Photograph by: Sydney Seshibedi

Countrymen Otto Hennie and Keith Horne are a further shot behind after a two under-par 70 at Carnoustie and Kingsbarns respectively.

Trevor Immelman, the 2008 US Masters Champion, who shot a 71 at Carnoustie said, “That must be close to my best score here at Carnoustie but it could have been better. I had bogeys on two of my last four holes which took a bit of a shine off the round, but all in all I played pretty well. I had a particularly nice birdie on the 5th hole, our 14th today, but the finish was not quite what I wanted.”

South Africa’s Ernie Els, the 2002 Open Champion and twice winner of the US Open is further back the on the leaderboard after an even par 72 at Carnoustie.

“I played well but I’m not making any putts. 68 is a really good score but 72 is way off the pace,” he said.

“I finished 3rd in the Open here (Carnoustie) a couple of years ago and shot 65, but at the moment I’m not putting well and I’m not hitting it well. If you don’t putt well you’re not going to score well. What I would say, is that the course is in unbelievable shape. I’ve got to get going, got to get under par and make some birdies.”

The tournament, conceived as a celebration of links golf, is played over three of the world’s best known and respected links courses — the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie and the highly regarded Kingsbarns Golf Links.

Joining the professionals are an enthusiastic group of talented amateur golfers.