It's Jason's Day at St Andrews Bay - Golf Clothing Journal

The opening day of the Glenmuir Club Professional Championship truly belonged to Jason McCreadie. The 33-year-old playing professional from Buchanan Castle, at Dymen in Stirlingshire, never had a finer round as he reduced the Torrance course at the spectacular St Andrews Bay Resort to an eight-under 64, no fewer than four strokes better than the record set earlier in the year by Brian Dunbar from Deer Park in Livingston.

"I've certainly had rounds of eight under in the past - but never over a course of this standard", he admitted. He holds a three-shot lead over Robert Giles (Greenore) and former PGA Cup player, Brian Rimmer, from Little Aston, Birmingham.

Playing in his first Glenmuir (the PGA categories changed this year to allow entry by pro's other than those who run club pro shops), Jason carved out seven birdies and an eagle - his only dropped shot coming at the 16th where he took three putts - and then modestly said "But that's only one round. I'd like to be around at the end of the week."

Ten years a professional, having studied electronics when he left school, Jason gave much of the credit for his improved play this year to Lanark pro' and last year's captain of the Scottish Region, Alan White.

"I've tried twice to get my European Tour card - and failed at the first hurdle each time. I'm definitely trying again this year; maybe I'll get a bit farther this time."

Robert Giles, a Yorkshireman formerly at the Romiley club, has now moved to Greenore, near Dundalk. After his five-under 67, he said scoring for the day would probably get better - in fact, McCreadie was handing in his 64 just minutes behind him.

There were 63 players on level par or better, an indication that, barring a considerable change in the weather, a 144 aggregate may not be good enough for survival into the closing 36 holes.

Leading Scores

64 J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle)

67 R Giles (Greenore), B Rimmer (Little Aston)

68 G Law (Uphall), P Simpson (West Berks), M Smith (Erewash Valley)

69 S Emery (Boston), J Harrison (Matfen Hall), S Henderson (Kings Links), N Evans (Greetham Valley), K Hutton (Downfield), G Ralph (Camberley Heath), T Spence (unattached)

70 S Thompson (Gleddoch), N Oakley (Hinckley), A Webster (Edzell), R Green (Bramhall), G Furey (Pleasington), B Marchbank (Auchterarder), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs DR), R Edwards (Lee-on-the-Solent), D McKay (Wellsgreen), D Tapping (Verulam), D Prosser (Shifnal), P Harrison (Woldingham), I Kerr (Carlow GR), M Nichols (unattached), P Edwards (Springwater), G Harvey (Bearsden GR)

It's Jason’s Day at St Andrews Bay