Wolverhampton’s Aaron Rai claimed his second European Tour win – and first Rolex Series title – beating Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

AARON Rai defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off to win his first Rolex Series title at the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

The former HSBC Wee Wonders winner – famous for wearing two gloves – signed for a wonderful 64 to set the target at 11-under par.

But Fleetwood holed a 20-foot putt on the last for a closing birdie to take it to extra holes at The Renaissance Club, in North Berwick.

It was advantage Fleetwood off the tee as Rai found a fairway bunker.

But the 25-year-old rescued his par and when Fleetwood three-putted from just off the green, Rai claimed his second European Tour title.

A visibly shocked Rai said: “It’s incredible. I played a lot in Scotland growing up – dreamed of playing in a European Tour event in Scotland.

“To be able to play in it was incredible a couple of years ago. And to be able to go still further is an incredible feeling.

“I didn’t really see many leaderboards all the way around. I knew we had to play well – and knew we had to cope pushing forwards.

“But luckily I had a good couple of breaks and also played very well. So I’m very pleased.”

Rai picked up the winner’s cheque for €974,352.96. He picked up just under €300,000 for his first European Tour win in Hong Kong, less than two years ago.

Aaron added: “You have to play some world-class golf. But for it to be a Rolex Series – with the class of field this week – is deeply satisfying.

“And yeah, I’m incredibly pleased. It’s a dream come true.

“If I’m honest, to win any event on the European Tour is amazing,” added Rai.

Ironically, Fleetwood was his playing partner on that day too.

Tommy Fleetwood (right) congratulates Aaron Rai of England after winning the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club

Rai ready for Race to Dubai chase

VICTORY has given Rai some new goals to focus on for the rest of the 2020 season. That includes the possibility of being crowned European No. 1.

“The Race to Dubai wasn’t something I was thinking of. Or certainly winning it wasn’t something I was thinking of before this week.

“Any time you’re up there in the Race to Dubai – whether it’s winning it, whether it’s in the top three, top five – it shows a great degree of consistency with some really top results, as well.

“So still a long way to go in the season. But it’s a great spot to be in,” said Rai, who grew up in Wolverhampton, and recorded three Challenge Tour wins in 2017.

The latter included his maiden Challenge Tour victory in the Kenya Open.

That was watched by his mother Dalvir, who hailed from East Africa and returned to Mombasa for the first time in 47 years to see Rai win.

COVID-19 restrictions meant there were no fans or family to see his Rolex triumph.

Rai’s latest victory came after he finished second behind American John Catlin at last week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, at Galgorm Castle.

It moved the former EuroPro Tour player, who turned pro in 2012, into the top five on the Race to Dubai rankings.

He is now also inside the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking, moving from 183rd to 88th overnight.

Rai started wearing two gloves at the age of eight. By then he was already shining in the annual Wee Wonders event – organised by East Lothian-based pro Alasdair Good, with the UK finals held at St Andrews, every October.

Rai’s first EuroPro Tour win also came in a play-off in Scotland at Mar Hall in the 2015 Glenfarclas Open. That earned him £10,000.

Now Rai has an even bigger reason to love golf North of the border and Scottish links courses in particular.

Tommy blames putter for not closing door at Renaissance Club

Fleetwood tees off on the 18th hole during the final round of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open

FLEETWOOD was prepared to put his near-miss down to an indifferent week with the putter.

Tommy, whose fifth European Tour title came in last November’s Nedbank Challenge, said: “I hit a poor putt and that’s the end of it, really.

“Aaron played 72 holes very, very good, and it was Aaron’s time – and Aaron’s week. Congratulations to him.

“Obviously, I’d have loved it to have been me,” said the 29-year-old from Southport, who also missed a short birdie chance on the par–five 16th.

The Ryder Cup star added: “But overall looking back at the week, there’s so many putts that probably cost me going further in the tournament. But that’s golf.

“There’s a lot of areas in the game that you have to do well to win. One putt on 18 on the 72nd hole… putting cost me at the end. But that’s life and we try again next week.

“I played really, really good – especially the back nine. I felt really in control of my game, and nobody beat me over 72 holes.

“It was Aaron’s time and that’s how it goes.”

Overnight leader Robert Rock battled back with four birdies on the back nine only to bogey the 18th in the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

Robert Rock left counting cost of bogey at the last

OVERNIGHT leader Robert Rock, who also hails from the West Midlands, missed out on a place in the play-off by one shot.

Rock had slept on a two-shot lead. He dropped two shots on the front nine, before making four birdies in seven holes.

But the two-time European Tour winner missed out with a bogey at the last for a round of 70.

Australian Lucas Herbert picked up six shots in the first 10 holes, to bounce back from a 79 in Saturday’s storm. His 65 posted the clubhouse lead at nine-under.

Scotland’s also Marc Warren – playing with Rai – bogeyed the last to drop back to nine-under after a superb 66.

Warren and Herbert were a shot clear of Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult, Woburn’s Ian Poulter, South African Erik van Rooyen.

Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington was a shot back in a share of ninth.

Oxfordshire’s Eddie Pepperell, Essex’s Matthew Southgate, Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and Finn Kalle Samooja joined the Irish legen on seven-under.

•For full results at the Scottish Open click here.

