Paju, Korea - Scotland’s Michael Stewart and Australia’s Jack Buchanan shot matching seven-under-par 65s on Thursday to take a share of the opening-round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The USD 5,000,000 tournament is staged across Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, and the Old Course at St Andrews as the 37th event on the Race to Dubai calendar. Stewart recorded a bogey-free round featuring an eagle and five birdies at Carnoustie, while Buchanan posted seven birdies at Kingsbarns to set the early pace.
“I played nice all day to be honest, lots of fairways, lots of greens and then on the back, the putter got hot,” said the 36-year-old Stewart. “I feel home at links golf, and as long as the rain stays away, we’re good to go.”
Making his DP World Tour debut after finishing runner-up in the Duddingston Classic on Wednesday, Stewart bypassed a practice round to launch his campaign. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Buchanan, who sits 167th in the Race to Dubai Rankings, produced a impressive performance as he seeks to secure his playing privileges for next season.
South African duo MJ Daffue and Casey Jarvis sit one stroke back in joint third on six-under 66, while World Number Four Matt Fitzpatrick carded a four-under 68 at Carnoustie and defending champion Robert MacIntyre opened with a one-under 71.The USD 5,000,000 tournament is staged across Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, and the Old Course at St Andrews, serving as the 37th event on the Race to Dubai schedule. Stewart recorded a bogey-free round featuring an eagle and five birdies at Carnoustie, while Buchanan posted seven birdies at Kingsbarns to set the early pace.
“I played nice all day to be honest, lots of fairways, lots of greens and then on the back, the putter got hot,” said the 36-year-old Stewart. “I feel home at links golf, and as long as the rain stays away, we’re good to go.”
Making his DP World Tour debut after finishing runner-up in the Duddingston Classic on Wednesday, Stewart bypassed a practice round to launch his campaign. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Buchanan, who sits 167th in the Race to Dubai Rankings, produced a flawless performance as he seeks to secure his playing privileges for next season.
South African duo MJ Daffue and Casey Jarvis sit one stroke back in joint third on six-under 66, while World Number Four Matt Fitzpatrick carded a four-under 68 at Carnoustie. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre opened his title defence with a one-under 71.