An emotional Robert MacIntyre broke through with his maiden European Tour win at the new format Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown, thanks to a brilliant 64 on Sunday. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

SCOTLAND’S Robert MacIntyre claimed an emotional maiden European Tour title at the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown.

A seven-under par final round 64 earned the Scot a one-stroke victory in a thrilling finale to the European Tour’s ground-breaking shoot-out .

Tears welled up as the 14th different first-time winner of the 2020 European Tour season spoke to Sky’s Tim Barter.

He later revealed he had “struggled mentally” ever since the first lockdown brought the European Tour to a halt back in March.

An emotional MacIntyre said: “This is what I’ve been working for. It’s been a difficult few months for me.

“Only my family know what’s going on. I can’t believe it. My game is there, tee-to-green I’ve been absolutely brilliant the last two weeks.

“The putter has been cold, stone cold,” said Robert, who finished two shots outside of last week’s play-off in the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open, on the same course won by Hertfordshire’s Callum Shinkwin.

MacIntyre, from Oban, admitted it took a change in outlook to finally get over the line, playing in his 45th European Tour event – Colin Montgomerie took 57 events to claim his first victory.

The left-hander revealed: “I’ve done a lot of work in the last six months – not thinking about winning a golf tournament, just to play my golf.

“Last year, I was talking and thinking about winning golf tournaments when I was going down the back nine on a Sunday.

“But this year I’ve just tried to take my time and let it happen. What will happen will happen and it’s happened today.”

Robert MacIntyre plays his second shot into the 18th hole at Aphrodite Hills

Storm delay was chance to regroup

MacINTYRE had to put the metal to the floor to claim victory with a fast finish in Cyprus.

He was just a shot behind leaders Marcus Armitage, from Manchestter and Johannes Veerman, the American rookie looking for his breakthrough, win as he played the 12th, on three-under.

But as soon as he made a birdie three on the 13th, a storm moved in with the threat of lightning forcing the players off the course.

And when he returned less than an hour later, he missed a makeable putt on the driveable 14th for another three.

MacIntyre, who faced Conor Champ twice in the 2017 Walker Cup clash against an American team that also included PGA Champion Collin Morikawa and Scottie Scheffler, revealed: “When the rain delay came in, I said to my caddie Mike: ‘It’s time to show up.’

“I hit a great iron shot into 15 and there it was. It turned up right at the right time. Mike did brilliantly too there.”

His tee shot on the 181-yard 17th came within inches of going in for an ace and minutes later he was celebrating victory on the 18th after a back-to-back birdie finish.

“It’s what I’ve dreamed of since being a wee kid watching Scottish Opens at Loch Lomond and to finally play on tour,” said MacIntyre, who lost the Amateur Championship final to Hampshire’s Scott Gregory in 2016.

MacIntyre, who turned pro after playing in the Walker Cup in Los Angeles three years ago, added: “I gave myself a lot of chances last year. This week’s format suited me and I took it.

“When that storm came in, I had good momentum. Then I missed a putt on 14th.

“But the seven-iron into 15 and the iron shot into 17 – I pulled it slightly but it was a perfect number and I just missed the hole.

“The 17th hole was huge, when I saw the scores.”

Runner-up Masahiro Kawamura recorded his best-ever finish on the European Tour at the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown

Kawamura’s fast finish was best yet on Tour

IT WAS just as well MacIntyre picked up three shots in his last four holes as Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura made four birdies on the back nine to post six-under as the clubhouse leader.

But 24-year-old MacIntyre carded eight birdies in the final showdown of the exciting new format, which saw all 19 players who had made it through to the final round start the day on level par in a sprint to the finish.

And with the lowest round of the day sealing victory, it was last year’s European Tour Rookie of the Year, who pocketed the cheque for €200,000.

It was a closely-fought contest until the final furlong but MacIntyre – who finished 11th place in last year’s Race to Dubai – almost holed a remarkable ace at the par three 17th.

He tapped in for birdie to take a share of the lead and then hit a fearless drive down the par five 18th.

Having hit the green – where Shinkwin made eagle to force a play-off on his way to his maiden win on the Mediterranean island seven days earlier, a simple two-putt earned MacIntyre his first victory as a professional.

