Ladies European Tour Member and No. 599 in the Rolex Rankings, Michele Thomson had the round of her life at the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open. Starting in the fourth grouping of the day, Thomson recorded a LPGA Tour career-low 65 to sit with a two-stroke lead at -7 after the first round in Fife. The Scot, who hails from Aberdeen, took advantage of weaker winds in the morning at Dunbarnie Links on a style of course she’s played all her life.
“I'm delighted with how I started. Obviously, it was a bit of a shaky start with a bogey at the first but seven birdies and eagle, can't ask for much more,” said Thomson. “Growing up playing links golf and up at 7 a.m. with no wind, getting out – had to shoot a good score.”
A month ago, while competing in Finland at the Grant Ladies Open, her father, Graham, suffered a heart attack during the first round, while carrying her bag. Though Graham was jovial after the incident – even tweeting from the hospital, joking as he apologized for having to step off the bag – the 33-year-old said the moment put her game and career in perspective.
“I've had quite a tough time with dad in Finland obviously and just kind of haven't been concentrating on my golf but that just shows me that golf's just golf and just get on with it and whatever happens, that's life,” said Thomson. Her dad is doing better, in recovery, and able to follow along outside the ropes as a spectator this week. Joining him in support was none other than her manager, Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion and fellow Aberdeen native. Lawrie holds the men’s record at Dumbarnie, a 65, which Thomson discovered upon concluding.
“I didn't realize he had it until I came in. Really nice,” said Thomson. “It was nice to have his support, to have The Open Champion, previous Open Champion obviously. But, really nice to have him here and have his support. Hopefully he can come back and I can shoot under par again.”
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