McIlroy makes impressive start to Scottish Open defence

Scottish Open first round leaderboard

-6 M Kieffer (Ger), H Li (Chi); -5 R McIlroy (NI), T Fleetwood (Eng), D Brown (Eng), Y Paul (Ger), U Coussaud (Fra), D Thompson (US); C Conners (Can), A Noren (Swe) -4 A Novak (US), C Gotterup (US)

Selected others: -3 R MacIntyre (Sco), V Hovland (Nor), A Scott (Aus), M Homa (US); -2 W Clark (US); -1 X Schauffele; E P Harrington (Ire)

Leaderboard

Rory McIlroy rebounded from US Open heartbreak by starting his Scottish Open title defence in imposing fashion.

The Northern Irishman, in his first appearance since a late collapse at Pinehurst a month ago extended his 10-year major drought, posted an eagle and five birdies in his five-under 65 at the Renaissance Club.

That left McIlroy well placed just a shot behind clubhouse leaders Max Kieffer and Haotong Li, who both bogeyed the last.

Tommy Fleetwood and Daniel Brown are alongside McIlroy after bogey-free opening rounds for the English pair while Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, runner-up last year, is three under.

Calm conditions and a course softened by rain in recent days allowed an opening round of low scoring in North Berwick.

McIlroy, starting on the 10th, began with a birdie but immediately dropped a shot after twice finding heavy rough.

Bogeys on 14 and 16 bookended a birdie in an untidy front nine for the world number two in which he hit only three of six fairways.

But he came alive after the turn, with a birdie on the first followed by a delightful chip-in eagle from the right-hand side of the par-five third.

He picked up another stroke at the next and chances for further birdies from inside 11 feet slipped by on five, six and nine.

"Obviously the last time I played, I played well. I didn't get the result I wanted but I've still got a lot of confidence in my game," said McIlroy.

"I shot a solid score today. I gave myself plenty of chances on that back nine and actually felt like I left a couple out there as well.

"It was as gettable as you're going to get this golf course. Hopefully no more rain over the next few days and the wind can get up a bit and the course can start to play a little bit tougher."

Playing partner MacIntyre had the home crowds roaring in delight when he produced an unorthodox par save on the par-three 12th, chipping over the adjoining wall after an errant tee shot landed on the 14th green.

He then ignited his round with three successive birdies from the seventh before making the turn in two under after a bogey on 18. Two further bogeys and a birdie completed a "decent" opening round.

"I got off to a really start and saw a score out there, but it's links golf and if you're not in the right spots you can have some difficult pitches and putts," MacIntyre, 27, told BBC Sport.

"The tournament doesn't really start until Sunday so it's all about building position and staying in the fight."

Patience paid off for fellow Ryder Cup star Fleetwood, who also started on the 10th and was one under through 11 holes before birdieing four of the closing seven.

Clubhouse leaders Kieffer and Li were out in the same group and fed off each other's momentum, said the German.

"It was unbelievable," added Kieffer, who carded seven birdies before his sole bogey at the last.

"The momentum was there all day. I had a great start and Haotong was playing well. There was so much momentum in the group all day. Surprisingly golf feels pretty easy."