+34
Australia's Jack Buchanan shot a bogey-free 65 to share the first-round lead with Scotland's Michael Stewart at the 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Will Florimo and several other Australians also featured prominently, while celebrities Piers Morgan, Gareth Bale and Kevin Pietersen attracted attention with memorable moments at St Andrews.
USA complete stunning Cup comeback | 02:10Piers Morgan and Gareth Bale have stolen the show at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after both produced viral moments at St Andrews.
But once attention turned to the professionals, an unlikely Australian emerged at the top of the leaderboard. Morgan, Bale and former England cricket star Kevin Pietersen were all part of the celebrity amateur Pro-Am Team Championship at the 2026 event, and it didn’t take long for the trio to get people talking. Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Morgan exploded on social media after producing what was labelled the “worst tee shot” in the history of the famous Road Hole at St Andrews. Bale also found trouble on the 17th, with the former Real Madrid superstar sending his drive towards fans at The Jigger Inn, which got plenty of reaction online. But away from the celebrities, a record-breaking 20 Australians are in the field, and one has emerged as the surprise story of the opening round.
Aussie Jack Buchanan went bogey-free in his opening round, firing a 65 to sit tied at the top of the leaderboard. Buchanan went bogey-free across his opening round, getting off to a great start with four birdies across his first six holes. He shares the lead with Scotland’s Michael Stewart, who also went bogey-free and produced an incredible eagle on the 12th hole.
Fellow Aussie Will Florimo is also among the leaders after finishing four-under to sit tied-12th following the opening round. Florimo started with a bogey on the first before responding with a birdie on the third and an eagle on the fifth to ignite his round. Marc Leishman, Jay Mackenzie, Jack Thompson and Declan O’Donovan all finished three-under and sit tied-24th. For 2022 Open Championship winner Cameron Smith, it was an up-and-down opening round as he finished even par.
Back-to-back bogeys on the ninth and 10th threatened to derail Smith’s round before he responded with consecutive birdies on the 12th and 13th. Smith won his sole major championship at St Andrews in 2022 and will now be looking to make his move in the second round. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre also has work to do after opening his title defence with a one-under round to sit tied-78th.
But while Buchanan led the Australian charge on the course, one of the biggest talking points from the opening day came from Morgan. The English broadcaster was paired with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen when things went very wrong on the famous Road Hole. Morgan elected to go low off the tee, sending his ball skidding along the ground in a shot that quickly went viral online.
The video was labelled the “worst tee shot” in the history of the Road Hole, but Morgan was having none of it.
“You wouldn’t say that if @McIlroyRory had struck such an amazing, unique - and quite deliberate-shot,” Pietersen, meanwhile, could barely contain himself, appearing almost in tears with laughter as he looked towards the camera following Morgan’s shot.
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Jack Buchanan Golf St Andrews 2026
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Labor MP Accuses Greens Leader Shoebridge of Prejudice Against Jewish AustraliansLabor MP Josh Burns accused new Greens leader David Shoebridge of prejudice after he said his party has strong ties with Jewish Australians fighting a genocide. The dispute follows Shoebridge's election to replace Larissa Waters.
Read more »
Survey Finds Australians Underestimate Breast Cancer Diagnoses and Daily DeathsA National Breast Cancer Foundation survey of 1003 respondents found widespread underestimation of breast cancer diagnoses, recurrence and daily deaths, as experts and a Sydney mother of two call for greater awareness and research funding.
Read more »
Guardian Essential report: what do Australians really think about immigration?Guardian Australia political reporter Josh Butler speaks with Essential Media chair Peter Lewis about how many votes can be won in the bruising and often incendiary brawl over migration policy
Read more »