Golf-Motor racing fan Green hits top gear at Scottish Open (Reuters)
July 9, 2009
By Tony Jimenez
LOCH LOMOND, Scotland, July 9 (Reuters) – Motor racing fanRichard Green was quick off the Scottish Open grid beforeaccelerating into an early lead with a seven-under-par 64 inThursday’s first round.
The Australian left-hander, who says he enjoys nothing morethan driving and maintaining his own race car, reeled off sixbirdies and an eagle to open a one-shot lead over Britons GraemeStorm and Martin Laird and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain.
“It was a great round of golf … (I was) very much undercontrol,” Green told reporters at the warm-up event for nextweek’s British Open.
“That’s a pretty good score. I was relaxed and took on theattitude I had here last year. It seemed to work.”
Green finished tied third on the banks of Loch Lomond in2008, one of several consistent performances which helped himfinish 23rd on the European order of merit.
This year has not been quite so good for the 1997 DubaiDesert Classic champion, with five missed cuts in 11appearances.
Green raced to the turn with four birdies in an outward halfof 32. He dropped a stroke at the par-four 12th before bouncingback with an eagle at the 13th and birdies at the 14th and 15th.
The eagle was the undoubted highlight of his round.
“I hit a great drive, then a great three-wood on the greenand rolled in a putt that was breaking probably eight feet rightto left from 35 feet away,” said Green.
EARLY RISER
Englishman Storm had to wipe the sleep from his eyes aftergetting up early in preparation for his 0730 teeoff time in theday’s opening match.
“I was up at quarter to five this morning,” he said. “I washere early, went to see the physio, did a little warmup on abike and some stretching.
“It was then nice to get off to a flying start (with birdiesat the first two holes).”
Storm was certainly wide awake on the back nine, firing fourbirdies in six holes from the 12th.
Holder Graeme McDowell of Britain started his campaign witha 70 while playing partner Angel Cabrera, the U.S. Masterschampion, registered a 69.
Playing partners Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulterenjoyed contrasting fortunes.
McIlroy went round in 68, Poulter returned a 69 and Westwoodstruggled to a 73.
Among the late starters were world number six Geoff Ogilvyof Australia, twice former winner Ernie Els and 2008 Ryder Cupcaptain Nick Faldo, who is making a rare playing appearance.
(Editing by Ed Osmond. To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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