​NORTH BERWICK, Scotland (AP) — Rory McIlroy warmed up for the year’s final major by taking advantage of The Renaissance Club’s par-5s, posting a 5-under 65 to share the early lead in the Genesis Scottish Open. He stood with a four-way tie at the top as the day got underway, with Patrick Cantlay, Tom Kim, and Bernd Wiesberger also posting 65s, and Brooks Koepka just one stroke back. Scottie Scheffler, ranked No. 1 in the world, was among the afternoon groups on a sunlit day along the Firth of Forth.
McIlroy started on the 10th hole and made an 18-foot eagle putt on the par-5 first, then added two more birdies on the other par-5s at The Renaissance Club. The scorecard reflected a round that felt more complete and confident, especially after taking a couple of weeks away following a modest showing at the U.S. Open. The Renaissance Club has the aura of links golf, even if its turf isn’t the classic seaside variety; Shinnecock Hills is about as close to true links as this side of the Atlantic, while Royal Birkdale looms next week as the British Open test. “I felt like I drove the ball particularly well, and I started to see that at Shinnecock as well,” McIlroy said. “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, who hasn’t won in nearly four years and slipped to No. 37 in the world after missing the cut at the U.S. Open (the lowest world ranking in more than eight years), bounced back with a strong showing. He’s had three top-10 finishes and four additional top-20 results this season. The former top-10 player appeared to find a spark with a heavier putter designed to counter slower greens this week and next, turning that into birdies and pars. His best moment may have been the finish: after landing in a greenside bunker on the par-5 seventh, he managed to escape with a par-saving up-and-down, then rolled in a 13-foot putt for birdie. He also saved par on the eighth with a five-foot putt and cleared the ninth with a precise up-and-down from within 100 feet to keep a clean card. “I’ve been putting in some hard work with my team, and I’ve got some important golf left in the year,” Cantlay said.
The Scottish Open serves as a co-sanctioned event by the European Tour and PGA Tour, making it an ideal warm-up for players heading into the British Open by offering the chance to acclimate to the seaside air, time zone, and greens that can play a touch slower than some are used to. The field also included players like Michael Thorbjornsen, who sat at 67, among others chasing the top spots. For those hoping to secure a spot in the Open or improve their standing, the upshot is that this tournament offers a critical bridge between the majors, with plenty of golf still to be played and the opportunity to fine-tune strategies on a course that rewards accuracy off the tee and shrewd approach play.