Austria’s Sepp Straka was among four players tied for the lead at six under par after Thursday’s opening round of the Scottish Open, as world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy made solid starts at the Renaissance Club.
Straka carded a bogey-free 64 to share top spot with Colombia’s Nico Echavarria, American Jake Knapp and France’s Victor Perez, as warm, calm conditions allowed for low scoring along Scotland’s east coast.
Scheffler, who won the US PGA Championship in May, opened with a three-under 67 after holing out for eagle at the par-four 10th – his opening hole of the day.
The American world No 1 added birdies at the 16th, 3rd and 7th, but bogeys at the 4th and 6th kept him from mounting a stronger charge.
McIlroy, meanwhile, made a late push to post a two-under 68. The world No 2 is aiming to build momentum ahead of next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush in his native Northern Ireland.
The four-time Major champion has struggled since completing the career Grand Slam at Augusta in April and is looking to regain form after a brief break from competition.
He made three consecutive birdies to close out his round, salvaging a solid start at the course where he lifted the title in 2023.
“I definitely finished the round better than I started it,” said McIlroy.
Defending champion Robert MacIntyre and reigning Open champion Xander Schauffele also signed for two-under 68s to sit just four shots off the lead.
South Africa’s challenge at the Scottish Open got off to a subdued start on Thursday, with none of the nine-player contingent able to break par in the opening round at the Renaissance Club.
Dylan Frittelli was the best-placed South African, carding a one-under-par 69 to finish the day in a tie for 49th – five strokes behind the leading quartet of Colombia’s Nico Echavarria, American Jake Knapp, Austria’s Sepp Straka and France’s Victor Perez at six under.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Thriston Lawrence, Jayden Schaper and Aldrich Potgieter all posted level-par 70s to finish in a share of 68th.
Brandon Stone and Jacques Kruyswijk also opened with even-par rounds in calm scoring conditions that saw several players go low on Scotland’s east coast.
Erik van Rooyen and Dylan Naidoo both struggled to a three-over 73, while Ockie Strydom (four over) and veteran Shaun Norris (five over) have work to do to make the weekend cut.
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Article Link: Straka shares Scottish Open lead, Saffas subdued