Marc Warren claimed the fourth European Tour win of his career by holing a five-footer to win the Austrian Open at Diamond Country Club, holding off Sebastian Garcia-Rodriguez. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

SCOT Marc Warren ended a six-year wait for his fourth European Tour title by winning the Austrian Open.

Warren, who last tasted victory at the 2014 Made In Denmark, came out on top as the European Tour and European Challenge Tour seasons restarted after a four-month break – due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The 39-year-old from East Kilbride started the final day at Diamond Country Club in a share of the lead with Germany’s Nicolai von Dellingshausen.

But it was an enthralling battle with Spanish youngster Sebastian Garcia-Rodriguez which he had to overcome to for his first win in six years on the European Tour.

Warren, who won the 2006 Scandinavian Masters and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles a year later, was asked what had happened to his game over the past six years?

He said: “What’s happened on the golf course in the years since then? I’ve played very poorly.

“The break has been unfortunate for everyone. But it came at a good time for me, spending some time at home and trying to get my game ready to play golf.

“It was nice to have such a long break with the family. The last few weeks I’ve been able to get some good work done and get ready to play golf.

“Came out of it pretty refreshed,” added Warren, who also partnered Colin Montgomerie in the WGC-World Cup, losing to Germany in a play-off.

“Carrying my bag this week probably helped tone it down a little – just going out and playing and seeing what happens,” he said.

“The result couldn’t have been any better.”

Playing without caddie ‘different’

WARREN admitted it had “been different” playing without a caddie – the first time since 2005, some 15 years.

Mark said: “Hopefully this is the one and only time, no matter what I say. I do enjoy the caddie’s company.

“Especially on days like yesterday. Last night I had a few nice texts from some of the caddies who are good friends.

“I didn’t say it, but I was thinking I could have done with one of them yesterday, it was brutal.

“At times like that you appreciate what a great job they do. I’m looking forward to getting a caddie on the bag again.”

Warren also admitted that he had been watching and also avoiding the leaderboards in round four.

“In my head the tournament doesn’t start until the back nine,” said the Scot who holed the winning putt at the 2001 Walker Cup against the USA at Sea Island, playing alongside Luke Donald, Richard McEvoy and Graeme McDowell – all fellow European Tour winners.

“A lot can happen on the front nine here,” said Warren. “There’s a lot of water about. It was tough. The wind was swirling.”

Marc Warren – a Walker Cup winner in 2001 – pictured front right with Graeme McDowell. Luke Donald, Nick Dougherty, and Richard McEvoy at Sea Island, Georgia

Regaining full status after victory No. 4 ‘huge’

MARC WARREN, who was the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 2006 12 months after claiming the Challenge Tour Order of Merit, revealed he nearly made a miscalculation while carrying his own clubs.

“Sebastian got off to a great start, made three at the first. He started 10-under, but I thought he started 11. I had him one shot better than he was,” he said.

“When we got to the last five or six, seeing how tight it was, I was just trying to commit as much as possible to the shots.

“Around the turn I hit a couple of great shots on nine and 10 – made two birdies. Hit a really good iron shot on 11, but the wind didn’t move it and I made bogey.

“I felt like that set me back a little bit. But I holed a good birdie putt on 15 and then a good putt on 17 that was really steep downhill from about 15 feet.

“I was trying to make sure I didn’t run it past. I tried to get the pace right and fortunately it went right in the middle.

“It’s massive. Going from a few hours ago I didn’t have full status. Now to be in a winner’s category and plan the year a little bit is good.

“I just need to keep doing what I’m doing, trying to hit one shape all the time, and when I do play – try and do that and try not to mess about too much,” added Warren, whose enjoyed the most successful part of his career after teaming up with the late Bob Torrance.

Marcel Schneider set clubhouse target at 12-under

GARCIA-Rodriguez eagled the first to move to within a shot, and the pair shared the lead coming down the home straight until Marc Warren made his sixth birdie of the day on the 17^th.

Marcel Schneider whose sole win on the European Challenge Tour came in the Swiss Challenge two years ago

Germany’s Marcel Schneider made a run for the title with a three-under par 69 to hold the clubhouse lead on 12-under, as Warren stood on the 18^th tee.

After Garcia-Rodriguez, who trailed by one with one to play, hit his tee shot into the water, Warren needed just a par which he duly converted from five feet.

