Day 1 Golf: Scottish Open

Hello, a new era in the history of Scottish Open begins in the

Highlands, we have switched from the banks of Loch Lomond, to

beautiful views out over the Murray, highly significant ahead of the

open champion, we have swapped to Links golf, in a new venue, Castle

Stuart, a spectacular spot. The A wonderful shot. Come on, come on

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 55 seconds

Maknif sent shot. -- magnificent shot. The dual which provided dream

with the numbers one on two, Lee Westwood, and still dualing at the

top of the rankings is fourth time winner Phil Mickelson leading money

winner Matt Kuchar, and 2008 Scottish open champion, Graeme

McDowell. Former winners, Ernie Els, and others aiming to bag the top

five, and one remaining spot in the open next week. Padraig Harrington

back in the field. And Martin the best of the 16 Scots to represent

them in their open. Underlining the quality of the field we have eight

major champions, and ore. This course has been open two years.

Samuel Lyell said it looks like it's been here for 100. Why the

instant attraction for the top instant attraction for the top

quality players. It's generous off the tee. The players can stand on

the tee and get on idea on how to play the hole. Once you get to the

greens it's difficult, they have a lot of undualations, they'll take a

bit of getting used to. It is beautiful. It's a great piece of

land and looks like it's been here forever. It's a beautiful spot.

Particularly pertinent is the timing, playing Links before the

open championship. Many players have asked for this, of the

Scottish Open for some years, that's the selected and some of the

members, and the field this week. Absolutely. Loch Lomond was a

beautiful place and a great place to go. It had its run, it was there

for 14 years, we are on a Links course, a lot of players said

they'd come to the Scottish Open if it's on a Links course. It's back,

we have a great field and its a great challenge. Luke Donald hasn't

played in the Scottish, Padraig Harrington since '99 and both this

week in the field. What do you make of Phil Mickelson's aassertion that

the winner of the open at Royal St George's is likely to be in the

field this week, Phil Mickelson noonk. It's -- notwithstanding It's

a big call with Rory McIlroy not here. It's a safe bet. Phil, I know

has come and played the Scottish Open for many years, he'll be happy

to play another Links before the open champion sense. There's a

sense of excitement. Big fields. Weather forecast - a mixed bag,

let's show you how we start to see it. It's been 13 years since Lee

Westwood played the title, two starts and Lee began at the 10th,

by the time he reached the 18th, this approach yielded an Eagle 3,

putting him 4-upped par for his putting him 4-upped par for his

round. What a -- 4-under par for his round. What a shot.

Westwood right at home as he flights this to the first green. A

birdy chance here. Also Edoardo Molinari, Italy's defending

champion from Loch Lomond snapped up a chance. Putting him 4-under.

And Lee Westwood slotting home his opportunity like the Italian. A

third birdy in with that Eagle. He's five under. This shh the look

of things as we pick up play, Peter Laurie becoming a dad for the

fourth time, going well 5-under. Stanley Mill us, a winner, and

Chris Wood performing with distinction on Links courses

alongside Edoardo Molinari, at 4- under. A couple of major winners

heading in the right direction, Michael Campbell. We look out at

the beautiful new course at Castle Stuart, it's a funny day, we had a

bit of all sorts, rain, sunshine, and smiley face, Colin Montgomerie,

playing nicely. Here he is, starting the 10th, this is his

ninth, he's 2-under. He has this for a birdie and he's popped it in.

3-under. Well done. Battling hard. A good nine holes. Playing with

Luke Donald, and Peter Hansen, his chance for a bird at the 18th, his

ninth. 2-under 32. Luke Donald out in 36. A healthy looking card. All

threes and fours. The tide is out, it doesn't look as pretty as it can

on occasions. It's a very difficult line for Edoardo Molinari, on the

edge of the bunker. Starting the reverse way around. Swinging nicely.

That's straight down the middle - will it come up, will it? No. Very

interesting at the greens, some have them raising lots of run-off

areas. Second green, Retief Goosen, a birdie chance. Second on a par 5.

