With his ginger hair, pale skin, surname and links golf prowess, there’s no mistaking Jimmy Mullen’s Scottish heritage.
The young co-leader of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has a bloodline that a few of Vern Cotter’s Rugby World Cup squad are lacking.
Throw him a tartan Tammy and it could be See You Jimmy Mullen.
At one point in his son’s amateur career, Mullen’s born and bred Scottish father asked the Scottish Golf Union what it would take for Jimmy to play under the saltire.
With the family based in Devon, that was a non-starter though.
And there’s also the small issue that Mullen junior is a proud Englishman and intends to stay that way.
“My dad tried to make me play for Scotland,” he said. “But I wasn’t having any of it!”
English, Scottish, or whatever, there’s no doubting that Mullen has made a splendid start to professional golf in his first tournament.
The 21-year-old backed up his eight under par opener at Kingsbarns with a three under 69 at the Old Course.
And Mullen is comfortable with the situation he finds himself in.
“I look at every leaderboard there is to see what’s going on,” he explained.
“I think it’s good to see your name up there to know that you’re playing well. It can only help with your confidence.
“It’s unbelievable in my first event as a pro the stuff you dream of really. We’re only halfway but we’ll see what we can do in the next couple of days.“
Mullen admitted that he couldn’t have wished for a better tournament at which to make his European Tour debut.
“I’ve played at least 20 rounds here (the Old Course),” he said.
“And I’ve played Carnoustie six or seven times in the Amateur this year. So you could say that the guys who have been amateurs are a lot fresher with how the courses are playing at the moment.
“I think it’s a big advantage. We only ever play links golf.”
Anthony Wall shares the lead with Mullen, with fellow recent Walker Cup star Paul Dunne in a group of four one shot back.
Dunne said: “I think it shows that the players at the high level of the amateur game can compete at professional level. I’m delighted for Jimmy. Hopefully I can catch him at the weekend.
“I think it’s very individual. Some people will make the jump really quick. This isn’t the first year people have jumped straight from the amateurs.
“Rory McIlroy came out here and nearly won the event in his first year.”
Leading Scot after two rounds is Marc Warren on seven under, who still has the Old Course to play today.
He fired a three under par round at Kingsbarns yesterday.
Warren said: “Anything in the 60s I’m pleased with.
“I find it the toughest golf course for me scoring-wise. I see guys shooting eight under par every year and I don’t seem to do that round here at all.
“It keeps me moving forward for St Andrews at the weekend.
“I would say I need two mid-60s to give myself a chance. My game’s good enough to do that. I’d be pretty pleased with that no matter what happens.”
Stephen Gallacher is five under, David Drysdale and Scott Jamieson four under, but all the other Scots are set to finish their tournaments today.
Paul Lawrie is one over, Bradley Neil three over and Craig Lee 10 over. Chris Doak had to withdraw mid-round with a wrist injury.
One of the biggest movers of the day was Ryder Cup hero Jamie Donaldson, who posted a 65 at Kingsbarns to sit on 10 under.
He said: “I’m in a good position after two rounds and it’s nice to see my name near the top of the leaderboard again, because it’s been a fair while now.
“I just need to stay in the zone at St Andrews.”
Round of the day was Bradley Dredge’s 63 at Kingsbarns to leave him eight under. Martin Kaymer’s presence on the same mark is an ominous one for the rest of the field.