Schneider, who shot a course record to lead last year’s Euram Bank Open after the first round, said: “I was practising hard during the ‘off-season.’

“It’s nice that it has showed up so quickly. So I’m quite happy with the result,” said the 2012 Australian Amateur Champion.

“There were a few bad shots here and there, in general I’m really happy.

“It helps to get the confidence going. I’m looking forward to next week. I like the course,” added Schneider, whose only Challenge Tour win came in Switzerland in 2018 – after he lost his European Tour in 2017.

Wil Besseling picked up two wins in the BMW Indoor Invitational series during lockdown

Besseling turns virtual victories into lowest score in R4

DUTCHMAN Wil Besseling carded the joint-low round of the day, a six-under par 66, to take solo third.

Besseling won two of the six BMW Indoor Invitational – played on simulators in May and June during lockdown – at München Eichenried and the final one at Wentworth.

Wil said: “Coming back from four months off, it is really nice to play for a win and I am very pleased where my game is at.

“Yesterday was really tough with the rain and today I played good. Hit a few good shots on the front nine to give myself a lot of opportunities, which I made to get me in contention.

“And I managed to stay bogey-free which is very pleasing, especially on a Sunday playing for the win.

“I was struggling on the back nine all week. I hit it in the water on the par five 16th and managed to make par so happy with that.

“But also happy with the outcome overall as it has definitely been a good week.

“I made all my birdies on the front nine this week. Getting out in five-under really helped me, to get to 10-under par.

“And I saw the leaders didn’t run away with it, so I thought give yourself a chance and see what happens.”

Garcia-Rodriguez was joined by Scottish pair Craig Howie and Connor Syme, alongside Holland’s Darius van Driel on 10-under.

•To see the final scores click here.

Adamstal Golf Club has impressive views in the Austrian Alps

Tour stays in Austria with another dual-ranking event

THE season continues in Austria this week with another dual-ranked event.

The Euram Bank Open is being staged at GC Adamstal, and will be followed by the Betfred British Masters at Close House, the first of the new six-event UK Swing.

The post Marc Warren returns from wilderness after six-year wait to win Austrian Open appeared first on Golf North.

Australia’s Hannah Green will now get to defend her KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in October after PGA of America’s announcement earlier this week.

AFTER the KPMG Women’s PGA was moved to the autumn, the LPGA has confirmed it is pushing back its planned date to restart tournaments in the USA

They will now resume in the middle of July, instead of mid-June as originally planned, because of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The LPGA stressed its plans to prepare to reschedule a number of events that were postponed in the spring – as the coronavirus pandemic gripped across America – were aiming for a “safe and responsible return to competition.”

Two events are being played in the UK – the Scottish Ladies Open, and the Women’s British Open at Royal Troon – are set for their original dates in August.

LPGA commissioner Mike Whan asid: “One thing that has become clear is there will be no ‘opening bell’ regarding a return to safe play in this new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To be honest, being ‘first’ has never been the goal when it comes to returning to play in this new normal.

“We have built a schedule that we think is as safe as possible given what we know about travel bans, testing availability, and delivering events that our sponsors and our athletes will be excited to attend.

“While July seems like a long way away, we are certainly aware that restarting our season in Michigan, Ohio and New Jersey will require a continued improvement in the situation in each of those states.”

New LPGA events dates confirmed

The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G in Rogers, Arkansas – originally scheduled for June 19-21 – will now take place from August 28-30.

The Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio, originally scheduled to be played from July 9-12, will now be held between July 23 and 26.

The PGA of America announced on Wednesday the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania., set for June 25-28, will now move to October 8-11 at the same venue

Additional changes have also been made to deliver a full LPGA Tour season for 2020, Whan added.

June’s Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been rescheduled for October 1-4.

The Pelican Women’s Championship in Florida’s Belleair – which had been rescheduled to November – will now move back one week later to November 19-22, while the Volunteers of America Classic at The Colony, Texas, will move to December 3-6.

Finally, the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida (originally November 19-22), will move to December 17-20, making it the final event of the 2020 LPGA Tour season.

Due to the limited dates available for official full-field events on the LPGA calendar, the UL International Crown will not take place in 2020.

Additionally, the Volvik Founders Cup, the Lotte Championship, the Hugel-Air Premia LA Open and the LPGA Mediheal Championship, which had all previously been postponed, will return in the 2021 season.

