GLASGOW’s Martin Laird believes he is ready to mount an Open challenge after posting an opening round of 68 at Royal Birkdale. The Scot made three bogeys and five birdies on his way to a two-under par finish that saw him claim a share of 12th place.

Laird, now based in the USA, was in contention at the Open at Muirfield four years ago only to fall away, but is confident he can compete this week, even if the weather turns nasty as expected.

He said: “I bogeyed the first and the last and everything in between was very good. I’m obviously very happy with my start. Score aside, I played really nicely and hit the ball great, with two or three almost tap-in birdies. I really worked hard on my game at the start of this week after not playing very well last week at the Scottish Open. It showed today because that’s the best I’ve hit the ball in a while.

“At Muirfield in 2013 it was about as fast a golf course as you’ll ever play. I was in the mix at some point on the Saturday and that proved to myself that I could still play on these courses, even though I had been gone for a while and not played links golf in America.

“But my game is a little more rounded now and more suited for this type of tournament. I would definitely feel better equipped if I found myself in that position again now. I’m a few years older and wiser so I’d definitely handle it better.”

Laird was joined at two-under by Richie Ramsay who enjoyed his round alongside joint leader Matt Kuchar. Ramsay said: “I am really pleased with that. It was a battle all day but I dug in there. It was great playing with Matt. He is very calm. He is a great player and is tied for the lead which was great to see. It was great for me as a learning curve to see what it takes to get in front at a major championship. He has a game that suits mine, it is not overpowering.”

Paul Lawrie was annoyed with the closing-hole bogey that saw him still post a respectable round of level par. The 1999 champion said: “I am disappointed as I played lovely and hit a lot of good shots. I missed a lot of short putts out there. Seventy was a shocking effort given the way I played. Sometimes that is the way it goes.”

Russell Knox, Scotland’s highest-ranked player, had a day to forget after posting a four-over par round of 74. He sighed: “Off the tee I was pretty good but my iron game just wasn’t good enough.

“Those sloppy mid-irons cost me three or four shots. That is normally what I am so good at.”

Sandy Lyle was one of the early starters in the poor weather and shot a 77, David Drysdale signed for a 72, while young amateur Connor Syme carded a 73.