My brother's a Rangers nine-in-a-row legend now I'm aiming for Open golf glory at Royal Portrush
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FOUR Scottish golfers are hoping to shoot their way into the historic books at Royal Portrush this week.
But there's a fifth who fancies getting his hands on the Claret Jug too, despite the fact he's not actually playing in the Open...
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Haotong Li of China had a superb first round at the Open
Credit: Getty
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Brothers Richard (L) and Jamie Gough (R)
Credit: Peter Kelly - The Sun Glasgow
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Richard during his time at Rangers
Credit: Getty
That man is Jamie Gough, the brother of former Rangers captain Richard Gough.
He finds himself at the top of the Open leaderboard - by proxy, if you like - thanks to Haotong Li.
Gough is the Chinese golfer's coach and after a brilliant first round of 67, Li is tied for the lead in the championship.
Richard Gough played a part in each of Rangers' league wins during the nine-in-a-row era during the 1990s.
He also won the Scottish Cup three times with the Light Blues and the League Cup six times, plus a top flight title with Dundee United in 1982-83.
So the Gough family is no stranger to silverware, including Jamie.
He also coaches Scots Connor Syme and Ewen Ferguson, both of whom have won recently on the DP World Tour.
Gough previously worked with New Zealander Ryan Fox, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this season.
Syme and Ferguson aren't teeing it up at the Dunluce links this week but Li and Fox are both in with a chance of becoming Champion Golfer of the Year.
Gough has been working closely with Li during his practice rounds and he would've been delighted with his protege's opening effort.
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Li said after his impressive four-under-par round: "I've been playing quite solid the whole year so far until the last couple weeks, so hopefully, keep the momentum and have some good results come in.'
Gough himself opened up on his busy schedule as a golf coach and said he hopes Li's upturn in form continues.
He said: 'I've been fortunate. I've worked with a lot of good players, so it's enjoyable.
'Last year I ended up doing 38 events on both sides and tried to do both tours.
'And at the beginning of this year I did the first 11 of 12 events and I did most of them in America.
'Then I came back, had a few health issues and I decided not to do America after a while. More just needed some rest, really, you know.
'But there's been a lot of tests and I'm strong as an ox. So I've just been out in Europe and it's been great. The boys have done well.
'It was brilliant to see Connor win. Haotong, nice to see him getting his confidence back because he went off the boil for a few years, but he's coming back nicely. Ewen's had a nice couple of solid weeks and is starting to play well again.'
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