Shin and Coughlin share lead after opening round at ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open
Korean veteran and 2024 champion conquer gusty links conditions at Dundonald to set early benchmark
Korea- Korea’s Jenny Shin and American Lauren Coughlin carded matching six-under-par 66s to share the lead after a blustery opening day at the 2026 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open.
Shin set the early clubhouse target during the morning wave at Dundonald Links, utilizing pinpoint wedge play and sharp iron accuracy to overcome firm, dry conditions. Starting her round on the back nine, the 33-year-old turned in four-under before adding three more birdies on the front nine against a single bogey.
“On this golf course, the tee shots are pretty crucial,” said Shin, who spent the previous week playing coastal courses in Sweden to prepare for the links test. “The fact I was able to reach the par-5s and take advantage of making birdies there helped. It is a links golf course; you just don’t know where the ball is going to bounce. The secret is to just be in acceptance of whatever happens.”
Coughlin, the tournament’s 2024 winner, matched Shin’s six-under mark in the afternoon conditions, pouring in eight birdies alongside two bogeys. The American relied on a hot putter and precise distance control to navigate fairways playing considerably firmer and faster than in previous editions.
“I just played really solidly,” said Coughlin. “I’ve not ever really played it when it’s been this firm, so I had to hit quite a few different clubs off the tee than normal. I executed my game plan really well and made almost everything I looked at today.”
Korea’s A Lim Kim sits alone in third place at five-under-par following a 67 highlighted by three consecutive birdies from the 10th hole, while Sweden’s Lisa Pettersson occupies solo fourth at three-under. A four-way tie for fifth at two-under par features Germany’s Esther Henseleit, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, and Japanese duo Erika Hara and Miyu Yamashita.
The second round gets underway at 7:30 AM local time on Friday, with the field competing to make the 36-hole cut for the top 65 players and ties.