Golf: Scotsmen stand up to the cold

SCOTLAND'S Sam Torrance and Gordon Brand Jnr both shot 54 to share the lead in the first round of the weather-affected Chemapol Czech Open at Marienbad yesterday.

Heavy frost delayed the start by three and a half hours and even then the 11th, 13th and 14th holes were not playable.

The tournament director, David Probyn, faced with an even longer delay if he waited for them to unfreeze, had little option but to go ahead with the 15 playable holes in bitterly cold weather.

Even then only 51 of the 102-strong field finished yesterday, with the remaining 51 still on the course when darkness stopped play.

Both Torrance and Brand went out to play as if dressed for a North Pole hike, but both shot five under in the freezing conditions and were highly delighted with their rounds.

Brand, who had five birdies and no bogeys in his 15 holes, agreed that Probyn was right not to wait for the complete course to unfreeze. 'It was a bit dodgy here and there, but it was better than sitting in the club house,' he said.

Torrance agreed: 'I can't grumble. I had seven birdies and only two bogeys and I'm really pleased we went ahead.'

Scores, Sporting Digest, page 39