Scottish Open first round

-5 R McIlroy (NI), R Hojgaard (Den), P Cantlay (US), T Kim (Kor), B Wiesberger (Aut); -4 B Koekpa (US), MW Lee (Aus), M Thorbjornsen (US), K Kitayama (US), A Ayora (Spa), O Lindell (Fin), A Novak (US)

Selected others: -3 R MacIntyre (Sco), W Clark (US), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), Fleetwood (Eng); -2 S Scheffler (US), L Aberg (Swe), V Hovland (Nor); -1 X Schauffele (US); +1 S Lowry (Ire)

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A reduced schedule has not dimmed Rory McIlroy’s fierce competitive instincts.

The Northern Irishman is being more selective with the events he plays and the Scottish Open marks just his third appearance outside majors since completing back-to-back Masters triumphs in early April.

But McIlroy revelled in his return to links golf by ending day one in a five-way share of the lead at The Renaissance Club on five-under 65.

Only one of that quintet – Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard – was an afternoon starter as the players out in the morning benefited from more benign conditions.

A refreshed McIlroy is refusing to allow complacency to seep into his mindset amid the lighter schedule and having completed the career Grand Slam with his first Masters win last year.

“The benefits are seeing my family more, feeling like I have a bit more balance in my life,” the world number two said.

“And then the challenge is, I feel like even though I have played pretty sparsely over the past few months, the starts of my tournaments have all been really good. So it’s not like I’m coming in and starting slow, and the little bit of extra practice I think actually helps in some ways.

“One of the other benefits for me, I’m nearly 20 years into this, and I need to do everything I can to keep my enthusiasm as high as possible. Playing a lighter schedule definitely does that.

“It’s a very liberating feeling but again I can’t get complacent. I still need to set goals. I felt like the Grand Slam last year was the destination – and I realised it wasn’t. It’s a continuous journey.”

Starting on the 10th, the 37-year-old bookended his front nine with bogeys to reach the turn on one under.

He then drained an 18-foot eagle putt on the par-five first and picked up further shots on seven and eight. A fine save from the sand on the par-three ninth completed a strong start to his bid to reclaim the title he won in 2023.

McIlroy, who is tied at the top with Hojgaard, Patrick Cantlay, Tom Kim and Bernd Wiesberger, said: “For the most part, I played well.

“At this stage of my career, I really enjoy coming back here to play. It reminds me of why I started to play the game in the first place; links golf courses and the crowds are incredible.”

As the course firmed up further in the afternoon and the wind stiffened, world number one Scottie Scheffler was among the players battling the tougher conditions.

While not at his majestic best, Scheffler threatened a charge by rising to three under with his fourth birdie of the day on 10.

But a bogey immediately followed and the American then parred his way home for a two-under 68.

“I did some good stuff,” said Scheffler. “Wish I could have got a few more shots out of it but overall, pretty solid. I like to keep a clean card, so two bogeys hurts.

“Maybe I could have played the par fives a little bit better. I didn’t take advantage of those today. But overall, nothing crazy.”

Jon Rahm endured a miserable day in his first PGA Tour event outside majors since his switch to LIV Golf in December 2023.

The Spaniard was five over by the time his first birdie arrived on the 15th. He made it back-to-back gains, but a 73 leaves him with plenty of repair work to do to make the weekend.

Brooks Koepka, on his return to the Scottish Open after an 11-year absence, was one shot off the lead.

US Open winner Wyndham Clark recovered from a wretched start – three over through four holes – to finish three under alongside English pair Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood.

Home favourite Robert MacIntyre, playing alongside McIlroy and defending champion Chris Gotterup (68), was pleased with a 67 as well as keeping a lid on his temper.

“Everyone knows that I’m like a kettle, always boiling away, ready to erupt,” said MacIntyre.

“When life is good off the golf course, that’s one part, and it’s going on the golf course and being able to accept [bad moments] – my biggest thing is acceptance. Everyone is the same. If you can accept the bad, you probably won’t play many bad rounds of golf.”