Family affair keeps Vincent in the hunt after flawless first round at Link Hong Kong Open

Scott Vincent stayed in touch with playing partner and leader Nitithorn Thippong after a flawless first round of the Link Hong Kong Open, and the Zimbabwean was quick to credit the support of his wife after she made a one-off return to caddie duties for the tournament, the eighth event of The International Series.

The 32-year-old started steadily with nine pars, before putting together a brilliant back nine, picking up shots on 11 and 13 and reeling off a run of three straight birdies from 15 to finish on five under, three behind overnight leader ‘Fever’ from Thailand.

That was encouraging form for the 2022 International Series Rankings champion ahead of the crucial LIV Golf Promotions event at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia from 12-14 December, where Vincent will be looking to win back his place on the roster after finishing in the drop zone this season following two years with Iron Heads GC.

Thanks to the pathway offered to LIV Golf by The International Series, Vincent can also win his way back if he puts together a run of good results and tops the rankings this year.

He is currently 32 in the rankings but the last three tournaments – the Link Hong Kong Open, International Series Qatar and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers – theoretically offer enough points for a late season surge should he pick up a win.

Vincent said: “That was really good, solid golf. I felt I was getting left behind - Fever is playing incredible golf right now. But all throughout the day it felt really good and solid, I was just trying to be patient and let it come to me, trying not to chase anything. It was a really good example of just sticking with your game and just letting it come to you.”

Vincent was quick to credit the big part wife Kelsey played in the performance, after she made a cameo turn on the bag. The pair met during Vincent’s time at Virginia Tech on a golf scholarship, with Kelsey on the university’s women’s soccer team, and she caddied for him from 2017 before giving up the position in 2019 ahead of the arrival of their first child.

Vincent explained: “She had given me the thumbs up to come out here to play. I asked if she wanted to caddie and she was all about it. This is her first time back since 2019, so it is special for us to do this just for this week. It’s a one-off, the kids are in good hands with my mum and my wife’s mum, and seem pretty happy because they are getting spoiled.

“She has that experience, and she just knows. I got to train her the way that I wanted her to caddie, which was great, and she remembers all that. I didn't have to say anything out there today, she knew exactly what to do, which is cool. What she brings is just that calm, that warm smile and good energy. It is nice having someone that cares about you so much right next to you.”

Vincent qualified for the second round of the LIV Golf Promotions event along with his younger brother Kieran from Legion XIII and the other players relegated following the 2024 season, plus those from two to eight on The International Series rankings, Asian Tour 2024 champions and select others.

Another 25 eligible players from the top 40 of the rankings will start off in the first-round field along with a number of elite amateurs and pros from around the world, with the top 20 and ties from the first round joining Vincent and co on day two. The overall champion of LIV Golf Promotions will win a place on the 2025 roster along with the rankings champion.