The win elevated him from 57th to 24th in the 2020 Race to Dubai.

It also booked his ticket to next month’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, in Dubai – the fourth and final Rolex Series event of the campaign.

Kawamura earned the best European Tour finish of his career. The 2018 European Tour School graduate finished runner-up on six-under.

Spain’s Jorge Campillo finished in outright third sport on five-under thanks to an eagle on 18.

Armitage, who made seven on the last a week ago, made an expensive eight, which dropped him from a share of fourth down to 14th.

•Full results from the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown click here.

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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.”

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The Claret Jug sitting beside the green at Royal Troon’s famous par three eighth hole – The Postage Stamp. Picture by DAVID CANNON / R&A / GETTY IMAGES

THE 152nd Open will be played at Royal Troon in 2023 – seven years since Henrik Stenson produced a remarkable final round 63 to claim his first Major, and win the Claret Jug.

The occasion will mark the 100th anniversary of when The Open was first played at Royal Troon in 1923.

Then Arthur Havers, who was a club pro at Sandy Lodge. Moor Park in Hertfordshire and Surrey’s Coombe Hill, as well as Frinton, in Essex, defeated the legendary Walter Hagen by one stroke.

It will also be the 10th time that golf’s original championship has been played over the famous Ayrshire links.

Swede Stenson’s superb final round held off the challenge of Phil Mickelson in an unforgettable duel as he claimed the championship with a record 20-under par total of 264

Stenson joined a celebrated list of golfers who have lifted the famous Claret Jug and been crowned Champion Golfer of the Year at Royal Troon, including Havers, Bobby Locke, Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Watson, Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Leonard in the 20th Century, and Todd Hamilton in 2004

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said, “Royal Troon is one of the world’s greatest championships links.

“It has produced many memorable moments throughout the history of The Open including the dramatic duel between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson that captivated millions of fans around the world in 2016.

“We are very much looking forward to celebrating another milestone in the cherished history of The Open when we mark the 100th anniversary of the Championship first being played at Royal Troon.

“It will be fascinating to see who will emerge from the world-class field to lift the Claret Jug in 2023.”

This year’s 149th Open will return to Royal St George’s, while St Andrew’s will move back a year in rota from its normal five-year cycle so the Home of Golf can stage the 150th celebrations.

It will then return to Royal Liverpool in 2022, for the third time since 2006 – and where Rory McIlroy won his last Major in 2014 – before heading north over the border to Royal Troon.

Des Bancewicz, the club captain, said: “We are delighted to welcome the return of the world’s oldest major golf championship to Royal Troon, and regard this as confirmation of the wonderful condition to which our historic links are maintained.

“The 152nd Open will also provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate 100 years of the championship’s history at Royal Troon which commenced with Arthur Havers’ victory in 1923.”

Royal Troon is famous for The Postage Stamp – the par three eighth hole, the shortest hole on The Open rota.

Joe FitzPatrick, Scottish Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, said: “I am delighted The R&A has decided to hold the 152nd Open in Scotland, the Home of Golf, in 2023.

“The Open is important to Scotland economically, culturally and reputationally, and Royal Troon is one of our finest and most prestigious courses.

“The last time The Open was played there in 2016 proved highly successful with £110million worth of benefits to Scotland.

“Royal Troon will also play host to this year’s AIG Women’s British Open, further emphasising our strong relationship with The R&A and our collective support for women’s golf.”

The 152nd Open will be played from July 16-23, 2023.

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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.

European Tour Rookie of the Year Robert MacIntyre is one of young pretenders challenging for the 2020 Omega Dubai Desert Classic cro

EUROPEAN Tour Rookie of the Year Robert MacIntyre has added his name to a world-class Omega Dubai Desert Classic field in January.

The Scotsman, who claimed the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Trophy in November, will be joined by Italy’s Guido Migliozzi and South Africans Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Erik van Rooyen, who all claimed maiden European Tour titles in 2019.

The crop of rising stars will be joined at Emirates Golf Club by Spaniard Adri Arnaus and Austrian Matthias Schwab, who themselves have both come close to a first victory this season, en route to finishing 41st and 17th on the 2019 Race to Dubai, respectively.

