Tringale starts Scottish Open with stunning 61

LONDON: Cameron Tringale shot a spectacular 61 in the first round of the Scottish Open on Thursday.

Australia’s Jason Scrivener had set the early pace thanks to a 69 at North Berwick before three-time major champion Jordan Spieth continued his preparations for next week’s British Open at St. Andrews with a round of 68, only for South Africa’s Justin Harding to shoot 65.

But these scores were eclipsed, however, by Tringale’s surge to the top of the leaderboard.

The American, yet to win a professional event in his own right, started the back nine with six successive birdies to reach 9 under par.

That meant he needed to play the last three holes in 2 under to shoot just the second 59 in the history of the DP World Tour, as the European Tour is now known.

However, the world No. 55 missed from 12 feet for birdie on the par-5 16th and parred the last two holes to return a 61, equalling the course record set by Bernd Wiesberger in 2019.

“I’ve had some flashes of brilliance in the last couple months but this was a special day for sure,” Tringale said. “It would mean a whole lot (to win).

“I haven’t had a professional win on my own, and obviously Scotland is where golf started, so this place is special. Everyone here has appreciation for the game,” added the 34-year-old, now two shots ahead of compatriot Gary Woodland.

Harding might not even been playing at North Berwick this week had a ban on DP World Tour members who played in the first LIV Golf event last month been upheld.

But the suspensions imposed on Harding, Ian Poulter — who slumped to an eight-over par 78 on the east coast of Scotland on Thursday — and Adrian Otaegui were temporarily stayed, pending determination of their substantive appeals, following a