GOLF SCOTTISH OPEN - FIRST ROUND:LOVE CONQUERS all, even a dodgy golf swing, apparently. Those inclined to disagree might care to make their way to Loch Lomond for the next three days to witness the apparent revival of Adam Scott, the former world number three who has spent the last 12 months dismantling his reputation as the man who would challenge the supremacy of Tiger Woods.
God knows one round of golf on the bonny, bonny banks does not constitute a definitive resurrection but those who have watched the 28-year-old Australian plot his smooth way round the Loch Lomond course yesterday could hardly fail to be impressed.
It was, by any measure, (including the only one that matters – the scorecard) a textbook effort; five birdies and 13 pars for a round of 66. “I haven’t played well for a while but I really believed I was working on the right stuff, that I was going to be a better player,” said Scott, who ended the first day of the Scottish Open in a tie for sixth place, two shots behind the leader, his compatriot Richard Green.
If Scott, who has fallen to 44th in the world rankings in just over a year, goes on to win the £500,000 (€581,000) winner’s cheque on Sunday, no doubt his long-time swing coach Butch Harmon will be able to claim some of the credit. But what about Ana Ivanovic, the statuesque Serbian tennis player who failed miserably to disappear in the galleries following his group yesterday? For months, the celebrity gossip magazines have declared them “an item”.
“I am having a very nice time here in Scotland. Of course, I am here to support Adam,” was all the former women’s world number one would say. Scott, whose descent down the world rankings has, as some have noted, coincided with his more frequent appearances in the aforementioned publications, was a little more forthcoming.
“She is a top sports star, too, so she knows what I’m going through. I’m a tennis fan, so I probably enjoy watching her more than she enjoys being here. Everyone knows what has gone on in my life in the past year and I’m not saying it had a direct impact on me playing poorly at the start of the year but it is nice to be in the right frame of mind in all areas of life,” he said shyly.
His comfort was restored only when the conversation veered back to affairs of the practice range. “I have got my swing in the right position. It has been frustrating but I think I am going to be a better player. It would be great to win on Sunday.”
No doubt it would, but the problem for Scott in pursuit of his goal is that this event has attracted a field of the very highest calibre. The cream of Europe is here, including Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy, who were paired together early yesterday morning and turned up on the first tee wearing tartan trousers. “We were giving each other quite a bit of stick,” the young Irishman said. “It was quite funny.”
In the golf, the Irishman’s 68 edged the Englishman by a stroke and, in the wider context of the week, both must now be considered amongst the favourites. However, it would be unwise to rule out Paul McGinley, who has played well here in the past and whose six-under-par 65 left him in a group of four players tied for second place.
Green, the overnight leader, is another who likes the Loch Lomond course. The Aussie left-hander is one of those puzzling figures in world golf, the kind of player who has spent a lifetime on the fringes of the big occasion without ever making much of an impression on anyone, his bank manager notwithstanding. He has won twice on the European tour, and briefly contended over the closing holes of the 2007 Open at Carnoustie.
Throw in a handful of second-place finishes, a bucket-load of top 10s and, lo, you have career winnings totalling over €5.3 million. It is a wonderful living.
Shane Lowry will be happy with his 69, the same score as Darren Clarke. They are closely followed by Graeme McDowell and Gareth Maybin on 70 as well as Damien McGrane (71) and Gary Murphy (72). Peter Lawrie and Michael Hoey’s 73s leave them nine shots off the pace and looking for some improvement going into today’s second round.
Meanwhile, Poulter has back-tracked on his decision not to play in the French Open again, European Tour chief executive George OGrady revealed yesterday. A furious Poulter blamed a media photographer when he ruined his victory chances by hitting his ball into a lake on the 15th hole at St Quentin, vowing he would not return to the tournament.
Guardian Service
