RORY MCILROY IMMEDIATELY found his links golf form with the Open Championship just around the corner as a five-under 65 at the Scottish Open gave him a share of the first-round lead.
McIlroy posted a good early score, and it was only threatened late on by Ryder Cup team-mate Rasmus Hojgaard, who briefly got to six under with four to play, before dropping back to make it a five-way tie at the top.
The world number two shared the lead with Tom Kim, Bernd Wiesberger, Patrick Cantlay and Hojgaard, with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka a shot back in the group on four under.
Tom McKibbin is in a tie for 13th after his round of three-under 67 featured no bogeys and three birdies. Shane Lowry is one-over after a round of 71 that included a double bogey on the 9th, his final hole of the day.
Padraig Harrington recorded a round of four-over 74.
Starting at the 10th, the 2023 champion McIlroy’s first nine was a mixed bag which began and ended with bogeys but had three birdies in between as he turned at one under.
But the 601-yard first played to his strengths as a 352-yard drive was followed by a four-iron to inside 19 feet for an eagle.
That should have kick-started a charge, but he missed a three-foot birdie attempt at the par-three third and a 14-footer at the next.
But he was on in two at the 575-yard seventh and two-putted from 61ft to get to four under, tied the lead with a 16-foot putt from the fringe at the next and saved par with a brilliant, back-spinning bunker shot at the last.
“I thought for the most part, I played well. I felt like I drove the ball particularly well, and I started to see that at Shinnecock a couple weeks ago (at the US Open),” said McIlroy.
“It’s a continuation of putting the ball in play and then once I do that I feel like I can attack courses and I can set up scoring opportunities.
“I did that today. I played the par 5s well. I think I hit all three greens in regulation: one putt dropped for eagle and two two-putt birdies always helps the card.
“Overall, good to get my first round of competitive golf on a links golf course and it’s obviously a great start to the tournament.”
McIlroy’s playing partner Bob MacIntyre shot a round of three-under 67.
Bob MacIntyre. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
“Every time I come back and play in Scotland, it’s unbelievable,” said MacIntyre.
“They certainly know how to get behind their own and today was no different. Having the support is obviously massive, and having two other players like that alongside brings up the atmosphere.”
World number one Scottie Scheffler struggled to find his game but still managed to post a two-under 68, with playing partners Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood one shot better.
Jon Rahm, playing his first PGA Tour event outside the majors since his move to LIV in 2023, struggled and was five over through 12 holes before clawing back a couple of birdies to post a three-over 73.
Elsewhere in the Evian Championship in France, Aki Iwai leads the way after the opening round on eight-under.
Leona Maguire had a first round of level-par 71, while Lauren Walsh is two-over after a round of 73.
***
This article has been corrected from an earlier version, to now amend Rory McIlroy’s playing partners as Robert MacIntyre and Chris Gotterup
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Rory McIlroy shares Scottish Open lead after opening round
LAST UPDATE | 9 Jul
RORY MCILROY IMMEDIATELY found his links golf form with the Open Championship just around the corner as a five-under 65 at the Scottish Open gave him a share of the first-round lead.
McIlroy posted a good early score, and it was only threatened late on by Ryder Cup team-mate Rasmus Hojgaard, who briefly got to six under with four to play, before dropping back to make it a five-way tie at the top.
The world number two shared the lead with Tom Kim, Bernd Wiesberger, Patrick Cantlay and Hojgaard, with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka a shot back in the group on four under.
Tom McKibbin is in a tie for 13th after his round of three-under 67 featured no bogeys and three birdies. Shane Lowry is one-over after a round of 71 that included a double bogey on the 9th, his final hole of the day.
Padraig Harrington recorded a round of four-over 74.
Starting at the 10th, the 2023 champion McIlroy’s first nine was a mixed bag which began and ended with bogeys but had three birdies in between as he turned at one under.
But the 601-yard first played to his strengths as a 352-yard drive was followed by a four-iron to inside 19 feet for an eagle.
That should have kick-started a charge, but he missed a three-foot birdie attempt at the par-three third and a 14-footer at the next.
But he was on in two at the 575-yard seventh and two-putted from 61ft to get to four under, tied the lead with a 16-foot putt from the fringe at the next and saved par with a brilliant, back-spinning bunker shot at the last.
“I thought for the most part, I played well. I felt like I drove the ball particularly well, and I started to see that at Shinnecock a couple weeks ago (at the US Open),” said McIlroy.
“It’s a continuation of putting the ball in play and then once I do that I feel like I can attack courses and I can set up scoring opportunities.
“I did that today. I played the par 5s well. I think I hit all three greens in regulation: one putt dropped for eagle and two two-putt birdies always helps the card.
“Overall, good to get my first round of competitive golf on a links golf course and it’s obviously a great start to the tournament.”
McIlroy’s playing partner Bob MacIntyre shot a round of three-under 67.
“Every time I come back and play in Scotland, it’s unbelievable,” said MacIntyre.
“They certainly know how to get behind their own and today was no different. Having the support is obviously massive, and having two other players like that alongside brings up the atmosphere.”
World number one Scottie Scheffler struggled to find his game but still managed to post a two-under 68, with playing partners Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood one shot better.
Jon Rahm, playing his first PGA Tour event outside the majors since his move to LIV in 2023, struggled and was five over through 12 holes before clawing back a couple of birdies to post a three-over 73.
Elsewhere in the Evian Championship in France, Aki Iwai leads the way after the opening round on eight-under.
Leona Maguire had a first round of level-par 71, while Lauren Walsh is two-over after a round of 73.
***
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
as it stands Bernd Wiesberger Golf Rory McIllroy Scottish Open Tom Kim