Northern Open 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⛳️ Cruden Bay Golf Club The PGA Scottish Region #scottishgolf #golflife #linksgolf #PGA #pgapro The Northern Open was first played in 1931 at Royal Aberdeen with the first winner being Jimmy McDowal. For some years it was one of only two 72-hole tournaments on the "Tartan Tour", the PGA Tour in Scotland's schedule, the other being the Scottish PGA Championship, but since 2019 the event has been played over 36 holes. The Championship has had some well known winners over the years from the likes of Eric Brown and Harry Bannerman to more recent winners such as Aberdeen based DP World Tour player David Law. On a mixed day of weather with a stiff westerly across the fabulous links at Cruden Bay - the players were given a stern examination today. A four way tie at the top after the first round has Lewis Brown (St George’s Hill GC) Joe Bryce (Gleneagles) Kevin Duncan (Deeside GC) and reigning Scottish PGA Champion Graeme Robertson (Grangemouth GC) on 68(-2). Lewis came storming home in 31(-3) highlighted by an eagle 2 at the 320 yard 12th hole and another 2 at the par 3 16th. Joe had steady halves of 35(-1) 33(-1) with 3 birdies at 1, 12, 13 and his only drop being at the 10th. Kevin managed a very impressive bogey free round in the difficult conditions with two birdies at 6 & 15. Graeme had a more adventurous day with 4 birdies at 6, 12, 13, 17 and adding an eagle 2 at the par 4 8th hole. They are one stroke ahead of two players - Rob Paterson (Kilspindie GC) and former Northern Open Champion and DP World Tour player Craig Lee on 69(-1). With a stronger wind forcast tomorrow it should make for a very exciting final round with a total of 19 players within 4 shots of the lead. Link to 1st round leaderboard 👇🏻 https://pgagbi.bluegolf.com/.../contest/1/leaderboard.htm