I calmed nerves to hit 66
David Drysdale had to battle a bout of nerves on the first tee before pulling himself together to shoot a storming 66.
The Borders ace couldn’t explain where his sudden butterflies came from as he lurched to an opening bogey but in the end he was pleased with his fourunder round and a total of one-over 211.
Drysdale said: “It’s weird that I was nervous on the first tee today as I’ve not been nervous at all.
“It’s just when my name was announced on that tee. When I walk out I’m fine and then for those 30 seconds before you peg it up I’m a bit nervous.
“I didn’t make the best effort down the first because of that and had a poor bogey to finish. In between I played a lot of good golf and made a lot of chances. So I’m happy.
“I’m proud of myself. I’m maybe half lucky to even be here for the weekend but pleased that bad weather stuck around to get me in.
“I was annoyed at the time with my finish as I dropped two in the last three and was a bit peeved.
“But I knew if the bad weather hung about I’d have a great chance.
“I just want to enjoy tomorrow and see what happens. I’ve been playing some decent stuff of late.
“I was pleased with how I did at the Irish Open (tied for third) and I’ve backed that up here.
“The support I got today was incredible. The grandstand at the first was full an hour before the start.
“I played in Turnberry in 2009 and got a fantastic support and this is just incredible.
“All the stands are full and they are seven or eight deep at the ropes. You feed off that.
“The roar on No.7 when I made my birdie was the loudest I’ve ever heard.”