Marino humbles tough Turnberry to lead Open

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The Open Championship In Association With Nikon

American Steve Marino shares the lead of the Open Championship on -5 but admits Turnberry is “one of the hardest courses I’ve ever played”.

Turnberry may have been benign yesterday but it’s defences were there for all to see today.

“Today was so much different than yesterday,” said the 29-year-old. “It was like a totally different golf course.”

“It played so difficult out there today, you know, with the wind early and the rain.”

He added: “In terms of scoring, it was probably one of the best scoring rounds I’ve ever had.

“I was really struggling off the tee. I hit it in the rough a bunch, missed a bunch of greens. I holed a shot from 116 yards for birdie, made a bunker shot for birdie, and then there were points in the round where I felt like I was one-putting every hole.

“I really don’t think I could have shot one stroke less today, to e honest with you.”

Marino had never played a round of links golf before coming into the field this week as a late replacement for Shingo Katayama.

“I replaced Shingo Katayama, and I found out Sunday morning,” said the world number 77.

“I didn’t have any warm clothes. I didn’t have a passport. I had to fly my dad to my house in Florida so he could get any passport and FedEx it to me at the John Deere.

“I wasn’t even expecting to play in this tournament. I didn’t think I was going to be an alternate, let alone be a player. So when I found out I got in, I was super excited.”

Marino only properly equipped himself for the brisk Scottish climate yesterday.

“My agent has been nice enough to get some clothes for me. I just got these pullovers yesterday. SO it’s a good thing we didn’t have this day today yesterday, or I would have been in big trouble.”

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