Dunhill Cup: David Drysdale: I've forgotten how to get round the links

Published on Thursday 7 October 2010 12:13

DAVID DRYSDALE reckons he's lost the knack of mastering links golf, despite being brought up playing the purest form of the game.

The 35-year-old was left scratching his head after carding a one-over-par 73 at St Andrews in the first round of the 3.1 million Dunhill Links Championship.

He failed to convert a number of chances and reckons it was down to the fact he doesn't play nearly as much links golf as he once did.

"I didn't play that badly but couldn't hole a putt going out. I three-putted No.?3 for a bogey, drove into a bunker at No.?5 and didn't make a birdie there," said Drysdale. "It was there for the taking. You are looking to be two or three-under, if not four-under. It's my usual start in this tournament. I don't know why that is. I grew up playing links golf but I can't play any more.

"I just can't seem to take my chances on this course - I never have done."

Drysdale, who has missed the cut in three of his last four starts, was disappointed with himself after running up a 6 at the Road Hole.

"I had a lot of chances but then hit a daft shot into No.?17," he added. "I had a 4-iron from 195 yards, which is enough to get pin high but you can't get pin high there as the green is so narrow. I should have been hitting for the front third of the green but found the road and made double."

Drysdale, the only Scot to play in the inaugural Dubai World Championship last year, has a battle on his hands to make that event again. He's 85th in the Race to Dubai and needs to climb into the top 60 between now and the Hong Kong Open in the middle of next month.

"My goal all year is to get into that (the World Championship) but, in comparison to last year, it just hasn't been there," said the Cockburnspath man.

"I've hit poor shots at key moments. I've also had club changes and other things going on, which have made it difficult.

"There's maybe been extra pressure as well caused by high expectations but I've kept my card so it is not all bad. Touch wood, I'm back to full fitness (he had to withdraw from the Johnnie Walker Championship due to an injury) and I am going to play right through.

"I've got Portugal, Spain then Hong Kong and I will hopefully still be able to get into that top 60 - that's the goal."

Stephen Gallacher, who has already secured his spot in the Dubai event, was much happier after opening his Dunhill bid with a three-under-par 69 on the Old Course.

It was the first time he stepped on the hallowed fairways since partnering Phil Mickelson in the final round of the Open Championship in July.

"There were less people out there than the last time but it was good to come back," he said. "And I hit it on in two at 17th for a par rather than being five-over there (as he was in total for the Road Hole in The Open)."

Asked how the course was set up compared to July, the 2004 Dunhill winner added: "It is pretty similar, but they're not using all of the back tees.

"Some of the pins are easier but there's still a few beauties out there - nine I'd say are Open standard."

The weather conditions were certainly a lot easier than then. "Every links course is easier in conditions like these but there was still a club and a half wind coming back," said Gallacher.

Both Drysdale and Gallacher moved on to Carnoustie today, with the latter having headed straight off to get some physio on his back he injured a fortnight ago while hoovering at home.

"It's a bit stiff," he said. "It's getting better, though. Just a case of getting the muscles fired up."