John Parry took advantage of perfect morning conditions at Castle Stuart Golf Links to card an eight under par 64 and lead after the first round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
The Englishman won on The European Tour in France in 2010 but lost his card 18 months later, regaining it after a stint back on the Challenge Tour with victory at last November’s Qualifying School.
The 26 year old then missed the cut in seven of his first ten events this season, but his form has been on an upward curve since then after he qualified for the US Open Championship, where he finished a commendable 26th.
A top-ten finish in Germany followed, and eight birdies in a blemish-free round saw him take a one shot lead over compatriot Simon Khan.
“I think from when I lost my card, I maybe panicked a bit coming into the last few events because you know you're struggling,” Parry revealed. “Just making sure you do the right things constantly and you'll get the results.
“I've been playing better. I think the US Open was the catalyst for me to start playing better, making cuts. It's renowned for being the toughest event of the year; you know if you can compete on that, you know you can compete on any course. It's good for your confidence.
“I think my wedge play and iron play were key. That's what I knew coming into this event to work on, because off the tee, it's quite generous, so you can work on your short irons and wedges and you can take lots of chances.”
Khan, a runner-up at the BMW PGA Championship six weeks ago, eagled the last for a round of 65.
“My form wasn't great after I won at Wentworth in 2010, so I sort of tried to turn it around the other way and think like that,” he said.
“I played well last week in France; a course I always feel like I've always got a chance on. My preparation was really good for this week and felt really good out there.”
Seven players are tied for third on six under, amongst them American World Number Eight Phil Mickelson.
The left-hander made a disappointing start with a bogey at the tenth, his first, and a wayward tee shot at the next.
But a brilliant par save from the bunker there turned things around, and a 15 foot eagle at the 12th helped him finish the day alongside Ireland’s Shane Lowry, Finn Mikko Ilonen, England’s James Morrison and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, with his compatriot Thongchai Jaidee and Scotland’s Chris Doak doing best of the afternoon starters to join them late in the day.
Defending champion Jeev Milkha Singh chipped in at the ninth, his last, to leave himself well placed on five under, but Ernie Els – who defends his Open Championship title at Muirfield next week – could only manage a level par 72.
