Michael Stewart shares Dunhill Links lead after opening 65 at Carnoustie

Michael Stewart turned a sponsor invitation into a share of the first-round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, shooting a seven-under-par 65 at Carnoustie. According to BBC Sport, the Scottish golfer, ranked 979th in the world, finished alongside Australia's Jack Buchanan, who reached the same score at Kingsbarns. The pair held a one-shot advantage over their closest challengers.

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The round came at the end of a quick turnaround for Stewart, 36. He had finished second in the Tartan Tour's Duddingston Classic less than 24 hours before teeing off in the Dunhill Links event. His opportunity arrived through an invitation received this week, and his previous experience on the main European circuit amounted to only five events, the most recent in 2023.

Stewart made one birdie on the front nine before his scoring accelerated after the turn. An eagle at the par-five 12th helped transform his round and put him alongside Buchanan at the top of the leaderboard. In comments reported by BBC Sport, Stewart described a day of consistent driving and approach play, followed by an improvement with the putter. He also pointed to his background growing up on a links course and his familiarity with the event.

South African golfers MJ Daffue and Casey Jarvis were the nearest pursuers at six under. Matt Fitzpatrick, seeking a fifth victory of the year after winning the French Open the previous week, opened with a four-under 68 to sit three strokes behind the leaders.

Brooks Koepka returned a 69 at Carnoustie to finish three under, with Tommy Fleetwood a further stroke back. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre finished one under at the same course. Lee Westwood was also at one under as he returned to the DP World Tour for his first appearance since January 2023.

The tournament uses Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews, with professionals also taking part in a team competition alongside celebrities and former sports stars. That multi-course opening day produced matching scores from Stewart and Buchanan at different venues, leaving the Scottish invitee and the Australian level after the first round.