World number 979 Michael Stewart claims share of lead at Alfred Dunhill Links
Michael Stewart of Scotland takes the lead after day one at the Alfred Dunhill Links. Pic: Johan Rynners/Getty
World number 979 Michael Stewart outscored a big-name field to share the lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after a first-round 65.
The 36-year-old has played only five DP World Tour events – the last in 2023 – and teed off less than 24 hours after finishing second in the Tartan Tour’s Duddingston Classic having received a sponsor’s invite earlier this week.
He had a remarkable back nine at Carnoustie, where an eagle at the par-five 12th was the catalyst to play five holes in six under par.
With a solitary birdie on the front nine he finished with a blemish-free seven under.
The tournament is played over three courses – Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews with the Old Course hosting the final day – and also incorporates a team event with a number of former sports stars and celebrities paired with the professionals.
Matt Fitzpatrick, who arrived in Scotland off the back of his fourth win of the year at the Open de France, shot a four-under 68 at Carnoustie, with Ryder Cup team-mate Tommy Fleetwood two-under at the same course.
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka was three under after a 69 at Carnoustie, while defending champion and home favourite Bob MacIntyre was one under at the same course.
Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, on their first DP World Tour appearances in almost four years, shot one-under (at St Andrews) and level par (at Carnoustie) respectively.
Elsewhere, Tapio Pulkkanen, Liam Nolan and Matthis Besard share a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Golf Club.
Nolan endured an up-and-down second round, mixing eight birdies with one double bogey and a further dropped shot, to eventually sign for a five under par 65.
The Irishman parred his first three holes before rattling off three birdies in four from the fourth. He found trouble around the turn, however, with a bogey on nine followed by a double on the challenging tenth.
But the Galway man’s response was excellent with five back nine birdies, including a closing gain, seeing him join the three-way tie at the top. Nolan, who is chasing his maiden HotelPlanner Tour win, was delighted with how he battled back during the closing stretch.
“My caddie said to me on 11 that I am swinging it well and to just reset. I knew I was playing well and rattled off five birdies coming in,” he said. “I wasn’t too worried about the bogey and the double, you get tough lies out here so that happens, but I was still very happy with my finish.
“Obviously it’s that time of the year where every shot matters a little bit more. I’m just going to continue to be patient like I’ve done all year and I’m happy to be back at the top of the leaderboard, I feel like I’ve been playing well.
“This weekend will be a good test of where my game is at before I head to China next week so really looking forward to it.” West Waterford’s Gary Hurley is on three-under, with Mark Power a shot further back on two under.
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