554 yards. Nicely done, down the right-hand bunker with the approach.

He moves to 4-under much Luke Donald. Second shot to the second.

Spins away into trouble. See how close the water comes in there.

Second shot here on the third for Lee Westwood, on the sure par 4.

Pinning 10 back from the frontage of the green. Still has 4 feet left

for his birdie. Second green down the slope. The par 5 from Colin

Montgomerie. Yes. Little old Eagle for Colin, 5-under. You can almost

see the tail wagging. The Monty of old for a week or two there. Nice

to see. Battling to get into the championship next week at Royal St

George's. Took you a while to register that, that it was a good

putt for Eagle. Lee Westwood now for birdie. Beautifully done. New

wide putter. It seems to be the in thing today. Now, there's an

interesting spectator. "This game we play with a smaller ball", there

he is, Sir Alex. Retief Goosen finds the green at the third, par 4.

That was his Eagle chance. Unusual to play an iron off the par 4.

Easily reachable. Luke Donald, level par, and that's a birdie. 1-

under. He's done that well. He's a beautiful player. He's a Dwight,

gentle player, a joy to watch. looks like it's going a touch.

is. Wow. Thank goodness the tide is out. Is he going to get a line, no,

unfortunately in the seaweed. site at the 17th, nicely done, par

317 and in for a two. Couple of Scott's going well. Forsyth and

Robin. Turning back the opposite way, playing into the breeze, a

long par 3. Right at it, it's a beautiful setting, this fourth hole

back towards the castle. The stroke - he took a drop pitch. Good pitch.

Still five on his card. Just cutting off a little ride at the

front of the screen, it's hard to get at. A lot of players picking 3s

up at this hole, and he drops a shot. Luke Donald, 3-under par -

that's a beauty, very interesting design green, they are not silly

greens, they are not ridiculous strokes, this is a course to be

played and enjoyed, the old church. They have a nice Golf Course there.

That was a shove right off the bat there for Monty. A chance for

Edoardo Molinari with a 2 at the 4th, right in the centre of the Cup.

Birdies at the first, 3rd and 4th, going well. Lee Westwood 6-under

par. This for a Birdie. Will it, will it, will it - another one

topples in. He really is striking the ball beautifuly, putting well.

7-under. Looking very, very good indeed. Early in the peace on this

delightful new course. Just to the east of Inverness. Colin

Montgomerie on 4. He's had a couple of goodsiders in front of him.

That's a fantastic shot. Still a bit of fight in the old fellow,

struggling to get into next week's open championship. Joining Peter

Laurie at the 18th, in a third shot. Par 5 - in a little basin today.

Another glorious iron for Peter. 4- under. Retief Goosen, 5-under,

second to the fifth. Looking for a long-odds player next week, you

could do worse than Goosen. have been saying that all day.

have been watching him play, he's been looking pretty good. A

slightly disappointing finish to an almost perfect start, 5-under in

the opening six holes, slightly disappointing finish to a round of

68. Spectateors need a bit of all sorts, sweaters, waterproofs,

umbrellas, sunscreen. The whole works. There's a very good turn-out,

and they are enjoying some good golf. Chris Wood - brilliant par 3,

landed short of the Green, and he'll chase it towards the hole.

The breeze is behind. 226 yards. A crackajack. Keeps drifting down the

hill, down the breeze. We know it must be coming up to open

championship time again, Chris Wood playing well with the putter.

Edoardo Molinari. Just stayed there, misjudged it, 15 yards short of

where he needed to be. 7-under. This is an Eagle putt, one of the

few. One of the few he's misread. He's 7-under. This little putt to

remain 7-under. Peter Hansen played most of his golf on the PGA Tour,

with a good finish last week in Wales. Peter Hansen, Colin

Montgomerie and Donald make a a few birdies, ideal. Lee Westwood, 7-

under, here he is at the sixth with a birdie, right in the middle. 8-

under par for Lee Westwood, who is a strong contend are for the

championship next week at Royal St George's, which I'm sure some here

may go through to see it, he looks in very good form to me, played

very good golf. It continues here at Castle Stuart. Looking at the

leader board: plenty of birdies out there. Retief Goosen has found a

nasty spot, 5-under par, this is his third shot. He just grabbed a

little bit, but pretty good. Second shot here, generally on 17. 3-under

par currently. It's an awkward stance. Nicely played for McGinty.

