Korea’s Jenny Shin and American Lauren Coughlin carded matching six-under-par 66s to share the first-round lead at the 2026 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open on a blustery Thursday at Dundonald Links.

Shin produced the best score from the morning wave, opening with a birdie on No. 10 before adding three more on the 12th, 14th and 18th to make the turn in four-under. She birdied the third, dropped a shot on the fourth, then finished strongly with birdies on the seventh and ninth.

“On this golf course, the tee shots are pretty crucial,” Shin said. “I really focused on getting my tee shots on the fairway. It’s really dried out, so it’s playing a little shorter than in previous years.”

She credited her accuracy with short irons and wedges for creating birdie opportunities while embracing the unpredictability of links golf.

“It is a links golf course. You just don’t know where the ball is going to bounce. The secret is to just accept whatever happens.”

Shin also said a recent golf vacation in Sweden, where she played several links-style courses in windy conditions, helped prepare her for the challenge at Dundonald.

Coughlin, the 2024 champion and winner of the Aramco Championship in April, matched Shin’s 66 in the afternoon with eight birdies against two bogeys.

“I was just playing really solidly,” Coughlin said. “I had a really good game plan and executed it well. I made a few putts, and that makes everything a little easier.”

She added that adapting to the course’s firmer conditions off the tee was key, while her feel for the wind allowed her to capitalize despite a few errant drives.

Korea’s A Lim Kim sits alone in third after a five-under 67 highlighted by three consecutive birdies on Nos. 10, 11 and 12.

“Today I putted really great,” Kim said. “This is my sixth Scottish Open, and that experience really helps because every hole has its own personality.”

Sweden’s Lisa Pettersson occupies fourth place at three-under after recording six birdies and three bogeys.

“I played really solidly,” Pettersson said. “It’s a marathon, so hopefully there are three more good rounds to come.”

Four players share fifth place at two-under: Germany’s Esther Henseleit, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, and Japan’s Erika Hara and Miyu Yamashita.

Another five players are one stroke further back, including Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea, Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez, and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit, Chanettee Wannasaen and Pajaree Anannarukarn.

The second round begins Friday, with the top 65 players and ties advancing to the weekend.