One of the best rounds of his career was enough to give Stuart Little a share of the lead Thursday in the Scottish Open, but not enough to start thinking about St. Andrews.
Little twice had stretches of three straight birdies on a calm day at Loch Lomond for a 7-under 64, his lowest score in relation to par in his nine years on the European tour. It left him atop the leaderboard with Angel Cabrera, one shot ahead of former Open champion Paul Lawrie, Lee Westwood and Richard Sterne.
"It's nice to be there, but I think as you're all aware, it's a long road ahead the next three days," Little said.
It would be tempting for Little to look ahead.
The top finisher at Loch Lomond gets an exemption to the British Open next week, and Little must have figured his chances were over two weeks ago when he was delayed leaving France, got only three hours' sleep and played so poorly in the qualifier than he withdrew after 18 holes.
Little has only played in one British Open -- at St. Andrews in 2000, when he missed the cut.
US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman, who has won at Loch Lomond, overcame a slight injury to his left thumb to post a 66, while former Masters champion Phil Mickelson opened with a 67, along with Darren Clarke.
Colin Montgomerie ran off three straight birdies, but nearly hit into a hazard on the 18th and settled for a 68.
Ernie Els wound up in the middle of the pack. Playing for the first time since a lackluster performance in the US Open, Els surprised many by showing up at Loch Lomond -- he had planned to take a three-week break before St. Andrews -- and swapped birdies with bogeys until making a short putt on his last hole for a 70.
Retief Goosen recovered from a 40 on his outward nine with flawless golf to salvage an even-par 71.
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