Stewart shares Dunhill Links lead as MacIntyre voices drone frustration

Michael Stewart shared the first-round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after shooting a seven-under-par 65 at Carnoustie on Thursday. BBC Sport reported that the Scot, ranked 979th in the world, finished alongside Australia's Jack Buchanan, who posted his score at Kingsbarns. South Africans MJ Daffue and Casey Jarvis were one shot behind.

Stewart, 36, entered on a sponsor's invitation after finishing second in the Tartan Tour's Duddingston Classic less than 24 hours before teeing off. He had previously played only five events on the main European circuit, most recently in 2023. One front-nine birdie was followed by a back-nine surge that included an eagle at the par-five 12th.

Matt Fitzpatrick opened with a four-under 68 after winning the French Open the previous week. Brooks Koepka was three under following a 69 at Carnoustie, with Tommy Fleetwood another stroke back. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre finished at one under, leaving him six shots behind the leaders after a round that also brought a dispute over broadcast drones.

In a separate BBC Sport report, MacIntyre said a DP World Tour rules official had spoken to him after he directed his frustration at a camera operator. He said he had raised the drone issue twice before playing the eighth hole and had stepped away from his shot while distracted by it. He later dropped a shot at the ninth, his final hole.

MacIntyre explained that a stationary drone was less troubling than one adjusting its position in the wind. He said the changing noise disrupted his concentration and questioned why the cameras needed to operate so close to players. Although an official had spoken to him, his comments did not establish whether the tournament director would take further action.

The Scot also expressed dissatisfaction with his scoring, describing an inconsistency between his ball-striking and putting. MacIntyre said Carnoustie had provided one of the toughest tests he had experienced there in years, while acknowledging that low scoring remained possible. His next rounds were scheduled for Kingsbarns on Friday and St Andrews on Saturday, completing the tournament's three-course rotation.