As he seeks to banish all fears of losing his card for 2014, Tom Lewis shone at St Andrews as he claimed a one-shot-lead over Joost Luiten in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. However, it was a day that was set alight by the talented American Peter Uihlein, who came agonisingly close to becoming the first player to shoot 59 in the history of the European Tour. His eagle attempt narrowly missed on his final hole at Kingsbarns, as the lucrative Championship begins to heat up with just two rounds remaining.
Tom Lewis has struggled to consistently put together rounds this season. Often, he would typically start an event well before falling away. It’s a recurring trend that has seen the 22-year-old fall to a precarious 155th in the Race to Dubai money list, with just two events remaining after this week to finish inside the critical top 110. However, he added a fine 65 on the Old Course of St Andrews to his opening round of 64 at Kingsbarns, and the 2011 Portugal Masters winner will begin his third round at Carnoustie on 15-under.
“Seven under is a good score at St Andrews but there was no wind today so I think you would be disappointed if you did not shoot better than five under,” said Lewis, his third event as a professional in 2011.
Lewis burst onto the scene two years ago, after he finished as the low amateur in the Open Championship at Royal St Georges. After turning professional, success would come at a rate that Lewis himself would concede was perhaps a little too fast. However, he feels comfortable on links courses, which is a trait that harkens back to his amateur days.
“I feel like I am home again. Links golf suits me, I won the St Andrews Links Trophy here in 2011 and it's great to come back. I knew I had good form coming in but Friday has been my enemy this year so it's good to get it out of the way.”
Peter Uihlein has been a man in form all season. The 2009 U.S. Amateur made the unorthodox, but commendable, decision to develop as a player outside of the United States. He earned his maiden victory earlier in the season at the Madeira Islands Open, and his form this year has seen him sit at 30th on the money list.
However, the 24-year-old very nearly became a history maker on Friday at Kingsbarns. After producing the most stunning round, with South African legend Ernie Els for company, Uihlein found himself at 11-under through 17 holes, with an opportunity for eagle at his closing hole to become the first player to shoot 59 in the history of the European Tour.
His effort from around 40-feet missed narrowly, and Uihlein had to settle for the 17th round of 60 in the 41 year history of the Tour.
“I knew I needed to make an eagle and I thought I hit a good putt,” said Uihlein. ”I thought it would come back to the right but it kept going left.”
Having started the round on the back nine, Uihlein eagle the 12th after making birdie at the 11th. Birdies at the 17th and 18th would complete an excellent nine holes of 31, before he turned on the style on the front nine. He would birdie the second; follow it with an eagle at the third, before making birdie at three of his next four holes to place him on the verge of history. Requiring to navigate his final two holes in two-under, Uihlein didn’t convert a birdie chance on the eighth, before his narrow miss on the par five ninth saw him settle for a closing birdie and a round of 60.
“Today started off with me hitting it close and not making anything and then I started holing it from everywhere. It was just one of those days that went for me.
”When I made that birdie on the 17th to go 11 under that was the first time 59 crossed my mind. I was in the zone out there and it was cool. I am definitely not calm underneath but I just tried to stay with my routines and keep the same swing thought.
”I put a lot of work in during the off-season and even on my off weeks I'm still practising and grinding so it's nice to see the results so quickly.”
It’s a round that matches the achievement of Branden Grace at Kingsbarns last year. The South African would go onto win the Dunhill Links, and Uihlein will hope to match that victory this weekend. He will tackle the legendary Old Course tomorrow starting just two shots off the lead.
Ernie Els was alongside Uihlein on Friday, and he himself produced a clinic for the attending spectators, as a second round of 65 took him to 10-under and within five shots of the lead. The four-time major champion was understandably impressed by what he saw from the American, and joked: “I feel like I shot 90.”
In-form Joost Luiten also found the links of Kingsbarns to his liking, as he second round of 63 to finish within one shot of Lewis. Perhaps crucially, Luiten, who is seeking his third victory of 2013, will move onto the Old Course on Saturday, which is usually a comparatively easier challenge than the brutal challenge of Carnoustie, which Lewis will have to handle tomorrow.
With three courses used on the rotation for this Championship, it does provide an added dynamic that should always be considered. However, with calm conditions forecast for throughout this tournament at all sites, it will ensure of further low scoring and a bunched leaderboard, which all bodes well for a thrilling conclusion on Sunday in the tournament finale at St Andrews.