USA loses to Europe in Ryder Cup

Image Credit www.usatoday.com

GLENEAGLES, Scotland – The world No. 1 got Europe started in the right direction Sunday in singles action at the Ryder Cup. Jamie Donaldson ended the team's journey to retention of the little golf trophy two hours later (retained since 2009).

Top-ranked Rory McIlroy and crew didn't allow the U.S. to dig itself out of a deep hole on the final day as Europe polished off a 16½-11½ victory for its sixth win in the last seven matches and eighth in the last 10.

Trailing 10-6, the U.S. needed to win 8½ points out of the possible 12 available in singles but after an early run of good play, it could only win four matches and earn 5½ points.

"The U.S. players responded early, but they just couldn't keep it going," U.S. captain Tom Watson said. "But the credit goes to Europe. They are stacked with great players. But we came here thinking we could win, knowing it would be a great challenge, but we fell short.

McIlroy was five under through his first six holes and routed Rickie Fowler, 5 and 4, while Donaldson, making his debut, provided the winning point when he knocked his approach on 15 to tap-in range and was conceded the winning birdie. He defeated Keegan Bradley, 4 and 3.

"Proud is the first word," McGinley said about his team. "I want to say as captain it's been a real honor to get these 12 players, they have all been Colossus, and all of them, the caddies, the backroom team, five vice captains, it's been a huge team effort."

Ryder Cup Special Offer - ENDS SUNDAY

Greg Norman is recovering in hospital after almost cutting off his hand with a chainsaw

Photo - Instagram

Greg Norman Australia’s former world No1 is recovering in hospital after almost cutting off his hand with a chainsaw.

He posted a photo to Instagram on in which he was lying in a hospital bed with his left arm heavily bandaged.

Greg Norman said alongside the photo suggested he had gone close to severing one of his hands.

“Working with a chainsaw ALWAYS be respectful of the unexpected. I was one lucky man today. Damaged, but not down & out. Still have left hand,”

Rory McIlroy Hit a Drive Into a Spectator's Pocket at Tour Championship

Rory McIlroy hit his drive on the par 4 14th at The Tour Championship straight into a spectator’s pocket, think that's got to be a first!

The spectator was asked not to move while Rory and an official made their way to him to decide how to properly play the ball. Rory decided to take a drop and then hit a wedge straight onto the green.

The fan didn’t get to keep the ball that landed in his pocket, he did however walk away with an amazingly unique story, a handshake from Rory.

AMATEUR ROSS WINS GLENFARCLAS OPEN

Craig Ross

Scotsman’s 16 under par sees him finish three clear of Shields and Caldwell

Scottish amateur Craig Ross won the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour’s Glenfarclas Open by three shots at Mar Hall in Glasgow with a 54-hole score of 16 under par.

The 21 year old shot a six-under-par 64 in his final round to top the leaderboard ahead of fellow Kirkhill Golf Club representative Paul Shields and Northern Irishman Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye), who both concluded the tournament 13 under par.

As an amateur Ross cannot collect the £10,000 winner’s cheque, so that along with the £5,000 second prize is shared between Shields (68, 62, 67) and Caldwell (64, 67, 66) who take home £7,500 each.
Ross began the final round tied for the lead at ten under alongside Shields and Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge Golf Club), who carded a four-over 74 for his last 18 to finish tied 13th.

The amateur opened his account in spectacular fashion with an eagle at the first, but bogeyed the second. Five further birdies and a bogey at the 12th meant that on the 16th tee he held a four stroke lead.

Shields carded a three-under final round 67 to earn his share of second place. He also won the post-tournament Glenfarclas Challenge, a closest to the pin competition from the top of Mar Hall itself onto the 18th green and received a 21 year old bottle of Glenfarclas Whiskey for doing so.
A late flurry from Caldwell saw him pick up four shots in three holes from the 15th, but a birdie at the last ensured his playing partner Ross would collect the trophy, as well as a brand new Motocaddy trolley, a Shotsaver range finder, and a bottle of 25 year old whiskey from tournament sponsors Glenfarclas.

“It feels great to come out on top in such a good event,” said Ross. “The pros are very, very good and to win feels awesome. It is a great achievement for myself and a big confidence booster as well.
“I know I can put a score together and I didn’t feel uncomfortable out there. It gives me confidence and I want to go out and win one of the big five amateur tournaments next year if I can.

