Better late than never

Nine years after winning The PGA’s oldest trophy, Greg Owen was in action replay mode at St Andrews during the first round of The Open.

The Nottinghamshire-born PGA pro, who has been based in Florida since 2004, was drawn in the group to get the 144^th tussle for the Claret Jug under way.

And by completing his opening round in 68, the 43-year-old became its first clubhouse leader.

That four-under-par return was one shy of the 67 Owen posted during the first round of The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2006 to win the Tooting Bec Cup, the trophy awarded to the PGA Member who returns the lowest single round score in The Open.

The cup remains at The PGA’s headquarters and the winner is presented with a medal.

However, due to being domiciled in the USA and sporadic visits to his homeland, it has taken the best part of a decade for Owen to take possession of his prize, an omission rectified today by PGA captain Nicky Lumb at the Home of Golf.

Despite the lengthy hiatus between winning the medal and receiving it, Owen’s memories of his round at Royal Liverpool remain fresh.

“I was playing with Phil Mickelson and 10 minutes before I was due to tee off my back popped out and I had to rush in and see the physio,” he recalled.

“He managed to sort me out and I had a wonderful day. It was a lot of fun.”

Owen finished tied 22^nd in the tournament, which was won by Tiger Woods, but was unaware of the significance of his opening round.

“I didn’t know anything about it until The PGA’s David Wright got in touch with me,” he admitted. “I am really honoured.”

Unfortunately for him he will be not be honoured in the form of winning the Tooting Bec Cup again this year despite his encouraging first round.

Paul Lawrie, another golfer on Tour who began his career in golf by taking The PGA route, made an early bid for the trophy he has won twice before with a round of six-under.

Meanwhile, Owen, who began his career as an assistant to David Ridley at Coxmoor Golf Club, near Mansfield, was happy with his opening salvo in what is only his third appearance in The Open.

“I got off to a great start and the conditions were good,” he said. “I started with a birdie and finished with one. In between it was just really, really solid.

 “I found one fairway bunker, which I made a bogey from and you accept that is what’s going to happen. Other than that, I was really happy.

 “With the calmer conditions and softer greens that’s what you need to do because it’s not going to get any easier than that.”