GRANT Forrest is flying the flag for Scotland after finishing the first round at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open in the top 20.

More than half a dozen Major winners are battling the course – and the elements – at The Renaissance Club today (Thursday).

The first round saw Forrest, of North Berwick, card a four-under-par 67.

Three birdies in the first nine holes saw the Craigielaw ace looking good at the turn and he followed that up with another three bogeys on the second nine holes.

Two bogeys means he sits in a tie for 16th after the first group of golfers completed the opening round at the competition.

It also sees Forrest as the highest placed of the home golfers – one shot ahead of Calum Hill.

Former Dunbar Grammar School pupil David Drysdale is now out on the course and he sits on level par after three holes.

He started well with a birdie on the opening par five but immediately returned to par with a bogey on the next hole.

Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy is out on the course this afternoon, alongside two-time Major champion Martin Kaymer and 2015 Scottish Open champion Rickie Fowler.

South Africa’s Thomas Aiken is the early leader on -8.