01첫날부터 치열한 리더보드 싸움… 스튜어트·뷰캐넌 순조로운 출발
DP월드투어 알프레드 던힐 링크스 챔피언십 1라운드에서 마이클 스튜어트와 잭 뷰캐넌이 공동 선두에 오르며 대회 첫날을 기분 좋게 마쳤다.
두 선수는 까다로운 링크스 코스 환경 속에서도 안정적인 경기력을 바탕으로 타수를 줄이며 리더보드 최상단에 함께 이름을 올렸다.
대회 첫날부터 선두권 경쟁이 뜨겁게 달아오른 가운데, 남은 라운드에서 스튜어트와 뷰캐넌이 기세를 이어갈 수 있을지 골프 팬들의 관심이 집중되고 있다.
02Original (English) — DP World Tour
Michael Stewart and Jack Buchanan hold a share of the first-round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after a pair of seven-under 65s, while MJ Dauffe and amateur Paul Harris lead the team event on 12 under alongside Ivan Cantero and Tom Jermoluk.
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With both pros and amateurs in action on Thursday, it was Scotland's Stewart who set the clubhouse lead first on Thursday afternoon at Carnoustie, less than 24 hours after finishing second on the Tartan Pro Tour.
The 36-year-old, who was given a sponsor's invitation on Monday, strung together five birdies and an eagle without a practice round to set the target at seven under par around the Angus Links.
"It's easy to get yourself up for this event, isn't it?" said Stewart, who is playing in just his sixth DP World Tour start and first Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
"It was fine. I played Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, straight here and courses I know well anyway. Played here a lot in the past and just delighted to be part of the event.
"Today the putter was really good again which was nice. It's not been behaving as well as it usually has the last sort of couple of events. Again, the long game was good today and it was nice to see some putts go in on the back nine. "
Read More: From Tartan Pro Tour to mastering Carnoustie: Michael Stewart's remarkable 24 hours
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Buchanan, who is also making his debut in the event this week, matched Stewart's 65 while playing Kingsbarns during his opening round.
The Australian DP World Tour player has admittedly struggled with results this season but had no problems on Thursday, starting his round with four birdies in his opening six holes to make the turn in 32.
Three further birdies at the tenth, 13th and 16th holes saw him join Stewart at the top of the leaderboard, signing for a matching bogey-free 65.
"Pretty solid start to the week," he said after his round.
"Obviously this is probably one of the easier courses out of the three, but yeah, good start.
"My approach play was really good. I think I basically hit 18 greens. Took a little bit of stress off myself and yeah made a few birdies."
Buchanan comes into this week following back-to-back missed cuts at the Omega European Masters and FedEx Open de France, but says he feels the learning experience has helped things click.
"It's been a bit of a struggle this year," he said "Kind of missed a few cuts by one. I definitely feel like I'm becoming a better player before it starts to click a little bit.
"Last week I felt like my iron play was good and struggled off the tee but was in play off the tee today. So I was able to take advantage of that."
The pair sit one shot ahead of South African pair Casey Jarvis and MJ Dauffe, with a group of seven players behind them on five-under-par.
Last week's champion Matt Fitzpatrick held an early share of the lead and will head into Friday at Kingsbarns on four under, alongside a group of 11 other players that includes Ryder Cup team-mate Sepp Straka.
With this tournament, there is far more going on than just the professional touranment, as amateurs and celebrities from the world of sport and entertainment play alongside the professionals in a team contest.
After the opening round, Dauffe and Harris share the lead at 12-under, with Ivan Cantero and Jermoluk.
Behind them, a trio of teams - Andreas Halvorsen and Kristofer Kraus, Christiaan Burke and John Van Wyk, and Daniel Young and Jim Davidson - sit on 11-under.