Yorkshire’s Bronte Law, who won the Pure Silk Championship in May 2019.
Picture by GABE ROUX / LPGA

It was confirmed earlier this month that the Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill Resort, in Virginia – originally scheduled for May 21-24 – will return on the 2021 LPGA Tour schedule.

Yorkshire’s Bronte Law was due to defend her maiden LPGA title at the Williamsburg course.

Prize funds raised to a total of $56m for 2020

THE LPGA also announced increases to the purses of numerous 2020 tournaments.

It brings the total available purse remaining for the year to more than $56million, with players competing for an average of nearly $2.7million per event.

Commissioner Whan said: “Many of our remaining events will feature higher purses in 2020 thanks in part to some of our sponsors, who could not reschedule their events, offering some of their prize funds to increase other purses.

“In what has been a very challenging year for everyone, we are so thankful to our partners for their creativity, collaboration and dedication to helping our athletes get the most out of the playing opportunities they will have in this unprecedented season.”

However, if necessary, further schedule adjustments will be shared when appropriate, an LPGA spokeswoman said.

•As well as a new date for the Women’s PGA, the USGA has moved the US Women’s Open will now be played in December, just before the CME Group Tour Championship.

LPGA Tour’s new 2020 schedule

Key:Major championships in bold

The post LPGA switches restart date from June until mid-July as Women’s PGA moves to Oct. 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

GOLF UNIONS

Bedfordshire County Golf Union

Berks, Bucks & Oxon Golf

Cambridgeshire Area Golf Union

Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs

Cornwall Golf Union

Cumbria Union of Golf Clubs

Dorset County Golf Union

Durham County Golf Union

Essex Golf Union

Gloucestershire Golf Union

Hampshire Golf

Hertfordshire Golf

Kent Golf Union

Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs

Leicestershire & Rutland Golf Union

Lincolnshire Union of Golf Clubs

Norfolk County Golf Union

Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs

Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Clubs

Shropshire & Herefordshire Union of Golf Clubs

Somerset Golf Union

Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs

Suffolk Golf Union

Surrey Golf

Sussex County Golf Union

Warwickshire Golf Union

Worcestershire Union of Golf Clubs

Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs

Derbyshire County Golf

Devon Golf

Isle of Man Golf

Middlesex Golf

Northamptonshire Golf

Wiltshire Golf

Bedfordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Berkshire County Ladies’ Golf Association

Bucks County Ladies’ Golf Association

Cambs and Hunts Ladies’ County Golf Association

Cheshire County Ladies’ Golf Association

Cornwall Ladies’ County Golf Association

Cumbria Ladies County Golf Association

Dorset Ladies’ County Golf Association

Durham County Ladies’ Golf Association

Essex Ladies’ County Association

Gloucestershire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Hampshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Kent County Ladies’ Golf Association

Lancashire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Leicestershire and Rutland Ladies’ County Golf Association

Lincolnshire Women’s Golf Association

Norfolk Ladies’ County Golf Association

Northumberland Ladies’ County Association

Nottinghamshire County Ladies’ Golf Association

Oxfordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Shropshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Somerset Ladies’ County Golf Association

Staffordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Suffolk Ladies’ County Golf Association

Surrey Ladies’ Golf

Sussex County Ladies’ Golf Association

Warwickshire Ladies County Golf Association

Worcestershire & Herefordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Yorkshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

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

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.

The post Open will return to Royal Troon in 2023 – 100 years after Havers denied Hagen 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.

Haider Hussain is second in the South African Stroke Play Championship at Randpark Golf Club after an opening seven-under 65. Picture by ERNEST BLIGNAULT

SCOTLAND’S James Wilson fired a stunning eight-under par 64 for the first round lead in the South African Stroke Play Championship at Randpark Golf Club.

Wilson, the reigning Welsh Amateur Strokeplay Champion, will start the second round with a one-shot advantage over Gloucestershire’s Haider Hussain, who stole into second late in the afternoon.

Hussain – the winner of The Berkshire Trophy in 2019 – was particularly impressive with a seven-under 65, which also featured an eagle on the 14th.

The former England Boys squad member also lost just one shot to the field with a bogey at the scenic 439-yard closing hole.

The Firethorn Course’s best defence – its fast and challenging greens – were left soft after torrential rain fell upon the home of the South African Open over the weekend.

