McIlroy overcomes slow start to finish strong at Scottish Open

Rory McIlroy was pleased with his late flurry at the Scottish Open, as the five-time major champion kept himself within four strokes of the lead.

McIlroy, who won the Scottish Open in 2023, endured a tough start on Thursday.

The 36-year-old bogeyed the first and the fifth, either side of gaining a shot on the third.

A bogey on the 15th put McIlroy over par, but the Masters champion responded with a brilliant run of birdies across the final three holes.

McIlroy, who is aiming to return to form ahead of The Open next week, carded 68, the same total managed by Collin Morikawa, world number one Scottie Scheffler and reigning champion Robert MacIntyre.

"I definitely finished the round better than I started it. It felt like it was a bit of a slow start," said McIlroy, as quoted by Sky Sports.

"I think when you come back over here, links greens, they're a lot slower than what we're used to. So a three-putt on one, and then did well, but then a three-putt second as well. That got me off and running. Then I felt like I played some good golf after that.

"Obviously finished great. I struggled a bit in left-to-right wind. Right-to-left winds I was okay with, but it seemed like the holes I got myself in trouble was when the wind was to the left. Something to try to work on over the next three days."

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Sepp Straka, Jake Knapp, Nico Echavarria and Victor Perez hold a share of the lead, having carded 64.

"I definitely can't complain! Got a few putts to fall early," said Knapp, who is making his maiden appearance at the event.

"Got one to fall, which I wasn't expecting to go in. So it's always nice when you can have something like that to get the round started."

Straka was also happy with a strong day's work.

"The game's been in really good shape coming into here," Straka said.

"The low expectations come from just not having performed at this course.

"My short game was really nice. I chipped it really well, made some putts and I hit the ball okay. Driver was a little bit squirrely, but short game saved me today."