Balcombe and Fyfe’s 64s break Gailes course record

Ryder Cup legend Bernard Gallacher saw his course record fall as a Scotsman and an Englishman led the way on an opening day of low scoring at the Carrick Neill Scottish Men’s Open Championship at Western Gailes.

In great conditions on the Ayrshire coast, the international field showed their class to reel off the birdies. Inside the opening ten games, Clevedon’s Alister Balcombe and Calum Fyfe from Cawder had fired superb 64s to shave a shot off the course record held by Gallacher and Irishman Jonathan Caldwell.

Gallacher’s 65 came at final Open qualifying in 1986 and Caldwell’s at the 2007 European Amateur Team Championship, but the lack of breeze yesterday morning meant Gailes was under attack. Balcombe came back in a six-birdie run of 29, while Fyfe produced a flawless round featuring seven birdies.

Lurking with intent after a five-under 66 is the Drumoig-based Scot, Connor Syme. The European Amateur team winner from last summer birdied four of his opening six holes and is the top-ranked player in the field at world No 8. Englishman Thomas Plumb is also on 66, but it was a bad day for last week’s Brabazon Trophy winner, the South African Kyle Mcclatchie, as he carded a seven-over 78.