Richie leads home charge for glory

BY DALE RANKIN number. Now I’ve just got to keep chasing more birdies at St Andrews because my main goal is to get in the mix on Sunday. It would be a dream to have a chance.”

Dunhill debutant Knox matched his lowest round on home turf – even though he claimed if he was ever to design a course he’d miss out all the blind shots that characterise the Old Course.

The US-based star said: “This was an important round because I’ve been desperate to get some momentum going as I need to do a little better.

“I also knew I needed to play a good round for my confidence and I saw enough to be confident going forward.”

Euan Walker only turned pro this month but did not look at all out of place alongside superstars from sport and showbiz thanks to a 68 on the Old Course.

David Law joined him on four under after his Kingsbarns effort, while Scott Jamieson and Liam Johnston are one back.

Gallacher shot a two-under 70 while Robert MacIntyre’s 71 featured two eagles, including a hole-out from the seventh fairway at Carnoustie. Grant Forrest sits level par, with David Drysdale three over.

World No.2 Rory McIlroy had to settle for a 70 at Carnoustie after hitting his tee shot out of bounds on the sixth.

But it was not all bad news as McIlroy, playing with dad Gerry in the team event, joked: “As all dads do sometimes he can start to get on my nerves a bit out there – but for the most part it’s been brilliant. He loves it and he played well.

“He bettered me by five and his goal was if he could better me by four a day – 16 for the week – we have a decent chance.”

Lee Westwood was a shot ahead of McIlroy on three under thanks largely to a hole-in-one on the eighth at Carnoustie.