Marc Warren continues to battle to prove himself worthy of the reputation he built with two European Tour wins.
The 30-year-old Scot shot a five-under 67 to open the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship the best of the day at Carnoustie in what was a further confirmation that he can still reach the heights of the victories in 2006 and 2007 that had him marked as a potential star.
Now without a card, he has started to put together consistent rounds and finishes, most notably recently at Gleneagles and last week in Austria, and plans to make the most of the invitation to play in this event.
”I got the call only last Wednesday and it’s a huge event to win, especially for a Scot,” he said. ”If I could pick an order I would have Carnoustie first and I’m really pleased with that score. I love the Old Course, it’s probably my favourite, and I can’t wait to get there tomorrow.
”I’m not in a lot of events for the rest of the season but I’m more confident with my game. All I can do is try to keep performing well, putting good numbers up and hopefully people will see that and give me a chance.”
Colin Montgomerie was another with a strong opening and a 68 at Kingsbarns but he was in reflective mood about 12 months ago.
”Looking at the weather here today, it’s amazing to think that this was the week of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor last year,” he said. ”That was bad luck or maybe it was good luck because we got an extra day out of it in the end.
”The Welsh have never sold their country on the weather and neither have we but it’s nice to have this for (Dunhill chairman) Johann Ruppert’s sake.”
Monty also enjoyed being reunited with Hollywood star Michael Douglas, who was his amateur partner when he won the Dunhill in 2005. The two have developed further matters in common since then, with Douglas successfully battling cancer and Monty starting the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation to raise funds to fight the disease.
“Michael’s a cancer survivor and it’s great to see him back,” Monty added. ”We talked a bit about the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation on the way round and he’s wearing one of the foundation wrist bands today.”
David Drysdale was the best of the Scots at St Andrews with a 69 and there were strong showings from Sandy Lyle (69 at Carnoustie) and Fifer George Murray (70 at Carnoustie).