Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play: Drakeford on top

By Jack Persons BARRY, Scotland (May 30, 2014) — Geoff Drakeford leads the Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play by a single stroke after the first round at Panmure Golf Club. Thanks to five birdies and no bogeys, Drakeford leads Nick Marsh, who shot four-under 66. “I definitely had to take advantage of the weather, and I did,” Drakeford told the Scottish Golf Union in an interview. “I’m used to sandbelt golf and today was a little bit similar I guess.” Marsh got his scoring out of the way early, as he started birdie-eagle-birdie, and finished his round with 15 straight pars. Rhys Pugh, who notably won the 2011 Irish Amateur Open and competed in the 2013 Open Championship, sits in solo fourth after a 68. Only two of the top 12 players on the leaderboard are Scottish, while the leader, Drakeford, hails from Australia. The top 40 and ties will make the cut after tomorrow’s round, and the final 36 holes will be played on Sunday. Currently, 48 players sit at 72 or better.