David Rudd admitted having played late last year in the company of legendary Tom Watson helped him smash the Balcomie Links course record with a nine-under par 60 on the opening day qualifier of the Scottish Men’s Amateur at Crail.
The 19-year old Longniddry member broke the par-69 record by one shot and bizarrely on a day the Crail Golfing Society had the 15-year old prior record scorecard held by proud member, Ross Forgan returned from a fresh re-framing.
Ross had been monitoring the progress of the opening round qualifier with John Paterson, representing the New Club at St. Andrews, first matching the record with a 62.
Less than an hour later and Bruntsfield Links Eric McIntosh also signed for a 62 to ensure three players now held the Balcomie Links course record.
It was around 2pm when Dunniker Park’s Liam Duncan walked off the course having posted eight birdies in setting a new course record of an eight-under par 61.
Though the storyline would change again and that came a ‘lucky’ 13 groups later with Rudd grabbing 11 birdies, remarkably including six one-putt birdies from the 7th to 12th holes, in his sizzling 60.
In fact, Rudd had a dozen one-putts in a total of 24 putts while he could have posted a 58 had it not been for two bogeys.
“Honestly, I came off the 18th with absolutely not sure what score I had shot,” he said
“I knew I had made a few birdies but to shoot a 60 was a very odd feeling not knowing that it was anything like a 60.
“I thought I was around five or six-under and it turned out a bit better.
“So, I just got hot with the putter and with the conditions quite calm and you could get away with hitting a lot of drivers.
Rudd says he gleaned inspiration for a career lowest score playing last year in the company of Tom Watson.
“I played in the Watson Cup last October at Kiawah Island and Tom out watching our match which was just very inspirational while my coach, Stewart Savage has been great this past month,” he said.
Seventeen of the leading 19 players after the opening day were those who competed on the Balcomie Links.
And while Paterson and McIntosh had shot 62s another four players also shot 62.
Just one-shot further back with a very impressive 63 was Crail’s 15-year old Gregor Graham who, along with his father, Stuart, was also out on Balcomie Links.
Stuart was seven-under playing the last two but unfortunately finished bogey, bogey in a still credible four-under 65.
And his 12-year old, four-foot other son, Connor could stand tall posting a two-over par 74 on the Craighead Links.
Connor indicated the highlight of his round was wedge to 12-foot for birdie at the par-4 third hole.
Graham is believed to be the youngest-ever to tee-up in the near 100-year history of the Amateur.
And defending Men’s Amateur champ, Euan McIntosh has his work cut-off after posting a one-over par 73 on the Craighead Links.
