Thursday, July 9, 2009

Green eases to Scottish Open lead

FIRST ROUND SCORES: GB & Irl unless stated
-7 R Green (Aus) -6 G Fernandez-Castano (Spa), M Laird, P McGinley, G Storm -5 A Scott (Aus)
Selected others: -4 D Drysdale, K Ferrie, R McGowan -3 R Dinwiddie, M Foster, P Lawrie, R McIlroy, P Waring

Richard Green
Green shared third place at the Scottish Open in 2008

Australia's Richard Green hit a superb first-round 64 to lead a top-class Scottish Open field at Loch Lomond.

The left-hander, who finished tied third at the tournament in 2008, made six birdies and an eagle on Thursday to set the pace at seven under.

One shot behind, British pair Graeme Storm and Martin Laird shared second place with Ireland's Paul McGinley.

Britain's Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter are also in contention, but Lee Westwood struggled to a 73.

Australia's Geoff Ogilvy, the world number six, and Masters champion Angel Cabrera ended the day on two-under-par 69, while Jose Maria Olazabal carded 71 as he bids to secure a spot at the Open next week.

The Spaniard has yet to qualify and needs to finish as the highest player on the leaderboard not already exempt in order to book a place at Turnberry.

606: DEBATE
Who will win the Scottish Open?

Former European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo and American Boo Weekley also made par in their opening rounds.

First-round leader, Green, ranked 90th in the world, has struggled this year with five missed cuts in 11 appearances but seems to be hitting form at the right time.

"There have been a lot of opportunities for me where I've not handled the pressure as well as I would have liked, but the more I put myself there, the more I feel I can do it," he said.

"It was a great round of golf, I was very much under control.

"I love this place. I remember the first time I came here in 1996, I finished joint sixth. Today was very easy for us and it seemed very easy for me."

ะพ 11:12 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)