A month ago David Drysdale was on crutches fearing the worse for his career but now the Borders man has muscled his way into contention for victory at the Portugal Masters at Vilamoura.
Drysdale grabbed six birdies, including three in succession from his fourth hole, in a six under par 65 in superb scoring conditions despite an hour delay to the start of play due to fog on the Oceanico Victoria course.
It is the 40 year old’s lowest round in 18 months and in a 375th Tour event as he continues to chase a first Tour victory.
England’s Andy Sullivan, a two-time winner this season, ended his round right on sunset with an eight under par 64 to join Belgium’s big-hitting Nicolas Colsaerts tied for the lead.
While poor light left a handful of players to compete their round, Drysdale looks assured of officially ending the
Scotland’s David Drysdale continues to defy most after fighting his way to a share of third place on day one of the Portugal Masters. (Photo – Eoin Clarke
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the first round only a shot from the lead.
Some four weeks ago Dyrsdale was wheeled off and on a Milan departing flight in a wheelchair and then spent the next week on crutches after tearing a calf muscle in his left leg.
However under the guidance of renowned Anstruther-based sports physiotherapist, Stuart Barton along with hours spent wading in Pease Bay wearing a pair shorts, jacket and bobble cap Dyrsdale is near 100% fit.
He still has his right ankle heavily strapped and Drysdale is still on a prescription of anti-inflamatories but he feels strong enough both physically and mentally to now enjoy thoughts of qualifying for next fortnight’s start to the Final Four Series in Turkey.
The Eyemouth Golf Club attached pro was ranked 116th on the money list when he hobbled off the course in Monza but then secured his 2016 Tour card with a remarkable 13
A month ago Scotland’s David Drysdale was getting about on crutches. (Photo – Vicky Drysdale)
th place finish a fortnight later at the Home of Golf.
And at 98th on the Race to Dubai a win, and at worst a top-five result would see him packing his bags for Belek.
“I was delighted with my score and I will take a 65 any day in any tournament,” he said.
“My result in the Dunhill and now a good start here in Portugal could lead to getting myself into Turkey, so that’s the big goal and if so, then maybe I could work my way into the two events in Shanghai.
“But then I have to say Stuart has done such an amazing job and along with all the gym work and those 30-minutes stints up to my shorts wading in Pease Bay it would have been another two to three weeks before I got back to the Tour.
“I must have looked daft at the time but that was brilliant for me leg and I was only thinking the last time I would have been down at Pease Bay was probably as a youngster swimming about in summer.”
Fellow Scot Stephen Gallacher also has his head well above water birding the same three holes in a row as Drysdale in a four under 67 and tied with Glaswegian Scott Jamieson.
And after being forced out after one round in last week’s British Masters Gallacher’s primed to not only improve his current World No. 97 ranking but also get himself from 61st and well inside the Race to Dubai money list.
“As everyone knows I have been working with a new coach and now starting to playh well while I’m more confident every week,” he said.
“Also I managed to rid myself of a bug I picked up and feel back to full fitness, so really looking forward to the next three days and to getting myself inside the top-60 and qualify for the season-ender in Dubai.”
Jamieson’s ranked 105th on the money list and making the cut this week will secure his card for next season.
And Stirling’s Craig Lee stormed home to birdie three of his closing five holes to join Gallacher and Jamieson on four under par.
