Three of the world's top six players are contesting The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond golf club this week, but on Thursday it was an ex-paratrooper ranked at 153 and a Swede 11 spots lower that stole the headlines.
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee, twice a European Tour champion at the Malaysian Open in 2004 and 2005, was heading in the wrong direction when he bogeyed the second hole, but eight birdies later he held a seven under par clubhouse score of 64 and shared the lead with Alexander Noren.
Jaidee's recovery started with birdies on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth holes, while a three on the par four ninth saw him out in 32. He then picked up shots at the 13th, 17th and 18th before admitting his feat had been achieved with a prolapsed disc in his back.
His plan is to fly home for treatment next week - unless he qualifies for The Open Championship by finishing in the top five at Loch Lomond Golf Club this weekend.
"I have my back injury because it's such a long flight, ten or 11 hours, from Asia to Europe," explained the 39 year old. "I saw a doctor and he told me I cannot do anything for three months.
"The doctor wants to see me again and then he can see what's wrong and then he can do something. I have to go for an x-ray but if I qualify I could play next week."
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