Staff WriterRichard Sterne picked the perfect day to keep the wind at bay, carding a flawless five-under-par 67 to snatch a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen.
In conditions that would make a lesser man’s golf ball file for a restraining order, the South African plotted his way around the exposed links with surgical precision, leaving the rest of the field huffing into the breeze.
Starting on the back nine, Sterne made his intentions clear with two early birdies before the turn in 34. The 43-year-old added another at the par-five first, then a dart at the par-three third, before rolling in a final gain at the drivable par-four seventh.
His closing par-par finish not only secured the clubhouse lead but also set a new course record – a mark that, if it survives the week, will earn him $10,000 courtesy of a new DP World Tour initiative with title sponsor Nexo.
It’s been a lean year for the six-time Tour winner, but Sterne hopes this could be the spark he’s been looking for.
“When I was here on Tuesday, it was about double this wind and I lost about seven or eight balls,” Sterne admitted. “I wasn’t off to the world’s best start, but it is a lot calmer than it was then. I think Tuesday did me a bit of good.
The course is quite tricky even though the wind is not as bad as it has been in the practice rounds. I played well. I hit the ball well, better than I have been for a while so that was quite key.
I drove it well off the tees as well so that helped. It is a draining golf course, you have got to hit a lot of good iron shots. One day at a time and I am happy with today, so it is a good start for me.”
Just a shot behind sit Norwegian Andreas Halvorsen and South African Thomas Aiken, who were both eyeing a share of the lead until bogeys at the last left them alongside compatriot Louis Albertse on four-under.
A crowded chasing pack at three-under includes England’s John Parry, Jordan Smith, Matthew Baldwin, Joe Dean and Alex Fitzpatrick – the latter having briefly held the outright lead in the afternoon – as well as Spain’s Jorge Campillo, defending champion Adrian Otaegui, and Dutchman Darius van Driel.
Sterne, who’s been nursing injuries and struggling for consistency, knows the hard work is just beginning.
“If the wind can stay like it is then it is quite playable, but I think if it gets a bit windier then it becomes really tricky. There are beautiful views and a good layout.
I need to have some good performances. It has been a tough year. I have been coming back from a lot of injuries. It has been a very slow year, missed a lot of cuts. Not by a long way but missing them is missing them so I need to try and have some good finishes.
I have got a long stretch in front of me now, so I need to try and put something good together. There is a long way to go this week.”
With the wind lying low – for now – and the Nexo Championship leaderboard already tighter than a drum, Sterne’s opening salvo has set the tone for a weekend where one bad swing could mean a trip to the beach… and not the relaxing kind.
