Scotland’s David Drysdale showed he’s going for gold in posting a blistering six-under par 64 to be sharing second place on the opening day of the men’s and women’s ISPS World Invitational in Northern Ireland.
Drysdale grabbed seven birdies in a lowest round since a similar 64 on day three of last year’s Qatar Masters, and where he went so close to that long overdue maiden Tour title.
His effort on the Galgorm Castle course say Drydale end the first day tied in second place with rookie pro Mattias Schmid who won the Low Amateur medal at the recent Open Championship.
“It was just really solid. Yeah, I just didn’t put myself in any trouble. Set up a few chances,” said the golfer fondly known as ‘Double D.
David Drysdale off to a great start with a 64 on day one of the ISPA Handa World Invitational
“I could have been a bit lower but then holed a couple of nice sort of 20-foot putts, as well. All in all, I probably got what I deserved for the way I played.”
The Borders golfer was off from the 10th on the Galgorm Castle course, and one of two host venues this week, and capped his round with four birdies from his fourth to ninth holes and while dropping a shot at his 12th, Drysdale finished in style with birdies on seven and nine or this 16th and 18th.
And Drysdale played the course he said without the benefit of a practice round and having contested Wednesday’s Pro-Am on the Massereene course and located some 20-miles from Galgorm Castle.
“I didn’t really get a practice round around here at Galgorm, and then we played in the pro-am yesterday at the other golf course, and it chucked it down and we stopped after nine holes for an hour and a half I guess it was,” he said.
“The guys were saying that Monday and Tuesday it was very firm and bouncy. Having said that, it’s not as fiery as it was, but it played a lot different to what we played in October.
“Club-wise holes like No. 6 I remember hitting hybrid in there in October and I was hitting like 6-irons in there today, so quite a bit different length-wise. Last October was the first time I played it and I kind of thought coming back, having not had the chance to get a practice round thinking it was quite long, this golf course, but obviously that was just the time of the year and the soft and cold and wet conditions then.
“But yeah, the course is in great nick, and that’s a nice start”.
Next best of the Scots is Callum Hill with a 66 while David Law shot a 67.
England’s Jordan Smith posted a 62 to lead the men’s event by two shots.
And Scot Gemma Dryburgh shares the lead with two others in the ladies event in posting a seven-under par 66.
