Mullen and Dunne went pro after helping Britain and Ireland beat the United States in the Walker Cup last month and had similar rounds, with each carding eight birdies and an eagle to go with two bogeys at Kingsbarns.
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“I kind of needed it”, he said. “I got off to a bit of a ropey start”.
Broberg continued his recent impressive run by opening with four gains over the opening five holes, repeating the feat after the turn to card the lowest round of the day at St Andrews. It was just a jolly out there really. The 21-year-old Englishman recorded an eagle-2 at 6, eight birdies, six pars and two bogeys in an unforgettable lap of Kingsbarns which played as the easiest of the three courses being used.
“What I did as an amateur worked, so I didn’t see any reason to change it”, Mullen told the European Tour’s website. I was hitting a lot of poor full shots. I thought I hit it close and when I saw it drop, it was great. Nice little bonus there.
The Greystones golfer has enjoyed a rollercoaster of action since his exploits back in July as he finished 30th in the race for the Claret Jug, and subsequently being granted a special exemption that allowed him to play in this year’s U.S. Amateur Championship.
However, he struggled on Thursday, along with Brown, who was playing the Carnoustie course. I know the Old Course and Carnoustie a lot better than here Kingsbarns.
American Brooks Koepka also teed off at Carnoustie, as did South Africans Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel, and all three returned level-par 72s.
“Just looking at St Andrews (in practice), it looks a lot different”.
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Soeren Kjeldsen, Richard Bland and Anthony Wall are in a tie for fourth, a shot behind the leaders, while Germany’s two-time major victor Martin Kaymer had the joint-best round at Carnoustie with a 68.
