England’s John Parry continued his return to form by taking the clubhouse lead midway through the opening round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open as Phil Mickelson started strongly at Castle Stuart Golf Links.
Parry won in France in 2010 but had to return to Qualifying School last year; retaining his European Tour card by winning the six-round marathon at PGA Catalunya Resort.
He then missed seven of his first ten cuts this season, but finished 14th in Madeira and tenth in Germany recently, and that upward curve continued with an eight under par 64 today.
That was one ahead of compatriot Simon Khan – a runner-up in the BMW PGA Championship in May – with Mickelson part of a five-way tie for third on six under.
The World Number Eight went from talking to himself to talking up his chances of victory after a poor start, three-putting his opening hole and exclaiming: "What in the world was that?" after a badly mishit tee-shot on the next.
But the four-time Major winner saved par there and hit back with an eagle on the next on his way to a 66 that left him level with Ireland’s Shane Lowry, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Finn Mikko Ilonen and England’s James Morrison.
"It was a good start," said Mickelson, who missed the cut in the Greenbrier Classic last week on his first appearance since a record sixth runner-up finish in the US Open last month.
"We had perfect conditions the first 14 or 15 holes and there are opportunities on this course to make birdies and eagles. It's an above-average round but there were opportunities to pick up three or four shots that I let go so I have to get a little sharper.
"There was a good chance to go low but I'm pleased to get off to a good start because I've got off to poor starts the last two years and been struggling to get into contention."
Khan, in the first group out at 7:30am, had set the initial target on seven under after completing a 65 with an eagle on the 18th, but Parry birdied the same hole in the next group to return a flawless 64.
The 26 year old finished 28th in the US Open at Merion after coming through qualifying and said: "The US Open has been the catalyst for playing better. It's renowned as the toughest event you can play and if you can compete in that you can compete in any event."
As the afternoon session developed only Sweden’s Johan Edfors, who reached six under after 13 holes, was threatening to challenge Parry’s lead.
