Former paratrooper Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand was flying high at the top of the leaderboard with Swede Alexander Noren after the Scottish Open first round on Thursday.
Early starter Thongchai, who has missed four cuts in his last eight European Tour events, made the most of soft conditions at wet Loch Lomond to regain the sort of form that helped him win back-to-back Malaysian Opens in 2004 and 2005.
Noren, playing in one of the day’s final matches, started his round at the 10th before storming home in 30 strokes to join the long-time leader on seven-under-par 64 on a day when the lift, clean and place rule was used.
The pair were one shot ahead of 2007 U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera while British duo John Bickerton and Garry Houston were joint fourth on 66 alongside Swede Niclas Fasth.
Houston played one of the best strokes of the round, holing a four-iron from 195 yards for an eagle two at the 18th.
Pelle Edberg also produced a spectacular shot, using a five-iron to record a hole-in-one at the 191-yard, par-three 17th that earned a new car worth 44,000 pounds ($87,110). The Swede went round in 68.
Thongchai, who made about 60 jumps as an army paratrooper, put his effort down to an improved performance on the greens.
“I putted very well today,” he told reporters. “Last week I missed the cut (at the European Open) because I had 34 putts in the first round and 33 in the second.
“If you hit good shots and there is no putting, no birdies, you make bogeys, you shoot over-par. If I putt very well I think I can do better.”
Thongchai, the first Thai to win a European Tour event when he triumphed in Malaysia, started the warm-up tournament for next week’s British Open with a bogey five at the second but a run of five birdies in seven holes took him to the turn in 32.
He then signed off with birdies at the 13th, 17th and 18th.
Noren, whose best result was a tie for third in last year’s Dutch Open, was thrilled with his flawless display.
“There were no bogeys, which was great,” said the Swede after giving himself an early gift ahead of his 26th birthday on Saturday. “I have had too many high scores, double and triple bogeys, but now I have started hitting it better off the tee.
“Last year, I remember crying after missing the cut here. Not that I played badly but it’s such a great course. It’s my favourite all year and playing against all these great players makes it special.”
Cabrera is aiming to emulate compatriot Eduardo Romero’s win here six years ago.
“This is a very good course and I enjoy playing here,” he said. “Argentina has had success here in the past with Eduardo and I would dearly love to follow in his footsteps.”
American world number two Phil Mickelson had to settle for a 71, one stroke better than twice former winner Ernie Els.
South African Els, who said on Wednesday he was low on confidence, felt even worse after his 72.
“I should not even play tomorrow the way I am feeling right now,” said the world number six.
Earlier, torrential overnight rain left parts of the course flooded and caused a 90-minute delay to the start.
