Scott Henry 'feeling like a golfer again' after fast start in Austria

Scott Henry opened with four birdies to set up a five-under-par 65 in the first round of the Euram Bank Open. Picture: Getty Images

Scott Henry used a fast start to make his presence felt on the leaderboard in the Euram Bank Open, the second-leg of an Austrian double-header marking the European Tour's restart.

The 33-year-old opened with four birdies at Adamstal Golf Club, where Calum Hill triumphed last year, to set up a five-under-par 65.

The effort left Henry sitting joint-sixth, two shots off the lead as the pace was set by Czech player Stanislav Matus and Australian Deyen Lawson.

After that early burst, Henry dropped his sole shot off the day at the ninth before bouncing back with birdies at the 12th and 14th.

"It was great getting off to such a good start as it mirrored my round from last week, which I wasn’t able to continue for a few different reasons," said Henry.

"I was pleased today to play with better quality all day and have been building confidence over last week and this week to take what I’ve been working on over the lockdown into a tournament environment."

After opening with a 69 in the Austrian Open, Henry ended up in 71st place behind winner Marc Warren.

"I'm loving being back playing and moulding everything around taking my practice game into the tournaments," he added.

"Last week was disappointing in the end, but it was week one of seeing where the game truly is when it matters. It's great to be pain free for months now and feeling like a golfer again."

Craig Ross was next best among the Scots, recovering from a bogey at the first to card a 67, one better than both Craig Howie and Chris Robb.

Howie, who finished joint-fourth behind Marc Warren in last week's Austrian Open, was going along nicely again before dropping two shots in the last three holes. In contrast, Robb birdied two of last four in a strong finish to his round.

Ewen Ferguson, who finished second in this event last year, had to settle for a 70 on a day when Matus was bogey-free and Lawson reeled off five birdies in a row on the back nine.

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