West Linton’s Gareth Wright leads the field by three shots going into today’s second round of the Northern Open at Nairn Dunbar after a sparkling seven-under-par 65.
Paul McKechnie, of Braid Hills Golf Range, near Edinburgh, is his closest challenger after opening with a 68, with Aberdeen’s Scott Henderson (Kings Links Golf Centre) one further back.
Wright, who was born in Wales, made birdies at three of the four par 3s.
He said: “I was really pleased. I got a couple of breaks here and there but I think you need that in links golf.
“My game has been coming and today it all kind of came together. I played the par 3s nicely with three birdies and if you do that in a round of golf you’re usually going to have a good one.
“The conditions were gusty. I was hitting nine irons in from about 120 yards, nearly 30 yards shorter than usual.
“It was tough, even downwind was hard as it was difficult to judge where the ball was going to land.
“This is a golf course that makes you think. I only hit two drivers and I didn’t hit any on the back nine.
“I just used irons of the tee and a three wood at the second hole. You have to plot your way round here. Sometimes you’re better being a bit further back.”
McKechnie was the early clubhouse leader after carding a fine four-under 68.
He said: “At the start of the day I would definitely have settled for a 68.
“I’d never played here before a practice round yesterday and everyone I spoke to was blown away by the magnificent condition of the golf course.
“The greens are very good and the fairways are firm and fast.
“It’s the way a links should be and overall it’s in great condition. It’s just a great golf course.
“I feel as if I am swinging it well and I’m putting well.
“You need so much luck to win a golf tournament but if I stay in the place I am now and I’m nice and patient, what will be will be.”
McKechnie, who won the 2013 Europro Tour event at Old Moray in Lossiemouth, added: “As soon as I get past Aviemore I always seem to play some good golf in this part of the world.
“My favourite type of golf is links. It gives you options all the time. It’s not just about one shot.”
Experienced Aberdeen player Henderson is also well placed after his round of 69.
He said: “I was happy with my round.
“I did the hard work when we had a one club wind on the way out but the wind really picked up when we were on the seventh.” Defending champion Paul O’Hara is still very much in the mix after a level-par 72.
