As expected today (Friday), it was a day for survival, nothing more and nothing less in the $5 million Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the DP World Tour.
The weather forecast was horrific and it did not disappoint.
All the tee times were moved up to an 8.30 am shotgun start to hopefully allow all of us to finish, before the worst of the weather closed in, during the late afternoon.
My round was at Carnoustie Golf Links today and I was very proud with my two under par 70, to move up an impressive 89 spots to tied 19th after two rounds.
Three courses
Just to remind everyone that we play three courses this week, Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links and Kingsbarns Golf Links.
So, both in the Pro Individual Event and the Team Event we all play each course, so 54 holes and then the cut is made in both events.
Our group was fortunate to start from the 1st tee and I managed birdies on holes three and seven and with one bogey on the front nine went out in one under par 35. Further birdies on holes 12 and 13 kept up my momentum, but I dropped a shot on hole 16 and finished par – par for a 70.
Looking at the scoreboard mine is one of the best rounds of the day on any of the golf courses. Out of the 168 players in the field only 9 players were under par today on all three golf courses, including me! That must be a record in the 50 year history of the DP World Tour.
Some players really struggled in the conditions, but no one in the field can say they got the wrong half of the draw, we all got the same conditions for all 18 holes.
I am never one to name names, but there are so many scores in the high 70’s and many in the 80’s from very good players.
This is only my second appearance in this event, last year I missed the cut with a score of 219, with rounds of 74, 74 and 71, three over par, 219, and the cut fell at two under par.
31 spots
In the Team Event my playing partner, Ukraine football legend Andriy Shevchenko and myself moved up 31 spots to 105.
We need to move up much more in the third round if we are to make the Team cut.
Not wanting to get ahead of myself, but I am looking to my 10.28 am tee time at Kingsbarns Golf Club off tee 10 in Match 79, now that is a number I do not think I have ever had as my Match Number and is not one I want on my scorecard either!
Off now to dry my clubs, bag, everything including myself and my caddie, and then we go again tomorrow.
Speak to you all after our third round.
- 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.
