Colin Montgomerie’s bid for a place in next month’s Open Championship got off to a purposeful start in the first round of the 36-hole final qualifier at Gailes Links this morning.
The 53-year-old, who has not played in the Open since 2010, posted a neatly assembled five-under 66 at the Ayrshire venue as he put himself in a good position to grab one of just three Troon tee-times on offer.
One-under after 12 holes, Monty, an honorary member at Royal Troon, upped the ante on the closing stretch as he set the early clubhouse pace. He rolled in a 20-footer for birdie on the 13th, made another gain on the 14th and then holed a raking putt of some 40 feet on the 16th to bolster his assault.
After picking up another shot on the 17th, the eight-time European No 1 made a good up-and-down on the last to save his par and head into the afternoon’s second round with a spring in his step.
Montgomerie was overtaken at the top by Sweden's Oskar Arvidsson who made an eagle-2 at the first on his way to a fine seven-under 64.
France's Raphael Marguery shot a 67 to sit in third place after round one while Scotsman Jack Doherty was in the mix after opening with a 68.
The Gailes Links shoot-out is one of four qualifiers taking place around the UK – Woburn, Hillside and Royal Cinque Ports are the others – where just 12 Open places in total are available.
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