Unheralded duo lead after opening round at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Scotland's Michael Stewart and South African amateur Jack Buchanan both shot 65 to share the first-round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, outscoring a star-studded field.
Two players ranked well outside the world's top 700 produced the standout performances on the opening day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Michael Stewart, a 36-year-old Scot ranked 979th in the world, and 21-year-old South African amateur Jack Buchanan, ranked 788th, both carded rounds of 65 to sit at seven under par and share the first-round lead.
Stewart has played just five events on the main European circuit, with his last appearance coming in 2023. He arrived at Carnoustie less than 24 hours after finishing runner-up at the Tartan Tour's Duddingston Classic, having received a sponsor's invite for this week's event. After a single birdie on the front nine, an eagle at the par-five 12th sparked a stretch in which he played the remaining five holes six under par.
The contrast was stark with several attention-grabbing moments in the tournament's team event, where former sports stars and celebrities play alongside the professionals. Former Real Madrid and Wales winger Gareth Bale provided social media fodder when his tee shot on the 17th at St Andrews landed on the roof of the Jigger Inn.
South Africa's MJ Daffue and Casey Jarvis sit one shot back at six under. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off winning the French Open last week, shot four-under 68, while five-time major champion Brooks Koepka finished three under. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre, who finished one under, reacted angrily to a drone flying over him during the eighth hole and was subsequently spoken to by tournament officials. Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter made their first DP World Tour appearances since January 2023, having moved to LIV Golf in 2022.
