Russell Knox was probably delighted Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn was not on hand to watch the Scot stumble his way to a horror 74 on day one of the British Msters at Close House – https://closehouse.com/british-masters/
Bjorn, and the European Ryder Cup captan, was due to partner Knox and Graeme McDowell in the first two rounds but was a late withdrawal due to injury.
While McDowell, and seeking a return to the European Team, impressed with a four under 67, Knox’s effort on the undulating course was embarrassing in posting just one birdie but five bogeys including two over his first three holes.
In contrast, Richie Ramsay’s pre-tournament prediction almost came true apart from one hole.
Ramsay leads the Scottish in posting a three-under par 67 but under a ‘preferred lie’ rule in effect due to heavy overnight rain.
Some of he nearly 20,000 who turned out on day one of the British Masters.
South African George Coetzee superbly set about making amends in letting slip victory a week ago to seize a share of the lead with seven-under par 63 on day one of the British Masters at Close House in Newcastle –https://closehouse.com/british-masters/
Coetzee, 31 capped his round sandwiching a sixth hole eagle ‘3’ in between six birdies and just one bogey before being joined atop of the board by England’s Tyrrell Hatton.
Coetzee’s effort is his lowest Tour score in over five years since a similar 63 on day three of the 2012 SA Open and on route to finishing second.
The 25-year old Hatton birdied five of his closing seven holes and in his first event since posting an opening 64 and then finish third at the recent European Masters.
However, both 63s will not be recognised as ‘tournament’ a course record as a ‘preferred lie’ was in effect due to heavy overnight rain.
“I am happy with the score and despite a couple of niggles actually while I was playing that weren’t that good, but had the opportunities when they came, and we were able to post a pretty good number,” Coetzee said.
“So, I enjoyed the day. I quite enjoyed it. It’s obviously quite hilly, quite a tough walk, but I enjoy playing it.”
A week ago, Coetzee went into the final round of the Portugal Masters trailing by one shot and was just one stroke from the lead in playing the last hole only to send his drive into water on route to taking a treble-bogey ‘7’ and end in a share of seventh at Vilamoura.
Hatton’s score is timely given he will defend next week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland and his maiden Tour triumph thanks to weekend scores of 62 and 66.
Five players – Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, England’s Chris Hanson, Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg and the Finnish duo of Mikko Illonen and Millo Korhoren – share third place in signing for six-under par 64s
Ramsay and World No. 6 Rory McIlroy are among 15 players sharing 24th place at three-under and with the Scot staring his round with a fouth hole double bogey ‘7’ at the par five 13th.
However, Ramsay superbly regrouped with three birdies in his next four holes to make the turn at one-under ahead of two inward half birdies.
Though one can be assured Ramsay is sure to take out his frustration on the equipment in the gym of his nearby Newcastle hotel
