Veteran Shin Ji-eun shares Scottish Women's Open lead; Kim A-rim one back in third

Shin Ji-eun moved into a share of the first-round lead at the ISPS Handa Scottish Women's Open, co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour.

Shin fired seven birdies against one bogey for a 6-under-par 66 on Friday at Dundonald Links (par 72) in North Ayrshire, Scotland, tying Lauren Coughlin of the United States atop the leaderboard. The round puts Shin in contention for her second career LPGA title, more than a decade after her first at the 2016 Texas Shootout.

Starting on the 10th hole, Shin opened with a birdie there and added further birdies at Nos. 12, 14 and 18. She dropped a shot with a bogey at the par-3 4th hole on the back nine but bounced back with three more birdies to close out her round.

"Tee shots are really important on this course," Shin said after her round. "I focused on keeping the ball in the fairway off the tee. I was able to take advantage of birdie opportunities on the par-5 holes, and being able to use my 58-degree wedge a few times also helped."

Coughlin, who won the Aramco Championship in April, played in gusty afternoon conditions but still carded eight birdies against two bogeys to join Shin at the top. "It was windy during the practice rounds too, so I think that helped me get a good feel for the course," Coughlin said. "I was happy to put together a good game plan and execute it well today."

Kim A-rim, the 2020 US Women's Open champion, sits alone in third place, one stroke back, after posting a 5-under-par 67 with seven birdies and two bogeys. "This is my sixth time playing in this event, so I remember the characteristics of each hole pretty well," Kim said. "My putting was really good today."

World No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States, a strong title favorite, struggled to even par, trading four birdies for four bogeys to card a 72 and sit in a tie for 14th.

Kim Hyo-joo had a difficult day, carding a 3-over-par 75 to share 46th place with Kim Sei-young. She made four birdies but offset them with three bogeys and two double bogeys.