Genesis Scottish Open: Rory McIlroy tied for lead after second round as Jordan Smith, Matt Fitzpatrick, Bob MacIntyre all in mix

10.07.2026, 21:57 skysports.com

Rory McIlroy maintained a share of the lead amid a competitive Genesis Scottish Open field with the world No 2 heading into the weekend tied on nine- under with Jordan Smith and Tom Kim.

But Scottie Scheffler's tournament is already over after the world No 1 provided the shock of the day as he missed the cut for the first time since August 2022, ending a run of 78 successive weekend tournament appearances.

Scheffler shot two over to finish at level and miss out by two strokes, but McIlroy remains right in the mix for victory at The Renaissance Club ahead of next week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

One of five players to share the lead at the end of Thursday's play thanks to an opening-round 65, the Northern Irishman stayed in the co-lead on Friday thanks to a second-round 66.

McIlroy was out in 31 for the second day running, this time courtesy of four birdies, before coming back in level-par 35 after a bogey at the par-four 13th was immediately cancelled by a birdie on the 14th.

Assessing McIlroy's assured performance, Sky Sports Golf's Wayne Riley said: "He played great golf, he really did.

"He did everything correctly. Missed it on the right side. Short game early doors was fantastic.

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"Rory is looking very dangerous. Not only for this great championship but going into the final major of the season."

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Korea's Kim has also carded 65 and 66 so far, while England's Smith surged into an early clubhouse lead thanks to Friday's best round of 63.

There are 12 players within two shots of the lead - and 37 within five.

Matt Fitzpatrick is one shot back on eight under after a round of 65 which included a run of five successive birdies on the back nine.

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Home favourite Bob MacIntyre (66) is also in the hunt in a group on seven under alongside last year's champion Chris Gotterup, who carded 65.

More to follow...

Who will win the Genesis Scottish Open? Watch throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 10am on Sky Sports+. Get Sky Sports or stream golf with no contract.

Sky Sports is once again the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland, with over 75 hours of live coverage from across the seven days of tournament week at Royal Birkdale.

Live coverage begins at 9am for each of the three practice days, before wall-to-wall action from the final men's major of the year gets under way at 6.30am on Thursday July 16 on Sky Sports Golf.

There will be at least 15 hours of action on both the first two rounds, with bonus feeds available on Sky Sports+ or the Sky Sports App, with extended coverage then starting at 9am on Saturday July 18 and 8am on Sunday July 19.

Who will win The 154th Open? Watch exclusively live from July 16-19 on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.