Golf Update; Dyson tees off with Hugh Grant at Kingsbarns
The defending champion Simon Dyson stepped the first tee of the Kingsbarns course with the hero of Notting Hill, Hugh Grant to declare the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship open.
Rumour had it that many celebrities were coming to the event carrying a purse of $5 million and that became true when the elite crowd of Scotland started to scream on the sight of Hugh Grant. It seemed like a film premier rather
than the quiet and peaceful golf crowd. In the next two days the actor from Four Weddings and A Funeral and Love actually will be seen with Dyson.
The duo also played with Nick Dougherty and British tennis star Tim Henman. In fact Friday's round also witnessed the two together at St Andrews, where they were coupled with Alvaro Quiros and Martin Quiros Mena. As for the next
round, they will be joined by Ryder Cup vice-captain Paul McGinley and Kyle MacLachlan at the tenth tee.
The golfer who hails from York will be the first one to tee off in the first three days, however on Sunday the professionals will take the centre stage at the Old Course.
Simon Dyson, failed to qualify for the Ryder Cup team, but was very happy for his compatriots. Speaking to the press he said, “Winning back the Ryder Cup is fantastic for Europe and it always is when Europe wins, two years ago
when we didn’t win was very disappointing but Europe’s effort in Wales was just brilliant and it’s going to be a like a snowball effect.”
According to him, Europe’s victory was a morale boosting thing for all the players on the European Tour. He quoted, “So when Europe wins the Ryder Cup it’s not just the individual reward for the players on the team and the captain
but it permeates down to everyone on the European Tour.”
Dyson praised Montgomerie in front of the press and congratulated him.
The Ryder Cup players except McDowell arrived at the airport on Thursday, took the courtesy cars from there and headed straight towards the venue. Whereas, the U.S. Open champion, travelled with tour officials and caddies on the
bus to St. Andrews.
As for Thursday’s round, a lot was being expected from the Ryder Cup winners but other than Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer no one fulfilled the requirements. The German smashed a 68 to take a share of the 11th spot.
He was chased by Ross Fisher at the 25th place. Rest of the team recorded a terrible score along with the captain; Colin Montgomerie scored 72, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood made a 70, Padraig Harrington posted a 71 whereas, the Molinari brothers
shot above par.
Gaganjeet Bhullar, the player who hails from Punjab, India made a 75 and took the 142th spot of the leader board.
Coming back to the winners; Martin Laird from United States who finished 11th in the FedEx Cup recently, carded six birdies without missing a single shot at Kingsbarns. Maarten Lafeber posted an identical score. However, at the
Carnoustie Golf Club which is stretched on 7,412 yards, he picked up six birdies on the front nine after bogeying the 10th hole of the course. Next to these two players were Thomas Bjorn and Ricardo Gonzalez. They too carded six birdies, but on
the par-72, 7 279 yards, Old Course.
This is it for the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship open which is taking place at three different courses in Scotland. The second round of the $ 5 million event is in progress and very soon more news will pour
in regarding the mid way winners.
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