Lowry, Brown and Rose shine in Ayrshire

An awesome 6-under par 66 saw Englishman Daniel Brown surprisingly seize the Open Championship lead on day one at Royal Troon in Scotland while the golfing greats struggled at the course in Ayrshire.  He is the first in Major history to shoot a bogey-free 65 or lower in his first round of a Major which is pretty spectacular.  But how would the unknown 29-year old from Northallerton cope with all the pressures of leading the final Major of the season?  In fact, the answer is simple – no problem at all!

 

The Open Championship is always full of drama and intrigue each year which is why it is fascinating to see some of the best players in the world in turmoil with their game.  However, let’s get back to Daniel Brown.

 

Brown is rated as number 272nd in the world, which probably is the reason why he did get off to a slightly shaky start at Royal Troon when he lost his lead to Irishman Shane Lowry.  There was a biting wind which made the course an even tougher test of golf.

 

  

 

Lowry’s golf was really buzzing along.  He teed-off before Daniel Brown giving him the chance to better his score.  In no time at all Lowry was tied with Brown on 6-under after three holes.  On the par-3 ‘Postage Stamp’ 8th, Lowry made a birdie to take the outright lead on 7-under par.  However, as spectacular as the Irishman’s golf was, his putting was not so strong today.  Alas, three holes later, he pulled his second shot into the gorse.  His double-bogey there cost him the lead and he slipped back to 5-under par as co-leader with Daniel Brown.

 

Meanwhile the big names in golf like Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Bryson DeChambeau (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA) were really having a tough time at Royal Troon.

 

Missing the cut

 

Sadly, the 2014 Open Champion, Rory McIlroy was having an appalling round two with bogeys galore, including an 8 on the 4th hole, and a number of missed short putts. His 75 on Friday ended up as an 11-over par final tally for the Northern Irishman and so it was that Royal Troon said bye-bye to McIlroy.  The halfway cut was projected at 5-over par which also saw US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau wave goodbye to Royal Troon with his score of 9-over par.  Tiger Woods had troubles in Ayrshire too and said farewell after shooting rounds that totalled 14-over.

 

Closing the gap

 

Yet the World Number One player, Scottie Scheffler was gradually closing the gap with Lowry and Brown.   The American birdied the 17th to close out with another solid round of 70 for a 2-under par tally.

 

Shane Lowry also sank a superb putt on the 18th to secure a 3-under par 69 on day two to take the outright lead again by two strokes on 7-under par.

 

A few holes later, the first day leader Daniel Brown also fought back bravely on the back nine to card a 1-over par 72 for a tremendous share of second place.  He finished in second spot with fellow Englishman Justin Rose, who proudly won the Olympic Gold Medal a few years ago.  Rose holed a splendid long birdie putt on the 18th to get to 5-under par.

 

So where are the Americans?

 

Well, Billy Horshel played a great two opening rounds finishing on 2-under par along with Dean Burmester (RSA) and Scottie Scheffler for a share of fourth place.

 

The 152nd Open Championship is set to entertain us again at the weekend with three Europeans leading the way to victory.  However, with 36 holes still to be played, anything can happen ….!

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  Irishman Shane Lowry leads the Open Championship after two rounds.  MINIS (l-r): Shane Lowry, Daniel Brown, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.