All six will arrive at Emirates Golf Club looking to emulate the success of defending champion Bryson DeChambeau.

The American, who has spent the last few months bulking up his physique, will return to Dubai.

The “Scientist” will be joined by past winners Rafa Cabrera Bello, Sergio Garcia, Haotong Li, Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett.

In addition, England’s Ryder Cup players Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood – along with Hertfordshire’s Matt Wallace – are all set to inject their own star quality into the 31^st edition of the event from January 23-26.

Following a stellar amateur career, MacIntyre has impressed since earning his card through the Challenge Tour rankings in 2018.

The left-hander came close to a maiden victory on several occasions – including runner-up finishes at both the British Masters and Made in Denmark.

McIntyre, who was beaten in the 2016 Amateur Championship final by Hampshire’s Scott Gregory, will be looking to rubber-stamp his rookie season with a first title early in 2020 – and the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic will be one of his first opportunities to do so in the New Year.

“This year really couldn’t have gone much better,” said the 23-year old MacIntyre, who finished in a tie for sixth on his first Major appearance at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, in July.

“I’ve come close to winning on a few occasions, which has been a great experience,” said McIntyre, who hails from Oban.

“I learned a lot each time and feel it is just a matter of time until I put it all together and win,” said the 11th Scot to win the Rookie of the Year award since 1960.

“If that were to be in Dubai, it would be amazing. The Scots have a pretty good record there, so I’d love to follow on from Stephen Gallacher and Colin Montgomerie by putting my name on the trophy too.”

Much like MacIntyre in 2019, Van Rooyen had spent much of the previous 18 months knocking on the door of a first European Tour title.

Erik Van Rooyen recorded his first win on the European Tour at the Scandinavian Invitataion.

That maiden win subsequently came earlier this year at the Scandinavian Invitation.

As one of the Tour’s brightest young stars, the 29-year old backed that up with three runner-up finishes and seven more top-10s, resulting in a career-best 10^th place finish on the Race to Dubai.

“This has been a great year, but I hope it’s just the beginning,” said Van Rooyen, who graduated from the Challenge Tour in 2017.

“To win in Sweden was an amazing moment in my career, but I have been just as pleased with the consistency I have shown this year.

“I want to build on this in 2020 and a win in Dubai, following in the footsteps of Ernie Els, would be amazing.

“I grew up watching him win all over the world and it would be great to achieve even a fraction of that myself,” said van Rooyen.

Migliozzi, fresh from a highly impressive first European Tour campaign, burst onto the scene in 2019.

Guido Migliozzi is the latest talent to emerge from Italy with two European Tour wins in 2019

Claiming two victories in almost as many months – at the Magical Kenya Open and Belgian Knockout – he finished 40th on the Race to Dubai, having contended with MacIntyre for the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie title.

The Italian will arrive in the United Arab Emirates looking to kickstart his second season in style by adding another title to his burgeoning résume.

“I cannot wait to play at Emirates Golf Club,” said 22-year old Migliozzi, who will be bidding to become the first Italian to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic title.

“It has been an incredible first season, but I’m not going to stop here.

“I want this to be the start of a long career and the more I play in tournaments of this stature, the better I will get.

“I have not played in this event before, but I have heard great things, so I can’t wait to get going in January.”

It has been a roller-coaster journey for Bezuidenhout to get to this point in his career, including a controversial two-year drugs ban as an amateur, after taking beta-blockers for his anxiety and a serious stutter.

Victory at the Andalucia Masters in June – five years after his ban at The Amateur Championship was reduced to nine months allowing him to turn pro in 2015 – was a great example of triumph over adversity.

His victory was no flash in the pan, however, as the South African racked up an additional five top-10 finishes and moved up to 90th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Rounding out the crop of emerging talent are Spain’s Adri Arnaus and Austria’s Matthias Schwab.

Austria’s Matthias Schwab

Spain’s Adri Arnaus

Arnaus posted six top-10 finishes in 2019, including runner-up finishes in Kenya and the Czech Republic, while Schwab narrowly lost out in a six-man play-off in Turkey – one of 10 top-10 results in just his second full season on the European Tour.

