Carbonetti (Arg), Tommy Horton (Eng), Mike Miller (Sco)
73 Ross Drummond (Sco), Martin Gray (Sco), Terry Hanson (Eng), Jimmy Heggarty (NIr), Steve Martin (Sco), Carl Mason (Eng), Emilio Rodriguez (Esp), Kevin Spurgeon (Eng), Pete Oakley (USA)
74 Bobby Lincoln (RSA), David J Russell (Eng), Stewart Ginn (Aus), Tony Johnstone (Zim), Andrew Murray (Eng), Glenn Ralph (Eng), Noel Ratcliffe (Aus), Jim Rhodes (Eng), Sam Torrance (Sco)
75 John Bland (RSA), Bob Cameron (Eng), Bruce Heuchan (Can), Denis O’Sullivan (Ire), Manuel Piñero (Esp), Juan Quiros (Esp), José Rivero (Esp), Bertus Smit (RSA), Peter Teravainen (USA)
76 Bob Charles (Nzl), Angel Fernandez (Chi), Malcolm Gregson (Eng), Denis Watson (Zim), Craig Defoy (Wal), Terry Gale (Aus), Simon Owen (Nzl)
77 Giuseppe Cali (Ita), David Good (Aus), Jim Lapsley (Nzl), Bill Longmuir (Sco), Eddie Polland (NIr), John Whitcutt (am) (Wal)
78 John Chillas (Sco), Mike Clayton (Aus), Neil Coles (Eng), Seiji Ebihara (Jap), Nick Job (Eng), David Merriman (Aus), Martin Poxon (Eng)
79 Doug Johnson (USA), Bill Malley (USA), Adan Sowa (Arg), Denis Durnian (Eng), Gery Watine (Fra)
80 Delroy Cambridge (Jam), David Creamer (Eng), Philippe Dugeny (Fra), Mike Ferguson (Aus), Antonio Garrido (Esp), Phil Jones (am) (Wal), John Mashego (RSA)
81 Basil Griffiths (am) (Wal), Jeff Hawkes (RSA)

MICHELE REACHES LAST EIGHT – KRYSTLE
ONE UP WHEN STORM THREAT HALTS PLAY

Debut girl Michele Thomson from Ellon sailed through to the quarter-finals of the Ladies British open amateur golf championship at Alwoodley, Leeds at the first attempt – and admitted she is getting a big ‘buzz’ from playing in the biggest event of her 19-year-old life.
“It was so wet this morning when we got to the course that I didn’t think we were going to get played at all,” said the Aberdeenshire county champion and semi-finalist in the
“But after hanging around for about seven hours, the course was finally opened at 3pm and I couldn’t wait to get out there again, even though it was very, very wet underfoot.
“I am probably playing as well as I have ever played. You could say I feel inspired by playing in this championship and seeing and meeting all these top players.”
Michele beat Dewi-Claire Schreefel, the Dutch girl who won the American women’s college championship last year and who is still a student at the University of Southern California, by 4 and 3.
Dewi-Claire had the better of the edgy first few holes and was one up after four holes.
“But I settled down and managed to square the game by the turn. Then it all fell into place and I won four holes in a row from the 11th with two pars and birdies at the 12th and 13th,” said Michele
Miss Thomson did not have long to savour the success. The championship should finish with an 18-hole final on Saturday afternoon but is now running many hours behind schedule and is certain to spill over into an extra day.
Kinross-born Ladies Golf Union tournament director Fraser Munro, in an effort to get back on track, put the early third-round winners out again last evening (Friday) to complete as many holes as they could before darkness.
And Michelle had a tough one – no less than the 17-year-old top seed Carlota Ciganda from Pamplona, Spain,
The first two holes of their quarter-final tie were halved.
Then came a body blow to Fraser Munro’s hopes of getting the tournament back on schedule.
The automatic device that warns of an electrical storm in the area forced play to be suspended at 7.03pm with all the players being called in off the course without delay.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) was one up on Rachel Connor, 16-year-old daughter of the Manchester club’s Scots-born professional, playing the 16th.having come back from two down after seven holes.

Results:
THIRD ROUND
C Ciganda (Esp) bt M Silva (Esp) 4 and 2.
M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) bt D-C Schreefel (Ned) 4 and 3.
B Loucks (Wrexham) bt E Bennett (Aus) 4 and 2.
C Westrup (Swe) bt M Van der Graaff (Ned) 5 and 4.
Suspended matches:
K Caithness (St Regulus) one up on R Connor (Manchester) after 15 holes.
A Nordqvist (Sweden) one up on K Kinnerud (Swe) after 14 holes.
R Bell (Ganton) all square with S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) after 11 holes.
L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) one up on K Meixner (Can) after 11 holes.
QUARTER-FINALS
Ciganda and Thomson all square after two holes.

ends

IT'S WIRE-TO-WIRE DWYER!
By RON MARSHALL
PGA Press Officer
Ireland’s John Dwyer, who led from Day 1, became the first winner from the Irish republic of the Glenmuir Club Professional Championship yesterday(Fri) as Royal Porthcawl.
But he was taken to three extra holes by plucky Welshman Andrew Barnett, his final-round playing partner, who’d been behind until the 71st hole.
Fraser Mann, out first in the morning with a marker, shot a two-under 70, the best final round by the half dozen Scots in the field. But no Scottish player was good enough to make the 10-man Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team (the club pros’ version of the Ryder Cup) to meet the USA in Georgia in September. Leading aggregates:
282 – J Dwyer (Ashbourne) 66 72 71 73 (won after three-hole play-off), A Barnett
(North Wales DR) 66 75 69 72
286 – M Nesbit (Westerhope) 69 77 71 69, J Whatley (Morley Hayes) 69 72 77 68,
D Taylor (Swingers) 67 75 76 68, C Goodfellow (Carlisle) 71 70 75 70
287 - P Wesselingh (Kedleston Park) 71 71 72 73, G Ryall (Players’ Club) 70 74 71
72, J Bevan (Wessex DR) 68 73 72 74
288 - R Sadler (Killiow) 67 75 70 76
290 - C Clark (Moor Hall) 69 71 72 78
288 – G Brown (Ganton) 74 69 70 75
290 - A Sherborne (Kendleshire) 68 74 71 77
289 - P Simpson (West Berks) 71 69 74 75
290 - D Greenwood (Forest Pines) 66 74 75 75
Scottish scores:
291 - J McKinnon (Irvine) 73 72 74 72
292 - C Ronald (Carluke) 74 71 73 74
294 - N Scott-Smith (Palacerigg) 77 70 72 75, A Webster (Edzell) 74 74 72 74
296 – F Mann (Musselburgh) 75 72 79 70
300 - G Cook (Prestonfield) 74 71 78 77

PGA Cup team v United States in Georgia, September 21-23: Dwyer, Barnett, Nesbit, Whatley, Taylor, Goodfellow, Wesselingh, D. Muscroft (Montecchia); after a play-off – Bevan, Ryall.

Early clubhouse scores:

European Seniors Tour
Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open
Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club, Wales (par 72)


69 Guillermo Encina (Chi)
71 Eamonn Darcy (Ire), Ray Carrasco (USA)
72 Jerry Bruner (USA), Bob Larratt (Eng)
73 Ross Drummond (Sco), Martin Gray (Sco), Terry Hanson (Eng), Jimmy Heggarty (NIr), Steve Martin (Sco), Carl Mason (Eng), Emilio Rodriguez (Esp), Kevin Spurgeon (Eng)
74 Bobby Lincoln (RSA), David J Russell (Eng)
75 John Bland (RSA), Bob Cameron (Eng), José Rivero (Esp), Bertus Smit (RSA)
76 Bob Charles (Nzl), Angel Fernandez (Chi), Malcolm Gregson (Eng), Denis Watson (Zim), Craig Defoy (Wal)
77 David Good (Aus), Bill Longmuir (Sco), Eddie Polland (NIr)
78 John Chillas (Sco), Nick Job (Eng), David Merriman (Aus), Martin Poxon (Eng)
79 Doug Johnson (USA), Bill Malley (USA), Adan Sowa (Arg), Denis Durnian (Eng), Gery Watine (Fra)
80 Delroy Cambridge (Jam), David Creamer (Eng), Philippe Dugeny (Fra), Mike Ferguson (Aus), Phil Jones (am) (Wal)
81 Basil Griffiths (am) (Wal)

UPDATES FROM ALWOODLEY ON www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

SWITCH TO www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk FOR REGULAR UPDATES FROM THE EIGHT THIRD-ROUND LADIES' BRITISH OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT ALWOODLEY.

DAVID ORR'S £650 PAYDAY AT HOME CLUB

David Orr, playing over his home course, won the Sense Scotland Invitational shotgun pro-am individual professional prize of £650 with a score of level par 70 at East Renfrewshire Golf Club today.
Matthew Naylor (Westin Turnberry) was runner-up on 73 with Brian Dunbar (Esporta Dougalston) third on 75.
Dunbar piloted the Stewart & McKenna trio of amateurs, Tim Hunter (handicap 2),l Kenneth Milton (13) and Marco Guarino (17) to victory in the team event with a net total of 134.

ABERDEEN & DISTRICT JUNIOR PENNANT RESULTS

Recent results in the Aberdeen & District Junior Pennant League, sponsored by Paul LPawrie Junior Golf Development:

Oldmeldrum 6, Alford 0.
Inchmarlo 2 1/2, Hazlehead 3 1/2.
Auchmill 0, Murcar Links 6.
Cruden Bay 1/2, Peterhead 5 1/2.
McDonald Ellon 3 1/2, Portlethen 2 1/2
Caledonian 0, Deeside 6.
Aboyne 3 1/2, Newburgh 2 1/2.
Westhill 5 1/2, Banchory 1/2.
Oldmeldrum 6, Inchmarlo 0.
Banchory 5 1/2, Inverurie 1/2.
Nigg Bay 6, Newburgh 0.
Newburgh 2 1/2, Westhill 3 1/2

3PM RESTART SCHEDULED FOR "BRITISH" AT ALWOODLEY

Play in the Ladies British open amateur golf championship will restart at 3pm this afternoon at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds.
Although there is still a drizzle, the large pools of water, particularly those in the area of the first tee, have shrunk considerably since 11am.
Short of playing three rounds on Saturday, as one official suggested, it means that the quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played on Saturday and the 18-hole final on Sunday morning.

HOPES RISING OF 3PM START AT ALWOODLEY IN "BRITISH"

Although there is still a slight drizzle, conditions have improved at Alwoodley Golf Club where the eight third-round ties, scheduled to start from 8.30am, are in a state of suspension at the moment.
The large amounts of excess water lying in the first tea area have subsided considerably between 11am and noon.
There is a rising hope that play will start at 3pm.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

PADDY NAMED EURO TOUR GOLFER OF MONTH OF MAY

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington has been named as The European Tour Golfer of the Month for May after ending a 25 year wait for a home winner of the Irish Open.
Amid emotional scenes at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort in Co. Limerick, Harrington became the first Irishman to win his national title since John O’Leary in 1982, claiming the title after a tense play-off with Welshman Bradley Dredge.
Rounds of 73-68-71-71 left him tied with Dredge on 283, five under par, before Harrington won in extra holes. It was his 11th European Tour title and in the process he became only the fourth player to take his career earnings through the €15 million mark.
Harrington won the vote ahead of Dane Anders Hansen, who overcame a world-class to win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club for a second time when he too prevailed in a play-off against England’s Justin Rose.
Also considered by the panel, comprising members of the broadcast and print golfing media, were Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, winner of the Telecom Italia Open, Richard Sterne of South Africa, who followed his third place in the BMW PGA Championship with a stunning victory in the Celtic Manor Wales Open a week later, and Lee Westwood, who won the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia three years and 227 days after his previous victory.
The Golfer of the Month Award is presented to a European Tour Member each month for his performance on The European Tour International Schedule and in worldwide competition.
Winners so far in 2007 have been Retief Goosen of South Africa (January), Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (February), South Africa’s Anton Haig (March) and Austria’s Markus Brier (April). At the end of the year, a panel will select The European Tour Golfer of the Year.

European senior men's and women's championships

DONALD AND FIONA DOING WELL FOR
SCOTLAND ON THE ALGARVE


David Lane from Goring & Streatley, who won the English senior men's championship last week, set the pace with a 69 at Pinhal Golf Club on the Algarve, Portugal in the European senior men's amateur championship.
He led by one shot from Scotland's Donald McCart.
In the European senior women's amateur championship over the Vilamoura Old Course, Marina Buscaini (Italy) led with a one-over-par 74 from former champion Cecilia Mourgue D'Algue (France).
Leading Scot in joint third place was former Scottish women's champion Fiona Anderson, formerly from Blairgowrie but now Formby Ladies. Fiond had a 76.
Scoreboard
MEN
69 D Lane (Eng).
70 D McCart (Sco).
71 T Brown (Eng).
72 J Hubbard (Eng), S Baker (Eng).
73 H-H Green (Ger), N Swenson (US), M Kelly (Ire), M Preysler de la Riva (Spa), R Gill (Sco).
Other scores:
75 D Smith (Sco) (jt 13th).
78 J Deas (Sco), D Millar (Sco) (jt 30th).
79 G Steel (Sco), J Broadfoot (Sco) (jt 40th).
82 I Stewart (Sco) (jt 78th).
WOMEN
74 M Buscaini (Ita).
75 C Mourgue D'Algue (Fra).
76 F Anderson (Sco), S Boedeer (Ger), V Burrus (Fra).
77 C Birke (Swe), T Oldenbourg (Ger), K Gumpert (Ger).
78 E Kaisted (Den), M Richmond (Sco), V Perterra (Spa), F De Vries (Sco).
Other scores:
80 P Williamson (Sco) (jt 20th).
82 S Quinn (Sco), J Paterson (Sco), H Faulds (Sco) (jt 29th).
86 B Biggart (Sco).
88 J Mack (Sco).

JAMIE AITKEN IS NEW CLACKMANNAN COUNTY
MATCH-PLAY CHAMPION

By HUGH HUNTER

Jamie Aitken moved his golf game to the next level when he took the Clackmannan county match-play title after a close game with the experienced Ian Ross in the all-Alloa final.
Over the Tulliallan course in cold conditions, the match started in a pretty average way with holes changing hands until the ninth, when suddenly the game ignited with a brilliant four-iron to 8ft by Aitken.
This gave him a one-hole lead which immediately increased when Ross found sand trouble to the left of the 10th green.
Halves at the next four holes, including birdies at the 11th and 14th, put Aitken in the strong position of two up with four to play.
On the 15th green, Ross’s hopes of reducing the lead were dashed when Aitken holed from 12 yards for a half. Undaunted, Ross holed from a similar distance on the 16th to reduce the lead to one hole.
The tight 17th is always a good test in the closing stages of a golf match, and Ross pulled off an amazing half from a tangled mass of tree branches after a stray tee shot to the right. Again, Ross visited the trees down the last hole, but this time the ball disappeared, and left Aitken as the 2007 Clackmannan county match-play champion.
In the semi-final matches at Braehead, former Alloa club champion Ian Ross gave a classy three-under-par performance in defeating the current Alloa champion David Milloy, while Jamie Aitken dashed Craig O’Connor’s hopes of retaining his title.

+Hugh Hunter's picture above shows county president Sam Kinnaird presenting the championship trophy to Jamie Aitken.

Results:
Semi-finals - Ian Ross (Alloa) bt David Milloy (Alloa) 7 and 5, Jamie Aitken (Alloa) bt Craig O'Connor 4 and 3.
Final - Aitken bt Ross one hole.

Traditionally, the Clackmannan county match-play champion has gone on to represent the county in the Champion of Champions' tournament at Leven the following season, and Jamie will be hoping that this will continue in 2008 when he would have a chance of competing against the top golfers in Scotland.

NO PLAY POSSIBLE AT ALWOODLEY THIS MORNING

No play has been possible so far on the fourth day of the Ladies British open amateur championship at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds.
It has not stopped raining since early Wednesday afternoon and very heavy rain overnight made the course look like a paddy field this morning.
The first tee was awash and water was lying several inches deep on the walkways round the clubhouse.
The eight third-round ties should have teed off from 8.30am but tournament director Fraser Munro has officially suspended play until further notice.
The championship is due to finish on Saturday with the semi-finals in the morning and the 18-hole final on Saturday afternoon.
The big headache for the organising Ladies Golf Union is whether to extend the tournament into Sunday. This would upset the flights booked by all the international players left in the championship.
When a similar course-flooded situation developed a few years ago in the British girls championship, the LGU abandoned the tournament rather than extend it to Sunday because of the booked flights situation.

VIKKI ONE UNDER PAR 71 BUT JUST MAKING
TOP 20 IN LOW-SCORING FUTURES MAJOR

Vikki Laing had a one-under-par 71 but so high was the standard of scoring that she will start the second day in joint 20th place in the Michelop Ultra Players' Championship, the only major event of the US Futures Tour.
Vikki hbad halves of 36 and 35 to be four shots behind joint leaders and Americans, Beth Bauer from Florida and Liz Janangelo, the former US Curtis Cup player from West Hartford, Connecticut.
South Wales amateur Natasha Morgan had a 74 to be in joint 81st place while Londoner Polly Willett was sharing 106th place after a 75.

LEADERBOARD
Par 72. 6,594yd.
67 B Bauer (US) 35-32, L Janangelo (US) 33-34.
68 J Peterokova (Cze) 32-36, B Jackson (US) 34-34, J Cho-Hunicke (US) 35-33.
Other scores:
71 V Laing (Sco) 36-35 (jt 20th).
74 N Morgan (Wal) (am) 37-37 (jt 81st).
75 P Willett (Eng) 36-39 (jt 106th).

ST OMER OPEN SCOREBOARD FROM FRANCE
First round scoreboard from the AA St Omer Open in France:
Par 73 (Players from GB&I unless stated)
65 David Bransdon (Aus), David Higgins
66 Simon Nash (Aus)
67 Raphael Eyraud (Fra), Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), Carl Suneson (Spa), Danny Denison, Marcus Higley, Anders Schmidt Hansen (Den), Santiago Luna (Spa)
68 Gareth Paddison (Nzl), Stuart Davis
69 Manuel Merizalde (Col), Ally Mellor, Sion Bebb, Jamie Donaldson, Julien Clement (Swi)
70 Mikael Lundberg (Swe), Carlos Del Moral (Spa), Liam Bond, Gustavo Rojas (Arg), Joost Luiten (Ned), Birgir Hafthorsson (Ice), Andrew McArthur, Andrew Oldcorn, Jean-Nicolas Billot (Fra), Peter Fowler (Aus), Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra), Peter Whiteford, Rodolfo Gonzalez (Arg), Terry Pilkadaris (Aus), Gary Clark, Ross McGowan
71 Neil Cheetham, Jamie Little, Emilio Dominguez (Arg), Niki Zitny (Aut), Robert Dinwiddie, Mikko Korhonen (Fin), Andrew Raitt, Alvaro Salto (Spa), James Heath, Sven Struver (Ger), Thomas Nielsen (Den), Hernan Rey (Arg), Marc Farry (Fra), Roope Kakko (Fin), Steve Alker (Nzl), Denny Lucas, Paolo Terreni (Ita), Peter Baker, Scott Strange (Aus), Julio Zapata (Arg), Stephen Browne, Julien Xanthopoulos (Fra), Gareth Wright, Keith Horne (Rsa), Benoit Teilleria (Fra), Philip Golding
72 Gareth Davies, Johan Skold (Swe), Felipe Aguilar (Chi), Iain Pyman, Peter Kaensche (Nor), Sebastien Delagrange (Fra), Francois Calmels (Fra), Sam Little, Juan Abbate (Arg), Shaun P Webster, Joakim Haeggman (Swe), Wilhelm Schauman (Swe), Matthew King (Aus), David Drysdale, Adrien Mork (Fra), Jose Manuel Carriles (Spa), John Wade (Aus)
73 Alvaro Velasco (Spa), John Mellor, Matthew Richardson, Leif Westerberg (Swe), Robert Coles, Kariem Baraka (Ger), Paul Nilbrink (Swe), Pedro Linhart (Spa), Antti Ahokas (Fin), Alessio Bruschi (Ita), Kangchun Wu (Chn), Craig Williams, Stuart Manley, Julien Guerrier (Fra), Stephen Scahill (Nzl), Richard Finch, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par), Toni Karjalainen (Fin), Cedric Menut (Fra), Chris Doak
74 Oskar Bergman (Swe), Francisco Cea (Spa), Sebastian Fernandez (Arg), Luis Claverie (Spa), Klas Eriksson (Swe), Mickael Dieu (Fra), Edoardo Molinari (Ita), Michael Hoey, Magnus Persson (Swe), George Murray, Henrik Nystrom (Swe), Jan Are Larsen (Nor), Scott Henderson, Francois Delamontagne (Fra), Jean Hugo (Rsa), Richard McEvoy, Matthew Zions (Aus), Tomas Jesus Munoz (Spa), Martin Maritz (Rsa)
75 Ben Mason, Olivier David (Fra), Nicolas Vanhootegem (Bel), Julien Foret (Por), Gustavo Acosta (Arg), Jean-Francois Remesy (Fra), Jesus Maria Arruti (Spa), Magnus Carlsson (Swe), Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel), Jerome Theunis (Bel), Christophe Brazillier (Fra), Alexandre Rocha (Bra), Phil Worthington, Lee S James, David Dixon, James Kamte (Rsa), Daniel DeLeon (USA)
76 Eirik Tage Johansen (Nor), Julien Van Hauwe (Fra), Inder Van Weerelt (Ned), Manuel Quiros (Spa), Fredrik Widmark (Swe)
77 Chris Gane, Andrew Butterfield, Raphael De Sousa (Swi), Jonathan Lomas, Euan Little, Carlos Cardeza (Arg), Anthony Snobeck (Fra)
78 Rafael Gomez (Arg), Tim Milford, Jean-Pierre Sallat (Fra), Tim Dykes, Kalle Brink (Swe)
79 Stuart Little, Jorge Benedetti (Col)
81 Adam Gee, Oliver Whiteley, Frederic Schoettel (Fra)
82 Michael Jonzon (Swe)
Withdrawn: James Hepworth

DOUGHERTY IN GOOD NICK AT END OF FIRST
DAY IN US OPEN AT OAKMONT

Young Nick Dougherty from England put together the major round of his career so far to lead on two-under-par 68 at the end of the first day in the US Open championship at Oakmont Golf Club.
He is one shot ahead of Angel Cabrera (Argentina) with Jose-Maria Olazabal (Spain) and Bubby Watson, the leading American, joint third on 70.
Martin Laird and Colin Montgomerie, the two Scots professionals in the field, both had 76s.
Richie Ramsay, playing with Tiger Woods and defending champion Geoff Ogilvy as holder of the US amateur championship, had a 78.

ALL THE FIRST-ROUND SCORES

68 Nick Dougherty
69 Angel Cabrera (Arg)
70 Jose-Maria Olazabal (Spa), Bubba Watson
71 Tiger Woods, Jason Dufner, Anders Hansen (Den), Lucas Glover, Ben Curtis, Geoff Ogilvy (Aus), Fred Funk, Peter Hanson (Swe), J J Henry, Vijay Singh (Fij), Jim Furyk, Niclas Fasth (Swe), Olin Browne, Brandt Snedeker, Pablo Martin, Justin Rose
72 David Toms, Boo Weekley, Craig Kanada, Tim Clark (Rsa), Shingo Katayama (Jpn), Ian Poulter, Marcus Fraser, Tom Pernice, Lee Westwood, Carl Petterson, Aaron Baddeley, Stewart Cink
73 Arron Oberholser, Kirk Triplett, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa), Tom Byrum, Graeme McDowell, Michael Campbell (Nzl), Lee Janzen, Michael Putnam, Trevor Immelman (Rsa), Ernie Els (Rsa), Jon Mills (Can), Padraig Harrington, Stephen Ames (Can), Hunter Mahan, Anthony Wall, Sean O'Hair, Chad Campbell, Rich Beem, Scott Verplank, Camilo Villegas, Joey Sindelar, Andrew Buckle, Jeff Brehaut
74 Jerry Kelly, Vaughn Taylor, Woody Austin, Harrison Frazar, Rhys Davies, Kenneth Ferrie, Nathan Green (Aus), Mike Weir (Can), Ken Duke, Ryuji Imada (Jpn), John Kelly, Luke Donald, Stuart Appleby (Aus), DJ Brigman, Tripp Isenhour, Kevin Sutherland, Anthony Kim, Phil Mickelson, Jeff Sluman, Darron Stiles
75 Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Johan Edfors (Swe), Justin Leonard, Bob Estes, John Rollins, Joe Durant, Robert Allenby (Aus), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Mark Harrell (a), Jeev Milkha Singh, Davis Love, Charl Schwartzel, Steve Stricker
76 Jason Kokrak, Pat Perez, Zach Johnson, Retief Goosen (Rsa), Colin Montgomerie, Chris DiMarco, Nobuhiro Masuda (Jpn), Ricky Barnes, Martin Laird, Soren Kjeldsen, Dean Wilson, Charles Howell III, Adam Scott, Nick O'Hern
77 Robert Karlsson (Swe), Geoffrey Sisk, Mathew Goggin (Aus), KJ Choi (Kor), Kyle Dobbs, Tom Gillis, Johnson Wagner, Joe Daley, Luke List, Brett Wetterich, Paul Casey
78 Christian Cevaer (Fra), John Koskinen, Richie Ramsay, Sam Walker, Paul Goydos, Todd Rosetti, Adam Spiers, Tim Petrovic, Brett Quigley, Ryan Moore, Tori Tanaguchi, Kaname Yokoo, Shaun Micheel
79 Nick Watney, Stephen Marino, Sergio Garcia (Spa), Andy Matthews, Todd Fischer, Michael Block, Trip Kuehne, Frank Bensel, Chris Condello (a), Eric Axley, Henrik Stenson, Steve Marino
80 Chris Stroud, Jason Allen, Lee Williams, Martin Ureta (a)
81 Philip Pettitt, Michael Berg, Todd Hamilton, Allen Doyle, Rod Pampling
82 Jeff Golden, Warren Pineo, Alex Prugh
84 Ryan Palmer, Steve Elkington (Aus), Miguel Rodriguez
85 Jacob Rogers
86 Mike Small

LATE-FINISH RESULT FROM ALWOODLEY

Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) bt Stacey Keating (Australia) at the 20th.

FRIDAY MORNING QUARTER-FINALS
(Qualifying number in brackets)

Carlota Cigana (Spain) (1) v Marta Silva (Spain) (17).
Dewi Claire Schreefel (Netherlands) (56) v Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) (40).
Emma Bennett (Australia) (8) v Breanne Loucks (Wrexham) (53).
Caroline Westrup (Sweden) (20) v Marjet Van der Graaff (Netherlands) (61).
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) (62) v Rachel Connor (Manchester) (46).
Karin Kinnerud (Sweden) (43) v Anna Nordqvist (Sweden) (6).
Rachel Bell (Ganton) (7) v Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) (10).
Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) v Kira Meixner (Canada) (34)

TEENAGE TOPPERS MICHELE AND KRYSTLE
CARRY SCOTTISH STANDARD AT LEEDS

Scots teenagers Michele Thomson and Krystle Caithness swept into the last 16 of the Ladies British open amateur golf championship after another day of relentless rain at Alwoodley Golf Club.
More than two inches of rain has fallen in 24 hours at the Leeds venue but it didn’t dampen the spirits of Michele from Ellon, Aberdeenshire and Krystle from Cellardyke, Fife.
Making her debut in the prestigious event, Miss Thomson, beaten semi-finalist in the Scottish championship last month, produced two master strokes in scoring a 6 and 5 win over Canada’s Stephanie Sherlock in the second round of the match-play stages.
Michele holed a chip shot from 40yd for a winning birdie at the first and then sank her approach from 100yd for another winning birdie at the sixth.
Four up at the turn, Michele finished off the match in roughly par figures with wins at the 11th and 13th.
“I’m playing well and it’s tougher for my dad, who’s my caddie and he has the job of keeping the clubs dry in this awful weather, than it is for me playing,” said Michele who has no regrets after cutting short a scheduled four-year golf scholarship at Jacksonville State University, Alabama after only five months.
“There was no golf coach there and I felt my game was deteriorating without technical advice,” she said.
Krystle Caithness, who has signed up to join Georgia University for four years in the autumn, knocked out the No 3 seed, Jodi Ewart (Catterick) by 2 and 1 in her opening tie after rising at 4am to be at the course for a 5.45 play-off , which she won through to get into the match-play stages.
After beating Jodie, Krystle came back from two down after seven holes to win by 4 and 2 against Valentine Derrey, a student at Texas Christian University and beaten finalist in the British girls championship at Lanark in 2004.
Miss Caithness spoiled her opponent’s 21st birthday celebrations in turned her fortunes around by winning the eight, ninth and ninth to be one up and clinching victory with successes at the 13th, 14th and 16th.
Krystle now plays Rachel Connor (Manchester), teenage daughter of a Scots-born club professional. Rachel had the best win of her young life, beating Irish Curtis Cup player Tara Delaney (Carlow), ranked No 42 on the American college circuit, by 5 and 4 in the second round.
Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) went down by 5 and 4 to England international Rachel Bell, playing in her home county of Yorkshire.
Scottish champion Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) lost by 2 and 1 to Sweden’s Karen Kinnerud after being all square on the 14th tee.

Thursday results

LADIES BRITISH OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds
Match-play
FIRST ROUND
C Ciganda (Esp) bt K Combes (Aus) 6 and 4, C Afonso (Fra) bt D McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 2 and 1, M Silva (Esp) bt T Karlsson (Swe) 4 and 2, A Riguelle (Fra) bt T Luccioli (Bel) 2 and 1, D C Schreefel (Ned) bt D Becker (Ger) 3 and 1, L Collin (John O’Gaunt) bt E Alonso (Fra) 2 and 1, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) bt H Barwood (Knowle) 6 and 5, S Sherlock (Can) bt M Riordan (Tipperary) 4 and 3.
E Bennett (Aus) bt B Toumpsin (Bel) 6 and 4, D Smith (Co Louth) bt R Niven (Crieff) 3 and 2, D Montgomery (Lambourne) bt P Lindberg (Swe) 2 and 1, B Loucks (Wrexham) bt D Karlsson (Swe) at 20th, C Boeljon (Ned) bt R Jennings (Izaak Walton) 2 and 1, C Westrup (Swe) bt C Aitken (London) 3 and 2, H Burke (Mid-Herts) bt L Murray (Alford) 2 and 1, M Van der Graaff (Ned) bt M Reid (Chevin) at 19th.
K Caithness (St Regulus) bt J Ewart (Catterick) 2 and 1, V Derrey (Fra) bt H MacRae (Dunblane New) 3 and 2, R Connor (Manchester) bt S Kirchmayr (Ger) 4 and 3, T Delaney (Carlow) bt G Dunn (Peterborough Milton) 4 and 3, J Wilson (Strathaven) bt M Bernard (Fra) 2 holes, K Kinnerud (Swe) bt F Parker (Royal Birkdale) at 19th, V Sternebeck (Ger) bt S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) at 20th, A Nordqvist (Swe) bt T Nilsson (Swe) 5 and 4.
R Bell (Ganton) bt S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 2 and 1, L Kenney (Pitreavie) bt T Hoffmeister (Ger) 5 and 4, S Keating (Aus) bt E Duggleby (Malton & Norton) 7 and 5, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) bt N Holleder (Ger) 5 and 4, S Wilkstrom (Swe) bt C De Vries (Ned) 2 and 1, E Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) bt R Lee-Bentham (Can) 3 and 2, K Meixner (Can) bt K Schallenberg (Ger) 5 and 4, A Munoz (Spa) bt S Kim (Can) 2 and 1.

SECOND ROUND

Ciganda bt Afonso 4 and 3.
Silva bt Riguelle 2 and 1.
Schreefel bt Collin 5 and 4.
Thomson bt Sherlock 6 and 5.
E Bennett bt Smith 2 and 1
Loucks bt Montgomery 5 and 3
Westrup bt Boeljon 2 and 1.
Van der Graaff bt Burke 3 and 2.

Caithness bt Derrey 4 and 2.
Connor bt T Delaney 5 and 4.
Kinnerud bt Wilson 2 and 1.
Nordqvist bt Sternebeck 5 and 4.
Bell bt Kenney 4 and 2.
Hassan bt Keating at 22nd.
Meixner bt Munoz 3 and 2.

IRISH EYES ARE SMILING AS JOHN DWYER MAKES
RUNNING IN GLENMUIR CLUB PROS' EVENT

From RON MARSHALL
PGA Press Officer

The Scottish challenge continued to fizzle out as the third round of the Glenmuir Club Professional Championship moves into its final round at Royal Porthcawl.
As Ireland’s John Dwyer threatens to rack up a wire-to-wire victory, which would make him the first golfer from the Irish republic to take the title since it was inaugurated in 1973, the man leading the six Scots who made the cut is former Scottish PGA champion, Craig Ronald. He added a 73 to his opening 74-71 for 218, nine shots off the lead.
Making a return to competitive play this season after two back operations is Nigel Scott-Smith, who’s been pro at Palacerigg in Cumbernauld for the last seven years. His 72, along with veteran Alastair Webster from Edzell, was the best Scottish score of the third round. Leading aggregates:
209 J Dwyer (Ashbourne) 66 72 71
210 A Barnett (North Wales DR) 66 75 69
212 R Sadler (Killiow) 67 75 70, C Clark (Moor Hall) 69 71 72
213 G Brown (Ganton) 74 69 70, A Sherborne (Kendleshire) 68 74 71, J Bevan
(Wessex DR) 68 73 72
214 F Valenti (Pryors Hayes) 69 73 72, P Wesselingh (Kedleston Park) 71 71 72,
P Simpson (West Berks)71 69 74
215 G Ryall (Players’ Club) 70 74 71, D Greenwood (Forest Pines) 66 74 75

Scottish scores:
218 C Ronald (Carluke) 74 71 73
219 J McKinnon (Irvine) 73 72 74, N Scott-Smith (Palacerigg) 77 70 72
220 A Webster (Edzell) 74 74 72
223 G Cook (Prestonfield) 74 71 78
226 F Mann (Musselburgh) 75 72 79

MICHELE WINS THROUGH TO LAST 32 AFTER
OPPONENT STARTS WITH SIXTEEN CLUBS

Aberdeenshire women's county champion Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) won her way through to the last 32 of the Ladies British open amateur championship at rain-soaked Alwoodley golf course, Leeds today - after being TWO up after only one hole.
Michele went on to win by 6 and 5 with level par golf against Hannah Barwood from Bristol who discovered on the second tee that she had inadvertently 16 clubs – two too many – in her golf bag.
“We dried out all out my soaking wet clubs in the hotel room on Tuesday night and put them all in the golf bag to come to the course this morning, forgetting that the additional clubs I had used on the practice ground were now in the bag as well,” explained Hannah.
“It’s a pity but it happens and it’s a lesson as well to Hannah. Bigger players than Hannah have made the same mistake,” said her dad who spotted the mistake on the second tee.
Michele was seven up after six holes before losing the seventh and winning the eighth and halving the ninth to be one up at the turn.
Miss Thomson qualified in 14th position among the 64 who made it through to the match-play knock-out stages. They included Fife teenager Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) who came through an 11-way play-off for the last three places.
The play-off began at 8.45pm last night and was resumed at 5.45am this morning with only four players left, battling it out. One hole was enough to eliminate Jessica Potter from Canada.
The rain which began to fall early afternoon yesterday had still not gone off.
The greens were soaking up the excess water well but large puddles were beginning to form on the fairways.
"It's getting closer and closer to being unplayable out there," said Graham Thomson, after caddieing for daughter Michele. There is so much casual water on the fairways, it is getting hard to find a dry place to drop the ball."
Crieff teenager Roseanne Niven was the first Scot to lose on the third day of the championship. The University of California Berkeley student lost by 3 and 2 to the experienced former Irish champion, Deirdrie Smith (Co Louth).
Results:

FIRST ROUND

C Ciganda (Esp) bt K Coombes (Aus) 6 and 4.
C Afonso (Esp) bt D McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 2 and 1.

M Silva (Esp) bt T Karlsson (Swe) 4 and 3.
A Riguelle (Fra) bt T Luccioli (Bel) 2 and 1.

D-C Schreefel (Ned) bt D Becker (Ger) 3 and 1.
L Collin (John O'Gaunt) bt E Alonso (Fra) 2 and 1.

M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) bt H Barwood (Knowle) 6 and 5.
S Sherlock (Can) bt M Riordan (Tipperary) 4 and 3.

E Bennett (Aus) bt B Toupsin (Bel) 6 and 4.
D Smith (Co Louth) bt R Niven (Crieff) 3 and 2.

D Montgomery (Lambourne) bt P Lindberg (Swe) 2 and 1.
B Loucks (Wrexham) bt D Karlsson (Swe) at 20th.

C Boeljon (Ned) bt R Jennings (Izaak Walton) 2 and 1.
C Westrup (Swe) bt C Aitken (London) 3 and 2.

H Burke (Mid-Herts) bt L Murray (Alford) 3 and 1.
M Van der Graaff (Ned) bt M Reid (Chevin) 1 hole.

K Caithness (St Regulus) bt J Ewart (Catterick) 2 and 1.
V Derrey (Fra) bt H MacRae (Dunblane New) 3 and 2.

R Connor (Manchester) bt S Kirchmayr (Ger) 4 and 3.
T Delaney (Carlow) bt G Dunn (Peterborough Milton) 4 and 3.

J Wilson (Strathaven) bt M Bernard (Fra) 2 holes.
K Kinnerud (Swe) bt F Parker (Royal B irkdale) at 19th.

Scottish Golf Union Press Release

D M HALL MID AMATEUR TITLE WIDE OPEN AT DUDDINGSTON

The 14th staging of the DM Hall Mid Amateur Championship gets underway this weekend, at Duddingston Golf Club (16-18 June). Boasting the strongest field of players with the handicap ballot set at an all time record low of 2.7, the popularity of the event continues to flourish, attracting one of the largest numbers of entrants since the event began.

The quest for the 2007 title looks wide open this year, with the notable omission of reigning champion Allyn Dick who has enjoyed an impressive record in the championship. Finishing as runner up in 2004 to Roger Roper, Dick went on to claim the title in 2005 and 2006, but will not defend his title this year to bag the much coveted hat-trick. Leaving it to last year’s runner-up Terry Mathieson from Murcar Links to try his luck and hopefully go one better, jostling alongside former champion Roger Roper who will harbour hopes of clinching the double.

Past winners of the championship include former British Amateur Champion Craig Watson and Scottish internationalist Glenn Campbell, as well as current Scotland team captain George Crawford, highlighting the calibre of the contenders for the title and the prestige of the event.

The Championship, launched to provide working golfers aged 25 and over the opportunity to compete for a national title, has been supported for a number of years by sponsors DM Hall.

Emma Strachan, Marketing Manager for DM Hall said, “We are delighted to be sponsoring this event which supports golf at grass roots level. We have a long standing partnership with the Scottish Golf Union, which is a reflection of our interest and commitment to the game and nurturing talent and local events.

Duddingston will provide an excellent venue for the Mid Amateur Championship, which looks set to be one of the most hotly contested with such a quality representation in the field. “

Duddingston, nestling in the heart of Edinburgh is one of the best inland courses in Scotland and will provide a great test of golf for the field of 78, including 8 golfers hoping to make home advantage count.

The Championship begins on Saturday with 36 holes of stroke play, with the leading 16 players qualifying for the knock-out stages. The final takes place on Monday afternoon.

For more information on DM Hall’s services, please visit their website at www.dmhall.co.uk

SORRY, RACHEL! WE'VE GOT YOUR SCORES LISTED NOW

The Editor wishes to apologise to Rachel Polson and the Polson family for missing her scores out from our coverage of the Scottish schools championships at Gullane on Monday.
Somewhere in the transmission of the information from Gullane to Leeds, where I am working at the Ladies' British open amateur championship, Rachel's scores of 80 and 91 for 171 went astray.
The full list of schoolgirls' scores and totals, with Miss Polson's scores now included, is available if you switch over to our sister website, http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/.

If you have any golf news or information or golfing images you would like to see displayed on http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/ or http://www.scottishgolfview.com/, please E-mail colin@scottishgolfview.com

KRYSTLE CAITHNESS SURVIVES VERY EARLY MORNING
PLAY-OFF - AND IT IS STILL RAINING AT ALWOODLEY

Scots teenager Krystle Caithness won her way through the very early-morning play-off to be the 62nd qualifier for the knock-out stages of the Ladies’ British open amateur golf championship at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds today.
An 11-player play-off for the last three places began at 8.45pm on Wednesday night in rain which had not relented since it first came on in the early afternoon.
When the play-off had been going on for over an hour, and the number of players had been whittled down to four, Ladies Golf Union tournament director Frazer Munro suspended play because of darkness and scheduled the resumption for 5.45am this morning.
It was still raining, incidentally, but fortunately only one hole was required to eliminate one player – Jessica Potter from Canada. She took a double bogey 6.
Krystle, who had the first par 4, claimed 62nd place in the draw; Sue Kim (Canada), who also had a 4, was No 63 and Kate Coombes from Australia took the 64th and final spot with a bogey 5.
Here are who the eight Scots qualifiers play in the first round later today:

8.18 Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) (No 40 qualifier) v Hannah Barwood (Knowle) (No 25).

8.42 Roseanne Niven (Crieff) (No 37) v Deirdre Smith (Co Louth) (No 28).

9.22 Laura Murray (Alford) (No 29) v Hannah Burke (Mid Herts) (No 36).

9.38 Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) (No 62) v Jodi Ewart (Catterick) (No 3).

9.46 Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) (No 30) v Valentine Derrey (France) (No 35).

10.10 Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) (No 54) v Marion Bernard (France) No 11).

10.26 Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) (No 38) v Valerie Sternebeck (Germany) (No 27).

10.50 Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) (No 26) v Thea Hoffmeister (Germany) (No 39).

IRELAND RUNNERS-UP TO SPAIN IN INTERNATIONAL

TEAM EVENT AT ALWOODLEY

Spain's Carlota Ciganda, Azahara Munoz and Araceli Felgueroso won the international team event with a total of 278 at the Ladies' British open amateur golf championship at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds.

Ireland). (Tara Delaney, Marian Riordan and Deirdre Smith) were runners-up on 291 with Sweden's Anna Nordqvist, Pernilla Lindberg and Caroline Westrup third on 292

FINAL TOTALS

278 SPAIN (C Ciganda, A Munox, A Felgueroso).

291 IRELAND (T Delaney, M Riordan, D Smith).

292 SWEDEN (P Lindberg, A Nordqvist, C Westrup).

296 AUSTRALIA (B Arthur, E Bennett, K Combes).

297 WALES (T Davies, S Hassan, B Loucks).

298 NETHERLANDS (C Boeljon, M Van der Graaf, D-C Schreefel).

301 FRANCE (C Afonso, E Alonso, A Decharne).

302 SCOTLAND (K Caithness, H MacRae, J Wilson).

303 CANADA (L Matthews, K Meixner, S Sherlock).

305 GERMANY (D Becker, S Doering, K Schallenberg

310 ENGLAND (N Edwards, M Reid, K Smith)

323 AUSTRIA (S Poelderl, F Wolte).

CARLY GOES FROM 74 TO 84 IN THE TEEMING RAIN
- AND OUT OF THE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Seven Scots crashed out of the Ladies’ British open amateur golf championship in the qualifying stages – including 14-year-old Carly Booth with a nightmare round in pouring rain – at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds today.
The 14-year-old Perthshire prodigy looked a banker bet for one of the 64 places in the match-play stages after an opening round of two-over-par 74.
But Carly, out in the worst weather of the day – steady rain set in early in the afternoon – took 10 shots more in the awful conditions, an 84 for a 36-hole total of 158.
She missed out by four shots the 11-way play-off on 154 for the last three places.
Carly had the kind of start you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy – well, maybe you would – a bogey 5 at the first a quintuple bogey 9 at the par-4 second, and a bogey 6 at the third, to make her seven over par after only three rounds.
Things did not get better and she reached the turn in eight-over-par 45, then ran up double bogeys at the 12th and 14th for 39 home.
The others who missed the cut on 154 were Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 74 for 155, Sara Bishop (Cochrane Castle) 77 for 155, Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) 79 for 157, Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) 81 for 161, Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 81 for 163 and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) 81 for 171.
The good news was that six Scots made it through without involvement in the play-off – Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 77 for 149, Laura Murray (Alford) 74 for 150, Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) 74 for 150, Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 75 for 151, Roseanne Niven (Crieff) 73 for 151, Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry) 74 for 151, Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) 76 for 152.
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) had a 76 for 154. Having finished her second round hours earlier, she had to go out in the teeming rain for a play-off after 8.45pm.
Spain provided the first and second qualifiers – Carlota Ciganda with a 68 for six-under-par 138 and Azahara Munoz, 68 for 140.

