European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley showed there’s still plenty of fire in his game smoking a 385-yard drive during his round of 67 on day one of the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.
It left McGinley trailing just three shots behind England’s John Parry and on day of low scoring in conditions more akin to the south of Spain than the north of Scotland.
England’s Simon Khan is in second place with a score of 65 while Carton House’s Shane Lowry shares third place with six others with scores of 66 including four-time major winning Phil Mickelson.
Paul McGinley hits a career best drive of 385 yards on day one of the Scottish Open.
Lowry’s score is his lowest score in three months despite hitting a woman spectator on the head with an errant shot at the back of the 17th green.
There was a clear audible ‘thud’ when the ball hit the middle-aged woman who was sitting in a grandstand.
Lowry was naturally concerned for the woman’s well-being before handing her the gift of a signed glove and then managing to save par.
“The golf course was very much there for the taking and while it’s playing really firm the greens are still quite receptive,” said Lowry.
“The par fives are all on in two and there is also two driveable par fours, so it you didn’t shoot a good decent score out there you would be pretty annoyed with yourself.”
However despite Lowry’s delight he declared his golf game is not near as ready with the season’s third major now less than a week away.
“Even a good as a score as it was today my game is nowhere near as ready for Muirfield,” he said.
“I don’t feel I played well enough today because some of the shots I hit today will get severly punished next week, so there is still much work to do.
“But the good thing is that I will have these next three rounds to further sharpen my game and try and straighten up my irons shots which will be the key at Muirfield.
“So if I play well enough over the next two days I will have a good chance on Sunday and no matter what the conditions whether it’s bad or good weather.”
McGinley had birdied his opening three holes and then hit a career-best longest drive of 385-yards at the par five sixth hole and then a 192-yard 8-iron to 35 feet and holed the eagle putt.
He then ended his round in grand style holing a 20-foot putt for birdie in a five under par 67.
“I can’t believe how far that drive went as I’ve never hit a 385-yard drive but I was five under on the front nine and could have easily been eight under as that’s how well I was playing,” he said.
“So overall I’m thrilled and there’s no doubt trying to play what with all the Ryder Cup captaincy stuff going on is what everybody has said, and that is it’s tougher than I thought it would be.
“But I still don’t want to use that for any excuse and there’s no reason why I can’t play solid golf like I showed today”.
Also shooting a 67 was Damien McGrane while the Ulster pair of Darren Clarke and Gareth Maybin along with Simon Thortnon signed for 69s.
Padraig Harrington’s round stalled early when he lost a ball with his drive at the par five, 12th hole or the third hole of his round.
”It is always nice to finish with a birdie especially after an early double bogey as that’s not the way you ever want to start a round,” said Harrington after his round of 70.
“But to then make four birdies after the double was okay and not a bad return because I was seeing very little momentum after the double bogey onwards.
“So after struggling early but then finishing nicely it gives me something to play with tomorrow.”
Harrington is contesting the first two rounds alongside Mickelson and with the visiting American full of praise for the Irishman.
“I just love playing with Padraig and he is one of my favourite people on tour and his caddy, Ronan is a great guy, and will always be going out to dinner,” said Mickelson.
“Padraig’s just is one of the most solid individuals and great men that I know.”