With Dubai’s four-day event set to be bigger and better than ever, offering an enhanced hospitality experience, contemporary food and beverage offers and a rejuvenated kids’ zone, in addition to a truly world-class field, you can book daily, season or terrace hospitality tickets with prices starting from AED75.

The inaugural Omega Dubai Desert Classic was played in 1989 and won by England’s Mark James, who went on to captain Europe in the Ryder Cup Battle of Brooline, in 1999.

Since then, the roll of honour has boasted some of the biggest names in golf over the past 30 years, including the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Fred Couples, Rory McIlroy, Colin Montgomerie and Tiger Woods.

•To purchase hospitality, season or daily tickets, click here. For more information on the Omega Dubai Desert Classic click here.

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AS Royal Liverpool prepares to host the 47th Walker Cup  between Great Britain and Ireland and the USA – as part of its celebration of 150 years of golf at Hoylake – ANDREW GRIFFIN spoke to the last Hampshire player to win a major domestic honour at the Merseyside course, where Tiger Woods and Rory McIlory claimed the Open Championship in 2006 and 2014 respectively.

Rowlands Castle’s Darren Wright who thinks the Americans may try and attack the Hoylake links in this weekend’s Walker Cup clash with Great Britain and Ireland.
Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

DARREN Wright will always rate Hoylake as one one of his favourite courses.

It is after all where the former England international won the Brabazon Trophy in 2010 – beating Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and a very young John Rahm in the process.

The Rowlands Castle player became just the ninth player to complete the double by winning the Carris at the English Boys’ Amateur Championship, to go with the English Men’s Amateur Strokeplay title he won at Royal Liverpool.

A year later, Wright was in the provisional Walker Cup squad but missed out having not been selected for England’s European Amateur Team Championships side two months before GB&I beat the USA at Royal Aberdeen with a team containing Andy Sullivan and Callum Shinkwin.

While Wright won at Burhill on the EuroPro Tour in 2015 on his way to earning a European Challenge Tour card after graduating via the PGA feeder tour, he never quite bridged the gap from the amateur game, and finally gave up professional golf at the start of 2017.

And although strokeplay is not the order of the day when the USA arrive on Merseyside this month, Wright is sure the course that he conquered so brilliantly nine years ago will present a unique challenge in the matchplay format with four foursomes and eight singles on the first day, and fours foursomes and 10 singles on Sunday.

Darren said: “It’s a challenge course with plenty of cross-winds as well as holes where it will help but also increase how long it plays.

Rowlands Castle’s Darren Wright won the Brabazon Trophy at the English Amateur Strokeplay four years after he won the Carris at the English Boys’ Amateur Championship.

“In 2010, it was very warm and the course was playing hard and fast, conditions like it was when Tiger won the Open in 2006 and used his two-iron so well – but left himself with a lot longer approaches into the greens.

“The Walker Cup teams might not experience similar conditions but Hoylake is a great track that will be perfect for the event all the top amateurs in the UK dream of playing in.

“Even since I won the Brab, technology has made great strides to help players hit it longer and more consistently.

“But there were holes in 2010 where the bunkers were perfectly placed to make you stand there on the tee and think about whether you wanted to take them on, or lay up short and leave yourself with a longer second shot.

“The drives on the first and the 16th by the practice ground are really dangerous if you are not hitting it straight with out of bounds in your face.

“So the start and closing stretch is very tough. But there is also a stretch around the turn where – especially if you get some help from the wind – you can attack the greens and get an eagle putt, which at worst will mean a birdie on the par five eighth.

“I played with Tyrrell Hatton for a couple of the rounds and was one in front of him after the third round.

“When I woke up on the last day I felt super confident. I just knew it was going to be my day.

“I raced to four or five-under by the turn and someone got word to me that I was eight shots clear at one point.

“But then the back nine got the better of me and I gave those shots back. Luckily, I knew my playing partners were behind me, and I got to 18 with a four-shot lead.

“Even though I was very nervous, I just concentrated on hitting the fairway and had a 35-foot for birdie, so I just rolled it up to the hole to a couple of feet.