LADIES BRITISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds
QUALIFIERS FOR MATCH-PLAY
Par 144 (2 x 72) 6,198yd
138 C Ciganda (Esp) 70 68.
140 A Munoz (Esp) 72 68.
142 J Ewart (Catterick) 71 71.
144 M Reid (Chevin) 75 69, E Bennett (Aus) 71 73.
145 A Nordqvist (Swe) 76 69, M Riordan (Tipperary) 75 70, R Bell (Ganton) 75 70, D Becker (Ger) 75 70, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 72 73.
146 M Bernard (Fra) 75 71, C Boeljon (Ned) 70 76, D Karlsson (Swe) 72 74.
147 A Riguelle (Fra) 72 75, T Delaney (Carlow) 77 70, S Wilkstrom (Swe) 76 71.
148 F Parker (Royal Birkdale) 72 76, C Westrup (Swe) 75 73, M Silva (Esp) 77 71, S Kirchmayr (Ger) 75 73, P Lindberg (Swe) 75 73, R Lee-Bentham (Can) 76 72.
149 L Kenney (Pitreavie) 72 77, E Duggleby (Malton & Norton) 73 76, H Barwood (Knowle) 73 76, L Collin (John O’Gaunt) 73 76
150 C Afonso (Fra) 75 75, V Sternebeck (Ger) 78 72, D McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 72 78, K Schallenberg (Ger) 76 74, L Murray (Alford) 76 74, K Meixner (Can) 72 78, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 76 74, D Smith (Co Louth) 76 74, V Derrey (Fra) 70 80.
151 D Montgomery (The Lambourne) 73 78, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 76 75, H Burke (Mid-Herts) 82 69, S Watson (David Leadbetter GA) 77 74, E Alonso (Fra) 76 75, S Keating (Aus) 75 76, R Connor (Manchester) 72 79, K Kinnerud (Swe) 74 77, C Aitken (Mid Kent) 73 78, R Niven (Crieff) 78 73, T Hoffmeister (Ger) 77 74.
152 R Jennings (Izaak Walton) 77 75, N Holleder (Ger) 75 77, E Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 80 72, G Dunn (Peterborough Milton) 77 75, T Karlsson (Swe) 79 73, C De Vries (Ned) 77 75, B Loucks (Wrexham) 76 76, J Wilson (Strathaven) 76 76, D-C Schreefel (Ned) 73 79, T Luccioli (Bel) 78 74.
153 M Van der Graaff (Ned) 74 79, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 78 75, T Nilsson (Swe) 77 76, B Toumpsin (Bel) 77 76, S Sherlock (Can) 79 74.
PARTICIPANTS IN PLAY-OFF (11 for three places).
154 S Kim (Can) 77 77, C Fallay (Fra) 75 79, K Caithness (St Regulus) 78 76, C Lee (West Lancs) 77 77, C Choi (Aus) 75 79, K Coombes (Aus) 76 78, N Kitching (Claremorris) 78 76, G O’Leary (Cork) 80 74, S Garbutt (Ganton) 77 77, J Potter (Can) 79 75, K Pinder (Can) 74 80.
DID NOT QUALIFY
155 S Bishop (Cochrane Castle) 78 77, M Naafs (Ned) 80 75, R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 81 74, K Delaney (Carlow) 81 74, P Halbig (Ger) 79 76, M-A Leblanc (Ca) 78 77, E Lyons (West Surrey) 77 78, J Hodge (Knowle) 75 80, B Mullins-Lane (Aus) 74 81.
156 A Felgueroso (Spa) 80 76, R Fanny (Fra) 77 79, L Jansone (Latvia) 75 81, K Van Leeuwen (Ned) 75 81, T Von Ruben (RSA) 81 75, H Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 78 78, R Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 75 81.
157 K Smith (Waterlooville) 79 78, N Edwards (Ganton) 80 77, L Sibille (Fra) 83 74, T Davies (Treadur Bay) 79 78, S Doering (Ger) 79 78.
158 B Arthur (Aus) 82 76, E Sheffield (Newark 77 81, L Maunu (Can) 80 78, C Booth (Crieff) 74 84.
159 S Attwood (Gog Magog) 79 80, A Laing (Vale of Leven) 80 79, C Douglass (Brocket Hall) 78 81.
160 K Rothengatter (Ger) 81 79, L Brand (Ilkley) 85 75, A Decharne (Fra) 81 79, A Roscio (Ita) 82 78, V Valvassori (Ita) 84 76, F Wolte (Aut) 79 81, T Boyes (Meon Valley) 76 84.
161 M Leblanc (Can) 85 76, I Alvarez (Esp) 79 82, A Scott (Consett) 86 75, C Petersson (Swe) 83 78, B Genuini (Fra) 82 79.
162 S Cologan (Esp) 81 81, G Webster (Hilton Park) 81 81, A Rolley (Aus) 77 85.
163 K O’Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 80 83, M Dunne (Skerries) 83 80, J Dotten (Can) 83 80, L Ball (Matfen Hall) 79 84, E Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 82 81, L Matthews (Can) 79 84, S Poelderl (Aut) 80 83, E Geury (Bel) 86 77.

164 C Andrade (Esp) 85 79, C Herbin (Fra) 84 80, H FitzGerald (Newmarket Links) 83 81.
165 K Scarpetta (US) 86 79, S Kreuger (US) 83 82, M Backstedt (Swe) 82 83.
166 J Lochhead (Can) 86 80, M Duverney (Fra) 87 79.
167 C Martens (Nor) 82 85, S Derrey (Fra) 86 81.
168 C Ellis (Minchinhampton) 84 84, M Eikenaar (Ned) 82 86.
169 A Davis (Can) 87 82.
170 H Dargah (Garforth) 85 85, K Fodor (Huyn) 87 83.
171 K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 90 81, N Craven (Brough) 88 83, F Hernandez (Far) 86 85, C Sola (Arg) 83 88.
Retired: R Flood (Aus) 80 –, P Bengtsson (Swe) 86 -.

JOHN DWYER LEADS GLENMUIR CLUB PROFESSIONAL
TITLE BY TWO SHOTS AT HALFWAY

As Ireland’s John Dwyer continues to reinforce his challenge for the Glenmuir Club Professional Championship at Royal Porthcawl, the main thrust of the Scottish contingent is coming from three sources.
Irvine’s Jim McKinnon added a level-par 72 for 145, while former Scottish champion, Craig Ronald, lopped three shots off Monday’s 74. And the least well known of the tartan trio, Gavin Cook from Prestonfield, recovered from a debilitating start – three bogeys in the opening four holes – to fire a 71, made up of five birdies and four bogeys.
Players with 147 or better qualified for final two rounds.
Leading aggregates:
138 – J Dwyer (Ashbourne) 66 72
140 – D Greenwood (Forest Pines) 66 74, C Clark (Moor Hall) 69 71
141 – A Barnett (North Wales DR) 66 75, J Whatley (Morley Hayes) 69 72, C
Goodfellow (Carlisle DR) 71 70, J Bevan (Wessex DR) 68 73
142 – P Wesselingh (Kedleston Park) 71 71, A Sherborne (Kendleshire) 68 74, D
Taylor (Swingers) 67 75
Scottish scores:
145 - J McKinnon (Irvine) 73 72, C Ronald (Carluke) 74 71, G Cook (Prestonfield)
74 71
147 – N Scott-Smith (Palacerigg) 77 70, F Mann (Musselburgh) 75 72.
MISSED CUT
148 – A Webster (Edzell) 74 74
150 – G Law (Uphall) 74 76
151 - A Forrow (Whitecraigs) 75 76
154 - K Hutton (Downfield) 78 76
160 - P Malone (Braid Hills Golf Range) 75 85, Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh)
81 79
162 - K Monaghan (Bothwell Castle) 83 79, C Donnelly (Balbirnie Park) 83 79
163 - C Brown (Turnberry Hotel) 83 80

NEW US SENIOR PGA CHAMPION PLAYS IN

RYDER CUP WALES SENIORS OPEN

By STEVEN FRANKLIN

Press Officer, European Seniors Tour

Newly-crowned US Senior PGA champion Denis Watson makes his first appearance on European soil this season when he tees up in the £500,000 Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open, which starts on Friday at Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club.

The colourful Zimbabwean joins a strong international field that also includes New Zealand’s Bob Charles, Japan’s Seiji Ebihara, England’s Carl Mason, Italy’s Costantino Rocca, Ireland’s Des Smyth, two-time European Seniors Tour Order of Merit winner Sam Torrance of Scotland and defending champion José Rivero from Spain.

Watson won the US PGA Senior title at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, three weeks ago after a titanic tussle with Argentina’s Eduardo Romero and in the process claimed his first Tour title for almost 23 years.

The Zimbabwean secured three victories on the 1984 US PGA Tour but then sustained serious injuries after striking a hidden tree stump while playing in the 1985 Goodyear Classic at Port Elizabeth. That incident resulted in him requiring a series of wrist, neck and shoulder operations and at one time he was told that he might never play golf again.

“I didn’t play a decent round of golf for a long time after that,” he said. “I had a lot of surgeries and a lot of rehab but it wasn’t until recently that I began to feel healthy again. That is why the win meant so much to me - it has been a long time in coming.”

Watson is joined at Conwy by two other recent winners in the shape of Rocca, who won the recent AIB Irish Seniors Open on just his third start on the European Seniors Tour and Bobby Lincoln of South Africa, who secured last week’s Jersey Seniors Classic at La Moye.

The defending champion in Wales is Spanish former Ryder Cup player Rivero, who won his second European Seniors Tour title when he closed with a four under par 68 to finish a single shot ahead of Torrance, England’s David J Russell, France’s Gery Watine and fellow countryman Juan Quiros in last year’s Championship at the Vale Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort near Cardiff.

Conwy is an altogether different proposition to last year’s inland venue. It is a fine links course which last year became the first Welsh course to stage an Open Championship Final Qualifying event and which this year is also hosting the Ladies’ British Amateur Stroke Play Championship.

LOUISE STILL TOP SCOT DESPITE A 77
IN SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND

Pitreavie’s Louise Kenney slipped from an opening par 72 to a five-over 77 in the second qualifying round of the Ladies British open amateur championship at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds.
But she was still the leading Scot back in the clubhouse – and glad to be so with the rain soaking the second half of the field.
Louise once again made a good start. In the first round, she got an eagle 2 at the first. Today she birdied the second and third but three bogeys over the closing holes of the outward half, saw her turn in one-over 38.
Then a triple-bogey 7 at the 10th followed by a bogey at the 13th put another par round out of reach although she had a mixed bag of birdies and bogeys over the last few holes.
Louise birdied the short 14th and the long 16th but dropped shots at the 13th, 17th and 18.
Robert Gordon University student Laura Murray from Alford had a double-bogey 6 sandwiched between birdies at the first and third in a level-par 37 to the turn. She went on to score a creditable two-over 74 for 150 and a certain place in the match-play stages at the first attempt.
Aberdeenshire county champion Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Florida-based South Queensferry youngster Sally Watson were both on seven-over-par 151 and also guaranteed places in the match-play field.
BOGEY-BOGEY START
“I started badly with a bogey at both the opening holes but settled down after that and birdied the eighth to get out in one-over-par 38,” said Michele.
She had a mixed bag over the last four holes with a bogey at the 15th, a birdie at the long 16th, a double bogey 6 at the 17th and a birdie 3 at the last for 37 home.
“I could only hack out of the long grass at the 16th and finished up with three putts for a 6,” said Miss Thomson, who reached the semi-finals of the recent Scottish championship at Barassie.
“My putting is a bit suspect at the moment but it could come right tomorrow, you never know,” she said.
Michele was playing with Anna Nordqvist, the tall, blonde Swede who had a 69 for 145.
Leading the field on six-under-par 138 was 17-year-old Spaniard Carlota Ciganda who had a 68, despite driving with a five-wood for most of the round “to keep the ball out of the long grass and heather.”
She was only two shots ahead of her compatriot, Azahara Munoz, who had a 68 for 140. Azahara was leading qualifier at Royal County Down last year before losing in the first round.
Sally Watson, a 15-year-old student at the IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Bradenton, Florida, improved by three shots for a 74, despite a run of four-over-par from the 10th to the 13th which included a double bogey 6 at the 10th.
Sally, who had a birdie at the second and eight pars in an outward one-under 36, did birdie the short 14th and the long 16th although she let another shot slip at the 15th in an inward three-over 38.
KRYSTLE'S TRIPLE FINISH
Krystle Caithness finished with a triple bogey 7 at the 18th for a 76 and a tally of 154.
“I hit my drive right and was in the long grass. From there, I hacked out across the fairway into the left rough and had to take a penalty drop,” said Krystle who had birdied the second and third on her way to an outward half of one-under 36. She bogeyed the eighth and the 10th and then had seven straight pars before her last-hole misfortune.
Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) had a 74 for 155, very much on the borderline after bogeying the 15th, 16th and 17th. The high sports wer birdies at the third and fifth in one-under 36 to the turn.
Sara Bishop (Cochrane Castle) also hit the 155 mark with a 88.
Anne Laing had a 79 for 157 and Gemma Webster a pair of 81s for 162.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) had scores of 90 and 81 for 171.

SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND
Par 144 (2 x 72) 6,198yd

138 C Ciganda (Esp) 70 68.
140 A Munoz (Esp) 72 68.
144 M Reid (Chevin) 75 69.
145 A Nordqvist (Swe) 76 69, M Riordan (Tipperary) 75 70, R Bell (Ganton) 75 70, D Becker (Ger) 75 70, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 72 73.
146 M Bernard (Fra) 75 71.
147 A Riguelle (Fra) 72 75, T Delaney (Carlow) 77 70.
148 F Parker (Royal Birkdale) 72 76, C Westrup (Swe) 75 73, M Silva (Esp) 77 71.
149 L Kenney (Pitreavie) 72 77.
150 C Afonso (Fra) 75 75, V Sternebeck (Ger) 78 72, D McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 72 78, K Schallenberg (Ger) 76 74, L Murray (Alford) 76 74.
151 D Montgomery (The Lambourne) 73 78, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 76 75, H Burke (Mid-Herts) 82 69, S Watson (David Leadbetter GA) 77 74, E Alonso (Fra) 76 75.
152 R Jennings (Izaak Walton) 77 75, N Holleder (Ger) 75 77, E Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 80 72.
153 M Van der Graaff (Ned) 74 79, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 78 75, T Nilsson (Swe) 77 76.
154 S Kim (Can) 77 77, C Fallay (Fra) 75 79, K Caithness (St Regulus) 78 76, C Lee (West Lancs) 77 77, C Choi (Aus) 75 79, K Coombes (Aus) 76 78, N Kitching (Claremorris) 78 76, G O’Leary (Cork) 80 74.
155 S Bishop (Cochrane Castle) 78 77, M Naafs (Ned) 80 75, R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 81 74, K Delaney (Carlow) 81 74, P Halbig (Ger) 79 76.
156 A Felgueroso (Spa) 80 76, R Fanny (Fra) 77 79, L Jansone (Latvia) 75 81, K Van Leeuwen (Ned) 75 81, T Von Ruben (RSA) 81 75.
157 K Smith (Waterlooville) 79 78, N Edwards (Ganton) 80 77.
159 S Attwood (Gog Magog) 79 80, A Laing (Vale of Leven) 80 79.
160 K Rothengatter (Ger) 81 79, L Brand (Ilkley) 85 75, A Decharne (Fra) 81 79.
161 M Leblanc (Can) 85 76, I Alvarez (Esp) 79 82, A Scott (Consett) 86 75.
162 S Cologan (Esp) 81 81, G Webster (Hilton Park) 81 81.
163 K O’Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 80 83, M Dunne (Skerries) 83 80.
165 K Scarpetta (US) 86 79, S Kreuger (US) 83 82.
166 J Lochhead (Can) 86 80, M Duverney (Fra) 87 79.
167 C Martens (Nor) 82 85.
170 H Dargah (Garforth) 85 85.
171 K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 90 81.
Retired: R Flood (Aus) 80 –, P Bengtsson (Swe) 86 -.

THREE PAST MAJOR WINNERS ENTER FOR
SENIORS OPEN AT MUIRFIELD

By Steven Franklin
Press Officer, European Seniors Tour

Wayne Grady, Tony Jacklin and Mark O’Meara are the latest Major Champions to enter The 2007 Senior Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, which will be played at Muirfield for the first time from July 26-29.

Grady, winner of the 1990 US PGA Championship, celebrates his 50th birthday on the first day of the Championship and has chosen to swap his place in the Sky television commentary box for a place in the 144 man field alongside the cream of international Seniors golfing talent.

The inclusion of Jacklin, winner of The Open Championship in 1969 and the US Open the following year, and O’Meara, who captured both the Claret Jug and the Masters Tournament during 1998, takes to 13 the number of past Major winners confirmed for the US$2,000,000 Championship.

Six-time Major Champion Nick Faldo, who registered two of his three Open victories at Muirfield, is another making his Seniors debut at the famous East Lothian venue where he will be joined by Bob Charles, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, John Mahaffey, Jerry Pate, Gary Player (the only man to have won The Senior Open Championship on three occasions), Scott Simpson, Craig Stadler and Tom Watson.

“I am truly delighted to be going back to Muirfield once again,” remarked Faldo. “Every return visit rekindles fantastic memories for me but, at the same time, it does come as a bit of a shock that so much time has gone by since my first Major success in 1987. It will certainly be a special week being the 20th anniversary of that victory, that’s for sure.”

Faldo, of course, is also looking forward to captaining the European Team for The 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla, an honour which makes him the seventh Ryder Cup Captain in this year’s Senior Open Championship field after Crenshaw (1999), Jacklin (1983, '85, '87, '89), Mark James (1999), Kite (1997), Sam Torrance (2002), and Watson (1993).

Last year’s Senior Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, was won by former United States Ryder Cup player Loren Roberts, who defeated Eduardo Romero of Argentina on the first play-off hole at The Westin Turnberry Resort. Americans Dick Mast and Craig Stadler were third and fourth respectively.

Tickets for the 2007 edition can be purchased in advance by visiting The European Tour Ticketing Operation at www.europeantourtickets.com or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0800 023 2557.

An adult season ticket (which allows entry to the course on all four tournament days plus the practice day on Wednesday July 25) costs £50 if purchased before July 1. Any one-day ticket costs £15 and entry to the practice day is £10. After July 1 the charges are £60 for a season pass and £20 for any one-day ticket.

There is no entry charge for U-16s, providing an adult accompanies them, and car parking is also free.

For further information about The 2007 Senior Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, and the latest news please visit: www.senioropengolf.com

RITSON SMITH ABERDEEN PENNANT LEAGUE RESULTS

We now have the results of the three Ritson Smith Aberdeen & District Pennant League ties played on Tuesday night (thanks to viewers for helping out):

Auchmill 3, Deeside 3.
Hazlehead 3, Nigg Bay 3.
Stonehaven 3 1/2, Bon Accord 2 1/2.

+The Peterculter v Portlethen fixture, originally scheduled for last night, has been rearranged for Thursday, July 12.




























































Stonehaven, the home club, beat Bon Accord 3 1/2-2 1/2 in a Ritson Smith Aberdeen & District Pennant League match last night.
If you know any of the results of the other ties due to be played last night:

Auchmill v Deeside
Hazlehead v Nigg Bay
Peterculter v Portlethen

... please e-mail the information to colin@scottishgolfview.com

ALEX SMITH WINS £1,000 TOP PRIZE ON CELTIC PRO TOUR

Alex Smith lifted the West Wales Open title at the Gower Golf Club on Tuesday with a sparkling closing round of 66 to finish 6-under-par for the tournament.
This was the second event of the Dragon Tour, Wales’ first professional golf tour, and now part of the Celtic Pro Tour.
Smith (Pyle & Kenfig), winner of the Tour’s inaugural Order of Merit last year, won the Gower event and the £1,000 first prize by five shots - after a third place finish in the South Wales Open last week.
One of his nearest rivals was playing partner Alun Evans (Newport Links), with whom Smith now shares the professional course record following Evans’ feat at the same event last season.
Evans shot a closing round of one under par, 70, to tie for the runners up spot with new professional Chris Cousins (Aberdare) who wins prize money at only his second professional event. Cousins closed with the second best round of the week, a three under par 68.
Overnight leader, Adam Lee (St Mellons), who was leading by a shot at two under par after round one, faded to a three over par round of 74 on day two, to leave him in joint fourth place with Challenge Tour professional, James Williams (Pontypridd).
Spencer Vickery (The Kendleshire) and Mark Govier (Morriston) were also in the money at 6th and 7th place respectively.
Smith’s win, catapults him back to the top of the Order of Merit, after two events, and looks in great form as the tournament moves on to event three at Seafield Golf and Country Club in Ireland for the Wexford Open, next Monday and Tuesday.
The tournament also covered new ground, with Lauren Diggle, from Celtic Manor, becoming the first lady professional to enter a Celtic Pro Tour event.
Celtic Pro Tour, event organiser, Roger Maliphant said: “It’s fantastic that ladies like Lauren can play in events like this on her doorstep, and we hope to see a lot more ladies playing in these events as the season progresses.”
Indeed, with cameramen filming highlights of the event for both Setanta Golf and BBC TV, the Tour is an excellent opportunity for all golfers to showcase their skills, and play under the type of pressure that cameras often create at professional events.
Golfers can still join the Tour, with annual membership costing £175 for professionals, and event entry priced at £99. Amateur golfers with a scratch handicap or better can also enter events at a cost of £55, and don’t need to pay membership. Prize money at each event will be at least £1,000 to the winner, with the top 25% in the field winning money also. A voucher will be available to the leading amateur.
Golfers wishing to enter the next event, the Wexford Open at Seafield Golf and Country Club next Monday 18th & Tuesday 19th June, are asked to contact Rhydian Thomas on 07861 686568 or register online at the website at www.celticpro.com by 5pm Saturday 16th June


LEADING TOTALS
136 Alex Smith (Pyle & Kenfig) 70 66 (£1,000).
141 Chris Cousins (Aberdare) 73 68, Alun Evans (Newport Links) 71 70 (£375 each).
143 Adam Lee (St Mellons) 69 74, James Williams (Pontypridd0 72 71 (£125 each).
144 Spencer Vickery (TheKendleshire) 73 71 (£80).
145 Mark Govier (Morriston) 71 74 (£70).

SPAIN LEAD INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT AT ALWOODLEY

Spain's trio of Carlota Ciganda, Araceli Felgueroso and Azahara Munoz are leading the two-round international team event which is staged in conjunction with the 36-hole qualifying rounds at the British women's open amateur championship at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds.
Here is how they stand:
(Two from three scores to count)
142 SPAIN (C Ciganda 70, A Munoz 72, A Felgueroso 80).
143 NETHERLANDS (C Boeljon 70, D-C Schreefel 73, M Van der Graaff 74).
147 AUSTRALIA (E Bennett 71, K Combes 76, B Arthur 82).
148 WALES (S Hassan 72, B Loucks 76, T Davies 79).
150 SWEDEN (P Lindberg 75, C Westrup 75, A Nordqvist 76).
151 CANADA ( K Meixner 72, L Matthews 79, S Sherlock 79), FRANCE (C Afonso 75, E Alonso 76, A Decharne 81), GERMANY (D Becker 75, K Schallenberg 76, S Doering 78), IRELAND (M Riordan 75, D Smith 76, T Delaney 77).
152 SCOTLAND (H MacRae 76, J Wilson 76, K Caithness 78).
154 ENGLAND (M Reid 75, K Smith 79, N Edwards 80).
159 AUSTRIA (F Wolte 79, S Poelderl 80).

PLAY-OFF ON 154 A WEDNESDAY POSSIBILITY

Correction to number of players who are definitely in the running for the 64 places in the match-play stages.
There are a total of 71 players with first-round scores of 77 or better, including 16 on the 77 mark. This would suggest that 154 is the "magic figure" for qualifying after the second round but there will almost certainly be a play-off to obtain the precise number of 64 qualifiers

NOT SCOTLAND'S DAY AT GLENMUIR BRITISH CLUB PROS'
CHAMPIONSHIP AT ROYAL PORTHCAWL
By RON MARSHALL
On a day when the best-placed Scot was in 36th place, there was a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard after the opening round of the Glenmuir British Club Professional Championship at Royal Porthcawl.
While Irvine's Jim McKinnon was the best of the Scots, on a one-over 71, the rest of the Home Countries dominated. Ireland's John Dwyer, England's Daniel Greenwood and Andrew Barnett from Wales all signed for six-under 66s.
Leading scores:
66 A Barnett (North Wales GR), D Greenwood (Forest Pines), J Dwyer
(Ashbourne Co. Cavan)
67 D Taylor (Swingers), R Sadler (Killiow)
68 J Bevan (Wessex GC)
69 F Valenti (Pryors Hayes), J Whatley (Morley Hayes), C Clark (Moor Hall)
70 A Baguley (Leigh), M Nesbit (Westerhope), P Jones (Canford Magna)
71 S Rose (Cold Ashby), S Edwards (Clays), P Simpson (West Berks), A Hurley
(Arkley), C Goodfellow (Carlisle DR)
Other Scottish scores:
73 J McKinnon (Irvine)
74 A J Webster (Edzell), G Cook (Prestonfield), C Ronald (Carluke)
75 A Forrow (Whitecraigs), F Mann (Musselburgh), P Malone
(Braid Hills Golf Range)
76 J Smallwood (Fereneze)
78 K Hutton (Downfield)
81 N Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh)
83 C Donnelly (Balbirnie Park), C Brown (Turnberry Hotel)

LOUISE KENNY GIVES THE SCOTS A LEAD
WITH A PAR-MATCHING 72 AT ALWOODLEY

Trainee teacher Louise Kenney gave the 14 other Scots in the field for the Ladies’ British open amateur golf championship a lesson in how to match the par of 72 in the first qualifying round over the testing LGU course at Alwoodley Golf Club, near Leeds today.
Louise, a former Scotland cap for whom golf is no longer a priority, had a dream start – an eagle 2 at the 393yd first. The euphoria with bogeys at the second, fourth and fifth but she was able to equal the par of 37 to the turn with the help of a birdie 4 at the long fourth.
Bogeys at the 10th and 12th knocked her back a bit but the Pitreavie player got her game back in the groove to birdie the 13th and the long 16th for a commendable par 72.
Until Louise came in late in a field of 144, who will be reduced to 64 for the match-play stages after Wednesday’s second qualifying round, it was Carly Booth who had the honour of leading the Tartan Army.
The 14-year-old outstanding prospect from Comrie, Perthshire – she will be 15 later this month – “escaped” with a two-over-par 74 over a picturesque lay-out where the heather and long grass that borders most of the fairways makes it a “drive-straight-or-you’re-dead” course.
“I could have had a 13 or something at the 17th hole,” said Carly. “I played two provisional balls off the tee because I wasn’t sure I would find my first drive in the woods … and I snap-hooked both of them out of bounds.”
That meant she had to find her first ball off the tee or face taking a double-figure score at the hole.
“I was lucky I did. It was a terrible lie, right up against a tree trunk, but I found it and that was the main thing. I could only move the ball forward a few feet because of my restricted swing and I finished up with a double-bogey 6. But, like I say, it could have been at least double that.”
Earlier Miss Booth had birdied the second, fourth, sixth, ninth and 16th but dropped shots at the third, eighth, 10th, 14th and 15th apart from the double-bogey at the 17th in halves of 35 (two under par) and 39 (four over par).
“I wish I could go out and play the second nine holes again. I had the chance of a good score after going out in two-under-par,” said perfectionist Carly.
Next best returns from the Scots were 76s from Scottish champion Jenna Wilson (Strathaven), Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Laura Murray (Alford).
Sally Watson (David Leadbetter Golf Academy) had a 77 and then came Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Roseanne Niven (Crieff) and Sara Bishop (Cochrane Castle) on 78 – two ahead of three times Scottish title-holder Anne Laing (Vale of Leven).
Gemma Webster (Hilton Park) had an 81 as did Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old).
Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), beaten finalist in the “Scottish” recently at Barassie, had a disappointing 82. She never got going after bogeying the first and running up a double bogey 6 at the second. She finished in 82 after an outward half of 42. She also had a double bogey 6 at the 13th.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) had a sad 90 in which she required 49 shots – 14 over par – for the second nine holes.
Sharing the lead on two-under-par 70 are two teenagers, Carlota Ciganda (Spain) – unhappy that her handicap of +4.8 has come down to +4.6 since she entered the championship a few weeks ago – and Dutch girl Christel Boeljohn, as well as Parisienne Valentine Derrey who will be 21 on Wednesday.
At the end of a very long first day's play, there were 71 players with scores of 77 or better, which would suggest - only suggest - that there will be a play-off on 154 at the end of the second qualifying round to decide the precise number of 64 players who will start the match-play stages on Thursday morning.

Picture above is of Carlota Ciganda, the 17-year-old Spanish joint leader.

FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
Par 72 (37-35). 6,198yd.

70 C Boeljon (Netherlands) 33-37, V Derrey (Fra) 35-35,C Ciganda (Spa) 36-34.
71 E Bennett (Aus) 34-37, J Ewart (Catterick) 37-34.
72 K Meixner (Can) 36-36, R Connor (Manchester) 37-35, D Karlsson (Swe) 36-36, F Parker (Royal Birkdale) 37-35, A Riguelle (Fra) 36-36, A Munoz (Spa) 36-36, D McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 36-36, L Kenney (Pitreavie) 37-35, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 36-36.
73 E Duggleby (Malton & Norton) 37-36, H Barwood (Knowle) 37-36, C Aitken (Mid Kent) 36-37, D-C Schreefel (Net) 37-36, L Collin (John O’Gaunt) 39-34, D Montgomery (The Lambourne) 36-37.
74 K Kinnerud (Swe) 37-37, C Booth (Comrie) 35-39, K Pinder (Can) 37-37, B Mullins-Lane (Aus) 38-36, M Van der Graaff (Net) 36-38.
75 S Keating (Aus) 37-38, S Kirchmayr (Ger) 37-38, P Lindberg (Swe) 38-37, R W Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 38-37, J Hodge (Knowle) 35-40, C Fallay (Fra) 38-37, C Westrup (Swe) 37-38, N Holleder (Ger) 38-37, C Afonso (Fra) 36-39, M Bernard (Fra) 40-35, M Riordan (Tipperary) 37-38, C Choi (Aus) 40-35, R Bell (Ganton) 36-39, M Reid (Chevin) 35-40), D Becker (Ger) 36-39, L Jansone (Lat) 38-37, K Van Leeuwen (Net) 37-38, E Alonso (Fra) 36-39.
76 H MacRae (Dunblane New) 39-.37, D Smith (Co Louth) 38 38, B Loucks (Wrexham) 37-39, J Wilson (Strathaven) 38-38, S Wilkstrom (Swe) 36-40, T Boyes (Meon Valley) 37-39, R Lee-Bentham (Can) 41-35, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 37-39, A Nordqvist (Nor) 37-39, K Combes (Aus) 37-39, K Schallenberg (Ger) 38-38, L Murray (Alford) 37-39.
77 S Garbutt (Ganton) 38-39, B Toumpsin (Bel) 40-37, C De Vries (Net) 39-38, A Rolley (Aus) 37-40, E Sheffield (Newark) 38 39, E Lyons (West Surrey) 37-40, T Hoffmeister (Ger) 35-42, S Kim (Can) 39-38, R Jennings (Izaak Walton) 39-38, C Lee (West Lancs) 39-38, R Fanny (Fra) 39-38, M Silva (Spa) 38-39, S Watson (David Leadbetter GA) 38-39, T Nilsson (Swe) 40-37, T Delaney (Carlow) 39-38, G Dunn (Peterborough Milton) 38-39.
PROJECTED CUT FIGURE FOR 64 MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS
AT END OF SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND
78 C Douglass (Brocket Hall) 41-37, M-A Leblanc (Can) 38-40, H Aitchison (Bedfordshire) 38-40, R Niven (Crieff) 37-41, T Luccioli (Bel) 37-41, K Caithness (St Regulus) 39-39, V Sternebecke (Ger) 40-38, S Bishop (Cochrane Castle) 38-40,N Kitching (Claremorris) 39-39, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 37-41.
79 T Karlsson (Swe) 40-39, L Ball (Matfen Hall) 39-40, J Potter (Can) 38-41, S Sherlock (Can) 40-39, F Wolte (Aus) 40-39, L Matthews (Can) 40-39, T Davies (Holyhead) 38-41, S Doering (Ger) 39-40, S Attwood (Gog Magog) 40-39, I Alvarez (Spa) 41-38, K Smith (Waterlooville) 41-38, P Halbig (Ger) 41-38.
80 L Maunu (Can) 39-41, S :Poelderl (Aut) 40-40, K O’Connor (Tadmarton Heath) 38-42, R Flood (Aus) 40-40, A Laing (Vale of Leven) 41-39, M Naafs (Net) 38-42, A Felgueroso (Spa) 38-42, N Edwards (38-42), G O’Leary (Cork) 42-38, E Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 36-44.
81 K Rothengatter (Ger) 37-44, S Cologan (Spa) 40-41, G Webster (Hilton Park) 42-39, A Decharne (Fra) 39-42, R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 38-43, K Delaney (Carlow) 40-41, T Von Ruben (SAf) 43-38,
82 B Arthur (Aus) 41-41, A Roscio (Ita) 39-43, E Sheffield 38-39, B Genuini (Fra) 41-41, M Backstedt (Swe) 39-43, E Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 42-40, M Eikenaar (Net) 40-42, C Martens (Nor) 39-43, H Burke (Mid-Herts) 41-41.
83 J Dotten (Can) 43-40, C Petersson (Swe) 39-44, C Sola (Arg) 37-46, L Sibille (Fra) 43-40, H FitzGerald (Newmarket Links) 38-45, M Dunne (Skerries) 41-42, S Krueger (US) 40-43.
84 C Ellis (Minchinhampton) 42-42, V Valvassori (Ita) 41-43, C Herbin (Fra) 42-42.
85 C Andrade (Spa) 42-43, M Leblanc (Can) 42-43, L Brand (Ilkley) 42-43, H Dargan (Garforth) 41-44, F Hernandez (Fra) 41-45.
86 S Derrey (Fra) 44-42, E Geury (Bel) 44-42, A Scott (Consett) 86-81, A Scarpetta (US) 42-44, J Lochhead (Can) 42-44, P Bengtsson (Swe) 43-43.
87 A Davis (Can) 40-47, M Duverney (Fra) 46-41, K Fodor (Hun ) 46-41.
88 N Craven (Brough) 42-46.
90 K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 41-49.

GLENMUIR EXTENSION HERALDS NEW ERA

A new era beckons for the PGA's flagship event - the Club Professional Championship - after long-standing sponsor Glenmuir agreed a two year extension which will also see the tournament re-named.
The event will now be branded the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship and this new agreement takes the Lanark-based firm's association with the Championship to a record 17 years.
Within the agreement, the Scottish company will also provide clothing for the 2009 PGA Cup team and the PGA's of Europe International Team Championship.
In addition, Glenmuir will continue to be the exclusive provider of crested garments to the PGA's 7,500 members across the world.
The relaunch of this championship will also see the continued tradition that the Glenmuir Championship is played at high quality venues throughout the UK and Ireland.This is reflected in this year's final being played at Royal Porthcawl but in the two years ahead it is planned that all the qualifying rounds will also be staged at venues of such quality.
Glenmuir's ongoing commitment to the PGA's most prestigious tournament reinforces its position as one of the leading brand names in golf leisurewear in Europe.
The Glenmuir mark can be seen on golfers everywhere from grass roots players to the world's elite.
Glenmuir have been suppliers to the Ryder Cup team over the last two decades and this year for the first time, the Walker Cup team will also be wearing Glenmuir apparel.
Speaking ahead of the championship, Glenmuir's Managing Director Colin Mee said: "I am delighted to be able to continue our association with this Championship and extend Glenmuir's involvement with the PGA's flagship event for club professionals to 17 consecutive years.
"Our strong relationship with the PGA membership both in Britain and Europe provides the core of our business activity and this championship gives us the opportunity to communicate directly with our customers."
The staging of the qualifying events and the final continue to grow in stature and we are proud to be associated with such a prestigious tournament."
Sandy Jones, PGA Chief Executive added: "The PGA are absolutely delighted that Glenmuir have extended their relationship with us until 2009.
"The Glenmuir company is one of golf's greatest supporters and we are all privileged to have them as a business partner. They are a great friend to the Association and its members and we look forward to continuing to grow our partnership to the benefit of everyone in golf."
endsIssue date: 12 June 2007For further information and imae requests, please contact Kelly Lewis at PGA Headquarters on 01675 470 333 or e-mail media@pga.org.uk Live hole-by-hole scoring from this week's Championship Final at Royal Porthcawl can be found at www.pgaclubproschampionship.com Visit www.PGA.info for up to date reports and scores on the Glenmuir Club Professional Championship and all PGA tournaments

R&A PRESS RELEASE

R&A REPORTS STRONG FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND
NEW ASIA-PACIFIC FOCUS IN 2006 ANNUAL REVIEW

The R&A, golf’s world rules and development body and organiser of The Open Championship, reports a strong financial performance, including increased support for golf development projects, and a new focus on the Asia-Pacific region in its 2006 Annual Review published today.

Operating profit, for the year to 31 December 2006, stood firm at £9.1m (£9.1m) after increased grants totalling £2.9m (£2.3m) were awarded to external golf development bodies. The surplus was again taken to reserves to ensure continuity in The R&A’s global governance role at no cost to the sport.

Also, at the year-end, The R&A’s founding club, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, made the last in a series of asset allocations to The R&A Foundation, taking its net assets to £13.3m (£11.4m). The Foundation made increased awards in the year totalling £1.6m (£1.4m) to golf-related educational programmes.

More work in the Asia-Pacific region is reported where The R&A has its first Regional Director in post and where initiatives such as an agreed programme with the China Golf Association, to train over 100 new Chinese golf referees, is underway.

Commenting on the year under review R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson said:

“The Open at Hoylake was both a great Championship and a strong commercial success. We forecast £50m in golf development funding and other governance benefits for the game, by the end of the decade, when we adopted corporate ownership structures in 2004 and we will deliver on this ahead of time.”

“Our golf development funding totalled £4.5m (£3.7m) in 2006 and our governance contribution to the sport is valued at a further £4m (£3.8m) for the year’’, added Dawson.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2006

Highlights of 2006 included:

The Open returned to Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake after a gap of 39 years and attracted almost 230,000 spectators, including 20,000 under 16’s.

Tiger Woods achieved the first back-to-back wins since Tom Watson in 1983 and declared the event to be one of the greatest championships ever staged.

57 broadcasters aired Open Championship coverage, reaching 410m households in 162 territories and making The Open one of the world’s largest annual televised sports events.

R&A governance contribution to the sport reached £4m (£3.7m): Rulemaking £2.5m (£2.4m), Championships support £1m (£1.1m) and sustainable course management funding £0.5m (£0.3m).

National Golfing bodies in Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, The Caribbean and Jordan affiliated to The R&A taking the number of counties that host R&A Affiliates to almost 120.

R&A Equipment Test Centre opened on the St Andrews Links and submissions of new clubs from manufacturers to test for conformity to The Rules increased by a third to over 1000 pieces.

R&A Rules Schools are staged in Chile, Guatemala, Peru, Poland and Japan in the year and the annual Referees School in St Andrews attracted 80 delegates from 38 countries.

Landmark R&A referee training programme agreed with The China Golf Association to train and accredit new Rules officials in China: 100 primary and intermediate level by autumn 2007, 60 national level Rules officials by the end of 2007 and two international referees by February 2008.

JUNIOR OPEN'S INTERNATIONAL FIELD

The biennial Junior Open attracted 100 players (boys and girls, 12-16 years) from 61 countries.

Support for the Faldo Series in Europe and Asia reached £110,000, in annual funding, split 70:30 in favour of the Asian Series.

Support for university golf programmes exceeded £250,000 in annual funding, covering 13 institutions from St Andrews to Pretoria and over 50 individual student golfers, including reigning US Amateur Champion Richie Ramsay and Icelandic Women’s Champion Helena Arnadottir.

1000 sets of TaylorMade Kids Clubs were sent to developing golf nations including Botswana, Croatia, Honduras, India, Rwanda, Tanzania and Trinidad & Tobago.

R&A support for the grassroots development work of The Golf Foundation reached £600,000 in annual funding.

R&A best practice website (www.bestcourseforgolf.org) that promotes sustainable golf course management in five languages has become an active community of over 2000 club and course managers, greenkeepers, agronomists and environmentalists.

R&A completed the restoration of what is believed to be the oldest golf match on film, dating back to 1898, the challenge match between Open Champions Willie Park and Willie Fernie.

**The R&A 2006 Annual Review can be read or downloaded from www.randa.org and abbreviated accounts will be available later this year on request and from Companies House

LEE LEADS CELTIC PRO TOUR EVENT

Adam Lee (St Mellons) leads the latest Celtic Pro Tour 36-hole event, the West Wales Open at Gower Golf Club, with a two-under-par 69.

LEADERBOARD
Par 71
69 Adam Lee (St Mellons).
70 Alex Smith (Pyle & Kenfig).
71 Alun Evans (Newport Links), Mark Govier (Morriston).
72 James Williams (Pontypridd), Alan Williamson (Gower).
73 Spencer Vickery (The Kendleshire), Chris Cousins (Aberdare), Andrew Cash (Gower), Andrew Minty (Machynys).

MURCAR LINKS WIN WATT DUFFUS TROPHY AT FRASERBURGH

Murcar Links 1, represented by Laura McLardy, Carol Wilson, Donna Pocock and Sara Thomson, won the Aberdeenshire Ladies County Golf Association inter-club team stroke-play tournament for the Mrs Watt Duffus Trophy at Fraserburgh.
It was Murcar Links’ third victory in the event over the past four years and their fourth since 2000.
They totalled 228, 17 strokes ahead of runners-up Cruden Bay 1 (Ros Dunsmuir, Lynne Terry, Jill Harrison and Kathleen Esslemont) who won the handicap trophy with a net total of 225.
Laura McLardy won the Mrs J P Kennaway Cup for the best individual scratch score of 73.
Jill Harrison won the individual handicap trophy with a net 70 off 5.

SCOREBOARD

SCRATCH (CSS 73)
(Best three from four scores to count).
228 MURCAR LINKS 1 (l mClARDY 73, c Wilson 76, D Pocock 79, S Thomson 86).
245 CRUDEN BAY 1 (J Harrison 75, L Terry 84, K Esslemont 86, R Dunsmuir 89).
252 ABERDEEN LADIES 1 (E Whyte 79, S Fil 84, C Whicher 89, L Hardie 91).
253 DEESIDE 1 (F Hay 80, M Millership 85, V Harper 88, K Teow 94).
259 ABOYNE (E Brown 80, M Wilson 89, M Burgess 90, S Mortimer 94).
260 FRASERBURGH (K Stalker 80, M Attfield 82, E Parker 98, A Bell 108).
261 BANCHORY (A Smart 84, H Edon 86, M Clapperton 91, P Nicoll 96).
264 BALLATER 1 (H Backhouse 86, M Joss 89, R Roy 89, C Bryce 96).
269 HAZLEHEAD (G Melvin 77, S Queen 93, G Wynn-Davies 99, S Beattie 102).
273 WESTHILL (Y Gilbert 89, B Gurden 92, F Ramage 92, A Fraser 96).
274 DEESIDE 2 (T Beattie 87, J Mair 91, A Downie 96, M Parkinson 101).
279 ABERDEEN LADIES 2 (J Wheeler 91, A Henderson 93, C Kyle 95, G Bruce 97).
280 NEWMACHAR (S Tait 93, L Joss 93, L Kelly 94, S Davis 97).
281 PETERCULTER (Y Richal 88, P Fraser 93, J Watson 100, S Brankin withdrew).
288 CRUDEN BAY 2 (K Henderson 95, A Ross 96, M Miller 97, J Bruce 104).
293 BALLATER 2 (A Howie 94, A Horne 98, H Esson 101, H McNeill 103).

HANDICAP
218 Murcar Links 1 (10).
225 Cruden Bay 1 (20).
227 Fraserburgh (33).
229 Aberdeen Ladies 1 (23).
230 Aboyne (29), Deeside 1 (23), Deeside 2 (44).
232 Banchory (29).
233 Westhill (40).
234 Newmachar (46).
235 Ballater 1 (29).
238 Murcar Links 2 (44), Aberdeen Ladies 2 (41).
240 Hazlehead (29).
244 Peterculter (37), Cruden Bay 2 (44).
249 Ballater 2 (44).

NEIL AND PAMELA TOP OF SCHOOLS' GOLF
CLASS AT GULLANE

A brilliant round of seven-under-par 61 over the Gullane No 3 course helped Neil Henderson (West Lothian) win the Scottish schoolboys' golf championship on a day when some of the scoring was as hot as the sunshine.
Pamela Pretswell (South Lanarkshire) won the schoolgirls' title by seven strokes form the favourite, Kelsey MacDonald (Highland) with scores of 68 and 70 over the Gullane No 2 and No 3 courses for a fine total of 138.
Kelsey scored 74 and 71 for 145 for second place in a field of 40 girls.
Neil Henderson, a member at the Glen club, North Berwick, had a 66 over the No 2 course and his total of 127 also put him seven shots clear of runners-up Tom Hayes (East Lothian) (68-66) and Alan Murdoch (Dumfries & Galloway) (71-63) at the head of a field of 43 boys.
Many pro golfers would love to have a sub-30 half on their CV and here is Neil achieving the dream nine-hole score as a teenager.
He achieved a five-under-par outward half of 29 (433 334 324) and came home in two-under-par 32 (424 253 444) for his 61.
Murdoch's 63 was the second lowest round of the day.
Not surprisingly, East Lothian (399) ran away with the boys' team title, thanks to the efforts of Neil Henderson, Tom Hayes and Shaun Gordon.
They won by 22 shots from Perth & Kinross (Sam McLaren, Daniel Young, Paul McPhee).
Highland, represented by Kelsey MacDonald from Nairn and Sammy Vass from Tain, won the girls' team title with a combined score of 295.
They finished four strokes ahead of South Lanarkshire's Pamela Pretswell and Gillian Scanlan with Angus (Rebecca Wilson and Andrea Bowie) third on 306.

BOYS
CSS: No 2 course 70. No 3 course 66.
127 N Henderson (East Lothan) 66 61.
134 T Hayes (East Lothian) 68 66, A Murdoch (Dumfries & Galloway) 71 63.
137 D Law (Aberdeen City) 72 65, F McKenna (East Dunbartonshire) 69 68.
138 S Gordon (East Lothian) 73 65, G Wright (Falkirk) 72 66, D Young (Perth & Kinross) 70 68.
140 L Reid (Highland) 70 70, F Moore (Falkirk) 73 67, S McLaren (Perth & Kinross) 74 66.
141 B Sloan (South Lanarkshire) 74 67, J Binning (Renfrewshire) 74 67, M Pennycott (North Ayrshire) 74 67.
142 J Bradley (Renfrewshire) 74 68, K McClung (Dumfries & Galloway) 74 68.
143 M Bookless (South Lanarkshire) 74 69, C Robb (South Aberdeenshire) 76 67, P Shields (South Lanarkshire) 73 70, S Boyle (West Lothian) 75 68, P McPhee (Perth & Kinross) 73 70.
144 N MacAndrew (Aberdeen City) 73 71, D Dolan (West Lothian) 77 67, J Rhind (West Lothian) 75 69.
145 A Abercrombie (North Ayrshire) 73 72.
146 A Lauder (Renfrewshire) 79 67, J Hendry (Glasgow City) 77 69.
147 C Stewart (Highland) 76 71, R Forgie (Clackmannan) 72 75.
148 R Elder (Highland) 77 71, C Trahan (South Aberdeenshire) 78 70, G Dowie (Clackmannan) 74 74.
149 M Fraser (Argyll & Bute) 72 77, I Finlay (Fife) 81 68.
150 I McNab (Argyll & Bute) 80 70.
151 F Lawrie (North Ayrshire) 76 75.
152 D MacAndrew (Aberdeen City) 78 74, E McLaren (Dumfries & Galloway) 82 70, J Dimmock (Falkirk) 77 75.
153 A Tester (Clackmannan) 82 71.
155 R Docherty (East Dunbartonshire) 80 75.
159 C Bremner (South Aberdeenshire) 81 78.
161 C MacKenzie (Argyll & Bute) 84 77.
BOYS TEAM
399 East Lothian.
421 Perth & Kinross.
425 Glasgow City (better second round total), Edinburgh.
427 South Lanarkshire.
428 Dumfries & Galloway.
429 Renfrewshire.
430 Falkirk.
431 West Lothian, North Aberdeenshire.
433 Aberdeen City.
435 Highland, East Dunbartonshire.
437 North Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire.
440 Fife.
448 Clackmannan.
450 South Aberdeenshire, Borders.
451 Dundee City.
453 Angus.
456 North Lanarkshire.
460 Argyll & Bute.
461 South Ayrshire.
GIRLS
CSS: No 2 course 73, No 3 course 68.
138 P Pretswell (South Lanarkshire) 68 70.
145 K MacDonald (Highland) 74 71.
146 J Meldrum (East Dunbartonshire) 71 75, J Turner (Edinburgh) 72 74.
147 R Wilson (Angus) 73 74.
150 S Vass (Highland) 78 72.
151 R Watson (Edinburgh) 78 73, R Watton (Edinburgh) 78 73.
154 A Smith (Dundee City) 81 73.
155 E Briggs (Renfrewshire) 75 80, I Craigie (Borders) 76 79.
156 E Muirhead (Perth & Kinross) 77 79.
157 C Easton (Edinburgh) 80 77, L Atkins (Borders) 76 81, S Jackson (Fife) 78 79, Z Differ (North Lanarkshire) 76 81.
159 M Johnstone (Aberdeen City) 81 78, A Bowie (Angus) 78 81, L McGregor (Fort Valley) 77 82.
161 L Allan (North Ayrshire) 78 83, H Gaunt (South Ayrshire) 79 82.
163 H Peebles (Dundee City) 84 79, A Niven (Perth & Kinross) 81 82, L McNulty (Argyll & Bute) 80 83.
165 J Graham (Dumfries & Galloway) 78 87.
167 G Simpson (Edinburgh) 81 86.
168 R McQueen (South Ayrshire) 87 81
169 S Leslie (South Aberdeenshire) 78 91, J Vass (Highland) 75 94.
171 L Meldrum (East Dunbartonshire) 81 90.
172 J Shields (Perth & Kinross) 84 88.
174 K Moss (Angus) 89 85, G MacDonald (Edinburgh) 84 90, A Mitchell (Borders) 82 92.
177 L Duncan (South Aberdeenshire) 82 95.
179 K Ward (East Lothian) 87 92.
181 G Arnott (North Ayrshire) 89 92.
182 L Smith (Dundee City) 87 95.
Best net total: R Watton (Edinburgh) (8) 135.
GIRLS TEAM
295 Highland.
299 South Lanarkshire.
306 Angus.
308 Edinburgh.
317 East Dunbartonshire, Dundee City.
319 Perth & Kinross.
329 South Ayrshire, Fife.
330 Aberdeen City, Forth Valley.
331 Renfreshire.
335 Borders.
342 North Ayrshire.
346 South Aberdeenshire.
355 Midlothian.
362 East Lothian.
NRs Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire.

++Once again many, many thanks to Hugh Hunter for reporting from Gullane for Scottishgolfview.com and Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

TOUGH FOR SCOTS IN "BRITISH" AT LEEDS

by Colin Farquharson

There are 15 Scots in the capacity field of 144 for the British women's open amateur golf championship which tees off with the first of two qualifying rounds at Alwoodley Golf Club, near Leeds tomorrow (TUESDAY).
They are:
Sara Bishop (Cochrane Castle), Carly Booth (Comrie), Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Louise Kenney(Pitreavie), Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), Rachel Livingstone (Musselburgh Old), Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), Laura Murray (Alford), Roseanne Niven (Crieff), Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry),Gemma Webster (Hilton Park), Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).
Last year, the only Scot to reach the last 16 at Royal County Down was Krystle Caithness - and such is the strength in depth of the international entry once again, that any Scot who wins their way through to the quarter-finals will have played well.
The last Scot to win the British title was Alison Rose after an all-Scottish final against Mhairi McKay at Cruden Bay in 1997. Before that Catriona Lambert took the title in 1993. Although Scotland has a very good crop of teenagers coming through, it may be a year or two before they are ready to rival the achievements of Alison, Mhairi and Catriona.
Spain's Belen Mozo, who won two British open titles (girls and women) and the European individual amateur championship, is not defending this week at Alwoodley. A student at the University of Southern California, Belen has stayed on in the States to compete in a pre-qualifying tournament this week for the United States Women's Open.
Derby 19-year-old Melissa Reid, winner of the Scottish women's open stroke-play at Troon and the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews a couple of weeks ago, is the main British hope of repelling the Continentals.
The lowest handicap player in the field is Spanish 17-year-old Carolota Ciganda who has a rating of +4.8. Even after she won the British crown at Royal County Down 12 months ago, Belen Mozo said that winning the title did not make her a better player that Carlota. "She is the best Spanish player, better than me," said Belen - which perhaps explains why she is competing in America this week rather than taking on her compatriot at Leeds.

Available to rent

Carnoustie Ladies Golf Club
Links Parade
Carnoustie

After being let down by our letting agents, Carnoustie Ladies Golf Club is now available to rent for the duration of the British Open Golf Championships 19th – 22nd July 2007.

We offer a very large lounge area with tables and seating for at least 40. A further smaller room, 2 toilets, 1 separate bathroom with bath, kitchen with oven, hob and dishwasher are situated at the rear of the club. We also have cutlery and crockery available if needed.

Carnoustie Ladies have recently installed a secure door entry system and fobs will be provided. We can also offer you off-road parking for 20 cars to the rear of the club.

Please contact Mary Summers – 01382 535711
Or
Eileen Abel – 01241 410036

ASIAN TOUR PRESS RELEASE

ASIAN TOUR APPALLED BY EUROPEAN TOUR PLANS
FOR TOURNAMENT IN INDIA

The Asian Tour is appalled with the European Tour's plans to stage a tournament in India without the sanction of the Asian Tour next February. This move is clearly unethical and against the protocol that exists within the framework of the International Federation of PGA Tours, of which both the Tours are full members.
Despite media reports and quotes attributed to the European Tour, there has been no approach or communication to inform the Asian Tour about the event or its intentions.
Since the Asian Tour became a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours, all new events that the European Tour has been involved within Asia have been co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour.
Over the past decade, the Asian Tour has provided a strong platform for the success of India 's current crop of top players and the Asian Tour is fully committed to the growth of golf in India and Asia .
The Asian Tour fully respects and cooperates with the Indian Golf Union and was happy to step in to ensure the continuance of one of Asia's longest standing national Opens, the Hero Honda Indian Open, in 2005 when support was required.
The Asian Tour was also fully supportive of the formation of the Professional Golf Tour of India and is actively cooperating in the development of playing opportunities for Indian and the Asian Tour players.
However, with the latest developments, the Asian Tour disagrees with the unethical actions of the European Tour which has avoided contact with the Asian Tour whilst announcing this new event in India.
This action reflects on the European Tour's aggressive direction without any concern for the protocol of the International Federation of PGA Tours and highlights an invasive position on Asia.

Kyi Hla Han
Executive Chairman
Asian Tour

ANOTHER FOUR-FIGURE CHEQUE FOR VIKKI LAING

Vikki Laing earned another four-figure cheque by finishing joint 10th in the United States Steel Classic at Lost Marsh Golf Club near Lake Michigan.
Vikki had scores of 75, 73 and 73 for a five-over-par total of 221 on a course with hard and fast greens and a wind off the lake. She birdied the first and sixth and dropped a shot at the third in her last round and was heading for a sub-par score until she dropped shots at the 13th and 15th.
Her pay cheque was for $1,217.
Winner of the event by three strokes was Allison Fouch from Grand Rapids, Michigan with 72, 76 and 66 for two-under-par 214. Her brilliant final round lifted her up from joint sixth at the start of the final day.
Londoner Polly Willett tied for 45th place with scores of 78, 78 and 73 for 229. Polly was going well in her final round with a birdie at the 1oth and then an eagle at the 12th. Then she bogeyed the 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th.

FINAL SCORES
214 A Fouch (US) 72 76 66.
217 A Burks (US) 75 71 71.
218 C Erdman (US) 72 76 70, K Brozer (US) 71 71 76.
Other scores:
221 V Laing (Sco) 75 73 73 (jt 10th).
229 P Willett (Eng) 78 78 73 (jt 45th)

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE PAYS OFF FOR GORDON HAY

Home club player Gordon Hay (Grantown on Spey) clinched victory in the Moray county championship with an eight under par total of 132 (66 66) to gain a two-stroke victory over clubmate John Campbell (66-68). Gordon’s son Gavin won the handicap section with an aggregate score of 129, playing off five of a handicap.

LEADING SCRATCH
(Grantown on Spey players unless stated)
132 G H Hay 66 66.
134 J S D Campbell 66 68.
135 D Ramsay (Elgin) 66 69.
136 GThomson (Moray) 65 71.

ADAM SCOTT BLOWS UP AND FINISHES SEVENTH
AS BRIAN DAVIS COMES 2nd TO WINNER AUSTIN


Long-time leader Australian Adam Scott blew up in spectacular fashion to finish seventh in the Stanford St Jude Classic on the US PGA Tour.
Scott bogeyed the sixth but birdied the 11th, 12th and 13th before slumping to a triple-bogey 6 at the short 14th. He rallied with a birdie at the 15th but then dropped a shot at each of the last three holes.
Adam finished with a 75 for 276.
Victory went to American Woody Austin with a brilliant last round of 62 for 267.
Englishman Brian Davis was runner-up, five shots behind after a 66 for 272.

SCOREBOARD
267 W Austin (US) 72 66 67 62.
272 B Davis (Eng) 70 68 68 66.
273 D Toms (US) 70 68 66 69.
274 B Gay (US) 68 66 70 70.
Other scores:
276 A Scott (Aus) 67 66 68 75 (7th)/
286 S Garcia (Spa) 74 70 72 70.
288 J M Olazabal (Spa) 73 66 76 73.

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

MONKLAND MASTERS CHARITY PRO-AM WINNERS

Graham Rankin and Chris Doak each earned £1,046 for being joint winners of the Monklands Masters charity pro-am at Drumpellier Golf Club today (Sunday). They tied on four-under-par 67, one shot ahead of Steven Gray (Hayston).
Brian Mason (Drumoig) led the Lady Captain's amateur trio - Jean Henderson (handicap 26), who is the Drumpellier lady captain, Susan Wood (6) and Elizabeth Steel (25) - to victory in the team event with a net score of 15-under-par 56. The ladies' handicaps are all actually two shots less than the figures in brackets but they received two courtesy shots apiece, and obviously made the most of them!
LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 71
67 G Rankin (Drumpellier), C Doak (unatt).
68 S Gray (Hayston).
70 A Marshall (Houston GR), C Nicoll (Prestwick), A Lockhart (Ladybank), C Lee (All Golf Swing Centre).
71 C Kelly (Cawder).

AYRSHIRE WIN SCOTTISH BOYS' AREA TEAM
CHAMPIONSHIP AT FORRES

Ayrshire’s Michael Stewart, Cameron Gray, David Currie and Euan Brown won the Scottish Golf Union boys’ area team championship at Forres Golf Club today for only the second time in the tournament’s 30-year history.
The previous Ayrshire triumph came at Cowglen in 1998.
Ayrshire totalled 339, two strokes ahead of the favourites and seven-times winners Lothians 341. North took third place on 353.
The Ayrshire quartet were five strokes behind lunchtime leaders Lothians after the morning foursomes but made up the leeway with some brilliant individual scoring in the singles.
Cameron Gray won the Niagara Cup for the lowest score on the day – a 65 – and he was only one shot ahead of Michael Stewart. Euan Brown had the third counting score of 67.
The Ayrshire singles total (best three from four scores to count) of 198 was seven strokes better than that achieved by Lothians’ Paul Ferrier, Myles Cunningham, Neil Henderson and Oliver Huish. Ferrier, winner of the Scottish boys’ match-play championship at Dunbar a few weeks ago, did have a 66, the joint second best score of the day alongside Ayrshire’s Michael Stewart.

FINAL TOTALS

339 AYRSHIRE (C Gray & E Brown 67, M Stewart & D Currie 75). Gray 65, Stewart 66, Brown 67, Currie 75).
341 LOTHIANS (P Ferrier & M Cunningham 65, N Henderson& O Huish 71; Ferrier 66, Henderson 67, Huish 72, Cunningham 80).
353 NORTH (F Fotheringham & K Godsman 69, C Gaittens & R Elder 71; Fotheringham 69, Elder 71, Godsman 73, Gaittens 74).
354 GLASGOW (M Bookless & J Hendrick 68, T Martin & G McDougall 72; Bookless 68, McDougall 71, Hendrick 75, Martin 75).
355 DUNBARTONSHIRE (A Campbell & S Barras 71, F McKenna & D Parlane 73; Barras 69, Campbell 67, McKenna 75, Parlane 77).
356 FIFE (M Main & B Jamieson 75, J Anderson & N Beattie 75; Main 67, Anderson 68, Jamieson 71, Beattie 76).
357 NORTH-EAST (T Spencer & S Fraser 68, A Dunton & D Law 75; Law 68, Dunton 72, Fraser 74, Spencer 79).
358 RENFREWSHIRE (M Daily & C Thompson 73, J Caldwell & D Grant 74; Daily 69, Thompson 71, Grant 71, Caldwell 73).
362 PERTH & KINROSS (S McLaren & P McPhee 74, M Bell & R Forgie 75; McLaren 68, Forgie 69, Bell 76, McPhee 80).
364 LANARKSHIRE (P Shields & C Baird 71, A Graham & B Sloan 81; Shields 69, Sloan 71, Baird 72, Graham retired); ANGUS (K Harper & A Sweeney 73, W Bremner & M Reid 75; Reid 69, Harper 73, Bremner 74, Sweeney 75).
368 STIRLINGSHIRE (A Wallace & F Moore 76, H Nelson & C Cox 77; Cox 70, Moore 71, Wallace 74, Nelson 85).
370 SOUTH (E McLaren & K McClung 73, A Murdoch & C Hill 80; Hill 71, McLaren 73, McClung 73, Murdoch 74).
374 ARGYLL & BUTE (C Robinson & M Fraser 75, I McNab & S Turnbull 80; Fraser 71, Robinson 73, McNab 75, Turnbull 77).
388 CLACKMANNANSHIRE (G Dowie & A Scotland 76, A Borek & J McPherson 82; Borek 73, Scotland 78, Dowie 79, McPherson 82).
392 BORDERS (R Gordon & B Herriot 81, S Fairbairn & B Walker 82; Walker 76, Herriot 76, Gordon 77, Fairbairn 79).

+The Editor of Scottishgolfview is indebted to Hugh Hunter for his day-long service of scores and information from Forres.

WELSHMAN MATTHEWS WINS ST ANDREWS LINKS
TROPHY BY THREE SHOTS FOR AUSSIE ARNOLD

FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72).
Sunday's final two rounds over Old Course, St Andrews
273 L Matthews (Southerndown) 68 67 71 67.
276 S Arnold (Aus) 67 72 69 68.
277 A Kaleka (Fr) 71 69 70 68.
278 J Moul (Stoke-by-Nayland) 67 73 68 70.
280 N Edwards (Whitchurch) 65 73 72 70.
281 D Horsey (Styal) 68 71 71 71.
283 L Saltman (Craigielaw) 73 70 71 69, C Ford (Kirby Muxloe) 72 70 72 69.
284 R McIlroy (Holywood) 73 69 73 69, T Sherreard (Chart Hills) 72 70 70 72, J Hurst (Shaw Hill) 68 70 74 72.
285 M Griffin (Aus) 72 71 73 69, J Byrne (Banchory) 66 74 74 71, K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 69 73 70 73.
286 M Allen (North Hants) 69 71 73 73.
287 W Booth (Comrie (Comrie) 74 70 73 70, G Dear (Murrayshall) 73 70 72 72, S McEwan (Caprington) 70 71 74 72, K McAlpine (Alyth) 74 68 73 72, E Richardson (Rye) 73 70 70 74, B Evans (Rye) 69 70 73 75.
288 J King (Glasgow) 73 71 72 72, P O'Hara (Colville Park) 73 71 72 72, M Baldwin (Royal Birkdale) 72 71 73 72, A Johnston (North Middlesex) 72 72 72 72, J Barnes (Chart Hills) 66 71 76 75.
289 C Wood (Long Ashton) 72 70 75 72, R Blizard (Aus) 75 68 74 74.
290 R Kellett (Colville Park) 66 75 77 72, G Boyd (Cherwell Edge) 69 75 72 74, P Nelson (saF) 69 73 74 74, S Larkin (Banchory) 72 70 72 76.
291 N Chaudhuri (The Leicestershire) 72 72 73 74, J Parry (Harrogate) 69 73 75 74, Z Gould (Vale of Glamorgan) 70 68 79 74.
293 A Dodt (Aus) 71 72 76 74, G Paterson (St Andrews New) 70 72 74 77.
297 C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 70 74 76 77.
299 S Clark (Haggs Castle) 68 76 77 78.

LEFT-HANDER GREEN BEATS FRENCHMAN IN
PLAY-OFF TO WIN AUSTRIAN OPEN
Australian left-hander Richard Green, the long-time leader, in the end had to survive a play-off against a Frenchman, Jean-Francois Remesy, after they had tied on 16-under-par 268 for the regulation 72 holes of the Austrian Open at Vienna.
Remesy made up six shots on Green with a closing round of seven-under-par 64 to the Aussie's 70. Green collected 216,660 Euros to 144,440 Euros for Remesey who had to take a penalty drop at the first play-off hole where he hit his ball among rocks.
Stephen Gallacher from Bathgate finished a highly creditable sixth on 14-under-par 270 after a great final round of 64. He won 45,500 Euros.
Gary Orr came joint 14th on 274 with a 70 and earned 18,720 Euros.
The fourth Scot to beat the cut, Euan Little, closed with a 69 for 276 and joint 21st place. He earned 14,105 Euros.
SCOREBOARD IN BRIEF
Par 284 (4 x 71)
268 R Green (Aus) 66 65 67 70, J-F Remsey (Fra) 71 67 65 64 (Green won play-off at first extra hole)
269 C Gane (Eng) 75 65 65 65, M Jonzon (Swe) 70 69 64 66, M A Jimenez (Spa) 70 69 64 66.
Other scores:
270 S Gallacher (Sco) 69 68 68 65 (6th).
274 G Orr (Sco) 71 67 66 70 (jt 14th).
276 E Little (Sco) 68 73 66 69 (jt 21st).

MEGAN BRIGGS LEADS TEENAGE 1-2-3
IN MUNROSS TROPHY AT MONTROSE

Renfrewshire women’s county champion Megan Briggs, only 17, from Kilmacolm became one of the youngest winners of the Munross Trophy over the Montrose Links medal course today
Megan had scores of 70 and 73 for a total of 143 against a combined CSS of 146 (73 both rounds) to win the SLGA Order of Merit event by two shots from another teenage county champion from the west, Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), the Renfrewshire women’s title-holder.
Pamela, three shots behind Megan after the first round, could make up only one of them with a second-round 72 for 146.
Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), recent semi-finalist in the Scottish women’s championship and winner of the North of Scotland women’s championship over the Montrose course last year, finished third on 146 with scores of 74 and 72. She completed a 1-2-3 by teenagers.
The best net aggregate, outwith the leading prizewinners, was produced by local player Jane Grubb (Montrose Mercantile Ladies) with a total of 143, off a handicap of 10.
Kerri Harper (Inverness) won the best first-round gross score prize, outwith the leading prizewinners, with a 73 and Lesley Hendry (Routenburn) won the best second-round gross award with a 74 (better inward half).

LEADING FINAL TOTALS (CSS 73 73)
143 M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 70 73.
145 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 73 72.
146 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 74 72.
149 J Carthew (Ladybank) 76 73, K Harper (Inverness) 73 76, C MacDonald (Gullane Ladies) 75 74.
153 E Fairnie (Dunbar) 79 74.
156 E Lowery-Gold (Eaton) 77 79, A Hunter (Monifieth) 80 76, L Hendry (Routenburn) 80 76.
158 J Jenkins (Ralston) 81 77.
159 A Bushby (Strathmore) 77 82, D Dewar (Monifieth) 78 81, F Blair (Monifieth) 84 75.
162 L Rolland (Dunfermline) 80 82.
163 R Rankin (Lanark) 82 81, J Grubb (Montrose Mercantile Ladies) 83 80.
164 J Linklater (Largs) 81 83, J Meldrum (Dullatur) 84 80.
167 M Easton (Dalmahoy) 81 86.
170 A Niven (Crieff) 82 88.
172 F Sinclair (Carnoustie Caledonia) 86 86.
178 C Easton (Dalmahoy) 89 89.

SOUTH AFRICAN A BOBBY-DAZZLER TO WIN
FROM LONGMUIR IN JERSEY SENIOR CLASSIC

South African Bobby Lincoln, a 53-year-old from Johannesburg, put together a brilliant last round of 67 to win the Jersey Seniors Classic with a final 54-hole total of 11-under-par 205 at La Moye Golf Club today.
It was Lincoln's first win on the over-50s pro circuit.
Only Anglo-Scot Bill Longmuir could live with the "Bobby-dazzler" and he returned a 69 to finish two shots behind on 207.
After the first and second there was a gap of six shots to five players on 213, including Sam Torrance who matched the par of 72 in his final round.
The shot of the day came from former Senior British Open champion Peter Oakley who recorded the 15th hole-in-one of his career when he hit a six iron into the hole on the 180yd 14th. The American wins 180 bottles of wine for the shot under a special arrangement the Seniors Tour has with Hardys Wines.
“I guess I have been lucky with aces,” said Oakley. “Once I won $5,000 for a hole in one on the Champions Tour in the States but winning all that Hardys wine is kinda’ neat.I guess we’ll all have to have a party.”
LEADING TOTALS
205 B Lincoln (SAf) 71 67 67.
207 B Longmuir (Sco) 66 72 69.
213 G J Brand (Eng) 69 72 72, B Cameron (Eng) 70 71 72, D Good (Aus) 71 72 70, C Mason (Eng) 68 70 75, S Torrance (Sco) 71 70 72.
Other scores:
216 M Gray (Sco) 73 69 74 (jt 13th).
217 R Drummond (Sco) 72 70 75 (jt 17th)
218 J Chillas (Sco) 76 70 72 (jt 23rd).
223 M Miller (Sco) 78 69 76 (jt 47th).
224 B McColl (Sco) 76 71 77 (jt 49th).
228 C Maltman (Sco) 75 73 80 (jt 62nd).

European Challenge Tour victory after 61 by Luiten

GEORGE MURRAY TOP SCOT BUT SOME WAY
BEHIND THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

From MICHAEL GIBBONS
European Challenge Tour Press Officer
Anstruther’s George Murray finished in ninth place at the European Challenge Tour’s Vodafone Challenge in Dusseldorf today.
The 2004 Scottish amateur champion earned 2,762 Euros after carding a final round of three under par 69 to finish on nine under par 279 for the tournament, but he was some way behind flying Dutchman Joost Luiten, who produced the lowest final round by a winner in Challenge Tour history – an 11 under par 61 – to take the title with an 18-under-par total of 270 and with it the top prize of 20,800 Euros.
Sweden's Magnus Carlsson, who had a 62 in his second round, signed off with a 66 for 271 and earned 14,300 Euros.
Murray was the top Scot in the field, with Andrew McArthur finishing with a 69 for joint 29th place on 284 and a cheque for 1,027 Euros; David Patrick a 71 for joint 41st place on 287 and a pay-out of 741 Euros, and Elliot Saltman a 71 for one-over-par 289 and joint 50th place which earned him 520 Euros.
Gareth Wright, the West Linton-based Welshman, finished joint 15th for 1,885 Euros, closing with a 67 for 281.
LEADERBOARD
Par 288 (4 x 72)
270 J Luiten (Net) 70 68 71 61.
272 M Carlsson (Swe) 69 62 75 66.
274 A Gee (Eng) 69 69 69 67.
Other scores:
279 G Murray (Sco) 71 71 69 69 (jt ninth).
281 G Wright (Wal) 69 71 74 67 (jt 15th).
284 A McArthur (Sco) 73 72 70 69 (jt 29th).
287 D Patrick (Sco) 71 73 72 71 (jt 41st).
289 E Saltman (Sco) 70 74 74 71 (jt 50th).

MONTY AND CADDIE McLEAN SPLIT FOR SECOND TIME

Colin Montgomerie has parted company with his with caddie Alastair McLean just days before the US Open at Oakmont.
Montgomerie - who missed the halfway cut in the Austrian Open by five shots - and McLean worked together for 10 years until their first split in May 2002.
They got together again in August 2004 just before the Scot was given a wild card for the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.
Despite Monty's reputation as a hard taskmaster, there will be plenty willing to work for Montgomerie, although it is thought he may hire a local caddie at Oakmont.
Montgomerie's manager, Guy Kinnings, said: "They have agreed to take a break, they needed to refresh things. Monty will probably hire a local this week who knows the course."

SOUTH CLINCH SLGA INTER-DIVISIONAL
GIRLS' TITLE, WEST FINISH SECOND

South beat defending champions North 5-1 to clinch the SLGA inter-divisional girls' team championship at Ballumbie Castle, Dundee today.
In the other match, West beat East 4-2 and thus finished runners-up in the table.
South, with two wins and a draw (against East), totalled 5pt, one more than West.
Linzi Allen, a member of the West team, had her first hole in one at the 151yd eighth hole with a rescue iron in today's match against East.

SUNDAY DETAILS

NORTH 1, SOUTH 5
North names first
S Leslie & M Aird halved with Isla Craigie & L Atkins.
H Peebles & A Taylor lost to N Blackie & A Bain 4 and 3.
K Moss & A Smith lost to A Macdonald & A Mitchell 2 and 1.

WEST 4, EAST 2
N Ferguson & L McNulty lost to G Simpson & R Watton 4 and 3.
L Allen & H Gaunt bt J Shields, H Dalrymple 4 and 3.
L Meldrum & Z Differ bt C Tait & N Taylor 3 and 2.
HOW THEY FINISHED
1 South 5pt (+12).
2 West 4pt (+10).
3 East 4pt (+9).
4 North 0 pt (+5).

SCHOOLS OUT FOR BOY AND GIRL GOLFERS
AT GULLANE ON MONDAY

The Scottish Schools Golf Association championships for boys and girls are being held over the Gullane Nos 2 and 3 courses on Monday.
Apart from individual awards to be won for the best 36-hole aggregates, there are places to be won in the Scotland team of 12 boys and six girls for the schools golf international against England at a venue still to be confirmed in September.
Sam McLaren (Perth & Kinross), winner of the Scottish Under-16 boys' stroke-play title at Deeside last year, and South Lanarkshire's Sam Bookless and Paul Shields will be among the favourites for the schoolboys' title.
Kelsey MacDonald (Highland), Pamela Pretswell (South Lanarkshire), Jane Turner (Edinburgh) and Rebecca Wilson (Angus) are likely to be leading contenders for the girls' championship.
There are 78 boys and 63 girls in the field at Gullane.

LOTHIANS GO FOUR CLEAR IN THE FOURSOMES
OF THE SGU BOYS’ AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Lothians established a four-stroke lead from Glasgow and North after the morning foursomes rounds in the Scottish Golf Union boys’ area team championship at Forres Golf Club.
Scottish boys’ match-play champion Paul Ferrier (Baberton) and Myles Cunningham, winner of the Lothians’ boys’ title on Friday night, teamed up to return an excellent five-under-par 65. Team-mates Neil Henderson and Oliver Huish, son of the North Berwick professional, had a 72, which gave Lothians a morning total of 136 with the singles to be played in the afternoon.

FOURSOMES
136 LOTHIANS (P Ferrier & M Cunningham 65, N Henderson & O Huish 71).
140 GLASGOW (M Bookless & J Hendrick 68, T Martin & G McDougall 72), NORTH (f Fotheringham & K Godsman 69, C Gaittens & R Elder 71).
141 AYRSHIRE (C Gray & E Brown 67, M Stewart & D Currie 74.
143 NORTH-EAST ( T Spencer & S Fraser 68, A Dunton & D Law 75).
144 DUNBARTONSHIRE (A Campbell & S Barras 71, F McKenna & D Parlane 73).
147 RENFREWSHIRE (M Daily & C Thompson 73, J Caldwell & D Grant 74).
148 ANGUS (K Harper & A Sweeney 73, W Bremner & M Reid 75).
149 PERTH & KINROSS (S McLaren & P McPhee 74, M Bell & R Forgie 75).
150 FIFE (M Main & B Jamieson 75, J Anderson & N Beattie 75).
152 LANARKSHIRE (P Shields & C Baird 71, A Graham & B Sloan 81)l.
153 SOUTH (E McLaren & K McClung 73, A Murdoch & C Hill 80), STIRLINGSHIRE (A Wallace & F Moore 76, H Nelson & C Cox 77).
155 ARGYLL & BUTE (C Robinson & M Fraser 75, I McNab & S Turnbull 80).
158 CLACKMANNANSHIRE (G Dowie & A Scotland 76, A Borek & J McPherson 82).
163 BORDERS (R Gordon & B Herriot 81, S Fairbairn & B Walker 82).

ROYAL DORNOCH'S JIMMY GUNN WINS SUTHERLAND
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THIRD YEAR


By ROBIN WILSON

It has been quite some week for Royal Dornoch's top player, Jimmy Gunn. Last Tuesday, two days after new Scottish open stroke-play champion Kevin McAlpine (Alyth) set a new course record of 64 for the Dornoch course, 26-year-old Gunn, the reigning club champion for the past three years, matched this score in the opening round of his defence of the club title.
Another 64 and course record-equalling score came from the +3 handicapper at Golspie on Saturday enabling Gunn to forge ahead and win the Sutherland county championship cup for a third year.
Gunn addded a three-under-par 66 to his first round for 130, a record low winning total for the 85-year-old Sutherland county competition. Winning the runner-up bronze medal was the Brora club champion, Roddy Cameron six shots behind with 67 and 69.
Gunn's clubmate Neil Munro aced the 135yd 10th hole with a pitching wedge during the second round.
At Wick the Caithness title, after a gap of eight years, was won for a third time by Reay's Don Mackay. The three main contenders for the title were in the same group, holder Doug Thorburn (Thurso) and past champion Ron Taylor from the home club.
After his first-round lead with a 68, Mackay won with a second round 70 from Taylor (71-72) and Thorburn (70-75).
The Nairn county championship might better have been called the Nairn Dunbar county championship for it was only players from the host club who took part and none from the only other club in the county on the other side of the town.
Home course expert Neil Pears, who won the North District championship at Nairn Dunbar in 2001 and whose two previous county wins arrived on home turf, won for a third time with a level par total of 144 after individual rounds of 71 and 73 with club mate Malcolm Isaacs collecting the bronze medal, a shot behind.
Another former North District champion, Michael MacDonald, the hosting club's secretary, won the Ross-shire championship for a first time at Fortrose & Rosemarkie. For his first win with rounds of 68 and 67 MacDonald had to hold of a strong second-round challenge from junior member Chris Gaittens who came in with a second round 66 for the bronze medal.
Results:
GOLSPIE (CSS 68 68) - Scratch - 130 J M Gunn (Royal Dornoch) 64 66. 136 R S Cameron (Brora) 67 69. 138 M Murray (Brora) 70 68. 141 I Rennie (Royal Dornoch) 73 68. 143 A MacDonald (Royal Dornoch) 74 69, A MacDougall (Golspie) 72 71. 144 D W R Chalmers (Royal Dornoch 70 74. Handicap - D Greenberg (Royal Dornoch) (8) 129; A J Wilson (Brora) (8) 132; A. MacDougall (Golspie) (5), R. Sutherland (Brora) (10) 134.
WICK - Scratch - 138 D Mackay (Reay) 68 70. 143 R Taylor (Wick) 71 72. 145 D Thorburn (Thurso) 70 75. Handicap - J Taylor (Wick) (12) 137.
( CSS 74 and 74)- 144 N. Pears (Nairn Dunbar) 71 73. 145 M Isaacs (ND) 73, 72.148 L McDonald (ND) 76 72.151 G. Nicoll (ND) 78 73.152 N. Howitt (ND) 76 76, P Gardner (ND) 75 77. Handicap Lee McDonald (ND) (5) 138.P Gardner (ND) (4) 144. I Henderson (ND) (16) 145.

Fortrose & Rosemarkie. Scratch - 135 M. MacDonald (F&R) 68,67. C. Gaittens (F&R) 70,66.

BRIAN WHO? IN FIFTH PLACE AT STANFORD
ST JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP

Brian Davis, one of the lesser knowN "Brits" on the US PGA Tour, is in fifth place with one round to go in the Stanford St Jude championship.
Brian bounced back from a bogey at the 13th and a double bogey at the 14th bor birdie the 15th, 16th and 18th for a repeat of his second-round 68 and a 54-hole tally of four-under-par 206 over the par-70 track.
Australian Adam Scott continues to make the running with scores of 67, 66 and 68 for nine-under-par 201. He leads by three shots from Americans David Toms and Brian Gay.
LEADERBOARD
par 210 (3 x 70)
201 A Scott (Aus) 67 66 68.
204 D Toms (US) 70 68 66, B Gay 68 66 70.
205 W Austin (US) 72 66 67.
206 B Davis (Eng) 70 68 68.
Other scores:
215 J M Olazabal (Spa) 73 66 76 (jt 56th).
216 S Garcia (Spa) 74 70 72 (jt 65th).
219 J Daly (US) 70 74 75 (74th)

CATRIONA AND MHAIRI SHARING 19th PLACE
IN US LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP IN MARYLAND

Catriona Matthew and Mhairi McKay continued match each other's efforts - 71, 69 and 74 - and the Scots are joint 19th on two-under-par 214 going into the fourth and final round of the McDonald's LPGA championship at Havre de Grace, Maryland.
They are eight shots behind 18-year-old Na On Min, one of the ever-increasing number of South Koreans on the LPGA Tour. Laura Davies is also on 214.
Na On Min, mkaing her debut in a major championship and only her sixth competition as a professional, had a 65 for 10-under-par 206 top lead by one shot from overnight leader, Suzann Pettersen from Norway. Suzann had a 71 for 207.
Australian Karrie Webb, the 2001 champion and a seven-times major winner, was a further shot behind at eight under in a tie for third with Brazilian rookie Angela Park (68).
LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3 x 72)
206 Na On Min (SKor) 71 70 65.
207 S Pettersen (Nor) 69 67 71.
208 A Park (Braz) 66 73 69, K Webb (Aus) 68 69 71.
209 M Pressel (US) 68 71 70.
Other scores:
212 A Sorenstam (Swe) 70 69 73, P Creamer (US) 71 68 73 (jt 13th).
214 L Davies (Eng) 68 75 71, C Matthew (Sco) 71 69 74, M McKay (Sco) 71 69 74 (jt 19th).
220 B Morgan (Wal) 73 72 75 (jt 51st).
222 J Head (Eng) 75 72 75 (jt 68th).
223 K Davies (Wal) 73 74 76 (jt 75th).

VIKKI JOINT SIXTH WITH ONE ROUND TO GO IN STATES

US-based Vikki Laing from Musselburgh was joint sixth going into the third and final round of the United States Steel Classic at Lost Marsh Golf Club near Lake Michigan.
The Scot, who has found her most consistent form for some time on the US Futures Tour this season, has had rounds of 75 and 73 for a four-over-par tally of 148 over a 6,210yd, par-72 course with hard and fast (Stimp meter reading: 11.6) greens and a wind off the lake that seldom goes away.
Londoner Polly Willett is in joint 54th place of the 76 qualifiers on 157 or better. Polly has had a pair of 78s.
Leading the field by two strokes is Canadian Kim Brozer from Alberta with two 71s for two-under-par 142.

LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72). 6,210yd.
142 K Brozer (Can) 71 71.
144 B Jackson (US) 72 72.
146 A Burke (US) 75 71, E Bastel (US) 73 73, Yoora Kim (SKor) 72 74.
Other scores:
148 V Laing (Sco) 75 73 (jt 6th).
156 P Willett (Eng) 78 78 (jt 54th).

MONIFIETH’S AILEEN BEATS BIG FIELD TO
WIN NORTHERN OPEN AT CARNOUSTIE

Monifieth’s Aileen Hunter beat a field of more than 140 to win the Northern Open women’s golf tournament over 18 holes of the Carnoustie championship links on Saturday.
Aileen claimed the Carnoustie Rosebowl with a round of 76 which was one over par but three under the CSS, enough to cut her handicap by 0.7. She won by three strokes from former international Claire Hargan (Mortonhall) and Wendy Nicholson (Broomieknowe. Claire pipped Wendy with the better last three holes in a card countback.
Angus county champion Lynne Fotheringham (Grange) won the Gourlay Rosebowl for the best net score on the day – a 74 off four of a handicap.
Details:
Carnoustie championship course. Par 75. CSS 79.
Carnoustie Rosebowl (best overall scratch) – A Hunter (Monfieth) 76.
Gourlay Rosebowl (best overall handicap) – L Fotheringham (Grange) (4) 74.
Scratch – C Hargan (Mortonhall) (better last 3), W Nicholson (Broomieknowe) 79; L Terry Cruden Bay) (better inward half), C MacDonald (Gullane) 82.
Handicap
Class 1 (0-11) – F Joss (Carnoustie Ladies) (6) 77; L Tait (St Regulus) (11) (bih), A Chree (Panmure Barry) (7) (bih), F Gilbert (Carnoustie Ladies) (4) 78.
Class 2 (12-17) – J Thomson (St Regulus) (125) 79; J Trangmar (St Regulus) (14) (bih), F McEwan (St Regulus) (13) 80; D Skelton(Braehead) (16) 81.
Class 3 (18-28) – E Guthrie (Stirling) (25) 79; C Moore (St Regulus) (20) 82; D Reid (Tillicoultry) (23) (84; Y Holland (Carnoustie Ladies) (23) 85.

QUEEN AND IMRIE MAKE CUT BUT LYNN
UNDONE BY 4 SHOTS SHED IN 3 HOLES

Vive La France! Five French players are in the top nine as the weather-delayed KLM Ladies Open moves into Sunday's third and final round at Eindhoven Golf Club.
Gwladys Nocera (France) is two shots clear on 10-under-par 134 with scores of 64 and 70.
She is two shots clear of Georgina Simpson from Huddersfield. Georgina has scored 69 and 67.
Clare Queen made the cut (146 and better) with ease, scoring 71 and 70 (four birdies, two bogeys) for joint 11th place on 141.
Kathryn Imrie made it by one with 75 and 70 for 145. Kathryn had five birdies on her card.
Lynn Kenny, sadly, was undone by the 13th, 14th and 15th holes, which cost her a combined four shots (double-bogey 7, bogey, bogey). Had she parred these holes she would have qualified on 145.
As it was Lynn had scores of 72 and 77 for five-over-par 149.
Liz McKinnon, from Inverness via Auckland New Zealand, had little chance of qualifying after a first-day 80 but she improved by five for a 75 and 155.
LEADING SCORES
Par 144 (2 x 72)
134 G Nocera (Fra) 64 70.
136 G Simpson (Eng) 69 67.
137 I Tinning (Den) 70 67, N David-Mila (Fra) 70 67.
138 C Kirkland (Fra) 69 69, S Kemp (Aus) 72 66.
139 L Kreutz (Fra) 67 72, L Maritz (SAf) 71 68, V Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 70 69.
Other qualifiers:
141 C Queen (Carrick at Cameron House) 71 70 (jt 11th).
145 K Imrie (Monifieth) 75 70 (jt 49th).
Non-qualifiers:
148 L Kenny (Archerfield Links) 72 77.
155 L McKinnon (NZ) 80 75.

THREE WELSHMEN IN TOP FIVE AT
HALFWAY STAGE OF LINKS TROPHY

Dragon's Teeth! Three Welshmen in the top five at the halfway stage of the St Andrews Links Trophy.
Llewellyn Matthews from Southerndown took over the pole position from another Welshman, Nigel Edwards with a fine round of five-under-par 67 over the Old Course. Coupled with a 68 over the Jubilee Course on Firday, that put Llewellyn two shots clear of the field on nine-under-par 135 with two rounds to play on Sunday.
Jason Barnes (Chart Hills) is lying in second place with a 66 over the Jubilee and a 71 over the Old Course for 177.
Then comes Nigel Edwards (73), yet another Welshman, youngster Zack Gould (Vale of Glamorgan), 68, and Englishman Jonathan Hurst (Shaw Hill), 70, all sharing third place on 138.
Kevin McAlpine (Alyth), winner of the Bidwells Scottish open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Dornoch last week, reduced the Old Course outward half to 29 shots - something he did before in the Amateur championship of 2004. But the inward half cost him 39 shots. Still, a 68 over the Old Course is not to be sniffed at and Kevin, on 142, has a platform for a Sunday surge as he did at Dornoch.
Banchory teenager James Byrne was one of the later startes. He dropped back a wee bit with a 74 for 140 but still has a chance of at least finishing second as he did in the Scottish stroke-play.
The cut fell at level par 144, which meant some highly-rated players will not be playing on Sunday - Scott Henry (Cardross) (145), Bryan Fotheringham (Forres) (148), Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) (149), Seve Benson (Wentworth) (149), Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie) (150) and last year's Scottish youths champion from Spain, Francisco Pintor (150).

ALL THE SATURDAY SCORES

Par 144 (72 Jubilee, 72 Old Course).

135 L Matthews (Southerndown) 68 67.
137 J Barnes (Chart Hills) 66 71.
138 J Hurst (Shaw Hill) 68 70, N Edwards (Whitchurch) 65 73, Z Gould (Vale of Glamorgan) 70 68.
139 B Evans (Rye) 69 70, S Arnold (Aus) 67 72, D Horsey (Styal) 68 71.
140 J Moul (Stoke by Nayland) 67 73, A Kaleka (Fra) 71 69, M Allen (North Hantgs) 69 71, J Byrne (Banchory) 66 74.
141 R Kellett (Colville Park) 66 75, S McEwan (Caprington) 70 71.
142 S Larkin (Banchory) 72 70, T Sherreard (Chart Hills) 72 70, K McAlpine (Alyth) 74 68, G Paterson (St Andrews New) 70 72, J Parry (Harrogate) 69 73, C Wood (Long Ashton) 72 70, R McIlroy (Holywood) 73 69, K McNicoll (Carnoustei) 69 73, P Nelson (SAf) 69 73, C Ford (Kirby Muxloe) 72 70.
143 M Baldwin (Royal Birkdale) 72 71, L Saltman (Craigielaw) 73 70, G Dear (Murrayshall) 73 70, E Richardson (Rye) 73 70, R Blizard (Aus) 75 68, A Dodt (Aus) 71 72, M Griffin (Aus) 72 71.
144 O Sharpe (Minchinhampton) 72 72, S Ward (Co Louth) 72 72, W Booth (Comrie) 74 70, A Johnston (North Middlesex) 72 72, G Boyd (Cherwell Edge) 69 75, S Clark (US) 68 76, P O'Hara (Colville Park) 73 71, N Chaudhuri (Leicestershire) 72 72, C Macaulay (Tullkiallan) 70 74, J King (Glasgow) 73 71.
MISSED THE CUT
145 L Collins (Mendip Spring) 72 73, R Thomas (Aberdare) 71 74, S Henry (Cardross) 68 77, J Taverner (Enfield) 72 73, L Campbell (Rochester & Cobham Park) 73 72, M Kerr (Craigielaw) 74 71, S Mann (Carnoustie) 71 74, J Arnold (Aus) 70 75, P Waring (Bromborough) 72 73, M Veijalainen (Fin) 71 74, D Marmion (Delamere Forest) 72 73.
146 C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 73 73, J Howarth (Stockport) 73 73, R Kulacz (Aus) 72 74, B Parker (Gut Waldhof) 71 75, G O'Neill (Royal Jersey) 71 75, B Soutar (Leven GS) 71 75, M Thistleton (Hayling) 71 75, I Kenwright (Haydock Park) 68 78.
147 N Henrigues (Por) 73 74, R Neil-Jones (Rochester & Cobham Park) 70 77, J Freeman (Worksop) 70 77, V Dubuisson (Fra) 69 78, P McLean (Peterhead) 74 73, Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 76 71, R Gibson (US) 69 78, M Lamb (Haddington) 75 72, G Benson (Leighton Buzzard) 71 76, S Hutsby (Liphook) 73 74, C Orr (Lanark) 74 73, M Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) 73 74.
148 C Harkins (Belleisle) 74 74, C Schwierz (Ger) 75 73, T Ropiha (NZ) 72 76, B Fotheringham (Forres) 74 74, J Younger (Aus) 74 73, A Runcie (Abergele) 75 73, B Taylor (Hexham) 72 76, J-C Neil (SAf) 75 73, M Clark (Kilmacolm) 72 76, R Enoch (Truro) 72 76, J Koelbing (Ger) 72 76, B Sigl (Ger) 74 74, D Corsby (Fleetwood) 74 74.
149 L Kirton (Newmachar) 73 76, G Blainey (Bearwood Lakes) 72 77, D Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey) 72 77, J Abbott (Fynn Valley) 71 78, S Benson (Wentworth) 72 77, X Feyaerts (Bel) 72 77, S Borrowman (Dollar) 73 76.
150 F Pintor (Spa) 74 76, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 75 75, A Rosado (Por) 74 76, M Gayes (Westwood) 75 75, J Gidney (Chruch Stretton) 69 81, L Calitz (SAf) 76 74, R McKnight (Barassie) 72 78, M Greil (US) 74 76, G Watremez (Bel) 76 74.
151 E McIntosh (Newmachar) 74 77, G Taylor (Meldrum House) 77 74, C Geraghty (St Annes Old Links) 72 79, M Larusson (Ice) 79 72, T Stewart (Aus) 77 74.
152 S McAllister (Craigielaw) 78 74, C Durnian (SAf) 79 73, B St John (US) 74 78, J Smith (Sundridge Park) 72 80, C Colraine (Windyhill) 77 75, H Joannes (Bel) 75 77, J Pernaa (Fin) 73 79, M Hillson (Craigielaw) 77 75, R Coull (Edzell) 75 77.
153 L Miller (Cawder) 78 75, B McGrory (Aus) 75 78, L de Jager (SAf) 73 80, S Lewton (Woburn) 76 77, M Greig (Bon Accord) 75 78, J-C Berlin (Fra) 77 76, T Dogil (Ger) 80 73, J Carlota (Por) 76 77.
154 J Palmer (Kirby Muxloe) 73 81, P Figueiredo (Por) 78 76, S Johnsson (Ice) 77 77, B Jones (Cuddington) 76 78, W Shucksmith (Alwoodley) 78 76, J Field jun (US) 74 80.
155 A Lynch (Glenbervie) 79 76, J Woods (St Andrews) 80 75, J Repokis US) 77 78.
156 G Mitchell (Braemar) 77 79 T Coombes (US) 79 77, S Graham (Blairgowrie) 83 73.
157 H Hjartarson (Ice) 81 76, P McGhee (US) 80 77.
158 B Edmond(Bon Accord) 79 79.
159 C Doherty (Bury) 79 80, S Runcie (Abergele) 79 80, C Rice (Southport & Ainsdale) 79 80.
162 J Vickery (Newport) 80 82.
164 A Ait Lafkihy (Ivory Coast) 84 80.
157 P McGhee (US) 80 77.
159 C Doherty (Bury) 79 80.

SLGA GIRLS’ DIVISIONAL TITLE LIES BETWEEN
EAST AND SOUTH AS NORTH LOSE TWICE

Title-holders North were beaten first by West and then by East on the first day of the SLGA inter-divisional girls’ team championship at Ballumbie Castle, Dundee today (Saturday).
The new champions will be either West or South. They both had one win and also drew 3-3 with each other.
It looks as if the title will be decided on a countback of games won if East finish the programme with a win over West and South do likewise against North on Sunday morning.

Details:

Morning

NORTH 2, WEST 4
North names first
Ashley Smith & Kirsty Moss bt Lauren Meldrum & Zoe Differ 2 and 1.
Aimee Taylor & Megan Aird lost to Nichola Ferguson & Lucy McNulty 2 holes.
Samantha Leslie & Heather Peebles lost to Hannah Gaunt & Linzi Allan 1 hole.

SOUTH 3, EAST 3
South names first
Isla Craigie & Lesley Atkins halved with Gillian Simpson & Rachel Watton.
Ailsa Bain & Nicole Blackie lost to Judy Shields & Hannah Dalrymple 2 holes.
Ailsa Mitchell & Ashley Macdonald bt Camilla Tait & Nicole Taylor 7 and 5.

Afternoon

EAST 4, NORTH 2
Simpson & Watton bt Smith & Moss 8 and 7.
Shields & Dalryumple bt Leslie & Aird 3 and 1.
Tait & Taylor lost to Peelbes & Taylor 5 and 3.

WEST 2, SOUTH 4
Meldrum & Differ lost to Craigie & Atkins 7 and 6.
Ferguson & McNulty bt Blackie & Bain 6 and 4.
Gaunt & Allan lost to Macdonald & Mitchell 2 and 1.

HOW THEY STAND
East 1 1/2pt, South 1 1/2pt, West 1pt, North 0.

FINAL SUNDAY MATCHES
West v East
North v South

LONGMUIR IN TRIPLE TIE FOR JERSEY
SENIORS' LEAD AT SIX-UNDER-PAR

Anglo-Scot Bill Longmuir, South African Bobby Lincoln and England's Carl Mason go into Sunday's final round of the Jersey Seniors Classic at La Moye Golf Club in a triple tie for the lead on six-under-par 138.
Longmuir, clear of the field after an opening 66, slipped back to a 72 today (Sat) and was overhauled by Lincoln's second-round 67 and Mason's 70.
Sam Torrance is not out of it yet. He is sharing fourth place, three shots behind on 141 after a 71.
Ross Drummond and Martin Gray give Scotland more representation in the top 10. They are both on 142, Drummond shooting a 70 and Gray a 69 in the second round.

LEADING TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
138 B Lincoln (SAf) 71 67, B Longmuir (Sco) 66 72, C Mason (Eng) 68 70.
141 T Allen (Eng) 69 72, G J Brand (Eng) 69 72, B Cameron (Eng) 70 71, T Gale (Aus) 72 69, M Poxon (Eng) 70 71, S Torrance (Sco) 71 70.
Other scores:
142 R Drummond (Sco) 72 70, M Gray (Sco) 73 69 (jt 10th).
146 J Chillas (Sco) 76 70 (jt 33rd).
147 M Miller (Sco) 78 69 (jt 37th).
148 C Maltman (Sco) 75 73 (jt 46th).

WOLSTENHOLME OUTCLASSES

EUROPEAN MID-AM FIELD TO

RETAIN TITLE BY NINE SHOTS

Walker Cup veteran Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs), 47 later this summer, retained the European men's mid-amateur golf championship by the runaway margin of nine strokes at the Domaine Imperial Golf Club on the shores of Lake Geneva today (Saturday).
Wolstenholme, pictured right, had to win a play-off last year to take the European over-35s title but 12 months later he outclassed the international field with rounds of u2 69 and 72 for a total of 213.
Runners-up on 222 were Ulrich Schulte (Germany) with 756, 70 and 77 for 222 and Finland's Mika Wikstrom with scores of 75, 76 and 71.
Scotland's Jim Deas finished joint 81st with 86, 76 and 81 for 243.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
213 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 72 69 72.
222 U Schulte (Ger) 75 70 77, M Wikstrom (Fin) 75 76 71.
223 T Krieger (Ger) 74 76 73.
224 M Wharton (Eng) 76 74 74, P Griffiths (Eng) 74 73 77, F Pfoestil (Ita) 76 75 73.
225 M Scopetta (Swi) 79 73 73, R Heath (Aus) 80 70 75.
226 K Bornemann (Ire) 76 72 78, M Mazur (Ger) 76 67 83.
227 S Giuliano (Ita) 74 78 75.
Other score:
243 J Deas (Sco) 86 76 81 (jt 81st).

SCOTS TAKE CLOSER ORDER IN

THIRD ROUND OF AUSTRIAN

OPEN AS LEFT-HANDER LEADS

Australian left-hander Richard Green extended his halfway lead to three strokes with a third-round 67 in the Austrian Open at Fontana Golf Club, Vienna today.
Next best is Englishman Richard McEvoy with a 64 for 201.
The three Scots who survive the halfway cut all scored under par today.
Gary Orr had a 66 for 204 to move up to a share of eighth place.
Stephen Gallacher (pictured right) had a 68 for 205 and joint 14th place.
Euan Little had a 66 for 207 and is sharing 21st place.
LEADERBOARD
Par 213 (3 x 71) 7,0714yd.

Players from GB&I unless stated.

198 Richard Green (Aus) 66 65 67.
201 Richard McEvoy 66 71 64.
202 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 68 65 69, Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 67 66 69.
203 Johan Skold (Swe) 70 69 64, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 70 69 64, David Park 69 66 68.
204 Chris Gane 75 65 64, Shaun P Webster 65 71 68, Gary Orr 71 67 66, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 67 68 69, Jean-Francois Remesy (Fra) 72 67 65, Graeme Storm 63 72 69.
205 Garry Houston 72 63 70, Patrik Sjoland (Swe) 65 73 67, Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 64 68 73, Stephen Gallacher 69 68 68, Tom Whitehouse 65 71 69.
206 Gary Lockerbie 66 72 68, Pelle Edberg (Swe) 67 66 73.
207 Euan Little 68 73 66, David Frost (SAf) 68 71 68, Sam Little 73 67 67,208 Francois Calmels (Fra) 66 73 69, Bernd Wiesberger (Aut) 68 71 69, David Higgins 70 71 67, Gregory Havret (Fra) 71 65 72.
209 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 70 70 69, Graeme McDowell 71 69 69, Sion Bebb 70 68 71, Simon Nash (Aus) 73 68 68, Matthew Zions (Aus) 68 73 68, Birgir Hafthorsson (Ice) 70 71 68, Carlos Rodiles (Spa) 68 70 71, Richard Finch 66 70 73, Taichi Teshima (Jpn) 69 70 70, Santiago Luna (Spa) 68 71 70, Edward Rush 67 74 68.
210 Raphael Eyraud (Fra) 69 71 70, Soren Hansen (Den) 70 70 70, David Bransdon (Aus) 69 68 73, Oliver Fisher 68 72 70, Paul Broadhurst 75 67 68.

211 Richard Bland 70 71 70, Jesus Maria Arruti (Spa) 70 69 72, Carl Suneson (Spa) 69 72 70, Steve Alker (NZ) 69 73 69, Matjaz Gojcic (Slo) 68 70 73, Jean Hugo (SAf) 72 70 69, Kyron Sullivan 68 72 71, Hernan Rey (Arg) 69 73 69, Ian Garbutt 71 67 73.
212 Sebastian Fernandez (Arg) 74 68 70, Alessandro Tadini (Ita) 67 72 73, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 68 70 74, Terry Pilkadaris (Aus) 71 70 71, Peter Fowler (Aus) 70 72 70.
213 Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) 68 73 72, Miles Tunnicliff 69 68 76, Lee Westwood 66 72 75.
214 Iain Pyman 71 70 73, Roope Kakko (Fin) 74 68 72.
215 Danny Denison 66 76 73, Andrew Butterfield 72 70 73, Jose Manuel Carriles (Spa) 70 71 74.
216 Rafael Gomez (Arg) 70 71 75.
217 Marc Cayeux (Zim) 70 71 76.
221 Wade Ormsby (Aus) 73 69 79.

GILLIES WINS £808 AT DALMUIR PRO-AM

Kingsfield tour pro Colin Gillies won the £808 top prize in the West Dunbartonshire Council pro-am at Dalmuir municipal golf course today with a three-under-par round of 64.
Gillies started his round birdie-eagle-double bogey and went on to pick up further birdies at the fifth, seventh and 10th. in halvesof 31 and 33. He bogeyed the 13th and 18th.
Gillies won by two shots from Murray Urquhart who flew back to Scotland from Dusseldorf late on Friday night, having failed to make the cut in a European Challenge Tour event.
Urquhart found the form that eluded him in Dusseldorf with a one-under-par 67 which earned him £646 for the runner-up prize and a further £97 for the team event. So the Inverness man's journey was worthwhile.
Greig Hutcheon (Peterculter) led the Clydebank Senior Citizens' trio of Chic Brogan (handicap 18), Barney Bell (18) and Willie Burns (12) to victory in the team event with a net total of 14-under-par 53.
LEADING PRO SCORES
Par 67
64 C Gillies (Kingsfield).
66 M Urquhart (Inverness).
67 S Savage (Dalmuir), D McCormack (East Aberdeenshire), G Hutcheon (Peterculter).
68 E Davie (Dunblane New).
69 A Mackrell (Gary Mitchell Golf), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs).
70 J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), C Everett (Caldwell).

MURRAY LEADING SCOT IN DUSSELDORF

Former Scottish amateur champion George Murray from Anstruther will start the fourth and final round of the Vodafone Challenge in Dusseldorf in joint 15th place.
The rookie pro has had rounds of 71, 71 and 68 for a six-under-par tally of 210. In his third round, George had birdies at the first, sixth, eighth, ninth,15th and 18th with only two bogeys, at the third and 10th, in halves of 33 (three under par) and 35 (one under).
West Linton-based Welshman Gareth Wright is on 214 after a third-round 74.
Andrew McArthur from Windyhill, the second past Scottish amateur champion in the field for this European Challenge Tour event, is in joint 42nd place on 215 after a 70 which was highlighted by an eagle 3 at the 556yd 11th.
David Patrick from Mortonhall had a 72 for 216 while rookie Elliot Saltman from Dalkeigh had a 74 for 218.
Sweden's Magnus Carlsson and Juna Abbate from Argentina lead the field at 10-under-par 206.
LEADING THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
206 M Carlsson (Swe) 69 62 75, J Abbate (Arg) 70 67 69.
207 A Gee (Eng) 69 69 69.
208 J Kamte (SAf) 71 71 66, J Mellor (Eng) 69 72 67, H Santos (Por) 71 70 67.
Other scores:
210 G Murray (Sco) 71 71 68 (jt 15h).
214 G Wright (Wal) 69 71 74 (jt 35th).
215 A McArthur (Sco) 73 72 70 (jt 42nd).
216 D Patrick (Sco) 71 73 72 (jt 48th).
218 E Saltman (Sco) 70 74 74 (jt 62nd).

US OPEN CHAMPION OGILVY MISSES CUT BEFORE
HEADING OFF FOR OAKMONT TITLE DEFENCE

Colin Montgomery is in good company missing the cut in his last tournament before next week's US Open.
Australian Geoff Ogilvy, the defending champion at Oakmont, missed the cut by four shots in the Stanford St Jude championship at TPC Southwind on Friday.
Padraig Harrington also missed out, but only by one shot.
Aberdeen-born Australian Michael Sim is having a tough introduction to the US PGA Tour after graduating from the Nationwide Tour last season.
Michael was diagnosed as having a stress fracture in the lower spine towards the end of last year. He didn't play golf for four months after that during which time he had to embark on an exercise programme designed to build up the strength in his lower back muscles.
He played well in the Zurich Classic, his first event on the US PGA Tour a month or two ago but is still obviously feeling his way.
Michael missed the cut in the "St Jude" by a big margin with rounds of 80 and 76 for 156. He had a clutch of double bogeys in the first round.
The second round was not completed until Saturday morning after darkness halted play on Friday evenin.
SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 140 (2 x 70
133 Adam Scott 67 66
134 Brian Gay 68 66.
136 Andrew Buckle 70 66.
137 Fredrik Jacobson 67 70
138 Brian Davis 70 68, Duffy Waldorf 69 69, David Toms 70 68
Woody Austin 72 66, Scott Verplank 69 69, Brandt Snedeker 70 68.
Other scores:
141 Vijay Singh 72 69.
142 Retief Goosen 68 74.
144 John Daly 70 74, Sergio Garcia 74 70.
MISSED THE CUT
146 Pablo Martin 75 71, Padraig Harrington 74 72.
149 Bernhard Langer 77 72, Geoff Ogilvy 78 71.
156 Michael Sim (Aus) 80 76.

VIKKI JOINT 18th AFTER FIRST ROUND
OF US FUTURES TOUR EVENT

Vikki Laing was in joint 18th position after the first round of the United States Steel Classic - this week's US Futures Tour event - at Lost Marsh Golf Club, near Lake Michigan and a 30min drive from Chicago.
Vikki had halves of 38 and 37 for a three-over-par 75 in a day marked by a 30mph wind off Lake Michigan in the morning.
The wind veered in the afternoon and then dropped to a breeze so the later starters had the best of it.
Polly Willett from London had 38 and 40 for a 78 which put her in joint 53rd place.
South Wales amateur Natasha Morgan, a student at Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida, had an 85 (41-44) for a share of 122nd place.
Another couple of shots and Natasha would have been eliminated under the Futures Tour rule which imposes a first-round "cut" on anyone who shoots 87 or higher.
Brenda McLarnon from Belfast was eliminated in this fashion after returning an 88 (47-41).
Two Canadians lead the field - Angela Buzminski from Ontario and Kim Brozer from Alberta - on one-under-par 71 over the 6,210yd course.
LEADERBOARD
71 Angela Buzminski (Ontario) 36-35, Kim Brozer (Alberta) 37-34.
72 Song Y Choi (Seoul), 38-34, Yoora Kim (Seoul) 35-37, Allison Fouch (Michigan) 35-37, Brandi Jackson (South Carolina) 40-32, Shayna Miyajima (Hawaii) 34-38, Courtney Erdman (California) 39-33.
Other scores:
75 Vikki Laing (Musselburgh) 38-37 (jt 18th).
78 Polly Willett (London) 38-40 (jt 53rd).
85 Natasha Morgan (South Wales) (am) 41-44.
Eliminated:
88 Brenda McLarnon (Belfast) 47-41.

CATRIONA, MHAIRI JOINT 9TH AT HALFWAY STAGE
OF LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Catriona Matthew (pictured right) and Mhairi McKay are lying joint ninth on four-under-par 144 at the halfway stage of the McDonald's LPGA championship.
Both Scots have scored 71 and 69 to be four shots behind the Norwegian leader, Suzann Pettersen (69-67 for 136), who has a one shot advantage over Australian Karrie Webb (68-69).
Michelle Wie made the cut with nothing to spare on 147 with rounds of 73 and 74 but Janice Moodie is out of the tournament.
Janice followed up a 70 with a disaster-strewn 79 for 149 to miss the cut by two shots.
LEADERBOARD
136 S Pettersen 69 67.
137 K Webb 68 69.
138 B Kim 67 71, B Lincicome 69 69.
139 P Creamer 71 68, M Pressel 68 71, M Lee 70 69, A Sorenstam 70 69.
Other qualifiers:
140 C Matthew 71 69, M McKay 71 69 (jt 9th).
143 L Davies 68 75 (jt 23rd).145 B Morgan 73 72 (jt 44th).
147 M Wie 73 74 (jt 70th).
Non-qualifier:
149 J Moodie 70 79.

US WIN BACK PALMER CUP WITH 18-6 VICTORY
OVER EUROPEAN STUDENTS

United States completed an 18-6 victory over Europe in the students' international golf match for the Palmer Cup at Caves Valley near Baltimore, Maryland today (Friday).
The Americans took the second-day foursomes 3-1 and the singles 6-2.

Results from the final set of singles (US names first):

Horschel bt Floren 4 and 3.
List bt Yates 6 and 5.
Harman bt Shaw 1 hole.
Simpson lost to Blixt 1 hole.
Lovemark bt Haastrup 2 and 1.
Moore bt Oriol 2 and 1.
Johnson bt Campillo 2 holes.
Kirk lost to Davies 4 and 2.
(US 6, Europe 2).

First day: US 9, Europe 3.
Second day: US 9, Europe 3.

Overall: US 18, Europe 6.

CUNNINGHAM WINS LOTHIANS' BOYS' CHAMPIONSHIP

Myles Cunningham, 17-year-old scratch player at Longniddry Golf Club, beat Mark Dickson (Gullane) 2 and 1 in the final of the Lothians' boys' championship at the Braids this evening.
It was the second year in a row that Dickson had been beaten finalist.
Results of later rounds:
QUARTER-FINALS
M Cunningham (Longniddry) bt N Henderson (Glen) 3 and 2.
S Gordon (Glen) bt G Davidson (Winterfield) 3 and 2.
S Deegan (Craigielaw) bt G Currie (Gullane 3 and 2.
M Dickison (Gullane) bt J Ross (Royal Burgess) at 21st.
SEMI-FINALS
Cunningham bt Gordon 2 and 1.
Dickson bt Deegan 4 and 2.
FINAL
Cunningham bt Dickson 2 and 1.

DAVID LANE COMES FROM

SIX BEHIND TO WIN

ENGLISH SENIORS TITLE

FOR THIRD TIME

FROM THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE

Former Scottish senior open amateur title-winner David Lane (Goring & Streatley) secured his third English senior men's championship at Enville today when he came from six shots back to beat overnight leaders Chris Reynolds and Alan Squires.
A closing round of 69 over the Highgate Course, the best of the day, for 218, four over par, left Lane (pictured right) three strokes ahead of Reynolds and four clear of Squires.
Lane, whose previous victories in this championship came at West Hill in 1997 and two years later at Shifnal, felt a third win was beyond his powers at 65 years of age.
“I felt I was past it with all these younger guys coming along, but I decided to go out and attack because I had nothing to lose - and it worked,” he said.
Although David finished fourth in the Irish seniors and runner-up in the "Scottish" in recent weeks, Lane arrived at Enville admitting he was scrambling and forecasting that he was not going to be in the hunt.
That seemed to be the situation when he teed-off the third round lying fourth, six strokes behind his rivals. But the picture soon began to change as the two leaders began spilling shots. At the turn, Lane was still two strokes adrift of Reynolds but the Kent man began tangling with the trees while Squires seemed to be the man to watch.
While Lane powered on to get to five over with one hole to play, both Reynolds and Squires were having to do the chasing. Lane put more pressure on when he secured a birdie 4 at the last, thanks to a sand wedge to five feet and a crucial putt.
That left Squires, who had holed a monster putt from across the 17th green to stay two adrift, needing an eagle at the last to tie. In the event he took a double-bogey 7 after firing his second shot into a bush and taking a penalty drop.
That also cost him second place as he returned 79 for an eight-over-par final total while Reynolds parred his way in from the 15th for 78 and the runners-up spot.
“I’m disappointed not to win but I’m more disappointed not to finish runner-up,” said Squires. “But Chris and I were not good enough. David played well and deserved it.”
Reynolds was equally disappointed. “I felt a 74 would be good enough but even that wouldn’t have done it,” he said. “My putting held up but I couldn’t keep out of the trees. I expected someone to break through and I’m glad it was David.”
With four-time champion Roy Smethurst in fourth place on 223 after a level-par 72, it meant the leading four players were all members of last year’s England senior home international side. Lane now sets his sights on the European title in Portugal next week and on this form you couldn’t bet against him.
“I played good golf today for the first time in weeks,” he admitted. “It is tremendous to win again and the icing on the cake was the sand wedge to five feet on the 18th. I’ve won again because my putting has improved but I don’t know why. I just decided not to leave anything short but it does leave you some tricky three-footers coming back.”
LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 214

218 D Lane (Goring & Streatley 76 73 69.

221 C Reynolds (Littlestone) 68 75 78.

222 A Squires (Oldham) 70 73 79.

223 R Smethurst (Crewe) 75 76 72.

224 A Morrison (Appleby) 77 75 72, J Jermine (Sunningdale) 73 77 74.

225 S Smale (Royal St George's) 74 74 77.

227 B Wallace (Crosland Heath) 72 79 76, C Boal (Broadstone) 74 76 77.

228 D McCart (Sherwood Forest) 81 73 74, D Arnold (Copthorne) 73 78 77.

229 G Steel (Moor Park) 78 75 76, G Reynolds (Ludlow) 79 74 76, P Groocock (Blackmoor) 78 74 77, H Moxon (Royal Cinque Ports) 77 74 78.

St Andrews Links Trophy

BANCHORY BOY BYRNE ON
HEELS OF LEADER EDWARDS
(65) IN FIRST ROUND

It was the young and the not-so-young vieing for the top spot at the end of the first round of the St Andrews Links Trophy tournament today.
Welsh Walker Cup player Nigel Edwards (Whitchurch, Cardiff), seeking to clinch another GB&I cap against the United States at Royal Co Down in September, set the pace with a cracking round of seven-under-par 65 over the Jubilee Course which measures some 6,805yd.
Teenager James Byrne (pictured right) from Banchory - a boy international whose ambition is to play for the Scotland MEN'S team (European or home internationals) - is hard of Nigel's heels with a 66.
James, who starts a four-year golf scholarship at Arizona State University in the autumn, shares the second spot with Ross Kellett (Colville Park, Motherwell) and Jason Barnes (Chart Hills) from southern England.
So high has been the standard of play that some 67 players will start the second round at par or under.

ALL THE FIRST ROUND SCORES
Jubilee Course: Par 72. SSS 73. 6,805yds
65 N Edwards (Whitchurch).
66 J Byrne (Banchory), J Barnes (Chart Hills), R Kellett (Colville Park).
67 S Arnold (Aus), J Moul (Stoke-by-Nayland).
68 D Horsey (Styal), I Kenwright (Haydock Park), S Henry (Cardross), S Clark (US), L Matthews (Southerndown), J Hurst (Shaw Hill).
69 B Evans (Rye), K McNicoll (Carnoustie), P Nelson (SAf), G Boyd (Cherwell Edge), V Dubuisson (Fra), J Parry (Harrogate), J Gidney (Church Stretton), R Gibson (US), M Allan (North Hants).
70 Z Gould (Vale of Glamorgan), J Freeman (Worksop), J Arnold (Aus), C Macaulay (Tulliallan), G Paterson (St Andrews New), S McEwan (Caprington), R Neil-Jones (Rochester & Cobham Park).
71 G Benson (Leighton Buzzard), G O'Neill (Royal Jersey), A Kaleka (Fra), M Thistleton (Hayling), M Veijalainen (Fin), B Soutgar (Leven GS), A Dodt (Aus), B Parker (Gut Waldhof), J Abbott (Fynn Valley), S Mann (Carnoustie), R Thomas (Aberdare), M Greil (US).
72 B Taylor (Hexham), P Waring (Bromborough), N Chaudhuri (Leicestershire), T Ropiha (NZ), A Johnston (North Middlesex), C Wood (Long Ashton), J Koelbing (Ger), R Enoch (Truro), X Feyaerts (Bel), L Collins (Mendip Spring), M Baldwin (Royal Birkddale), R McKnight (Barassie), S Ward (Co Louth), J TGaverner (Enfield), O Scharpe (Minchin Hmapton), C Geraghty (St Annes Old Links), S Larkin (Banchory), J Smith (Sundridge Park), M Griffin (Aus), R Kulaczx (Aus), D Stewart (Grantown on Spey), G Blainey (Bearwood Lakes), C Ford (Kirby Muxloe), D Marmion (Delamere Forest), M Clark (Kilmacolm), T Sherrard (Chart Hills), S Benson (Wentworth).
73 R McIlroy (Holywood), S Borrowman (Dollar), G Dear (Murrayshall), L Saltman (Craigielaw), C Watson (East Renfrewshire), J Palmer (Kirby Muxloe), L Campbell (Rochester & Cobham Park), J Howarth (Stockport), L Kirton (Newmachar), E Richardson (Rye), J King (Glasgow), M Halliday (Royal Aberdeen), L de Jager (SAf), S Hutsby (Liphook), J Perenaa (Fin), P O'Hara (Colville Park), N Henrigues (Por).
74 M Kerr (Craigielaw), J Young (Aus), W Booth (Comrie), D Corsby (Fleetwood), E McIntosh (Newmachar), B Sigl (Ger), J Field jun (US), C Harkins (Belleisle), F Pintor (Spa), B St John (US), K McAlpine (Alyth), A Rosado (Por), C Orr (Lanark), P McLean (Peterhead).
75 G Campbell (Blairgowrie), M Lamb (Haddington), R Coull (Edzell), M Gayes (Westwood), C Schwsierez (Ger), H Joannes (Bel), J-C Nel (SAf), A Runcie (Abergele), M Greig (Bon Accord), B McGrory (Aus), R Blizard (Aus), B Fotheringham (Forres).
76 L Calitz (SAf), B Jones (Cuddington), Z Saltman (Craigielaw), S Lewton (Woburn), G Watremez (Bel), J Carlota (Por).
77 G Mitchell (Braemar), C Colraine (Windyhill), G Taylor (Meldrum House), M Hillson (Craigielaw), T Stewart (Aus), S Johnsson (Ice), J Repokis (US), J-C Bertin (Fra).
78 L Miller (Cawder), S McAllister (Craigielaw), P Figueiredo (Por), W Shucksmith (Alwoodley).
79 T Coombes (US), M Larusson (Ice), S Runcie (Abergele), B Edmond (Bon Accord),C Rice (Southport & Ainsdale), C Durnian(SAf), C Doherty (Bury), A Lynch (Glenbervie).
80 T Dogil (Ger), P McGhee (US), J Vickery (Newport), J Woods (St Andrews).
81 H Hjartarson (Ice).
83 S Graham (Blairgowrie).
84 A Ait Lafkih (Ovory Coast).
Withdrew J White (Lundin).

THREE SCOTS MAKE THE HALFWAY CUT IN
THE EUROPEAN TOUR'S AUSTRIAN OPEN

Par 142 (2 x 71). Players from GB&I unless stated
131 Richard Green (Aus) 66 65.
132 Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 64 68 133 Pelle Edberg (Swe) 67 66, Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 67 66, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 68 65.
135 Garry Houston 72 63, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 67 68, David Park 69 66, Graeme Storm 63 72.
136 Richard Finch 66 70, Gregory Havret (Fra) 71 65, Shaun Webster 65 71, Tom Whitehouse 65 71.
137 Stephen Gallacher 69 68, Richard McEvoy 66 71, Miles Tunnicliff 69 68, David Bransdon (Aus) 69 68
138 Matjaz Gojcic (Slo) 68 70, Sion Bebb 70 68, Ian Garbutt 71 67, Gary Orr 71 67, Patrik Sjoland (Swe) 65 73, Lee Westwood 66 72, Gary Lockerbie 66 72, Carlos Rodiles (Spa) 68 70, Mads-Vibe Hastrup (Den) 68 70
139 Michael Jonzon (Swe) 70 69, Francois Calmels (Fra) 66 73, Santiago Luna (Spa) 68 71, Alessandro Tadini (Ita) 67 72, Taichi Teshima (Jpn) 69 70, David Frost 68 71, Bernd Wiesberger (Aut) 68 71, Jesus Maria Arruti (Spa) 70 69, Jean-Francois Remesy (Fra) 72 67, Johan Skold (Swe) 70 69
140 Sam Little 73 67, Oliver Fisher 68 72, Robert-Jan Derksen (Net) 70 70, Graeme McDowell 71 69, Soren hansen (Den) 70 70, Kyron Sullivan 68 72, Raphael Eyraud (Fra) 69 71, Chris Gane 75 65
141 Simon Nash (Aus) 73 68, Carl Suneson (Spa) 69 72, Terry Pilkadaris (Aus) 71 70, Marc Cayeux (Zim) 70 71, Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) 68 73, David Higgins 70 71, Rafael Gomez (Arg) 70 71, Iain Pyman 71 70, Birgir Hafthorsson (Ice) 70 71, Matthew Zions (Aus) 68 73, Richard Bland 70 71, Edward Rush 67 74, Jose Manuel Carriles (Spa) 70 71, Euan Little 68 73.
142 Peter Fowler (Aus) 70 72, Sebastian Fernandez (Arg) 74 68, Steve Alker (Nzl) 69 73, Danny Denison 66 76, Paul Broadhurst 75 67, Wade Ormsby (Aus) 73 69, Andrew Butterfield 72 70, Hernan Rey (Arg) 69 73, Jean Hugo (SAf) 72 70, Roope Kakko (Fin) 74 68
MISSED THE CUT
143 Andrew Coltart 72 71, Martin Maritz (SAf) 75 68, James Hepworth 72 71, Marcus Higley 73 70, Oskar Bergman (Swe) 72 71, Carlos Franco (Par) 69 74, Erol Simsek (Ger) 72 71, Darren Clarke 73 70, Markus Brier (Aut) 70 73, Joakim Haeggman (Swe) 69 74, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 68 75, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 71 72, Steven O'Hara 71 72, Denny Lucas 71 72, Andrew Marshall 70 73, Philip Golding 72 71, Hans Peter Bacher (Aut) (am) 72 71, Oliver Whiteley 73 70, Ally Mellor 76 67
144 Eirik Tage Johansen (Nor) 70 74, Joakim Backstrom (Swe) 75 69, Alvaro Salto (Spa) 71 73, Matthew Richardson 73 71, Sven Struver (Ger) 70 74, Henrik Nystrom (Swe) 72 72, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 72 72, Alexander Noren (Swe) 74 70, Keith Horne (SAf) 73 71, John Bickerton 72 72
145 Fredrik Widmark (Swe) 74 71, Thomas Kogler (Aut) 71 74, Francisco Cea (Spa) 71 74, Costantino Rocca (Ita) 71 74, Christopher Hanell (Swe) 68 77, Luis Claverie (Spa) 74 71, Alexandre Rocha (Bra) 74 71, Johan Axgren (Swe) 72 73, Kevin Collins (US) 70 75
146 Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 71 75, Niki Zitny (Aut) 74 72, Peter Lawrie 77 69, Uli Weinhandl (Aut) 71 75, Gareth Davies 72 74, David Drysdale 70 76, Juan Parron (Spa) 69 77, Neil Cheetham 77 69, Andrew Oldcorn 75 71, Scott Strange (Aus) 73 73, Kajetan Kromer (Aut) (am) 75 71
147 Colin Montgomerie 73 74, Lee James 73 74, John Wade (Aus) 74 73, Ross McGowan 70 77, Emanuele Canonica (Ita) 71 76, David Carter 71 76, Stuart Little 75 72.
148 Gary Murphy 70 78, Andrew Raitt 74 74, Gary Emerson 75 73, Andre Bossert (Sui) 75 73, Thomas Feyrsinger (Aut) 73 75, Florian Praegant (Aut) 74 74, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 78 70, Mark Davis 75 73, Tim Milford 76 72, Simon Wakefield 71 77, Manuel Quiros (Spa) 74 74, Jamie Spence 70 78, Pedro Linhart (Spa) 73 75, Jorge Benedetti (Col) 72 76.
149 Claude Grenier (Aut) 74 75, Andreas Christ (Aut) (am) 79 70.
150 Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 76 74, Jose Filipe Lima (Por) 73 77, Miguel Rodriguez (Arg) 76 74, Benjamin Palanszki (Hun) (am) 74 76, Adrien Mork (Fra) 76 74
151 Michael Moser (Aut) 76 75
152 Morten Hedegaard (Den) 73 79, Wolfgang Rieder (Aut) (am) 72 80
153 Mark Pilkington 75 78.
154 Jurgen Maurer (Aut) 75 79.
155 David Dixon 79 76.
157 Julien Van Hauwe (Fra) 79 78.
158 Jonathan Lomas 78 80.
159 Thomas Ortner (Aut) (am) 77 82.
Withdrawn: Shiv Kapur (Ind) Retired: Marcel Siem (Ger)

BILL LONGMUIR CLICKETY-CLICKS WITH A 66 IN
JERSEY SENIORS CLASSIC OPENING ROUND

By COLIN CALLANDER
European Seniors Tour Press Officer

Anglo-Scot Bill Longmuir took Route 66 right to the top of the leaderboard during the first round of the Jersey Seniors Classic at La Moye Golf Club today.
The Scot’s flawless six under par round of 66 sees him go into the second round two shots ahead of England’s Carl Mason and Bob Larratt and three in front of Argentina’s Adan Sowa, Englishmen Tony Allen, Gordon Brand senior and Andrew Reynolds and defending champion Guillermo Encina who all carded rounds of 69.
Meanwhile Sam Torrance battled back from five over par after five holes to register a one under par 71 that left him in a large group that also included Jersey’s own Tommy Horton.
Longmuir started his round with a birdie on the 514yd par-5 second. He picked up further shots on the 478yd sixth and par-4 seventh to go out in 33. Bill then cruised home with further birdies at the 11th, 13th and 16th.
“That is the best round I have played all year,” said Longmuir whose last victory on the European Seniors Tour was at the 2005 Scandinavian Senior Open.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens but today I holed a few and also got a bit of luck when I misread a 30-footer on the seventh only to see it curl round and drop into the hole. You know it’s your day when that sort of thing happens.”
Mason and Larratt both played steadily for their 68s but the same cannot be said for Torrance who took 8 at the 416yd par-4 fourth and a bogey 5 at the 437yd fifth but then eagled the sixth and birdied the seventh to get to the turn in two over par 38.
Torrance’s second nine proved to be almost as adventurous. The former Ryder Cup captain got back to one under with three consecutive birdies on the 11th, 12th and 13th, handed them back with bogeys on the 14th and 15th but then bounced back again with birdies on the 16th and 18th.
“The card doesn’t look very pretty but my golf was nowhere near as bad as it might look,” said Torrance.
“I did hit a couple of bad shots on the fourth but the rest was pretty steady and it could have been even better because I left my birdie putt on the 17th literally in the jaws of the hole.”
Jersey resident Tommy Horton missed last year’s Jersey Seniors Classic due to ill heath but bounced back with a fine one under par 71 that leaves him in touch with the leaders going into the weekend.
Horton started on the 10th and proceeded to record 12 successive pars before dropping a shot at the fourth and responding with birdies on the sixth and the eighth.
“I played very well,” said the man who has secured a record 23 titles on the European Seniors Tour. “It’s coming back. Every week seems to be that little bit better than the last.”
English stockbroker, Algie Rice, holds the lead after the second round of the amateur event. In the first round Rice, a 16 handicapper from Thorndon Park Golf Club in Essex, carded an 11 under par 61 in partnership with professional, Angel Fernandez from Argentina.
Twenty four hours later he added a 62 alongside England’s Denis Durnian. His 21 under par aggregate of 123 left him five shots ahead Martyn Ball, Ed Kimber and Stewart Crossby. Ball is a former county cricketer for Gloucester. He now works for Ginn Europe.
66 B Longmuir (Sco).
68 C. Mason (Eng), B Larratt (Eng).
69 A. Sowa (Arg), G Encina (Chi), A Reynolds (Eng), G Brand sen (Eng).
70 M Poxon (Eng), T Allen (Eng), B Cameron (Eng), S Owen (NZ).
71 D. Good (Aus), D Cambridge (Jam), T Horton (Eng), P Leonard (NIr), A Fernandez (Arg), S Torrance (Sco), B Lincoln (SAf).
72 B Shearer (Aus), T Gale (Aus), I Mosey (Eng), M Gregson (Eng), R Drummond (Sco), P Oakley (US).
73 D. Stirling (Eng), C Defoy (Wal), T. Rastall (Eng), H. Carbonetti (Arg), G Ralph (Eng), M Gray (Sco), B. Malley (US).
74 J Bruner (US), G. Levenson (SAf), D.J. Russell (Eng), S. Ginn (Aus), E Rodriguez (Spa), J Benda (US), G Townhill (Eng), B Smit (SAf), G Watine (Fra), J. Mashego (SAf), D Creamer (Eng)
75 D Merriman (Aus), D. Johnson (US), M. Clayton (Aus), J. Heggarty (Ire), C Maltman (Sco). P Terravanian (USA), M. Wolseley (NIr), G Cali (Ita), T Dill (US) , B. Heuchan (Can)
76 M Ferguson (Aus), D. O’Sullivan (Ire), B McColl (Scot), J.P. Sallat (Fr), R Stelton (US) . R Carrasco (USA), H. Woodrome (USA), J Chillas (Sco).
77 A Mew (T & T), D. Durnian (Eng), T. Charnley (Eng), J. Rhodes (Eng)
78 G Wintz (USA), P. Dugenny (Fr), J. Lapsley (NZ), B. Hardwick (Can), M Miller (Sco).
79 N Clarke (SAf), A Garrido (Spa), M. Bembridge (US).
80 S Wild (Eng).
82 B Lendzion (US).

CHRIS KELLY SLASHES THREE SHOTS OFF

CAWDER RECORD WITH 10-UNDER 60

Cawder Golf Club tournament professional Chris Kelly slashed three strokes off his home course pro record with a brilliant round of 10-under-par 60 today.
His unblemished scorecard included an inward half of seven-under-par 28 which might well be a PGA Scottish Region tournament record for nine holes.
Kelly, who won the £1,127 top prize in the Cawder Golf Club pro-am by three strokes, had an eagle 3 at the 12th and eight birdies, at the first, fifth, seventh, 11th,15th, 16th, 17th and 18th.
It is the second Tartan Tour course record in a matter of days. Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) won the Pollok pro-am with a 10-under-par 61 on Wednesday.
Kelly’s nearest rival was Stephen Gray (Hayston) who equalled the old record of 63.
It was Chris Kelly’s day of days. He also led the Wholesale Domestic team of Derek Toward (8), Brian Toward (12) and Alex McPherson (6) to victory with a net score of 15-under-par 55.

LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 70
60 C Kelly (Cawder).
63 S Gray (Hayston).
64 C Doak (unatt).
68 G McFarlane (Clober), J McKinnon (Irvine), I Pender (unatt).
69 P McKechnie (Braid Hills), P Brookes (Pitreavie), D Robertson (Czech Design), C Lee (All Swing Golf Centre), G Collinson (Esporta Dougalston), C Gillies (Kingsfield).
TEAM WINNERS
55 C Kelly (Cawder) & Wholesale Domestic: D Toward (8), B Toward (12), A McPherson (6).

ends

UNITED STATES LEAD 12-4 IN PALMER
CUP WITH EIGHT SINGLES TO GO

United States followed up their 8-0 whitewash of the Europeans in the first day singles by taking the second morning’s foursomes 3-1 to lead 12-4 with eight singles to conclude the Palmer Cup students’ amateur international golf match at Caves Valley Golf Club near Baltimore, Maryland.
European hopes had been high of retaining the trophy they won by a record margin at Prestwick last year after they won the opening four-ball matches 3-1. But the Americans got their act together in the singles and were still in rampant mood on the second day.
Stirling University student Gordon Yates and Denmark’s Mark Haastru lost their foursomes tie by 4 and 3 to Jonathan Moore and Webb Simpson.

Results so far:
UNITED STATES 12, EUROPE 4
American names first
First day
FOUR-BALLS:: US 1, Europe 3.

SINGLES (8-0)
J Lovemark bt R Davies 4 and 2.
L List bt J Campillo 2 holes.
B Horschel bt G Shaw 2 holes
B Harman bt P Oriol 4 and 2.
J Moore bt G Yates 2 and 1.
W Simpson bt J Blixt 2 and 1.
C Kirk bt M Haastrup 1 hole,
D Johnson bt O Floren 4 and 2.

Second day
FOURSOMES (3-1)
Harman & Horschel bt Campillo & Oriol 5 and 4.
List & Lovemark lost to Blixt & Floren 5 and 4.
Moore & Simpson bt Haastrup & Yates 4 and 3.
Johnson & Kirk bt Davies & Shaw 2 and 1.

WOLSTENHOLME LEADS BY TWO SHOTS
IN EURO MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Title-holder Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs) will start Saturday's third and final round with a two-shot advantage in the European men's mid-amateur championship at the Domaine Imperial Golf Club course on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Wolstenholme, who will be 47 in August, shot a second-round 69 for a three-under-par tally of 141. His nearest challenger was Marc Mazur (Germany) who had a 67 for 143.
The minimum age requirement is 35 years, an example set by the European Golf Association which should be followed by all the governing bodies who run "mid-amateur" events with 25 years as the minimum age.

LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
141 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 72 69.
143 M Mazur (Ger) 76 67.
145 U Schulte (Ger) 75 70.
147 P Griffiths (Eng) 74 73.
148 K Bornemann (Ire) 76 72.
149 F Wattier (Fra) 72 76.
150 M Kjellgren (Swe) 74 76, R Heath (Aus) 80 70, M Wharton (Eng) 76 74, T Krieger (Ger) 74 76.
Other scores:
155 M Huebl (Aut) 71 84.
164 G Walker (Sco) 82 82.

URQUHART MISSES CHALLENGE TOUR
CUT BY 11 SHOTS IN GERMANY

Northern Open title-holder Murray Urquhart from Inverness missed the halfway cut by the wide margin of 11 strokes in the European Challenge Tour event, the Vodafone Challenge, at G&CC An Der Elfrather Muhle, Dusseldorf today.
Urquhart had his adventures in a first-day 75 when he lurched from an eagle to a double bogey but there were no bright spots at all on his second-round, nine-over-par 81 for a 36-hole total of 14-over 156.
Murray was out in 39 and home in seven-over 42 with a triple bogey 6 at the short 14th and a double bogey 6 at the 16th.
Scots who survived the cut were George Murray from Anstruther on 142 (71-71), new rookie Elliot Saltman from Dalkeith and David Patrick (Mortonhall), both on level par 144, and, late in the day, they were joined by Andrew McArthur (Windyhill) on 145. For most of the afternoon the former Scottish amateur champion had looked to be one shot too many to make it but the late finishers' scores deteriorated and enabled Andrew to get through on the limit mark of one over par.
Murray had his second double bogey of the tournament, at the 12th, but birdies at the fourth, ninth, 13th and 18th helped him return a 71.
Saltman had only one birdie, at the ninth, in his second-round 74 while Patrick did well to recover from a double-bogey 6 at his first very hole with birdies at the fifth, sixth, 17th and 18th for a 73.
Ed Thomson (150) joined Murray Urquhart (156) on the road home to Scotland.
Halfway leader by an astonishing six shots is Sweden's Magnus Carlsson who had a dream round of 10-under-par 62 (31-31) for a 36-hole tally of 13-under-par 131. Carlsson had four eagles, five birdies, one double bogey and two bogeys on a scorecard to remember.

LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72). 6,859yd.
131 Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 69 62.
137 Anthony Tarchetti (Eng) 68 69, Leif Westerberg (Swe) 72 65, Juan Abbate (Arg) 70 67.
138 Adam Gee (Eng) 69 69; Joost Luiten (Net) 70 68 ;Wilhelm Schauman (Swe) 68 70.
139 Simon Lilly (Eng) 68 71; Ricardo Santos (Por) 72 67; Lorenzo Gagli (Ita) 67 72; Jamie Little (Eng) 69 70; Marco Crespi (Ita) 73 66 ; Maximilian Kieffer (Ger) (am) 67 72.
140 Tino Schuster (Ger) 72 68; Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 72 68 ; Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) 72 68; Eduardo De La Riva (Spa) 74 66; Gary Clark (Eng) 71 69 ; Gareth Wright (Wal) 69 71.
141 Jason Kelly (Nor) 70 71; Kieran Staunton (Eng) 71 70; Matt Ford (Eng) 70 71; Anders Schmidt Hansen (Den) 69 72; Gustavo Rojas (Arg) 75 66 ; James Morrison (Eng) 72 69; Kasper Linnet Jorgensen (Den) 72 69 ; Hugo Santos (Por) 71 70; Julio Zapata (Arg) 70 71; John Mellor (Eng) 69 72 ; Inder Van Weerelt (Net) 73 68; Alexander Knappe (Ger) (am) 70 71,
142 Mikko Korhonen (Fin) 71 71; Zane Scotland (Eng) 69 73; Jorge Bartolome (Spa) 73 69; Mark Laskey (Wal) 73 69; Tim Dykes (Wal) 72 70; James Kamte (Rsa) 71 71; Wil Besseling (Ned) 75 67; Carlos Balmaseda (Esp) 71 71 ; George Murray (Sco) 71 71; Robert Dinwiddie (Eng) 72 70.
143 Chris Hanson (Eng) 71 72; Ben Willman (Eng) 72 71; Tuomas Tuovinen (Fin) 71 72; Pablo Del Grosso (Arg) 69 74; Manuel Merizalde (Col) 73 70; Ian Keenan (Eng) 70 73; Gareth Paddison (NZ) 71 72.
144 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 75 69; Carlos Del Moral (Esp) 74 70; Manuel Kempe (Ger) 72 72; Mickael Dieu (Fra) 71 73 ; Kariem Baraka (Ger) 70 74; Jordi Garcia Del Moral (Spa) 75 69; Benjamin Miarka (Ger) 75 69 ; Branden Grace (Rsa) 76 68; David Patrick (Sco) 71 73; Rodolfo Gonzalez (Arg) 69 75, Thomas Nielsen (Den) 68 76; Elliot Saltman (Sco) 70 74.
145 Marc Perez Gelma (Esp) 75 70; Niels Kraaij (Net) 69 76; Martin Wiegele (Aut) 71 74; Paolo Terreni (Ita) 71 74; Sebastian L Saavedra (Arg) 69 76; Klas Eriksson (Swe) 73 72; Andrew McArthur (Sco) 73 72; Marcel Haremza (Ger) 76 69 ; Jan-Are Larsen (Nor) 72 73; Ralf Geilenberg (Ger) 75 70 ; Robert Mcguirk (Eng) 73 72.
MISSED THE CUT
146 Michael Hoey (NIr) 70 76; Fredrik Ohlsson (Swe) 76 70; Tomas Jesus Muñoz (Spa) 73 73; Diego Borrego (Esp) 74 72; Tiago Cruz (Por) 74 72 ; James H Williams (Wal) 70 76; Alejandro Villavicencio (Gtm) 75 71; Didier De Vooght (Bel) 77 69; Soren Juul (Den) 78 68; Allen John (Ger) (am) 76 70.
147 James Ruth (Eng) 77 70; Justin Brink (Ire) 74 73 ; Sean Whiffin (Eng) 73 74; Cenydd Mills (Wal) 73 74; Andrea Maestroni (Ita) 71 76 ; Julien Clément (Sui) 73 74; Liam Bond (Wal) 70 77; John Boerdonk (Ned) 78 69; Nilson Cabrera (Par) 74 73; Paul Dwyer (Eng) 79 68; Daniel Wardrop (Eng) 75 72.
148 Jamie Elson (Eng) 74 74; Jose Luis Adarraga Gomez (Esp) 80 68 ; Jerome Theunis (Bel) 70 78; Antti Ahokas (Fin) 71 77; Simon Robinson (Eng) 77 71; Lasse Jensen (Den) 75 73; Alessio Bruschi (Ita) 74 74; Benjamin Schlichting (Ger) 76 72 ; Jacques Chevalier (Fra) 70 78; Tobias Dier (Ger) 75 73; Robin Swane (Ned) 71 77; Phillip Westermann (Am) (Ger) 77 71.
149 Lee Corfield (Eng) 75 74; Alan Bihan (Fra) 74 75; Adam Constable (Wal) 74 75; Paul Nilbrink (Nor) 76 73; Christoffer Lange (Den) 77 72; Matthew Tottey (Wal) 70 79; Van Phillips (Eng) 78 71.
150 Edward Thomson (Sco) 76 74; Robert Coles (Eng) 77 73; Stuart Cage (Eng) 75 75; Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (Esp) 78 72; Alex Mcguinness (Ken) 72 78; Kim Kristoffersen (Nor) 73 77.
151 Sam Osborne (Eng) 76 75; Sean Doherty (Eng) 78 73 ; Max Kramer (Ger) 74 77; Kevin Harper (Eng) 79 72; Tobias Schwartzer (Ger) 73 78; Miguel Angel Duque (Esp) 75 76; Colm Moriarty (Ire) 77 74; Toni Karjalainen (Fin) 77 74.
152 Pablo Larrazabal (Esp) 74 78; Gary Birch jun (Ger) 81 71; Christian Reimbold (Ger) 77 75; Raphaël De Sousa (Sui) 72 80;Gustavo Acosta (Arg) 81 71; Niki Ferrari (Ger) 75 77; Frederik Schulte (Am) (Ger) 74 78.
153 Niklas Abrahamsson (Swe) 77 76.
154 Michiel Bothma (SAf) 84 70; Matt Dearden (Wal) 78 76; Manoel Willems (Bel) 80 74; Dennis Küpper (Ger) 80 74; Marc Farry (Fra) 77 77; Marius Junker (Am) (Ger) 77 77; Gabriel Canizares (Esp) 69 86; Carlos De Corral (Esp) 74 81; Kalle Edberg (Swe) 78 77; Stephen Browne (Ire) 78 77.
156 Alex R Sundsten (Nor) 79 77, Murray Urquhart (Sco) 75 81, Mark Grabow Schytter (Den) 76 80.
158 Wolfgang Huget (Ger) 78 80.
159 Richard Treis (Ger) 78 81.
161 Nicolas Meitinger (Ger) 86 75.
162 Florian Ruprecht (Aut) 80 82, Matthew Brunyard 80 82, David Astin (Eng) 87 75.
164 Kevin Berger (Ger) 86 78.

ABERDEEN & DISTRICT JUNIOR PENNANT LEAGUE RESULTS

Latest results in the Aberdeen & District Junior Pennant League, sponsored by Paul Lawrie Junior Golf Development:

OLDMELDRUM 6, ALFORD 0.
INCHMARLO 2 1/2, HAZLEHEAD 3 1/2.
AUCHMILL 0, MURCAR LINKS 6.
CRUDEN BAY 1/2, PETERHEAD 5 1/2.
McDONALD ELLON 3 1/2, PORTLETHEN 2 1/2.
WESTHILL 5 1/2, BANCHORY 1/2.

STORM HITS KLM LADIES OPEN, KATHRYN
ONE OF 60 STILL TO FINISH FIRST ROUND

Kathryn Imrie was one of 60 players unable to complete the first round of the KLM Ladies Open at Eindhovensche Golf Club today because of a thunder and lightning storm over the course.
Play was suspended at 4.20pm and the players did not return.
Kathryn, pictured above, was two over par for the 10 holes she played, having run up a double bogey 6 at the second and dropped shots at the first and 10th. She birdied the long fourth and long ninth in 39 to the turn.
Clare Queen finished with a one-under-par 71 - seven shots behind France's Gwladys Nocera who broke the course record with an eight-under-par 64 to be the clubhouse leader by three shots.
Lynn Kenny matched the par of 72 with birdies at the fifth, ninth and long 15th. She shed strokes to par at the second, 13th and 16th in halves of 35 and 37.
New Zealander Liz McKinnon, married to a Highlander and based near Inverness, had been playing well this season - until today. She slumped to an eight-over-par 80 with halves of 38 and 42. She completed an unhappy day with a triple bogey 7 at the last.
CLUBHOUSE LEADERS
Par 72
64 Gwladys Nocera (Fra).
67 Ludivine Kreutz (Fra), Christl Boeljon (Net) (am).
68 Ashleigh Simon (SAf).
69 Georgina Simpson (Eng), Rebecca Coakley (Ire), Anja Monke (Ger).
Other scores:
71 Clare Queen (Carrick at Cameron House).
72 Lynn Kenny (Archerfield Links).
80 Liz McKinnon (NZ).

RAMSAY PLAYS WITH TIGER AND TITLE-HOLDER IN FIRST
TWO ROUNDS OF UNITED STATES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Richie Ramsay, holder of the United States amateur championship, gets the traditional plum draw in the first two rounds of the 2007 US Open championship which starts off at Oakmont Country Club, Pennsylvania next Thursday.
The Royal Aberdeen Golf Club honorary member will partner Australian Geoff Ogivly, winner of the title at Winged Foot 12 months ago, and Tiger Woods, US Open champion in 2000 and 2002.
They will tee off at 7.55am from the first hole on Thursday and 1.25pm at the 10th hole in the second round on Friday.
Colin Montgomerie has been given Chris DiMarco (US) and Tim Clark (South Africa) as partners at 7.33am from the 10th hole on Thursday and 1.03pm from the first in the second round.
Martin Laird from Glasgow, a winner on the US Nationwide Tour this season and the third Scot in the US Open field, will play with amateur Alex Prugh from Spokane, Washington State, and Todd Fisher from California. They will tee off at 12.52pm at the first on Thursday and at 7.11am from the 10th on Friday.

KILPATRICK DOING HIS BEST TO FORCE HIS
NAME ON TO THE SELECTORS' LIST FOR
WALKER CUP AT ROYAL CO DOWN

His name does not figure on the R&A's short leet of possible selections but rising Ulster star Richard Kilpatrick has his eyes firmly on a place at September's Walker Cup at Royal County Down.
The Banbridge player outclassed the field with an eight-stroke win in the East of Ireland championship at Baltray this week.And the 25-year-old feels that there is much more to come as he closes out his days as an amateur before turning professional at the end of the summer.
"Hopefully another win would turn a few heads on the Walker Cup selection committee," he said.
"Obviously it would be great to be a part of things at Royal County Down before I go to the qualifying school. Another performance like the East of Ireland would I think put me in the reckoning."
A 23-man provisional squad has been named for the Walker Cup and that doesn't at the moment include Kilpatrick.But that's not to say he can't force his way in by sheer weight of results as the squad was formed to give potential team members every available chance to get familiar with Royal Co Down.
Kilpatrick is more than familiar with the set-up there. He heads to the Irish amateur championship in Cork this weekend as one of the favourites and still has the North of Ireland, the British and European amateur events to come.
Victory in either the British or European, currently held by Holywood's Rory McIlroy, could very well be enough to catapult him into the European team for September's date with the Americans.
Whatever happens he will is going to the European Tour qualifying school in the hope of gaining his full European Tour card for next season.
"That's the plan but if I don't earn my card I will probably head back to America and join one of the mini-tours there rather than the EuroPro tour here," he said.
"Playing in Florida over the winter made a huge difference to me, but the most important thing I learned was more attitude than anything else.
"I'm probably playing the same as I was two or three years ago but the results are so much better."
He spend his time at the Lake Nona resort, giving him the chance to play with fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell, Trevor Immelman and 2003 Open winner Ben Curtis.
"The difference with these guys is how good they are from 100 yards in. They don't panic when they are in trouble and they don't end up with double bogeys," he said.
"Playing with them really helped and it's changes my game around."

RITSON SMITH ABERDEEN PENNANT LEAGUE RESULTS

Thursday evening's Ritson Smith Aberdeen & District Pennant League results:

Newmachar 1, Murcar Links 5.
Peterculter 6, East Aberdeenshire 0.
Portlethen 3 1/2, Royal Aberdeen 2 1/2.
Westhill 3, Craibstone 3.

MONTGOMERIE MISSES AUSTRIAN OPEN CUT BY A MILE - NOW FOR US OPEN

Colin Montgomerie's prospects of US Open glory next week were rock bottom after he crashed out of the Austrian Open today to extend the longest winless streak of his career.
Montgomerie, pictured right smiling (which he certainly wasn't today!) could only add a 74 to his opening 73 for a five-over-par total of 147 at Fontana Golf Club, at least five shots too many to make the halfway cut.
It was not the sort of preparation the Scot was looking for with next week's second major of the season in mind.
Second at Winged Foot last year after taking a double bogey on the 72nd hole to lose by one shot, Montgomerie had been looking for a good performance before returning to Oakmont, where he lost a play-off to Ernie Els in 1994.
Instead, he headed for an early exit after a round of three birdies, two bogeys and two double bogeys, pausing only to say: "I'm hitting the fairways but nothing is happening. I can't make a score and I'm getting used to it."
Starting the day at two over, Montgomerie made the perfect start with a birdie from 20 feet on the 10th, his opening hole. Another birdie attempt from similar range narrowly missed on the next, however, and the Scot was beginning to get annoyed when he pulled a short birdie putt wide from just six feet on the 12th.
There was much worse to follow as the eight-time European No. 1 ran up a double bogey on the next, the 13th certainly proving unlucky for the 43-year-old, whose last victory came in Hong Kong in December 2005.
Attacking the pin after a perfect drive, Montgomerie's approach flew over the green and left him with a tough chip from heavy rough, which he managed to move just a few feet.
From there, his fourth shot ran so far past the hole that it was still his turn to play ahead of the birdie putts of playing partners Paul Broadhurst and Miguel Angel Jimenez - both of which eventually went in to rub salt into the wound.
Montgomerie repaired some of the damage with a birdie on the 15th, only to bogey the next two holes and drop back to four over par.
He found the front edge of the par-5 18th in two, but for the second day in succession three-putted for par and was halfway to the first tee as his playing partners putted out.
The final nail in the coffin came on the third when he duffed his approach into a greenside bunker to run up a double bogey 6, and his frustration was complete when a long-range eagle putt on the last stopped an inch short of the hole.
At that point, Swedish duo Pelle Edberg and Steven Jeppesen and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez shared the clubhouse lead on nine under par, two ahead of Wales' Garry Houston.
Darren Clarke is hovering on the projected cut-off point on one over but is one under for his second round through five holes.

EARLY CLUBHOUSE SCORES

SECOND ROUND

Par 144 (2 x 72)

33 Pelle Edberg (Swe) 67 66, Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 67 66, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 68 65
135 Garry Houston 72 63, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 67 68, David Park 69 66
136 Richard Finch 66 70, Gregory Havret (Fra) 71 65, Shaun Webster 65 71
137 Stephen Gallacher 69 68
138 Matjaz Gojcic (Slo) 68 70, Sion Bebb 70 68, Ian Garbutt 71 67, Gary Orr 71 67
139 Michael Jonzon (Swe) 70 69, Francois Calmels (Fra) 66 73, Santiago Luna (Spa) 68 71, Alessandro Tadini (Ita) 67 72, Taichi Teshima (Jpn) 69 70
140 Sam Little 73 67, Oliver Fisher 68 72, Robert-Jan Derksen (Net) 70 70, Graeme McDowell 71 69, Soren Hansen (Den) 70 70
141 Simon Nash (Aus) 73 68, Carl Suneson (Spa) 69 72, Terry Pilkadaris (Aus) 71 70, Marc Cayeux (Zim) 70 71
142 Peter Fowler (Aus) 70 72, Sebastian Fernandez (Arg) 74 68, Steve Alker (NZ) 69 73, Danny Denison 66 76, Paul Broadhurst 75 67
143 Andrew Coltart 72 71, Martin Maritz (SAf) 75 68, James Hepworth 72 71, Marcus Higley 73 70, Oskar Bergman (Swe) 72 71, Carlos Franco (Par) 69 74
144 Eirik Tage Johansen (Nor) 70 74, Joakim Backstrom (Swe) 75 69, Alvaro Salto (Spa) 71 73, Matthew Richardson 73 71, Sven Struver (Ger) 70 74, Henrik Nystrom (Swe) 72 72, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 72 72, Alexander Noren (Swe) 74 70
145 Fredrik Widmark (Swe) 74 71, Thomas Kogler (Aut) 71 74
146 Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 71 75, Niki Zitny (Aut) 74 72, Peter Lawrie 77 69, Uli Weinhandl (Aut) 71 75
147 Colin Montgomerie 73 74, Lee James 73 74, John Wade (Aus) 74 73, Ross McGowan 70 77
148 Gary Murphy 70 78, Andrew Raitt 74 74, Gary Emerson 75 73, Andre Bossert (Sui) 75 73, Thomas Feyrsinger (Aut) 73 75, Florian Praegant (Aut) 74 74, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 78 70, Mark Davis 75 73, Tim Milford 76 72
149 Claude Grenier (Aut) 74 75, Andreas Christ (Aut) (am) 79 70.
150 Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 76 74, Jose Filipe Lima (Por) 73 77, Miguel Rodriguez (Arg) 76 74, Benjamin Palanszki (Hun) (am) 74 76.
151 Michael Moser (Aut) 76 75.
152 Morten Hedegaard (Den) 73 79, (x) Wolfgang Rieder (Aut) (am) 72 80.

153 Mark Pilkington (Wal) 75 78.
155 David Dixon 79 76

REYNOLDS AND SQUIRES IN STRAIGHT FIGHT
FOR ENGLISH SENIOR AMATEUR CROWN

With one round left, the English men’s senior amateur championship at Enville in Staffordshire looks to be a straight fight between senior international team-mates Chris Reynolds and Alan Squires.
Reynolds, 58-year-old captain of Littlestone Golf Club, fired a best-of-the-week 68 and was joined on one-over-par 143 by Squires from Lancashire with a second round 70, both over the Highgate Course.
The pair are five strokes clear of Sam Smale from Royal St George’s in Kent and six ahead of the rest of the field.
Out in the first match on Day 2 at 8.30am, Reynolds’ 68 contained seven birdies, while Squires had four in his 70.
“That’s my best ever return in the 'English' and it would have been better if my five-footer at the last hadn’t horseshoed out,” said Reynolds, who made his international debut in last year‘s senior home internationals at Dunbar.
“It was lovely to be out first because you could set an even pace. Also we were round in three-and-three quarter hours.” Despite his high placing, Squires, 58, was not entirely happy with his form. “I played OK but I was fighting a bit with my game,” said the man from Oldham.
“I only hit my driver a couple of times because although this is a good course, it’s pretty tight around here so you have to put the ball in the right places.”
Smale, 61, from Pinner in Middlesex, had a second successive 74, this time over the Highgate, while former champion David Lane went round the Lodge Course in 73 for 149 to lie fourth. Defending champion Doug Arnold is among a large group on 151 after shooting 78 over the Lodge.
“I’ve got a bad back and finishing with a double-bogey 6 didn’t help,” he said. “But I’m not too disappointed as I’ll be there tomorrow.”
Four-time champion Roy Smethurst is also on 151 after a 76 on the Lodge. “I frittered away too many shots and I also took 6 on the last,” he admitted
One of the best recoveries was produced by Kent man Chris Buckley, who shot 72 over the Lodge following a first round 81. His 153 was easily within the cut limit which came at 158 with 66 players surviving for today's final round.
Spare a thought for David Slingsby from Hallowes who experienced a Hamlet moment on the par-3 first hole on the Lodge Course. After hitting his tee shot in a bunker, he then took 13 strokes to escape, eventually finishing with a 16, eventually signing for a 96.
For full and final scores visit the Championships Section of the EGU website, www.englishgolfunion.org

LEADING TWO-ROUND TOTALS
143 Chris Reynolds (Littlestone) 68 75, Alan Squires (Oldham) 70 73.
148 Sam Smale (Royal St Reorge's) 74 74.
149 David Lane (Goring & Streatley) 76 73.
150 John Jermine (Sunningdale) 73 77, Campbell Boal (Broadstone) 74 76, Jonathan Hubbard (Sunningdale) 75 75, Martin McKenna (Elsenham) 76 74.
151 Bob Wallace (Crosland Heath) 72 79, Douglas Arnold (Copthorne) 73 78, Bob Knott (Churston) 73 78, Roy Smethurst (Crewe) 75 78, David Glover (Droitwich) 77 74, Alan Slack (Grange P)ark) 77 74, Howard Moxon (Royoal Cinque Ports) 77 74.
152 Andrew Morrison (Appleby) 77 75, Peter Groocock (Blackmoor) 78 74.
153 Kevin Ballinger (Abu Dhabi) 76 77, Grahgam Steel (Moor Park) 78 75, Gordon Reynolds (Ludlow) 79 74, Chris Buckley (Woodlands Manor) 81 72, Thomas Coughlan (Walmley) 81 72.

Press Release

ROYAL LIVERPOOL BAGS THREE AWARDS

The Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake is celebrating the winning of three prestigious awards.
The club, which last year hosted the 135th Open championship, has been honoured for its contribution to tourism and the sporting life of Merseyside.
The Wirral Tourism Awards for Excellence gave Royal Liverpool the Wirral Tourism Ambassador Award; the Mersey Partnership Tourism Awards named the Open Championship as the Best Tourism Experience of the Year; while BBC Radio Merseyside delighted the historic Club with its coveted Scouseology Award for Sport.
Back on the Open rota after four decades, Royal Liverpool was the setting for one of the finest Open championships of all time. Hundreds of thousands of spectators and tens of millions of television viewers watched as the greatest players in the world got to grips with classic links golf on a course that demanded enormous imagination. It was Tiger Woods, of course, who navigated his way to a memorable victory to win the title and lift the Claret Jug.
The secretary of Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Chris Moore, said: “An enormous amount of hard work by many people and bodies, together with the enthusiasm of the local community, combined to bring The Open back to Hoylake and then make it one of the greatest Championships ever. These awards are a reflection of that great collective effort and support.”

Clackmannan County championship

ALLOA PLAYERS MARCH ON IN MATCH-PLAY

FROM HUGH HUNTER

Using home advantage to the maximum, Alloa golfers took total control of the quarter-finals in the Clackmannan county men's match-play championship.
Closest match involved newcomer David Milloy against Tulliallan’s John Maxwell. Milloy scored a hard-fought win at the 19th after being one up at the turn.
The other three semi-finalists, all established county players, won through after three-hole leads after nine holes, including the defending champion, Craig O’Connor, who demonstrated his determination to retain the trophy with another fine win.

Results:
QUARTER-FINALS
David Milloy (Alloa) beat John Maxwell (Tulliallan) at 19th.
Ian Ross (Alloa) beat Steven Horne (Tulliallan) 4 and 3.
Jamie Aitken (Alloa) beat Phil Hendry (Alloa) 2 holes.
Craig O’Connor (Alloa) beat Ross Benvie (Braehead) 5 and 3.

Semi-final line up at Braehead:
Milloy v Ross, Aitken v O’Connor.

GOOD DAY FOR JANICE, CATRIONA AND
MHAIRI AS LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP
STARTS IN MARYLAND

It was a good day for the Scots in the first round of the McDonald's LPGA championship at Havre De Grace, Maryland.
Janice Moodie had a 70 to be alongside Annika Sorenstam in joint 13th place on 70.
Catriona Matthew and Mhairi McKay both had 71s to be joint 20th.
Korean players dominated the top of the scoreboard on 67 with Kim Saiki-Maloney and Birdie Kim sharing the lead with Angela Park.
Janice Moodie had a double-bogey 7 as early as the long second hole but she hit back immediately with a birdie at the third and a couple more at the eighth and ninth to be out in one-under-par 35.
The Scot actually made it four birdies in a row with sub-par figures at the 10th and 11th. That was as good as it got for Janice. She dipped with bogeys at the 14th and 15th and got only one of them back with a birdie at the 18th.
Catriona deviated from par only three times in a rock-steady round. She had a birdie at the second, a bogey at the fifth and a birdie at the eighth. She parred the last 10 holes.
Mhairi had the same kind of card. She bogeyed the first and birdied the sixth and ninth. She parred her way in.
Michelle Wie was sharing 47th place on 73.
+Switch over to www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk for more details about Michelle Wie's round.

FIRST ROUND LEADERS
67 Kim Saiki-Maloney, Angela Park, Birdie Kim.
68 Karrie Webb, Morgan Pressel, Stacy Prammanasudh, Laura Davies.
69 Brittany Lincicome, Pat Hurst, Maria Hjorth, Suzann Pettersen, Giulia Seregas.Other scores:
70 Annika Sorenstam, Janice Moodie (jt 13th).
71 Catriona Matthew, Mhairi McKay (jt 20th).
73 Michele Wie (jt 47th)

FIRST-ROUND SCORES IN US PGA TOUR EVENT

Scores from the Stanford St Jude Championship at TPC Southwind at Memphis:

FIRST ROUND
Par 70. Players from US unless stated.
67 Adam Scott (Aus), Fredrik Jacobson (Swe).
68 Retief Goosen (Rsa), Brian Gay.
69 Duffy Waldorf, Gavin Coles (Aus), Scott Verplank.
70 Brian Davis, Andrew Buckle (Aus), Darron Stiles, David Toms
John Daly, Richard S Johnson (Swe), Justin Leonard, Robert Allenby (Aus)
Dean Wilson, Jose Coceres (Arg), Brandt Snedeker.
71 Charles Warren, Jeff Overton, Eric Axley, Steve Lowery, Bob May
Steve Elkington (Aus), Will MacKenzie, George McNeill, Briny Baird
Stephen Ames (Can)
72 Bryant Mackellar, Woody Austin, John Mallinger, Heath Slocum
Vijay Singh (Fij), B.J Staten, Sean O'Hair, Shaun Micheel, Chris Stroud
Joe Ogilvie, Cliff Kresge, Bob Tway, Anthony Kim, Scott Gutschewski
Ryan Armour, Jason Schultz
73 Jeff Gove, Jose-Maria Olazabal (Spa), Bob Estes, Joe Durant
Craig Lile (Rsa), Brett Quigley, Ryan Palmer, Dicky Pride, Bob Heintz
Tim Herron, John Merrick, Vance Veazey, Chris DiMarco, Michael Putnam
Michael Allen, Jeff Brehaut, Fred Funk, Parker McLachlin
Charlie Wi (Kor), Jarrod Lyle (Aus), Michael Boyd, Jeff Maggert
Arjun Atwal (Ind), Kyle Reifers, Cameron Beckman, Glen Day, Olin Browne
74 Tom Byrum, Vaughn Taylor, Tag Ridings, Billy Mayfair, Jaco Van Zyl (Rsa)
Daisuke Maruyama (Jpn), Stephen Leaney (Aus), Jim Gallagher Jnr
Chris Tidland, Sergio Garcia (Spa), Bill Haas, Tim Petrovic
Douglas Labelle, Steve Flesch, Lee Janzen, Brian Bateman, Hunter Mahan
Billy Andrade, Mathew Goggin (Aus), Loren Roberts, DJ Brigman
Camilo Villegas (Col), Padraig Harrington
75 Bart Bryant, J.P. Hayes, Harrison Frazar, Steve Wheatcroft, Hank Kuehne
Nathan Green (Aus), Mike Weir (Can), Craig Bowden, Pablo Martin
Stuart Appleby (Aus), Kent Jones, Jason Dufner, Matt Kuchar
Steve Allan (Aus), Ty Harris, Troy Matteson, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn)
D.J. Trahan, Rich Barcelo
76 Robert Gamez, Brendon De Jonge, Mathias Gronberg (Swe), Jim Rutledge (Can)
Brent Geiberger, Payton Osborn, Alex Cejka (Ger), Kevin Na (Kor), Ken Duke
Boo Weekley
77 Jin Park (Kor), Bernhard Langer (Ger), Kirk Triplett, David Branshaw
Marco Dawson, John Senden (Aus), Jerry Smith, Kevin Stadler
Mark Calcavecchia, Ted Tryba, Johnson Wagner, Paul Sheehan (Aus)
78 Philip Francis, Paul Goydos, Len Mattiace, Bubba Watson
Geoff Ogilvy (Aus)
79 Paul Stankowski, Chris Couch, Steven Bowditch (Aus), Todd Hamilton
80 Matt Hendrix, Michael Sim (Aus), Bubba Dickerson, Tom Pernice Jnr.
81 Kevin Burgin, Tripp Isenhour
82 Tom Johnson
83 Paul Gow (Aus)
84 Bryce Molder
85 Craig Perks (Nzl)
87 Ted Purdy

UNITED STATES WIN EIGHT SINGLES TO
TAKE PALMER CUP STRANGELHOLD

The United States bounced back from losing the four-balls 3-1 to score an 8-0 whitewash over Europe in the singles and have a strangehold 9-3 lead at the halfway stage of the transatlantic students’ golf match for the Palmer Cup at Caves Valley Golf Club near Baltimore, Maryland.
The American line-up, containing most of the top US college circuit players and including Jamie Lovemark, the new No 1 in the R&A World amateur rankings, had been expected to gain revenge for the record trouncing (19 ½-4 ½) they received in last year’s match over the Prestwick links.
Instead, the Europeans got off to a flying start with Edinburgh-born Welsh Walker Cup player Rhys Davies and Ulsterman Gareth Shaw, team-mates at East Tennessee State University, thrashing Jamie Lovemark (University of Southern California) and Luke List (Vanderbilt) by 9 and 7 in the first tie off the tee.
There was some incredible scoring by the Europeans in this match. Davies birdied the first two holes and then Shaw took over. He birdied the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth. Davies and Shaw were six up after seven and there was no way back for the American pair after that.
The United States levelled it at 1-1 when Brian Harman (Georgia) and Billy Horschel (Florida) won by 3 and 2 against the all-Spanish pairing of Jorge Campillo and Pedo Oriol.
GORDON YATES' MORNING VICTORY
But Europe edged ahead again when the all-Swedish partnership of Jonas Blixt and Oscar Floren won by 2 and 1 over Dustin Johnson (Coastal Carolina) and Chris Kirk (Georgia).Stirling student Gordon Yates and Mark Hastrup from Denmark then stretched the European lead to 2pt at lunchtime by beating Jonathan Moore (Oklahoma State) and Webb Simpson (Wake Forest) by one hole after being two up with four to play.
Whatever the Americans had for lunch, it transformed them into match-play tigers and they won all eight singles. Lovemark gained revenge for his landslide four-balls defeat by slamming Davies 4 and 2 and Shaw lost his tie by two holes to Billy Horschel.
Gordon Yates had a great struggle with Jonathan Moore before losing by 2 and 1.
Three of the ties went to the 18th green and another two ended at the 17th but the Americans won all the close ones.
There are 12 points to play for on the second and last day – four foursomes and eight singles.United States lead 5-4 in the series with one draw.
First day details:

UNITED STATES 9, EUROPE 3

FOUR-BALLS (1-3)
US names first
L List (Vanderbilt) & J Lovemark (Southern California) lost to R Davies (Wal) & G Shaw (NIr) 9 and 7.
B Harman (Georgia) & B Horschel (Florida) bt J Campillo (Spa) & P Oriol (Spa) 3 and 2.
J Moore (Oklahoma State) & W Simpson (Wake Forest) lost to G Yates (Sco) & M Haastrup (Den) 1 hole.
D Johnson (Coastal Carolina) & C Kirk (Georgia) lost to J Blixt (Swe) & O Floren (Swe) 2 and 1.
SINGLES (8-0)
Lovemark bt Davies 4 and 2.
List bt Campillo 2 holes.
Horschel bt Shaw 2 holes.
Harman bt Oriol 4 and 2.
Moore bt Yates 2 and 1.
Simpson bt Blixt 2 and 1.
Kirk bt Haastrup 1 hole.
Johnson bt Floren 4 and 2.

HARD WORK PAYS OFF WITH FIRST
FULL SCOTLAND CAP FOR
MICHELE THOMSON

Ellon teenager Michele Thomson has been talking about how she feels at being awarded her first full cap for Scotland in next month's European women's team championship in Italy:
“I am really delighted that the Scottish European Team selectors have recognised my achievements and progress this year and look forward to repaying their faith in me with a solid performance in Italy.
"Since my return from the USA (Jacksonville State University) in early January I have worked hard on swing changes with my coach Neil Marr of Meldrum House and with Ross Cameron, PGA professional, and the help and guidance these guys have given me has been absolutely invaluable.
"I believe the changes that they have made to my technique have possibly lost me a little length but in return my accuracy and consistency has improved tenfold and once the putts start to roll in the confidence really starts to build.
"While the golf coaching has been terrific, the Grampian Institute of Sport have also been very supportive since my return from America and special thanks must go to Neil Brown at the RGU fitness centre and physiotherapist Karen Young of Banks of Dee Sports Centre.
"When I look back now it makes me realise that there is so much help here in Scotland and much of it right on our doorstep. All I need now is someone to help with the weather!!
"Since early January I have hit golf balls and trained six days a week, sometimes in the most interesting and challenging weather conditions but it just goes to show, if you put in the effort, the rewards are definitely out there.
"I aim to keep working as hard as ever over the next few months and hopefully more silverware and success will come my way.”

WOLSTENHOLME'S GOOD START TO EURO
MID-AMATEUR TITLE DEFENCE.

Title-holder Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs) made a good start to his defence of the European men's mid-amateur championship at Domaine Imperial Club on the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland today.
Over a Pete Dye-designed par-72 lay-out, Walker Cup veteran Wolstenholme shared a one-stroke lead with Frenchman Francois Watter on 72.
The big international field included one Scot, James Deas, who had an 86.


Leading first round scores
Par 72
72 G Wolstenholme (Eng), F Wattier (Fra).
73 D Clerget (Fra), D Heyen (Ger), R Baird (Wal).
74 P Griffiths (Eng), T Krieger (Ger), B Downing (Eng).
Other scores:
75 N Illingworth (Eng).
76 M Wharton (Eng), P Errity (Ire), K Bornemann (Ire), A Stacey (Eng).
77 M Stokes (Eng).
79 E Murphy (Ire).
80 L Watcham (Eng), M Reid (Eng), C Mitchelson (Eng).
81 G Ruth (Eng), T Bray (Eng).
86 J Deas (Sco).

European Challenge Tour

MURRAY URQUHART HAS A ROLLER

-COASTER RIDE IN GERMANY

Northern Open champion Murray Urquhart is lying joint 93rd in a field of 155 at the end of the first round of this week's European Challenge Tour event, the Vodafone Challenge at G&CC An der Elfrather Muhle, Dusseldorf.
Urquhart, pictured right, had a roller-coaster round of three-over-par 75 with halves of 40 and 35.
He had a nightmare run of a double bogey 6 at the third, a double bogey 6 at the seventh and, to cap it all, a triple bogey 7 at the eighth. He was grateful for a 2 at the short sixth to get him out in 40.

Then the Inverness man went from the ridiculous to the sublime with an eagle 3 at the ninth, a birdie at the 10th and another birdie at the 12th, with a bogey sandwiched between at the 11th.
Urquhart settled to par the last six holes.
German amateur Max Kieffer and Italian Lorenzo Gagli lead the field on five-under-par 67.
Rookie pro Elliot Saltman (Craigielaw) is in joint 19th position with a 70 - one shot better than former Scottish amateur champion George Murray from Anstruther and David Patrick (Mortonhall).
Another former Scottish amateur champion, Andrew McArthur (Windyhill) had a 73 while Ed Thomson (Largs) had a 75.
SCOREBOARD
Par 72 6,859yd
67 Lorenzo Gagli (Ita), Maximilian Kieffer (Am) (Ger).
68 Anthony Tarchetti (Eng), Thomas Nielsen (Den), Simon Lilly (Eng), Wilhelm Schauman (Swe).
69 Zane Scotland (Eng), Pablo Del Grosso (Arg), John Mellor (Eng), Gareth Wright (Wal), Sebastian L Saavedra (Arg), Adam Gee (Eng), Magnus A Carlsson (Swe), Gabriel Canizares (Spa), Niels Kraaij (Net), Anders Schmidt Hansen (Den), Rodolfo Gonzalez (Arg), Jamie Little (Eng).
70 Elliot Saltman (Sco), Kariem Baraka (Ger), Juan Abbate (Arg), Liam Bond (Wal), Matthew Tottey (Wal), Jacques Chevalier (Fra), Michael Hoey (NIr), Joost Luiten (Net), Ian Keenan (Eng), Jason Kelly (Nor), Matt Ford (Eng), Julio Zapata (Arg), James H Williams (Wal), Jerome Theunis (Bel), Alexander Knappe (Am) (Ger).
71 Chris Hanson (Eng), Mikko Korhonen (Fin), Gary Clark (Eng), Mickael Dieu (Fra), Paolo Terreni (Ita), Tuomas Tuovinen (Fin), Martin Wiegele (Aut), Robin Swane (Net), Kieran Staunton (Eng), Antti Ahokas (Fin), David Patrick (Sco), Andrea Maestroni (Ita), Carlos Balmaseda (Spa), Hugo Santos (Por), James Kamte (SAf), George Murray (Sco), Gareth Paddison (NZ).
72 Fabrizio Zanotti (Par), Jan-Are Larsen (Nor), Tim Dykes (Wal), Manuel Kempe (Ger), James Morrison (Eng), Robert Dinwiddie (Eng), Ben Willman (Eng), Raphaël De Sousa (Swi), Jeppe Huldahl (Den), Tino Schuster (Ger), Kasper Linnet Jorgensen (Den), Alex McGuinness (Ken), Leif Westerberg (Swe), Ricardo Santos (Por).
Other Scots scores:
73 Andrew McArthur.
75 Murray Urquhart.
76 Edward Thomson.

MONTY IN DANGER OF MISSING THE
CUT IN EURO TOUR EVENT IN AUSTRIA

Just when Colin Montgomerie had got his game back on song for next week's US Open, he falls off his perch again with a two-over-par 73 in the first round of this week's European Tour event, the BA-CA Golf Open presented by Telekom Austria at Fontana Golf Club.
Over a par-71 lay-out, the general scoring was low - Graeme Storm is the leader with an eight-under 63 and he has only one shot of an advantage.
Monty is back in joint 101st place and he will need a score that improves his position by a good 40 positions to survive the halfway cut on Friday evening.

FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 71 (Players from GB&I unless stated)
63 Graeme Storm.
64 Martin Eklandsson (Swe).
65 Tom Whitehouse, Patrik Sjoland (Swe), Shaun P Webster.
66 Gary Lockerbie, Richard McEvoy, Richard Green (Aus), Lee Westwood, Francois Calmels (Fra), Daniel Denison (Eng), Richard Finch (Eng).
Scots scores:
68 Euan Little (jt 18th).
69 Stephen Gallacher (jt 32nd).
70 David Drysdale (jt 44th).
71 Gary Orr (jt 71st).
72 Andrew Coltart (jt 84th).
73 Colin Montgomerie (jt 101st).
75 Andrew Oldcorn (jt 130th).

STIRLING STUDENT YATES HELPS
EUROPEANS TAKE SURPRISE 3-1
LEAD IN PALMER CUP

Europe took a surprise 3-1 lead over favourites United States in their own backyard on the opening morning of the two-day transatlantic students’ golf match for the Palmer Cup.
With this year’s venue the Caves Valley Golf Club near Baltimore, Maryland, the American line-up, containing most of the top US college circuit players and including Jamie Lovemark, the new No 1 in the R&A World amateur rankings, was expected to gain revenge for the record trouncing (19 ½-4 ½) they received in last year’s match over the Prestwick links.
Instead, the Europeans got off to a flying start with Edinburgh-born Welsh Walker Cup player Rhys Davies and Ulsterman Gareth Shaw, team-mates at East Tennessee State University, thrashing Jamie Lovemark and Luke List by 9 and 7 in the first tie off the tee.

It was the highest winning margin ever recorded in any Palmer Cup tie. The scoring was fantastically good.

Davies birdied the first two holes. Shaw birdied the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth. After six holes, the European partnership were six holes up - and there was no way back for Lovemark and List after that.

The United States levelled it at 1-1 when Brian Harman and Billy Horschel won by 3 and 2 against the all-Spanish pairing of Jorge Campillo and Perdo Oriol.
But Europe edged ahead again when the all-Swedish partnership of Jonas Blixt and Oscar Floren won by 2 and 1 over Dustin Johnson and Chris Kirk.
Stirling student Gordon Yates (pictured above) and Mark Hastrup from Denmark then stretched the European lead to 2pt at lunchtime by beating Jonathan Moore and Webb Simpson by one hole after being two up with four to play.
Results:
FOUR-BALLS
US names first
L List & J Lovemark lost to R Davies & G Shaw 9 and 7.
B Harman & B Horschel bt J Campillo & P Oriol 3 and 2.
J Moore & W Simpson lost to G Yates & M Haastrup 1 hole.
D Johnson & C Kirk lost to J Blixt & O Floren 2 and 1.

**WE EXPECT TO HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE AFTERNOON SINGLES NEARER MIDNIGHT

ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

LAURA MURRAY IS QUEEN OF THE CASTLE
AT BALLUMBIE IN LGU CHALLENGE BOWLS

Robert Gordon University student Laura Murray won the Wallace Williamson Bowl with an excellent scratch score of three-under-par 70 in the Scottish LGU Challenge Bowls meeting at Ballumbie Castle Golf Club, Dundee today.
The score will almost certainly be ratified as a new women’s course record. It was three under the Competitive Standard Scratch score for the day.
The LGU Challenge Bowl in the Silver Division was won by Jen Petrie (Panmure Barry) with a net 69 off nine of a handicap. She had a better inward half than Lorraine McNicoll (Ballumbie Castle), playing off 13, who also had a net 69.
Isobel Millar (Vale of Leven) scored a double whammy in the Bronze Division, winning the Bronze Scratch Cup with a round of 79 and the LGU Challenge Bowl in this division with a net 77 off 22.
Isobel received both trophies but Ann Callaghan (Ballumbie Castle), playing off 28, was awarded the best net prize with a 78
A total of 33 players took part.

PRESS RELEASE

NIKE SIGN UP NEW PRO PABLO MARTIN

Nike Golf today announced the signing of young Spanish golfing sensation Pablo Martin.
Martin has had the biggest week of his life to date by turning professional, signing with Nike Golf and qualifying for the US Open.
He has signed a multi-year agreement with the fastest growing brand in golf and will represent Nike Golf in clubs, ball, footwear, glove, bag, apparel, headwear and accessories.
Following a highly distinguished amateur career and collegiate campaign at Oklahoma State University, the 21-year-old from Malaga became the first amateur to win on the PGA European Tour when he claimed victory at the Estoril Open de Portugal in April.
The win earned Martin an exemption on the European Tour until the end of the 2009 season, which will commence when he establishes his membership on Tour.
Martin intends to compete both on the European Tour and the US PGA Tour, via sponsor exemptions, for the remainder of 2007. “in October.

Scottish Golf Union Press Release

SGU TO ACCEPT SELF-NOMINATIONS
FROM YOUNGSTERS FOR
SCOTTISH GOLF ACADEMY

‘Game Academy’ has been launched in the Home of Golf in a drive to find the next Richie Ramsay, the current US amateur champion, or for those wishing to emulate the sizzling form of 2005 Open silver medallist Lloyd Saltman, recently crowned Irish amateur champion.
The SGU is embarking on its very own X Factor talent search for up and coming golfers who want to be the next sensation on the amateur golf scene.
For determined young Scots out there who are ‘game on’ to improve their golf and harbour the ambition to become a national squad member, entry into the Scottish Golf Academy could put them on the fairway to a first national cap.
The SGU established the Scottish Golf Academy two years ago, with the aim of increasing opportunities for aspirational young players, who wish to develop their potential and game to whatever level their talent and ambition may take them.
As the Golf Academy moves into its third year of operation, the SGU is seeking fresh X Factor talent for a year one intake this September.
SGU Performance Manager Stuart Turner, the man who masterminded the Academy programme from inception, said: “The current system for entry into the Academy relies on clubs nominating players to the SGU’s 16 areas, who in turn ensure the SGU is made aware of these players.
"The Academy coaches then track the golfers throughout the season for potential selection in to the Academy. However, we are not getting the numbers of players referred to us that we would like, so we have come up with the idea of self nomination.”
The SGU’s aim is to ensure talent does not go unnoticed and self nomination by players will complement the current referral system by the SGU areas.Turner added:
“We are leaving no stone unturned in our quest to ensure we do not miss any talented young golfers out there. Academy players benefit from structured coaching and competition delivered by some of the best coaches in the country.
"If you know someone who should be involved, urge them to self nominate now.”
Those game for improvement must meet the X Factor criteria. To be an 'Academy wannabe' you must have been born in 1993 or after and have a handicap of 10 or less.
Interested players should contact the Scottish Golf Union as soon as possible, but no later than July 31, 2007 for more information and a form.
BACKGROUND NOTES
The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) is the governing body for men’s amateur golf in Scotland. The SGU exists to further the cause of golf; to attract newcomers to the game; to develop golfing skills at all levels and to provide support and advice to clubs.
The Scottish Golf Academy was set up in September 2005 and provides players with a structured coaching and competition programme, managed day to day by SGU National Junior Coach Spencer Henderson.
The aim of the Academy system is to fill a previously missing link from regional to national level, and provides one of the key steps in the player pathway structure – giving players a consistent framework to progress from clubgolf stages, to whatever level they aspire to.
There are now eight academy venues across the country and 96 talented young golfers are benefiting from up to 100 hours of structured coaching sessions per annum.
Considerable progress has been made throughout the two years of operation, including significant handicap reductions and improved competition results.
In 2006 in conjunction with the SLGA, 12 girls were introduced into the Academy programme for the first time.

THREE SCOTS IN US OPEN FIELD AT OAKMONT

There will be three Scots in the field for next week's United States Open championship at Oakmont Country Club - Colin Montgomery, Richie Ramsay and Martin Laird, the former Scottish youths champion, who has come through a final qualifier play-off at Riverside GC, Illinois with rounds of 72 and 71 for 143.
Laird is having a successful season on America's No 2 men's pro tour, the Nationwide Tour, on which he has beenn a winner and has won over $120,000.
Edinburgh-born Walker Cup player Rhys Davies, who won 10 events during four years (just ended) at East Tennessee State University, has earned a place in the field through a 36-hole sectional qualifying event.
Russell Knox, still an amateur, from Inverness survived a local qualifier but was eliminated in one of the many sectional qualifiers. Russell has just finished four years at Jacksonville University, Alabama.

