Day one digest: 2021 abrdn Scottish Open

Everything you need to know from day one in Scotland.

Jack jumped ahead, football came to the fore, Poults made a statement and putts were dropping from everywhere on day one of the 2021 abrdn Scottish Open.

Here is everything you need to know from the first round of the second Rolex Series event on the 2021 Race to Dubai.

Senior enjoying life at the top

We have a stellar field this week but the man at the top of the leaderboard after 18 holes is the World Number 353. Not that Jack Senior was remotely overawed or concerned by the company he was keeping after signing for a bogey free 64 that left him at seven under. "I've won at every single level I've played at," he said. "I think that's something that I've always been good at. I can get across the line and I feel comfortable when I'm at the top of the leaderboard. I don't shy away from the top of the leaderboard and when I'm out in front, I don't tend to back away. It's a great field but, at the end of the day, you're still out there playing the golf course. Doesn't matter how good the field is or anything like that. All you can do is control what you're doing and try and do your best on the golf course and not particularly worried about the field." Former World Number Ones Lee Westwood and Justin Thomas were a shot back, one clear of a group including current World Number One Jon Rahm and Ryder Cup stars Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood and Ian Poulter.

The Rolex Series is back

The Scottish Open has always been one of the European Tour's most prestigious events but the Rolex Series has taken it to new heights and this week it feels even that bit more special. Fans are lining the fairways in the UK for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit and they have come to witness a field that includes four of the world's top five. Throw in four time Major Champion Rory McIlroy along with a host of other Ryder Cup stars, and we have the strongest field in the event's history. "It's fantastic," said Belgian Thomas Detry. "Rolex Series events, I've played a couple of Majors now, and that's really what gets closest to what Major golf is: People, crowds, golf course is a good test as well, marquees right next to 18, and that's really where you want to be playing."

Bellows for Bob

It was wonderful to see so many fans back and they produced an almighty cheer when local favourite Robert MacIntyre did this.

Football fever

We may be at a golf event but many of the players have been following Euro 2020, with England set to face Italy in the final not long after the winning putt will be holed in East Lothian. Rahm spoke of his disappointment at seeing Spain lose out to the Italians when he faced the press on Wednesday but on Thursday much of the focus was on England's semi-final win over Denmark the previous night. Some of the players watched it together and Denmark found some support from outside of the Danish contingent. "It's coming home, obviously, isn't it?," said England fan Westwood. "I was surrounded by the likes of Thomas Bjørn and Thorbjørn Olesen and actually there was a few Danes there: Thomas Pieters, Nicolas Colsaerts, Rory McIlroy, I didn't realise they had any Danish ancestry but clearly when the first goal went in, they're closet Vikings!"

Fleetwood even revealed he was in contact with England's match winner and captain Harry Kane. "I've been in touch a little bit throughout the tournament just saying good luck and stuff," he said. "I'm not exactly going to bother him too much while he's at the Euros. We speak a bit and it's good to see the lads doing well."

But it was Luke Donald who asked the most pertinent question ahead of the final.

Moliwood forever!

Poults' perfect pants

Poulter has long been known for his sense of flair on the golf course and he certainly made some new Scottish fans with his choice of tartan trousers on Thursday. "I need no excuse to put a pair of tartan trousers on," he said. "I always have and I will always wear them. The guys that are out here walking with us, they loved them when I stood on the first tee. These are a Stewart tartan - Sir Jackie Stewart - it's one of his racing tartans and he kindly allowed me to be bale to wear them."

Making monsters

Poults wasn't just here to catwalk. He drained this huge putt as well.

Tommy was making his share as well

But neither of them could match this from JT. Wow.