IT could hardly be considered a full-on Caledonian assault on the leaderboard but a number of Scottish competitors gave cause for gentle optimism following the opening round of the Open championship at Royal Birkdale.
Martin Laird and Richie Ramsay both posted an encouraging score of 68 to sit in joint 12th place after the early knockings, just three shots off the leaders. Glaswegian Laird, now based in the United States, could have crept even closer to the trio at the top had he not posted a frustrating bogey on his final hole.
Laird had reached a similarly promising position four years ago during the Open at Muirfield only to fall away come the final reckoning but believes, at the ripe old age of 34, he is in better shape to handle the pressure.
“I bogeyed the first and the last today and everything in between was very good,” said the resident of Scottsdale, Arizona. “I’m obviously very happy with my start.
“Score aside, I played really nicely and hit the ball great, with two or three almost tap-in birdies. I really worked hard on my game at the start of this week after not playing very well last week at the Scottish Open. It showed today because that’s the best I’ve hit the ball in a while.
“At Muirfield in 2013 it was about as fast a golf course as you’ll ever play. I was in the mix at some point on the Saturday and that proved to myself that I could still play on these courses, even though I had been gone for a while and not played links golf in America.
“But my game is a little more rounded now and more suited for this type of tournament. I would definitely feel better equipped if I found myself in that position again now.
“I’m a few years older and wiser so I’d definitely handle it better.”
Ramsay was just as satisfied with his own early offering. Playing alongside Matt Kuchar – who scorched to an impressive 29 at the turn on his way to a share of the lead at five-under – could have placed additional pressure on the Aberdonian’s shoulders but instead he found the American’s laid-back personality a soothing balm.
“I am really pleased with that,” said Ramsay. “It was a battle all day but I dug in there. The ripple of applause I got for the putt at the last was just brilliant. I really enjoyed it.
“It was great playing with Matt as he is very calm. He is a great player and is tied for the lead which is great to see. It was great for me as a learning curve to see what it takes to get in front at a major championship.
“He has a game that suits mine, it’s not overpowering. It is more about finesse, skill and touch around the greens.
“It was great for me to see someone like that competing at the top level knowing that I can try to replicate that.
“Don’t get me wrong Rory McIlroy hitting a driver is an unbelievable sight to see, but for sheer scoring ability and the way he gets around a golf course, if you are an amateur golfer go watch Matt Kuchar.”
The other professional Scots in the field were less happy. Paul Lawrie’s opening round of 70 did not seem the worst but the 1999 champion felt it could have been a lot better.
“I am disappointed as I played lovely and hit a lot of good shots,” he said.
“I missed a lot of short putts out there. Seventy was a shocking effort given the way I played. Sometimes that is the way it goes.”
Russell Knox, Scotland’s highest-ranked player, had a day to forget after posting a four-over par round of 74. He sighed: “Off the tee I was pretty good but my iron game just wasn’t good enough.
“Those sloppy mid-irons cost me three or four shots. That is normally what I am so good at. Four over is not very good. It was definitely possible to shoot par.”
Sandy Lyle was one of the early starters in the poor weather and shot a round of 77, while David Drysdale signed for a 72.
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