The Scottish Open holds good memories for Callum Shinkwin and the Bushey golfer will be aiming to create more after making a strong start to this year’s tournament.

The Moor Park Golf Club professional secured his best European Tour result to date at Castle Stuart 12 months ago when he finished in a tie for eighth place.

The 24-year-old has given himself the platform to potentially have another good weekend – and be in with a chance of qualifying for The Open for a second successive year - after shooting a five-under-par round of 67 to lie in a five-way share of second at the time of writing, two shots behind Finland's Mikko Ilonen.

Shinkwin travelled to the tournament, which is being staged at Dundonald Links this year, after finishing in a tie for 30th at the Irish Open, having made the cut in consecutive European Tour events for the first time this year.

The former English Amateur champion is a long hitter and the par fives at the Ayrshire course proved particularly profitable today. He birdied the first three on the course on holes three, five, 14 and then eagled 18 to join Andrew Dodt, Rickie Fowler and Ian Poulter as the best scorers among those to start their rounds in the morning.

Shinkwin also birdied the par three sixth and par four ninth, but dropped shots at the par three fourth and par four seventh, to go out in a two-under 34 before playing the back nine in a three-under score of 33.

The cousin of light-heavyweight boxer Miles Shinkwin went into last year’s Scottish Open fresh from qualifying for The Open at Royal Troon in his previous event at the French Open.

Dundonald offers a final chance to make the field for next week’s 146th edition of the major at Royal Birkdale, with three places on offer to those who finish in the top 10 and ties.

Another player hoping to challenge for one of those qualification spots is Shinkwin’s Moor Park club-mate Matt Wallace, but he needs an improved second round after a frustrating opening 18 holes left the 27-year-old down the field on one-over-par.

He tweeted @mattsjwallace: “Best I’ve played all year. Hit it great. Gutsy wind on 7-8. Gotta be happy with how I hit it. Gutted with the score though. #chinup”

This year’s Portugal Open champion also birdied the par five fifth, but the wind on holes seven and eight saw him make back-to-back bogeys to go out in a one-over-par 37.

Birdies at the par three 11th and par five 14th put the Pinner resident back on track to complete an under-par opening 18 holes, but he bogeyed the par three 15th and par four 17th.

Last year’s six-time Alps Tour winner qualified for the US Open in June, but will want to avoid a third consecutive missed European Tour cut tomorrow.