Edfors, Drysdale share lead at Scottish Open

Luss, Scotland: British Masters champion Johan Edfors and Scotland's David Drysdale lead the Scottish Open after 6-under first rounds of 65 at Loch Lomond on Thursday. Darren Clarke held third spot with Miles Tunnicliff on 66. Jose Maria Olazabal shot 67 to share fifth with Raymond Russell, Andrew Butterfield and David Bransdon. Luke Donald, Carl Pettersson and 61-year-old Hale Irwin were among a group of players who hit 68. Irwin birdied the last five holes. European number 1 David Howell, US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman, Paul McGinley and Lee Westwood shot 69. Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Ian Poulter were among those on 70 with Sergio Garcia on 71 and Colin Montgomerie on 72. Former Masters champion Fred Couples withdrew before play began with a back problem. Edfors, a 30-year-old Swede who won the British Masters in May, has had six weeks off since then. It didn't show. "I needed a break. I went swimming in the sea with my girlfriend and my family,'' he said. Drysdale, 31, was playing a secondary Challenge Tour last week and is in this event by special invitation as a Scottish national. (AP)