Mullen, Wall share lead at Dunhill Links

The cut is made after the third round, when the top 60 pros and ties and the top 20 teams progress to the final round at St Andrews on Sunday.

The US$5.7 million Alfred Dunhill Links begins this Thursday over three courses in the areas of Fife and Angus in Scotland. ‘Woohoo cannot wait.

Paul Dunne burst onto the professional scene in dramatic manner seizing a share of the lead with an eight-under- par 64 that included a hole-in-one on the opening day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He said: “I didn’t expect to shoot eight-under first time out”. With so many amateurs playing, the courses are always set up easily and if the wind doesn’t blow all sorts of low scores are possible – especially around St Andrews and Kingsbarns so the Birdie Average stats are well worth looking at and so are the Par 4 Scoring stats… I’ve got a lot of learning to do and just looking forward to tomorrow.

“It’s been incredible”, said the 40-year-old, who posted a four under par 68 on the Old Course to trail Mullen, Dunne and Kristoffer Broberg by four. All I can say is good luck and to go and choose wisely… I’ve only played one round.

Tyrrell Hatton (80/1) – After back-to-back top-5 finishes, Tyrrell Hatton looked like he was the next in line to capture his first career win on the European Tour – but his last two starts have seen a bit of a fall off. However, at 80/1 this week, I’m not afraid of putting a couple shekels on him this week and neither should you.

“I’ve only played Kingsbarns once before, but I’ve played St. Andrews lots of times and played Carnoustie five times in a year in the British Amateur, so I know those well”. I played a few good golf from then on in so was happy with my score.

Making their tour debuts Mullen and Dunne started off the tournament at Kingsbarns with 64s, with only Broberg at St Andrews matching them. I thought I’d hit it close and when I saw it drop, it was great. I’ve only played here once.

Stephen Gallacher and James Morrison are among those on five under, while two-time major champion Martin Kaymer was in the group at four under, having shot the joint-best round of the day at Carnoustie.

In past years Hend’s nemesis has been the Kingsbarns Course, one of three in the rotation alongside Carnoustie and the Old Course, and if he can manage his game well there he is comfortable on the other two.

There were three players a further shot behind – England’s Richard Bland and Anthony Wall and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen.

Danny Willett (20/1) – Now that I’ve talked about three players who are longer shots, here are two favorites.