Irish pair boost Open qualification hopes

Shane Lowry and Peter Lawrie boosted hopes of qualifying for next week’s British Open with sizzling 66s on the opening day of the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari established a new course record of a 10-under par 62 to head the field by two strokes — just four days after shooting a 64 to snatch second place in last week’s French Open.

Spain’s Alejandro Canizares birdied his closing six holes in a 64 while Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen are tied in third place on seven under par.

Lowry bounced back from losing a ball at the second hole in using a combination of his 8-iron and putter to birdie five holes in succession mid round.

Four of those five birdies were set up hitting an 8-irion and in an overall round that included just 27 putts for Lowry’s equal lowest starting round since joining the Tour after winning the 2009 Irish Open.

“After taking a double at the second, I thought to myself there is still plenty of birdies out there and in a way, it’s not too bad doing something like that early on in the round,” said Lowry.

“It gave me the chance to fight back and I’m very proud I did.”

Lawrie started his round by holing a five-foot putt for an eagle at the second before racing to five under par through six holes. But sticking out on his scorecard was a 12th hole double bogey where he missed the green to the right.

“I had my coach in this week and it looks now my game is back on track, so that’s comforting,” said Lawrie.

Either Lowry or Lawrie can secure the last place into next week’s British Open by being the highest placed player among the top-five finishes not already exempt into Royal Lytham and St Anne’s.

Padraig Harrington posted a three under par 69 and admitted the last thing he needed was a week off heading into golf’s oldest major.

“If I was at home this week I would be doing damage, and I would be tinkering too much with my game,” he said.