Amid a day when all eyes were focused on a pair of amateurs – PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the financial backer of Saudi-funded LIV Golf, little-known Darren Fichardt produced an under-the-radar score of 11-under 61 at Kingsbarn to lead the multicourse Dunhill Links Championship after round one.
“Obviously the putter was really, really hot today,” said Fichardt. “You know, I started today, the weather was amazing, and we were second out. I had a good warmup.
“But you know, you can never get too excited. So when I got out there, I birdied the first hole and made a long putt for birdie and thought, here we go and three-putted the next hole and thought, geez, here we go.
“Made a good putt for eagle on the 12th hole, which is my third hole and then just kept on going from there. It was crazy. If I was on the green, it was either going in or just missing. But pretty much went in quite a bit.
“But yeah, the putter was really, really hot, and the driver was exceptional. So I was never really in trouble.”
Meanwhile, Monahan and Al-Rumayyan played in the same group in round one of a tournament that, similar to the Pebble Beach Pro Am, pairs a professional with an amateur for three rounds at three historic Scottish courses: St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. During their day at Carnoustie, photographers captured images of the powerful duo sharing some laughs, fist bumping and even embracing.
Monahan was paired with Billy Horschel while Al-Rumayyan played with Dean Burmester, one of 14 LIV Golf players in the field, who were all chasing Fichardt after the South African signed for a card featuring nine birdies and two eagles.
Eight of the lowest 11 scores on Thursday were posted by pros playing the Kingsbarn course, including a 62 by Cameron John, the world No. 1,007.
A trio of players were tied for third on 9-under 63, including Scott Jamieson of Scotland and Andrew Wilson of England, who both played Kingsbarn.New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier shot his 63 on the Old Course at St. Andrews.
Betting favorite Jon Rahm posted an impressive round of 7-under 65 at Carnoustie, the lowest score on that course on day one. The 29-year-ol Spaniard is coming off a solo-second at the Spanish Open.
“I think it was a clear, clear aspect. My putting was really good today. I hit it well. Felt comfortable out there,” said Rahm.
“But the amount of putts I made from 15 to 20 feet, it’s more than the average for sure today rather than — that’s what it takes on a golf course like Carnoustie to post a score. Hopefully I can keep playing like this for the next few days.”
The tournament’s other betting favorite, Rory McIlroy, also played Carnoustie and shot 69.
“It was a perfect day to play Carnoustie,” McIlroy said. “I probably didn’t quite take advantage of the conditions the way that I wanted to or should have, but a solid round and something to try to build upon tomorrow at Kingsbarns.
“It’s my dad’s 65th birthday on Saturday, so to be able to stroll around the Old Course with him is going to be a pretty cool occasion.”
The McIlroys played in the group directly behind Monahan and Al-Rumayyan, who continue to hammer out a deal which would make PIF become a minority investor in PGA Tour Enterprises.