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Lee Westwood is looking for a third Rolex Series win after taking the first round lead in the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, thanks to a 62. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

LEE Westwood fired two eagles on his way to carding a superb nine-under par 62 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

It is 22 years since the veteran of nine Ryder Cups won the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.

The Notts-rasied golfer, who now lives in Newcastle, made the most of the favourable afternoon conditions at The Renaissance Club, equalling the course record, as he goes in search of a third Rolex Series title.

Westwood, who already has one win in 2020 to his name, said: “I didn’t put myself under too much pressure all day.

“I played solidly. We got the good end of the draw – there’s no doubt about that, in the afternoon lot.

“But you’ve got to make the most of it when it does happen to you. That’s links golf, and you know you’re going to be on the wrong side of it often enough.

“So when you’re on the right side of it, you’ve got to try to make the most of it,” added Westwood, who has the chance of a 10th Ryder Cup appearance after September’s match at Whistling Straits was put back until 2021.

Westwood happy with game after 62

Lee said: “I played solidly. Drove the ball well. Iron shots were good. In a good groove since the US Open.

“I took that discipline from there to here today. Aimed away from flags when I needed to. Left myself a lot of nice looks uphill for birdie.

“Distance control was good, which you know, could have been one of the few things to trip people up today.

“It wasn’t quite going as far as normal. The greens are nice and you feel like if you put a good roll on it, it holds its line.

“So, yeah, obviously very pleased with the round,” said the Worksop Wonder, who has 25 European Tour titles to his name, and claimed the European Order of Merit 20 years ago after five wins in one season.

The 47-year-old claimed his first European Tour win in four years with victory in the 2018 Nedbank Golf Challenge, before holding off Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood and Victor Perez to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship – his second Rolex victory – earlier this year.

Lee Westwood who shot a 62 in the first round of the 2020 Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club at North Berwick

Scott Jamieson enjoys a bit of afternoon delight at Scottish Open

SWEDEN’S Alexander Björk and Dutchman Joost Luiten are one shot off the pace at eight-under – with local favourite Scott Jamieson at seven-under.

Jamieson, a 36-year-old Glaswegian, said: “I looked at the scores when I got to the golf course and realised that it obviously had been really tough in the morning.

“I think when it’s wet and cold like that, the ball just doesn’t travel far,” said the 36-year-old, who won a rain-interrupted Nelson Mandela Championship in South Africa, in December 2012.

Jamieson, who spent four years at Augusta State University before turning pro in 2006, added: “If you’re in the rough, it’s tough to move to ball far.

“So for me – very lucky to be on that side of the draw today. But there’s a long way to go, and we’ll see what the weather does.

“I think everyone probably recognised that this week and next week is probably going to define how good a season you have.

“You could play well the rest of the tournaments, maybe not do particularly well this week and next week, and you don’t get to Dubai.

“But the same could be said the other way. You could not play well in those events and then play great in just one of these weeks, and you may find yourself in Dubai.”

Fellow Scotsman Craig Lee is currently alongside Robert Rock and Finland’s Kalle Samooja in a share of sixth place. Lee has not played a European Tour event since the 2017 Andalucía Valderrama Masters.

•To follow live scoring in the second round click here.

Paul Lawrie at the launch of the Legends Tour at Wentworth last month – he will now concentrate on Seniors golf after calling time on his 28-year career on the Euorpean Tour

European Tour Legend Lawrie bowing out

MEANWHILE Scottish Major winner Paul Lawrie confirmed he will call time on his European Tour career after completing his 620th appearance on Scotland’s Golf Coast this week.

Major-winner Lawrie said: “There are a lot of factors behind the decision – the main one being that I don’t feel I can be competitive week-in, week-out at this level.

“My back is not very good. I’ve got a herniated disc and I struggle to practice enough.

“I’m not able to hit the amount of balls I need. I’m not particularly talented so I lose my game quite quickly,” said the winner of the 1999 Open, who won a play-off with Justin Leonard and Jean Van de Velde – following the Frenchman’s famous meltdown in Carnoustie’s Barry Burn.

“To have played 620 events is not a bad innings considering I turned pro (in 1986) with a five-handicap and didn’t think I’d play any,” added 51-year-old Lawrie, who has eight European Tour victories to his name, including that Claret Jug.

“I haven’t been a great player, but I’ve been decent and that’s all you can ask for,” said Lawrie, who joined the European Tour in 1992.

Lawrie joined the Staysure Seniors Tour in 2019 after turning 50, and claimed the Scottish Seniors Open in August last year.

Last month, Lawrie became a Legends Tour ambassador after the European Tour entered into a joint venture with over 50s insurance giant Staysure, which will look to expand Seniors golf in Europe.

The Aberdonian plans to continue to play on the new Legends Tour in 2021.

Lawrie bought Aberdeen’s Aspire Golf Centre in 2013, creating the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre. His foundation – formed in 2001 – has been a driving force in junior golf north of the border for nearly 20 years.

Having been made an MBE in 2000, Lawrie was awarded the OBE for his voluntary service to golf in 2013.

The post Westwood storms into first round as he enjoys continued Renaissance at Scottish Open appeared first on Golf North.

The Old Course at St Andrews is set to reopen to St Andrews Links Trust yearly ticketholders on Friday, along with the New, Eden and Balgove courses.

