Byeong-hun An and Alan Dunbar share lead on day one of the Scottish Hydro Challenge – Golf news
A superb nine under par 62 handed each of the two former amateur stars, Byeong-hun An and Alan Dunbar, a one shot lead over Sebi Garcia after a low-scoring opening round at the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts in Aviemore.
The European Challenge Tour event is being staged at the Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Club in Northern Scotland, offering a total prize fund of €220,000 to the participants.
The Challenge Tour is no doubt a great platform for young players to prove their mettle and reach the highest ranks of the game.
Dunbar, who won the 2012 edition of the US Amateur Championship, got off to a sluggish start after teeing off at the 11th hole, as he bogeyed each of the first two holes that he played.
However, it did not shatter his confidence and the 23-year-old fired 11 birdies thereafter to match the course record at the venue course.
“I was in just the zone,” said Dunbar, whose Amateur Championship win came at Royal Troon in Scotland. “I’ve been playing well all year now, shooting good scores but missing the cut by a couple of shots. It’s good to put it all together and have a strong
round.”
“It’s a tough start, starting on 11. It a tough opening hole and 12 is tough too. I missed the first two greens and made two bogeys so it was a really good 62,” he added.
Byeong-hun, on the other hand, remained bogey-free throughout the day and proved that he was not only a star as an amateur – he became the youngest US Amateur champion in 2009 – but has all what it takes to be a top-notch professional golfer.
He started his campaign on the front nine and reached the turn in 30, courtesy of five birdies. The back nine of the course witnessed him maintaining consistency in his game, as the Korean star managed to add another four shots to his scorecard.
Garcia, in the meantime, also remained flawless throughout the first round and drained eight birdie putts to secure the sole second place on the leaderboard.
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