Australia’s top-ranked male player, Cam Smith, has begun his Scottish links quest with a solid round of two-under-par 68 on day one of the Scottish Open.
Smith finished his first round seven shots back of clubhouse leader Cameron Tringale (61), while Gary Woodland (64) trailed by three.
The world No.6 Smith began the first nine holes with a three-under 32, but a one over closing nine of 36 gave the Queenslander a 68.
Smith led the Australian contingent at two under while the afternoon wave were still out on course at the Renaissance Club.
DP World Tour regular Jason Scrivener and fellow Australian Lucas Herbert carded 69s to be one under after day one.
Scott Hend struggled to a 74.
Marc Leishman (even par) and defending Scottish Open champion Min Woo Lee (four over) were in the afternoon wave. Lee won last year’s Scottish Open in a playoff but has struggled for form recently.
The Scottish Open is, for the first time, co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour. Despite the Renaissance Club not being a true links test, it does offer the world’s best a chance to acclimatise to links style golf and Scottish weather conditions ahead of next week’s 150th Open at St Andrews.