He dogged it. You can see the long put areer with the thick handle and

the cross-handed grip. Michael Campbell - finding a little bit of

form. He's had a rough run, Michael Campbell. A couple of good rounds

last week in France, going reasonably well, but one slipping

by there. 3-under. Former US Open champion from New Zealand. Better

job of the putter with Edoardo Molinari. Get used to seeing the

greens, there are undualations and roles associated. All is learning

he'll have that for his birdie. Westwood, long put, big swing. It's

coming around. Look at this. Very well done. Awkward putt, good shot.

Mont on the sixth green with an outside chance of an eagle. Claws

the edge of the green, good try. Number 6 the easiest hole. They are

making essentially birdies. Lee Westwood 8-under par at the moment.

A short putt. No, no, no. Drops a stroke. You don't see Lee Westwood

miss many short puts, he has a very solid - good nerves. Just goes back

to 7, 7-under. A look of puzzle: it looks good there, wiggles so the

right, catches the edge and disappears. Blimy O'Reilly. Leads

by two, Lee Westwood. 68 to Peter Laurie, he's in the clubhouse.

Chris Wood a little up the slope from the right. Doesn't make a

birdie at the par 5. Reachable in 2. Edoardo Molinari 5-under. Dribbles

it up. He'll stay at 5-under par. Such a glut of good young and

youngish players from around Great Britain, Ireland and the Contin

ends, lovely to see. -- continents, lovely to see. Getting tidied up

for the evening's jousting. Retief Goosen for a tee shot on the eighth.

Flag on the left-hand, wind off the right. Very accessible today, and

well played. McGinty at the 18th playing his 500th tour event this

week. Good campaigner, and from one to another, her is Barry laip.

Ending up with an Eagle. 5-under, well done young Barry, the eternal

juvenile lead. Tired of playing on the senior tour with the old boys,

he's come back to play with the kids. Second shot here on 9 for Lee

Westwood. It gives him a better angle into the flag on the right-

hand side. Can't go right - must be left of the hole. Safely done, a

round of 64. Luke Donald. Right in the back. Saves his par at number 7.

World ranked No.1. Steady game. Brilliant scrambler. Currently 3-

under. Darren Clarke - winner earlier this year. 2-under. Well

done young sir. 4-under all of a sudden. Well played. Lee Westwood

missed the birdie chance. A round of 65. Leader in the clubhouse.

Your number 2 looking to regain the No.1 spot. That's the charge, a

lone bogey. He'll have nothing but prays for the new layout. -- prays

for the new layout. -- praise for the new layout. Luke Donald, off

there, here he comes. Played quite a wayward shot down the left-hand

side, and the ball comes in to the flag from there. Whether it's good

or bad, Tess OK, there's a pretty village -- it's OK. There's a

pretty village across the water. Lots of birdies, and a lot of

Boeingies, double here and there. - - bogeys double here and there, a

good scoring day. 5-under, Colin Montgomerie, his tee shot on the

eighth. Flight is a little higher than Luke Donald. A good kick to

the right. A wonderful shot from the big Scot. Zoo Retief Goosen's

final hole. 5-under. Very nice. chance for a 2. A good save.

Another finds the centre of the cup at the 8th, moving to 4-under. 36

birdys, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and now another at number 8. Thes in a rich

vein of four. -- he's in a rich vein of four. There's a window

blowing. 500 at the moment. This is a birdie putt, he got it. Well done,

Colin. 6-under par. That's more like it. Second shot, Donald on

Nine, looks to be down the right- hand side of the fairway, hitting

to an elevated green, the wind blowing hard off the right. Really

has to be pinpoint accurate. Just like that. Beautiful shot. Peter

Hansen approach to the same ninth, trying to hold it into the breeze.

