McIlroy in Form, Shares Scottish Open Lead with Gotterup

Rory McIlroy Makes Strong Comeback in Scottish Open

Rory McIlroy, the Masters champion, took a significant step toward regaining his form with two impressive shots at the end of his round on Saturday. His performance led to a 4-under 66, placing him in a tie for the lead with Chris Gotterup in the Scottish Open. The event is being held at The Renaissance Club along the Firth of Forth, where the weather was ideal, offering plenty of sunshine and favorable conditions for play.

McIlroy remained in contention throughout the day, making a strong impression during the middle of the back nine. After a 15-foot birdie on the par-3 14th hole, he executed a precise shot from a greenside pot bunker that hit the pin for an easy par. On the par-5 16th hole, despite a difficult lie, McIlroy managed to hit a sand wedge from 173 yards, landing just 10 feet from the hole for another birdie. Two closing pars helped him reach 11-under 199, matching Gotterup’s score and putting them in a tie for the lead.

Gotterup, known for his powerful game, had gone 34 holes without a bogey until the second hole on Saturday. However, he fell into a tie after a three-putt from 60 feet on the 14th hole and failed to birdie the 16th. Despite this, he managed a 70 after tying the course record with a 61 on Friday. He will be in the final group alongside McIlroy, a challenging position given McIlroy's reputation as a top draw in Scotland and his previous victory at The Renaissance Club.

“I think I’m pretty close to being back to the level I was at going into the Masters,” McIlroy said. “I think I’ve had a little bit of a lull, which I feel is understandable. So I’m just getting back to the level that I know that I can play at.”

Wyndham Clark also had a strong showing with a 66, joining McIlroy and Gotterup in the final group. Tee times were slightly adjusted due to a forecast of heavy fog, though it stayed offshore for most of the day. Clark was at 9-under 201, along with Jake Knapp, who was the closest challenger to Gotterup before a wild finish involving birdies on the closing par 3s and bogeys on other holes, resulting in a 68.

Matt Fitzpatrick and Marco Penge also finished at 201, each posting a 69. Gotterup and Knapp are in prime position to extend their stay in links golf, as the top three players not yet eligible will earn a spot at Royal Portrush for the British Open next week.

McIlroy has not been at his best since his historic win at Augusta National, where he claimed the Masters green jacket and joined an exclusive group of five other players with the career Grand Slam. Since then, he hasn’t come close to winning again. He arrived in Scotland after a two-week break and described his game as being at 80%. Despite this, he expressed satisfaction with his performance on Saturday.

“Even though I scored better yesterday (a 65), I feel like I played my best golf of the week today,” McIlroy said. He hasn’t set foot on Royal Portrush since the 2019 Open, where he struggled early and missed the cut by one shot. His caddie, Harry Diamond, was present to assess changes to the course, including some holes that have been lengthened.

For McIlroy, this week is crucial as he has never won on home soil as a professional. Sunday could be the perfect opportunity for him to prove that his game is as strong as ever.

“When you do something that you’ve been dreaming your whole life to do, it was a huge moment in my life, my career,” he reflected. “I think I just needed that little bit of time. And to be back here for the last couple weeks, and feel like I could actually digest all of it, I feel like I came to this tournament with renewed enthusiasm and excitement for the rest of the year.”

Gotterup, for his part, looked composed for much of Saturday. After a rough start, including a bogey on the second hole and a near-hole-in-one on the sixth, he struggled to convert on the back nine. He three-putted the 14th, but still remains in contention for the title.

“I'm pleased, but definitely feel like I left one or two out there that would have been important,” Gotterup said. “After 61, it doesn’t feel as easy. I hung in there tough and put myself in a good spot going into tomorrow. I know what I’m capable of. I’ve won before — obviously different tournament. So I know what it takes. It’s going to take a good round for sure, and I’m going to go give it my best.”