THE Old Course at St Andrews – the Home of Golf – is set to reopen on Friday, subject to an 11th hour approval by the Scottish Government on Thursday night.

But visitors will have to wait as tee times are restricted to St Andrews Links Trust’s yearly ticketholders from around the town in Fife – as the Scottish Government’s restricition on journeys remains at five miles.

The oldest golf course in the world will be back in play in time for the weekend, along with the New, Eden and Balgove.

The Strathtyrum, Jubilee and Castle will reopen in stages in the coming days and weeks. The Eden will be split into two loops to encourage people to play nine holes.

St Andrews Links Trust – which operates the seven courses at the Home of Golf – will insist on the following restrictions and guidelines for the coming weeks as players return.

Play will be restricted to Links ticketholders, who will play in a maximum of two-balls – 12 minutes apart. They must have a pre-booked tee time.

The ballot system will remain for the Old Course for Monday to Saturday. There is no play on Sundays.

Once the daily ballot is published, unallocated tee times can be booked by phone on (01334) 466666.

Yearly ticketholders can book a tee time for the other three courses online from 7pm – two days before play – and over the phone from 9am the day before.

Golfers can be from the same household, or two different ones – providing the players have no COVID-19 symptoms, are not in self-isolation or have been out of the country in the previous 14 days.

Social distancing must be observed on arrival at the Old Course and at all times during rounds.

The St Andrews Links Clubhouse will remain closed during the first phase of golf returning to St Andrews Old Course later this week.

Links Trust delighted to reopen Old

THE St Andrews Links Tust said it was “delighted” to share its plans for a phased reopening of the Old Course, known as the “Old Lady.”St

A spokesman said: “The return of golf is hugely important for our community and eagerly anticipated by us all.

“We will continue to monitor and review our policies and practices before we consider re-introducing guests and visitors in the coming weeks.

“We would like to thank everyone for their patience and continued support throughout this unprecedented period.

“Everyone in our community, every individual, every family, every business, every organisation has been impacted by this global pandemic.

“We are committed to ensuring that as we overcome these challenging times, the Links provides a safe and enjoyable environment for us to all come together – and play our part in a sensible and responsible manner.

“In order to move forward, we have had to begin preparing for the new normals – and new responsibilities that we must adhere to – if golf is to play an active role in emerging from this crisis.”

The Trust’s clubhouses, restaurants, the St Andrews Golf Academy and shops also remain closed in line with government guidance.

Players should change in the car park. No toilet facilities will be available in the first phase.

Flagpoles should not be touched – holes have been modified for simple ball retrieval.

All bunker rakes have been removed. Players should smooth sand with their club/feet, and must not pick up other players’ equipment or ball – nor exchange food or drinks.

ST ANDREWS LINKS TROPHY CALLED OFF

The Scottish Government’s decision to scale back some of the lockdown restrictions was announced on Friday.

But it has taken another week for golf to get the green light north of the border. England’s golf courses reopened two weeks ago on May 13.

But Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon refused to be rushed into allowing certain sports – including golf – the chance to resume after more than two months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The St Andrews Trust spokesman added: “We urge everyone to be respectful of our guidelines to ensure that, in time, we can move to a fully phased reintroduction of the game – as we all know and love it.

“The health and wellbeing of colleagues, customers and golfers remains our priority, and we have developed our operations – and phased return – to promote social distancing at all times.”

•For full details on how to book a tee time at St Andrews, and to read the guidelines in full click here.

‘No rush to reschedule existing bookings’

VISITING golfers, who have existing bookings for the Old Course, should contact their authorised provider, to discuss prepaid bookings.

The Trust stressed this week there was no urgency to discuss reschedule times if you booked direct.

The reservations team is dealing with a high volume of queries. Contacting them via email in the first instance would be appreciated, the Links Trust said.

“We will continue to deal with queries throughout the weeks and months ahead. We thank you in advance for your patience. Thank you for your continued support,” said the spokesman.

The post St Andrews Old Course set to reopen on Friday along with Eden, The New and Balgove appeared first on Golf North.

The Renaissance Club was set to stage the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open in July – the European Tour is looking to move it back in the season. Picture by SHIRLEY PINDER

TWO more European Tour tournaments have been cancelled while the Scottish Open – part of the Rolex Series – has been postponed as a result of the continuing threat posed by the spread of the coronavirus.

The BMW International Open and the French Open will not take place in 2020 while European Tour staff are looking to move the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open from its July date to later in the season.

The BMW International Open, which has been played every year in Germany since 1989, was due to take place at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried, in Munich, from June 25-28.

The French Open – continental Europe’s oldest national open, was scheduled to take place a week later, July 2-5, at Le Golf National, near Paris, which staged the 2018 Ryder Cup.

It has been cancelled following the French government’s decision to cancel all mass public gatherings and events until mid-July.

The Scottish Open was one of eight Rolex Series events announced at the start of the 2020 season.

It was scheduled to return to The Renaissance Club, in North Berwick, from July 9-12 – but could now form part of a plan to stage several events in the UK later in the season (see below).

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “The decision to cancel the BMW International Open, which has been a cornerstone of the European Tour calendar for three decades, and the Open de France – one of our most historic national opens – was made in consultation with our long-term partner BMW and the French Golf Federation, respectively, with public health and well-being the absolute priority for all of us.

