In-form Francesco Molinari delivered the joint-best round in the Scottish Open’s 40-year history, shooting a flawless 10-under 62 on Thursday to take a three-shot lead into the second day of the British Open warm-up tournament.
The European Tour’s first ever 59 appeared on the cards after the Italian rolled in 10 birdies in his first 15 holes in calm morning conditions on the Castle Stuart links course, but he had to settle for pars on his final three holes.
Top-ranked Luke Donald looked like matching Molinari until he bogeyed two of his last five holes to finish on 5 under, leaving Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark and Raphael Jacquelin as Molinari’s closest pursuers after 65s.
It was Molinari’s second straight stunning round, having made nine birdies in his final 17 holes to close last week’s French Open with a 64 and finish second.
“I know it’s not going to last for much longer,” he said. “I’ll just try to enjoy the moment.”
His round featured five straight birdies from holes 5 to 9 and matched the tournament record set by Paul Curry, who shot 10 under in 1992 when the event was staged at the par-70 Gleneagles.
“The roll I’m getting off the putter is much better and I just feel more confident on the greens,” said Molinari, who is in line to claim a spot in Europe’s Ryder Cup team for September’s match against the United States – his stated aim for the year above winning a major. “Putting is the difference in my scores.”
The best scores of the first round came among the early starters, before the wind picked up off the Moray Firth in the afternoon and temperatures dropped. Of the 78 morning starters, only 13 failed to make level par or better.
With the British Open taking place on the links at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s next week, Donald said he wouldn’t object to conditions worsening over the next few days.
“I wouldn’t mind a bit of wind just to get in that feel for next week. It’s doubtful we’ll have calm days like this,” he said.
Former No. 1 Martin Kaymer was among a bunch of players to shoot 67 along with Donald, while three-time major winner Padraig Harrington and 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen signed for 69s.
Ernie Els made 70 despite taking four shots in the bunker in compiling a double-bogey 7 at No. 6 and Phil Mickelson birdied the par-5 18th to sign for 1 over – tied for 123rd, having been given a late invitation.
The triple Masters champion arrived on Thursday morning after cutting short a family holiday in Italy to get some links practice under his belt ahead of the British Open.