The soft conditions favoured players with a firm control on their approach shots, like Wilson, who could get aggressive and go flag hunting to set up birdie opportunities.

Wilson, from Balmore GC, north of Glasgow, made a perfect start with short-range birdies on the 10th and 12th holes.

The runner-up in last year’s Tennant Cup then accelerated through the field with an eagle at the par five 14th.

Another birdie followed on 18 and further gains came on the second, third, fourth and ninth.

His scorecard sported just one blemish – a lone bogey at the par three fifth.

“I played really nicely; hit a lot of fairways and most of the greens and I took advantage of the par fives,” said James Wilson.

“The tees were up so just a lot of short irons in and I played sensible on the tougher strokes.”

Scotland’s James Wilson who led the South African Stroke Play Championship at Randpark GC after carding an eight-under par 64. Picture by ERNEST BLIGNAULT.

Wilson broke par only once at last week’s African Amateur Stroke Play Championship, in his third round 71, but certainly came into his own this week at the Firethorn course, which stands at 19,363 feet above sea level.

“This course is way more forgiving than Leopard Creek,” Wilson joked about his experince of playing at altitude. “It’s cooler – the greens are not as grainy and less slopey and it’s not as penal off the tees.

“It’s been more relaxing around here and it’s not as long,” added Wilson, who was fourth in the 2019 St Andrews Links Trophy – one of the top three strokeplay events in Europe alongside the Brabazon and European Amateur Championship.

Big-hitters Casey Jarvis from South Africa and Ireland’s Rowan Lester also capitalised with some great pin-seekers and tied for third on six-under.

Sixteen-year-old Jarvis fired a 64 at the Firethorn on his way to winning the Joburg Junior Open, in December, and only a bogey finish meant he had to settle for a 66.

“I really played nicely and I got the putter going early on,” said the GolfRSA National Squad member.

“I didn’t putt well at Leopard Creek, so I worked on it over the weekend and I was rolling it well.

“I hit it just left of the fairway on 18 and had a perfect shot into the green, but I shanked it and had to get myself out of trouble.

“Came away with a good bogey. Shots like that happen some times. I’m not going to dwell on it too much. Still 54 holes to go.”

Lester, who won twice times while playing US college golf in 2019, got off to a very fast start and racked up six birdies through the first nine holes.

“Last week was a bit of a struggle; I wasn’t hitting the driver well, but everything else was solid,” said the Hermitage GC member, who won the Nassau Invitational in New York, in October.

“Today it all just worked. I got the driver going and thought I would do well.

“The back nine was okay. I just kind of hung in there,” Lester added. “The course is amazing. Last week and this week – we are really spoiled.

“I’ve been in college in America, which is why I couldn’t make the last few years, and it’s really great to be back,” said the Texas Wesleyan University player.

South African pack chasing leaders

AT least 14 players will start the second round within five shots of Wilson, and with favourable scoring conditions set to continue, the leaderboard could change hands dramatically in Tuesday’s switch draw.

Kyle de Beer, who skippered Team South Africa to victory in the Team Competition in last week’s African Amateur Stroke Play Championship, drew on his 36-hole experience in the SA Open to register a round of 67 for a share of fifth with Scotsman Connor Wilson.

Martin Vorster, who edged out Olly Huggins in a four-hole play-off for the African Amateur title at Leopard Creek, is also back in the mix at three-under.

Vorster is tied in seventh with fellow GolfRSA National Squad members Kieron van Wyk and Tyran Snyders, compatriots Louis Liebenberg, Shaun Jones and Thabiso Magwaza – a member of the South African Golf Development Board’s KwaZulu-Natal chapter – as well as Germany’s Constantin Unger, and Dutch pair Bob Geurts and Koen Kouwenaar.

•To follow the progress of James Wilson in the second round of South African Stroke Play on Tuesday, click here.

A first round six-under par 66 gave Irishman Rowan Lester, from Dublin’s Hermitage Golf Club, a share of third place at Randpark. Picture by ERNEST BLIGNAULT

The post James Wilson leads way from Hussain in South African Stroke Play at Randpark 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.

James Kingston surged into conention at the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles after a second round 66 at Constance Lemuria. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JAMES Kingston will go in search of his first Staysure Tour title as he takes a one-stroke lead into Saturday’s final round of the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles.

