Michael Stewart and amateur Jack Buchanan share Dunhill Links lead

Michael Stewart and South African amateur Jack Buchanan shared the first-round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after opening with seven-under-par 65s on Thursday. According to BBC Sport, the pair, both ranked outside the world's top 700, finished one stroke ahead of MJ Daffue and Casey Jarvis at the tournament played across three Scottish courses.

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Stewart's round at Carnoustie came at the end of a particularly busy stretch. The 36-year-old Scot, ranked 979, had finished second in the Tartan Tour's Duddingston Classic less than 24 hours before teeing off. He received a sponsor's invitation this week and had previously made only five appearances on the main European circuit, most recently in 2023.

A quiet opening nine gave little indication of the score to follow. Stewart made just one birdie before the turn, then accelerated on the back nine, with an eagle at the par-five 12th a key moment. In comments reported by BBC Sport, he credited accurate driving, consistent approach play and an improvement with the putter for his performance.

Buchanan matched that total at Kingsbarns. The 21-year-old, ranked 788, joined Stewart at the top despite his amateur status, while fellow South Africans Daffue and Jarvis completed their rounds at six under. St Andrews is the other venue used for an event that also pairs professionals with celebrities and former sports stars in a team competition.

Matt Fitzpatrick opened with a four-under 68, leaving him three strokes behind the leaders as he sought a fifth victory of the year following his French Open success last week. Brooks Koepka shot 69 at Carnoustie to reach three under, one stroke ahead of Tommy Fleetwood.

Defending champion Robert MacIntyre finished at one under at Carnoustie, but his round also brought a discussion with officials over his reaction to a broadcast drone. MacIntyre said he had raised the issue twice before his shot on the par-three eighth, his penultimate hole. BBC Sport reported that he was waiting to hear what the tournament director would say; the report did not establish any further action.