Fichardt sets pace in low scoring day at Alfred Dunhill

The world number 462 at one stage threatened to card just the second ever 59 on the DP World Tour but had to settle for a 61 that featured two eagles and nine birdies.

On a day of low scoring in ideal conditions, that gave the 49-year-old a one-shot lead over Australia's Cameron John, whose 62 also came at Kingsbarns.

Scott Jamieson and Andrew Wilson shot 63 at the same venue, while New Zealand's Daniel Hillier returned a 63 on the Old Course at St Andrews to sit two shots back.

"It was crazy. If I was on the green, it was either going in or just missing," said Fichardt, who fell just short of the course record of 60 held by Branden Grace and Peter Uihlein.

"The putter was really, really hot and the driver was exceptional. So I was never really in trouble."

Playing alongside his father Gerry in the pro-am event, Rory McIlroy could only manage a three-under 69 at Carnoustie which left him in a share of 73rd place.

"It was a perfect day to play Carnoustie," McIlroy said. "I probably didn't quite take advantage of the conditions the way that I wanted to or should have, but a solid round and something to try to build upon tomorrow at Kingsbarns.

"It's my dad's 65th birthday on Saturday so to be able to stroll around the Old Course with him is going to be a pretty cool occasion."

LIV Golf team-mates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton carded the lowest rounds of the day at Carnoustie at seven under.

The event sees each of the teams of one professional and one amateur play one round at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns before those who survive the 54-hole cut play Sunday's final round at St. Andrews.

Among the amateurs taking part this year are PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, fuelling speculation a breakthrough could be imminent in negotiations over the future of the sport.

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