Langasque equals Old Course record at Alfred Dunhill Links

ST ANDREWS, September 29, 2022

Romain Langasque equalled Ross Fisher’s Old Course record of 61 to claim an 11-under-par first round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in truly spectacular style.

And Langasque’s fellow countrymen Frederic Lacroix and Antoine Rozner were not far behind him with a 62 and a 63, at Kingsbarns and St Andrews respectively, on a memorable day for French golf.

Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard Moller also shot a 63 at Kingsbarns, to lie in third place alongside Rozner, while Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and other big names playing at Carnoustie – traditionally the toughest of the three courses – had to settle for supporting roles as day one was dominated by low scoring in the sunshine at St Andrews and Kingsbarns.

“I’m so happy, the last three holes were really fun, and I made some long putts,” said the 27-year-old Langasque, who carded a remarkable six birdies and an eagle in his last eight holes to draw level with Fisher’s 2017 record, made at that year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. “It’s amazing. I didn’t realise that I now have the course record here, but it is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Tournament favourite McIlroy, meanwhile, had to be content with a four-under-par 68 at Carnoustie, as did Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre and Francesco Molinari.

Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood, also playing at Carnoustie, shot 70 while US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick and popular American Billy Horschel could only manage 71s there.

Langasque’s heroics also gave him a share of the lead in the Team Championship. Langasque and Roy Ryu combined for a score of -14, matched by the team of Andrea Pavan and Kieran McManus.

Due to forecast bad weather tomorrow, round two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will have a shotgun start across the three courses for all competitors.