BALLACK ON THE BALL AFTER ‘SHAKY’ START
 

IN ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

ST ANDREWS- Football legend Michael Ballack admits he was taken aback to find himself top of the Alfred Dunhill Links Team Championship leaderboard.
The former Bayern Munich and Chelsea midfielder put together an excellent third round at Kingsbarns – together with professional partner Florian Fritsch – to post a team total of 30-under par.
"Playing with Florian and having such an incredible result makes it special. Footballers are used to playing in front of 50-60,000 people, but this is different. My hands have been shaky, but the confidence has now started to come."
Rock legend Huey Lewis hopes to make the golfing news after his net eagle two on the iconic Road Hole at St Andrews thrust him into contention for the Team Championship.
He said: “The funny thing was, there was no applause at my approach – it was only when I got to the green that someone said the previous group were teeing off at the 18th. That’s the knowledgeable Scottish crowds for you. In America they would have gone crazy even with some guy at the top of his backswing!”
Lewis and 2012 winner Branden Grace start the final round at 27-under-par in the Team Championship and Huey added: “I’ll be walking up the 18th towards the end of the event – and that’s just a great experience for someone like me.”
Meanwhile film star Hugh Grant owes his big brother Jamie money after losing a bet on who would finish highest on the Team Championship leaderboard.
The elder Grant brother ended his third round at Kingsbarns 25-under par alongside pro partner Felipe Aguilar, compared to Hugh’s 13-under par total with pro David Howells and missing the cut.
“I think he owes me some money!” laughed Jamie. “It’s very good that we’re not playing together as we would have a fight very quickly. I like to talk a lot during golf and Hugh’s thing is to be completely silent.”Hugh claimed: “I didn’t know we had a bet on, he may have just invented that.”Sir Steve Redgrave, who has played in all 15 Alfred Dunhill Links Championships, also missed the cut. He said: “It’s probably some of the easiest conditions you can play in today and probably one of the worst rounds I have played.
" I found it tough today, but I've had a fantastic week even though I have got a bit of a depression at the moment.”