The South African, who carded a four-under par 66, began the second round five strokes adrift of leader Gary Orr.

But Kingston, who has 11 wins on the Sunshine Tour plus four more on the Asian Tour, recorded four consecutive birdies on his final four holes to take the lead, with Surrey-based Orr dropping down the leaderboard.

The Scotsman, who is attached to Helenburgh GC, on his native Clydeside, carded four bogeys and a double in a 76 – 12 shots worse than the two-time European Tour winner, who lives in Weybridge, took on Thursday.

Kingston has claimed four top five results in 2019, including runner-up finishes at the Senior Open Hauts de France and Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at Kent’s London Club.

He is now in prime position to seal his maiden Staysure Tour title – in the second of three MCB Tour Championships which will bring the curtain down on the 2019 season next week, in Mauritius.

Kingston reached the turn at level-par following a birdie at the sixth and a bogey at the ninth. He remained on that score with four holes to play after he gave up the birdie on the 11th with a bogey on the 12th.

Orr defies injury to lead in Seychelles

The two-time European Tour winner then finished with a flurry of birdies to leap to the summit at Constance Lemuria, which boasts one of the most spectacular back nines in the world of golf.

“Whenever you put yourself in the mix coming into the last round you’ve got to give yourself a decent chance,” said James Kingston. “I’ve played pretty solid all season so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

“I felt like I played really solid golf today. We had a nice three-ball and we finished off in style with André Bossert making eagle and myself and Cesar Monasterio making birdies on 18.

“I was quite pleased to finish by birdieing the last four holes. The back nine, especially the last few holes, if you hit some good shots, it’s actually easier to set yourself up with birdie opportunities.

“Even though the elevation plays a big role, I still think there are more opportunities on the back nine,” added Kingston, whose last win came in 2013 at the Investec Royal Swazi Open.

Hot on Kingston’s heels is Kent’s Peter Wilson. The Princes GC member signed for a three-under par 67, having gone out in four-under to move into contention.

A group of three players, including Spaniard Miguel Angel Martin, Argentina’s Mauricio Molina and Welshman Stephen Dodd make up the top five at the European Tour Destinations venue on two-under – three strokes behind James Kingston.

The final round of the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles will get under way at 8.45am local time with Kingston going for glory at 11.30am local time. The Seychelles are four hours ahead of GMT.

•Click here for live scoring in the final round.

The post James Kingston close to first Staysure win at MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles appeared first on Golf North.

Scotland’s Surrey-based Staysure Tour pro Gary Orr scorched his way to six-under par in the first round of the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles at Constance Lemuria, despite not having played for several weeks because of back problems. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

GARY Orr recorded a six-under par opening round of 64 to dominate the first day at the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles.

The Surrey-based Scotsman stormed to the top of the leaderboard at Constance Lemuria following a bogey-free front nine which saw him pick up six shots.

The Weybridge pro then traded two more birdies with two bogeys on the back nine to lead by four strokes at the European Tour Destinations venue.

Orr, who won back-to-back Staysure Tour events at the Scottish Senior Open and Paris Legends Championship last year, displayed the type of golf that saw him clinch his first titles in 18 years.

He opened his round with five consecutive threes, including birdies at the first, third and fourth holes.

The momentum continued with further gains at the par five fifth before he reached the turn in 28 strokes after picking up shots on the eighth and ninth holes.

“I’m happy with that round,” said Orr, who is attached to his native Helensburgh GC, on Clydside. “I played well, and it puts me in a good position for the next couple of days.

“I wasn’t expecting much going out and I didn’t know what to expect because I haven’t played for a few months. So to start with five threes was a good start.

“It’s that type of course where you need to play well on the front nine as the difficult holes are from 13 to 18.

“They are tricky holes but there are a few tough holes on the front nine as well. If you can get through those difficult ones first, then you can pick up a few birdies on the others.

“The hilly holes, the last six, they are certainly a challenge. A couple of the greens are really difficult, and you need to hit it in the right spots and hope luck is on your side.

“I didn’t drive it that well, which was fortunate because there aren’t many holes where you have to use the driver. I hit my irons really well and putted nicely, which all added up to a good round.

“The view is unbelievable. It’s quite something up on top of the hill and there aren’t many views on a golf course like that anywhere,” added Orr, who echoed the comments of defending champion Roger Champion, after the practice rounds.

