Rory McIlroy grabbed a share of the Scottish Open lead while Scottie Scheffler’s remarkable made-cut streak ended after nearly four years.
Rory McIlroy handled the wind, attacked the right holes and walked out of Friday with a share of the Genesis Scottish Open lead. Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, packed his bags much earlier than anyone expected.
McIlroy fired a 4-under 66 at The Renaissance Club to reach 9-under 131 through two rounds, joining England’s Jordan Smith and a resurgent Tom Kim atop a crowded leaderboard.
The four-time major champion looked comfortable in the difficult conditions, giving himself another chance to win an event he captured three years ago.
Scheffler’s day, on the other hand, couldn’t have looked more different.
The world’s top-ranked player struggled from the opening stretch and signed for a 2-over 72, ending a run of 78 consecutive made cuts.
It was Scheffler’s first missed weekend since the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship and the longest active streak since Tiger Woods’ record-setting run of 142.
Scheffler never found enough quality looks to rescue his round.
“Got off to a poor start,” Scheffler said. “I didn’t really hit it close enough to give myself a bunch of looks.”
Now, instead of battling McIlroy over the weekend, Scheffler will head south early to begin preparing for his Open Championship title defense at Royal Birkdale.
McIlroy didn’t run away from the field, but he did enough to keep himself in prime position. He’s still searching for his first victory since winning consecutive events capped by the Masters in April.
“It would have been nice to be a couple better,” McIlroy said. “But it’s obviously another good day and in good position.”
Smith produced the round of the tournament with a 63, fueled by four consecutive birdies early on his back nine.
Kim matched McIlroy’s 66 and supplied one of Friday’s loudest moments by draining a 40-foot eagle putt at the par-5 seventh.
Kim’s recent revival continues after a third-place finish at the U.S. Open. He had fallen outside the top 100 in the world before rebuilding his game away from the spotlight.
Matt Fitzpatrick and Min Woo Lee sit one shot behind the leaders, while defending champion Chris Gotterup and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre remain within striking distance at 7 under.
Gotterup, fresh off winning the John Deere Classic, nearly moved within one of the lead before a closing bogey dropped him two back. MacIntyre electrified the home crowd with a 30-foot birdie at the par-3 15th.
The weekend now belongs to McIlroy, Kim, Smith and a leaderboard packed with legitimate threats.
Scheffler’s shocking exit removed the tournament favorite. It also created a wide-open race—and McIlroy suddenly looks ready to seize it.
