8am Round-up: Three Scots on course to progress in Spain

Rod Pampling of Australia. Picture: Michael Gillen/JPRod Pampling of Australia. Picture: Michael Gillen/JP
Rod Pampling of Australia. Picture: Michael Gillen/JP
Only three Scots out of a 21-strong contingent are on course to pass the test today in the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

David Law and Ross Kellett are in strong positions heading into the final round at Lumine Golf while Grant Forrest has also given himself a chance to progress at Las Colinas.

Law, the first-round pacesetter, is back at the top of the leaderboard after a 68 to sit 11-under, sharing top spot at his venue, where Kellett sits two shots back in joint-fourth following a 69.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Forrest, who’d opened brightly with rounds of 67 and 68, slipped seven spots after a 74 but is still inside the qualifying zone - the top 17 and ties progress at each venue.

Next best at Las Colinas are Peter Whiteford (75) and Bradley Neil (72), the pair sitting in 26th on level-par.

Wallace Booth, in joint-18th, is the best of the Scots at El Saler, with Chris Doak, in a share of 33rd, leading the tartan challenge at Panoramica.

***

Rod Pampling bridged a 10-year gap to win for a third time on the PGA Tour at the age of 47.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He hit the jackpot in Las Vegas with victory in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, closing with a 65 at TPC Summerlin to finish two shots ahead of Brooks Koepka (67).

Pampling, who won The International in 2004 on the US circuit before adding the Bay Hill Invitational two years later, is oldest PGA Tour winner from Australia.

“It’s a great feeling, but you know what, after this week I still think I have a couple of more wins, so I’m looking forward to the next few years and just see what we can do,” he said.

Overnight leader Lucas Glover finished third, just ahead of Francesco Molinari after the Italian shot up the leaderboard with a last-day 61.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Martin Laird tied for 27th after closing 65 that included two eagles and four birdies.

***

Colin Montgomerie will head into this week’s Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Arizona sitting third in the standings.

The Scot slipped a spot after having to settle for a tie for 16th behind American Scott McCarrron in the Dominion Charity Classic in Virginia.

McCarron, who beat compatriot Tom Byrum in a play-off after the pair had tied on 203, 13 under, is up to second behind Bernhard Langer on the points list.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The top 36 play in the season-ending event and they also include Miguel Angel Jimenez, who sits fifth, and Senior Open champion Paul Broadhurst in 28th.

Former Masters champion Ian Woosnam just missed out in 39th.

Related topics: