Matthew McClean shares the lead after the opening round of stroke play at the US Mid-Amateur Championship at Troon Country Club.
The 2022 champion eased to a round of 66 to share top spot with Patrick Dewey, Chandler Mulkey and the famous Steward Hagestad.
McClean, a 32-year-old optometrist from Belfast who represented GB&I in the 2023 Walker Cup, got off to a sizzling start with birdies on his first four holes (10-13) before making a bogey on 14.
He would later birdie the second and fourth on his inward ninee with his lone blemish on that side coming at the par-4 sixth.
“It’s very different to Northern Ireland,” said McClean of playing desert golf.
“Nothing in common here to where I grew up, but it’s somewhat similar to some places in Spain and European countries with a bit more heat. It’s definitely a different style of golf course, but I don’t think it’s overly different in terms of how to play it.
“You have to hit it straight, it’s very intimidating off the tee. It’s pretty much every shot left or right is trouble, so it’s not easy off the tee. If you can get your ball in play off the tee, then it gives out birdies out there.”
Ben Phipps has also given himself an opportunity to make the cut and progress to the matchplay stages. He shares 35th place after a round of level-par 71 while John Conroy is nineteen-over.
The top-64 make the knockout rounds after 36 holes.
Scoring HERE
