Two years ago George Murray managed a career-best finish in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with his European Tour future on the line, and he’s battling to reclaim it in 2013.
The Anstruther pro shot a career-best 65 on the Old Course on Thursday to lie just a shot behind the lead on a perfect day for scoring, particularly at St Andrews and Kingsbarns but also at Carnoustie, where the “elite” of the field were stationed.
Five players share the lead on eight-under 64s, three on the Old Course and three down the road at Kingsbarns. The best at Carnoustie, as usual playing a stroke harder than the other two venues, was from Welshman Jamie Donaldson probably the best player on tour no-one recognises who had a 65.
“It was a nice day’s work so I’m delighted with it,” said Murray, the key coming from a switch to putting cack-handed for the first time, resulting in one monster 40 footer for birdie at the sixth. “Even one good round like this is a confidence boost for when I go back to the Challenge Tour in a couple of weeks as I’ve not been playing well.”Steve’s blog: Loving the Dunhill … eventuallyMurray’s not the only player looking to cash in on the groaning kitty to secure their immediate futures in this event, and several made hay in the near perfect conditions.
All five of the leaders Chile’s Mark Tullo, Englishmen Oliver Wilson, Tom Lewis and Richard McEvoy, and France’s Alex Kaleka are presently outside the top 110 that retain membership of the tour for 2014 and can make it in one leap with a high finish here.
Wilson famously was in Nick Faldo’s Ryder Cup team in Valhalla and had his 64 at Kingsbarns, as did Lewis, whose exemption for his Portuguese Masters win in 2011 just a few weeks after turning pro runs out at the end of this season.
Others, like young South African Brandon Stone, one of ten players on six-under, are trying to emulate what Rory McIlroy did in 2007 and get the precious card from a high-finish in the Dunhill having only been a pro for a matter of weeks.
For full coverage of day one’s action, see Friday’s Courier or try our digital edition.