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.