Stephen Gallacher probably has a draw full of woollen hats back home but he found himself paying a visit the local pro shop ahead of carding a level par 71 on the opening day of the RBC Heritage Classic in South Carolina.
It left the Scot trailing five shots behind three players including World No. 6 Matt Kuchar.
Gallacher ended his round at noon local time still rugged-up under three layers in the bright but very cold conditions on Harbor Town Golf Links course on Hilton Head Island.
Stephen Gallacher had to buy himself a woolly hat before teeing-up in the RBC Heritage Classic. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages).
However warmed to holing a 25th birdie putt at his last hole after bogeying his opening two holes and then taking a double bogey when finding the water guarding the green at the par three, 17th Gallacher was playing as his eighth.
“It was a great way to finish as I never got a practice round what with the rain and the Pro-Am, so I just had a walk around the course.
“Given that I am happy with level as it’s not easy out there, and it was so cold I had to buy a woolly hat.
“So overall I’m pleased as it was a tough day out there and par or better you must have played at least half-decent.”
Gallacher remarked the Pete Dye designed course reminded him of Valderrama in Spain and also the Montgomerie designed Maxx Royal course, and venue for the Turkish Airlines Open.
However in contrast to the two European venues there is no alligators about either venue.
“There was one huge alligator to the left of the eighth and I gave that a wide berth,” he smiled.
“So this course is very tight and like Valderrama there is trees overhanging the greens, and the greens themselves are very tiny.”
And Gallacher, who is battling a head cold, said he was also feeling ‘drained’ after playing all four rounds last week in his first-ever Masters at Augusta National.
“I do feel a bit jaded physical and mental but I just enjoyed the whole Masters experience and to post three scores par or better in my first Masters was pretty good, and it’s just that I got unstuck around the turn in my third round.
“But I learnt so much last week about my game and even though I am really tired, I am already looking forward to hopefully going back next year.”
And newly-married Russell Knox again reminded Scottish Open organisers of his talent with an impressive two under par 69 also on his debut in the event.
Knox’s round is more special given the heavy showers on Tuesday and not being in Wednesday’s Pro-Am meant he only managed nine holes of practice.
“I’m standing here in three layers as it was freezing out there this morning and the ball was going absolutely nowhere,” he said.
“But then I managed to get to three under a few times and my only two bogeys come from wedges in my hand.
“So despite dropping a shot on 18 I’m thrilled with my round.”
The PGA Tour based Knox, who went so close to victory in the recent Honda Classic, is still awaiting advice on whether Scottish Open organisers will afford him an invitation into the July 10th commencing event.
Martin Laird and the third Scot in this week’s $US 5.8m event was out in the afternoon half of the draw.
