McGinley sitting pretty at Loch Lomond

Ireland's Paul McGinley was in joint second place following the opening day of the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond today, carding a 65 to put him on six under.

The 42-year-old shared the second spot with England’s Graeme Storm and Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, the trio one shot behind leader Richard Green of Australia.

McGinley is back in The Open next week after failing to qualify for Birkdale last year and he commented: “I’m comfortable in Scotland.

“I come up here to watch Celtic and see (coach) Bob Torrance and sometimes that has an effect. I get a lot of support – or half the population up here anyway!”

Lee Westwood's build-up to next week’s Open was meanwhile hit by a chest infection and after struggling to a 73 the former European No 1 said he had been “stupid” to tee off.

Playing with Westwood were Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter, both wearing tartan trousers. They scored 68 and 69 respectively, while Ernie Els, Darren Clarke and Masters champion Angel Cabrera matched Poulter’s round and defending champion Graeme McDowell shot 70.

Irish Open winner Shane Lowry was also among the players on 69.

Nick Faldo, playing his first tournament of the year and also in the coming Open, was two under after seven, but slipped back to a level par 71.