He made that front pin look easy. Not the longest of fours, you can

see the pintuck. Colin has been playing beautifully, slightly a

wayward tee shot. This is the final hole. It wouldn't be golf without

drama from Colin Certainly not. He's so keen to get into next

week's championship. Over 600 yards, the par 5. The players reaching

comfortably. It makes the frontage. Very difficult long spud. Colin

Montgomerie played a splendid third shot. Pulled up quickly, but has a

chance to finish with a par. Right to lefter. He's not hit it. It was

a dreerie putt, a bit tricky, he hasn't played as well as this for

some time. Despite dropping a shot, it's a good round, a good start.

Three more of those, Colin, and you could be working next week.

thing that will kill him the most is he had his two playing partners

by one or two shots. Now they both have a chance to catch him. Peter

Hansen 66 and a closing birdie. Peter Hansen, the Swede.

Magnificent greens, they run to truly Peter Hansen around in 66.

Justifyably chuffed. Eight birdies on the cards, 66. A couple of

bogeys. Well played. A birdie for Luke Donald. A round of 67. 16-

under par for the group. They have certainly thrilled the crowd, a

large crowd that came out in sometimes ordinary conditions to

follow them around. 6 birdies, one Boeingie. Finished on the other

side of the course, Jamie Dunstan, closing out with a fine birdy, he's

in a big group of 5-under par. Par 5 is critical here, make your

birdies there, a couple of par 4s in range. Plenty of Birdie chances,

but you have to make them. 67, a tidy start. Sunshine and showers

this morning with a blustery breeze, Lee Westwood around in 65, a course

record. It was a terrific round from Lee Westwood, six birdies and

an Eagle on this card. A nice round was Luke Donald, around in 67.

Michael Campbell 68, a good morning for scoring, on the top of the pile

is Lee Westwood, where a cracking is Lee Westwood, where a cracking

round of 65. We have a new course and venue, what do you make of it.

65 makes me enjoy the golf course more. I enjoyed playing the course,

no-one has an advantage. It's not like going somewhere for 12-13

years. This is the first time op it, it's a fun golf course to play,

changing conditions and gives you chances for birdying and Eagles.

Edoardo Molinari, can you tell us about the challenges of defending

your title in a different place on a different style of golf course?

guess the only advantage you have defending the title is to play on

the course you want. Unfortunately they change it to a new venue, the

course is fantastic, it's a Links course and a great preparation for

the open championship. Welcome back to the Barclay open after a four

year gap, you and others I guess are delighted to switch to a Links

course, what do you make of that decision? It's a smart decision. I

love playing Loch Lomond, it wasn't the greatest preparation for me for

the open championships. Coming here, having a week under competitive

circumstances is a lot better for me. Mostly that's the reason why I

decided to play much there weren't many complaints about Loch Lomond,

one was that it wasn't a Links golf course. There's a few advantages.

It attracts more players. The players that do play it, it gives

them a practice at Links, the Scottish Open is a prestigious

title. One that I think anybody, who has eyes on winning it is

focused on. I had a couple of days before playing the courses, and

started to get in work on Links golf, coming to this week. I'm

looking forward to the rest of this week. And hopefully play the way

I'm playing. We are hoping to see a dual between the world No.1 and 2

as we saw at BMW. In this dramatic setting in the Scottish Highlands,

play as impressive as the views. Now it's time to check on those

with later tee times at Castle Stuart. South Africa's George

Caseres finishing at 18th, three bogeys n a round of 66. Another

challenge to a graduate. Mark Sular getting into the red numbers,

popping that for a share of Lee Westwood's lead. The pan from

Santiago who reckons he has Scottish roots is in inspired form.

And Mark Warne, making the most of the sponsors invitation, making his

sixth birdy on the trot. He goes on to make a seventh. Very scorable

conditions today. Confirmation of how it stands. Leaders at 7-under,

Lee Westwood, and Mark Tullo. Peter Hansen, and George Coetzee a shot

behind. A host of players within two, including world No.1 Luke

Donald. Back we go to the wide open Fair ways at Castle Stuart, with

our commentary team. He's been in trouble. Had a penalty. This is a

trouble. Had a penalty. This is a third. I'm thinking about it. That

was a good strike. He got the right direction, hit it beautifully.

