Ace performance by Byrne to lead
Challenge field
From Paul Symes, Challenge Tour Press Officer
A first competitive hole in one on his maiden appearance in a professional tournament helped 19 year old Banchory amateur James Byrne to a round of 66 and the clubhouse lead on day one of the Scottish Challenge.
The young Scot, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency (all rights reserved) has fond memories of Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf and Country Club, having won the Scottish boys' stroke play championship at the Peebles venue in similarly treacherous conditions last summer.
And despite betraying some initial nerves with a hooked drive off the first tee, the boy from Banchory – who has recently completed his first year of a golf scholarship at Arizona State University – subsequently belied his tender years with a flawless round of golf which saw him grab the clubhouse lead on five under par, one shot clear of Tartan Tour No 1 Chris Doak, the Northern Open champion.
The highlight of the youngster’s round came at the 13th, where he struck a seven iron 190 yards for his first hole in one. Byrne said: “The wind had changed, because on the 12th it was into our faces. Then when we got onto the 13th tee, it was behind us. I was first to hit, so I didn’t know which club to use.
“I just hit my seven iron and hoped for the best. It landed just the other side of the bunker, but I had no idea where it had ended up. I thought it would be about five or six feet away, but then when I got onto the green my ball wasn’t there. So I had a look in the hole, and there it was!”
A first competitive hole in one on his maiden appearance in a professional tournament helped 19 year old Banchory amateur James Byrne to a round of 66 and the clubhouse lead on day one of the Scottish Challenge.
The young Scot, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency (all rights reserved) has fond memories of Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf and Country Club, having won the Scottish boys' stroke play championship at the Peebles venue in similarly treacherous conditions last summer.
And despite betraying some initial nerves with a hooked drive off the first tee, the boy from Banchory – who has recently completed his first year of a golf scholarship at Arizona State University – subsequently belied his tender years with a flawless round of golf which saw him grab the clubhouse lead on five under par, one shot clear of Tartan Tour No 1 Chris Doak, the Northern Open champion.
The highlight of the youngster’s round came at the 13th, where he struck a seven iron 190 yards for his first hole in one. Byrne said: “The wind had changed, because on the 12th it was into our faces. Then when we got onto the 13th tee, it was behind us. I was first to hit, so I didn’t know which club to use.
“I just hit my seven iron and hoped for the best. It landed just the other side of the bunker, but I had no idea where it had ended up. I thought it would be about five or six feet away, but then when I got onto the green my ball wasn’t there. So I had a look in the hole, and there it was!”
Ironic, that Byrne should lead the field with some brilliant golf, having lost his place in the Scotland team of six - not even named a reserve - for next week's European championships in Turin.
Doak’s day was perhaps less dramatic, but seven birdies and four bogeys helped him to a round of 67. The Scot, a six time winner on his national Tartan Tour this season, said: “This has to be some of the best golf of my career. I wouldn’t say I’m finding it easy exactly, but I am swinging really well at the minute, and getting my rewards.”
Doak was joined on four under par by Sweden’s Klas Eriksson, who dropped just one shot en route to his round of 67, and Greig Hutcheon, like James Byrne, born and bred on Royal Deeside. Hutcheon, playing out of the Peterculter club, had birdies at the fourth, 10th, 11th and 14th in a bogey-free round.
CLUBHOUSE TOTALS
FIRST ROUND
Par 71Doak’s day was perhaps less dramatic, but seven birdies and four bogeys helped him to a round of 67. The Scot, a six time winner on his national Tartan Tour this season, said: “This has to be some of the best golf of my career. I wouldn’t say I’m finding it easy exactly, but I am swinging really well at the minute, and getting my rewards.”
Doak was joined on four under par by Sweden’s Klas Eriksson, who dropped just one shot en route to his round of 67, and Greig Hutcheon, like James Byrne, born and bred on Royal Deeside. Hutcheon, playing out of the Peterculter club, had birdies at the fourth, 10th, 11th and 14th in a bogey-free round.
CLUBHOUSE TOTALS
FIRST ROUND
66 J Byrne (Sco) (am).
67 C Doak (Sco), K Eriksson (Swe), G Hutcheon (Sco).
67 C Doak (Sco), K Eriksson (Swe), G Hutcheon (Sco).
68 S Benson (Eng), M Korhonen (Fin), T Remkes (Ned), E Goya (Arg).
69 M Cort (Eng), T Ferreira (RSA), C Gane (Eng), A Hogberg (Swe), D Horsey (Eng), P Streeter (Eng), A Tadini (Ita), R Treis (Ger), W Besseling (Ned).
Other Scots scores:
70 C Lee.
71 G Murray.
72 R Kellett (am), A McArthur, E Ramsay, B Hume.
73 S Jamieson, E Saltman.
74 J Gallagher (am).
75 G Lornie, A Oldcorn.
76 D Drysdale, M Kerr, S McEwan (am), P McKechnie, L Saltman.
77 G Brown, M Urquhart.
78 S Henderson.
80 R Russell.
UNCOMPLETED ROUNDS INCLUDE
All with three holes to play in their first round
Four under par: M Morris (Eng).
Three under par: J Doherty (Sco).
Two under par: L Matthews (Wal).
One under par: S Henry (Sco) (am).
One over par: M Loftus (Sco).
Two over par: J McLeary (Sco).
Three over par: P McLean (Sco).
Four over par: L Kelly (Sco).
Labels: CHALLENGE TOUR
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Thursday, June 26, 2008
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