Rory McIlroy is a part of a five-way tie for the lead after the opening spherical of the Genesis Scottish Open, with Scottie Scheffler additionally in competition after a strong begin.
McIlroy marked his first begin for the reason that US Open by posting a five-under 65 at The Renaissance Membership, seeing him share prime spot with Patrick Catnlay, Rasmus Hojgaard, Tom Kim and Bernd Wiesberger.
The world No 2 carded an eagle, 5 birdies and two bogeys throughout a strong opening day, three years on from successful the occasion, whereas Brooks Koepka is amongst a seven-strong contingent a shot off the tempo.
Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood are within the group two again containing dwelling favorite Bob MacIntyre and US Open champion Wyndham Clark, whereas Scheffler is three behind alongside defending champion Chris Gotterup.
A congested leaderboard sees 71 gamers separated by simply 5 strokes after the opening spherical, though PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai posted a one-over 71 and Jon Rahm wanted two late birdies to salvage a three-over 73.
McIlroy reveals positives on low-scoring opening day
Beginning on the again 9, McIlroy bogeyed his opening gap of the day however responded with a two-putt birdie on the par-five twelfth forward of selecting up photographs on the 14th and sixteenth.
McIlroy didn’t stand up and down to save lots of par on the 18th however rolled in an 18-foot eagle on the par-five first, with the six-time main winner lacking a number of birdie seems to be over his second 9 earlier than discovering back-to-back beneficial properties from the seventh.
Rory McIlroy is trying to win the Genesis Scottish Open for a second time
“I felt like I drove the ball particularly well and I started to see that at Shinnecock (US Open), as well,” McIlroy stated. “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.”
Cantlay posted 5 birdies in a bogey-free spherical and Weisberger briefly held the solo lead till a penultimate-hole bogey, with Hojgaard additionally getting to 6 below earlier than a double-bogey on the par-four sixteenth halted his progress.
The Dane was one of the best of the afternoon wave after birdieing the par-three seventeenth however was unable to seek out one other on the final to regain prime spot, with Kim finishing the quintet within the lead after carding a five-under 65 earlier within the day.
Clark sits inside two of the lead regardless of carding a double-bogey and bogey within the first 4 holes, whereas Scheffler – who shall be trying to defend his title at The Open subsequent week – combined 4 birdies with two bogeys in his two-under 68.
Scottie Scheffler is chasing a second victory of the season
“I did some good stuff,” Scheffler stated. “Wish I could have gotten a few more shots out of it but, overall, I think pretty solid. I like to keep a clean card, so two bogeys hurts and maybe could have played the par-fives a little bit better.”
Who will win the Genesis Scottish Open? Watch all through the week stay on Sky Sports activities. Reside protection continues on Friday from 8.30am on Sky Sports activities Golf. Get Sky Sports activities or stream golf with no contract.
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Sky Sports activities is as soon as once more the unique dwelling of The Open within the UK and Eire, with over 75 hours of stay protection from throughout the seven days of match week at Royal Birkdale.
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Sir Nick Faldo bumps into Rory McIlroy and asks about his preparations three weeks forward of The Open. X credit score @Sir_NickFaldo
Reside protection begins at 9am for every of the three follow days, earlier than wall-to-wall motion from the ultimate males’s main of the yr will get below method at 6.30am on Thursday July 16 on Sky Sports activities Golf.
There shall be a minimum of 15 hours of motion on each the primary two rounds, with bonus feeds obtainable on Sky Sports activities+ or the Sky Sports activities App, with prolonged protection then beginning at 9am on Saturday July 18 and 8am on Sunday July 19.
Who will win The 154th Open? Watch solely stay from July 16-19 on Sky Sports activities Golf. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract.
