Jenny Shin and Lauren Coughlin share the lead after opening with six-under-par 66s at the 2026 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open on Thursday.

The pair handled the wind and firm turf at Dundonald Links to move one shot clear of A Lim Kim, who sits alone in third after a 67. Lisa Pettersson is fourth at 3-under.

Shin produced the best score of the morning wave after beginning her round from the 10th tee. She birdied three of her opening five holes and reached the turn in 4-under after another gain at the 18th.

A birdie at the third was followed by her only bogey of the day at the fourth. The 33-year-old responded with birdies at the seventh and ninth to complete a round containing seven birdies.

“On this golf course, the tee shots are pretty crucial,” Shin said. “I really focused on getting my tee shots on the fairway, and it’s really dried out, so it’s playing a little shorter than the year’s past when it was quite wet out here.”

Shin took advantage of the reachable par fives and said a recent holiday in Sweden had provided useful preparation. The courses she played there offered links-style conditions beside the water and plenty of wind.

This is the seventh time Shin has held or shared an LPGA Tour lead after the first round, and her first since the 2025 Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba.

Coughlin Puts Her Course Knowledge to Work

Coughlin joined Shin at the top during the afternoon wave, making a field-leading eight birdies against two bogeys. The 2024 champion hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation, also the best mark in the field, and needed only one putt on 10 greens.

Her final birdie came at the ninth, where she converted from 30 feet to claim a share of the lead. It is her best opening position at this tournament, improving on the tie for fifth she held after round one during her victory two years ago.

“It was pretty difficult out there,” Coughlin said. “I’ve not ever really played it when it’s been this firm, especially off the tee, so quite a few different things off the tee than normal.”

The American, who won the Aramco Championship in April, said her plan centred on finding fairways and missing in manageable positions. Her 66 gives her a sixth career lead or co-lead after 18 holes on the LPGA Tour.

Kim Leads the Chasing Group

Kim made seven birdies and used only 24 putts in her 5-under 67. She opened with three consecutive birdies from the 10th and later made back-to-back gains at the second and third.

Pettersson recorded six birdies and three bogeys to reach 3-under. Esther Henseleit, Anna Nordqvist, Erika Hara and Miyu Yamashita share fifth at 2-under.

Defending champion Lottie Woad began her first LPGA Tour title defence with a two-over 74. Amateur Kiara Romero, seeking the final point needed to qualify for LPGA membership through the Elite Amateur Pathway, opened with a 77.

The second round begins at 7.30am local time on Friday. The top 65 players and ties will make the cut.

For the latest news in the golfing world, follow us on X.