There it is. A pitch and a putt for a par. Phil Mickelson, a welcome

visitor from the United States, playing with Padraig Harrington,

and Paul Laurie. And a couple of bogeys, one-under, hardwriting 2-

under. Safe enough. 13th hole, and a crackajack. What a beauty.

Huntage ton with a fourth shot now. -- Huntington with a fourth shot

now. Final words of encouragement. Is he taking longer than ever, he

was never the speediest of players, he seems to be slowing down more

than ever. I tried to see him really get into top form. He

thrilled us a year or two back with his playing. He's gone backwards

for a while. Mark Warren had an astonishing run, triple bogey on

the 7, and eight birdies, 1 holes. Seven in a row. Using the contours.

Justin Rose at the 13th. Well, that's worth a little clap. We talk

about Mark Warren's amazing 5-under par, triple bogey in the opening

hole. It will be a par here. par. Drop shot. Hit it on to the

beach. Penalty. Short. Just on bogey 5, birdie 2 and a six.

Forward press and in she goes. 2- under far, dropping a couple of

strokes. Punched it in, looked to make a nice comeback. Is it online.

Yes, a bounce and a hop. It's a lovely shot. Getting better all the

recognise that from Harry Potter, the train goes there. Over the top

of the hill was the old school, you know. Matt Kuchar on the front of

12. Playing alongside. Cutting that in for a birdie. One under at the

moment. High-flying pitch. Downwind, it's very good. Ernie Els, after a

glorious second shot for Eagle. No Eagle. 4-under par. There's the

smile. The service of the Greens look good indeed. We have seeb a

lot of putts hold and -- seen a lot of putts hold and wandering away.

It's not the easiest. Very much a thinking person's course, one

more a fixed wing person. Into that will test your short game, there's

to many ways of playing that shot. Perfect surface. Well done, Steven

Gallagher. 15-25 feet. He holds his fair share. The odd shortage one

slips by. That's shown improvement. This one looks like he'll try to

dump it into the hill. A short almost drivable par 4. Phil

Mickelson now really struggling. 17-hole par 3. Wind slightly in the

players face and off to the rest. the news that he's exempt for the

open. This is the green they are all waiting for, the 16th. The

Eagle moving to 5-understand. Fair way is a minimum of 50 yards,

Phil walks off with a sixth, if you are out of position, and don't

recover, you can fritter strokes away very easily. Has easy as that.

Unbelievable. He started the day with a treble bogey 7 at the first,

flat. Hovers the club. Club is down there. He ticks it up. Dyson,

relatively easy bunker shot. One of the longer putters, 7-top 10s

already this year. Coming up quickly. And knew early. Marc

Warren with one blemish, triple bogey at the first. Eight birdies.

Might have another at the last hole.. Dajection, wind whistling

off the right, so ease -- dangerous. Wind whis ling off the right. Easy

to hoick it. Magnificent. That was for a birdie at number 9. That was

for a 66. Doesn't paint the whole picture. Started with a triple

bogey. Even with the slider in the last - a great round from Marc

Warren. Well done. Coming up shy on the right. Wriggles out with a nice

three. Never looks as comfortable as the putter. Ernie Els loves

these conditions, this challenge. Scott Jamie son doing very well

this season. This is rolling well. Beautiful shot from Jamieson.

That's be one to finish with, a for Dyson. Lee Westwood, 7-under

par, scoring difficult. Well out in front. Luke Donald in, Colin

Montgomerie scoring, Peter White, a man from Fyfe making progress.

