It’s been a slow start for Indians at the Scottish Open. SSP Chawrasia and Anirban Lahiri were tied-54 and tied-133 respectively at the end of the first round. Chawrasia shot an even par 72 with two birdies and two bogeys.
Anirban Lahiri, who is playing on European Tour for the first time since Hero Indian Open managed a four over 72. He picked one birdie on the 11th but was set back by five bogeys. Lahiri recently got through to The Open after Scott Percy pulled out citing illness.
Anirban Lahiri, who is playing on European Tour for the first time since Hero Indian Open managed a four over 76
Mikko Ilonen rediscovered his form in stunning fashion to fire an opening 65 and take a two-shot lead after day one of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. He is a five-time winner on the European Tour, though – with one of those victories coming on links at the 2014 Irish Open.
The defending Open champion Henrik Stenson recovered from an opening triple-bogey to finish at level par while playing partner and world number four Rory McIlroy had a rocky opening day. He had three birdies on front nine, but the stretch from ninth to 13th saw three bogeys and a double as he finished at 74, needing a strong second day to avoid a second straight missed cut in as many weeks.
Chawrasia’s two birdies came on par-5 14th and fifth, after starting from the tenth tee and he dropped shots on first and seventh. “The disappointing part was that I missed a lot of makeable putts, at least 3, 4 of them from around 10 feet,” said Chawrasia to PTI, who was Tied-59th with the afternoon wave still out on the course.
World Number ten Rickie Fowler was then in a group of six players at five under alongside fellow American Paul Peterson, three-time Major Championship winner Padraig Harrington, English duo Ian Poulter and Callum Shinkwin, and Australian Andrew Dodt.
“65 is the round of the season, really,” said Ilonen, who beat his previous best 2017 effort by three shots. “I’m not going to say it’s been the whole season that’s been pretty bad but certainly a good part of it has been pretty slow out there. It’s nice to get something going and make a few birdies and no mistakes on the card.
