THE quest for Ryder Cup places isn't the only intriguing sub-plot in the Johnnie Walker championship at Gleneagles where Fife rookie Peter Whiteford yesterday took a significant step towards improving his position in the Order of Merit in a bid to retain his playing privileges for next season.
Currently 152nd in the European Tour money list – the top 115 keep their cards at the end of the season for 2008 – Whiteford signed for 68 and 141, five under par, to trail leader Gregory Havret, 71 for 139, seven under, by just two shots at the half
way mark of £1.4million event.
The former Challenge Tour golfer, who once considered quitting the game because of a lack of success, has posted only one previous top-ten finish this season on the main tour, eighth at the Volvo China Open. Not surprisingly, he understands the importance of grasping the opportunity in front of him on the PGA Centenary this weekend.
The 28-year-old from Kirkcaldy produced a thrilling finish to the back nine (his front half, since he'd started on the tenth) with an eagle-birdie-birdie run between the 16th and 18th. The chip-in from 30 yards on the par-5 16th was particularly notable and helped elevate him into a share of third with Bradley Dredge. Robert Rock, 70 for 140, is one off the lead while Havret overcame the shock of a shank with his second shot to the first green and rescued a bogey. In what the leader conceded was a "funny" round, he also followed a double bogey at the 15th with a 50ft putt for eagle on the next.
Gary Orr, 72 for 142, four under, might have finished even higher than a share of fifth but for a sloppy end to his round when he found sand with his second, wedged out short of the 18th green and failed to get up and down for par. Among other decent Scottish performances, Steven McEwan, 20, the Ayrshire golfer who reached the last 16 of the Amateur Championship at Turnberry earlier this summer, made the cut on his first appearance at a professional event. Having made an undistinguished start with 78 on Thursday, the Kilmarnock player bounced back with 70 and made the cut on two over par.
There were a few shaky moments for the youngster when he dropped shots at the 15th and 16th – he made bogey on the par 5 thanks to an up and down from a greenside bunker after losing a ball off the tee – but he stayed calm on the last to card a birdie.
Of the players striving to clinch Ryder Cup qualification spots, it was a notable day for both Soren Hansen and Justin Rose, whose places are now virtually safe. Hansen, 71 for 142, four under, was praised by playing partner Colin Montgomerie for striking the ball "extremely well".
The full article contains 493 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