LLOYD SALTMAN TO MAKE PRO DEBUT IN BRITISH
MASTERS FROM SEPTEMBER 20 to 23

Lloyd Saltman will turn professional immediately after the Walker Cup match at Royal County Down on September 8 and 9.
He intends making his debut as a pro in the British Masters at The Belfry from September 20 to 23. The Craigielaw 21-year-old played in the event last year as an amateur and would have collected £5,000 for making the cut and finishing on 293 had he been a professsional then.
Saltman and possibly Richie Ramsay - another 99.99% certain to be named in the GB&I team to play the United States - will miss the men's home internationals (September 19 to 21).
Ramsay has not yet made up his mind if he will defend the US amateur title this summer. He says he wants to get back into the swing of things on this side of the Atlantic, having missed weeks of tournament play because of accepting invitations to play in US Tour evens.
The Aberdonian is focused on gaining a second Walker Cup honour so there is no truth in the rumours that he might turn professional after competing in the Open at Carnoustie in July.

McINTOSH RETIRES, YOUNG IS

NEW SECRETARY OF

NORTH-EAST DISTRICT

Ill health has forced George McIntosh to stand down as secretary-treasurer of the North-east District of the Scottish Golf Unon.
His successor is George Young (pictured right) from Inverallochy, a former president of the district and manager of Fraserburgh Golf Club for a spell.
McIntosh was diagnosed as having Parkinson’s Disease in the 1990s when he was secretary-manager of Newmachar Golf Club. He fulfilled that role as well as becoming secretary-treasurer of the North-east District after Ian McPherson (Cruden Bay) died in 1996.
George took early retirement from the Newmachar post in 2003 due to his ongoing illness but retained the NE District post.
“I’ve enjoyed very much the years I’ve been involved with the district but I have to face up to the inevitable. My health is deteriorating to the point where I cannot continue to do the work.”
Born in Braemar in 1956, George McIntosh was a good golfer in his younger days and won every Braemar Golf Club trophy except the club championship.
He started his long career in golf administration when he was appointed secretary of the Braemar club in December 1979.
George Young, who worked for Aberdeenshire county council for many years, is father of Steven Young, who won the British boys title, the Scottish boys match-play championship three years in a row from 1993-95, and was capped for Scotland and then Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup. Steven now lives in Texas.

McKECHNIE SETS NEW POLLOK RECORD AND
ADDS £1,051 TO HIS BANK BALANCE

Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), the leading Tartan Tour money-winner this season, lifted the £1,051 first prize and claimed a new course record with a 10-under-par round of 61 in the Pollok Golf Club pro-am today.
Paul had an eagle 3 at the 15th and nine birdies, at the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, ninth, 10th, 13th and 18th, in halves of 30 (six under par) and 31 (four under par).
It wasn't quite a perfect round - he bogeyed the 17th.
McKechnie won by four strokes, an unusually big margin on the pro-am circuit, from joint runners-up Chris Kelly (Cawder) and Alan Lockhart (Ladybank).
There was a tight finish to the team event with three teams finishing with a net total of 124.
Victory, with a better back nine hole total, went to the Hamilton Glen team and professional Brian Mason (Drumoig). The amateurs were Douglas Hogg (handicap 12), Colin Cammidge (11) and Graham Wright (12).
The two other teams on 124 were David Fleming (Prestwick) and J T C 1, and Paul McKechnie and Caledonia Financial Planning.
LEADING SCORES
Par 71
61 P McKechnie (Braid Hills).
65 C Kelly (Cawder), A Lockhart (Ladybank).
66 S Gray (Hayston).
68 J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), G Hutcheon (Peterculter).
69 S Cairns (Westerwood), M Loftus (Cowglen), D Robertson (Czech Design), C Lee (All Golf Swing Centre), C Elliott (Haggs Castle).

AMERICAN IS NEW NUMBER ONE IN R&A
WORLD AMATEUR RANKINGS
American college student Jamie Lovemark is the new No 1 in the R&A's World Amateur Golf Rankings following an impressive victory over one of the strongest fields in amateur golf at the NCAA Division 1 men's college championship at Williamsburg, Virginia.
Lovemark, a student at the University of Southern California, shot two 64s (12 under par) over the final 36 holes to win the title with a nine-under-par total fo 271. He is the first American to be No 1 since the R&A started its world ranking of amateurs.
England's Jamie Moule, who knocked US amateur champion Richie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen) off the top perch some 16 weeks ago, has slipped down to second place.
There are two Scots in the top 20 - Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) in ninth place and Richie Ramsay in 18th place.
Alyth's Kevin McAlpine won the Bidwells Scottish open stroke-play title at Royal Dornoch on Sunday, to claim a notable double, having won the Allied Surveyors Scottish amateur championship last year at Nairn. He is only the sixth player to achieve the feat of holding both Scottish national titles concurrently. The victory has catapulted McAlpine up 65 places to No 107.
Apart from Saltman and Ramsay, the only other Scots ranked in the top 100 are Paul O'Hara (Colville Park) in 78th place and John Gallagher (Swanston) in 84th place.
Top 20 are:
1 J Lovemark (US), 2 J Moul (Eng), 3 B Horschel (US), 4 R Davies (Wal), 5 C Kirk (US)_, 6 P Martin (Spa), 7 K Stanley (US), 8 W Simpson (US), 9 L Saltman (Sco), 10 B LaCassie (Aus), 11 J Parry (Eng), 12 G Wolstenholme (Eng), 13 R McIlroy (NIr), 14 D Johnson (U&S), 15 N Lemke (Swe), 16 G Boyd (Eng), 17 A Wagner (Arg), 18 R Ramsay (Sco), 19 K Chappell (Eng), 20 N Edwards (Wal).

R&A PRESS RELEASE

STRONGEST OF FIELDS FOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
AT ROYAL LYTHAM & ST ANNES LATER THIS MONTH

Royal Lytham & St. Annes, one of the great championship courses in the north-west of England, has attracted one of the strongest and most representative fields for many years for The Amateur Championship that will be played there and at St. Annes Old Links from 18 to 23 June.
Players from 29 countries will be competing for the honour of having their name inscribed on a trophy that was first played for in 1886, 12 months after the inaugural event at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, the founding club of what was to become the Amateur Championship in 1922.
While Lytham has had 10 Open championships played over its historic links, this year marks only the fourth Amateur championship to be played there since the first in 1935 when American Walker Cup player Lawson Little successfully defended the title he had claimed twelve months earlier at Prestwick.
Little, Horace Hutchinson, Harold Hilton, Michael Bonallack and Peter McEvoy still remain the only players to have successfully defended the Amateur championship.
St Annes Old Links, many times a Final Qualifying venue for The Open, will be used in parallel with Royal Lytham & St. Annes on the two days of stroke play qualifying.
Players from Great Britain and Ireland will surely have Walker Cup selection as a target for 2007 and a good performance in the Amateur will reinforce their claim for a place in the ten-man team.
English player Jamie Moul, currently No 2 in the R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking after holding the No 1 spot for 16 weeks, must already have his sights set on Royal County Down in September. Moul reached the semi-final stage of the Amateur last year at Royal St George’s, only to lose to fellow English international Adam Gee.
Also staking their claim for a place are, American college student, Rhys Davies of Wales and Craigielaw player Lloyd Saltman. Both were in the 2005 Walker Cup team and this year, while Davies was winning twice on the college circuit, Saltman made an explosive start to the season with four major stroke-play victories, in England, Ireland and Scotland.
Welsh stalwart Nigel Edwards, already twice a Walker Cup player, is in the field for Lytham and England’s most capped player, Gary Wolstenholme, will hope to become a member of the exclusive club of players who have won the Amateur on three occasions, his previous successes coming in 1991 and more recently in 2003 at Royal Troon.
If the trophy is to go overseas then it is likely that its destination will be one of the main golfing nations who have several players in the field.
It is over 30 years since the last American victory. With 12 players in this year’s field, the time might be right to redress that. Their top contender could be Luke List, a college player who earlier in the year won the Jones Cup at Sea Island against a top international entry.
A large entry has been received from South Africa includes national champion Louis de Jager while one of the top Australians playing in the Amateur is Rohan Blizard, their national amateur champion.
Competitors play 18 holes on each of Royal Lytham & St. Annes and St. Annes Old Links on Monday and Tuesday, June 18 and 19. The top 64 and ties enter the match-play stages leading to the 36 hole final on Saturday, June 23.

The draw can be viewed at www.randa.org – championships.

TIGHT MATCHES IN RITSON SMITH ABERDEEN
& DISTRICT PENNANT LEAGUE

There were some very tight matches in Tuesday evening's latest round of Ritson Smith Aberdeen Pennant League matches.
Craibstone and Nigg Bay drew 3-3 at Craibstone while East Aberdeenshire are still bemoaning losing both their last ties against Newmachar, which went down the 18th. Newmachar won 4-2.
Tuesday's results:

AUCHMILL 2, HAZLEHEAD 4.
CRAIBSTONE 3, NIGG BAY 3.
EAST ABERDEENSHIRE 2, NEWMACHAR 4
(East Aberdeenshire names first)
Donald Emslie & Stephen Hepburn lost to Kevin Riley & Chris Simpson 1 hole.
Callum Kinnaird & Dod Laing lost to Martin Lawrence & Jamie Wilson 4 and 2.
Bill Yeoman & David Corkey lost to George Mitchell & John Duff 1 hole.
David Forman & Stuart McIntosh bt Keith Spence & Michael Spence 2 and 1.
Neil Forbes & Euan McIntosh lost to Iain Wallace & Richard Barr 4 and 3.
Ian Kynoch & Les Singer bt Mike Berkeley & Colin Ross 2 and 1.
STONEHAVEN 3 1/2, WESTHILL 2 1/2.

THURSDAY NIGHT'S MATCHES:
Newmachar v Murcar Links.
Peterculter v East Aberdeenshire.
Portlethen v Royal Aberdeen.
Westhill v Craibstone.

++We invite secretaries (or any other official) of home clubs to E-mail the results of any matches to colin@scottishgolfview.com, on the same night if possible, if not the following morning.

PRESS RELEASE

AMATEUR HOOPER WINS CELTIC PRO TOUR OPENER

Amateur Richard Hooper won the opening event of the new Celtic Pro Tour in a dramatic sudden-death play-off with Challenge Tour and former European Tour professional Stuart Manley at Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club on Tuesday.
The two, who played together in the last pairing, both finished on two under par 140 after 36 holes at the South Wales Open.
The play-off was played over the first three holes, and spectators were treated to some spectacular golf with both players recording birdie threes on the first hole, with two solid pars on the second.
The third hole saw Manley (ISM/ Mountain Ash) hit his approach shot over the back of the green, allowing Hooper (Neath) to play safe into the heart of the green. Although Manley produced a sparkling return chip, which almost dropped into the hole, Hooper stayed calm and sank a 12 foot putt to win the trophy with another birdie.
Last season’s Dragon Tour Order of Merit winner, Alex Smith, who had been suffering from a debilitating stomach virus since last Friday, fought well on his home course to shoot a one under par 70 in round two to put himself once again in the prize money, in third place.
The 2006 Order of Merit runner up, Tom Davies (Machynys Peninsula), was again consistent, and claimed fourth spot, with James Shield (The Oxfordshire) fifth and David Price (Aber Wrought Iron / http://www.vale-hotel.com/) sixth.
“We had some fantastic weather this week, which certainly added to the occasion,” said Tour director Rhydian Thomas. “The Pyle and Kenfig course was in great condition, and all golfers were very complimentary about the standard of the greens.
“For Richard to win this event, he had to come from behind, against a quality European and Challenge Tour golfer of Stuart’s ability. In fact, after shooting 69 in regulation play, and then getting birdies on two of the extra holes, you could say he was 4 under par over 21 holes. We just hope he had enough strength left to play in a County matchplay event that same evening !”
The Tour encompasses events in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Golfers can still join the Tour, with annual membership costing £175 for professionals, and event entry priced at £99. Amateur golfers with a scratch handicap or better can also enter events at a cost of £55, and don’t need to pay membership. Prize money at each event will be at least £1,000 to the winner, with the top 25% in the field winning money also. A voucher will be available to the leading amateur.
Golfers wishing to enter the next event, the West Wales Open at Gower Golf Club next Monday 11th & Tuesday 12th June, should contact Rhydian Thomas on 07861 686568 or register online at the website at http://www.celticpro.com/ by 5pm Saturday 9th June
The Gower event is quickly followed by the Tour’s first venture into Ireland at Seafield Golf Club for the Wexford Open on Monday June 18th and Tuesday June 25th.

SCOREBOARD FROM SOUTH WALES OPEN
Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club.
Par 142 (2 x 71).
140 Richard Hooper (am) 71 69, Stuart Manley 70 70 (Hooper won play-off).
144 Alex Smith 74 70.
148 Tom Davies 74 74.
149 James Shield 74 75.
150 David Price 76 74, Ryan Thomas (am) 75 75.
151 Ian Brown 78 73, Matthew Griffiths 75 76, Adam Lee 72 79, Matthew Hollis 72 79.
152 Kevin Goude (am) 77 75, Alun Evans 75 77.
154 Eurig Williams 81 73, Chris Cousins 80 74.
157 Chris Gray 80 76, Leon Clark 79 77.
158 Leighton James 80 78.
159 Spencer Vickery 81 78, Mark Govier 80 79.
160 Mike Thorne 80 80, Darren Legg 74 86.
161 Huw James 77 84.
163 Andy Lambert 76 87.
167 George Watts 89 78.
168 Scott Davies 87 81, Arthur Thompson 80 83.

Press Release

DUNDONALD HOSTS DUKE OF YORK TROPHY
TOURNAMENT FOR SECOND YEAR IN ROW

Dundonald Links is delighted to announce that it will again be hosting the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy from 11th – 13th September, 2007.
The Duke of York Trophy, now in its seventh year, is a unique, international 54-hole stroke play golf tournament for boys and girls who are either the current holders of their Under 18 National Championship or have won selected major golfing events in the preceding year. Sanctioned by the R & A and now counting towards the World Amateur Golf Rankings, the tournament is organised in a similar fashion to a professional tour event to give the potential golfing stars of the future a chance to experience what life as a pro might involve.

Running since 2001, the tournament has featured some fine talent including, European Tour young-gun Oliver Fisher who won the event in 2005, European Amateur Champion, Rory McIlroy and Pablo Martin, who recently won as an amateur on The European Tour. This year’s event will feature a field of over 45 champions from more than 23 countries, with the average handicap likely to be an impressive scratch.

"I am delighted that the tournament is returning to Dundonald Links in September and look forward to building on the success of last year's event. It is also good to note the successes that many of our past players are enjoying such as Oliver Fisher, now in his first year on the European Tour, Sam Hutsby as an England national squad player and Anna Nordqvist who is currently 3rd in the European Amateur Ladies' rankings," commented the event’s Patron, HRH The Duke of York.

John Caven, Director of Operations at Dundonald Links said: “We are delighted to be once again hosting this prestigious tournament that does so much for junior golf. The course should provide a stern but fair test for these talented youngsters.”
Designed by renowned architect, Kyle Phillips, Dundonald Links is the Ayrshire Links Course owned by Loch Lomond Golf Club. Situated near the legendary town of Troon, it can certainly lay claim to being a true test of links golf and a worthy neighbour to Open Championship venues, Royal Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry. Master-craftsman Kyle Phillips has created a classic links course that blends in seamlessly with the natural surroundings, in a similar vein to his highly-acclaimed Kingsbarns Golf Links.

DOUGLAS MITCHELL (net 0 at 13th) STEALS
DEAN ROBERTSON’S STRATHAVEN THUNDER

Dean Robertson won the £1,100 top prize with a four-under-par 67 in the Strathaven Golf Club pro-am today – but it was a 15-handicap amateur, Douglas Mitchell who provided the main talking point in the clubhouse.
Douglas had a hole in one at the 153yd 13th hole – where the stroke index allowed him a shot for his team event score, which meant that Mr Mitchell had a net 0 at the hole!
No wonder that the Netherfield Stud trio of Douglas, Mark Hendry (6) and Alex Quale (10), piloted by pro Craig Imlah (Peebles), won the team prize with a score of 19-under-par 52.
Robertson had an eagle 3 at the 487yd par-5 10th and birdies at the fifth, eighth, 14th and 16th in halves of 34 (one under par) and 33 (three under par). He had bogeys at the sixth and 13th.
Colin Gillies (Kingsfield) and Peterculter’s Greig Hutcheon finished a shot behind in second place on 68.
LEADING PRO SCORES
Par 71
67 D Robertson (Czech Design).
68 C Gillies (Kingsfield), G Hutcheon (Peterculter).
69 R Arnott (Bishopbriggs).
70 C Imlah (Peebles), C Kelly (Cawder), P McKechnie (Braid Hills), J McKinnon (Irvine), D Williamson (Kirkhill), R Gray (Torrance House0, J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle).
TEAM WINNERS
52 C Imlah (Peebles) & Netherfield Stud: M Hendry (6), A Quale (10), D Mitchell (15).

HEATHER BLOOMS IN NORTHERN VETS FINAL BY BEATING SCOTS CHAMPION KATHLEEN

Downfield Golf Club member Heather Anderson, beaten in the semi-finals of the Angus women’s county golf championship earlier this season, won the Northern veteran women’s championship at Panmure Barry Golf Club today.
Heather, making her debut in the veterans’ area championship, having returned to Scotland from Shropshire a few months ago, had a notable win in the final over Kathleen Sutherland (Royal Montrose), the leading qualifier for the match-play stages at Panmure Barry on Monday and winner of the Scottish veteran women’s title last year.
Heather, the No 2 seed, who had squeezed through at the 19th against Sue McGregor in the morning semi-finals, beat Kathleen by one hole.
Ann Meldrum (Murcar Links) won the Bronze Division championship by beating Cathy Clark (Aberdeen Ladies) 3 and 2 in the final.

**Picture shows Northern vets' president Tony Moffat congratulating Ann Meldrum after the Bronze final. Cathy Clark is on the right. For a picture of Tony and the Silver Division championship finalists, log on to www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

Results from the Northern veteran women’s championship meeting at Panmure Barry:

Silver Division – Scratch – Mrs K Sutherland (Royal Montrose) 77, Mrs Heather Anderson (Downfield) 78. Handicap - Mrs S Hodge (Aberdeen Ladies) (13) 72, Mrs Anne Bowman (McDonald Ellon) (7) 74.
Bronze Division – Scratch – Mrs C Clark (Aberdeen Ladies) 101, Mrs V Walker (Hazlehead) 113. Handicap - Mrs C Clark (Aberdeen Ladies) (21) 80, Mrs V Walker (Hazlehead) (25) 88.

Match-play results:

Championship – Semi-finals – K Sutherland bt A Bowman (McDonald Ellon) 5 and 4, H Anderson bt S McGregor (Edzell) at 19th. Final – Anderson bt Sutherland 1 hole.
Bronze – Semi-finals – Mrs C Clark (Aberdeen Ladies) bt Mrs L Esson (Aberdeen Ladies) 7 and 6, Mrs A Meldrum (Murcar Links) bt Mrs V Walker (Hazlehead) 3 and 2. Final – Meldrum bt Clark 3 and 2.

FIFE ORDER OF MERIT PLACINGS

Brian Soutar (Leven Golfing Society) and Greg Paterson (St Andrews New) are well clear of the field in the Forrester Park Fife Order of Merit for the Mackay Bowl.
Positions are seven events:

1 Brian Soutar (Leven GS) 240pt.
2 Greg Paterson (St Andrews New) 220.
3 Colin Martin (BNalbirnie Park) 130.
4 Kevin Blyth (Kirkcaldy), Gary Fotheringham (Canmore), Barry McDermott (Leven GS), Gary Page (Balbirnie Park), Colin Steffen (Dunnikier Park) 125.

The next counting event is this weekend’s St Andrews Links Trophy.

YOUNG SCOTS NAMED IN SQUADS FOR
EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Seven of the eight teenage players who helped Scotland win the girls’ home international title last summer for the first time since 1998 have been named by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association selection committee in two squads for European team championships at the beginning of July.
They include the quartet to represent Scotland, under the captaincy of Jennifer Jenkins (Ralston), in the European girls’ team championship at Oslo Golf Club, Norway from July 10 to 14 is:
Carly Booth (Comrie), Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) and Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies).
And Rachael Livingstone, Roseanne Niven and Michele Thomson figure in the Scotland line-up, under the captaincy of Lesley Johnston, for the European women’s team championship at Castelcontrubia Golf Club, Italy, also from July 10 to 14. The full team is:
Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old), Heather MacRae (Dunblane New), Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), Roseanne Niven (Crieff), Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).

I M G PRESS RELEASE

PABLO TURNS PRO WITH I M G

Former British boys' open champion Pablo Martin has announced that he has both turned professional and selected IMG, the world’s premier sports, entertainment and media company, for global management and marketing representation.
Martin, a 21-year old from Malaga, Spain, will make his professional debut at this week’s Stanford St. Jude Championship on the US PGA Tour, following a highly distinguished amateur career and collegiate campaign at Oklahoma State University.
In April 2007, Martin became the first amateur to win on the European Tour when he claimed the Estoril Open de Portugal. The historic victory earned Martin an exemption on the European Tour that will commence when he establishes membership on Tour and will last through the 2009 season. Martin intends to compete both on the European Tour and the US PGA Tour, via sponsor exemptions, for the remainder of 2007.

DISAPPOINTING FINISH FOR SCOTS IN
CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT


More news we were unable to give you on Sunday because of a communications hitch:

Jack Doherty finished as the leading Scot at the Oceanico Developments Pro-Am Challenge, but it was another disappointing week for the Challenge Tour’s tartan contingent at the Marriott Hotel and Country Club in Manchester.
No-one was more frustrated than George Murray who fell from a tie for fifth place at the halfway stage to a finishing position of 42nd after weekend rounds of 73-74 at the par 70 venue saw him fall from eight to one under par in the space of 36 holes.
It was the same case for all four Scots who made the cut. Chris Doak shot 74-73 over the last two rounds to finish on level par, while Peter Whiteford’s scores of 72-76 saw him finish five over.
Doherty finished the week on two under after rounds of 71-73 that left him 13 shots behind the winner, Ross McGowan of England who took the title after a play-off with Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera.

FIRST OVER-50s WIN FOR ROCCA AS HE LANDS
THE AIB IRISH SENIORS OPEN TITLE

In case you missed the news - regrettably due to our communications black-out on Sunday -
Italian Ryder Cup star Costantino Rocca celebrated his first win as a Senior golfer when he closed with a final round of one under par 71 to capture the AIB Irish Seniors Open, in association with Greenstar and Fáilte Ireland, at the PGA National Ireland golf course.
Rocca, playing in only his third event on the European Seniors Tour, coped best in the rain-plagued final round thanks to a wonderful short game display for a winning 54-hole total of five- under-par 211.
England’s Kevin Spurgeon and Spain’s Juan Quiros shared second spot two strokes back after returning level par 72s, while overnight leader Stewart Ginn three-putted from six feet at the 16th for a 76 that left the Australian on two under par alongside American Doug Johnson.
After collecting the stunning Waterford crystal trophy and a winner’s cheque for €67,500, Rocca acknowledged that Ireland had been good to him.
The last of his five European Tour victories came at the West of Ireland Golf Classic in 1999, when he defeated Padraig Harrington by two shots at Galway Bay Golf & Country Club, and eight years later he was delighted to back in the winner’s enclosure on another Christy O’Connor junior-designed course at Palmerstown House.
“I am very pleased to win so early in my Seniors career and obviously it has been a long time since my last Tour victory. This tournament is very special. I love the people here in Ireland and they gave me good support,” said Rocca, who chipped in at the 11th and made a number of up and downs in his final round.
Ireland’s Adrian Morrow, on 10-over-par, collected the JB Carr Memorial Trophy for the leading amateur in the field. Coincidentally, Sunday marked the three-year anniversary of the death of Carr, recognised as the greatest Irish amateur golfer of his era and the first Irishman to be elected as captain of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72) PGA National Ireland

211 Costantino Rocca (Ita) 69 71 71
213 Juan Quiros (Esp) 73 68 72, Kevin Spurgeon (Eng) 71 70 72
214 Doug Johnson (USA) 69 71 74, Stewart Ginn (Aus) 67 71 76
216 Sam Torrance (Sco) 71 74 71, Tony Allen (Eng) 73 72 71, David Merriman (Aus) 72 70 74, John Bland (SAf) 71 73 72, David Good (Aus) 73 71 72
217 Glenn Ralph (Eng) 73 74 70, Guillermo Encina (Chi) 72 73 72, Horacio Carbonetti (Arg) 71 73 73, Bob Cameron (Eng) 74 72 71
218 Ross Drummond (Sco) 74 74 70
219 Carl Mason (Eng) 73 73 73, José Rivero (Esp) 75 72 72, Delroy Cambridge (Jam) 77 70 72, Alan Tapie (US) 69 75 75, Peter O’Hagan (Ire) 72 71 76
220 Gordon J Brand (Eng) 70 79 71, Denis O’Sullivan (Ire) 74 73 73, Terry Gale (Aus) 73 73 74
221 Mike Clayton (Aus) 72 77 72, Tony Johnstone (Zim) 73 74 74, Giuseppe Cali (Ita) 75 72 74, Bobby Lincoln (SAf) 73 73 75
222 Bill Longmuir (Sco) 72 77 73, Tommy Horton (Eng) 75 74 73, Eamonn Darcy (Ire) 71 77 74, Gery Watine (Fra) 74 74 74, Angel Fernandez (Chi) 74 71 77
223 Peter Teravainen (US) 75 76 72, Jerry Bruner (US) 71 79 73, Adan Sowa (Arg) 72 78 73
224 Jeff Hawkes (SAf) 74 81 69, Jimmy Heggarty (NIr) 72 78 74, Nick Job (Eng) 73 74 77, Luis Carbonetti (Arg) 73 74 77, Gavan Levenson (SAf) 68 75 81
225 Mike Miller (Sco) 73 77 75
226 Adrian Morrow (Ire) (am) 74 78 74, Denis Durnian (Eng) 77 74 75, John Chillas (Sco) 71 77 78, Simon Owen (NZ) 75 73 78
227 Martin Gray (Sco) 74 72 81, Jim Rhodes (Eng) 75 78 74, Pete Oakley (US) 71 79 77
228 Ian Mosey (Eng) 73 80 75, Bruce Heuchan (Can) 73 80 75, Tony Charnley (Eng) 76 77 75, Bertus Smit (RSA) 76 75 77
229 Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) 75 79 75, Mike Ferguson (Aus) 79 74 76, Ray Carrasco (USA) 73 78 78
230 Tim Rastall (Eng) 75 80 75, Manuel Piñero (Esp) 74 78 78, David Creamer (Eng) 71 80 79, Bill Malley (US) 72 79 79
231 Bob Larratt (Eng) 76 77 78, Paul Leonard (NIr) 72 80 79
232 Jim Lapsley (NZ) 78 77 77, Liam Higgins (Ire) 74 77 81, Emilio Rodriguez (Spa) 75 76 81
233 John Mashego (SAf) 76 79 78
234 Bob Shearer (Aus) 80 78 76,
235 Martin Poxon (Eng) 79 79 77, Victor Garcia (Spa) 79 74 82
236 David J Russell (Eng) 74 81 81, Steve Martin (Sco) 75 78 83, Philippe Dugeny (Fra) 73 78 85
237 Antonio Garrido (Esp) 73 84 80
239 Maurice Bembridge (Eng) 77 76 86
240 Liam MacNamara (Ire) (am) 77 79 84
245 Dermot W Morris (Ire) (am) 89 79 77
John Benda (USA) DQ

ALVA AND DOLLAR BOYS WIN AT HOME IN
CLACKMMAN COUNTY BOYS' LEAGUE

By HUGH HUNTER

Home advantage ruled the day in the second set of matches in the Clackmannan County Boys League. In dull conditions, the hill golf players from Alva and Dollar triumphed over the flatter course players in two exciting matches.
At Alva, the top three scratch players all won comfortably, with the best win of the evening by 12-year-old county junior champion Lawrence Allan, who raced to the turn in 31, giving him a four-hole lead which proved unassailable.
Martin Hall clinched the match for Alva by holding a two-hole lead throughout the inward nine, winning at the 17th and leaving Alva winners by four matches to two.
The match result was a bit closer at Dollar. Alloa’s top two had narrow wins over their Dollar counterparts in the first two games, but the team could only muster one more half. When the Dollar tail wagged very strongly, the result was a narrow 3-2 win for the home team with one game halved.
Dollar top the league at present with two wins although there is a very long way to go. The next matches at 4.30pm on Sunday feature Alva v Dollar and Tillicoultry v Alloa.
Details:

ALVA 4, BRAEHEAD 2
(Alva names first)
Gary Elliot bt John McPherson 4 and 3.
Lawrence Allan bt Andrew Borek 4 and 3.
Scott Thomson bt Scott Clark 2 and 1.
Reyner Kennedy lost to Michael Barrett 7 and 5.
Martin Hall bt Ross Finlay 3 and 1.
Davis Fisher lost to Steven Nicol 4 and 2.

DOLLAR 3 1/2, ALLOA 2 1/2
(Dollar names first)
Roddie Forgie lost to Andre Scotland 1 hole.
Tom Hogarth lost to Grant Dowie 1 hole.
Steven McPherson bt John Salmond 10 and 8.
Ben Smith halved with Bruce McAdam.
Sean Sarafilovic bt Grant Ross 2 holes.
Euan Tait bt Callum Graham 4 and 3.

NICHOLAS PIPS SCOTT FOR NORTH-EAST YOUTHS

TITLE AT INVERALLOCHY

Cullen's Nicholas McAndrew pipped Scott Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) for the North-east District youths' golf championship over 36 holes at Inverallochy Golf Club on Sunday.
McAndrew led the field by one shot from Fraser with an opening round of 70. They both shot 69 on the second circuit, the Cullen lad winning with an aggregate of 139 to 140.
Wilson Stephen of the host club was a creditable third on 141 with rounds of 73 and 68.
Matthew Smith (Royal Aberdeen), who had scores of 71 and 76 for 147 and joint 10th place, had a hole in one at the 156yd 14th hole with a wedge.

+Picture shows (left to right): NE District president Dr Douglas Fowlie, Scott Fraser, Nicholas McAndrew and Wilson Stephen.

LEADING TOTALS
Par 134 (67 67). CSS 67 67.
139 N McAndrew (Cullen) 70 69.
140 S Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) 7169.
141 W Stephen (Inverallochy) 73 68.
143 A Bews (Murcar Links) 78 65, N McKinnon (Murcar Links) 74 69.
145 G Carnie (Newburth) 74 71.
146 R Hyland (Hazlehead) 76 70, Jonathan Findlay (Fraserburgh) 72 74, S Griffiths (Cullen) 72 74.
147 A Hay (Westhill) 73 74, M Smith (Royal Aberdeen) 71 76.

CLACKMANNAN COUNTY MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
FIRST-ROUND WINNERS AT DOLLAR

By HUGH HUNTER

The 2007 Clackmannan county match-play championship started on Monday evening at Dollar with 16 qualifiers from the spring and summer meetings. Players generally enjoyed the good putting surfaces, and high quality of golf was provided for a good number of spectators.
Title-holder Craig O’Connor (Alloa) emphasised his determination to retain the trophy with a win over local ace Darren Hulston.
Elsewhere there were several nerve-wracking moments when matches went to the closing holes. Young David Milloy (Alloa) won the last two holes to scrape through, as did Alloa golfers Ian Ross and Jamie Aitken.
Former international Steven Horne(Tulliallan) survived a tough match with former Scottish boys' champion John Gullen (Alloa).
Alloa players dominate the quarter-finals, and with these being held over the Schawpark course, a stranglehold on the event is possible.

Results:
First round
D Milloy (Alloa) beat G Lyons (Tulliallan) 1 hole.
J Maxwell (Tulliallan) beat S Moffat (Braehead) 2 holes.
S Horne (Tulliallan) beat J Gullen (Alloa) 2 and 1.
I Ross (Alloa) beat P McLeod (Braehead) 1 hole.
P Hendry (Alloa) beat A Cunningham (Braehead) 5 and 4.
JAitken (Alloa) beat S McIvor (Alva) at 20th.
R Benvie (Braehead) beat P Dempsey (Alloa) 3 and 2.
C O’Connor (Alloa) beat D Hulston (Dollar) 6 and 5.

The semi-finals will be played over Braehead on June 11 with the final at Tulliallan on June 14, both starting at 5.15 pm.

RITCHIE PIPS LINDSAY, BISSET FOR
ALEX FOX TROPHY AT SCOTTISH
GOLF WRITERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

Bryce Ritchie (Bunkered Magazine) pipped Matthew Lindsay (Glasgow Evening Times) and Fergus Bisset (Golf Monthly) for the Alex Fox Trophy in the Scottish Golf Writers’ Championship at Dundonald Links today.
Bryce, playing off 11 of a handicap, scored 34 Stableford points, one more than two-handicapper Matthew and Fergus who plays off three.
Matthew’s better inward half of 16pt won him Class 1 from Fergus (inward half 14pt).
The Bunkered Guests’ Trophy was won for a second time by Scottish PGA tournament director Hugh Malcolm. He scored 35pt off seven of a handicap.
Ian Hutcheon (Monifieth), recent winner of the Scottish senior amateur title for a third time and still playing off +2 at the age of 65, was runner-up in the guests’ section with 33pt and also presented the prizes, the bulk of which were generously provided by Callaway Europe and Bunkered Magazine.

+Picture shows (left to right): Bryce Ritchie, Ian Hutcheon, Hugh Malcolm.

PRIZEWINNERS
WRITERS’ Class 1: 0 to 10
33 Matthew Lindsay (Evening Times) (2) (inward half 16pt), Fergus Bisset (Golf Monthly) (3) (inward half 14pt).
29 Gillian Kirkwood (http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/) (10) (inward half 17pt), Martin Dempster (Bunkered) (10) (inward half 13pt).
26 Malcolm Campbell (Freelance) (5).
24 Lawrence Donegan (The Guardian) (7).
WRITERS’ Class 2: 11 to 24
34 Bryce Ritchie (Bunkered) (11).
25 Douglas Lowe (Herald) (11) (inward half 12pt), Nick Rodger (David Begg Sports) (18) (inward half 7pt).
24 David McCarthy (Daily Record) (18).
15 Euan McLean (Sunday Mail) (12) (better last six holes), Alan Campbell (Sunday Herald) (18). 6 Michael McEwan (Bunkered) (24).
GUESTS
35 Hugh Malcolm (Scottish PGA) (7).
33 Ian Hutcheon (Scottish senior champion) (+2).
29 Stewart McDougall (David Begg Sports) (10).
27 Ross Duncan (Scottish Golf Union) (6).
26 Hugh Hunter (Past SGU president) (9).
25 Graham Watson (Scottish Institute of Sport) (4).
PUTTS DURING ROUND
Writers’ Class 1
31 Matthew Lindsay (inward half 16), Gillian Kirkwood (inward half 17).
Writers’ Class 2
33 Bryce Ritchie (better last six holes: 10), Douglas Lowe (last six holes: 11).
Guests
30 Ian Hutcheon (inward half 16), Graham Watson (inward half 17).
TEAM SWEEPSTAKE
95 Fergus Bisset, Hugh Malcolm & Ross Duncan.
91 Lawrence Donegan, Bryce Ritchie & Matthew Lindsay.

ANOTHER FISTFUL OF DOLLARS FOR VIKKI

Vikki Laing continues to pick up regular pay cheques on the US Futures Tour this season.
She finished joint 11th in the Aurora Health Care Women's Championship with scores of 73, 72 and 73 for two-over-par total of 218. That earned her $1,296.
Sweden's Sofie Andersson won the first prize of $12,000 with scores of 70, 72 and 70 for 212 - one shot ahead of amateur Esther Choe and Brandi Jackson.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
212 S Andersson (Swe) 70 72 70 ($12,000).
213 Brandi Jackson (US) 71 72 70 ($9,000), Esther Choe (US) (am) 72 69 72.
214 Jane Park 72 69 73, Caroline Larsson (Swe) 69 69 76 ($5,501 each).
Other total:
218 Vikki Laing (Musselburgh) 73 72 73 (jt 11th) ($1,296).

WELL DONE, KEVIN ... AND JAMES TOO!
McAlpine completes Scottish title

double, teenager Byrne runner-up

Great result for Kevin McAlpine to follow up his victory in the Scottish men's amateur match-play championship at Nairn last year by winning the Bidwells Scottish men's open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Dornoch over the weekend.
The Alyth man, who had rounds of 67, 70, 64 and 70 for a nine-under-par total of 271, will defend his national match-play title at Prestwick at the end of July with confidence sky high after this one.
And what a great performance too by Banchory teenager James Byrne who won the silver medal for being officially placed second. Frenchman A Kaleka had the same 72-hole total but James was awarded the medal for having a better last 36-holes total.

James actually had a better Sunday 36-hole total than Kevin - 133 (65-68) to 134 (64-70).
James' ambition is to be chosen for the Scotland team for the men's home internationals, which would mean him coming home again from the States after only a week or two at Arizona State.
Scott Mann from Carnoustie is another who would like to play for Scotland in the home internationals and he did his selection prospects no harm at all with a fifth place finish on 275, only four shots behind Kevin McAlpine.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4 x 70)
271 K McAlpine (Alyth) 67 70 64 70.
273 J Byrne (Banchory) 70 70 65 68, A Kaleka (Fra) 69 68 66 70.
274 A Bernadet (Fra) 70 67 68 71.
275 S Mann (Carnoustie) 67 65 71 72.
276 B Parker (Ger) 67 69 68 72.
278 B Akesson (Swe) 68 71 71 68, G Boyd (Cherwell Edge) 66 71 71 70, P O'Hara (Colville Park) 69 69 69 71.
279 T Rosendahl (Swe) 68 71 72 69, W Booth (Comrie) 69 72 67 71.
281 H Norlander (Swe) 71 70 72 68, J Hurst (Shaw Hill) 71 70 69 71.#
282 B Soutar (Leven GS) 74 72 69 67.
283 G Dear (Murrayshall) 73 71 69 70.
284 D Marmion (Delamere Forest) 71 69 73 71, L Saltman (Craigielaw) 73 70 69 72, R McKnight (Barassie) 71 72 69 72.
285 J Gunn (Royal Dornoch) 73 72 71 69, M Baldwin (Royal Birkdale) 68 73 73 71, M Thistleton (Hayling) 69 73 70 73.
286 M Kerr (Craigielaw) 78 68 73 67, C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 76 70 69 71, D Elder (Carnoustie) 71 72 69 74.
287 P McLean (Peterhead) 76 68 70 73, B Fotheringham (Forres) 73 71 69 74.
288 K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 66 77 74 71, G Paterson (St Andrews New) 67 76 69 76, L De Jager (RSA) 72 70 69 77.
289 - K Nicol (Fraserburgh) 73 73 72 71, J Dale (Rochford Hundred) 71 75 72 71, M Novy (Cze) 69 76 71 73, A Biggadike (US) 76 69 70 74.
290 S McAllister (Craigielaw) 72 74 71 73, R Jones (Orchardleigh) 75 71 70 74.
291 M Clark (Kilmacolm) 73 71 73 74, C Gray (West Kilbride) 70 71 76 74.
292 K Hamilton (Whitecraigs) 74 72 72 74, S Henry (Cardross) 73 68 75 76, D Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey) 69 71 74 78.
293 S McEwan (Caprington) 73 72 73 75.
294 A Dick (Shotts) 73 72 75 74, C Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 72 74 73 75, D Simpson (Crieff) 70 74 73 77.
295 S Borrowman (Dollar) 71 75 71 78.
296 B McGrory (Aus) 72 74 75 75.
297 G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 74 72 72 79.
298 E McIntosh (Newmachar) 74 72 77 75.
299 G Turner (West Linton) 67 74 78 80.

MELISSA BREAKS ONE RECORD AND DENISE ANOTHER IN NOTABLE ST RULE TROPHY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Derby girl Melissa Reid made all the running to win by the commanding margin of eight strokes a St Rule Trophy tournament highlighted by very low scoring over the St Andrews New and Old Courses at the weekend.
The 19-year-old from the Chevin club thus completed a notable Scottish double. A few weeks ago, Curtis Cup player Melissa retained the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur title at Troon.
At St Andrews, Miss Reid, set the first-round pace with a six-under-par 69 - one shot outside the New Course women's record on Saturday - and then held off the challenges of 19-year-old Henrietta Brockway (Yeovil) and Old Course record-breaker, 18-year-old German Denise Becker on Sunday over the Old Course.
Melissa had Sunday rounds 72 (four under par) and 68 (eight under par) for an 18-under-par aggregate of 209 – in one fell swoop a staggering six strokes better than the tournament record of 215 set by Catriona Matthew in 1994.

STAMP OF REALLY GOOD PLAYER
Amazingly, in her post-tournament comments, Miss Reid said she did not feel she was swinging at her best but, with her new-found mental strength this season, she stay focused and was able to get great figures without being on song ... the stamp of a really good player.
OK, so Miss Reid lost to Naomi Edwards (Ganton) in the recent final of the English women's closed amateur championship, but it would take a brave person to predict someone to beat Melissa in next week's British women's open amateur championship at Alwoodley, Leeds.
Miss Brockway got on level terms on Sunday with Miss Reid after 36 holes on 10-under-par 141, thanks to an eight-under-par 68 to tag on to her opening 73. But Henrietta fell away (slightly) in the third round with 39 for the outward half, which, despite steady rain from late afternoon onwards, was playing very short, with nine-hole totals of 30, 32 and so on.
In the third round, Denise Becker, an 18-year-old from Germany, broke the Old Course St Andrews women's record of with a 10-under-par round of 66. The previous record was set by Mhairi McKay (Turnberry) in 1993 when she had a 67 over the Old Course.Miss Becker had an outward half of eight under par 30 with an eagle and six birdies and only one par figure in the first nine.
She birdied the first three holes of the inward half but then was one over par for the last six holes with five pars and her only bogey at the 15th.
Brockway, Becker and Australian Kate Coombes were joint runners-up on 217 but the Everard Trophy for being officially placed second went to Denise Becker for having the best last round of the three on 217.

HENRIETTA WINS U-18 TROPHY
Miss Brockway pipped Carly Booth, the 14-year-old Comrie prospect, for the Lawson Under-18 trophy. Carly signed off with a 69 (32-37) for 219 which earned her joint sixth place overall and the honour of being the leading Scot in what is now an international event.
That was a tremendous effort by Carly, which must have been noted by the Ladies Golf Union selectors, out in force with a GB&I team for the Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe at Fairmont St Andrews to be chosen shortly.
Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), only 16, finished third in the Under-18 event with a total of 220. She was joint ninth, alongwith Heather MacRae (Dunblane New) and others.
For two of the leading three Scots to be aged 16 must be a source of encouragement for the SLGA and national coach Kevin Craggs.
Defending champion Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) finished joint 18th after getting off to a slow start with a 78. Her closing round of six-under-par 70 over the Old Course should restore her confidence.
England (432) won the team event from Ireland (438), Germany (440) and Scotland (444).
Deirdre Smith (Co Louth), the 2004 Irish women's champion, had a hole in one at the 13th over the New course on Saturday.
A total of 27 players finished with sub-par 54-hole aggregates. That must be a third record for this particular St Rule Trophy.

TIME TO RE-RATE SHORT PAR-5s
At the same time, without wishing to detract in any way from the girls’ efforts, it must be time that the SLGA course-raters revised the par for the par-5 holes of under 400 yards in length – not only at St Andrews but also at Troon Portland where there was also exceptionally low scoring in the recent “Helen Holm” tournament.
Nowadays, players in the higher echelons of women's amateur golf are getting on with short irons at these far-too-short par-5 holes.

WEEKEND SCOREBOARD
FINAL TOTALS
Par 75 76 76. CSS 76 75 75
Par 227
209 M Reid (Chevin) 69 72 68.
217 K Coombes (Australia) 77 69 71, D Becker (Ger) 77 74 66, H Brockway (Yeovil) 73 68 76.
218 R Bell (Ganton) 76 68 74.
219 M Riordan (Tipperary) 78 70 71, S Doering (Ger) 71 73 75, C Booth (Comrie) 74 76 69.
220 E Bennett (Australia) 77 72 71, K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 74 72 74, D Smith (Co Louth) 72 77 71, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 78 70 72, S Kirchmayr (Ger) 77 72 71.
221 N Holleder (Ger) 76 73 72.
222 B Mullins-Lane (Harefield Place) 73 76 73.
223 L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 77 71 75, K Smith (Waterlooville) 74 73 76, B Loucks (Wrexham) 77 74 72.
224 K Caithness (St Regulus) 78 76 70, R Jennings (Izaak Walton) 76 72 76.
225 T Davies (Holyhead) 78 74 73.
226 E Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 73 75 78, T Delaney (Carlow) 77 77 72, E Lyons (West Surrey) 78 74 74, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 78 72 76, P Halbig (Ger) 77 75 74, N Edwards (Ganton) 74 75 77.
227 D Montgomery (The Lambourne) 75 75 77.
228 L Ball (Matfen Hall) 77 74 77, R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 79 72 77, E Givens (Blackwell Grange) 77 72 79, D Karlsson (Swe) 73 76 79, K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 77 73 78.
229 K Hillas (Norway) 82 70 77, S Bishop (Cochrane Castle) 76 78 75, V Sternebeck (Ger) 79 76 74, T Von Ruben (SAf) 86 71 72, J Wilson (Strathaven) 78 78 73, K Brotherton (Tulliallan) 79 74 76.
230 C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 77 80 73, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 78 74 78.
231 L Murray (Alford) 77 73 81, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 88 71 72, A Scott (Consett) 80 75 76, S Keating (Aus) 80 76 75.
232 N Podmore (High Legh Park) 76 77 79, J Dotten (Can) 77 75 80, B Arthur (Aus) 84 72 76, C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 78 76 78, R Flood (Aus) 77 78 77.
233 J Turner (Mortonhall) 80 74 79, R Niven (Crieff) 79 77 77.
234 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 75 82 77, J Carthew (Ladybank) 78 77 79.235 C Choi (Aus) 81 78 76, S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 80 79 76.
236 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 84 75 77, L Kenney (Pitreavie) 83 77 76, T Hoffmeister (Ger) 82 76 78.
238 E Moffat (St Regulus) 84 76 78, J Hodge (Knowle) 78 80 80, M Gunhildrud (Nor) 79 80 79.
240 R Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 80 82 78.
241 K Harper (Inverness) 86 75 80.
244 J Nicolson (Wrexham) 84 78 82.
245 S Ovadia (US) 86 79 80.
247 M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 87 79 81.
252 A Bushby (Strathmore) 84 79 89.
258 E Cuthill (Lanark)( 91 86 81.
261 T Karlsson (Swe) 80 90 91.
NR T McDonnell (Ennis).
Withdrew: C Lee (West Lancs) 78 88 w/d.
INTERNATIONAL TEAM EVENT
432 England (N Edwards, M Reid, K Smith).
438 Ireland (T Delaney, M Riordan, D Smith).
440 Germany (S Doering, T Hoffmeister, N Holleder).
444 Scotland (K Caithness, H MacRae, J Wilson).
446 Australia (B Arthur, C Choi, K Combes), Wales (T Davies, S Hassan, B Loucks).
467 Norway (M Grunhildrud, K Hillas).
489 Sweden (D Karlsson, T Karlsson).

