ST. ANDREWS (Scotland) — With bad weather forecast, golfers at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship were keen to score early on the historic Scottish courses hosting the European tour event.
Nobody did it better than Romain LangasqueThe most famous course of them all.
The 27-year old Frenchman tied the course record at St. Andrews Old Course by shooting 11-under-61 in the first round. He also shot a second-nine 28, which included five birdies and an Eagle on his final six holes.
I never dreamed I would have the St. Andrews course record, the No. 272-ranked Langasque said. But now my names on the board.
Langasques career-low round was a 63. His previous best score on the European tour was a 64. This put him in a good place to compete for a second title after the Wales Open in 2020.
However, tougher tests are coming.
Fridays forecast for heavy rains and strong winds of over 40 mph (64.8 kph) is severe. This will make it difficult for the 168 players in this field, who must play each St. Andrews, Kingsbarns, and Carnoustie game within the first three days. The fourth round, and final round, will be played at St. Andrews.
To avoid the worst weather and the No. 2-ranked Rory McIlroyHe is one of those who are still bracing after shooting 4-under 68 at Carnoustie. This course is widely considered to be the hardest of the three.
McIlroy, who bogeyed his last hole, stated that Overall, Carnoustie is not going to be reached in easier conditions so I feel as if I left a few shots out there. You don’t want to chase going into really bad weather tomorrow so I put a red number on my board and have a few more shots to play with.
McIlroys second round at Kingsbarns will be his. He believes that Kingsbarns is the easiest course to play in fair weather and the most difficult to play in bad.
The best scores were at St. Andrews or Kingsbarns where another Frenchman was — Frederic Lacroix— Shot a bogey-free 10-under 64 to move into second, one stroke behind Langasque as the first round ended.
Spains Nacho ElviraKingsbarns was also where he started and he was bogey free in his 64.
Langasque was the leader, however, after a round that began at No. He finished at 10 and made a bogey the second hole. After driving the green, he made a 52-foot putt and bounced back with an Eagle at the next hole.
Langasque also eagled No. 5 par-5. 5, and then four consecutive birdies to tie it at 61. Ross FisherAt the same event in 2017
He smiled and said, The game was good, but it didnt feel as if I shot 11 under.