Chilean golfer Mark Tullo has promised to wear a kilt to the prize-giving if successful in capturing the Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

The 33-year old Tullo joined Lee Westwood atop of the leader board with an impressive seven under par 65 in the testy conditions along the Moray Firth to the east of Inverness.

Chilean golfer Mark Tullo

Tullo birdied his opening four holes and then five of his inward nine for his equal lowest round in 15 events this year.

The Santiago-born Tullo also signed for a 65 on the final day of the recent Italian Open.

“It was great out there and I really enjoyed myself,” he said.

“I’m trying to smile more on the golf course because sometimes I get fired up too much but it was good to fun out there today.

“I actually laughed off some good shots and laughed off bad shots.”

Tullo earned his card for a first year competing on the European Tour with two wins last season on the secondary Challenge Tour.  

Included in his victories last year was capturing the Egyptian Open in a field boasting Rory McIlroy and Italian sensation, Matteo Manassero.

Mark Tullo winner 2010 Egyptian Open.

However Tullo revealed after his round he was recently in Edinburgh looking to buy kilt with a Tullo tartan, and indicating his father believes the surname Tullo, may have origins in Scotland.

“My dad thinks Tullo might be Scottish and that we have ancestors from Scotland,” he said.

Tullo’s post-round interview then went to a humorous discussion about kilts after he referred to them as ‘skirts’.

Reporters:  “No, it’s a kilt. Not a skirt.  If you say skirt you’ll probably be lynched.”

Tullo:  “Shoot, sorry.  Kilt.”

Reporters:  “Have you ever worn a kilt before?”

Tullo:  “I’ve had a kilt on.”

Reporters:  “Do you own one?”

Tullo:  “No.”

Reporters:  “Is there a Tullo tartan?”

Tullo:  “I went to Edinburgh to try and look for one.”

Reporters:  “Did you find one?”

Tullo:  “No, you guys will have to help me find it.  I will put on a kilt if you get me the tartan.”

Reporters:  “Sunday night for the prize-giving?”

Tullo:  “Just get me one as that would be awesome.”

Tullo then had reporters laughing more when asked his family background with the three-time former Chilean Open champion (2004, ’05 & ’06) revealing his father was born in England and his mother is Dutch.

“They met in Ireland at a bonfire,” he said.

“My dad was playing guitar and sang to my mother.  He sang in Spanish, Yo Unos Ojos Negres.  I won’t sing it myself because my vocal cords are not the best.

“He was trying to be the cool guy and I actually guess he did play his cards right. 

 “Dutch ladies are not easy to get, that’s what I hear.”

Tullo said they were married in England before his father was offered a job in Chile where Mark was born.