Today was round three of the $5 million Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland on the DP World Tour.
Firstly, the good news is the weather was today ‘almost’ a balmy 15 degrees with a modest breeze.
My round was at Kingsbarns Golf Links and I shot a level par 72, to slip 19 spots but still hopefully make the cut at three under par by a couple of shots.
My front nine holes kept me on track with bogeys on holes 11 and 15, having started on tee 10, followed by a morale boosting brace of birdies on holes 16 and 18 to go out in a level par 36.
Coming home on the front nine I parred the first and then went bogey – bogey on holes two and three to be on the cusp of the cut.
Nice birdie
I bounced back with a birdie on the fifth to stand two under with just four holes to play, which I completed with three pars and a nice birdie on the par 5, 558 yards ninth hole.
I am now lying in tied 37th place on three under par, I made harder work than I should of today. Phew!
At the business end of the tournament Richard Mansell (Eng) continues to be the solo leader.
Hats off to his rounds of 66, a remarkable 68 yesterday and today’s 67 at Carnoustie Golf Links to have a four shot lead at 15 under par, as I post this diary, with some players still on the golf course completing their rounds.
Just three bogeys in 54 holes this week is quite remarkable – well played Richard, who is overdue his first victory on the DP World Tour as he stands 41st in the 2021 – 2022 DP World Tour Rankings. In comparison I have had nine bogeys in my 54 holes.
I am just reviewing the second round of Richard’s four under par round over the Old Course, St Andrews, with five birdies and just one bogey in weather conditions that I have not experienced in my golfing career to date, despite Poland having a harsh winter climate. Credit to the golf courses and their natural sandy drainage and all the greenkeepers for all of us completing our second rounds on time.
It was the best round of the day over all three golf courses, with just a couple of 69’s, two 70’s including one from me and five 71’s and all others par or worse.
In the Team Event, my playing partner Ukrainian football legend Andri Shevchenko and myself will sadly miss the cut on 11 under par to lie tied 86th as we speak with the Team leaders on 28 under par. The Team event is so tough to make the cut, Andriy was not comfortable with the Scottish weather, but it is always a treat to play with Andriy and we enjoyed each other’s company.
Unique tournament
It is so thrilling for us Pros to be in and around the company of all the amateurs this week; whether from sport (apart from golf), from the world of cricket, tennis, rugby, horse racing (and you name all the other sports), entertainment and / or business.
It is really a unique tournament with a unique format and so much fun to be around.
I just wish we could fly in Dubai’s weather for the week, but then the Scottish weather is part of the charm of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship week.
Speak to you after my final round tomorrow back on the Old Course, St Andrews!
- Adrian Meronk, 29 years-old, is a Dubai resident who plays under the flag of Poland and has one victory to his name on the DP World Tour, the recent Horizon Irish Open. Adrian is an Ambassador for Dubai based White Eagle Sport