Overview
- McIlroy, who opened with a five-under 65 on Thursday, shares the first-round lead at the Genesis Scottish Open after hitting nine fairways and making an eagle and five birdies.
- He said playing a lighter schedule has improved his balance and starts and called the freedom 'liberating' while adding that he cannot get complacent about his game.
- McIlroy warned the PGA Tour to 'be careful' with its approved 2028 Championship/Challenger split because the Championship tier's roughly $20 million purse floor is well above the Scottish Open's current £6.7 million.
- Peers including Robert MacIntyre and Scottie Scheffler have urged the tour to treat national opens differently or allow exceptions so seaside tune-up events retain top players ahead of The Open.
- If the plan stands, co‑sanctioned national opens risk losing guaranteed access to the PGA's top players, which could alter fields, players' preparatory schedules for The Open and cross‑tour relationships going into 2027–2028.