Westwood takes charge in Scotland and is supported for the Open

Lee Westwood may have dominated the new Castle Stuart course today but there are a number of golfers who took apart the Scottish links today.

Unknown Chilean Mark Tullo joins Lee Westwood at the top of the leaderboard on seven-under-par and he is a 40/1 chance to win the tournament, a long way back from Westwood who heads the betting at 3/1.

Tullo is a graduate from the Challenge Tour but can boast a victory over Rory McIlroy to his name and there may be plenty of value in following the Chilean this week after his strong start.

There are a number of players still out on the course including Graeme McDowell and Ernie Els, and there is scope for plenty of movement in the Scottish Open betting yet.

But while the likes of McDowell and company struggle with the Scottish elements, Westwood is in the clubhouse relaxing and the world number two finds himself the subject of a strong gamble for the Open.

A 10/1 shot for the Open, Westwood has come close to winning a Major on many occasions but always falls short.

This year Westwood is playing a links course the week before an Open championship for the first time in 16 years but having dominated the first round, punters are piling on the Englishman to break his duck at Royal St Georges next week.

McIlroy remains the strong 6/1 favourite and he will take all the beating next week, but Westwood’s decision to warm-up on a links course looks like a brilliant decision and should he continue his form over the next three days he will be full of confidence next week.

Meanwhile world number one Luke Donald has finished his Scottish Open first round and finds himself just two shots off Westwood and an 8/1 chance to win the Scottish Open as the world’s top two continue to dominate the betting.