From victory at Galgorm to leading The Open at Troon

OVERNIGHT leader Daniel Brown may be an unfamiliar name to many at the 152nd Open at Royal Troon - but not to golf fans on this side of the North Channel.

That's because the 29-year-old Englishman was a wire to wire winner of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational tournament at Galgorm Castle just under a year ago.

Brown, from Northallerton in North Yorkshire, led by six shots going into the final round at Ballymena and while he bogeyed the first and third looked in total control as birdies on the fifth, sixth and 10th re-established his overnight advantage.

However, he wobbled with three successive bogeys from the 11th which suddenly left him only two ahead of a charging Alex Fitzpatrick, brother of last year's US Open winner Matt.

However, former EuroPro Tour and Challenge Tour player Brown showed the prowess which had seen him post rounds of 64, 66, 67 over the first three days, as he birdied the next two holes and the 17th which meant he could enjoy the walk up to the final hole.

The then 28-year-old sealed his first DP World Tour win with his 15-under-par total five clear of nearest challenger Fitzpatrick.

Now, less than 12 months later, he has created a little piece of history on the south Ayrshire coast by becoming the first player in men's Major history to a shoot a bogey-free 65 or lower in his first career major.

Not bad for a golfer who only got into this year's Open Championship by coming through final qualifying at West Lancashire Golf Club earlier this month - holing a 20 foot birdie putt on the final hole to boot.

Whether he can maintain his opening day form over the next few days remains to be seen but anyone who witnessed his win at Galgorm in 2023 will know he has the game and the temperament to put it up his more illustrious rivals, including former Open champion from Royal Portrush, Shane Lowry.

There'll be plenty on this side of the water watching with interest anyway.