“It’s a round – or a week – I am never going to forget. Tommy Fleetwood was the favourite and got off to a good start.

“Everyone said he was going to win but he had a nightmare second round while I shot four-under, and then added a couple of level-pars.

“But there is plenty of danger and it will be interesting to see how the Americans approach Hoylake.

“If they try what the USA did in the Ryder Cup at Le Paris National and just try and out-drive us, the course can catch them out as it did in France.

“I think it will come down to which team plays smartest. The par three holes are tough even if not that long.

“The 13th by the sea with a big bank has bunkers all around the green is only 161 yards.

“With any wind, which can affect your club selection or catch you out just as you hit the shot, if you get sucked into going for the pins and find yourself in the traps, you can fritter away a few holes.

“Middle of the green is going to be a good tactic, especially if you hit first and can put your opponents under pressure.”

While Darren, who now has his own property maintenance company, has come to terms with how his professional career panned out, it is clear that missing out on a Walker Cup is probably his biggest disappointment.

He loved representing England over two summers, having also been a junior international alongside Hampshire team-mate Sam Hutsby.

But his most recent discovery has boosted his Brabazon feelgood factor even more, nearly a decade on.

Darren said: “I only just realised that John Rahm was playing that year… he must have been a very young teenager.

“He finished 61st, Tommy Fleetwood was 21st and I beat Tyrrell who was sixth – all three played in the last Ryder Cup. Spain’s Adrian Otaegui was fifth and he has won twice on Tour too.”

That hopefully will be one to tell the children and grandchildren about one day…

•For live scoring from the first day’s play of the Walker Cup at Hoylake, click here.

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SIX-under par was the score of the day at the ISPS Handa World Invitational Men | Women, as Scotland’s Craig Ross and Darlington’s Eleanor Givens wrote their names into the record books as first-round leaders.

Ross, who won on the EuroPro Tour last year, carded a 64 at Massereene Golf Club, while England’s Givens signed for her own six-under round with a 67 at the par 73 Galgorm Castle Golf Club.

The pair lead their respective tournaments by one stroke from two competitors.

Five of the top seven players in tied fourth or better in the men’s tournament were playing at Massereene, while 13 of the top 14 in the women’s tournament opened their tournament at Galgorm Castle, highlighting how the scoring contrasted at each set-up.

With heavy rain curtailing the pro-am on Wednesday, both courses were wet underfoot early on day one, with the majority of the low scorers playing later in the day.

Ross’s superb bogey-free 64 set the pace in the men’s tournament ahead of England’s Europro winner Richard Mansell, and Frenchman Gary Stal on five-under.

Ross, from Kirkhill Golf Club, who earned his Challenge Tour by making the cut at Qualifying School, in Spain, in November, said: “It was great to put a 64 together. I’ve had some poor performances to start the season, so it’s nice to be able to put a strong score together out there.

“I was missing a few greens early on but made some good up-and-downs over my opening nine, and then on the closing nine I was just able to slot in some birdie putts.

“It was obviously great to finish with five birdies in the last six holes.

“I was expecting the scores to be a lot lower, especially looking at the results in the Northern Ireland Open in the past.

“So I was little surprised to see four[under was leading after the morning although this course is a little tricky to master because the two nines play quite differently.

“I’m expecting Galgorm Castle to be a little tougher, especially because the weather’s not looking so good.

“But I’m just going to try and do more of the same stuff,” added Ross.

“I really enjoyed playing in the Jordan Mixed Open, where we were paired up with one woman and a senior.

“I know this event is a little bit different in that we are not playing directly against the girls, but it’s cool to see another format like this on the schedule and I’ve been really enjoying the experience so far.”

Meanwhile Calum Hill, who has won twice in his last three starts on the Euorpean Challenge Tour, is a shot further back among the pack on four-under in the tournament, which has been organised by Nial Horan’s Modest! Golf Management group that looks after many of the Tour’s up and coming young stars.

Cormac Sharvin was one of the strong contingent of Irish players hoping to give the crowds something to cheer – after Shane Lowry’s memorable win in The Open at Royal Portrush last month.