“Both Germany and France have been significantly impacted by Coronavirus, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected in both countries, as well as elsewhere around the world.

“In consultation with Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland and Rolex, we have also decided to postpone the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, which is part of our prestigious Rolex Series.

“Discussions about the possibility of rescheduling this event will continue as we look at a variety of different scenarios for our schedule for when it is safe and permitted to resume playing.

“We will only announce details of these plans when we have clarity on the global situation.”

•The latest cancellations bring the total number of events postponed in 2020 by the European Tour to nine, with five more events cancelled completely.

The Wentworth-based European Tour is working on plans for its UK events later this year

‘European Tour considers UK swing’

A LETTER sent from Pelley to Tour players earlier this week – and backed up by a Sky TV interview with Eddie Pepperell – revealed the tour are considering running up to four events in the UK over a condensed period.

They could even be played without fans, the European Tour has said – the PGA Tour announced the first four events of its resumed season will be played behind closed doors, yesterday.

The likely scenario being discussed would see the BMW PGA Championship go ahead at Wentworth, to be followed or preceded by a rearranged Betfred British Masters, which was due to be played at Newcastle’s Close House, at the end of July.

The BMW PGA it is currently scheduled to be played the week before the US Open, at Winged Foot (September 17-20), which was rearranged earlier this month by the USGA.

The Scottish Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship – due to be played at St Andrews the week after the Ryder Cup (September 25-27) – could form part of a British Swing to resurrect the 2020 season.

The biggest problem is that European stars heading to the States for the US Open face being isolated for up to 14 days, which could force the European Tour into moving the BMW PGA back til after the Ryder Cup which would mean October.

Wentworth hosted the World Match Play Championship in October between 1964 and 2007 – but with a much smaller field.

The lack of daylight would affect any events the European Tour hopes to stage in October – the Alfred Dunhill Links has been a celebrity pro-am since 2001, attracting stars from sport and entertainment in the US and UK, including Hollywood actors.

It also traditionally has one of the biggest purses on the European Tour – and was easily the biggest outside the 2020 Rolex Series with €5million at stake.

Combining the Dunhill Links with a rearranged Scottish Open would make the most sense logistically, given the need to make it easy for players from all over the world to compete in any rearranged tournaments – before the climax to the Race to Dubia, due to take place in Italy, China, Turkey, South Africa and Dubai in November or early December.

The post Scottish Open put back with chance of a British Swing to save European Tour season? appeared first on Golf North.

England Golf Statement Regarding Coronavirus

England Golf  – in light of the developing situation with the COVID-19 outbreak – has today issued the following guidance to all our affiliated golf clubs and golfers.

We fully recognise the need to adhere to the expert advice available and as such we would point all our clubs in the direction of the guidelines set out in detail by Public Health England via their website.

Details on how best to cope with the virus can also be found via the World Health Organisation website which will provide rolling updates and the best ways to mitigate against the spread of the infection.

NHS England also provide updated and expert advice via their website.

All golf clubs should note, act upon and continually monitor the advice and guidance issued by these expert authorities in relation to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

It is important that we all work together, following the advice of qualified professionals, in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

This remains a very fluid situation and England Golf will continue to take their lead from the government and public health authorities when it comes to safeguarding our clubs and members and offering practical and necessary steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of golfers and golf club staff.

England Golf chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “The expert practical advice that is available from the health authorities and national government should remain the first point of reference for all our golf clubs and golfers.

“This is clearly a fluid and developing situation and we will continue to monitor events as they progress and pass on the relevant information to our stakeholders.

“By working in alignment with those who are specialists in this field, we will be able to take the necessary precautions and provide the correct measures to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Where do you want to go next?

• Scottish Golf statement
• Wales Golf statement
• Golfing Union of Ireland statement

More information

• NHS website
• Public Health Service

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The post England Golf Statement Regarding Coronavirus appeared first on Golf North.

Jorge Campillo claimed his second European Tour win at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club, denying David Drysdale at the fifth play-off hole.
Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JORGE Campillo holed three monster birdie putts to defeat David Drysdale in an extraordinary play-off to win his second European Tour title at the 2020 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

First he holed from 25-feet after finding sand off the tee with the veteran Scott having a makeable putt from just six feet.

Then Campillo then watched a 20-footer drop for an unlikely three at the second play-off hole – this time Drysdale, who had not recorded a win in 497 European Tour starts, was inside four feet under the hole.

With his wife Vicky on the bag, Drysdale could only grin as the Spaniard celebrated another unlikely birdie before the pair shared a fist bump as they headed back to the 18th tee.

Both men made routine pars on the third and fourth play-off holes and were given a buggy to make their way down the fairway as the light began to fade at Doha’s Education City, the new host for the Qatar Masters.

Another putt from beyond 20 feet brought Campillo a birdie. And when Drysdale missed from similar range, Campillo was a two-time winner in his 250th event after five extra trips up the last.

A delighted Campillo said: “I’m just so proud right now of the way I played in the play-off.

“I hardly missed a shot and I was able to make some putts. I’m very thankful for everyone that helped me and Callaway with the new material that helped me a lot.

“I played not so good on the first few holes and then in the middle of the round I played okay,” said the overnight leader.

“Apart from 17, I was solid. You know how the mind works, I wasn’t expecting to make a bogey on 16, on that tee shot I was comfortable.

