Genesis Scottish Open: Rory McIlroy four off early lead after late birdie burst in opening round at the Renaissance Club | Golf News

Rory McIlroy produced a brilliant late birdie burst to stay within four strokes of the lead after a low-scoring opening round at the Genesis Scottish Open.

McIlroy birdied each of his last three holes to card a two-under 68 at the Renaissance Club, as four players shared the early lead at the event co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.

Ryder Cup team-mate Sepp Straka carded a six-under 64 to top the leaderboard alongside Jake Knapp, Nico Echavarria and Victor Perez, with Scotland’s Calum Hill and England’s Marco Penge among the quartet a stroke back in tied-fifth.

Viktor Hovland and former US Open champion Wyndham Clark were in the group two off the lead and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler opened with a three-under 67, as 32 players were separated by just three strokes after the opening day.

McIlroy was joined on two under by defending champion Robert MacIntyre and two-time major winner Xander Schauffele, who will look to defend his title at The Open next week, while US Open champion JJ Spaun and Tommy Fleetwood both posted level-par 70s.

Joint-leader Knapp, who is making his first appearance at the Scottish Open, said: “I definitely can’t complain! Got a few putts to fall early.

“Got one to fall, which I wasn’t expecting to go in. So it’s always nice when you can have something like that to get the round started.”

How McIlroy made strong finish to opening day

McIlroy – the 2023 champion – made a three-putt bogey at the par-four first and followed a long-range two-putt birdie at the par-five third with a dropped shot at the fifth, where he holed from eight feet to limit the damage to a bogey.

The Masters champion responded by making a close-range birdie at the ‘stadium hole’ par-three sixth, although was over par for the tournament when a run of pars was ended when he found the fairway bunker off the tee and bogeyed the 15th.

McIlroy started his swashbuckling finish by tapping in at the par-five 16th, having come close with his eagle attempt, then followed a 25-foot birdie at the par-four 17th by rolling in from 20 feet for another at the par-four last.

Rory MCilroy, Scottish Open
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Rory McIlroy will be among the favourites to win The Open at Royal Portrush, live on Sky Sports from July 17

The leading three players – not already exempt – who make the cut this week will qualify for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.

“I definitely finished the round better than I started it. It felt like it was a bit of a slow start,” said McIlroy.

“I think when you come back over here, links greens, they’re a lot slower than what we’re used to. So 3-putt on 1, and then did well, but then 3-putt 2nd as well. So that got me off and running. Then I felt like I played some good golf after that.

“Obviously finished great. I struggled a bit in left-to-right wind. Right-to-left winds I was okay with. But seemed like the holes I got myself in trouble was when the wind was to the left. Something to try to work on over the next three days.”

Who will win the Genesis Scottish Open? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues with Featured Groups on Friday from 8.30am on Sky Sports Golf, ahead of full coverage from 1pm. Not got Sky? Stream The Open and more with no contract.

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