ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Darren Fichardt shot an 11-under 61 at Kingsbarns to guide the multi-course Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship on Thursday after a low-scoring first spherical notable for the presence of two of essentially the most highly effective males in golf who’re looking for to succeed in a deal to heal the fractured sport.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the monetary backer of Saudi-funded LIV Golf, performed in the identical group on Day 1 of a match which pairs an expert with an newbie for 3 rounds at storied Scottish programs St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
The PGA Tour commish, PIF governor and their companions have been grouped for the primary spherical at Carnoustie.
Extra necessary than the scores of Monahan and Al-Rumayyan was possibly their actions, they usually have been seen sharing some laughs and an embrace throughout their spherical at Carnoustie. Monahan was paired with Billy Horschel whereas Al-Rumayyan performed with Dean Burmester, one among 14 LIV gamers within the area.
All have been chasing Fichardt, a South African ranked No. 462 who made 9 birdies and two eagles on what seemed to be enjoying the best course. Eight of one of the best 11 scores within the first spherical got here at Kingsbarns they usually included No. 1,007-ranked Cameron John, who was in second place after capturing 9 birdies and an eagle in a 62.
Fichardt had an opportunity to shoot solely the second 59 in DP World Tour historical past when he coated his first 16 holes in 11 underneath. Nevertheless, he three-putted No. 8 — his seventeenth gap — earlier than making a birdie on the ninth.
Three gamers have been tied for third place, two pictures off the lead, after rounds of 63. Scott Jamieson of Scotland and Andrew Wilson of England shot that rating at Kingsbarns.
Jon Rahm is enjoying the Dunhill whereas he appeals fines handed out by the European tour following his defection to LIV, and the Spaniard shot 7-under 65 at Carnoustie, which was the bottom rating there.
