The Open is now underway and Royal Troon will host the 152nd edition of the iconic championship on one of Scotland’s toughest courses.
29-year-old Englishman Daniel Brown was the star of the day, finishing six under par, with former winner Shane Lowry just one shot behind.
Meanwhile, it was a nightmare afternoon for Rory McIlroy, who is in danger of missing the cut after a torrid round that left him seven over par and virtually out of the race.
It was an equally tough day for Tiger Woods, but the legendary American smiled through the pain as thousands clamored to get closer to the star.
Mail Sport’s JAMES SHARPE covers what you might have missed at The Open in Talk of the Troon.
The Open is underway as Royal Troon hosts the 152nd edition of the iconic championship.
Southgate finally surpasses De La Fuente
The De la Fuentes and Southgates have had mixed fortunes in recent days. Spain coach Luis conquered Europe and his team beat England in Sunday’s final, but Mexican Santiago, who bears his name, made triple bogey on the fifth hole of a horror round of 78 at Royal Troon.
Meanwhile, Matthew Southgate bowled well during his two-overs, but not well enough to come out on top. That seems about right.
Meanwhile, Matthew Southgate bowled well during his two-overs, but not well enough to get to the top.
Santiago De La Fuente made a triple bogey on the eighth hole in a horror round of 78 at Royal Troon
The iconic Scottish countryside for sale
Looking for a golf course home? You’re in luck. One of the two iconic cottages at Blackrock House, located between the second and sixteenth holes of Royal Troon, is for sale.
“One of the finest houses on the golf course,” say the estate agents. And just as well, because it’s on the market for £1.5m, and that’s not counting repairs to the broken windows.
Tech billionaire’s son impresses everyone
Never mind Tom Cruise, there’s another Maverick flying high at Royal Troon. Maverick McNealy, the 28-year-old American son of a tech billionaire, headed home in two under before finishing at even par.
It turns out that Maverick is not named after the Top Gun character, but after a model of Ford car, just like his brothers Dakota, Colt and Scout. McNealy’s grandfather, Raymond William McNealy Jr., was vice president of American Motors. However, Maverick is a professional driver. No, seriously.
Maverick McNealy, the 28-year-old American son of a tech billionaire, headed home in two under before finishing at even par.
The main fan shines in familiar territory
Callum Scott finished the day as the leading amateur after a stellar round of 70. The 20-year-old hails from Nairn, a small town in the Scottish Highlands 200 miles north of Troon, but plies his trade at college in Lubbock, Texas, the home of Buddy Holly. A Scottish amateur who shoots seven shots better than Rory McIlroy? That’ll be the day!
A hole to forget!
Let’s think about Dan Bradbury, whose quintuple bogey on the par-four ninth hole was the worst hole of the day. He hit his second shot into the bushes to the right of the green, fell, hit his next shot into the same bushes, fell again, hit it over the green, chipped to within three feet, missed the short putt and holed the ninth hole. Oops!
Spare a thought for Dan Bradbury, whose quintuple bogey on the par-four ninth was the worst hole of the day.
Special moment for the New Zealand star
It was an emotional day for Michael Hendry. The New Zealander withdrew from last year’s Open after contracting leukaemia. He lost 12 kilos and could barely manage to climb the stairs.
Michael Hendry withdrew from last year’s Open after contracting leukaemia, but returned to competition this year.
The R&A allowed him to play again this year. “It was very special,” Hendry said after his round of 74. “This is what got me through my recovery.”