“But I was a little bit scared of the driver on 17. I missed it there and then I hit a bad putt, I don’t normally hit bad putts from off the green.

“I knew I was still in the game and I was able to pull it off. I hit some good shots coming in the middle of the round.

“But you have to be patient – you have to try hard. I knew I was going to make some putts,” added the runner-up in last year’s event, who had made a slow start to the 2020 season.

“It was a tough win but I’m glad I pulled it off. It’s been tough. I didn’t get to practise that much, too many things to do.

“Getting married and then the honeymoon,” explained Jorge Campilllo.

“New caddie, new clubs so everything was a little different, my game was a little off, but I knew that with practice I would get to where I was.”

The fact that the pair made four birides in the play-off on course designer Jose-Maria Olazabal’s testing 18th hole was testament to the pair’s play – only two birdies were made on the last in regulation by the 77-strong field on Sunday.

“Three birdies out of six on 18 to win is something to be proud of,” added the new champion.

“It’s a great par four, 18. A tough hole. David was hitting some great shots into the hole and I had to make some putts,” added Campillo, who was ranked Spain’s No. 1 amateur for six years having won the Big Ten triple crown in 2008, while at Indiana University.

Late bogeys sent Qatar into play-off

THE Spaniard held a two-shot lead with two holes to play as Drysdale and Denmark’s Jeff Winter tried to close the gap in the hunt for their maiden victories.

But a dropped shot on the 16h followed by a double bogey on the 17th dropped Jorge Campillo – the winner of the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco, just under a year ago, back to 13-under.

There was one more twist however, as the long-time leader left his 25-feet birdie attempt on the 18th in the jaws of the hole.

And that meant the European Tour went to extra holes for the second week in a row in the Middle East.

Jorge Campillo had to wait 229 events for his first European Tour victory but has now won in consecutive seasons.

For Drysdale, it was the 498th European Tour event without a win and a fourth runner-up finish – the last had been at the 2018 Alfred Dunhill Championship, in South Africa.

Winther bogeyed the 16th and 17th to finish one shot out of the play-off alongside Swede Niklas Lemke and Finn Kalle Samooja, who was looking to cash in on the success of rookie Sami Valimaki, who became the fourth Finnish player to win on Tour in Oman last week.

Lemke shot a best-of-day 65 – matched by Gavin Green – while Alexander Björk was at 11-under.

That was a shot clear of fellow countryman Marcus Kinhult as both Swedes chased their second wins on Tour.

Italy’s Nino Bertasio – who closed with a 66 – South African George Coetzee, Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal and England’s Chris Paisley also finished on 10-under.

•For final scores in Qatar click here.

The post Jorge Campillo putting the lights out denies Drysdale the win after 498 attempts appeared first on Golf North.

Rasmus Højgaard – who won his first European Tour event in Mauritius in December – is tied for the lead with Stephen Gallagher in Oman. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

RASMUS Højgaard and Stephen Gallacher both proved that age is just a number as they shared a one-shot lead heading into the weekend at the Oman Open.

The duo may be 27 years apart in age, but there was nothing to separate them at Al Mouj Golf.

They both reached nine-under after 36 holes, one shot ahead of Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts and Finland’s Kalle Samooja.

Danish 18-year-old Højgaard became the third youngest winner in European Tour history when he won his debut event at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open before Christmas.

And the teenager carded a 68 with an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys to move to the top of the leaderboard in the Middle East.

Gallacher – whose son and caddie Jack was born nine days before Højgaard – has four European Tour wins in his 45 years.

And the Ryder Cup winner, from Linlithgow, went one better with a bogey free 67 – his first blemish free round since the 2018 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Gallacher, who was part of Paul McGinley’s winning European team at Gleneagles, in 2014, said: “I’m delighted because it was tough from the get-go this morning.

“It was windy and it never really dropped so it was a tough morning with the first four holes straight into the wind.

“This is a great golf course and one of the best we play all year, but it’s very demanding and you’ve got to play good golf.

“If you don’t, you’ll get found out and fortunately I’m playing pretty well at the moment.

“We were all feeding off each other, certainly Kalle was on fire. He posted seven-under with a bogey and a triple.

“And Richard McEvoy is a good friend of mine. So we had a good laugh together and just enjoyed the round.

“I had been struggling a bit recently, so I changed some things up and I’ve worked hard on my game.

“Things started to turn around at the Saudi International where I started to hit some good shots and it’s amazing how it can snowball after that,” added Stephen Gallacher.

“You start to chip and putt a bit better and start to compete, and hopefully by Sunday you just want to be in with a chance coming down the stretch to win.

“It’s a good spot to be in but there’s still a lot of golf to be played over the weekend,” said the Scotsman, who helps support junior golf in the Lothians and Border regions through his Stephen Gallacher Foundation.

Gallacher’s last win came in last year’s Hero Indian Open when he survived making a snowman to clinch his first win in first years on the European Tour.

Dutchman Joost Luiten – the 2018 champion – Essex’s McEvoy and fellow Englishman Robert Rock, Italy’s Guido Migliozzi and South African Brandon Stone were three shots off the lead.

Højgaard is looking to repeat the successs of last year’s Oman winner Kurt Katiyama, who claimed the second win of his rookie season at Al Mouj – while Migliozzi also recorded two wins in 2019.

