Parry in pole position

England’s John Parry left nine of Europe’s Ryder Cup side trailing in his wake at the Dunhill Links Championship on Friday.
England’s John Parry left nine of Europe’s Ryder Cup side trailing in his wake at St Andrews on Friday – in an event he was not qualified for until he won his first European Tour title two weeks ago.
The 23-year-old from Harrogate, a team-mate of Rory McIlroy at the 2007 Walker Cup, led the Dunhill Links Championship by four at halfway after a brilliant 65.
“It’s nice to be here and I’ve holed putts from everywhere,” said Parry, who from struggling to keep his card is now on course for a massive first prize of over £502,000.
His Vivendi Trophy victory in Paris was worth almost £170,000 and he celebrated that by buying himself a car – not a Lamborghini, Ferrari or Porsche, but a Vauxhall Astra.
“I would have bought something a bit nicer, but I’ve only just learnt to drive, so the insurance companies don’t seem to like me at the minute – and my parking’s not very good.”
Parry turned pro three years ago like McIlroy, but while the Irish wonder boy was an instant hit he failed to come through the qualifying school and had to go away to the “third division” EuroPro Tour.
“I didn’t have any money at all, but my manager sort of backed me and I think I came out about even,” he said.
From that he earned a place on the Challenge Tour and, thanks to a closing 63 for a win in this same week last year, he graduated from that to the main circuit.
Sweden’s Martin Erlandsson, yet to win on Tour, is in second place after a 68 in equally tough wet, windy, cold and murky conditions at Carnoustie, the hardest of the three courses used for the celebrity pro-am.
Three players are a further stroke back – big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and Ryder Cup pair Ross Fisher and Martin Kaymer.
They were all at St Andrews, Fisher having a 68 and both Quiros and Kaymer 69s.
Fisher said: “When we saw the forecast it seemed like this was probably the best of the three courses to be at, but that was about as brutal as I’ve ever seen the back nine play.
“I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t feel like my game was ready to win. Obviously the celebrations were pretty good, but I wouldn’t say I feel tired.”
Monday’s match-winning hero Graeme McDowell, playing with his father Kenny, also shot 68 to move up to sixth place on six under, while Padraig Harrington, cup vice-captain Thomas Bjorn and defending champion Simon Dyson are all five under.
Lee Westwood was bothered again by his injured calf and with a 72 is now 10 back. He requires a top-two finish to grab the world number one spot off Tiger Woods and is just outside the top 30.
But his two-under aggregate was still three better than that of McIlroy, who drove into gorse and double-bogeyed the sixth en route to a 74.
“I didn’t make the most of the downwind holes,” said the 21-year-old, less surprised than most about world number 177 Parry being clear out in front.
“It’s taken him maybe a bit longer to develop than some of the other guys (from the Walker Cup three years ago), but he’s a great player and with a win under his belt he’s obviously become a lot more comfortable out in this environment.”
Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie had his second successive 72 – not bad for the world number 425.
Latest
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
News
Rory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.
-
News
Rory McIlroy sad to miss Conor McGregor fight
Rory McIlroy has been to UFC star Conor Mcgregor’s last three fights but will miss Saturday’s clash due to European Tour commitments.
-
News
Rory McIlroy backs Tiger Woods to make quick recovery from latest back surgery
McIlroy expects the American to be fit for the Masters in April.
-
News
Tiger Woods focusing on return to PGA Tour after undergoing fifth back operation
The 45-year-old will miss the Farmers Insurance Open and the Genesis Invitational.