Skeggs flies to front as Florence finds fan

Skeggs goes on Chinese television

RICHARD Skeggs is among the leaders after the first day of the Asian Open.

The 29-year-old is in the top three after rounds of 35, 36, 34 and 38.

Skeggs, who started the day by carrying the flag for the Great Britain team in the opening ceremony, said: “I’m very happy with today’s performance.

“I did not play brilliantly and I dropped loads of shots and I think there is definitely room for improvement tomorrow.

“Having said that I am delighted to be so high up the leader board.”

Skeggs’ main challenge on the second day will be the German pair of Alice Kobisch and Marcel Nowack.

Team mate Oliver Florence did not fare quite so well, and after acing two of the first three holes, never recovered from a six on the volcano and finished the opening round on 44.

He however rallied slightly and completed the day with scores of 41, 40 and 40 after drawing inspiration from the words of interpreter Lily who said she believed in him and thought he could do better.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with how I went today,” said Florence. “Maybe the occasion got to me a little bit.

“I’m pleased that my scores are going in the right direction though and will look to push on tomorrow and make scores of below 40.

“It was nice of Lily to think of me and hopefully I can do well for her tomorrow.”

The championships were declared officially open this morning after the teams paraded from the road over the bridge and gathered outside the club house.

The ceremony was however delayed 15 minutes by the Iranian team, who rushed to the Hello! Minigolf Club in taxis after reportedly spending too long in bed.

The national anthem of China was played and speeches were given by Gerhard Zimmermann, resplendent in his WMF shirt and tie, course owner Ed Knapp, Spring from the Asian Minigolf Federation, Chinese officials and Japanese competitior Koshimura Yuki – who spoke on behalf of the players.

Florence and Skeggs were then asked by Chinese television to hit a few balls for the cameras and they were later interviewed with the help of Lily, who translated to and from English.

As play got underway conditions were overcast, but the sun soon broke through to quicken up the course.
Photographers and cameramen swarmed the first half of the course as the media spotlight intensified with some lenses pointed right in the faces of players.

Halfway through the day the British team were visited by a fan – 33-year-old Karen McQuilkin from Northern Ireland.

Florence with his new fan

The Kumming resident said she heard there was a team from Great Britain playing in the contest and wanted to come along and meet them.

“I’m impressed with how dedicated and professional they seem,” she said.

After posing with Florence in his team jacket, she added: “I’m now your number one fan.”

Karen invited the British team to a party, but course owner Knapp warned the pair off chasing any Northern Irish girls, telling them to “save your strength” for tomorrow.

Florence and Skeggs are instead heading in to the city centre to find an Indian restaurant.