2024 Scottish Open scores, takeaways: Justin Thomas flirts with course record to take lead after Round 1

The best players in the world rose to the top of the first page at the Renaissance Club

It is fitting during a week where a lot of the discussion has been about Ryder Cup captain's picks and whether the United States got them correct last year in Rome that one of those captain's picks, Justin Thomas, went out and shot one of his best rounds all year at the Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club.

J.T. posted an 8-under 62 -- one off the course record of 61, which is held by multiple players -- to lead Sungjae Im by one and everyone else by two or more after 18 holes of play in North Berwick, Scotland. It was an approach play bonanza for Thomas, who gained nearly three shots on the field in that category and had eight birdies in the process.

"I'm confident when I get in that mode," said Thomas. "I feel like, obviously, this is as easy as you're going to get a links golf course weather-wise and conditions. When you drive it well like I did for the most part today, you have a lot of short clubs and I see nothing but the pin. You have opportunities to get the ball close with some slopes, but if I have a good number, for the most part, I'm trying to figure out how I can hit it as close as possible. I'm not scared to do so.