Byeong Hun An starts Scottish Open with a remarkable 61

Byeong Hun An leads Scottish Open, hopes to qualify for British Open.

Byeong Hun An had an impressive performance at the Scottish Open on Thursday, giving him hope for more success in links golf in the future. He started his round at The Renaissance Club with four consecutive birdies and finished with a 25-foot birdie putt on the challenging par-3 ninth hole, resulting in a 9-under 61. This score gave him a two-shot lead over Davis Riley.

An's outstanding performance came at the perfect time, as this is the final tournament for players to earn a spot in the upcoming British Open at Royal Liverpool. The top three players who are not already exempt will secure spots in the prestigious tournament.

An described his round as one of those days where every shot he hit was perfect. He had a great feel for the distance and his ball reacted well on the greens. Even the putts he had were straightforward and he left them in good positions. Overall, everything went exceptionally well for him.

Rory McIlroy, who took a two-week break from competition, was pleased with his performance as well. He made an eagle putt and six birdies, offsetting a few mistakes for a score of 64. McIlroy was tied with Thomas Detry, and he expressed satisfaction with his start, stating that he would have taken it before teeing off.

Davis Riley also had a strong performance in the afternoon, dealing with slightly stronger winds. He took pride in his ability to make par putts and managed to score seven birdies. Riley is already looking forward to his British Open debut and believes that his experience at The Renaissance Club will be beneficial. He mentioned that playing in Scotland is different from playing in the United States, as it requires flighting shots and utilizing the wind and slopes. He thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the game and believes it played a significant role in his success.

For Riley, finding momentum has been crucial, and he has been searching for it wherever he can. He had a slow start to the season but found success when he won the Zurich Classic with Nick Hardy. He carried that momentum into the Scottish Open and hopes to continue performing well.

McIlroy, on the other hand, has had mixed experiences at The Renaissance Club. He has yet to finish in the top 10 and even missed the cut in 2021. However, he feels that his game is in better shape now and is pleased with his controlled ball flight in the tournament.

Thomas Detry, who qualified for the British Open in final local qualifying at a links course, referred to The Renaissance Club as his "home garden." Max Homa, Tom Kim, and Rickie Fowler also had solid performances, with scores of 66 and 67, respectively.

Justin Thomas made a change to his putting grip during the Rocket Mortgage Classic and decided to stick with it at the Scottish Open. Despite missing the cut at the previous tournament, he managed to shoot a 68, joining the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick.

For some players, the Scottish Open serves as a warm-up for the British Open. Defending champion Xander Schauffele had an even-par 70 and will need to improve in order to make the cut. Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth also had challenging rounds, finishing with scores of 72.

Overall, the Scottish Open has showcased impressive performances from players like Byeong Hun An, Rory McIlroy, and Davis Riley. The tournament serves as a crucial opportunity for players to secure a spot in the upcoming British Open, adding to the excitement and competitiveness of the event.