Michele Thomson overcomes 'panic' to light up AIG Women's Open with huge smile

Michele Thomson recovered from a shaky start to card a two-over-par 73 in the first round of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon. Picture: Tristan Jones

Michele Thomson overcame a feeling of "panic" heading to the first tee at Royal Troon to be wearing one of the biggest smiles on day one of the AIG Women's Open.

After being a reserve on three occasions in the past, the 33-year-old Aberdonian finally made her debut in the major and overcame a shaky start to card a two-over-par 73.

That left her sitting in a tie for 23rd in the $4.5 million event, just six shots behind leader Amy Olson after only three players finished a tough opening day in red figures.

"Really good after being a bit of a struggle at the start," reported Thomson, one of five Scots in the field, of her day's work in one of the final groups.

"I'm delighted as I was really nervous. I wasn't hitting it that great on the range, to be honest, so I was having a little bit of a panic, and I had to calm myself down when I got to the first tee.

"Staring with a bogey obviously isn't brilliant but, when the wind is howling into your face, we knew it was going to be a grind.

The former Scottish Women's champion, who is managed by Paul Lawrie, was out in two-over before starting for home with a bogey.

She made her only birdie of the day at the par-4 11th before parring in from there, getting up and down at the last to keep that run going to the end.

"It was really tough going out as it pretty much felt it was nine holes straight into the wind," she added.

"I had to hit a 4-iron into the first and then a 3-iron into the second. It was about making sure I was still enjoying it and I loved every minute out there.

"Me and my caddie were just saying to each other, 'this is going to be a grind', so let's just keep hitting good shots on to greens to give me chances and make as few mistakes as possible."

"At 11, I hit a really good drive down to a tough hole to only have about 100 yards in, hitting a 50 degree wedge to six feet and rolling that in.

"That got me back after I'd bogeyed the 10th and I played pretty solid from there in.

"I had a loose drive at the last but managed to get it down to the left side of the green and got up and down from there.

"Hopefully the same again in the second round as it woud be great to get four rounds."

Catriona Matthew, the 2009 winner, started the second circuit in a tie for fourth after she rolled back the years to card a level-par 71.

After a 73 on her debut, Gemma Dryburgh also set out again with high hopes of making it to the weekend in the first women's major of 2020.

But Kylie Henry and Carly Booth, the two other Scots in the field, had work on their hands to be among the top 65 and ties making the cut after opening with 78 and 80 respectively.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy YatesEditorial Director