+Picture above shows Melissa Reid on left and Denise Becker on right in St Rule clubhouse.

SORRY FOR SUNDAY BREAKDOWN

Sincere apologies for the complete breakdown of communications on Sunday from the St Rule Trophy and other competitions.
The telephone line I was using at St Andrews was not equal to the task of enabling me to put the scores and other information up on the website.
I will put the St Rule Trophy story I wrote on Sunday evening as well as the scores up on the screen shortly ... plus an edited version of the other tournaments we were unable to report on.
Colin Farquharson

FIRST WIN OF TARTAN TOUR SEASON
FOR JASON McCREADIE AT WISHAW

Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) scored his first win of the Tartan Tour this season when he won the Wishaw Golf Club 36-hole Order of Merit pro-am with rounds of 66 and 63 for a nine-under-par total of 129.
Jason earned £2,400 for his victory by one shot from Eddie Thomson (Largs) (65-65) who gained £1925.
Thjird was Fraser Mann (Musselburgh) with a pair of 66s for six-under-par 132 and a pay-out of £1,441.
Inchmarlo Golf Centre’s Mark Barnard picked up the last of the four-figure cheques – one for £1,079 – with 66 and 67 for 133 and fourth place.
LEADING TOTALS
Par 138 (2 x 69)
129 J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) 66 63.
130 E Thomson (Largs) 65 65.
132 F Mann (Musselburgh) 66 66.
133 M Barnard (Inchmarlo) 66 67.
135 C Nicoll (Prestwick) 70 65, S Taylor (Bothwell Castle) 70 65, C Ronald (Carluke) 67 68.
136 K Glen (Royal Musselburgh) 68 68. D McLure (Troon Welbeck) 65 71.
137 C Kelly (Cawder) 73 64, F McLaughlan (Bothwell Castle) 73 64, M King (Kingsfield) 721 65, A Lockhart (Ladybank) 71 66, S Cairns (Westerwood) 69 68.

TARTAN TOUR MONEY TOP 20

1 P McKechnie (Braid Hills) £9,505.
2 M Urquhart (Inverness) £8,446.
3 D Patrick (Mortonhall) £7,939.
4 R Arnott (Bishopbriggs) £6,859.
5 C Doak (unatt) £5,333.
6 S Gray (Hayston) £4,948.
7 C Gillies (Kingsfield) £4,674.
8 D Orr (East Renfrewshire) £3,496.
9 S Cairns (Westerwood) £3,834.
10 C Kelly (Cawder) £3,828.
11 G Hutcheon (Peterculter) £3,820.
12 D Robertson (Czech Design) £3,777.
14 C Nicoll (Prestwick) £3,446.
15 J McKinnon (Irvine) £3,445.
16 C Ronald (Carluke) £2,819.
17 G McFarlane (Clober) £2,635.
18 J McCreadier (Buchanan Castle) £2,600.
19 M Lofdtus (Cowglen) £2,582.
20 C Lee (All Golf Swing Centre) £2,514.

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS

1 P McKechnie (Braid Hlls) 549.52, 2 R Arnott (Bishopbriggs) 506.88, 3 Stephen Gray (Hayston) 464.38, 4 S Cairns (Westerwood) 399.08, 5 C Kelly (Cawder) 396.08 6 J McKinnon (Irvine) 392.50, 7 G Hutcheon (Peterculter) 379.50 8 D Orr (East Renfrewshire) 370.14, 9 M Loftus (Cowglen) 366.25, 10 C Doak (unatt) 359.58, 11 M Urquhart (Inverness) 334.96, 12 C Lee (All Golf Swing Centre) 329.75, 13 A Lockhart (Ladybank) 318.14, 14 C Nicoll (Prestwick) 314.11, 15 F Mann (Musselburgh) 286.75, 16 G McFarlane (Clober) 276.88, 17 F McLaughlan (Bothwell Castle) 269.93, 18 D Robertson (Czech Design) 263.46, 19 C Gillies (Kingsfield) 263.25, 20 L Vannet (Carnoustie) 235.12.

MELISSA AND HENNY SHARE ST RULE TROPHY LEAD

Henrietta Brockway, only 17 years old, from Yeovil joined 19-year-old Melissa Reid from Chevin Derby in the lead after the second round of the St Rule Trophy over the Old Course, St Andrews today.

Henny opened with with a 73 over the New Course on Saturday but went seven-under-par over the Old Course with a 68 for a nine-under-par 36-hole tally of 141.

Melissa, winner of the Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play at Troon for the past two years, had set the pace with a 69 over the New Course and a three-under-par 72 over the Old Course enabled her to

rub shoulders with another teenager in the pole position.

With one more round to go over the Old Course today, Melissa and Henny are three shots clear of Rachel Bell (Ganton) and Germany's Stephanie Doering.

Scotland's leading performance at this stage was 16-year-old Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) who has scored 74 and 72 for a share fifth place on 146.

 

 

SECOND ROUND TOTALS

First round: New Course. Par 75, CSS 76.

Second round: Old Course. Par 75. CSS 75.

141 M Reid (Chevin) 69 72, H Brockway (Yeovil) 73 68.

144 R Bell (Ganton) 76 68, S Doering (Ger) 71 73.

146 K Combes (Aus) 77 69, K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 74 72.

147 K Smith (Waterlooville) 74 73.

148 M Riordan (Tipperary) 78 70, L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 77 71, E Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 73 75, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 78 70, R Jennings (Izaak Walton)76 72.

149 S Kirchmayr (Ger) 77 72, N Holleder (Ger) 76 73, B Mullins-Lane (Harefield Place) 73 76, D Smith (Co Louth) 72 77, E Bennett (Aus) 77 72, E Givens (Blackwell Grange) 77 72, D Karlsson (Swe) 73 76.

150 L Murray (Alford) 77 73, C Booth (Comrie) 74 76, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 78 72, K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 77 73, D Montgomery (The Lambourne) 75 75.

151   L Ball (Matfen Hall) 77 74, B Loucks (Wrexham) 77 74, D Becker (Ger) 77 74, R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 79 72.

152 K Hillas (Nor) 82 70, E Lyons (West Surrey) 78 74, J Dotten (Can) 77 75, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 78 74, T Davies (Holyhead) 78 74, P Halbig (Ger) 77 75.

153 K   Brotherton (Tulliallan) 79 74, N Podmore (High Legh Park) 76 77.

154 C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 78 86, K Caithness (St Regulus) 78 76, J Turner (Mortonhall) 80 74, T Delaney (Carlow) 77 77, S Bishop (Cochrane Castle) 76 78.

155 R Flood (Aus) 77 78, A Scott (Consett) 80 75, V Sternebeck (Ger) 79 76, J Carthew (Ladybank) 78 77.

156 J Wilson (Strathaven) 78 78, R Niven (Crieff) 79 77, B Arthur (Aus) 84 72, S Keating (Aus) 80 76.

157 C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 77 80, T Von Ruben (SAf) 86 71, P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 75 82.

158 J Hodge (Knowle) 78 80, T Hoffmeister (Ger) 82 76.

159 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 84 75, S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 80 78, C Choi (Aus) 81 78, M Gunhildrud (Nor) 79 80, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 88 71.

160 L Kenney (Pitreavie) 83 77, E Moffat (St Regulus) 84 76.

161 K Harper (Inverness) 86 75.

162 J Nicolson (Wrexham) 84 78, R Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 80 82.

163 A Bushby (Strathmore) 84 78.

165 S Ovadia (US) 86 79.

166 M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 87 79, C Lee (West Lancs) 78 88.

170 T Karlsson (Swe) 80 90.

177 E Cuthill (Lanark) 91 86

MELISSA AND HENNY SHARE ST RULE TROPHY LEAD

Henrietta Brockway, only 17 years old, from Yeovil joined 19-year-old Melissa Reid from Chevin Derby in the lead after the second round of the St Rule Trophy over the Old Course, St Andrews today.

Henny opened with with a 73 over the New Course on Saturday but went seven-under-par over the Old Course with a 68 for a nine-under-par 36-hole tally of 141.

Melissa, winner of the Helen Holm Scottish open stroke-play at Troon for the past two years, had set the pace with a 69 over the New Course and a three-under-par 72 over the Old Course enabled her to

rub shoulders with another teenager in the pole position.

With one more round to go over the Old Course today, Melissa and Henny are three shots clear of Rachel Bell (Ganton) and Germany's Stephanie Doering.

Scotland's leading performance at this stage was 16-year-old Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) who has scored 74 and 72 for a share fifth place on 146.

 

 

SECOND ROUND TOTALS

First round: New Course. Par 75, CSS 76.

Second round: Old Course. Par 75. CSS 75.

141 M Reid (Chevin) 69 72, H Brockway (Yeovil) 73 68.

144 R Bell (Ganton) 76 68, S Doering (Ger) 71 73.

146 K Combes (Aus) 77 69, K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) 74 72.

147 K Smith (Waterlooville) 74 73.

148 M Riordan (Tipperary) 78 70, L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) 77 71, E Ogilvy (Auchterarder) 73 75, H MacRae (Dunblane New) 78 70, R Jennings (Izaak Walton)76 72.

149 S Kirchmayr (Ger) 77 72, N Holleder (Ger) 76 73, B Mullins-Lane (Harefield Place) 73 76, D Smith (Co Louth) 72 77, E Bennett (Aus) 77 72, E Givens (Blackwell Grange) 77 72, D Karlsson (Swe) 73 76.

150 L Murray (Alford) 77 73, C Booth (Comrie) 74 76, S Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan) 78 72, K Walker (Buchanan Castle) 77 73, D Montgomery (The Lambourne) 75 75.

151   L Ball (Matfen Hall) 77 74, B Loucks (Wrexham) 77 74, D Becker (Ger) 77 74, R Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) 79 72.

152 K Hillas (Nor) 82 70, E Lyons (West Surrey) 78 74, J Dotten (Can) 77 75, S Evans (Vale of Llangollen) 78 74, T Davies (Holyhead) 78 74, P Halbig (Ger) 77 75.

153 K   Brotherton (Tulliallan) 79 74, N Podmore (High Legh Park) 76 77.

154 C Gruber (Royal Dornoch) 78 86, K Caithness (St Regulus) 78 76, J Turner (Mortonhall) 80 74, T Delaney (Carlow) 77 77, S Bishop (Cochrane Castle) 76 78.

155 R Flood (Aus) 77 78, A Scott (Consett) 80 75, V Sternebeck (Ger) 79 76, J Carthew (Ladybank) 78 77.

156 J Wilson (Strathaven) 78 78, R Niven (Crieff) 79 77, B Arthur (Aus) 84 72, S Keating (Aus) 80 76.

157 C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ) 77 80, T Von Ruben (SAf) 86 71, P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle) 75 82.

158 J Hodge (Knowle) 78 80, T Hoffmeister (Ger) 82 76.

159 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir) 84 75, S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 80 78, C Choi (Aus) 81 78, M Gunhildrud (Nor) 79 80, M Thomson (McDonald Ellon) 88 71.

160 L Kenney (Pitreavie) 83 77, E Moffat (St Regulus) 84 76.

161 K Harper (Inverness) 86 75.

162 J Nicolson (Wrexham) 84 78, R Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 80 82.

163 A Bushby (Strathmore) 84 78.

165 S Ovadia (US) 86 79.

166 M Briggs (Kilmacolm) 87 79, C Lee (West Lancs) 78 88.

170 T Karlsson (Swe) 80 90.

177 E Cuthill (Lanark) 91 86

JAMIE LOVEMARK AND STANFORD WIN
TITLES AT NCAA DIV 1 CHAMPIONSHIP

Jamie Lovemark (Southern California) won the individual title at the NCAA Division 1 men's championship which ended at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, Williamsburg in Virginia today.
Lovemark was not in contention with opening rounds of 72 and 71 over the shortish course of 6,803yd (par 70) but he took off over the last two with a pair of 64s for a final total of nine-under-par 271.
Jamie, competing as an individual, won by two shots from Kyle Stanley (Clemson) with Rob Grube (Stanford) third on 274.
Stanford University - alma mater to Tiger Woods and Mhairi McKay - won the team championship by 12 shots from Georgia with Lamar and Charlotte tied for third on 1125.
It was not a first four finish that could have been widely anticipated.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS
Par 280 (4 x 70)
271 Jamie Lovemark (Southern California) 72 71 64 64.
273 Kyle Stanley (Clemson) 70 69 65 69.
274 Rob Grube (Stanford) 64 71 69 70.
European finishers:
286 Niall Turner (Minnesota) 71 71 70 74 (jt 42nd).
288 Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State) 70 72 71 75.
TEAM TOTALS
1109 Stanford.
1121 Georgia.
1125 Lamar, Charlotte.
1128 Coastal Carolina.
1129 Alabama.
1130 UCLA.
1131 Georgia Tech.
1133 Minnesota, Florida.
1136 Texas, South Carolina.
1140 Duke, Florida State.
1142 Oklahoma State.

SCROLL DOWN FOR AN EARLIER STORY ON HOW JORDAN FINDLAY AND THE EAST TENNESSEE TEAM FAILED TO BEAT THE CUT

AYRSHIRE ACES LEAD THE PACK AT WISHAW

Ayrshire professionals Edward Thomson (Largs) and David McLure (Troon Welbeck) lead the field of 50 at the halfway stage of the Wishaw Golf Club 36-hole pro-am.
Both hit the four-under-par 65 mark and will start Sunday’s second round with a shot in hand of Andrew Marshall (Houston Golf Range), Mark Barnard (Inchmarlo), Fraser Mann (Musselburgh) and Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle).
Stewart Savage (Dalmuir) led the BSB Structural trio of amateurs, Willie Shaw (handicap 16), Gerry McKenna (18) and Alan Armit (3) to victory in the first-day team event with a net score of 16-under-par 53.

FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 69
65 E Thomson (Largs), D McLure (Troon Welbeck).
66 A Marshall (Houston GR), M Barnard (Inchmarlo), F Mann (Musselburgh), J McCreadie (Bothwell Castle).
67 C Ronald (Carluke).
68 K Glen (Royal Musselburgh), G Rankin (Drumpellier), T Mackrell (Gary Mitchell Golf), D Park (Wishaw).
69 N Scott-Smith (Palacerigg), S Gray (Hayston), S Morrison (Glenbervie), B Dunbar (Esporta Dougalston), J McKinnon (Irvine), S Cairns (Westerwood).

KENNY AND QUEEN BEAT CUT

BUT IMRIE FAILS BY TWO

SHOTS IN N IRELAND OPEN

Kiran Matharu, Curtis Cup player and English women's amateur champion last year, has taken a little time to find her feet as a rookie tour pro.
But here she is now, at the age of 18, leading the field by a hot after two rounds of the Northern Ireland Ladies Open at Hilton Temple Patrick.
Kiran, from Leeds, has had rounds of 72 and 69 for three-under-par 141.
Inverness-based New Zealander Liz McKinnon had a repeat 72 for 144, birdieing the 10th, 14th and 17th to be joint ninth.
Lynn Kenny, pictured on right, playing out of Archerfield Links) is lying in joint 36th place on 149 with rounds of 73 and 76. Lynn birdied the long fifth and the long 17th today.
Clare Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House), not firing on all cylinders in this tournament, made the cut with nothing to spare with rounds of 76 and 75. She had only one birdie but, coming at the 16th, it was a vital one to help take her through to the Sunday action.
Sadly, the oldest and most experienced of the three Scots in the field, Kathryn Imrie, failed to beat the cut. She had two rounds of 77 for 154, two shots too many - and she shed them at the sixth with a double bogey.
SCOREBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
141 K Matharu (Eng) 72 69.
141 J Mills (Aus) 72 70, N Gergely (Aut) 74 68.143 G Nocera (Fra) 75 68, L Smith (US) 71 72, S Beautell (Spa) 72 71, L Fairclough (Eng) 75 69, L Hall (Eng) 74 69.
Other scores:
144 L McKinnon (NZ) 72 72, S Walker (Eng) 75 69, S Head (Eng) 73 71.
149 L Kenny (Sco) 73 76 (jt 36th).
151 C Queen (Sco) 76 75 (jt 56th).
MISSED THE CUT
154 K Imrie (Sco) 77 77.

DERBY GIRL MELISSA IS OFF AND FRONT
RUNNING AGAIN WITH A TWO-SHOT
LEAD IN ST RULE TROPHY

Derby girl Melissa Reid likes her golfing trips to Scotland. In April she came up to Troon to win the Helen Holm Scottish women’s open amateur stroke-play title for the second year in a row.
Today (Saturday), the Curtis Cup player from Chevin Golf Club shot a six-under-par 69 over the St Andrews New Course to open up a two-stroke lead at the end of the first day in the 54-hole St Rule Trophy, one of the leading women’s amateur stroke-play tournaments in the country.
Her closest rival as the international field moves into two rounds over the Old Course on Sunday is Germany’s Stephanie Doering (71) with Ireland’s Deirdrie Smith (Co Louth) in third place on 72.
Defending champion Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), who was in the same Great Britain team as Melissa Reid that won the Commonwealth tournament in South Africa two or three weeks ago, did not have a good day over one of her home links.
Krystle had a three-over-par 78 which means she is nine shots adrift of the front-running Melissa already.

FIRST ROUND LEADERS (Par 75, CSS 75)
69 M Reid (Chevin).
71 S Doering (Ger).
72 D Smith (Co Louth).
73 B Mullins-Lane (Harefield Place), D Karlsson (Swe), E Ogilvy (Auchterarder), H Brockway (Yeovil).
74 K MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), C Booth (Comrie), K Smith (Waterlooville), N Edwards (Ganton).
75 P Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), D Montgomery (Lambourne).
76 N Holleder (Ger), R Bell (Ganton), R Jennings (Izaak Walton), N Podmore (High Leigh Park), Sara Bishop (Cochrane Castle).
77 L Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor), P Halbig (Ger), K Combes (Aus), E Bennett (Aus), C-M Carlton (Stirling Univ), L Murray (Alford), R Flood (Aus), E Givens (Blackwell), S Kirchmayr (Ger), T Delaney (Carlow), K Walker (Buchanan Castle), D Becker (Ger), J Dotten (Can), L Ball (Matfen Hall), B Loucks (Wrexham).
78 J Hodge (Knowle), S Hassan (Vale of Glamoran), M Riordan (Tipperary), H MacRae (Dunblane New), J Wilson (Strathaven), C Lee (West Lancs), K Caithness (St Regulus), J Carthew (Ladybank), S Evans (Vale of Llangollen), C Gruber (Royal Dornoch), T Davies (Holyhead), E Lyons (West Surrey).
79 M Gunhildrud (Nor), K Brotherton (Tulliallan), V Sternebeck (Ger), R Niven (Crieff).
80 R Livingstone (Musselburgh), J Turner (Mortonhall), T Karlsson (Swe), R Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), A Scott (Consett), S Keating (Aus), S Watson (Elie & Earlsferry).
81 C Choi (Aus).
82 T Hoffmneister (Ger), K Hillas (Hor).]
83 L Kenney (Pitreavie).
84 A Ramsay (Kirriemuir), B Arthur (Aus), J Nicolson (Wrexham), E Moffat (St Regulus), A Bushby (Strathmore).
86 K Harper (Inverness), S Ovadia (US), T Von Ruben (SAfr).
87 M Briggs (Kilmacolm).
88 M Thomson (McDonald Ellon).
91 E Cuthill (Lanark).
Withdrew : T McDonnell (Ennis).

TORRANCE SLIPS TO 74 - SEVEN SHOTS
BEHIND LEADER IN IRISH SENIORS

By STEVEN FRANKLIN
European Seniors Tour Press Officer

England’s Kevin Spurgeon drained a 40ft birdie putt at the last to vault into contention for his maiden European Seniors title at the AIB Irish Seniors Open, in association with Greenstar and Fáilte Ireland, today..
The Bournemouth golfer, who also chipped in from a bunker at the fifth during his round of 70, will go into Sunday’s final round at the spectacular PGA National Ireland lay-out to the west of Dublin within three shots of the lead held by former Senior Major winner Stewart Ginn of Australia.
Ginn, who marked his 58th birthday today with a round of 71 to move to six under par 138, is two strokes clear of Costantino Rocca, the Italian former Ryder Cup player and a past winner in Ireland at the West of Ireland Golf Classic in 1999, and Doug Johnson of the United States, both of whom returned 71s.
Juan Quiros of Spain produced a best-of-the-day 68 to move to three under 141 alongside Spurgeon, who leads the British challenge.
Defending champion Sam Torrance slipped to a 74 and is seven shots off the pace.

SECOND-ROUND LEADERS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
138 Stewart Ginn (Aus) 67 71
140 Costantino Rocca (Ita) 69 71, Doug Johnson (US) 69 71
141 Juan Quiros (Esp) 73 68, Kevin Spurgeon (Eng) 71 70
142 David Merriman (Aus) 72 70
143 Peter O’Hagan (Ire) 72 71, Gavan Levenson (SAf) 68 75
144 David Good (Aus) 73 71, John Bland (SAf) 71 73, Horacio Carbonetti (Arg) 71 73, Alan Tapie (US) 69 75.
145 Angel Fernandez (Chi) 74 71, Tony Allen (Eng) 73 72, Guillermo Encina (Chi) 72 73, Sam Torrance (Sco) 71 74.
146 Bob Cameron (Eng) 74 72, Martin Gray (Sco) 74 72, Carl Mason (Eng) 73 73, Terry Gale (Aus) 73 73, Bobby Lincoln (SAf) 73 73.
147 Nick Job (Eng) 73 74, Luis Carbonetti (Arg) 73 74, Giuseppe Cali (Ita) 75 72, José Rivero (Spa) 75 72.
147 Tony Johnstone (Zim) 73 74, Glenn Ralph (Eng) 73 74, Denis O'Sullivan (Ire) 74 73, Delroy Cambridge (Jam) 77 70.
148 Ross Drummond (Sco) 74 74, Simon Owen (NZ) 75 73, John Chillas (Sco) 71 77, Eamonn Darcy (Ire) 71 77, Gery Watine (Fra) 74 74.
Other Scots' scores:
149 Bill Longmuir 72 77 (jt 35th).
150 Mike Miller 73 77 (jt 39th).
153 Steve Martin 75 78 (jt 56th).

SCOTT'S THE MANN WITH BIG
LEAD IN SCOTTISH OPEN
STROKE AT ROYAL DORNOCH

Former Scotland boy international Scott Mann, pictured right, has not done anything on the national scene for a while - he did win the Craw's Nest Tassie over his home Carnoustie course a couple of years ago - but he looks set to be in the final shake-up of the Bidwells Scottish men's open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Dornoch this weekend.

With some players still to finish their second rounds, Mann, who father was a Walker Cup player and uncle is a prominent Tartan Tour professional, occupied the No 1 position on 10-under-par 132 after rounds of 67 and 65 over the classic course, which, like all links, is vulnerable in windless conditions as they had today.

After he won the Craw's Nest Tassie, Mann said that he was going to spend the following season (2006) chasing a place in the Scotland international team and then consider turning professional. Neither event has happened so far but victory tomorrow would perhaps bring both a step closer.

At the moment, Scott is making a good living caddieing every day over the Carnoustie course that will host the Open next month.

Mann leads by four shots from Germany-based professional's son Ben Parker (67-69).
Scottish amateur match-play champion Kevin McAlpine is tied for third place with 67 and 70 for three-under-par 137.
Overnight leader Gary Boyd from Oxfordshire dropped back to thjis mark with a second-round 71.
The dividing line at the end of 36 holes was 146. Those with totals of 147 and over were eliminated.

SCOREBOARD
Par 140 (2 x 70).
132 S Mann (Carnoustie) 67 65.
136 B Parker (Eng) 67 69.
137 K McAlpine (Alyth) 67 70, A Bernadet (Fra) 70 67, A Kaleka (Fra) 68 68, G Boyd (Cherwell Edge) 66 71, M Cryer (Coventry) 68 68.
138 P O'Hara (Colville Park) 69 69.
139 B Akesson (Swe) 68 71, T Rosendahl (Swe) 68 71.
140 D Marmion (Delamere Forest) 71 69, J Byrne (Banchory) 70 70, D Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey) 69 71.
141 W Booth (Comrie) 69 72, M Baldwin (Royal Birkdale) 68 73, J Hurst (Shaw Hill) 71 70, S Henry (Cardross) 73 68, G Turner (West Linton) 67 74, H Norlander (Swe) 71 70, C Gray (West Kilbride) 70 71.
142 M Thistleton (Hayling) 69 73, M Lamb (Haddington) 73 69, L De Jager (SAf) 72 60.
143 R McKnight (Barassie) 71 72, G Paterson (St Andrews New) 67 76, L Saltman (Craigielaw) 73 70, D Elder (Carnoustie) 71 72.
144 P McLean (Peterhead) 76 68, M Clark (Kilmacolm) 73 71, B Fotheringham (Forres) 73 71, G Dear (Murrayshall) 73 71, D Simpson (Crieff) 70 74.
145 J Gunn (Royal Dornoch) 73 72, M Novy (Czech Rep) 69 76, A Biggadike (US) 76 69, A Dick (Shotts) 73 72, S McEwan (Caprington) 73 72.
146 S McAllister (Craigielaw) 72 74, R Jones (Orchardleigh) 75 71, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 74 72, E McIntosh (Newmachar) 74 72, J Dale (Rochford Hundred) 71 75, K Hamilton (Whitecraigs) 74 72, C Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 72 74, B McGrory (Aus) 72 74, K Nicol (Fraserburgh), K McNicoll (Carnoustie) 69 77, M Kerr (Craigielaw) 78 68, S Borrowman (Dollar) 71 75, C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 76 70, B Soutar (Leven GS) 74 72.
MISSED THE CUT
147 S Piaget (Swi) 75 72, M Buchan (Cruden Bay) 78 69, A Main (Thornton) 73 74, M Hillson (Craigielaw) 71 76, R Neil-Jones (Rochester & Cobham Park) 72 75, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 70 77.
148 O Bonning (Swe) 74 74, J King (Glasgow) 73 75, R Thornton (US) 75 73, E Richardson (Southern Valley) 73 75, T Mathieson (Murcar Links) 70 78, D Addison (Barassie) 76 72, R Laino (Bedford & Co) 77 72, J White (Lundin) 72 76.
149 N Glans (Swe) 78 71, R Kellett (Colville Park) 79 70, F Fotheringham (Nairn) 73 76, P Betty (Hayston) 77 72, R Wingardh (Swe) 69 80, J Clarke (Royal Montrose) 73 76, J Heslip (Monifieth) 73 76, J Duff (Newmachar) 76 73.
150 J Freeman (Worksop) 76 74, M Stewart (Troon Welbeck) 77 73, C Schwierz (Ger) 80 70, W Shucksmith (Alwoodley) 76 74, J Guillet (Fra) 76 74, C Donaldson (Downfield) 73 77, S O'Brien (US) 77 73, D Henderson (Hamilton) 73 77, O Sharpe (Minchinhampton) 75 75, E Forbes (Inverness).
151 R Noon (Longniddry) 79 72, D Corsby (Fleetwood) 75 76, R Gibson (Aus) 73 78, S Ashwood (Northants) 78 73, L Calitz (SAf) 76 75, M Bozio (Fra) 75 76, P Okan (Ger) 73 78.
152 J Mathers (Haggs Castle), S Herald (Whitecraigs), I Powell (Murcar Links), D Murray (Newbattle) 75 77, J Kennegard (Swe) 75 77, G Mitchell (Braemar) 74 78.
152 K Smyth (Windyhill) 76 77, J Forbes (Inverness) 80 73, T Hayes (West Byfleet) 74 79, S Larkin (Banchory) 72 81, M MacDonald (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 80 73, J Lindberg (Swe) 78 75, Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 72 81, J Welsh (Aus) 79 74.
154 J Watt (Brokenhurst Manor) 73 81, G Duncan (Caledonian) 75 79, M Main (Thornton) 81 73, L Smith (Surrey National) 79 75.
155 J Lando-Casanova (Fra) 80 75, S Neilson (Dunbar) 79 76, J Palmer (Kirby Muxloe) 82 73, E Polson (Inverness) 77 78, R Cameron (Brora) 79 76.
156 S Marshall (Catterick) 79 77, D Yeats (Newmachar) 80 76, A Culverwell (Dunbar) 79 77, F Guyon (Fra) 79 77.
157 S Lewton (Woburn) 79 78, J-C Bertin (Fra) 78 79.
159 T Dogil (Ger) 72 87.
160 E Laird (Royal Aberdeen) 83 77, R Dixon (Barassie) 79 81.
161 R Hyland (Hazlehead) 83 78, R Bell (Downfield) 81 80, K Matheson (Royal Dornoch) 87 74, B Dudding (Newquay) 83 78.
162 R Graham (Hayston) 83 79, D Thorburn (Thurso) 84 78.
163 R Maunder (Cumberwell Park) 82 81.
164 R McKenzie (Easter Moffat) 84 80.
167 M Ferries (Tain) 85 82.
168 N Howitt (Nairn Dunbar) 88 80, R Miller (US) 83 85, P McGhee (US) 84 84.
Disq: B St John (US), T Bethel (US).
Withdrew: T McLevy (Blairgowrie), G O'Neil.
Retired: S Clark (Haggs Castle), R Anderson (Duddingston).
No Returns: A Ait Lafkih (Ivory Coast), S Elder (Kirkcaldy).

NEW LEADERS AS SCOTS FAIL TO IMPROVE
AT CELTIC MANOR WELSH OPEN

It was all change at the top in the third round of the Celtic Manor Wales Open at Newport - but none of the Scots in the vicinity at the start of the third day were able to make an impression.
Welshman Bradley Dredge and Germany's Martin Kaymer lead the field into the last round on 10-under-par 197 over a par-69 course which seems far too short by European Tour standards. Dredge and Kaymer both had five-under-par 65s today.
They lead by one shot from South African Richard Sterne (64-198) and the toppled leader, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Denmarki) who had a 68 for 198.
Stephen Gallagher, Steven O'Hara and Gary Orr all broke 70 but ended up sharing ninth sport on 200.
Andrew Coltart and Alastair Forsyth are joint 15th on 201.
Paul Lawrie, disappointingly, sank to a two-over-par 71 with a round which included only one birdie over a course which has yielded so many. The Aberdonian is sharing 38th place on 204 after bogeys at the second, 12th and 14th.
LEADERBOARD
Par 207 (3 x 69)
Players from GB&I unless stated.
197 Martin Kaymer (De) 69 63 65, Bradley Dredge 66 66 65.
198 Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Dk) 67 63 68, Richard Sterne (Za) 67 67 64.
199 Gary Murphy 68 65 66, Soren Kjeldsen (Dk) 65 70 64, David Frost (Za) 68 64 67, Paul Broadhurst 65 67 67.
200 Gary Orr 65 67 68, Stephen Gallacher 67 66 67, Steven O'Hara 65 66 69, Kenneth Ferrie 71 64 65, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Sp) 68 68 64.
201 Martin Erlandsson (Sw) 66 69 66, Eirik Tage Johansen (No) 69 66 66, Alastair Forsyth 66 65 70, Matthew Zions (Au) 66 67 68, Andrew Coltart 69 65 67, Alejandro Canizares (Es) 69 67 65.
202 Mikko Ilonen (Fi) 67 65 70, Oliver Wilson 66 68 68, Tom Whitehouse 71 65 66, Rafael Echenique (Ar) 72 65 65, Mardan Mamat (Sg) 71 64 67.
203 Mattias Eliasson (Se) 66 69 68, Henrik Nystrom (Se) 70 67 66, Peter Lawrie 66 69 68, Phillip Archer 68 65 70, Gregory Bourdy (Fr) 66 71 66, Miles Tunnicliff 70 65 68, Jyoti Randhawa (In) 69 66 68, Gregory Havret (Fr) 69 63 71.
204 Michael Campbell (Nz) 66 69 69, David Griffiths 68 65 71, Ignacio Garrido (Sp) 68 66 70, Simon Khan 67 69 68, Thomas Levet (Fr) 68 67 69.
205 Jesus Maria Arruti (Es) 69 67 69, Garry Houston 67 69 69, James Heath 67 69 69, Paul Lawrie 65 69 71, Ricardo Gonzalez (Ar) 65 67 73, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Sp) 67 70 68
Jose Manuel Lara (Sp) 65 69 71, Raphael Jacquelin (Fr) 68 68 69, Simon Wakefield 69 68 68
206 Brett Rumford (Au) 65 69 72, Robert Rock 67 70 69, Steve Alker (NZ) 65 72 69, James Kingston (Za) 66 68 72, Colin Montgomerie 70 64 72, Nick Dougherty 69 69 68, David Bransdon (Au) 68 68 70, Simon Thornton 69 64 73, Marcus Fraser (Au) 68 69 69.
207 Christian Cevaer (Fr) 66 69 72, Phillip Price 67 70 70
Mark Foster 67 68 72, Manuel Quiros (Sp) 70 67 70
208 Robert Jan Derksen (Nl) 69 66 73, Joakim Haeggman (Se) 66 71 71
Anders Hansen (Dk) 70 65 73, Shiv Kapur (In) 68 69 71.
Benn Barham 70 69 69, Kyron Sullivan 68 68 72
209 David Carter 68 68 73, Anton Haig (Za) 68 67 74, Liam Bond 66 68 75
210 Marcel Siem (De) 69 68 73, Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sw) 72 64 74
212 Emanuele Canonica (It) 69 68 75.

SCOTS GO BACKWARD IN THIRD

ROUND OF EUROPEAN

CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT

By MICHAEL GIBBONS

Challenge Tour Press Officer

Scotland’s Challenge Tour professionals suffered a day of frustration an all-round disappointment at the Oceanico Developments Pro-Am Challenge today.
Despite perfect conditions at the Marriot Worsley Park Hotel and Country Club in Manchester, none of the four Scots to survive the halfway cut could capitalize.

George Murray began the day in fifth place, but a two over par 73 saw him fall down the leaderboard to 21st on 205.
It was much the same for Chris Doak, Jack Doherty and Peter Whiteford after respective third rounds of 74, 71 and 72 and saw them all lose ground on leader Stuart Davis of England, who looks out of reach to the four Scots in the field with a total of 15 under 195.

Rookie Murray's 73 included a double bogey 6 at the third.
Chris Doak, pictured above, who had a 64 in the second round, took 10 shots more today with a double-bogey 6 at the third and a quadruple bogey 7 at the short 11th. Doak is on 207 and sharing 37th place.
Peter Whiteford had a 72 which included a double bogey 6 at the eighth. He is sharing 47th place on 209 with West Linton-based Welshman Gareth Wright who had a 72.
Englishman Stuart Davis shot a 64 for 15-under-par 195 to open up a three-stroke advantage over compatriot Ross McGowan (69 for 198) with long time leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera (France) cooling off from 61 and 66 to a third-round 72 for third place on 299.
LEADERBOARD
Par 210 (3 x 70). 6,791yd.
195 Stuart Davis (Eng) 64 67 64.
198 Ross Mcgowan (Eng) 66 63 69.
199 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 61 66 72.
200 Tobias Dier (Ger) 68 66 66.
201 Julio Zapata (Arg) 68 62 71, Ricardo Santos (Por) 67 65 69, Gabriel Canizares (Spa) 70 65 66.
202 Bernd Wiesberger (Aut) 68 66 68.
203 Tim Dykes (Wal) 64 72 67, Andrew Butterfield (Eng) 67 67 69, Leif Westerberg (Swe) 67 66 70, David Horsey (Eng) (am) 65 68 70.
204 Simon Robinson (Eng) 71 67 66, Jean-Nicolas Billot (Fra) 68 66 70; Eduardo De La Riva (Esp) 71 67 66, David Dixon (Eng) 67 68 69, Anders Schmidt Hansen (Den) 68 68 68; Klas Eriksson (Swe) 66 70 68, Thomas Nielsen (Den) 68 67 69, Robert Coles (Eng) 69 68 67.
205 Alvaro Velasco (Spa) 70 68 67, Phil Worthington (Eng) 69 65 71; Chris Gane (Eng) 68 69 68; Neil Cheetham (Eng) 66 69 70; David Higgins (Ire) 66 69 70; Martin Maritz (SAf) 67 67 71; Neil Walker (Eng) 71 66 68; Jack Doherty (Sco) 69 65 71; George Murray (Sco) 66 66 73,
206 Stuart Cage (Eng) 68 67 71, Van Phillips (Eng) 69 67 70, Ally Mellor (Eng) 69 69 68; Peter Baker (Eng) 72 65 69 ; Michiel Bothma (SAf) 66 70 70, Sam Osborne (Eng) 68 68 70, Zane Scotland (Eng) 69 69 68.
207 Johan Sköld (Swe) 67 70 70; Antti Ahokas (Fin) 71 67 69; Chris Doak (Sco) 69 64 74; Jean Hugo (Rsa) 70 68 69; Michael Jonzon (Swe) 69 68 70; Robert Dinwiddie (Eng) 68 67 72; Pontus Ericsson (Swe) 65 69 73.
208 Paul Dwyer (Eng) 66 69 73, Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 71 67 70.
209 Kariem Baraka (Ger) 70 68 71; Miguel Rodriguez (Arg) 72 66 71; Gary Clark (Eng) 66 69 74; Peter Whiteford (Sco) 71 66 72; Raphaël Eyraud (Fra) 70 68 71, David Mackinnon (Eng) 67 70 72; Bertrand Coathalem (Fra) 69 68 72, Gareth Wright (Wal) 67 70 72.
210 James Kamte (Rsa) 71 67 72; Michael Hoey (Nir) 69 69 72; Toni Karjalainen (Fin) 69 69 72, Carlos Del Moral (Esp) 71 67 72.
211 James H Williams (Wal) 65 71 75, Lars Brovold (Nor) 67 71 73.
213 Tiago Cruz (Por) 69 69 75.
214 John Mellor (Eng) 71 67 76.
217 Diego Suazo (Spa) 70 68 79.

ABERDEENSHIRE TEENAGER DOWN FIELD
IN WELSH YOUTHS' OPEN STROKE-PLAY

Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon) had a first-round 78 in the Welsh youths' open stroke-play championship at Whitchurch Golf Club, Cardiff.

SCOREBOARD
Par 72
67 Carwyn Hammond (Pontardawe).
69 Billy Downing (Truro), Jamie Howie (Royal St David's).
70 Adam Partington (Wrexham), Mark Trow (Llanymynech), Myles Frost (Perton Park).
Other scores:
77 Zach Gould (Vale of Glamorgan).
78 Kevin Duncan (McDonald Ellon).

NORTHERN IRELAND LADIES OPEN SCOREBOARD

FIRST ROUND (Par 72)

69 Nora Angehrn (Swi).
71 Patricia Beliard (Fra), Leah Hart (Aus), Ashleigh Simon (SAf), Sophie Sandolo (Ita), Sarah Kemp (Aus), Libby Smith (US).
72 Danielle McVeigh (Ire) (am), Sara Beautell (Spa), Helena Alterby (Swe), Becky Brewerton (Wal), Kirsty Taylor (Eng), Kiran Matharu (Eng), Stefanie Michl (Aut), Elizabeth McKinnon (NZ), Joanne Mills (Aus), Kristie Newton (Aus)
73 Kris Lindstrom (USA), Laurette Maritz (SAf), Natalie Claire Booth (Eng), Samantha Head (Eng), Felicity Johnson (Eng), Marina Arruti (Spa), Lynn Kenny (Sco), Tania Elosegui (Spa), Virginie Lagoutte Clement (Fra), Danielle Masters (Eng), Louise Stahle (Swe), Jade Schaeffer (Fra), Rebecca Hudson (Eng), Rui Yokomine (Jap).
74 Morgana Robbertze (Rsa), Nicole Gergely (Aut), Maria Boden (Swe), Tamara Hyett (Aus), Rebecca Coakley (Irl), Stefania Croce (Ita), Lisa Hall (Eng), Federica Piovano (Ita), Eva Steinberger (Aut), Katy Jarochowicz (Aus), Anna Temple (US), Beatriz Recari (Spa), Marianne Skarpnord (Nor), Lill Kristin Saether (Nor).
75 Melodie Bourdy (Fra), Shani Waugh (Aus), Lynn Brooky (Nzl), Martina Eberl (Ger), Nuria Clau (Spa), Lora Fairclough (Eng), Elisabeth Esterl (Ger), Trish Johnson (Eng), Anna Rawson (Aus), Ludivine Kreutz (Fra), Anna Knutsson (Swe), Elin Ohlsson (Swe), HannaLeena Salonen (Fin), Nikki Garrett (Aus), Gwladys Nocera (Fra), Claire Coughlan (Ire), Sophie Walker (Eng), Victoria Brashshaw (Ire) (am).
76 Jo Clingan (Eng), Vanessa Bell (Eng), Maria Beautell (Spa), Debbie Hanna (Ire), Carlie Butler (Aus), Emma Zackrisson (Swe), Sarah Heath (Eng), Jenni Kuosa (Fin), Rikke Rasmussen (Den), Cassandra Kirkland (Fra), Clare Queen (Sco), Sarah Nicholson (NZ), Lisa Jean (Aus).
77 Shelley McKevitt (Eng), Asa Gottmo (Swe), Antonella Cvitan (Swe), Christine Hallstrom (Swe), Diana Luna (Ita), Kathryn Imrie (Sco), Laura Terebey (US), Valerie Michaud (Fra), Karen Lunn (Aus), Ellen Smets (Bel), Barbara Paruscio (Ita), Kirsty S Taylor (Eng), Julie Tvede (Den).
78 Katie Bakken (USA), Cherie Byrnes (Aus), Johanna Westerberg (Swe), Suzanne Dickens (Eng), KarenMargrethe Juul (Den), Cecilie Lundgreen (Nor), Fame More (Eng), Margherita Rigon (Ita), LeeAnne Pace (Rsa), Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha), Martina Gillen (Irl), Laura Wright (Eng).
79 Anne Lise Caudal (Fra), Brenda McLarnon, Zuzana Kamasova (Svk), Julie Berton (Fra), Joanne Oliver (Eng), Bree Turnbull (Aus).
80 Caroline Grady (Eng), Georgina Simpson (Eng), Liza Walters (Eng), Frederique Seeholzer (Swi), Annamaria Milie (Ita).
81 Kirsty J Fisher (Eng), Michelle Smith (Eng), Fany Schaeffer (Fra), Lynn McCool (Ire).
82 Sophie Hunter (Eng), Lisa Maguire (Ire) (am), Denise Simon (Ger).
83 Jehanne Jail (Fra), Florence Luscher (Swi), Leona Maguire (Ire) (am).
84 Clare Lipscombe (Eng), Ana Larraneta (Spa).
86 Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin), Sandra Carlborg (Swe).

MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT HALFWAY SCOREBOARD

Collated totals after the second round of the The Memorial Tournament Presented by Morgan Stanley, Muirfield Village GC, Ohio
Par 144 (2 x 72).
Players from US unless stated.
132 Adam Scott (Aus) 70 62.
133 Rodney Pampling (Aus) 65 68.
134 Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 66 68, Bubba Watson 66 68.
135 Sean O'Hair 65 70, Ryan Moore 66 69.
136 Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) 68 68.
137 Nick Watney 68 69, Ted Purdy 68 69, Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 70 67.
138 Boo Weekley 69 69.
139 Brett Quigley 70 69, Jim Furyk 70 69, Tim Herron 66 73, Trevor Immelman (SAf) 72 67, Billy Mayfair 68 71, KJ Choi (Kor) 69 70, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 65 74.
140 Will MacKenzie 67 73, Mark Calcavecchia 70 70, Camilo Villegas (Col) 69 71, Craig Kanada 70 70, Stewart Cink 69 71, Jason Gore 70 70, D.J. Trahan 69 71.
141 Paul Casey (Eng) 72 69, Justin Leonard 70 71, Vijay Singh (Fij) 69 72, Ernie Els (Rsa) 66 75, Matt Kuchar 68 73, Bob Tway 69 72.
142 Tiger Woods 70 72, Mark Hensby (Aus) 71 71, Ben Curtis 70 72, Tom Lehman 71 71, Johan Edfors (Swe) 70 72, Charles Howell III 69 73, Richard S Johnson (Swe) 73 69, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 69 73, Rocco Mediate 69 73.
143 Robert Garrigus 69 74, John Senden (Aus) 71 72, Jeff Sluman 72 71, Woody Austin 71 72, Steve Lowery 68 75, Alex Cejka (Ger) 71 72, Billy Andrade 74 69, Kenny Perry 69 74, Nathan Green (Aus) 73 70, Daniel Chopra (Swe) 71 72, Shaun Micheel 74 69, Corey Pavin 70 73, Luke Donald (Eng) 73 70, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 68 75, Jason Bohn 72 71.
144 Stephen Marino 73 71, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 70 74, Ryan Palmer 70 74, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 69 75, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 70 74
145 Jerry Kelly 73 72, Charley Hoffman 72 73, Bart Bryant 73 72, Paul Azinger 74 71, Ken Duke 73 72, Tom Pernice Jnr. 71 74, Frank Lickliter II 75 70
146 Anthony Kim 74 72, Jose Coceres (Arg) 74 72, Jeff Quinney 74 72, Bo Van Pelt 74 72, Todd Hamilton 75 71, Mark Wilson 71 75
MISSED THE CUT
147 Steve Stricker 72 75, John Rollins 73 74, J.B. Holmes 75 72, Robert Allenby (Aus) 71 76, Steve Flesch 72 75, Mathias Gronberg (Swe) 74 73, Jesper Parnevik (Swe) 75 72
148 Pat Perez 76 72, Chris Couch 72 76, John Mallinger 75 73, Tommy Armour III 71 77, Peter Lonard (Aus) 72 76, Ian Poulter (Eng) 70 78, Brandt Snedeker 74 74, Douglas Labelle 74 74
149 Brad Faxon 74 75, George McNeill 74 75, Chris DiMarco 74 75, Eric Axley 75 74, Mike Weir (Can) 74 75, Cliff Kresge 70 79, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) 77 72
150 Richie Ramsay (Sco) 77 73, Yong-eun Yang (Kor) 74 76, Jonathan Byrd 70 80
151 Jose-Maria Olazabal (Spa) 74 77, Kyle Reifers 76 75
152 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 76 76, Greg Owen (Eng) 74 78
153 Brett Wetterich 77 76
156 Davis Love III 75 81

VIKKI ONE OVER PAR IN WISCONSIN

Vikki Laing from Musselburgh was in joint 15th place on one-over-par 73 when lightning and storm conditions ended the first day’s play at 6.10pm in the Auroa Health Care Championship, the latest event on the US Futures Tour, at Geneva National Golf Club, Wisconsin.
Vikk was out in 38 and home in 35 over the par-72, 6,406yd Arnold Palmer-designed course.
Polly Willett from London had a 76 (39-37) and Natasha Morgan, an amateur from South Wales and a student at Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida had a 79 (39-40).
Swedish player Caroline Larsson set the pace on 69 (36-33), one ahead of compatriot Sofie Andersson (34-36) and Katrina Leckovic from British Columbia (35-35).

