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Published January 13, 2015
Alexandre Kaleka, Mark Tullo, Richard McEvoy, Tom Lewis and Oliver Wilson all shot 8-under-par 64s on Thursday to grab a share of the first-round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
All five co-leaders sit outside the top 110 in the Race to Dubai standings, with just three events remaining to decide playing status for 2014.
Kaleka, Tullo and McEvoy all played St. Andrews on Thursday, while Lewis and Wilson competed at Kingsbarns. The other course in play during this pro-am event is Carnoustie Golf Club.
"Trying too hard is always something I do and playing three different courses might just help me not know what I've done the day before and try and expect different things," said Lewis, the 2011 Portugal Masters champion.
Jamie Donaldson posted a 7-under-par 65, the low round at Carnoustie, to grab a share of sixth place alongside George Murray, Mark Foster, Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Baldwin.
Tullo and Kaleka both went bogey-free with eight birdies at St. Andrews, while McEvoy mixed an eagle with eight birdies a pair of bogeys.
Lewis, who sits 155th in the Race to Dubai, had an eagle and seven birdies at Kingsbarns, with his lone stumble coming in the form of a bogey at the par-4 10th.
"The last couple of weeks, I've been struggling, even though I've shot some good scores, but today was perfect," he said. "I holed a couple of good putts as well. If I can do some of that again for the next couple days, then I'll be right up there for Sunday."
Wilson, who lost his European Tour card at the end of last season, had an eagle and six birdies during his sparkling first round.
"We've played some good courses the last few weeks on the Challenge Tour and I've played well, and that's built my confidence and given a chance to get my card at the end of the year in a few various ways, and obviously there is a chance this week, as well," said the 33-year-old.
"I just have to keep playing well. Wherever I play, if I play well, it's only a matter of time before I get to I where want to get to, so that's the most important thing."
NOTES: Wilson was a nine-time runner-up on the European Tour from 2006-2009. He missed the cut in all six of his previous European Tour starts this year ... Defending champion Branden Grace shot 2-under 70 at Carnoustie ... Charl Schwartzel, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 19, shot 4-under 68 at Carnoustie ... Teams of one professional and one amateur will play each of the three courses in rotation over the first three days with the final round being played on the Old Course at St. Andrews. After three rounds, the field will be reduced to the top 60 professionals, including those tying for 60th place, and the leading 20 teams.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/5-grab-share-of-alfred-dunhill-links-lead