Spring Invitational Round 3

Another fine day of weather meant that Carnoustie wasn't in a position to bare it's sharpest teeth, but a moderate 15mph wind was enough to keep the Invitational field on their toes. 

Having a look through the past winners of the Open Championship at Carnoustie, it's clear that this is a course where ball-strikers prevail. Ben Hogan and Tom Watson, perhaps two of the best in history. Paul Lawrie, Padraig Harrington and Francesco Molinari - who was widely regarded as the most consistent ball-striker on tour during his prime.

Boston Woolley, a young 'Utahn' now living and working in Nashville, hits it pure. Young enough to not have collected any scar tissue, he's been playing fearlessly around the Scottish links. That form continued into today as he got off to a blistering start moving three under par through five holes. But as Woolley was to soon learn, Carnoustie enjoys toying with it's prey for a couple of hours before finishing the kill. Five bogeys in the final seven holes saw him sign for a scratch 72. His earlier heroics were enough however to seal a 4 point margin of victory in the daily competition. An engraved Connoisseur Golf silver 'quaich' will be making it's way to this young man's ever-growing trophy cabinet.

A few groups ahead, Carson Reynolds was churning out pars despite a cold putter. He did make one on the final green however to birdie the hole that left Jean van de Velde with 27 years of sleepless nights. Reynolds remarked afterwards, "That should've been a low one. I hit it great and didn't make anything." He moves on to the final round at Kingsbarns still in the hunt for the scratch title with only 4 points separating a breakaway bunch of the leading low men. Tee-Times at Kingsbarns tomorrow run from 10:00 - 11:30. Check the Connoisseur Golf App for details regarding your car service and tee-time.