SWEATY THIRSTY AND
How did Scots pair Bob and Paul feel when they finished the first round?
BOB MacINTYRE admits he suffered a severe St Andrews sweat as albatross-threatened Paul Lawrie headed off for a first-day bevvy.
The Scots pair were roared around the Old Course through the first morning as home punters backed their boys.
MacIntyre made a flying start before stumbling slightly on his way back towards the town.
The 25-year-old starts today’s second round at two under but confessed his lasthole birdie three came with beads of perspiration still dripping on his forehead.
MacIntyre diced with severe danger on the 18th as he skirted with out of bounds up the right and he said: “It wasn’t the plan at all. My caddie Mike was worried when it took off. I was worried when it took off. But you’re smashing it.
“I’ve got to admit I probably pulled it slightly. The sweat was coming on but you get rewarded for good shots and that was one of them.
“If someone had given me two-under before I had started I would have taken it for sure.
“It was absolutely brilliant out there. I said it to Mike a couple of times, ‘How cool is this?’ Every tee I walked on I was getting clapped on and every green I walked on, I was getting applauded.
“I had goosebumps walking over the bridge in the morning.
“This is somewhere I’ve always wanted to play an Open and I’ve got to do it. It’s what I dreamed of as a kid and I’ve got to live the dream.”
MacIntyre played alongside Cameron Young, who made a blistering start to lead at eight under. He added: “It drags you on. It doesn’t matter what tournament you’re playing in, you’re feeding off each other and then all of us started playing well.
“It’s The Open first round and you’ve shot two under par, it’s a good score. This place is getting firmer and firmer. You have to be cautious.”
Lawrie also enjoyed the day where he had the honour of beginning the 150th Championship.
The 1999 champion had plenty of support for his 6.35am start and said: “I was surprised how many there were. I wasn’t expecting that.
“I thought there would be a few but the stand on the right was pretty full and I would fancy one of you guys hitting that fairway.
“Martin Slumbers phoned me a couple weeks ago and asked if I’d do it. And the first thing you think of is, ‘How cool is that?’.”
No one could confirm whether Lawrie was the first man to hit a yellow ball to start a Major. He said: “I’m 53, not 23, so my eyesight’s not the best – I just see it better when it’s flying.
“Also when I’m in the rough as much as I am it stands out like unbelievable. Even the marshals can see it!”
However, there was a certainty about how his day would end. Made an honorary member of the R&A just prior to the tournament, that meant Lawrie was able to saunter into their clubhouse for a bite and a stiff one.
It came just after he almost had an albatross at the 18th when he drove to within five feet at the par-four last.
He said: “The game, it’s crazy how it’s going. For me it’s a flat-out driver and it needs a bounce to get up there, which it did. I hit a lovely shot and knocked it in.
“Now I can pop in for a wee drinky poo. It will be quite nice.
“Again, a few weeks ago, they let me know that, would I accept that? Well, absolutely. It’s a huge honour for me.”
Fellow Scot David Law made a solid start to his Open debut by returning just after 8pm to sign for a level-par round of 72.