Rasmus said: “You can’t avoid bogeys out here, so I knew at some point I would drop a shot because in this wind it’s tricky to keep the ball on the greens and fairways. But I managed to bounce back with a few birdies.

“I’m putting well at the moment and I holed some long putts today which always helps.

“It’s always a bit of a bonus when you make a few of them. And that’s been the key so far.

“I don’t do much away from the course, I hang out with my fellow Danes, do some gym work. Otherwise I watch some stuff online – anything on Netflix.”

Gagli beats Coronavirus scare to chase Gallacher and Højgaard

LORENZO Gagli overcame his coronavirus scare to move into contention at five-under after the 34-year-old Italian followed an opening round of 69 with a second round of 70.

The Italian had only been cleared to tee it up on Thursday morning after his test results for coronavirus (COVID-19) came back negative.

The Omani Ministry of Health subsequently cleared both players to leave self-isolation and participate in the tournament at 12.15pm after the negative result.

Due to the exceptional circumstances, they were reinstated as an addition to the field in Muscat and teed off as a two-ball at 1.30pm.

Gagli posted four birdies in his opening round and bogeyed the 17th hole before fading light stopped play.

He resumed with a closing par on Friday morning for a round of 69 and then carded five birdies and two bogeys in second round of 70 to move to five-under par, four shots adrift of the lead.

Gagli said: “It was a strange situation but I would like to thank all the European Tour staff, including Keith Pelley, tournament director Miguel Vidaor and my friend Paolo de le Feld from player relations, as well as the Ministry of Health in Oman, who have done an unbelievable job because I’m playing the tournament now.

“It was a strange situation but I’m really happy to be out on the course and playing golf.

“After the test came back negative and I found out I could play, when I was on the course I felt really relaxed, which helped me a lot.

“Playing with Edoardo helped too because we are really good friends. Our game is very similar, so it has been easier to play over the last two days.”

Molinari also made the cut after adding a 72 to his first round 70.

Germany’s Martin Kaymer recorded the first hole-in-one in tournament history and the fifth of the 2020 Race to Dubai season when he holed a pitching wedge from 162 yards at the 13th.

•Follow the progress of Stephen Gallacher and Rasmus Højgaard in the third round through live scoring by clicking here.

The post Stephen Gallacher finds form after changes to join Højgaard in lead in Oman appeared first on Golf North.

Scotland’s James Wilson knows his country have produced four South African Amateur Champions since 2011. Picture by ERNEST BLIGNAULT

SCOTLAND’S James Wilson is dreaming of becoming a fifth Scottish winner in a decade after reaching the quarter-finals of the South African Amateur Championship, at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC.

The Scots  have dominated the third oldest championship in the world of golf which dates back to 1892. And 15 year-old Pretorian Christiaan Maas (see below) stands between Wilson and a place in the semi-final on Thursday afternoon.

Wilson, from Balmore GC, beat England Boys international Robin Williams 4&3 to book his place in the last eight at Royal Johannesburg, which has been a regular venue for the European Tour in South Africa.

Williams is one of the best teeange talents, certainly in Europe, having won a MENA Tour event as an amtaeur in the autumn, and would have been dreaming of claiming his first international men’s amateur title.

But Wilson ensured at least one Scot remained in the hat by producing two commanding performances on Wednesday.

Wilson beat Parkview’s Cole Stevens by one hole in the second round before lunch, after making a birdie two at the driveable par-four 16th to take the lead.

The winner of the Welsh Open Strokeplay two years ago closed out his last 32 match with a four on the last before facing Williams, from Peterborough Milton).

Wilson needed to be at his best, winning five holes in a row thanks to a run in which he made four birdies.

If Wilson can make it into the semi-finals, he will be guaranteed to face the Auld Enemy in his bid to make Friday’s final.

Frilford Heath’s Olly Huggins, will be hoping to go one better in the South African Amateur after losing a play-off in the African Amateur Stroke Play. Picture by ERNEST BLIGNAULT

England are guaranteed at least one player in the semi-finals of the South African Amateur Championship with B.B.&O. county player Olly Huggins meeting Jake Bolton in the top half of the draw, in Thursday’s quarter-final.

Frilford Heath’s Huggins – who lost a play-off for the African Amateur Championship two weeks ago – will be up against Wiltshire’s Bolton.

The winner of that match will face the winner of Wilson’s match.

Bolton has been climbing up the rankings over the past year – boosted by victory in the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay Championship, in August.

The runner-up in last year’s Hampshire Salver, after losing a play-off in the Selborne Salver at Blackmoor – against England junior international Charlie Strickland – has been promoted to the England A squad as result.

And the Ogborne Downs member beat another Englishman in the shape of Haider Hussain, winning the 18th to go two-up to book his place in the last eight.

That was the match-up that Huggins, from Oxfordshire, was keen to have after he pulled off a pair of 4&3 wins – over South African Nash de Klerk in the morning, and over the imposing Nordin van Tilburg, from the Netherlands, in the afternoon’s third round.

“I’m really happy,” said Huggins. “I’m hitting my driver really good, hitting the fairway, and my caddie is giving me good lines.

“I’ve been struggling the last two weeks with lines.”

The Oxfordshire ace got it to five-up through 12, but then Van Tilburg came back at him after lunch.

