Rory McIlroy, Xander Schaueffele & Justin Rose among early starters on day two Nico Echavarria, Jake Knapp, Sepp Straka & Victor Perez shared first-round lead on six-under 64 Jack Herrall, George O'Neill & Andrew Petrie McIlroy -2,

Rory McIlroy overcame “a little bit of rust” to finish his first Scottish Open round with a flurry, recording three consecutive birdies – and continued that form into Friday with a sensational start at the Renaissance Club.

The reigning Masters champion, Rory McIlroy, cannot escape the trolls as his latest trim has them questioning who the barber was.

Brilliant Rory McIlroy is classy on the golf course as he has streaked to a career Grand Slam. And his personal security guard Andy Dawber also displayed real quality off the course with his actions and show of compassionate kindness at the Genesis Scottish Open.

Rory McIlroy stressed after the end of the first round that everything seemed a bit chaotic at the beginning, but as the day progressed, McIlroy found a rhythm, getting used to what awaits him. "It was a scrappy start," he said, as quoted by the Miami Herald.

Sepp Straka had eight birdies in his round of 64, also joined by Nico Echavarria and Victor Perez atop the leaderboard alongside Knapp. Four other players were one shot behind, while Scottie Scheffler had to settle for a 67 and was three back.

McIlroy has played this event twice since he became co-sanctioned in 2022, winning in 2023 and finishing T-4 last year. He closed well at the U.S. Open and carried that over into the Travelers Championship where he tied for sixth, so he's gaining some momentum as he regains his focus before next week's Open.

Rory McIlroy showed the utmost respect for the sporting longevity he himself has achieved and gave examples of stars from other sports in comparison.