​NORTH BERWICK, Scotland — Rory McIlroy warmed to the mood of the final major of the year by feasting on The Renaissance Club’s reachable par 5s, posting a 5-under 65 that handed him a four-way share of the early lead at the Genesis Scottish Open. Patrick Cantlay chipped in with a tidy display, collecting five birdies in 10 holes and then weathering a late run of clutch pars that proved just as meaningful. Cantlay’s 65 joined those of Tom Kim and Bernd Wiesberger at the top, while Brooks Koepka was one stroke behind. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler joined the afternoon wave, playing on a splendid summer day along the Firth of Forth.
McIlroy opened his round on the 10th with an 18-foot eagle putt on the par-5 first hole and followed it with birdies on the other two par 5s at The Renaissance Club. The round helped buoy his scorecard and his mood as he looks to get back on track after a modest showing at the U.S. Open. The Renaissance Club, though reminiscent of links courses, sits on non-links turf, offering a hybrid feel that contrasts with traditional seaside layouts. McIlroy has noticed a sharper focus on driving the ball in play, a trait he tied to his success at Shinnecock Hills and a mindset he intends to carry forward for the rest of the year. “I felt like I drove the ball particularly well, and I started to see that at Shinnecock as well,” he said. “Continuing to put the ball in play allows me to attack courses and create scoring chances. I did that today.”
Cantlay has not won in nearly four years and slipped to No. 37 in the world after missing the cut at the U.S. Open, the lowest ranking he has held in more than eight years. He has still managed three top-10s and four additional finishes inside the top 20 this season, but a spark had been missing until now. To counter the greens’ slower pace, Cantlay switched to a slightly heavier putter, a move that yielded both birdies and steady pars. His finishing stretch illustrated his growing confidence. After splashing out of a pot bunker off the tee on the seventh hole, leaving 261 yards for his third shot, Cantlay eventually holed a 13-foot putt to save par. He then pared the eighth and, from just inside 100 feet, saved par on the ninth to keep a clean card.
“I’ve been putting in some hard work with my team and have some important golf left to play the rest of the year,” Cantlay said.
The Scottish Open, co-sanctioned by the European Tour and PGA Tour, serves as a prime preparation ground for the British Open, offering ideal conditions to acclimate to the seaside air, time zone, and greens that move at a slightly different pace. It also provides a last chance for players like Michael Thorbjornsen, who are tied for 67th and seeking a path to Royal Birkdale.
With the field aiming to secure a place at Royal Birkdale, the tournament doubles as a proving ground for those hoping to improve their standings and SEO-friendly stories ahead of the year’s final major. The evolving drama across Scotland’s links-laden landscape promises a compelling runway to Royal Birkdale, with several contenders in the field eager to translate early rounds into a sustained surge as the weekend approaches.