“I knew he was going to come back at me with a couple of birdies,” said Huggins. “I was ready for it, and he holed some really good putts coming in, and I just made a 20-footer on 15 to close him out.”

Bolton also finished first in the strokeplay qualifer at last year’s Amateur Championship, played at North Hants GC, and Hankley Common, but lost in the second round to Surrey’s Lewis Hinton.

England’s selectors sent the A squad to South Africa hoping to see them emulate the success of Yorkshire’s Ben Schmidt, who claimed the New South Wales Open, in Australia, last month.

And their hopes of producing the first English winner of the South African Amateur title since Somerset’s Laurie Canter back in 2010, were strengthened by results in the bottom half of the draw.

Gloucestershire’s Joe Long defeated South Africa’s Luca Filippi 3&2 and will now play Aneurin Gounden – one of four players from the host country still left in the competition.

Lansdowne Golf Club’s Joe Long is in the bottom half of the draw in the South African Amateur, and will be hoping to reach the semi-final after losing in the last eight in 2017.
Picture by ERNEST BLIGNAULT

Long was beaten in the final of the English Amateur two years ago by Sussex’s Tom Thurloway.

And having reached the quarter-final in the South African Amateur three years ago, he is still on course to claim a first international victory.

He has the motivation of wanting to play in the Eisenhower Trophy later this year, having seen his county team-mate Mitch Waite – who joined him on their first trip to South Africa three years ago – go on to become a full England international, and play in the last World Amateur Team Championship at Ireland’s Carton House, in 2018.

Long made his Home Internationals debut as England won the Raymond Trophy at Conway GC, off the back of losing to Thurloway at Formby GC, but lost his place in 2019 despite finishing third in the European Amateur Championship.

Having qualified in second place in the strokeplay qualifier earlier this week, and gone close in the South African Amateur Strokeplay Championship last week, Long will be longing to make it into Friday’s final.

But first he must beat Gounden, who went all the way to the 21st hole before he downed Gergory McKay – and that was after he took 19 holes to defeat Scotland’s Darren Howie, from Peebles GC, in the morning.

It could have been even better for the Scots but Castle Park’s Scottish international Connor Wilson – who was fourth in last year’s St Andrews Links Trophy, also lost to youngster Christo Lamprecht by two holes.

Lamprecht, the youngest champion in the Aon South African Amateur championship, overcame that shaky victory to run out a 4&3 winner over Dutchman Koen Kouwenaar, last year’s Spanish Amateur Champion to reach the quater-final.

Reigning South African Stroke Play Champion Casey Jarvis kept his ‘double’ dream alive when he overcame left-handed Frenchman Nicolas Muller, on the 20th hole, in a tough match.

Jarvis’ win came after 4&2 win over compatriot and 2019 finalist Jordan Duminy in the morning’s second round.

Teeanger Christiaan Maas pulled off the shock of the day beating African Amateur Strokeplay Champion Martin Vorster to reach the quarter-finals. Picture by ERNEST BLIGNAULT

Maas makes charge by knocking out African Stroke Play champ Vorster

YOUNG gun Christiaan Maas charged through an open door after Martin Vorster’s putter deserted him, to play his way into the quarter-finals.

The 15-year-old Pretoria junior defeated Vorster by one when the African Amateur Stroke Play champion left his eagle putt on 18 agonisingly short – a putt which would have handed him the hole – and a chance to extend the match into sudden-death.

For Maas, there is the thrill of playing in the quarters that awaits him.

“I’m taking a lot of confidence from the win into the quarter-finals,” Mass said.

“Now I know I’ve beaten Martin, who has won all over the world, and he’s a great player. I feel like my game’s almost there, but I must get a little bit better.”

Mass stepped up and nervelessly rammed home a 10-footer to seal the victory and set up a quarter-final clash with another Scot – James Wilson.

The GolfRSA Junior Protea got to two-up through the 11th. But his lead was cut to just one after the 13th when Vorster made birdie to arrest his slide, which had started with bogeys on nine and 11.

“I played extremely good golf this morning,” said Maas of his 4&3 win in the previous round over Germany’s Connor Engelmohr.

“And my putter was on fire. In the afternoon, my putter went a bit cold, but I managed to not make a drop against Martin.

“Unfortunately for him, his putter went cold on the back nine, and fortunately for me, I made a 10-footer on the last to win.

“He’s a very tough opponent. He hits it miles, great iron-play, his putter was just a bit cold today.”

Vorster had two earlier opportunities down the stretch to pull things back.

After Maas hit the flag with his birdie chip on the 16th, Vorster missed his birdie putt on the right edge. Then, on 17, he had a three-footer for birdie and it just missed the edge.

“My putting let me down today,” said Vorster.

Now Maas will face Scottish ace James Wilson for that place in Thursday afternoon’s semi-final.

Wilson will be clearly motivated by the chance to join that list of Scottish winners – Michael Stewart (2011), Brian Soutar (2012), Daniel Young (2015) and Craig Ross (2016).

•To follow the results of Wilson in the quarter-finals, click here.

The post James Wilson faces fight with Maas for place in the last four at South African Amateur appeared first on Golf North.

JC Ritchie claimed his seventh Sunshine Tour title – and his first co-sanctioned with the European Challenge Tour – after defending his Limpopo Championship crown.
Picture by SUNSHINE TOUR

JC RITCHIE carded a five-under par 67 in his final round to successfully defend his Limpopo Championship title and claim the opening tournament on the 2020 Road to Mallorca season.