“I have loved playing on the tour this week and I would like to come back again if I can, perhaps to try and defend this event next year.

“I will probably stay amateur for next year and turn pro at the end of the summer, give European Tour School a go and see where it takes me. I might play some EuroPro next year as well.

“I holed some crucial putts at the end today. Birdies at 13, 14 and 15 gave me a bit of a cushion and I holed a great putt at 16 which calmed me down a bit.”

Highlights of the Glenfarclas Open will air on Sky Sports at 8pm on Tuesday, September 16 with repeats the following day.

The top 60 players on the Race To El Gouna will now be invited to play the Visit Egypt Tour Championship, the £60,000 season-finale at El Gouna Red Sea Resort.

with thanks to PGA for press release and images

KILPATRICK, SHIELDS, ROSS LEAD GLENFARCLAS OPEN

Trio ten under ahead of final round at Mar Hall

Scottish amateur Craig Ross, his fellow Kirkhill Golf Club representative Paul Shields, and Northern Ireland’s Richard Kilpatrick share the lead on ten under par ahead of the final round of the Glenfarclas Open, a HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event at Mar Hall in Glasgow.

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Shields shot a magnificent eight-under-par 62 despite a bogey at the tenth, his first, while Kilpatrick (Banbridge Golf Club) carded a 63 for his second round to join the Scottish duo on ten under.

Ross, who is hoping to represent Great Britain & Ireland in next year’s Walker Cup, would have had a two-shot lead but received a two-stroke penalty after removing a leaf from a bunker on the second, his 11th. He finished the round three under par to progress his tournament score to ten under.

Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye) is just one behind the leading trio on nine under and seven golfers share fifth on seven under, three back.

“The course suits my eye, there are no holes I don’t like,” said co-leader Ross. “It was unfortunate what happened on the second but I won’t do it again. I should have known but I didn’t.

“I got off to a good run with four birdies from the 14th to 17th. I missed one at the first and then had some more chances. I know I can win this, I have given myself the opportunity so now I have to go out and get over the line.

“Paul Shields is a good friend, so it will be good fun tomorrow and hopefully we both play well. I will take one shot at a time and see what happens coming down the closing holes.”

As an amateur Ross cannot earn any money from the £40,000 prize fund, which includes £10,000 for the winner.

The Glenfarclas Open is the final event of the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour season before the Visit Egypt Tour Championship in October. Only the top 60 on the Race To El Gouna will be invited to play the season-ending finale, after which the top five players on the Race To El Gouna will earn a Challenge Tour card for 2015.

A cut to the leading 50 players and ties has now been made, with all golfers whose 36-hole score is two under par or better proceeding to play a final 18 holes.

Friday’s final round will be filmed for a two-hour highlights package to be broadcast on Sky Sports on Tuesday, September 16 with repeats the following day. Spectator entry is free of charge and live scoring can be found at www.europrotour.com.

Image and press release courtessy of PGA

AMATEUR ROSS LEADS GLENFARCLAS OPEN

Scotsman one clear after seven-under opening round 63 at Mar Hall

Amateur Craig Ross leads the Glenfarclass Open on seven under par after shooting a first-round 63 in the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event at Mar Hall near Glasgow.

The Scotsman is one ahead of Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye), Englishman Paul Lockwood (Hessle Golf Club) and New Zealand’s Harry Bateman (Royal Wellington Golf Club), who share second on six-under after shooting 64s for their opening round. Ryan O’Neill (Penwortham Golf Club) and Neil Chaudhuri (www.specialisteyes.co.uk) are tied fifth on five under, two back from the leader.

Ross was unblemished in his first round, making seven birdies on the par-70 course. As an amateur he is unable to compete for the £40,000 prize fund, of which £10,000 goes to the winner, and the Kirkhill Golf Club player believes that may mean he has less pressure to deal with than the rest of the field.

“I played well and got off to a good start,” he said. “I birdied the first and managed to knock it to about two foot on the fourth, which is a tough hole, and I kept it going from there. It was steady, solid play and I managed to take my chances when I got them.

