Rory McIlroy Shares Scottish Open Lead After Impressive Opening Round

Scottish Open 2026

The Grand Slam champion made an impressive start to the Genesis Scottish Open as the world number two opened with a five-under-par 65 to move into a share of the first-round lead at The Renaissance Club.

Despite reducing his playing schedule this season, McIlroy showed no signs of rust as he returned to links golf in style. The Northern Irishman sits alongside Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard, Patrick Cantlay, Tom Kim and Bernd Wiesberger at the top of the leaderboard after 18 holes.

With calmer weather greeting the morning groups, four of the five co-leaders took advantage of the more favourable conditions before the wind strengthened later in the day.

McIlroy has played a lighter schedule following his career Grand Slam triumph at Augusta National last year, with the Scottish Open marking just his third tournament outside of the majors since April. However, the four-time major champion believes the reduced workload has brought several benefits.

“The benefits are seeing my family more, feeling like I have a bit more balance in my life,” McIlroy said.

“And then the challenge is, I feel like even though I have played pretty sparsely over the past few months, the starts of my tournaments have all been really good. So it’s not like I’m coming in and starting slow, and the little bit of extra practice I think actually helps in some ways.

“One of the other benefits for me, I’m nearly 20 years into this, and I need to do everything I can to keep my enthusiasm as high as possible. Playing a lighter schedule definitely does that.

“It’s a very liberating feeling but again I can’t get complacent. I still need to set goals. I felt like the Grand Slam last year was the destination – and I realised it wasn’t. It’s a continuous journey.”

Starting his round on the 10^th hole, McIlroy recovered well after making bogeys on both ends of his opening nine. An eagle at the par-five first sparked his charge before further birdies on the seventh and eighth lifted him into a share of the lead. A composed sand save on the final hole completed an encouraging opening round as he looks to add another Scottish Open title to the one he claimed in 2023.

Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy said: “For the most part, I played well.

“At this stage of my career, I really enjoy coming back here to play. It reminds me of why I started to play the game in the first place; links golf courses and the crowds are incredible.”

World number one Scottie Scheffler also made a solid start despite facing the tougher afternoon conditions. The American carded a two-under 68 after four birdies and two bogeys to remain firmly in contention heading into the second round.

“I did some good stuff,” Scheffler said. “Wish I could have got a few more shots out of it but overall, pretty solid. I like to keep a clean card, so two bogeys hurts.

“Maybe I could have played the par fives a little bit better. I didn’t take advantage of those today. But overall, nothing crazy.”

It proved to be a far more difficult day for Jon Rahm. Making his first PGA Tour appearance outside the major championships since joining LIV Golf in late 2023, the Spaniard struggled throughout his opening round. Although he birdied the 15^th and 16^th, a one-over 73 leaves him with work to do if he is to make the cut.

Elsewhere, Brooks Koepka enjoyed a successful return to the Scottish Open after an 11-year absence, finishing just one shot behind the leaders on four under. US Open champion Wyndham Clark recovered superbly from a difficult start of three over through four holes to post a three-under 67, matching the scores of English pair Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood.

Scottish favourite Robert MacIntyre also opened with a 67 and was pleased not only with his golf but with the way he managed his emotions throughout the day.

“Everyone knows that I’m like a kettle, always boiling away, ready to erupt,” MacIntyre said.

“When life is good off the golf course, that’s one part, and it’s going on the golf course and being able to accept [bad moments] – my biggest thing is acceptance. Everyone is the same. If you can accept the bad, you probably won’t play many bad rounds of golf.”