Brothers Scott and Kieran Vincent both enjoyed eventful days before and during Round 1 of the International Series Morocco. And after two freaks lost baggage mishaps, both LIV Golf League members were delighted to remain in contention on the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam Red Course in Rabat.
Both players started the day minus a set of golf clubs. Scott, who plays for IronHeads GC, returned empty-handed after a fruitless run to the airport to reunite with his bag.
To compound his woes, he incurred a two-shot penalty – and narrowly avoided a DQ with seconds to spare – for arriving at the first tee after his scheduled tee time of 12:30 as he scampered back from the airport. He borrowed a set of sticks from the club pro.
Brother Kieran ended up teeing off with a hastily assembled set which included a selection of clubs from friends in the tournament who stepped in to support the Zimbabwean. Legion XIII teammate Caleb Surratt supplied the irons, Taichi Kho provided a driver and Ian Snyman chipped in with a wedge. Jaco Ahlers even provided some golf balls for the day.
Given the tricky situation, the rounds were nothing short of spectacular. Scott roared back from his two-shot penalty with five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 eighth to sit just two shots off co-leaders John Catlin and Kozuma Kobori of New Zealand.
Kieran started off with three bogeys in total, two in his first three holes, but birdies on Nos. 4, 8, 12 and 17 gave the 25-year-old a 1-under 72 on the par-73 layout which he “would have signed for straight away” had it been offered before his round.
“I had zero expectations today but feel we definitely learned something that will help us get better in future,” Scott said. “So in a way it was great to play, the pressure was off and I just wanted to see what would happen.
“We have an early turnaround (for the second round) so the plan is to play with the same clubs unless they can be couriered. Entertaining for the Vincents, for sure!”
Kieran said: “Lucky enough, we have some really cool people out here on the Asian Tour – it is a friendly tour. A lot of people had clubs, bits and pieces, but obviously, it is hard to make up a full set when you do not have anything, so we have a bit of a mixed bag here.
“I have talked a lot to myself about adapting, no matter what, whatever the situation might be. And so just being able to go out there with none of my stuff, even golf shoes, I am taking in the moment, and we will just take it as it comes.”
International Series Morocco is the eighth event on the Asian Tour and the third of ten elevated events which offer a pathway onto the LIV Golf League. The tournament runs from July 4-7.
Main image: Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour
