Joint-leader Scott Hend reflected on his impressive performance in the first round of the Scottish Open on Thursday (7th July). Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington, one shot behind the lead, discussed the windy course conditions - Harrington stated he would "enjoy that challenge every day of my tournament life."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Scott Hend (Leader on 3 under par)

(on his first round):

"Yeah very happy. Obviously the conditions were quite tough and I was a little bit scrappy there with some putts, not quite getting them to the hole, but overall, very happy."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Scott Hend (Leader on 3 under par)

(on the windy conditions):

"I love it. It beats you around, kicks your head in and then sometimes you get it back. It's just great, it's just great fun. It's exciting."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Graeme McDowell (Tied second on 2 under par)

(on his first round):

"Yeah, I'm pretty happy with it. It was a bit of a battle out there at times. Wind strength certainly increased as the day went on. Holes like 18 up on top are very very exposed, and (holes) 1, 2 and 3. Even the downwind holes are tough for me. It's very tough to get the ball close to the hole and you're doing a lot of long range putting. The greens are slow, because of the wind strength conditions. They have to keep a bit of grass on them and it is tough to get your speed out there. But the surfaces are very pure and you do feel like you can make some (greens) when you get a chance."

SOUNDBITE: Padraig Harrington (Tied second on 2 under par)

(on the windy conditions):

"Yes I played nicely. I wished I played every tournament and round of golf in these sort of conditions. It was tough, it required your attention out there but it seemed very playable - in the sense that the golf course is designed to play in...there's openings at the front of every green, there wasn't any hidden pin positions. So yeah, it was all there in front of you and certainly I would enjoy that challenge every day of my tournament life."