Sharvin, who is 26 and attached to Ardglass GC, said: “I played really nicely tee to green and it was probably as bad a score as it could have been.

“I gave myself good chances on practically every hole, drove it well and my iron play was very good.

“It was playing tricky, a lot trickier than I thought it was going to be so I’m pretty happy with two-under.

Sharvin, who won the Irish Amateur Championship in 2013, added: “The course has held up well considering the rain we’ve had – just that little bit of breeze made it tricky.

“Quite a few par fours we were hitting longer clubs into. I can see why some people are going to struggle.

“You can’t win it on the first day, you can only lose it. Two-under has put me in a decent position.

“The format is good. To be honest, we struggled to keep up with the women in front. We got monitored at one stage. The women seem to be playing pretty quick and maybe they’re showing us how it’s done!”

Givens leads on six-under from American Beth Allen and Germany’s Karolin Lampert, who are two shots clear of Silvia Banon, Manon de Roey, Wentworth’s Annabel Dimmock and local star Stephanie Meadow on three-under.

Givens said: “I’m really pleased with how I played. I played really solid golf and was really happy with how it was.

“It’s actually my first time playing with some new clubs I have so it was nice to start with that – and I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.

“It’s actually been really nice weather and the greens are rolling really nicely, so there’s definitely a score out there to be had.

“I had a little bit of a slow patch towards the end of my first nine holes but then played really well on the back nine.

“There’s some interesting weather coming our way. We played in some interesting weather last week in Scotland as well, so I’ve had a lot of practice recently and I’d rather play in sunshine, but will see what comes.

“I’ll just stay really patient and try to play as steady as possible. Massereene is another really nice golf course, so I’ll just deal with whatever comes our way and keep going.

“It’s nice to play in the Northern Hemisphere in this format. I played in the Vic Open before so I was really excited to try and do that here and I’m glad I could come.”

Meadow, who represented Ireland at Olympics in Rio three years ago, said: “I started good, a little shaky in the middle, and then battled back towards the end.

“I hit a lot of good putts but nothing really fell, but overall it’s a decent start.

“I’m just happy I hit some really good iron shots on the way in and when that happens, that’s a good sign for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

“It was great to see some very old faces I haven’t seen in a very long time, so I’m sure it’ll be the same tomorrow. I’ll take it in and enjoy it.

“There were a good few Portrush faces around, one lady was lady captain when I joined and I was her junior prize winner.

“She brought the picture where I think I was 10. She was showing me on the first tee. It’s just little things like that that are pretty special and we’ll always remember that.

“I was a tiny bit nervous on the first tee, which is a bit unusual. I had a few sponsors here, including the CEO.

“It was more emotional than anything. Nervous isn’t the right word, just more emotional than normal.

“Obviously, I want to play well for everybody and give everybody a show who came to support me.

“It’s great so far, it’s been run really well. I enjoy being with the men, we do the same thing week in week out, 25 weeks a year.

“So to see some new faces and even hear the sound on the driving range of the guys hitting is a little strange. It’s nice, it’s a good change,” added Meadow, who has been playing in the USA on the LPGA and Symetra Tour for the past three years.

On Friday, players will switch courses so those playing at Galgorm Castle on Thursday will play at Massereene and vice versa, before the field is cut to 60 and ties in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.

For live scoring click here

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EUROPEAN Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew named France’s Celine Boutier, English stars Jodi Ewart-Shadoff and Bronte Law and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen as her four picks.

The quartet were named at a press conference at Gleneagles this afternoon, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports News and the Golf Channel.

The eight players who automatically qualified for next month’s 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, at the conclusion of Sunday’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open were Carlota Ciganda, Anne Van Dam, Caroline Hedwall, Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Azahara Munoz, Caroline Masson and Anna Nordqvist.

Scotland’s Matthew, who has played in nine Solheim Cups, explained the reasoning behind her four selections, saying “Bronte and Celine’s excellent recent form speaks for itself in terms of why I selected them, and I think they are both going to have fantastic Solheim Cup debuts.

“I chose Jodi and Suzann for their vast experience, their recent good form and because I know exactly what they bring to the European team room.