The South African held off a determined charge from his compatriot Wilco Nienaber at Euphoria Golf Club to seal his second consecutive victory at the tournament.

Ritchie, who had six Sunshine Tour victories going into the Limpopo Championship started the day two shots behind overnight leader Jacques Kruyswijk.

But the 25-year-old, who represents The Els Club Copperleaf, soon took control with three front nine birdies to reach the turn with a one-shot advantage.

And the Pretoria-based pro picked up two further gains over the closing stretch to finish two shots clear of Nienaber on 19-under.

JC Ritchie was bogey-free throughout the weekend and admitted he needed to play some of the best golf of his career to top the 204-player co-sanctioned field.

“It feels really awesome to win this week,” Ritchie said. “After winning last year, to come back and win it again just feels unbelievable – and I don’t think it has started to sink in yet.

“To have the Challenge Tour players coming to play the event this year definitely made defending the title harder.

“And I found myself getting rather nervous on my back nine, but I was able to keep it together well.

“I feel like I played the best golf I possibly could have played this weekend, and I don’t really feel like I could have played any better out there today.

“To play bogey-free over the weekend is crazy good golf, especially with the conditions over the last few days, which were tough.

“I’m planning to head over to Europe to play some events on the Challenge Tour this year,” revealed Ritchie who picked up a cheque for €35,957.35.

“First though, I think there is quite a party waiting for me at home,” he added.

The Limpopo Championship was co-sanctioned with the European Challenge Tour for the first time this season.

Nienaber came agonisingly close to securing his first professional title but was ultimately forced to settle for second place despite carding a sublime five-under 67 to match Ritchie’s Sunday score.

The 19-year-old finished two shots clear of overnight leader Kruyswijk and fellow South African Hennie du Plessis, with Louis de Jager ensuring the host country rounded out the top five places.

JC Ritchie takes an early lead on the Road to Mallorca Rankings as he looks to secure his European Tour card for the first time this season.

First-round leader Daniel van Tonder finished in ninth place – one shot ahead of Scotland’s Craig Howie, who had three top 10s in top amateur events in South Africa, in 2017, and finished T11th at the South African Amateur Strokeplay that same season.

The Peebles pro – who finished 34th at the European Tour Qualifying School, in November, missing out on a card by two shots – clearly relishes the continent’s conditions.

•To see the final results from Limpopo, click here.

The Challenge Tour now travels to Cape Town for the RAM Cape Town Open, which gets under way from February 6-9.

The post JC Ritchie clinches back to back Limpopo titles after holding off Nienaber charge appeared first on Golf North.

World’s best hickory players come together to compete in the first Scottish Hickory Tour since 1930

First event played ‘in memory of’ the great James Braid

The world’s best hickory players are coming together next month to compete in the first Scottish Hickory Tour since 1930. In a series of ten tournaments, starting with the James Braid’s 150^th Anniversary Hickory Open, the world’s top 20 professionals and top 40 amateurs will qualify to participate in the Final over Leven’s Links in October.

To celebrate the launch of the tour, the World’s Top Hickory Golfers will congregate on a special day in golfing history, the 6^th February 2020, at Braid Hills Golf Course for the ‘IceBreaker’ James Braid’s 150^th Anniversary Hickory Open event. It is being played on this day in celebration of the 150^th Anniversary of the birth of the famous golfer James Braid, five time Open Champion and Designer of over 400 Golf Courses in Scotland including: Brora, Bruntsfield, Dalmahoy, Gleneagles, Goodwood Downs,  Lundin Links, Boat of Garten, Grantown on Spey, The Glen, Royal Musselburgh, Monktonhall, Walton Heath and many others.

The first match is being played over 9 holes at Braid Hills in memory of James Braid yet despite its name, this course was not designed by James Braid, rather, it is laid out over Braid Hill. The players then move on to the Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club in the afternoon for another 9 holes. The course was originally designed by Ben Sayers in 1907 and altered by James Braid in 1936. The course is challenging and fun, and will be a good test for players, including past World Hickory Open Winners Fraser Mann (Scotland) and Andrew Marshall (England).

To celebrate the commencement of the Tour, a first edition whisky, limited to 150 numbered bottles are being bottled by Hickory Forever and will be available to buy on February the 6th, 2020. To reserve one of the first 150 bottles, please get in touch via the Hickory Forever website.

Following on from the James Braid 150th Anniversary Hickory Open, next on the Tour calendar will be the Jack’s Open Pro Am played over Musselburgh Golf Club and Royal Musselburgh on the 8^th and 9^th April.

To find out more about where each event will take place click on The Scottish Hickory Tour 2020

6th February 2020 – James Braid 150th Anniversary Hickory Open

8 & 9th April 2020 – Jack’s Open Pro Am

24 & 25 June 2020 – First Icelandic Hickory Open 2020

7 July 2020  – John Still Memorial Trophy

18 & 19 August 2020  – Highland Hickory Open

6 – 8 October 2020 – The Scottish Hickory Final

Instagram: ScottishHickoryTour

The post Hickory Dickory Dock As First Event Played ‘In Memory Of’ The Great James Braid appeared first on Golf North.