India’s Olympic golfer Aditi Ashok got off
to an underwhelming start in the Scottish Open, carding a five-over 77 to finish
T-129th following the opening round at the Dumbarnie Links. Meanwhile,
Tvesa Malik, who was disappointed on missing out on the Tokyo Olympics, also endured
a tough start as she shot a one-over 73 to finish at the 79th spot.

Scottish golfer Michele Thomson is
currently in the lead, having shot her season-best 7-under 65. After shooting a
bogey on the first hole, the 33-year-old golfer from Aberdeen rebounded for an
eagle in her second hole. She then went on to birdie seven of her final 11
holes.

Also Read | Tokyo Olympics: Why did Indian golfer Aditi Ashok miss out on a medal?

“Probably had a little bit of a nervous
start I would say,” Sportstar quoted Thomson as saying. “Obviously, being at
The Scottish Open, it’s my fourth one now, but obviously still got the nerves
off the first tee and hit a bit of a ropey drive and just made bogey from
there, which was fine. Stood up on the second tee and just restarted.”

Ashok, who was swamped by interviews on her
arrival into Scotland after a superb 4th place at the Olympic Games in Tokyo,
will need a great second round to make the cut, while Tvesa too will hope to
produce a better show.

Also Read | India at Olympics: List of athletes who missed out on medal by a whisker

Tvesa, who came close to winning the Gant
Ladies Open, had three birdies against four bogeys, while Aditi had seven
bogeys against two birdies.

Thompson, who is managed by former Open
winner Paul Lawrie, is making only her 12th appearance in an LPGA Tour event
since 2017. Her career-best finish is a tie for 48th at the 2018 ISPS Handa
Australian Open.

Also Read | ‘Hard to be happy’ for Aditi Ashok after missing out on Olympic medal

Two-time LPGA Tour winner Jasmine
Suwannapura joins 2020 Tokyo Olympian Anne van Dam and major champion Yuka Saso
in a tie for second at five-under. Suwannapura returned to the links and
Scotland for the first time since her runner-up performance at the 2020 AIG
Women’s Open at Royal Troon.

The 2020 Olympic bronze medallist Lydia Ko
is T24 at two-under, while defending champion Stacy Lewis sits in a tie for
35th heading into the second round.