“With our only other rookie being Anne Van Dam, who has also had an excellent year, I feel the experience of our team will be a great advantage to us along with the home crowd support.”

Three of the captain’s picks were in the room when Matthew announced her final line-up while Yorkshire-born Ewart-Shadoff, who plays her golf on the LPGA, was not able to attend after having a minor procedure last week.

Ewart-Shadoff said: “I am gutted not to be there for team practice today but I will be back hitting balls next week and I am really excited to be part of Catriona’s team.

“I think the team looks incredibly strong, probably the strongest team I’ve been a part of and I’m honoured to have been chose by the captain to be part of it.

“This will be my first Solheim Cup in Europe and just to experience the home crowd will be amazing and a big advantage for us.”

Law, who recorded her maiden LPGA Tour win at the Pure Silk Championshi in May, said: “I couldn’t be happier to be making my Solheim Cup debut here at the beautiful Gleneagles.

“I am so grateful to Catriona and all the vice-captains for picking me and I can’t wait for it to start.

“To be part of this great team with so many Solheim Cup legends is pretty surreal but they have all been very generous in giving me advice ahead of making my debut.”

Boutier said: “I have been dreaming of playing Solheim Cup since I was a little girl and it really is amazing to be here at this press conference and know that my dream will come true in a month’s time!

“Getting out there to practise with the team on the PGA Centenary course where I watched so much of the Ryder Cup was fantastic – and I think this course is going to suit me very well.”

Pettersen said: “Catriona knows that matchplay brings out the absolute best in my game and that I will be ready to deliver points for her come September.

“I honestly believe my best contribution to our Solheim Cup campaign will be on the course and I am very grateful to Catriona for having the confidence to choose me for this year’s team.”

With Pettersen stepping out of her non-playing role, Matthew announced that Mel Reid would now be her final vice-captain, joining Dame Laura Davies and Kathryn Imrie in the team room and on the sidelines.

The final qualifying event for the USA team will end with the CP Women’s Open in Canada, from August 22-26, with many players still fighting to join their team in defending the Solheim Cup in Scotland, from September 9-15.

Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Lisette Salas and Jessica Korda are all safely qualified while past US Solheim Cup team standouts Cristie Kerr and Stacy Lewis, would need to win the CP Women’s Open to claim their place without needing a captain’s pick from Juli Inkster.

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EWEN Ferguson will go in search of his first European Challenge Tour title when the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge gets under way at Vierumäki Resort on Thursday.

The Scot will be looking to go one better than his last outing at the Euram Bank Open in Austria, where he finished runner-up behind compatriot Calum Hill, recording his best professional result to date.

His recent form parallels the achievements of many of his amateur colleagues, with several Scottish players achieving considerable success on both the European Tour and Challenge Tour in recent months.

Not least Robert MacIntyre, who just a year after being pipped to the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge title in a sudden-death play-off against Finland’s Kim Koivu is flying high on the European Tour.

MacIntyre – who lost in the final of The Amateur Championship to Hampshire’s Scott Gregory three years ago – has two runner-up finishes and a top 10 at The Open Championship already under his belt this season.

‘’I talk to Bob (Robert MacIntyre) a lot, and he’s doing exactly what he was doing before on the Challenge Tour,’’ Ferguson said.

‘’It’s not like he’s changed anything dramatically and that gives me confidence that I’m doing the right things and I just need to stay patient.

‘’It’s nice to see him doing so well. It gives me, and a lot of the Scottish guys, a lot of belief when he is competing with the likes of Rory and Rickie.

‘’With Bob doing well, and Connor Syme also qualifying for the Open, it is an incentive to push each other on and last week in Austria I was thinking that I wanted to do well so that I can get a piece of the action.

“We’re all good friends too, so it’s good to be inspiring each other to better things,” Ferguson added.

The Scotsman, who reached the semi-final of the Belgian Knockout on the European Tour in June, currently sits just outside the promotion spots, in 17th position.

Ferguson will be looking to move into one of the coveted top 15 places with a strong performance at Vierumäki Resort this week.