“I have wanted to test myself against these guys. I have been watching the EuroPro on the TV and you can see it isn’t an easy level to play at because all the guys are going low. I wanted to see how I could fair against these guys.

“I think it is a bit easier for me because I am not playing for money; I can just go out and play. It is great to go out and play well and put that score together today. Tomorrow I can go out and relax and try and do the same.

“I wanted to see how I got on against the professionals. I think I will stay amateur for one more year as I want to get into the Walker Cup squad and then maybe turn pro at the end of next year.”

The Glenfarclas Open is a 54-hole strokeplay event, with a cut to the leading 50 players and ties to be made after Thursday’s second round.

The tournament is the final main-season event on the 2014 HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour, and at the end of the week the top 60 on the Race To El Gouna will be invited to play in the season-finale Visit Egypt Tour Championship. The top five players on the Race To El Gouna at the conclusion of that event will earn categories for the 2015 Challenge Tour.

Highlights of the Glenfarclas Open will air on Sky Sports HD on Tuesday, September 16 with repeats the following day. Spectator entry is free throughout the week and live scoring can be found at www.europrotour.com.

Peter Tarver-Jones with his Shotsaver SLR500 Laser Range Finder

SLR500 Laser Range Finder

TARVER-JONES CLAIMS SECOND CONSECUTIVE WIN

Worthing man finishes eight under at The Oxfordshire to win by two

Peter Tarver-Jones claimed his second HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour title in as many weeks with victory in the PDC & WSL Open at The Oxfordshire on Friday.

image Credit PGA

The Worthing golfer finished eight under par for his 54 holes with a final-round 70 (-2) to capitalise as overnight leader Richard Prophet’s slipped down the leaderboard.

Prophet began the day four shots clear on -10 but bogeyed the first. He was quickly back to ten under with a birdie four at the second but back-to-back bogeys at six and seven narrowed his lead. He dropped shots again at nine and 11, although did have a birdie at ten sandwiched between those.

Another birdie came at the 13th to see Prophet regain a one-stroke lead over playing partner Tarver-Jones, who at this stage was seven under par.

However, the par-three fourteenth, usually the fifth at The Oxfordshire, spelt disaster for Prophet. He twice found the water, once off the tee and once from the green*, and he took seven shots on the hole and dropped down the leaderboard, leaving Tarver-Jones one clear of Graeme Clark, who was in the clubhouse on six-under.

A birdie at the sixteenth gave last week’s winner at Prince’s a two-shot lead over Clark, who finished the tournament second after Tarver-Jones parred the final two.

The 26-year-old is the first golfer since Duncan Stewart in 2012 to win back-to-back HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour events and in doing so moves to second on the Race To El Gouna, and with two events remaining is in a strong position to claim one of the Challenge Tour cards awarded to the top five at the end of the season.

“It is going to take a while to sink in,” he said. “I am on cloud nine. I have been so focused on the golf course today and now, suddenly, I can let it go and let it sink in.

“I have put a lot of work in and that has paid off. I was patient today and I had said before the round that it was going to be tough; but it was brutal. The wind was up and the pins were hard, there were a few times where it could make a fool out of you if you aren’t careful.

“I had control of the ball both ways, was holding it up in the wind, and yes it was one of the best rounds I have had even though it was a two under. It felt like an eight under.

“I messaged William Harrold and asked if he had any advice after winning, because I know how well he did after winning his first event at the start of the season. He gave me some advice and I am sure he will be happy, so I will have to speak to him and thank him. I am sure he won’t mind that I have leapfrogged him into second on the Race To El Gouna!”

Highlights of the PDC & WSL Open will be broadcast on Sky Sports HD on Tuesday, September 8 with repeats the following day. The next HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event is at Mar Hall in Glasgow, commencing on Wednesday, September 3.

*Richard Prophet was disqualified at the end of the tournament. After going in the water for the second time on the 14th, he dropped his ball back onto the green. However, rule 20-5 states:

“When a player elects or is required to make his next stroke from where a previous stroke was made, he must proceed as follows:...

(d) On the Putting Green: The ball to be played must be placed on the putting green.”

As Prophet dropped the ball, he must receive a two-stroke penalty. However, as his error did not come to light until after he had signed for his card, he had signed for the wrong score and was therefore disqualified.

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Thanks to PGA for press release