Graeme Storm tames weather to set pace at Scottish Open
Published:It is Graeme Storm rather than Graeme McDowell who holds the clubhouse lead after both completed their opening rounds at the Scottish Open today.
Englishman Storm had to weather windy conditions to post a five-under par score of 66 and share the early top spot with Italian Edoardo Molinari, while US Open champion McDowell had a hit-and-miss round of 71.
Storm is ranked 211th in the world but he shone in the gloom, dropping just one shot and finishing with a birdie on the ninth. He has moved to 25/1 to win the £3million event.
World-number-13 McDowell is competing in his first tournament for three weeks after capturing his maiden major and he looks a little rusty.
“It was a bit of a mixed bag,” he said. “A few good swings in there, a few champagne ones and a few careless ones, but generally I’m pretty happy and a birdie-birdie finish is always nice.”
McDowell is currently number one in the Race to Dubai standings and with such fine pedigree he’s still a decent shot at 33/1 to win it.
Molinari’s round included an eagle two at the par-four 14th and five birdies, so it might be worth picking up the player ranked 41st in the world at 12/1 to remain on top until the every end.
Another player in good nick is David Horsey, who posted a three-under par 68. The Englishman won the BMW International Open two weeks ago and is a generous 40/1 shot to come out victorious again.
Stephen Gallagher is just a shot behind the leaders on four under after completing his opening round. The Scot is 20/1 to win his country’s Open. See th full Barclays Scottish Open betting market.