After missing only his second cut on the Challenge Tour a week before Austria, the former Walker Cup player found his form on the Austria hills last week, and heads into the Finnish challenge full of confidence.

‘‘It was good to get myself back in contention in Austria and finish with a good round, which is something I’ve sometimes been struggling to do this season,’’ added Ferguson, who hails from Glasgow.

‘’I’m in a good position in the rankings with lots of events coming up, so I’m hoping that the performance in Austria can put me in a good position for the rest of the season.’’

The first round begins at 7:30am local time while Ferguson will get his opening round under way from the 10th tee at 8:30am local time, with Hill beginning his title challenge on the first hole at 8:40am.

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Stanford University’s Brandon Wu has now qualified for the US Open at Pebble Beach and The Open at Royal Portrush in the space of a month after claiming first place in Final Qualifying at Fairmont St Andrews after a first round 64

TWENTY-two-year-old American amateur Brandon Wu maintained his fairytale spell by producing a polished performance to claim top spot at Fairmont St Andrews to earn a spot at The 148th Open Championship.

The Stanford University student followed a brilliant 64 in the morning with a 67 to finish three shots clear of the field on nine-under playing a composite of the Kittocks and Torrance Courses at the course overlooking St Andrews during Final Qualifying.

Wu, who qualified to play in the US Open at Pebble Beach last month, said: “It has been a crazy run and today was fantastic, playing on a beautiful course with beautiful views.

“It is like a dream come true to qualify for The Open having watched all the greats play in it.

“This was the only competition I played over here on this trip, though I came over a week ago and got acclimated, as we say in the US. I kept it out of the long stuff and holed everything in the second round.”

The success came hot on the heels of the Californian helping Stanford win the NCAA Championship in his senior year before being presented with his graduation diploma as he came off the 18th green at Pebble Beach – after playing with Dustin Johnson in the final round of last month’s US Open.

Wu carded seven birdies in his opening effort, which earned him a three-shot lead at the halfway stage before the World No. 6 ranked amateur added four more in the afternoon.

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The two other spots on the Fife coast were claimed by young Scots Connor Syme and Sam Locke as they both passed the test for a second time in recent years.

Syme, who shared top spot with Suri at Gailes Links in 2017 to make his major debut at Royal Birkdale, finished second on this occasion after two 67s.

Meanwhile Locke, last year’s Silver Medal winner at Carnoustie, came out on top in the battle for the third and final spot with rounds of 69 and 67, ensuring a cushion of two shots back to three players tied in fourth.

Syme said: “The experience of qualifying at Gailes really helped me. I didn’t feel nervous at all today, which was great. I stuck to my game plan and doing what I was doing.

“I got to the semi-finals in The Amateur Championship at Portrush in 2014. It was my first year as a senior golfer. I struggled a bit at the start of that year but that was a kind of breakthrough.”

A winner on the Challenge Tour in Turkey this season, Syme started his second circuit with a burst of three straight birdies while Locke – a protege of Claret Jug winner Paul Lawrie, who turned professional straight after last year’s event in Angus – lit up his afternoon round with an eagle three at the 11th – his second hole – before getting up-and-down over a wall to save par at the last.

English Amateur Champion Thurloway takes Open spot at Hollinwell

Locke said: “Having come through Final Qualifying last year, it was good to go out and do that again today and I am over the moon.

“I had been playing some nice stuff coming into it but just not quite putting it together into a full tournament. I knew I wasn’t far away from doing something good and, thankfully, I picked the right day to do it.”

Just missing out was Woburn’s Stevie Lewton, who has been playing in Asia since losing his European Tour status in 2011 – five years after he finished runner-up behind Rory McIlroy in the Euroepan Amateur Championship.

After shooting rounds of 70 and 68, Lewton, the former B.B.&O. amateur who is now based in Bedfordshire after a spell living in Australia, was tied on two-under with Scottish EuroPro Tour player Lawerence Allan, from Alva, and Limerick’s Tim Rice.

Euan Walker, the beaten finalist in The Amateur Championship at Portmarnock two weeks ago, missed out again on earning a spot at Royal Portrush after rounds of 69 and 70 left the Kilmarnock (Barassie) man on one-under.

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