Fog holds-up play at the Glen

Aug 26 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

HARD on the heels of the storm which wrecked the Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, Scotland’s weather again threatened to beat the European Tour elite yesterday at Gleneagles, reports Gordon Bannerman.

First day play in the Johnnie Walker Championship went on hold for more than two and a half hours in the morning as thick fog hugged the fairways of the PGA Centenary Course, which stages the Ryder Cup in 2014.

Inevitably, that left the frustrated field playing catch-up and teed-up desperate bids to beat the clock as later starters, including Dunning-based Colin Montgomerie, the tournament chairman, belatedly got their challenge under way.

Among the early birds was former King James VI youngster Ian Redford, starting his first ever Tour event since turning pro earlier in the season.

It proved a baptism of fire for the 18-year-old, who endured an agonising start with a double bogey on the par four first.

While tournament officials mapped out their plans to tweak the timings when the fog lifted, players and spectators milled around the driving range and putting green beside the mist shrouded Johnnie Walker pavilion.

See page 60 and 61 for further Johnnie Walker Championhip coverage and see Tuesday’s PA for a report and pictures.