Stalwart Tringale outshines stars with sizzling streak
World No.55 on fire to equal course record and take three-shot lead in East Lothian
IN a field sprinkled with 14 of the world’s top 15 golfers, it was a man outside the leading 50 on the global pecking order who grabbed the limelight on day one of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance.
Amid a line-up so star studded the draw sheet could have appeared in the Illustrated Guide to Constellations, the quietly spoken Cameron Tringale made a big noise with a courserecord equalling nine-under 61 to romp into a three-shot lead over former US Open champion Gary Woodland.
With a rousing charge, Tringale, who had reached the turn in three-under, birdied six holes in a row from the 10th as he blitzed his way towards a possible 59.
Three pars to finish, though, tempered eager chatter about achieving that particular feat but it was still a mighty fine effort by the 34-year-old from California as he made hay while that big fiery orb up in the sky shone in East Lothian.
“It [a 59] crossed my mind for a second but then I put it out of my mind just as quickly as it came,” admitted the world No 55.
It was a lovely warm day in this particular parish and Tringale’s putter just about needed a lick of factor 50 too.
“My putter was on fire,” he said of a round illuminated by a brace of birdie putts from 40 feet. Only four of his nine birdies were from inside six feet.
“I was really hot with the putter and my ball-striking matched up as well,” he added of this sizzling streak. “I gave myself loads of chances and it was just one of those days when they all found the hole.
“I’ve had some flashes of brilliance in the last couple of months but this was a special day. Golf is more fun when the putts are going in.”
Tringale is something of a sturdy stalwart. This is his 13th season on the PGA Tour but he has yet to taste victory. He has not had a bad career, mind you. Having accumulated almost $17 million down the years from 331 starts, Tringale actually holds the record for the most prize money won without recording a win.
So, what about breaking his duck here in the cradle of the game?
“It would mean a whole lot,” he said. “Scotland is where golf started, so this place is special.”
Tringale’s sparkling effort took some of the attention away from the early clubhouse leader Justin Harding. The South African was among four players controversially added to the 156-man field this week by winning a temporary stay against the DP World Tour suspending him for playing the Saudi-backed LIV Golf event outside London without seeking an official release.
Taking to the tee in the first group out at 7.15am, there were no placards, banners or protests to greet this so-called rebel and Harding went about his business quietly and effectively. He posted a five-under 65 before his relative tranquillity was shattered when he was surrounded by the press pack barking questions about the LIV Golf stooshie and all the background rumblings of discontent.
“There are times when it’s a little uncomfortable,” said Harding, the world No 114 who earned over $1.1m from two LIV Golf events he has contested. “I am by no means a fighter, I’m not confrontational at the best of times. It’s an awkward situation for me to be in. Look, at the end of the
[A 59] crossed my mind for a second but then I put it out of my mind just as quickly as it came
day, it [the LIV event] was an invitational and it was worth a bucket-load of money. Ultimately, I’m a golfer and I felt I was entitled to play in it. And I chose to do so.”
At one point of the day, Jordan Spieth was topping the order after five birdies in a row at the end of his front nine but he had to settle for a two-under 68.
With next week’s Open Championship looming, it is impossible to avoid chatter about the Old Course and the potential for golf’s sacred turf to be blasted into submission should the weather be as calm and as favourable as it was
here for the morning wave at The Renaissance.
“Yeah, I think it might be,” said the 2017 Claret Jug winner when asked if St Andrews can ever be too easy. “I think if it’s like it was this morning out here, it’s just a wedge contest, really. It [the Old Course] was not necessarily built for today’s technology. But I think that even a nice 10-15mph wind would show something to it.”
Jon Rahm, the world No 3, joined Spieth on two under but Masters champion and world No 1, Scottie Scheffler, could only muster a three-over 73.
It is Tringale who is the man to catch.