Lee Westwood fired two eagles on his way to carding a nine-under-par 62 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.
The 47-year-old Englishman, who won this title 22 years ago, made the most of the favourable afternoon conditions at The Renaissance Club, equaling the course record.
Speaking about his round, Westwood said:“We got the good end of the draw, there’s no doubt about that, in the afternoon lot. But you’ve got to make the most of it when it does happen to you. That’s links golf, and you know you’re going to be on the wrong side of it often enough, so when you’re on the right side of it, you’ve got to try to make the most of it. I played solidly. Drove the ball well. Iron shots were good. In a good groove since the US Open. I took that discipline from there to here today. Aimed away from flags when I needed to. Left myself a lot of nice looks uphill for birdie today. The greens are nice and you feel like if you put a good roll on it, it holds its line. So, obviously very pleased with the round.”
Alexander Björk and Joost Luiten are one shot off the pace at eight under par with local favourite Scott Jamieson at seven under. Fellow Scot Craig Lee, who has not played a European Tour event since the 2017 Andalucía Valderrama Masters, is currently tied sixth alongside Robert Rock and Kalle Samooja.