Romain Langasque equalled the course record at the Old Course, St Andrews, after producing a remarkable burst of scoring in the closing stages of his first-round 61 to lead the 2022 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by one shot.
The Frenchman started at the tenth tee and went out in 33 before coming home in 28 – having covered the final six holes in seven under par to match Ross Fisher’s record at the historic venue.
Langasque recovered from an early bogey with two eagles and eight birdies to reach 11 under par on a beautiful day in Scotland, as he made the best of the conditions before the severe weather forecast for Friday.
His nearest challenger was fellow Frenchman Frederic Lacroix, who recorded a spotless 62 at Kingsbarns Golf Links to sit one shot off the lead, while their countryman Antoine Rozner finished his day at the Old Course in a tie for third at nine under par alongside Dane Niklas Nørgaard Møller (Kingsbarns).
Nacho Elvira of Spain and Sweden’s Kristoffer Broberg both got to eight under par at Kingsbarns, while Thomas Pieters’ 65 was the lowest round of the day at Carnoustie Golf Links – the third host course of this week’s unique tournament – as he joined a group of four players at seven under par.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship brings together some of the world’s best golfers with amateurs including celebrities from the worlds of sport, music and film, playing in an individual and team competition across three world-class links courses.
As well as topping the individual leaderboard, Langasque and partner Roy Ryu co-lead the team competition on 14 under par alongside Andrea Pavan and his team-mate Kieran McManus.
Due to the forecast for strong winds and heavy rain, Friday’s second round will have a shot-gun start at 08:30 on all three courses, with leader Langasque tackling Carnoustie on day two.
Player Quotes
Romain Langasque: I said to my caddie, I didn’t feel that I shot a number today. I was having a good round but just five, six, was the way I think of it. But the end of the course was amazing. I holed a few long putts. The game was great but didn’t feel I shot 11-under
It came so quick because I was playing great on my first nine holes but just 3-under. I think I finished 7-under on the last six holes or something like this, which was amazing. I think my partner didn’t real realise I shot 11-under today. He was playing good and I was playing a bit better. We made a good score together. It was great for me but great for them also.
I never thought I would have the course record in St Andrews, and I think now my name is going to be on this board. I think it’s something I will remember for rest of my life. So yeah, I’m really happy about this. But it’s only the first round, so I’m also going to stay really focused for the next few days.
Frederic Lacroix: We had it before (a French winner) and Victor (Perez) showed us it’s possible. If we can follow in his footsteps, I’ll try to do that.
It’s always nice to go low. I had a few longer putts that dropped and that makes it 10-under, I didn’t really realise until I came to 18.
For the eagle on 9, I hit a really nice drive, middle of the fairway and I had a perfect number for my 3-iron to pitch it in the slope and to stop it just close to the pin. I had like three or four paces to the pin and made the putt. And on 16, I hit a pretty good 4-iron in there on the right side. I wasn’t playing for the pin. I was just playing for the green really and just made that putt.
Antoine Rozner: I hit a lot of wedges really close, so that helped. I hit two par 5s in regulation, and everything went my well. Never put myself in trouble, really, out there. It’s funny because before today I had never shot under par here (the Old Course). I told my caddie at the start, let’s try to do something and in the end, the score, 9-under, really, really happy.
Romain had it going. We stayed together this week in a house. So, I’m going to have to say that I wasn’t expecting to be two behind after shooting 9-under. But as well, Frederic, very good 10-under. We are from the same course at home. Very pleased for everyone, so let’s try to keep it going.
Niklas Nørgaard Møller: It was so enjoyable. It’s my first time playing this course (Kingsbarns) and first time playing St Andrews this week. Just being here and being in these settings, and actually being able to play a championship on these courses. I just talked to my caddie about trying to take the whole experience in because it is quite special. Not many people get to do that.
I don’t think there are many bad guys out here but I was very lucky to get two nice ones, very good partner. I’ve always enjoyed being social in the Pro-Am format. Yeah, it feels a little bit more relaxed and going down the last holes, being 7- , 8- , 9-under, I felt quite comfortable.
