Korea’s Jenny Shin and American Lauren Coughlin sit at the top of the leaderboard on six-under-par at the end of the first day of action at the 2026 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open.
On a windy day at Dundonald Links, Shin fired the best round of the morning wave with a 66 (-6).
The 33-year-old began the day from the 10th with a birdie and added further birdies on the 12th, 14th and 18th holes to make the turn in four-under.
Shin made another birdie on the third before a dropped shot on the fourth but finish strong with birdies on holes seven and nine for her round of six-under-par.
“On this golf course, the tee shots are pretty crucial,” said Shin. “I really focused on getting my tee shots on the fairway, and it’s really dried out, so it’s playing a little shorter than the year’s past when it was quite wet out here.
“The fact I was able to reach the par-5s and take advantage of making the birdies there, and having a few 58-degree [wedges] coming into the green helped. I was able to get my ball within 15 feet and when I did have the chance for birdie, I did make it, so it was a good day.
“It is a Links golf course. You just don’t know where the ball is going to bounce to. On number eight, I had a really good tee shot, I couldn’t have hit it any better and still ended up in the left rough. It’s a little bit of luck with the Links. The secret is to just be in acceptance of whatever happened.
“I had a vacation in Sweden last week and the golf courses that I played were very linksy, so that was a very pleasant surprise. It was along the water, so a lot of wind as well. I guess I practised well and it definitely paid off today. Hopefully, I can keep it up for the next three days.”
Coughlin, who won the Aramco Championship in April, was in the afternoon wave in Scotland but joined Shin on six-under-par at the top of the leaderboard.
The 2024 champion knows her way around Dundonald Links and had eight birdies and two bogeys on her scorecard.
“I just playing really solidly,” said Coughlin. “It was pretty difficult out there. I’ve not ever really played it when it’s been this firm, especially off the tee, so quite a few different things off the tee than normal where I used to be able to hit driver a lot of places. I hit it really well, but I made almost everything that I looked at today. It makes it a little bit easier.
“I knew it was going to be playing difficult out there. I felt like I had a really good game plan and executed really well and made a few putts. It was windy, even in the practice round days, so I feel like I had gotten a good feel for it. Just good game plan and good execution today as well.
“I was just trying to hit as many fairways as I could and the same with greens. Miss it in the right spots, if I end up missing it. I hit a couple wayward drives but I had some pretty good drives in the tall stuff. I made a couple birdies even out of that. I judged everything really well out of there. I just felt like I had a pretty good feel for the wind and the conditions and how everything was going.”
Korea’s A Lim Kim is in solo third place on five-under-par after her round of 67 which included three birdies on the trot on holes 10, 11 and 12.
“Today I putted really great. I really practiced my imagination and sometimes trust is really hard for me, but I keep trying. This year is my sixth time playing the Scottish Open, it really helps a lot, and every hole has some personality,” said Kim.
LET winner Lisa Pettersson is in outright fourth place on three-under-par with six birdies and three bogeys on her scorecard.
“I played really solidly, I didn’t finish very good unfortunately, so I’m a bit bummed for that. I hit some really good drives and hit a lot of greens. I’m really happy. It’s a marathon, so hopefully three more rounds to play for,” said Pettersson.
“The plan is always fairways and greens but it definitely helps because it’s a lot firmer than previous years, so if you don’t hit it in the fairway it’s hard to calculate how the ball will bounce with the wind and how dry it is. We just really try to be smart and I’ve been here a few times now, so I feel like I know where to go and where not to go.”
Four players are in a share of fifth place with Germany’s Esther Henseleit, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and Japanese duo Erika Hara and Miyu Yamashita all on two-under-par.
One shot further back are another five players including Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea and Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez alongside Thai trio Patty Tavatanakit, Chanettee Wannasaen and Pajaree Anannarukarn.
Round two will begin at 7.30 am (local time) and there will be a cut to the top 65 players and ties at the end of the day.
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