Inverness (Scotland), Jul 8: Jeev Milkha Singh carded a modest two-under 70 but was the highest-placed Indian golfer at tied 46th after the opening round of the Barclay's Scottish Open here.

Shiv Kapur (72) and SSP Chowrasia (72) were further down in tied 87th on the opening day. Jeev, starting on the back stretch, had two birdies and a bogey on either side of the turn.

Kapur had four birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey, while Chowrasia, winner of the Avantha Masters this year, made three birdies against an equal number of bogeys.

Meanwhile, Lee Westwood, who could be back as World No. 1 with a win here, shared the lead with Chilean Mark Tullo at the new Castle Stuart Golf Links. The 38-year-old carded a seven under 65 at on the back of an eagle and six birdies.

World No. 232 Tullo, 33, is a graduate from last season's Challenge Tour. He still has to qualify for The Open Championship, for which one spot is available for the leading non-exempt player this Sunday providing he finishes in the top five.

Westwood and Tullo were a stroke ahead of Swede Peter Hanson, South African George Coetzee and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen, joint runner-up in the Alstom Open de France on Sunday.

Luke Donald, currently No. 1 in the world, shot a 67.

Padraig Harrington, last year's US Open Championship winner, Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose all had 69s, while twice champion Ernie Els shot a 68.

PTI