The annual Ladies Scottish Open teed off at Dundonald Links on Thursday morning.

This year's tournament will feature 156 of the world's best players, including last year's champion Isabelle Boineau.

She won her maiden Ladies European Tour title last year with a final round of 68 and faces stiff competition to defend her crown at this year's tournament.

Boineau said: "I'm really happy and proud to have won last year in Scotland, the home of golf, and I'm pleased to be here at a course I really enjoy.

"Last year's win feels like it was ten years ago but the feeling I got when I won was just like a drug, I feel like I need it again because if not, I won't be satisfied."

The all-star field is headed by world number one So Yeon Ryu, who is making her debut at the North Ayrshire course.

She said: "Links golf is very different to the courses I usually play and I'm very excited about the challenge ahead this week.

"Just playing for one week is not enough time to get used to this style of course and so this is the perfect preparation ahead of next week's Ricoh Women's British Open.

"From what I have seen so far the course here at Dundonald is fantastic and I love being in Scotland - the home of golf where it all started."