SEASON-ENDING MISSED-CUT

BLOW FOR JORDAN & EAST

TENNESSEE TEAM-MATES

The 2006-2007 American college season ended on a bitterly disappointing note for Fraserburgh’s Jordan Findlay and the rest of the East Tennessee State University golf team, including Edinburgh-born Welsh Walker Cup player Rhys Davies.
From fourth place in the team standings at the beginning of the third day, East Tennessee State plummeted to 18th place and missed the 54-hole cut by three strokes.
Findlay, pictured right in action during Friday's play, had the best individual third-round score within the team – a two-over-par 70 which gave him a three-round total of 217.
Rhys Davies, playing in his final college event after 10 wins on the US circuit over four years, had a 73 for 211. Although joint 12th in the individual standings, Davies is also eliminated from the fourth and final round because East Tennessee State missed the cut.
Paradoxically, some players with poorer three-round totals than Davies will play the fourth round because their university team did beat the cut.
The system underlies the fact that in US college golf, TEAM results are paramount. Individual scores are very much a secondary issue. But you would think that in the NCAA Division 1 championship, the season-ending finale, they would allow say the top 50 in the individual standings after three rounds to play the final round. One of them might have won the championship …. but THE championship is for TEAMS, not individuals.

LEADING INDIVIDUALS
Par 210 (3 x 70)
204 Rob Grube (Stanford) 64 71 69, Kyle Stanley (Clemson) 70 69 65, Cameron Tringale (Georgia Tech) 67 68 69.
205 Chesson Hadley (Georgia Tech) 72 67 66, Dustin Johnson) Coastal Carolina) 67 68 70, Zach Sucher (UAB) 68 67 70.
Other scores:
212 Niall Turner (Minnesota) 71 71 70.
213 Pablo Martin (Oklahoma State) 70 72 71.

ELIMINATED BECAUSE TEAMS MISSED CUT
210 Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) 69 68 73.
211 Rhys Davies (East Tennessee State) 69 69 73.
217 Jordan Findlay (East Tennessee State) 75 70 72.
219 Seamus Power (East Tennessee State) 70 73 76.
220 Tom Sherreard (Georgia State) 75 72 73.
226 Cian McNamara (East Tennessee State) 72 76 78.
236 Lewis Kirton (Louisville) 82 74 80.

LEADING TEAMS
828 Stanford. 830 Coastal Carolina. 838 Charalotte, Alabama Birmingham.
840 Georgia. 843 Georgia Tech.
MISSED CUT
854 East Tennessee State (18th).

RAMSAY IMPROVES BUT DOUBLE BOGEY
AND STRING OF BOGEYS DRAG HIM
DOWN TO MISS THE US CUT AGAIN

Richie Ramsay improved by four shots in his second round in the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, Ohio but a 73 for 150 was certain to miss the halfway cut (computer projection for the cut: 146) on the US PGA Tour for the second week in a row.
The US amateur champion from Aberdeen did look more like his old self today with birdies at the first, fourth, sixth, 12th and 15th. But it was a double bogey 7 at the 11th plus single bogeys at the fifth, eighth, 14th and 17th that dragged him down.
To survive at this level - and that must be Richie's aim - he has to reduce the flow of bogeys. If you don't birdie a hole on the PGA Tour, then you must do no worse than par it.
Aussie Adam Scott showed the kind of score that was on in these conditions when he shot a 12-under-par 62 - not surprisingly, the lowest of his career, amateur or professional - to lead at 12-under-par 132.
It looked like "Australia Day" at the top of the leaderboard with Scott leading from compatriots Rod Pampling and Aaron Baddeley.
But Bubba Watson, still to finish his second round, was relatively on the same 12 under par mark overall as Adam Scott with four holes to play.
SCOREBOARD
132 Adam Scott (Aus) 70 62.
133 Rod Pampling (Aus) 65 68.
134 Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 66 68.
Other scores:
141 Paul Casey (Eng) 72 69.
143 Luke Donald (Eng) 73 70.
PROJECTED CUT: 146
150 Richie Ramsay (Sco) (am) 77 73.
151 Jose Maria Olazabal (Spa) 74 77.
Disqualified: Ian Poulter (Eng) 70 78.

Bidwells Scottish amateur stroke-play at Royal Dornoch

CHINA WINNER GARY IS AFTER
THE SCOTTISH CUP WITH A
PACE-SETTING 66

It's a long way from China to Royal Dornoch, one of the most northerly links in the world, but England's Gary Boyd, 20, from Cherwell Edge, Oxfordshire, recaptured the form that made him a winner in the Far East when he had a round of four-under-par 66 to lead at the end of the first day of the Bidwells Scottish men's open amateur stroke play championship today.
Gary, pictured right with his trophy, won the big inaugural Mission Hills 72-hole amateur international tournament in China during our winter.
Ranked No 18 in the R&A WAGR - one ahead of Richie Ramsay -
Gary leads by one shot at Dornoch from Scots Greg Paterson, Graham Turner, Scottish match-play champion Kevin McAlpine, Scott Mann and compatriot Ben Parker, whose father is a club pro in Germany.
Favourite Lloyd Saltman is on the 73 mark.




FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 70.
66 Gary Boyd (Cherwell Edge).
67 Greg Paterson (St Andrews New), Graham Turner (West Linton), Kevin McAlpine (Alyth), Ben Parker (Germany), Scott Mann (Carnoustie).
68 Bjorn Akesson (Swe), Matthew Cryer (Coventry), Matthew Baldwin (Royal Birkdale), Tobias Rosendahl (Swe).
69 Marek Novy (Czech Rep), Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie), Mark Thistleton (Hayling), Alexandre Kaleka (Fra), Wallace Booth (Comrie), Duncan Stewart (Grantown-on-Spey), Paul O'Hara (Colville Park), Robin Wingardh (Swe).
70 Cameron Gray (West Kilbride), Adrien Bernadet (France), Terry Mathieson (Murcar Links), James Byrne (Banchory), David Simpson (Crieff), Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs).
71 James Dale (Rochford Hundred), Dale Marmion (Delamere Forest), Henrik Norlander (Swe),
Jonathan Hurst (Shaw Hill), Mark Hillson (Craigielaw), Daniel Elder (Carnoustie), Robert McKnight (Barassie), Scott Borrowman (Dollar).
72 Zack Saltman (Craigielaw), Blake McGrory (Aus), Tomek Dogil (Ger), Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle), Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw), Ricki Neil-Jones (Rochester & Cobham Park), Scott Larkin (Banchory), James White (Lundin), Louis De Jager (SAf).
73 James Gunn (Royal Dornoch), Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn), Joshua Clarke (Royal Montrose), Steven McEwan (Caprington), Scott Henry (Cardross), Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh), Philippo Okan (Ger), Mark Lamb (Haddington), Campbell Donaldson (Downfield), Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw), Rhein Gibson (US), Chris Heslip (Monifieth), Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm), David Henderson (Hamilton), Alexander Main (Thornton), Allyn Dick (Shotts), Bryan Fotheringham (Forres), Edward Richardson (Southern Valley), Jonathan King (Glasgow), Gavin Dear (Murrayshall), Jonathan Watt (Brokenhurst Manor), Stephen Clark (Haggs Castle).
74 Euan McIntosh (Newmachar), Otto Bonning (Swe), Tom Hayes (West Byfleet), Graeme Mitchell (Braemar), Philip Waugh (Hexham), Brian Soutar (Leven GS), Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie), Keith Hamilton (Whitecraigs).
75 Jesper Kennegard (Swe). Garry Duncan (Caledonia), Oscar Sharpe (Minchinhampton, Sandro Piaget (Swi), Davide Murray (Newbattle), Ewan Forbes (Inverness), David Corsey (Fleetwood), Ross Jones (Orchardleigh), John Mathers (Haggs Castle), Mathieu Bozio (Fra), Russell Thornton (US).
76 Andrew Biggadike (US), William Shucksmith (Alwoodley), Jacques Guillet (Fra), Philip McLean (Peterhead), Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan), David Addison (Barassie), John Duff (Newmachar), Louis Calitz (SAf), James Freeman (Worksop), Scott Herald (Whitecraigs), Kevin Smyth (Windyhill).
77 Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), Euan Polson (Inverness), Scott O'Brien (US), Paul Betty (Hayston), Roberto Laino (Bedford & Co).
78 Jean-Christophe (Fra), John Lindberg (Swe), Michael Buchan (Cruden Bay), Stuart Ashwood (Northamptonshire Co), Mark Kerr (Craigielaw), Niklas Glans (Swe).
79 Ross Noon (Longniddry), Leigh Smith (Surrey National), Simon Marshall (Catterick), Iain Powell (Murcar Links), Roderick Cameron (Brora), Stephen Lewton (Brora), Ross Kellett (Colville Park), S Neilson (Dunbar), Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar), Ross Dizon (Barassie), Florian Guyon (Fra), Stewart Elder (Kirkcaldy), Jonathan Welsh (Aus).
80 John Forbes (Inverness), Mike MacDonald (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), Jerome Lando-Casanova (Fra), Constantin Schwierz (Ger), Tom McLevy (Blairgowrie), Dean Yeats (Newmachar).
81 Michael Main (Thornton), Ross Bell (Downfield).
82 Richard Maunder (Cumberwell Park), Jason Palmer (Kirby Muxloe), Robby Anderson (Duddingston), John Hempstock (Dumfries & Galloway).
83 Randy Miller (US), Byron Dudding (Newquay), Ewan Laird (Royal Aberdeen), Richard Hyland (Hazlehead), Richard Grfaham (Hayston).
84 Paul McGhee (US), Ryan McKenzie (Easter Moffat), Douglas Thorburn (Thurso).
85 Munro Ferries (Tain).
87 Kevin Mathieson (Royal Dornoch).
88 Neil Howitt (Nairn Dunbar).

ANOTHER GREAT DANE LEADS THE
WAY AT CELTIC MANOR ... BUT
SCOTS ARE ON HIS TAIL

Mads Vibe-Hastrup used the inspiration of fellow Dane Anders Hansen’s victory in last week’s BMW PGA Championship to claim the halfway lead in he Celtic Manor Wales Open today
The 28-year-old has partnered his fellow countryman many times in practice and was cheering him on on television last Sunday as he beat Justin Rose in a play-off to win at Wentworth Club to win the title for a second time.
“It was fantastic that he went on and won there,” said Vibe-Hastrup. “His season has been so-so and then he goes and wins the biggest tournament on European Tour. It just shows that it can be done.”
Vibe-Hastrup’s form by his own admission has not been great this season either but he made a mockery of that statistic with a fine showing over the Roman Road course at Celtic Manor.
The former Doug Sanders world boys champion - he won that title in Aberdeen - matched the best score of the week at the Newport course, a six-under-par 63 to move to eight under par 130 for the tournament and take a one shot lead over the Scottish duo of Alastair Forsyth and Steven O’Hara, who carded respective rounds of 65 and 66 for 131 and Australia’s Brett Rumford who matched O’Hara’s 66.
“I have missed a couple of cuts in recent months when my putting has been off but I played well in Ireland a couple of weeks ago in tough conditions and that gave me confidence,” said Vibe-Hastrup.
“I had a week off last week and so I felt fresh coming here and I was looking forward to going out to play – and I think that has shown in the way I have played over the first two days. I am looking forward to the weekend.”
First man in on the seven under par mark of 131 was Forsyth and the winner of the 2002 Carlsberg Malaysian Open on The European Tour had a fast beginning to his second round 65 to thank largely for that, birdieing the second and fourth and sandwiching an eagle 3 at the third in the middle.
“I got off to an absolute flier, it was just what I was looking for,” said the 31 year old from Paisley. “Four under after four holes, you are looking at goodness knows what and I must admit that the thought of a 59 did come into my head for a moment.
“I tried not to think too much about it and just tried to do what I was doing but I just dropped a couple of shots at the wrong time. I three-putted the 11th for bogey and I suppose that put paid to any hope of a 59.
“It was a little disappointing to only card a four under par round after that start but it was another solid performance so I am not going to complain too much.”
Joining him shortly afterwards was fellow Scot O’Hara who admitted he was exhausted after completing his second round 66, a round which contained four birdies and only one dropped shot at the short eighth where his tee shot found the greenside bunker and he failed to get up and down.
“I was due off pretty early on but because we had the hour and three quarter delay for fog this morning I actually didn’t start until after nine o’clock,” he said.
“The only problem with that was that by the time I teed off I’d hit about 200 balls or something like that. Therefore it was good to get back out and get started eventually when they said we were going to start.
“I don’t mind practising but I think maybe I overdid it a little bit today, especially when I was up at 5.30! But it all turned out okay so that’s the main thing.”
While the Scottish duo finished early in the day, Australian Rumford left it until almost fading light before posting his 66 to get to seven under par, a fine effort considering that his second round started with two consecutive dropped shots.
“I started off a bit shaky but after that I came back and steadied the ship with a few birdies from there and that helped give me momentum to move forward.
“I putted really well once again considering the greens late on in the afternoon were getting quite slow and bouncy. But I putted very nicely, made some good saves and also made some good putts for birdies too. It is only halfway I know, but it is good to be up there again.”
As with Thursday’s first round when there was a European Tour record nine players tied for the lead overnight, the logjam effect continued on the Roman Road course as 10 players tied for fifth place on six under par.
Amongst them was home favourite Bradley Dredge who carded a 66 and the 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell who matched the Welshman’s score to show a welcome return to form.
While Campbell will be in the thick of the action over the weekend, two of the other pre-tournament favourites, double US Open champion Retief Goosen and defending champion Robert Karlsson will have to content themselves with watching the action on the television after both missed the cut which fell at one under par 137.

ALL THE SCORES FROM CELTIC MANOR
Par 138 (2 x 69).
Players from GB&I unless stated

130 Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 67 63.
131 Alastair Forsyth 66 65, Steven O'Hara 65 66, Brett Rumford (Aus) 65 66.
132 Gary Orr 65 67, Gregory Havret (Fra) 69 63, Paul Broadhurst 65 67, David Frost (SAf) 68 64, Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 67 65, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 69 63, Bradley Dredge 66 66, Michael Campbell (NZ) 66 66, Nick Dougherty 69 63, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 65 67.
133 Stephen Gallacher 67 66, Matthew Zions (Aus) 66 67, Phillip Archer 68 65, Gary Murphy 68 65, Simon Khan 67 66, Paul Lawrie 65 68, Benn Barham 70 63, David Griffiths 68 65, Simon Thornton 69 64.
134 Richard Sterne (SAf) 67 67, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 65 69, Colin Montgomerie 70 64, James Kingston (SAf) 66 68, Oliver Wilson 66 68, Andrew Coltart 69 65, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 68 66, Liam Bond 66 68.
135 Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 66 69, Anton Haig (SAf) 68 67, Anders Hansen (Den) 70 65, Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 65 70, Mattias Eliasson (Swe) 66 69, Mark Foster 67 68, Robert-Jan Derksen (Ned) 69 66, Peter Lawrie 66 69, Mardan Mamat (Sing) 71 64, Eirik Tage Johansen (Nor) 69 66, Miles Tunnicliff 70 65, Thomas Levet (Fra) 68 67, Christian Cevaer (Fra) 66 69, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 69 66, Kenneth Ferrie 71 64.
136 David Bransdon (Aus) 68 68, David Carter 68 68, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 68 68, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 69 67, Jesus Maria Arruti (Spa) 69 67, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 68 68, Kyron Sullivan 68 68, Garry Houston 67 69, Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe) 72 64, James Heath 67 69, Tom Whitehouse 71 65.
137 Shiv Kapur (Ind) 68 69, Manuel Quiros (Spa) 70 67, Robert Rock 67 70, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 72 65, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa) 67 70, Steve Alker (NZ) 65 72, Joakim Haeggman (Swe) 66 71, Emanuele Canonica (Ita) 69 68, Marcel Siem (Ger) 69 68, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 68 69, Henrik Nystrom (Swe) 70 67, Phillip Price 67 70, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 66 71, Simon Wakefield 69 68.
MISSED CUT
138 Andrew Raitt 69 69, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 70 68, Sam Walker 69 69, Sion Bebb 69 69, Richard McEvoy 70 68, Anthony Wall 71 67, Peter O'Malley (Aus) 73 65, Ian Garbutt 71 67, Oliver Fisher 70 68, Peter Senior (Aus) 70 68.
139 Gary Lockerbie 71 68, Sandy Lyle 71 68, Darren Fichardt (SAf) 71 68, Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 69 70, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 71 68, Alessandro Tadini (Ita) 72 67, Gordon Brand jun 72 67, Marcus Higley 69 70, Liang Wen-chong (Chi) 69 70, Graeme Storm 69 70, Andrew Marshall 72 67, Matthew Richardson 69 70, Andrew Tampion (Aus) 68 71.
140 David Lynn 67 73, Sam Little 70 70, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 70 70, Carl Suneson (Spa) 72 68, Alexander Noren (Swe) 69 71, Jean Van de Velde (Fra) 70 70, Christopher Hanell (Swe) 71 69, Lee Slattery 69 71, Ben Evans (am) 72 68, Richard Bland 73 67, Peter Hanson (Swe) 70 70, Robert Karlsson (Swe) 71 69, Sven Struver (Ger) 73 67, Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 69, Alexandre Rocha (Bra) 69 71, Edward Rush 68 72.
141 Simon Dyson 73 68, Shaun Webster 68 73, Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 70 71, Damien McGrane 72 69, Craig Smith 69 72, Wade Ormsby (Aus) 73 68, Mark Pilkington 73 68, Santiago Luna (Spa) 74 67.
142 Graeme McDowell 74 68, Ross Fisher 69 73, Terry Price (Aus) 69 73, Pelle Edberg (Swe) 72 70, David Park 69 73, Julien Guerrier (Fra) 69 73, Taichi Teshima (Jpn) 71 71, Jose Manuel Carriles (Spa) 73 69, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 72 70.
143 Steve Webster 73 70, Retief Goosen (SAf) 70 73, David Drysdale 71 72, Richard Finch 71 72, Matthew Millar (Aus) 72 71, Rhys Enoch (am) 75 68.
144 Scott Drummond 74 70, Ariel Canete (Arg) 71 73, Jonathan Lomas 72 72, Jamie Spence 71 73
145 Lee James 70 75, Adrien Mork (Fra) 78 67, Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 77 68, Peter Gustafsson (Swe) 73 72
146 Marc Warren 76 70, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 76 70, Birgir Hafthorsson (Ice) 73 73, Luis Claverie (Spa) 74 72.
147 Mark Litton 77 70.
148 Gary Emerson 73 75.
151 Gareth Davies 78 73, Francois Calmels (Fra) 75 76.
155 (x) Llewellyn Matthews (am) 78 77.
Ret: Barry Lane, Carlos Rodiles (Spa), Maarten Lafeber (Ned).
Withdrew: Thongchai Jaidee (Tha), Gary Marks, Chapchai Nirat (Tha)

SCOTS AMONG THE LOW SCORERS IN EURO
CHALLENGE EVENT AT MANCHESTER

By MICHAEL GIBBONS

European Challenge Tour Press Officer.
Chris Doak shot a 64, Jack Doherty a 65 and both George Murray and Peter Whiteford returned 66s on a day of low scoring over the 6,791yd, par-70 course for the Oceanico Developments Pro-Am Challenge at Marriott Worsley Park Hotel & Country Club, Greater Manchester.
Murray is lying fifth with a pair of 66s for 132. Doak, who dropped shots at his last two holes, is sharing sixth place with 69 and 64 for 133.
Doherty is joint 10th on 134 with 69 and 65 while Whiteford is sharing 33rd place with West Linton-based Welshman Gareth Wright on 137 with 71 and 66. Wright had rounds of 67 and 70.
To survive the halfway cut, players had to score two-under-par 138 or better for the first 36 holes.
That caught out Andrew Oldcorn and Eric Ramsay. Both bogeyed the 18th hole for 71s and failed by one shot on 139 to beat the cut.
Andrew McArthur (73 for 140), Scott Henderson (69 for 141), Murray Urquhart (69 for 142) and Jamie McLeary (75 for 147) all failed to retain an active interest in the tournament.
Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera, who demonstrated the low-scoring potential of the shortish course with a nine-under-par 61 in the first round, followed it up with a 66 to lead the fiel by two shots on 13-under-par 127. His nearest challenge is Englishman Ross McGowan who had a 63 for 129.
Lowest score of the day came from Julio Zapata from Argentina. He had a 62 for third place on 130.
SCOREBOARD
Par 140 (2 x 70)
127 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 61 66.
129 Ross McGowan (Eng) 66 63.
130 Julio Zapata (Arg) 68 62.
131 Stuart Davis (Eng) 64 67.
132 Ricardo Santos (Por) 67 65, George Murray (Sco) 66 66.
133 Leif Westerberg (Swe) 67 66, Chris Doak (Sco) 69 64, David Horsey (Eng) (am) 65 68.
134 Phil Worthington (Eng) 69 65; Bernd Wiesberger (Aut) 68 66; Pontus Ericsson (Swe) 65 69; Andrew Butterfield (Eng) 67 67; Tobias Dier (Ger) 68 66; Martin Maritz (Rsa) 67 67; Jean-Nicolas Billot (Fra) 68 66; Jack Doherty (Sco) 69 65.
135 Stuart Cage (Eng) 68 67; Robert Dinwiddie (Eng) 68 67; Thomas Nielsen (Den) 68 67; David Higgins (Irl) 66 69; David Dixon (Eng) 67 68; Neil Cheetham (Eng) 66 69; Gary Clark (Eng) 66 69; Gabriel Canizares (Esp) 70 65 ;Paul Dwyer (Eng) 66 69.
136 Michiel Bothma (Rsa) 66 70; Tim Dykes (Wal) 64 72; Van Phillips (Eng) 69 67; Sam Osborne (Eng) 68 68; Anders Schmidt Hansen (Den) 68 68; Klas Eriksson (Swe) 66 70; James H Williams (Wal) 65 71.
137 Michael Jonzon (Swe) 69 68; Peter Whiteford (Sco) 71 66, Peter Baker (Eng) 72 65; Bertrand Coathalem (Fra) 69 68; David Mackinnon (Eng) 67 70; Johan Sköld (Swe) 67 70; Gareth Wright (Wal) 67 70; Chris Gane (Eng) 68 69 ;Robert Coles (Eng) 69 68; Neil Walker (Eng) 71 66.
138 Tiago Cruz (Por) 69 69; John Mellor (Eng) 71 67; Miguel Rodriguez (Arg) 72 66; James Kamte (Rsa) 71 67; Eduardo De La Riva (Esp) 71 67 ; Simon Robinson (Eng) 71 ; Toni Karjalainen (Fin) 69 69; Ally Mellor (Eng) 69 69 ; Alvaro Velasco (Esp) 70 68; Raphaël Eyraud (Fra) 70 68; Jean Hugo (Rsa) 70 68; Kariem Baraka (Ger) 70 68; Lars Brovold (Nor) 67 71; Antti Ahokas (Fin) 71 67 ; Diego Suazo (Esp) 70 68; Michael Hoey (Nir) 69 69; Carlos Del Moral (Esp) 71 67 ; Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 71 67 ; Zane Scotland (Eng) 69 69;
MISSED CUT

139 Richard Treis (Ger) 68 71, Daniel Denison (Eng) 68 71, Andrea Zanini (Ita) 71 68, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (Spa) 69 70, Oliver Whiteley (Eng) 71 68, Ben Mason (Eng) 68 71, Christian Reimbold (Ger) 71 68, Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 70 69, Jan-Are Larsen (Nor) 70 69, Andrew Oldcorn (Sco) 68 71, Ben Willman (Eng) 69 70, James Ruth (Eng) 69 70, Branden Grace (SAf) 72 67, Christophe Brazillier (Fra) 72 67, Hernan Rey (Arg) 68 71, Jamie Little (Eng) 71 68, Eric Ramsay (Sco) 68 71.
140 Philip Golding (Eng) 69 71; Jamie Donaldson (Wal) 71 69, Damian Mooney (NIr) 70 70; Andrew McArthur (Sco) 67 73 ; John Wade (Aus) 71 69; Tim Milford (Eng) 69 71; Matteo Del Podio (Ita) 68 72; Stuart Manley (Wal) 74 66, Gareth Paddison (NZ) 70 70, Scott Henderson (Sco) 72 69; Mark Laskey (Wal) 73 68, Martin Wiegele (Aut) 74 67; Nicola Maestroni (Ita) 73 68; Paul Eales (Eng) 66 75; Gustavo Rojas (Arg) 71 70, Alex Smith (Wal) 71 70.
141 Anthony Snobeck (Fra) 67 74.
142 Kasper Linnet Jorgensen (Den) 73 69, Didier De Vooght (Bel) 73 69; Mark Sheppard (Wal) 70 72, Chris Hanson (Eng) 69 73, Kevin Harper (Eng) 70 72; Murray Urquhart (Sco) 73 69, Simon Edwards (Wal) 72 70, Benoit Teilleria (Fra) 69 73; Nicolas Vanhootegem (Bel) 72 70 ; Kieran Staunton (Eng) 69 73, Matthew King (Eng) 69 74.
143 Christian Aronsen (Nor) 72 71, Robert D Steele (Eng) 73 70, Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 70 73; Iain Pyman (Eng) 68 75; Gustavo Acosta (Arg) 68 75 ; Simon Nash (Aus) 71 72; Cédric Menut (Fra) 69 74 ; Cenydd Mills (Wal) 71 73.
144 Manuel Kempe (Ger) 70 74; Daniel Gaunt (Aus) 74 70; Laurent Richard (Bel) 72 72; Joe Templer (Eng) 69 75; Stephen Browne (Irl) 71 73 ;Jacques Chevalier (Fra) 72 72; Mickael Dieu (Fra) 72 72; Tommy Fleetwood (Am) (Eng) 69 75 ;James Watt (Am) (Eng) 72 72.
145 Euan Little (Sco) 72 73; Denny Lucas (Eng) 74 71 ; Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) 72 73; Rafael Gomez (Arg) 72 73; Julien Xanthopoulos (Fra) 71 74 ;Per Barth (Swe) 79 66.
146 Julien Van Hauwe (Fra) 78 68; Manuel Merizalde (Col) 71 75 ; Carlos De Corral (Esp) 72 74; Matthew Tottey (Wal) 74 72; Simon Hurd (Eng) 77 69.
147 Martin Hamer (Eng) 76 71; Hugo Santos (Por) 73 74; Ben Howelett (Eng) 74 73; Jamie McLeary (Sco) 72 75, José Dias (Por) 72 75.
148 Olivier David (Fra) 70 78; Niki Ferrari (Ger) 74 74; Michael McGeady (Ire) 77 71.
149 Adam Constable (Wal) 72 77; Henrique Paulino (Por) 74 75 ; Thomas Feyrsinger (Aut) 76 73; Adam Wills (Am) (Eng) 75 74; James Robinson (Eng) (am) 76 73.
150 Kevin Berger (Ger) 74 76; Lasse Jensen (Den) 73 77.
151 Nuno Campino (Por) 77 74; Julien Foret (Fra) 77 74; Danny Lord (Eng) 75 76.
153 Sean Hawker (Eng) 81 72.
155 Anthony Grenier (Fra) 78 77.
1 Stuart Little (Eng) 71 Retd

FRIDAY PAYDAY FOR MARK LOFTUS

Cowglen tour pro Mark Loftus earned himself £704 by leading the G Hillan (Masonry) team of Joe Frame (handicap 8), Gordon Bell (handicap 5) and Adam Armstrong (13) to victory with a net total of 18-under-par 122 in the Eastwood Golf Club Shotgun Invitational today (Friday).
No individual pro scores were returned.
Runners-up on 124 were the Aird Sakoi team of John Fenton (8), Jim Garside (13) and Barbara Dunlop (8) led by pro Tom Eckford (Ranfurly Castle) and the Cars.com team of Peter McLachan (1), Andrew McLachan (3) and David King (10) led by Mark King (Kingsfield).

WOODMAN WINS PGA EUROPRO TOUR
EVENT AFTER THREE-WAY PLAY-OFF

GUY Woodman held his nerve to secure £10,000 after edging a three-way play-off in the latest event of the PGA EuroPro Tour season.
After three days of top-class golf at Collingtree Park, Northampton, three players - Woodman, Russell Claydon and Adam Frayne - were all tied on ten-under-par 206.
Each man played the 602-yard par-5 18th hole again and Frayne was the first to be eliminated with a par, while Woodman and Claydon secured birdies.
That meant the remaining two competitors would play the 18th once more and the decisive action came when Claydon hit his tee shot into the water. Woodman secured another birdie at the hole to clinch the title. Claydon could only manage a 6.
It completed a remarkable day for Woodman as at the start of Friday’s play he was in tied eighth, five shots behind joint leaders Claydon (St Mellion, Cornwall) and Frayne (Gog Magog, Cambs).
Woodman (Stoke Park, Bucks) had not improved his score over the first nine holes but then produced an incredible run of five birdies and an eagle in his last nine holes.
At one stage, his final round of 66 for a total of 206 gave him the outright lead but Claydon and Frayne both scored 71 on their final rounds to force the three-way play-off.
Fortunately, there were no delays on Friday after a three-hour stoppage on Thursday when play was halted from 12.45pm to 3.45pm due to a thunder and lightning storm.
That meant 11 groups had to complete their second round early on Friday. However, 13 players decided to not return a card as they believed they had no chance of making the cut, which came at one-over 145.
A total of 52 players advanced into the third round and this began at 9.40am on Friday with a two-tee start to fit everyone in.
Anglo-Scot Alasdair Hay from Royal Winchester was the top Scot in the final standings. He closed with a 72 for 212 andf a share of 14th place, whihc earned him £489.
Another Anglo-Scot, Freddy Valenti (Pryors Haynes) and Callum Nicoll (Prestwick) tied for 23rd place3 on 214 and earned £350 each.
LEADING TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
206 G Woodman (Stoke Park) 69 71 66, R Claydon (Gog Magog), 69 66 71, A Frayne (St Mellion) 68 67 71 (Woodman won play-off at second hole). Woodman won £10,000. Clayton & Frayne £3,750 each).
208 M Le Mesurier (Eng) 76 69 66, Clark (Eng)( 71 71 66, D Prosser (Stourbridge) 70 69 69, D James (Bridgnorth) 70 68 70, J Morrison (St George's Hill) 70 67 71 (£1,240 each).
Scots scores:
212 A Hay (Royal Winchester) 69 71 72 (jt 14th) (£489).
214 F Valenti (Pryors Haynes) 75 69 70, C Nicoll (Prestwick) 71 74 69 (jt 23rd) (£350).
DID NOT QUALIFY
146 P Doherty 70 767.
147 C Kelly 76 71.
150 E Saltman 75 75, P Cormack 72 68.
151 N Mitchell 75 76.

PAUL PULLS OUT OF US OPEN QUALIFIER
BECAUSE HE IS NEEDED AT HOME

Paul Lawrie is among seven withdrawals from Monday's US Open qualifying tournament at Walton Heath, Surrey.
American Notah Begay, England's James Hepworth, Simon Wakefield and Robert Rock, Irishman Peter Lawrie, Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and Indian Jyoti Randhawa have also pulled out of the 36-hole event.
It leaves only 65 players, including Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, competing for around nine places at Oakmont.
Aberdonian Lawrie, whose five-year exemption from qualifying for the US Open as a result of winning the 1999 British Open ran out in 2005, revealed his wife Marion goes into hospital in two weeks, which clashes with the US Open.
And, with her parents away, he is needed to look after their two young sons.
Two years ago, New Zealander Michael Campbell came through the qualifier without a shot to spare and went on to win his first major title at Pinehurst.
After missing his last five halfway cuts and struggling with a hamstring strain, Clarke is having to enter a qualifier for a major for the first time since the 1995 British Open.
He is down to 93rd in the world, while McGinley, a fellow hero of the last three Ryder Cup victories, has fallen all the way to 133rd.

STEWART GINN'S LATE BIRDIE BURST GIVES
HIM SENIORS' TOUR LEAD IN IRELAND

By STEVEN FRANKLIN
European Seniors Tour Press Officer

Former Senior Major winner Stewart Ginn gave himself the perfect birthday present with a round of five-under-par 67 to take the first-round lead at the AIB Irish Seniors Open, in association with Greenstar and Fáilte Ireland, at the PGA National Ireland golf course to the west of Dublin today.
The Australian, who lost in a play-off for this title last year, closed with four birdies in the last five holes to snatch a one-stroke lead over Gavan Levenson of South Africa, who returned a 68 in the calmer morning conditions.
Italian Ryder Cup favourite Costantino Rocca carded a 69 and shares third place with Americans Doug Johnson and Alan Tapie.
Defending champion Sam Torrance and home favourite Eamonn Darcy were both round in one under par 71. Sam bogeyed the first but got a run going when he birdfied the fifth, sixth and seventh. That came to an end with a bogey at the eighth and he reached the turn in 36.
Sam birdied the 11th, bogeyed the 13th and birdied the 14th before parring the last four holes.
Ginn turns 58 on Saturday and would certainly be able to throw a lavish birthday party befitting the spectacular venue on the Palmerstown House Estate if he were to pocket the €67,500 first prize on Sunday afternoon.
“Every tournament is a good one to win, but being an Irish Open makes this a little more special. It’s one I would love to win and, trust me, I will be working hard to achieve that,” he said.
However, Ginn is conscious not to push too hard after learning the lessons of three runner-up spots last season when his search for a first European Seniors Tour title, to add to his success in the 2002 Ford Seniors Players Championship - a Senior Major Championship on the US Champions Tour - proved fruitless.
One of those second places came in the 2006 AIB Irish Seniors Open when he lost out in a four-way play-off won by Torrance.
“I did push a bit too much last year, so I am aiming to stay more relaxed. Winning is a matter of time, you can’t push it.
“Everything with my game is good at the moment. I had a good start to the season in Turkey, finishing third, played okay in Venice and this week I am out of the box quickly again, so we’ll see what happens,” added Ginn.
Aberdonian John Chillas was joint top Scot with Sam Torrance on 71. John birdied the second but dropped shots at the fifth and seventh before getting back to level par with as 2 at the short eighth to turn in 36. He birdied the long 14th and then the par-4 15th before dropping a late shot at the 17th.
Torrance, who had his son Daniel on the bag for the first time, said: “I actually played beautifully and I can’t wait for tomorrow. It’s the best feeling I have had on a golf course this year.
“It was really exciting having Daniel caddying for me. It pushed me on because I wanted to show off to him with every shot.”

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 70

67 Stewart Ginn (Aus).
68 Gavan Levenson (SAf).
69 Costantino Rocca (Ita), Alan Tapie (US), Doug Johnson (US).
70 Gordon J Brand (Eng).
71 Horacio Carbonetti (Arg), Pete Oakley (US), John Bland (SAf), John Chillas (Sco), Kevin Spurgeon (Eng), Jerry Bruner (US), David Creamer (Eng), Eamonn Darcy (Ire), Sam Torrance (Sco), Mike Clayton (Aus).
72 Bill Longmuir (Sco), Jimmy Heggarty (NIr), Guillermo Encina (Chi), Paul Leonard (NIr), David Merriman (Aus), Bill Malley (US), Peter O'Hagan (Ire), Adan Sowa (Arg).
73 Terry Gale (Aus), Tony Allen (Eng), Bobby Lincoln (RSA), Antonio Garrido (Spa), Bruce Heuchan (Can), Ian Mosey (Eng), Ray Carrasco (US), Juan Quiros (Spa), Carl Mason (Eng), Tony Johnstone (Zim), Philippe Dugeny (Fra), Nick Job (Eng), Glenn Ralph (Eng), Luis Carbonetti (Arg), David Good (Aus), Mike Miller (Sco).
74 Jeff Hawkes (SAf), Bob Cameron (Eng), Liam Higgins (Ire), Manuel Piñero (Spa), Martin Gray (Sco), Gery Watine (Fra), Denis O’Sullivan (Ire), Ross Drummond (Sco), David J Russell (Eng), Angel Fernandez (Chi), Adrian Morrow ( Ire) (am).
75 Noel Ratcliffe (Aus), Simon Owen (NZ), Peter Teravanian (US), Giuseppe Cali (Ita), Steve Martin (Sco), Tommy Horton (Eng), Tim Rastall (Eng), Emilio Rodriguez (Spa), Jose Rivero (Spa), Jim Rhodes (Eng).
76 John Mashego (SAf), Bob Larratt (Eng), Bertus Smit (SAf), Tony Charnley (Eng)
77 Maurice Bembridge (Eng), Denis Durnian (Eng), Delroy Cambridge (Jam), Liam MacNamara (Ire) (am).
78 Jim Lapsley (NZ).
79 Mike Ferguson (Aus), Martin Poxon (Eng), Victor Garcia (Esp), Eddie Polland (Nir)
80 Bob Shearer (Aus).
82 John Benda (US).
89 Dermot W Morris (Ire) (am).

ANNE LAING PULLS OUT OF ST RULE TROPHY

Three times Scottish champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) has had to withdraw from the St Rule Trophy field this weekend.
She has been replaced by Rebecca Watson (Elie & Earlsferry), handicap 3.1, older sister of Sally Watson.
Rebecca will tee off at 1.20pm on Saturday and 9.20am and 2.20pm on Sunday

QUALITY FIELD FOR ST RULE TROPHY
AT ST ANDREWS THIS WEEKEND

Over the years the St Rule Trophy 54-hole women’s open amateur tournament over the New and Old Courses at St Andrews has acquired a status only a notch below the championships organised by the Ladies Golf Union.
Once again a quality field is line-up for this weekend’s three-round competition. Topping the bill are the five players who recently won the Commonwealth tournament trophy for Britain in South Africa - Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Kerry Smith (Waterlooville), Breanne Loucks (Wrexham), Melissa Reid (Chevin) and Naomi Edwards (Ganton).
Krystle, 18, will be defending the title, the capture of which over her home courses she rated above all her other achievements in 2006.
Melissa Reid won the Helen Holm Scottish women’s open stroke-play at Troon on her last visit over the Border from Derby.
Naomi Edwards, winner of the St Rule Trophy two years ago, beat Melissa Reid in the final of the English women’s closed championship last weekend.
Breanne Loucks won the Welsh women's closed amateur championship recently for the first time.
New Scottish champion Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) and Heather MacRae (Dunblane), winner of the Welsh women’s open stroke-play a week or two ago, will also be keen to follow up their successes.
There will be much interest too in the appearance of Sally Watson, 15, and Carly Booth, 14, two of the best prospects Scotland has had for many a long year. Sally, a student at the David Leadbetter Academy in Florida, has not played in this country since last autumn but has been achieving good results against top-class junior opposition in American events.
The first round is over the New Course on Saturday, followed by two rounds over the Old Course on Sunday. There is no cut.

ABERDEEN PENNANT LEAGUE RESULTS

Ritson Smith Aberdeen & District Pennant League golf results on Thursday evening:

Caledonian 1, Royal Aberdeen 5.
Murcar Links 6, East Aberdeenshire 0.
Peterculter 1/2, Newmachar 5 1/2.
Portlethen 3 1/2, Northern 2 1/2.

Details of the Murcar Links v East Aberdeenshire match, supplied by David Corkey (East Aberdeenshire):

MURCAR LINKS 6, EAST ABERDEENSHIRE 0

Duncan Raitt & Bryan Innes bt David Corkey & Bill Yeoman 5 and 4.
]#Anthony Bews & Neil McKinnon bt Donald Emslie & Stephen Hepburn 6 and 5.
Ian Powell & Neil Sadler bt Stuart McIntosh & Les Singer 5 and 4.
Gregor Stewart & Barry Mitchell bt Callum Kinnaird & Alan Fulton 5 and 4.
Stephen Burt & Charles McKen bt Ian Kynoch & Paul Bowman 1 hole.
Alan Holbrook & Iain Galbraith bt David Forman & Anand Shah 3 and 2.

+If clubs supply details of their matches (or even the results on the nights of the matches), we will display them on this website.

ALEXANDRA BUSHBY NOW IN ST RULE TROPHY FIELD

Ireland's Maura Morrin (The Curragh) has withdrawn from the St Rule Trophy 54-hole event at St Andrews on Saturday and Sunday due to a bereavement.
Perth & Kinross county champion Alexandra Bushby (Strathmore), handicap 2.9, has replaced her in the draw.
Alexandra's tee times are 10.10am on Saturday and 9.30am & 2.20pm on Sunday.

FINDLAY AND KIRTON IMPROVE IN NCAA
DIV ONE TITLE EVENT IN VIRGINIA

North-east teenagers Jordan Findlay from Fraserburgh and Oldmeldrum’s Lewis Kirton both improved on their opening efforts in the second round of the NCAA Division 1 men’s college golf championship at the Golden Horseshore Golf Club, Williamsburg in Virginia.
Findlay, pictured right, a second-year student at East Tennessee State University, followed up a 75 with a level-par 70 for a 36-hole tally of five-over-par 145 over the 6,803yd, par-70 course. He is in joint 91st place.
Jordan birdied the first, sixth and 17th but dropped shots at the second, fourth and 13th.
Lewis, a first-year student at Louisville University, Kentucky, improved on his first-day 82 with a 74 for 156 and is in 154th place. Lewis, starting at the 10th, had a double bogey 5 at the short second before birdieing the 18th. He had a bad start to his second nine, bogeying he first, third, fourth and fifth before he birdied the sixth.
Australian Bronson LaCassie (Minnesota) leads by two strokes with rounds of 67 and 65 for eight-under-par 132.
Thanks to that 70 by Findlay and also a 68 by Ulsterman Gareth Shaw and a 69 by Edinburgh-born Welsh Walker Cup player Rhys Davies, East Tennessee State have moved up into fourth place in the team event, only seven strokes behind leaders Stanford.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL SCORES
Par 140 (2 x 70)
132 B LaCassie (Minnesota) 67 65.
134 J Curran (Vanderbilt) 70 64.
135 R Grube (Stanford) 64 71, D Johnson (Coastal Carolina) 67 68, Z Sucher (Birmingham Alabama) 68 67, C Tringale (Florida State) 67 68.
European students:
137 G Shaw (East Tennessee State) 69 68 (jt 8th).
138 R Davies (East Tennessee State) 69 69 (jt 12th).
141 C Ford (Tennessee) 69 72 (jt 29th).
142 P Martin (Oklahoma State) 70 72 (jt 44th).
143 S Power (East Tennessee State) 70 73 (jt 58th).
145 J Findlay (East Tennessee State) 75 70 (jt 91st).
147 T Sherreard (Georgia State) 75 72 (jt 115th).
148 C McNamara (East Tennessee State) 72 76 (jt 120th).
156 L Kirton (Louisville) 82 74 (154th).
LEADING TEAMS
553 Stanford. 554 Minnesota. 558 Coastal Carolina. 560 East Tennessee State. 562 Charlotte. 563 Georgia Tech, UCLA. 566 Oklahoma State.

RAMSAY HAS 77 IN MEMORIAL

TOURNAMENT AFTER

UNSETTLING START

US amateur champion Richie Ramsay from Aberdeen is learning that playing at tournament professional level – well, at US PGA Tour level, anyway, it’s a different ball game from even the upper echelons of the amateur game.
Richie is lying joint 102nd – last place – after the first round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, Ohio.
He had a five-over-par 77 after an unsettling start of a bogey at the first, a double bogey 6 at the second and a bogey at the fifth … four oveer par after only five holes. He did birdie the sixth but shed another shot at the eighth in reaching the turn in four-over-par 40.
More bogeys at the 10th and 12th, then a birdie at the long 15th, a bogey at the shot 16th and a third birdie of the round at the 17th
Leading the field on 65 are American Sean O’Hair and two Australians, Rod Pampling and Nick O’Hara. Tiger Woods had a 70.
LEADERBOARD
65 S O’Hair (US), R Pampling (Aus), N O’Hern (Aus).
66 A Baddeley (Aus), T Herron (US), E Els (SAf), B Watson (US),R Moore (US).
Other scores:
69 S Garcia (Spa).
70 I Poulter (Eng), T Woods (US).
72 P Casey (Eng).
73 L Donald (Eng).
74 G Owen (Eng), J M Olazabal (Spa).
77 R Ramsay (Sco) (am).