A change in wind has prompted a change in fortunes for the early starters at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen.
The closing nine holes, played downwind, was where most of the players managed to pick up birdies during yesterday’s first round but it is proving a much sterner test today.
First round leader Rory McIlroy managed to hit the green with a 436-yard drive on the 13th green yesterday but such booming shots won’t be possible under the current conditions.
American Brooks Koepka managed to run up a 10 at the par-five 12th, while Scotland’s Scott Henry had been five under for his second round before taking an eight at the par four 14th and ending the day with a 71 for an overall score of two-over par.
However 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose has been in impressive early form, moving up to five under after playing the opening 12 holes in three under par, to sit two adrift of McIlroy.
And Banchory’s Greig Hutcheon is also off to a promising start. The Paul Lawrie Golf Centre player is tied 10th on three-under-par, helped in no small part by a second successive eagle at the par five sixth.
Aberdeen’s Paul Lawrie is one under after 11 holes for +2 overall, while fellow Press and Journal columnist Stephen Gallacher is two-under after 12 and one under for the championship.
The projected cut remains level par.