The China Mail - McIlroy encouraged by 'great start' to Scottish Open

The event at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, east of Edinburgh is played on a links or coastal course -- as is the British Open.

The 154th edition of golf's oldest major championship takes place next week at Royal Birkdale near Liverpool.

And McIlroy, who became just the sixth player in golf history to complete a career Grand Slam of major titles with victory in the US Masters in April, was heartened by his first links round of the year.

"I thought for the most part, I played well," McIlroy said.

"I felt like I drove the ball particularly well, and I started to see that at Shinnecock a couple weeks ago (at the US Open)," the Northern Irishman added.

"It's 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 played the par-fives well. I think I hit all three greens in regulation: one putt dropped for eagle and two two-putt birdies always helps the card."

The world number two shared the lead with Tom Kim, Bernd Wiesberger, Patrick Cantlay and Hojgaard, with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka a shot back in the group on four under.

McIlroy's playing partners Robert MacIntyre and US Open champion Wyndham Clark, making up a group of the last three Scottish Open winners, both shot 67s with the latter recovering from being three over after four holes.

"Every time I come back and play in Scotland, it's unbelievable," said MacIntyre. "They certainly know how to get behind their own and today was no different. Having the support is obviously massive, and having two other players like that alongside brings up the atmosphere."

World number one Scottie Scheffler was not at his best but still posted a two-under 68.

But Jon Rahm, in his first PGA Tour event outside the majors since his controversial move to LIV in 2023, struggled and had to claw back a couple of birdies just to finish with a three-over 73.

A.Sun--ThChM