Azahara Munoz puts DQ behind her, rides opening eagle up leaderboard in Scotland
What’s the best way to put a DQ behind you? Go out and eagle the first hole of the next tournament. Azahara Munoz, playing in the first group of the Aberdeen Standard Investment Ladies Scottish Open, knocked one in from 148 yards out on the first hole to kickstart a 3-under 68 at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland.
It was the perfect antidote to the disqualification news that Munoz suffered at last week’s Marathon LPGA Classic after the Spaniard failed to sign her scorecard after Sunday’s round.
“You know, instantly I knew I had not signed it,” said Munoz. “You know, when you know you haven’t done it … I did beat myself up a lot because I just can’t believe I did it. It’s the first thing I always do, I sign the scorecard. I had a total brain fart. My husband was there, he said, it doesn’t matter, it’s not going to change our life.”
And, as Munoz pointed out, better last week than next week at the AIG Women’s British Open.
Ladies Scottish Open: Leaderboard
With a first round 68, including a hole out for eagle on the first hole, @AzaharaGOLF takes the early clubhouse lead at 3-under 😎
Watch the @LadiesScottish NOW on @GolfChannel! pic.twitter.com/tT3jUjDX5C
— LPGA (@LPGA) August 13, 2020
Scoring at the Scottish Open has been altered due to COVID-19 restrictions. Players typically keep track of another player’s score on the top line of a scorecard and tally their own at the bottom. This week it’s the opposite. Scorecards are not exchanged at the end of the round. Players instead sign their own scorecard and then a tournament official signs as the marker.
“I think it’s very safe,” said Munoz, “but you know, in Scotland, they are being very safe here and that’s why they are doing so good. They barely have any cases and they want to keep it that way.”