As one of the few competitors to play in trousers in the scorching Seychelles heat, the conditions showed no sign of troubling Orr, who was attached to Burhill Golf Club, in Surrey, duirng his 20 years on the European Tour.

And he bounced back from two dropped shots with gains on the par three 15th and 17th.

Having not played for a couple of months due to back pain, Orr was delighted to take the lead at the picturesque Constance Lemuria.

Orr holds a four-shot lead over a group of four players, including Wales’ Stephen Dodd, South Africa’s David Frost, Argentine Rafael Gomez and Sweden’s Joakim Haeggman, who all signed for rounds of 68 to sit on two-under.

The rest of the top 10 is made up of five players on one-under, including Welshman Mark Mouland, who made his 100th start on the Staysure Tour on Thursday.

•The second round of the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles begins at 9am local time on Friday with Gary Orr teeing it up at 11.45am – the Indian Ocean island is four hours ahead of GMT.

For live scoring click here.

The post Gary Orr puts back problems behind him as Scot storms into lead in the Seychelles appeared first on Golf North.

BENJAMIN Poke

Benjamin Poke’s six-shot victory at the 2019 European Tour Qualifying School was one of the biggest in recent history. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

completed an emphatic six-stroke victory at the final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School, running away with the title as 28 players European Tour cards for 2020.

The Dane, who led from the second round at Lumine Golf Club, was in complete control throughout the marathon test.

He broke 70 each day to post rounds of 67, 67, 69, 67, 69 and 64 and seal victory ahead of three-time European Tour winner Grégory Havret, who came second on 19-under.

Poke, who finished 29th on the Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca in his rookie season, said: “To play on the European Tour is something that you always dream about when you are young. So to finally stand here with my card is unbelievable.

“I know that when I get it going I can shoot really low and that I’m playing well, but I was still really nervous going out there this morning.

“I kept trusting my game and trusted my swing and my game plan. I never relaxed though, because I know that anything can happen in this game, so it was a matter of just taking things one shot at a time.

“Some weeks on the Challenge Tour this year, I gave myself a good shot at lifting a title and unfortunately got beaten. But they were good weeks and good performances.

“Before this week I knew I had developed my game a lot since last year,” added Poke.

“I was happy to reach the Road to Mallorca Grand Final and I was thinking that anything I managed to do this week was a bit of a bonus.

“I managed to keep that mentality all week and not get too far ahead of myself – just focus on the day in hand.

“I’m planning to celebrate this moment for a while. You work so hard and then there are times when you are struggling and it’s not easy.

“But you’ve got to get up and carry on and celebrate the good times when they happen,” said Poke, who has graduated at the third attempt at Qualifying School.

The 27-year-old will be joined on the top tier by 18-year-old countryman Rasmus Højgaard, who overcame an opening-round 74 to finish in a share of fifth place on 16-under.

Højgaard, whose twin brother Nicolai finished in 51st place, said: “It feels amazing to have my European Tour card. It’s been such a long week to get it done feels very special.”

But despite his own success, as a typical twin, his thoughts were for Nicolai, having played in the Junior Ryder Cup together in 2018, they will not be on Tour together in 2020.

Rasmus said: “I kind of knew once Nicolai was on the back nine that he wasn’t going to get his card.

“It’s sad that he isn’t going to get his card and that we won’t be together on the European Tour next year but that’s just how it is sometimes.

“I can play good for a few weeks and then he can come in with a good few weeks. It’s different almost every week and that is how golf is sometimes.

“When I hit my tee shot on 17 then I knew that I was going to be OK and I just relaxed a little, and thought ‘I’ve got this now’ and to get a good drive away on the 18th was huge.”

It was a good day for the English as Somerset’s Laurie Canter finished sixth, 2013 Amateur Champion Garrick Porteous 12 14th, and EuroPro Tour graduates Marcus Armitage and David Coupland finished 16th and 21st respectively, while Sussex’s Toby Tree was in 24th spot

Essex’s Dale Whitnell, who finally broke his duck on the European Challenage Tour after a decade of trying by wining the KPMG Trophy two months ago, grabbed the last card in a share of 25th after making a birdie at the last.

But none of the five Scots who made the 72-hole cut could earn a card.

