Defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy, South Korea’s rising star Tom Kim, and England’s Jordan Smith all climbed to a 9-under-par total to anchor the final weekend groups.

Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju rose to tied sixth, while Sahith Theegala improved to T-38 even as big names including Scottie Scheffler exited the Genesis Scottish Open at the halfway stage in North Berwick, Scotland.

A dramatic second round shook up the leaderboard at The Renaissance Club. As winds picked up and the tricky coastal links began to show their teeth, a stellar three-way tie emerged at the top of the leaderboard. Defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy, South Korea’s rising star Tom Kim, and England’s Jordan Smith all climbed to a 9-under-par total to anchor the final weekend groups.

However, many fell victims to conditions as an unexpected, low cut line of 2-under-par claimed several of golf’s biggest heavyweights. The most staggering casualty of the day was world number one Scottie Scheffler, alongside 2026 PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai, both of whom were sent out early after failing to navigate the worsening afternoon conditions.

Rory McIlroy continued his perfect preparation for the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Birkdale with another super performance. Backing up his opening-round 65, the Northern Irishman took full advantage of the par 5s to sign for a 4-under-par 66. McIlroy looked completely poised on the greens, demonstrating the exact type of links control required to orchestrate a weekend repeat of his prior triumphs at North Berwick.

Matching him was Tom Kim. The South Korean star paired his first-round 65 with a highly disciplined 66, showcasing remarkable iron play to keep himself firmly in the hunt. Joining the duo at the summit was Jordan Smith, who executed a blistering 7-under-par 63, a masterful display of ball-striking.

While the marquee leaders established the benchmark heading into the weekend, Indo-Canadian prospect Sudarshan Yellamaraju stole the headlines with a breakout performance and headed into the weekend squarely in the fight for his first career DP World Tour breakthrough.

The Renaissance Club layout grew increasingly fierce. High winds and unpredictable gusts forced players into defensive target golf, causing late-day collapses across the field.

EOM