Round One of Scottish Open Produces Low Scores

Conditions were nearly perfect on day one at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. As a result, low scores were recorded by a vast majority of the field with 117 of the 156 golfers in the tournament recording rounds under par.

Castle Stuart Golf Links, host of the 2013 Scottish Open. Photo courtesy of the European Tour

Castle Stuart Golf Links, host of the 2013 Scottish Open. Photo courtesy of the European Tour

Included in that large group under par is world number eight Phil Mickelson. One of four Americans in the field and preparing for next week’s British Open, Mickelson shot an opening round of 6-under 66 to sit just two shots back. Mickelson opened his round with a bogey on the first hole before settling in.

Brooks Koepka, who is playing in his first ever Scottish Open this week, shot a 2-under 70 and currently sits right on the projected cut line. The Wellington resident carded seven birdies and five bogies.

Ernie Els will be looking to make a run at the cut in round two after an opening round of 72. The defending British Open champion and Jupiter resident was never able to get anything going in the first round as he carded four birdies and four bogeys. Also sitting at even par with Els is Michael Thompson. Thompson got his first ever win on the PGA Tour at this year’s Honda Classic at PGA National.

For complete coverage of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, visit www.europeantour.com.