Drysdale Draws On Fond Catalunya Memories To Lead Scots In Spain

2 years ago by Comments Off on Drysdale Draws On Fond Catalunya Memories To Lead Scots In Spain

Scotland’s David Drysdale drew on fond host course memories to head the Tartan charge on day one of the Catalunya Championship at the famed PGA Resort facility at Girona in Spain.

Drysdale grabbed four birdies in a three-under par 69 to be trailing three shots behind the leading trio of South Africans Darren Fichardt and Oliver Bekker, along with Dane Jeff Winther in posting scores of 66. Fichardt, with six birdies from the 10th to 17th, had been leading by two but came unstuck in doubling the last.

Legendary Spaniard Antonio Garrido, now aged 74, hit the ceremonial opening tee shot not only to celebrate 50-years since he won the 1972 Spanish Open but also with this year being the 50th anniversary of the DP World Tour.

And we have it on good advice from Clare that Garrido’s drive was ‘pretty decent’.

And Drysdale helped celebrate the occasion with a hat-trick of birdies to kick-start his round, holing putts of sixth feet at the first, two-feet at the second and landing his second just short of the green at the par-5 third hole and then chipping to six-foot to hole the birdie.

He said: “It was a nice start hitting it close at both the first and second holes, and then I got up-and-down at the par-5 third when just short of the green, so the game at that point was pretty good.

“Actually, the whole game felt pretty good.  It did get a little bit tougher for the last hour of my round with the breeze getting up, and it also got a little bit cooler”.

David Dyrsdale birdies his opening three holes on day one at the 2022 Catalunya Championship

It was in November 2008, and after ‘losing’ his Tour card the then 33-year-old Drysdale won back full Tour membership at the Tour’s Q-School at PGA Catalunya, and since then he’s held onto his card, including last year by one place, for the ensuing 14-years.

Drysdale said: “It’s a golf course I’ve always liked.  In fact, I love it.  I was here first at the Q School in 2008 when I regained my Tour card, so I always had fond memories each time I’ve come back here.

“We’ve also had a couple of Spanish Open’s here. I was back here in 2009 (missed cut), and then 2014 (T28th). So, I thoughly enjoy playing the course including the lay-out and the condition of it.

“So, I was looking forward to coming here this week.”

Craigielaw’s Grant Forrest was next best of the Scots with a two-under 70, Glaswegian Ewen Ferguson signed for a 71 and one fewer than Richie Ramsay, and T5th in the 2014 Spanish Open on the course, who posted a 73.

Marc Warren posted a 74 and Connor Syme a 75.

In form Scott Jamieson posted a 78 and his worst score all season, and now staring a first missed-cut of the year after seven straight pay cheques.



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