​NORTH BERWICK, Scotland — Rory McIlroy took advantage of the scoring holes in windy conditions Friday, posting a 4-under 66 to share the lead at 9-under 131 with two others in a Scottish Open that no longer includes Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy looked as comfortable as ever, yet Scheffler struggled from the outset and finished with a 72, missing the 36-hole cut for the first time in nearly four years. He had extended a remarkable streak of 78 consecutive cuts made, the longest since Tiger Woods’ 142-cut run set more than two decades ago.
“Got off to a poor start and after that I didn’t really give myself a bunch of looks,” Scheffler said. “That’s how you shoot over par.”
Jordan Smith of England posted the tournament’s low score, a 63, becoming the first player to reach 9-under 131 and sharing the early lead with the resurgent Tom Kim (66) and McIlroy, who is seeking his first win since capturing back-to-back titles at the Masters in April.
“It would have been nice to be a couple better,” McIlroy said. “But it’s obviously another good day and in good position.”
The Renaissance Club offered a striking subplot: Scheffler headed to the exit rather than the range after his round, planning an earlier-than-expected departure for his title defense at the British Open at Royal Birkdale. He had not missed the cut since the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Scheffler was not alone in the surprising turn. Patrick Cantlay and Bernd Wiesberger became the first players since Jordan Spieth at the 2023 Sony Open to lead after 18 holes and then miss the cut. Cantlay shot a 74, while Wiesberger collapsed with a 43 on the back nine for a 78. Brooks Koepka, one shot off the lead entering Friday, also missed the weekend.
McIlroy, who won the Scottish Open three years ago, found a new wedge that has helped him handle firm turf at Renaissance and again at Birkdale next week. Yet he faces a competitive leaderboard as the weekend approaches.
Smith churned out four straight birdies early on the back nine, all within 10 feet. Kim, who tied for third in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, holed a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 seventh and added two more birdies in his final five holes. Kim had fallen out of the world’s top 100 before climbing back, with the U.S. Open proving pivotal and earning him a berth in the British Open next week.
“I think being under the radar was kind of nice, just to be able to work on my game and keep getting better,” Kim said. “Not being in the spotlight all the time, you don’t see everything or all the good stuff. I knew I was really, really close. And I’m still working toward being the best I can be. But all those little things kept adding up, and I think it’s shown the last couple weeks.”
Matt Fitzpatrick shot 65 and was one stroke off the lead, tied with Min Woo Lee. The group at 133 also included defending champion Chris Gotterup and others, all within range as the weekend loomed large.