Mystery American gets off to Open flyer
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Little known American Robert Streb is setting a hot pace at the top of The Open leaderboard, taming St Andrews with a -6 66.
Robert who you might ask? Well he’s the fellow who broke his putter during the recent Greenbrier Classic and ended up putting just as well with his sand wedge – he just missed out to Danny Lee in a play-off.
He’s the chap who made birdies at four of the last five holes for a closing round of 63 and then bagged another in a play-off to win his first PGA Tour title at the McGladrey Classic last October.
It qualified the 28-years-old former Kansas State college player for a Masters debut – his first major appearance – this April and his maiden Open.
It’s already been some year for Streb who also became a father for the first time and now he’s only sitting pretty at the head of the St Andrews leaderboard via route 66. And this time he used his putter throughout!
“It’s been real cool so far, everything has been great including the course and I want to continue to try and enjoy it as much as I can,” said the early pacesetter who freely admits: “I don’t know a lot about golf over here in Scotland.
“But I do know you have to avoid those bunkers out there and get a lucky bounce or two!” Only time will tell if he can negotiate the penal Old Course traps…and whether the name Robert Streb will be ringing many more bells come the weekend.
