Rory McIlroy surges to Scottish Open lead days before Open at Portrush

Rory McIlroy looked back to his best as he surged to the top of the Scottish Open leaderboard, days before the Open returns to Portrush.

After a dip in form following his Augusta National heroics, McIlroy is well positioned for his first victory since completing the Career Grand Slam as he shares the lead with American Chris Gotterup.

Firing a field-best four-under-par 66, McIlroy hit three birdies on the back nine to storm to the top of the leaderboard.

Ryder Cup teammate Matt Fitzpatrick leads the chasing pack in a four-way tie for second at nine-under par and is joined by Wyndham Clark, Jake Knapp and Marco Penge.

Others in contention include Tom Kim, Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Staka at seven-under-par while world number one Scottie Scheffler is a further shot back at six-under-par.

McIlroy, who won the event in 2023, got his first birdie of the day on the par-five third and would par the two other par fives and also had birdies on the eighth and 14th holes while his sole blemish came with a bogey on the par-four seventh.

After showing signs of life at the US Open, McIlroy welcomed the continued momentum as the Open heads to his native Northern Ireland next week.

"It is my first realistic chance to win after the Masters," he told Sky Sports.

"I have had a great season but yes, and I have said this before, when you do something you that have dreamt of for your whole life, and then do it, it was a huge moment in my life and career.

"I just need that little bit of time, and to be back here for the last couple of weeks and digest all of it, I feel like I came here for this tournament with renewed enthusiasm and excitement for the rest of the year."

McIlroy will go out in a three-ball with Gotterup and Clark at 1.40 pm tomorrow in the tournament's final pairing. Padraig Harrington will tee it up alongside last year's champion Robert MacIntyre at 12.50 pm.