Hero-supported Sahith Theegala battled his way to an even-par 70 to sit tied for 75th, and 2026 PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai and also the 2020 champion of this event, endured a difficult one-over 71, leaving him tied for 99th heading into the second round.
Rory McIlroy launched his final preparations for next week’s Open Championship in spectacular fashion, firing a five-under-par 65 to grab a five-way share of the first-round lead at the Genesis Scottish Open in North Berwick, Scotland.
In near-perfect scoring conditions blessed with sunshine and light winds at The Renaissance Club, the Northern Irishman was joined at the top of the leaderboard by 2019 tournament champion Bernd Wiesberger of Austria, South Korea’s Tom Kim, American Ryder Cup star Patrick Cantlay, and Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard.
The opening day brought mixed fortunes for the Indian-origin players, led by Indo-Canadian debutant Sudarshan Yellamaraju, who carded a steady two-under 68 mixed with four birdies and two bogeys to sit tied for 26th.
Meanwhile, Hero-supported Sahith Theegala battled his way to an even-par 70 to sit tied for 75th, and 2026 PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai and also the 2020 champion of this event, endured a difficult one-over 71, leaving him tied for 99th heading into the second round. He needs a low round to make the cut.
McIlroy, making his first competitive appearance since finishing tied for 32nd at the U.S. Open, initially struggled to find his rhythm. Starting his day on the 10th tee, he traded three birdies with bogeys on the 10th and 18th holes to turn in a modest score. However, an 18-foot eagle putt on the par-five first hole completely ignited his inward nine, and further birdies on the seventh and a sensational chip-in from off the green at the eighth lifted him into the co-lead.
The leaderboard remains incredibly congested, with nearly half of the 156-player field breaking par on day one. Sitting just one stroke back at four-under 66 is a formidable seven-player chasing group headlined by five-time Major champion Brooks Koepka, alongside Kurt Kitayama, Andrew Novak, Michael Thorbjornsen, Min Woo Lee, Angel Ayora, and Oliver Lindell.
EOM