Three holes to go later in the day. Simon Dyson finishing 4-under,

getting into the open championship because of the withdrawal. Graeme

McDowell coming to the end of his round and Els 4-under par. This

isn't a simple thing, he has to triple it left to right. Easing it

down. Stobed it There's a little pace, down wind. Goes on an extra

2-3 feet. Just enough pace to hold the line for Padraig Harrington.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 55 seconds

Disappointing last hole. Good tee shot. Left himself in a difficult

position. Ugly six. He's going along well. 6-under par, chipped

from in front of the green. Heavy- handed. Too heavy-handed one way,

too gentle cover. It's another of those putts. You see so many

players missing the ball to the right. Obviously something - none

of them can see Padraig Harrington. Straightforward pitch. I don't

think there are better players in the world than Padraig Harrington.

Not from that distance. Here is the old council. Castle Stuart. -- the

oldle. Castle Stuart. That -- the old castle. Kas. That is the old

logo, the bell on top of the tower got it. Well done. Well done

Padraig Harrington. Nice finish. Two birdies. Here is a tricky one.

Depends on the line. Could be good. Yes, what a result. This is a

relatively new name on the lists. No drop shots. Ernie Els - final

have almost given Ernie putts at this length. As you get older, the

hole gets smaller. I don't know why that is. The swing looks as nice,

the rhythm and the stroke. They don't disappear like they used to.

Only a 5. A round of 68. Two chances missed. Only one drop shot.

That was a short fourth hole. Dropped a shot. Here is the look of

things at the end of the first round. This is the most northerly

European event staged in the United Kingdom. We have an Englishman and

a Chilean at the top. 7-under par. There's that threesome on 6-under,

including Thorbjorn Olesen finishing off on 56. And 19 men 5-

under par or better on the opening day. The scoring has been enjoyable

to watch. I'm sure it's been great fun to play for the men on the

European Tour. No doubt about the round of the afternoon, belonging

to Thorbjorn Olesen, a blemish-free round for him today. You are on a

hot streak of form, two runner's up in the last three events, what is

the Cata lift, driving this increase in your levels here.

struggled a little with my swing in the first couple of months this

year. Then I got it back. And got confidence and tried to keep it

good. A lovely round. Better news than the Eagle at the 16th is the

news that you are in the open championship. When did you find out.

Literally when I walked in. David tonk had withdrawn, I got his spot.

I'm pleased. Take us through it, at the 7, and then what happened.

Obviously the 7 was a little shock to the system. Had a bad shot, and

all of a sudden got to the second, and obviously a little bit, I had

to watch, sitting the ball well. I let it go. Seven Birdies in a row,

it will help anybody. Links seem to suit. I won four in Europe, all on

Links. Nice to get on the Links. The Links upbringing, I feel like I

click into Links mode well. Fighting the ball correctly, and

getting up and down on the Greens. How do you enjoy the transition to

Links golf. I love it. I tried it a couple of times. Absolutely loved

it, Links golf. It's nice to be here on a great course. It's been a

successful first day at the Barclays Scottish open. Wayne Grady

how well has Castle Stuart weathered the storm. Quite well,

it's not a long course, 7,000 yards. The course's perfect conditions -

there's not a lot of rough, wide fair ways, when you have the

quality field as now, I think the scoring is good. But what was

expected. It's not been set up to be protective. They are encouraging

birdies and Eagles. Certainly that's not what we saw, there's a

few surprises and draws, all in all the scoring is great, 2-under par.

Most impressive performance and biggest surprise. Lee Westwood, and

Luke Donald, Lee Westwood wants the No.1 backing and Luke retain it.

They are up in a couple of shots of each other. The biggest surprise

for me is Phil Mickelson. Shooting one over par, to come hereest he's

been working hard on the shots. Knock-down shots, three-quarter, he

shot one over par, that's the biggest surprise for me. What a

taste this has given us, not just for this weekend in Inverness, but

for the fourth coming open championship. 140th. Don't forget

that we will be on the air with a preview program an BBC Two next

Wednesday, at 11.20 in the evening. It will be available via the red

button online from 7:00. Coverage of the championship is under way

9:00 sharp Thursday morning. On Sunday evening. A special program,

a tribute to the late great Seve Biasteros. In the meantime we'll be