Mixed results early for Australasians at Scottish Open
Cameron Tringale – an opening round of 61 – photo DP World Tour / Getty Images
A day that began so promisingly for the Australian contingent at the Genesis Scottish Open did not end that way although Cameron Smith (15th), and Lucas Herbert and Jason Scrivener (28th) have made reasonable starts in the traditional Open Championship lead-up at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick.
On a breezy yet fine day, Scrivener, in particular, was quickly out of the blocks and through seven holes he had recorded four birdies and led the event and was still at 4 under through 10 holes before four bogeys over the closing stages along with a lone birdie left him at 1 under.
Cameron Smith, though, finished as the best of the Australians at 2 under and tied for 15th although a massive seven shots behind the tearaway leader Cameron Tringale who leads by three over fellow American Gary Woodland.
Smith reached the turn in 3 under 32 but was back in 36 for his round of 68 although like Scrivener and Herbert he will play in the afternoon field tomorrow.
Herbert, too, began well with three birdies in his first four holes but he was unable to capitalise on such a hot start and finished with a round of 69.
Marc Leishman continued his recent struggles when he opened with a round of 73 to be tied for 89th which, given he began with two early birdies, was particularly disappointing. Leishman will require a round under par tomorrow to be around for the weekend as he looks to a return to St Andrews next week where he lost a playoff for the 2015 Open Championship.
Last week’s runner-up in Ireland, Ryan Fox, never recovered from an outward nine of 4 over and finished with 74 to be tied for 112th and he too has a big task tomorrow if he is to be around for the weekend. The cut appears at this stage at least as if it will be around 1 or 2 over so Fox will need 68 or better it would seem to play all 72 holes here.
Scott Hend also had 74 but for the defending champion Min Woo Lee it was a nightmare start and finish. Three bogeys in his first four holes was not helped by four consecutive bogeys to finish his round and at 7 over 77 he is in 148th place while Queensland’s Maverick Antcliff had 82.
