Scottish Open 2019: Kuchar, Molinari, Bertasio and Wattel connected for lead

Matt Kuchar is one of the four players who lead eight-under parAberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open first-round leaderboard-8 R Wattel (Fra), M Kuchar (US), N Bertasio (Ita), E Molinari (Ita) ; -7 A Sullivan (Eng), J Donaldson (Wal), K Samooja (Fin), T Aiken (RSA), T Slattery (Eng), E Van Rooyen (RSA), T Pieters (Bel); -6 O Wilson (Eng), H Stenson (Swe), R Langasque (Fra), C Paisely (Eng), I Poulter (Eng), R Ramsay (Sco) Other selected: -4 P Harrington (Ire), R McIlroy (Nir), E. Pepperell (Eng), J. Thomas (USA), -3R McIntyre (Sco), M. Wallace (Eng); -1 R Knox (Sco); Par R Fowler (USA) Full leaderboard

Four players are in the lead after a low scoring first round of the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.

American Matt Kuchar, Italians Edoardo Molinari and Nino Bertasio, and Frenchman Romain Wattel all placed eight-under-63 in East Lothian.

British Andy Sullivan, Jamie Donaldson and Lee Slattery are under recoil, while Rory McIlroy placed a four-under-67.

Only three shots separate the top 28 on an overloaded leaderboard.

Wattel and Molinari of 2010 both had spells as the absolute leader in nine but the Italian bogeyed the second to last hole and the Frenchman did the same at 15.

Three places on it Next week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush are obvious for those who finish in the top 10 and who are not yet qualified

Molinari, whose brother Francesco is the defending champion after his victory in Carnoustie last year, is one of That.

"It would of course be special to be there if Francesco was the title defender," he said. "But I'm not going to go if I don't make it. I have planned a vacation with my wife and two children.

" When I'm not in Portrush, I lie on the beach in Portofino, although I will certainly watch some golf in the evening, on the weekend, certainly, "added the 38-year-old.

World number 13 Kuchar & # 39; s round included two eagles on the back nine on the par-five 12 and 16, while Bertasio – ranked outside the top 500 – posted a bogey-free card.

The day-feature group consisted of McIlroy, Winnie Rickie Fowler 2015 and 22-year-old Scot Robert MacIntyre.

The Oban player made a scorching start and shot four under for his first seven holes, before eight, nine and ten bogeys derailed him and he finished with a 68. Fowler finished right at level