Rory McIlroy Finishes Strong 68 At Scottish Open, Trails Leaders By Four

Rory McIlroy overcame a slow start and challenging wind conditions to finish his opening round at the Genesis Scottish Open with a strong 68, placing him four shots behind the leaders. Despite some early three-putts and difficulties with left-to-right winds, McIlroy's short game and late birdie streak, including long putts on the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes, helped him regain momentum and confidence. He described his game as about 80% ready for the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush, expressing renewed enthusiasm after a break from competition. McIlroy emphasized the benefits of returning to links golf and the change of scenery to refocus his energy for the remainder of the season. The field is tightly packed, and McIlroy remains optimistic about his chances with several days to improve his game. Other leaders at the Scottish Open include Nico Echavarria, Sepp Straka, Victor Perez, and Jake Knapp, all at six under par.