Syme to the Manor born again as he shares lead
Connor Syme is back on the title trail at Celtic Manor and was joined in making a promising start to the Wales Open by compatriot Bob Macintyre.
Syme led heading into the final round at the same venue in the Celtic Classic on Sunday before finishing joint third behind Sam Horsfield as the Englishman landed his second win in three events on the European Tour’s UK Swing.
Putting that mild disappointment about missing out on a maiden victory on the circuit behind him, the 25-year-old Fifer carded a six-under-par 66 to start the second leg of a double-header at the Newport venue.
That earned him a share of the lead with England’s Jordan Smith, with Macintyre marking his first outing on the European Tour since coming out of lockdown with an equally satisfying 68 to sit in a tie for third.
“It was a good round of golf,” said Syme of an effort that contained seven birdies.
“We were thinking a little bit about how they might change the golf course but the wind has certainly done that for us – a completely different direction and a lot stronger.
“I had to plan my way around differently but I did that and holed a few nice putts which was a bonus.
“I took a lot of confidence from last week. It was a new experience for me having a 54-hole lead and I really enjoyed it.
“You never know how you are going to handle it until you are in those situations and sleeping on a lead out here was obviously new.
“It’s about building up the experiences as much as I can and I guess today was another one of those.” Macintyre, last year’s Rookie of the Year, carded an eagle and two birdies to sit alongside American Kurt Kitayama, Engishman Calum Shinkwin and Swede Sebastian Soderberg.
“It was a wee bit tougher out there today than I was expecting,” said Macintyre, who sat out last week’s event as he recovered from a trip to the States for the WGC Fedex St Jude Invitational and the US PGA Championship.
“Early on it was brutal, but I actually probably played my best golf when it was like that. Late on the wind started to switch and it was a bit of guesswork coming in.
“To get in at three under, I’d have taken that when I went out. You just have to miss it in the right places. You’re not going to hit the perfect golf shot every time. So just don’t go long at pins over the back and just try leave yourself as many up-hillers as you can, which I felt like we did well on early on.”
Liam Johnston is also in the top 20 after a 70, one fewer than David Law. Ewen Ferguson opened with a 72 while Richie Ramsay, Calum Hill and Daniel Young all signed for 73s. Craig Howie (74), Grantforrest(75)andstephen Gallacher (77) all face a fight to make the cut.