Scott Vincent is in the mix at this week’s Link Hong Kong Open, and the Zimbabwean has been quick to credit the support of his wife after she made a one-off return to caddie duties for the tournament.

The 32-year-old shot a first round five-under-par 65, an encouraging start as he looks to finish the season strongly with three events remaining including this week. He was paired with Thailand’s Nitithorn ‘Fever’ Thippong, who opened with a stunning 62.

Said Vincent after his first round: “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.”

Scott Vincent. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

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.”

The winner of the 2022 International Series Rankings has played on the LIV Golf League for the past two seasons for Irons Heads GC but finished in the drop zone this year.

However, he is determined to make an immediate return by winning the Rankings race once again or by making it through via the LIV Golf Promotions event at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia from 12-14 December.