The predicted cataclysmic weather didn’t quite materialise, but winter came back into the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after a few years’ absence, leaving a crowded leaderboard and all to play for on the weekend.
Two Frenchmen, two Irishmen and an Englishman lead the way but there are 19 players within four shots of the lead at the halfway point, so even though Raphael Jacquelin had got his nose in front by a shot, really anyone has a decent shot at the near £500,000 winners cheque.
Friday was a reminder of many Dunhills past.
Today’s the 250th anniversary of the decision of the Society of St Andrews Golfers which later became the R&A to reduce the Old Course from the 22 holes to the now uniform 18. For many at the three courses, it must have seemed that they hadn’t bothered.
The Dunhill is a long event to play, with the fourballs stretching beyond six hours with ease. Add in the heavy rain that swept across all three venues, and even the usual bonhomie that eminates from those taking part took a bit of a pounding.
Add last week’s emotional travails at Gleneagles, Stephen Gallacher is doing exceptionally well to be just three off the lead after his two-under 70 at exposed Kingsbarns.
A double bogey six at the seventh his 16th kept him out of a possible share of the lead but three back is fine at halfway with two rounds on the Old Course to come, and memories of his victory here 10 years ago coming back.
“Today is why I never did anything after Sunday,” said Gallacher, who played just parts of two holes in practice on Wednesday because the pace was so slow and he didn’t want to overtax himself.
“If I’d done any more I think I would just be fried after the wind and rain and cold today.
“This is every bit as tiring as last week, but rest part of my week now. Now I’ll just go and get some food and chill out.”
Such preparation is essential for playing what is, effectively, a winter golf tournament.
“This is Scotland in October, you know you’re going to get that inclement weather,” he continued. “It’s clearly not the same rarified atmosphere as last week, but you know if you can get to the weekend it’s going to be good.
“When you stand on these three great golf courses as a Scot, I think it gives you the impetus to keep going really. Really, if it was anybody else, I’d probably have a week off, but I just love the tournament and love the courses.”
As for the Old Course, even if it were still 22 holes long, he’d never get tired of playing it.
“It could be hell in there tomorrow, you never know. On Sunday the guy who wins it has done the best regardless of luck of the draw and where you play on what day. We’ve all had rain, we’ve all had wind, so the goal is to stay warm, stay fresh when you’re out there for five hours 45 and beyond.
“I’m glad I’m here where I am now, it’s great to be in contention. St Andrews is St Andrews, I can’t wait to play it twice over the weekend.”
Jacquelin, the 40-year-old four-time tour winner, birdied both the 17th and 18th playing Kingsbarns the right way around, adding a 70 to his 65 from the first round to edge a shot ahead of his countryman Alexander Levy and the Irish duo of Padraig Harrington (70) and Shane Lowry (70 at St Andrews).
A third Frenchman, Gregory Bourdy is on six-under while Ryan Palmer, the only PGA Tour player of note who has come across, has slipped into a share of sixth just two shots behind.
Oliver Wilson was the only one of the leaders from Thursday not to move forward, but a par 72 keeps him right in the mix just a shot back.
“A little disappointed,” he admitted. “Kingsbarns gives you a few opportunities, and I actually played better than Thursday for a lot of the time but couldn’t get putts to drop today.”
Wilson, who played in the Ryder Cup in 2008 but has since slipped all the way back to the Challenge Tour, is well aware what’s at stake for him this weekend.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” he agreed. “A good weekend now would change everything dramatically.
“It’ll be a big ask, but it’s definitely doable. No question that I’m definitely playing well enough to go out there and shoot two good scores over the weekend. I’ve just got to go do it.”
It’s a big ask because of so many good players in the vicinity and Rory McIlroy moved ominously up the field with a five-under 67 at Kingsbarns, going six-under for his last 12 holes.
“The eagle on 16 today sort of kick started something for me. I felt like I struck the ball pretty well for the first couple of days, but just to see a few putts roll in sort of gave me a little bit of confidence.”
The aim is still to get his Dad Gerry through to his 55th birthday on Sunday with a shot to win the both the individual and team titles.
“We made a big stride today,” he said. “We shot 11 under today, so we’re 13 total in the team (the lead is -20 by Peter Lawrie and Keiran McManus).
“Obviously I want to play well, and you’re only a few off the lead, and I’ve played very well at St Andrews before, so hopefully I can shoot a low one and he can contribute somewhat and we’re both walking up 18 on Sunday afternoon.
“That would mean an awful lot, obviously. I haven’t won there before. But if I didn’t, you know, I wouldn’t mind waiting until July next year.”