Birthday memories will last for the Horschels

Billy Horschel Snr. said that spending his 70th birthday playing beautiful Kingsbarns with his son “will be something I remember until the day I die”.

He was presented with a celebratory bottle of champagne from Alfred Dunhill after his second round and added: “This whole week has been such a wonderful experience and I will have so many happy memories to recall in the years ahead.”

But perhaps the greatest memory is yet to come, with the Horschels’ third round scheduled for the Old Course, and with their Team Championship score on 13-under par – putting them close to the top 20 who will qualify for Sunday – there might yet be two weekend rounds at the Home of Golf to round off the birthday celebrations.

US Tour player Billy Horschel, the recent winner of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, wanted to treat his father this week and Horschel senior said: “I can’t thank Dunhill enough for giving me the invite, and I will always remember my tee shot today to the par-three 13th by the ocean, even though I then missed the putt!

“To be honest I had a bit of a rough day on the course, but it was very tricky in the wind and the most important thing is that I am here, I am with my son and we are playing three truly great courses.

“I am so looking forward to the third round. I played ten holes in practice earlier this week and, despite not really having my best swing at the moment after surgery in April, I’m hopeful of playing a bit better on the Old Course. I think it will suit me better."