Poor putting was the reason for my low score in the first round

The nine-shot swing between my first and second rounds would seem quite a bit, but it was a case of being rusty on Thursday and adapting myself to the conditions here on Friday. Remember I have not played on European soil since the European Open in Germany sometime in September last year.

Actually I have not even played on the European Tour since the Hero Indian Open at home and I had a Top-5 there with my friend, SSP Chawrasia, winning it for a second time in a row.

Coming back to the Scottish Open, I hit the ball decently on first day, but not as well as today, when I had 15-16 greens. I had 37 putts in the first round and around 30 today. That is really an awful lot if you want to win or contend at a tournament.

I just did not make any putts yesterday (Thursday) and today I hit a lot closer and did get a few in, but all from inside 10 feet. I was unable to read the greens and I did not get putts in from around 10-15 feet and that was the difference.

By the way, Padraig Harrington, who has shot 67-68, showed why he won back-to-back Opens. He was a terrific. He did not hit too well but he knew how to get back and get those pars and birdies. While I am happy to ensure that I will still get some action over the weekend, Padraig, at the time of writing, is in the lead at nine-under.

The greens here and in US are so different. They are really fast there and very true and I did take a lot of time to read them and even after 36 holes I need to do some working on that.

I am playing after almost three weeks as I have not played since the Travellers. And I have also noticed that in my last two events at Memorial and Travellers, I came back from over-par rounds and I think it has been sometime since I had a round in 60s to begin the week.

As for conditions, it has been typically Links. But the rough here is not so highas we are likely to get in Birkdale at the Open. The weather has been what you typically get in Britain. I played last four-five holes in rain and that was way different from playing in conditions before that. And today the afternoon was relatively free from wind.

Yet all said and done, it is great to ensure the weekend and four rounds. Getting in four rounds before the Open is what I wanted and I have got it. So, hopefully I will get into a better frame and adapt myself better in time for the Open at Birkdale.

My friend SSP (Chawrasia) shot even par 72 on the first day and he will finish late on Friday. There were a lot of decent scores on first day, but in Links golf all that can change quickly with the weather, so lets see how it goes.