McIlroy in three-way tie for lead at Scottish Open as Scheffler misses cut
McIlroy Shares Lead Amid Strong Field
Rory McIlroy is part of a three-way tie for the lead at the Scottish Open, posting a 4-under 66 in windy conditions on Friday. McIlroy, who previously won the Scottish Open three years ago, is positioned at 9-under 131. He is joined at the top of the leaderboard by Jordan Smith of England and Tom Kim.
Smith delivered the lowest score of the tournament with a 63, reaching 9-under 131. Kim, who recently tied for third at the U.S. Open, also finished with a 66 to join the leaders. Kim’s round included a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 seventh hole and two birdies in his final five holes. He has been steadily climbing in the world rankings after falling out of the top 100.
McIlroy expressed satisfaction with his position, noting, “It would have been nice to be a couple better, but it’s obviously another good day and in good position.” He has not secured a victory since winning back-to-back at the Masters in April. McIlroy has also incorporated a new wedge into his game, which he believes will assist him on the firm turf at The Renaissance Club and at Royal Birkdale next week.
The leaderboard remains competitive heading into the weekend. Matt Fitzpatrick and Min Woo Lee are one shot behind the leaders, with Fitzpatrick carding a 65. Defending champion Chris Gotterup and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre are among those in a group at 133. Gotterup, who played alongside McIlroy, was two shots back after a challenging finish on the 18th hole, where his drive landed in high grass and his iron shot rolled against a television tower.
Gotterup, who recently won the John Deere Classic, is aiming for his fourth victory of the year. The Scottish Open also offers three spots for the British Open to the leading finishers who have not yet qualified. Among those in contention at the halfway point is Nicolai Von Dellingshausen, who won his first European tour event last year at the Austrian Open.
Scheffler’s Cut Streak Ends
A significant development at The Renaissance Club was the unexpected early departure of Scottie Scheffler, who missed the 36-hole cut. Scheffler struggled from the outset, finishing his round with a 72, which placed him at even par overall. The cut was anticipated to settle at 2 under. This marks the first time Scheffler has missed a cut in nearly four years, ending a streak of 78 consecutive cuts made.
His last missed cut occurred in August 2022 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Scheffler’s consistency has been a hallmark of his play, with his streak being the longest active one on the PGA TOUR, surpassing the next closest player by 51 events. He had also not finished outside the top 25 since the 2024 BMW Championship, a nearly two-year run that concluded on Friday.
Scheffler acknowledged his performance, stating, “Got off to a poor start and after that, I didn’t really it close enough to give myself a bunch of looks.” He added, “I didn’t really feel like I played that bad. This golf course can be just tough at times.” He noted that he was hitting shots too far from the hole and was unable to convert putts. His approach play was particularly below average, and he did not hit enough fairways to create easy birdie opportunities.
The world No. 1 displayed visible frustration during his round. On the 17th hole, his tee shot landed in a pot bunker, leading to a bogey. He later missed a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-5 seventh, significantly reducing his chances of making the cut. Despite a lengthy putt for par on the eighth after finding a greenside bunker, he needed a birdie on the par-3 ninth, but his approach shot fell short of the green.
Scheffler’s early exit is particularly surprising given his recent form, which included playing in the final pairing at the U.S. Open last month and a playoff loss at the Travelers Championship two weeks prior. He had consistently placed himself in contention to win, making this week’s outcome on a links golf course a stark reversal. Scheffler is now making plans to travel south earlier than expected for his title defense at the British Open at Royal Birkdale.
Scheffler was not alone in missing the cut unexpectedly. Patrick Cantlay and Bernd Wiesberger, who shared the 18-hole lead, also failed to make the cut. Cantlay shot a 74, while Wiesberger recorded a 78, including a 43 on the back nine. This marks the first time since Jordan Spieth at the 2023 Sony Open that players sharing the 18-hole lead have subsequently missed the cut. Brooks Koepka, who was one shot off the lead entering Friday, also missed the cut.
Scheffler reflected on his consistency, stating, “I’m definitely proud of the consistency.”
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Source: wral.com
