Rory McIlroy makes impressive return at Scottish Open as Justin Thomas claims early lead | Golf News

Rory McIlroy bounced again from his US Open heartbreak to make a robust begin to the defence of his Scottish Open title as first-round chief Justin Thomas narrowly missed out on creating historical past.

Competing for the primary time since agonisingly lacking out on a fifth main title at Pinehurst, McIlroy carded a five-under-par 65 on the Renaissance Membership to lie three photographs behind chief Thomas, who returned a flawless 62.

Simply the second 59 in DP World Tour historical past was a definite chance when Thomas lined his first 13 holes in eight below on the par-70 structure, however the two-time main winner may solely par the final 5 holes.

.”I believed the par was 71 after which I seemed up and I noticed it was 70 and I used to be like, ‘I simply want a pair extra’ (birdies) and I can shoot 59,” Thomas mentioned.

“After which, stunning, I made 5 pars in a row in order that type of p***** me off. I undoubtedly needed a 59 and was even pondering a pair decrease, so everyone knows how that works out whenever you get forward of your self.

“But it surely’s all the time good to get off to a very good begin, and even higher to get off to a terrific one. I felt like I used to be in nice management of the whole lot.”

On a day of low scoring, Thomas loved a one-shot lead over South Korea’s Sungjae Im, with Ryder Cup star Ludvig Åbergon six below and McIlroy half of a big group on 5 below which included Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick.

McIlroy chipped in for an eagle on the third gap, his twelfth of the day, and likewise recorded 5 birdies, however missed good probabilities on three of his final 5 holes.

“I hit a few photographs over the primary few holes that I have not seen in follow during the last 10 days so it was a little bit of a reminder that golf is not as simple as generally I believe it’s,” McIlroy mentioned with a smile.

“However then I actually began to really feel good. Particularly on the entrance 9, our again 9, I began to hit some good drives, some good iron photographs.

“I gave myself loads of probabilities on that again 9 and really felt like I left a pair on the market as effectively. Total a very good begin, particularly after the scrappy begin over the primary six or seven holes.”

McIlroy briefly held a two-shot lead with 5 holes to play within the US Open however bogeyed three of the final 4, lacking from two toes and 6 inches on the sixteenth and three toes and 9 inches on the final to complete a shot behind Bryson DeChambeau.

“I am not going to let three or 4 holes cloud my judgement by way of how good I am taking part in,” the 35-year-old added.

“It wasn’t simply the US Open. I performed effectively on the Canadian Open and at Memorial and the US PGA and Quail Hole. My recreation has been in good condition and it was in good condition coming in right here.

“It is only a matter of going on the market and specializing in the duty at hand and never letting your thoughts wander an excessive amount of. I felt like I did a very good job of that as we speak.”

Fleetwood, who misplaced out in a play-off for this occasion in 2020, was delighted to have long-term caddie Ian Finnis again on the bag after present process open-heart surgical procedure earlier this 12 months.

“It feels nice,” Fleetwood mentioned after a spherical containing 5 birdies and no bogeys.

“It feels good to have had a very good spherical in his first week, for him greater than something. We did a terrific job. Every little thing form of flowed, actually, as we speak. He made a few nice selections, so it is like he isn’t been away.”

House favorite Robert MacIntyre, who was denied victory 12 months in the past by a shocking birdie-birdie end by McIlroy in testing circumstances, carded 5 birdies and two bogeys in a gap 68.

Watch Rory McIlroy in PGA Tour and DP World Tour motion dwell this season on Sky Sports activities. Watch the Genesis Scottish Open dwell on Friday from 9.30am on Sky Sports activities Golf, earlier than the 152nd Open at Royal Troon from July 18-21. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and extra with NOW.

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