Low & behold
Hot Scot Gallacher’s birdie blitz bags him a stunning 62
STEPHEN GALLACHER is on a high – thanks to a LOW.
The Scot fired an eight under par 62 on the first day of the Saudi International, the 46-year old’s lowest score in 1,823 rounds, over 584 European Tour events.
Gallacher had previously posted a handful of 63s over his 28 years on Tour, but his record low wasn’t enough to grab the lead.
David Horsey set the pace with a course record-equalling 61.
But Gallacher, who like Horsey bagged five birdies in a row, was still happy with his day’s work.
The oldest Scot on Tour laughed: “Well, I’m just happy to make it around, you know, 18 holes at any age!
“I was seeing the hole a bit like a bucket and when that happens you think you’re going to hole everything.
“I was hitting it pretty closer and had four or five tap-ins.
“It was one of those days, and the good thing is, you know, you don’t get too carried away.
“There are still three rounds to go but it’s a good platform to build off.
“I’m playing well and have some good thoughts to take into the next three days and see what happens.” Englishman Horsey confessed he was surprised to have set the early pace.
He said: “It’s a shock actually as I’ve been playing rubbish the last couple weeks.”
Former Scottish Open champ Bernd Wiesberger posted a 64 to be in third place and young Scot Calum Hill is tied in a group which includes US Open champ Bryson Dechambeau at five-under.
World No.1 Dustin Johnson is in an even bigger group on three under.
Kirkcaldy ace Hill, 24, capped his round of 65 with two birdies over his closing three holes.
He said: “I holed some medium to long birdie putts, which is why my score was quite good.
“We got a really good morning weatherwise. It was perfect as there was hardly a breath of wind. I also like the course and it’s in great nick”.
Grant Forrest is the next best Scot after a 69, one better than David Law and David Drysdale and two clear of Bob MacIntyre.
Richie Ramsay has work to do to make the cut for the weekend after a three over 73, as do Marc Warren and Scott Jamieson, who returned matching 74s.