Europro Tour winner Daniel Young missed out by a shot despite finishing biride, birdie, while Craig Howie was 34th.

Three-time European Tour winner Marc Warren was 53rd while Ewen Ferguson was after a level-par sixth round ended his hopes of a late run.

Amateur Championship finalist Euan Walker, who turned pro after playing agianst the USA in the Walker Cup, at Royal Liverpool, in September, finished in 59th – his opening 67 was his only sub-70 round of the week.

All five Scots will be playing on the Challenge Tour in 2020 after earning full playing rights on the satellite tour.

Kim grabs card after thrilling 63

THE promise of a thrilling conclusion to the Final Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School was fulfilled again on the Lakes Course, as American Sihwan Kim carded an eight-under par final round of 63 to jump 38 places.

The 30-year-old who finished the tournament with a European Tour card in hand, as he cemented a share of 17^th place.

Kim, the 2004 US Junior Champion, who was making his fifth visit to European Tour Qualifying School, said: “I knew I had to post a number.

“So I just went out there really aggressive, took the right lines and just swung at it.

“I’ve been in Europe for a while now, since 2012, so this is nothing new to me. I’m pretty tired but pretty happy about the score I posted.

“I knew what I had to do and I knew I had to post a really good number today so I just went out there and did it,” added Kim, who finished 133rd on the Race to Dubai, forcing his trip to Spain.

Kim’s fellow American Johannes Veerman also completed an impressive turnaround at the death.

After opening the week with a pair of 74s, the 27-year-old came storming back to close with rounds of 67, 67, and two 66s, to end the tournament on 14-under – booking his ticket to the European Tour with a tied 13^th place finish.

The greatest excitement was delivered by Rikard Karlberg, who holed a 50-foot putt on the 108^th and final hole to finish in a tie for 25^th place, picking up the last available European Tour card.

The emphatic end to the gruelling tournament completed an emotional comeback for the Swede, who returned to professional golf in 2019 following a battle with a serious infection and depression.

Karlberg said: “I hit my second shot a bit further away from the pin than I wanted and had around 50 feet for birdie.

“I had a feeling all day that the number would be 12-under, so I knew I needed to hole it.

“When I hit it, I thought it should be good and then I saw it was tracing the line perfectly – and saw the speed – and thought ‘come on, just reach’.

“The euphoria I felt was just happiness. I don’t think anyone really likes this week. It’s horrible,” Karlberg added.

“It’s pressure all week and you’re walking with tension and you don’t have much room for error.

“This week has been so frustrating with my putter. I missed so many putts and then to be able to hole that one when I needed, it just feels fantastic.

“I think I am a better golfer now than I was then. I’ve played a few years on Tour, and I’ve learned about the pressure and I’ve learned that you need to hit the shots – even if you’re nervous.”

French quartet graduate at Qualifying School

THE French quartet of Havret, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet, Adrien Saddier and Robin Sciot-Siegrist all booked their tickets – equalling the record for the number of French players to graduate from Qualifying School.

Havret, who was runner-up to Graeme McDowell at the 2010 US Open, said: “I’ve missed the European Tour since last year.

“And even though I had a great time playing on the Challenge Tour this season it was make-or-break for me this week in terms of my career.

“So it’s a big relief to secure my card this week,” said the three-time European Tour winner, who dedicated the promotion to his wife.

“Our wives, so much of the time, are the most important people around us and that’s certainly the case for me.

“She wants me to go out there and live my passion as best I can, and she has always supported me with that, so this achievement is for her.

‘’I’m turning 43 on Monday so I don’t have too long left in my caree,” Havret added.

“But I’m going to take the positives from this week and come back out on the Tour a little bit fresher – and enjoy being back in the company of my friends on the European Tour.”

Welshman Bradley Dredge, who has two wins on the European Tour, retained his playing rights after finishing 122nd on the Race to Dubai.

The 46-year-old finished in 20th place after finishing under par on all six days – a feat achieved by just eight players in the field.

The 2019 European Tour Qualifying School was contested over 252 holes in three stages across 14 different venues.

A record number of 1,063 entrants bid for one of the coveted European Tour cards, surpassing the previous record of 1,026 from 2017.

•For final results at the 2019 European Tour Qualiyfing School click here.

The post Winning the European Tour Qualifying School is far from a pig in a Poke for Benjamin appeared first on Golf North.