McIlroy, Kim and Smith Share Scottish Open Lead at 9 Under

Rory McIlroy shot a second-round 66 to join Tom Kim and Jordan Smith in a three-way tie for the lead at 9-under par after two rounds of the Scottish Open in North Berwick, Scotland. McIlroy opened with a 65 and added four birdies on the front nine Friday. Smith posted the low round of the day with a 63 that included eight birdies.

Kim followed his opening 65 with a 66. Scottie Scheffler finished even par through 36 holes and missed the cut. It was his first missed cut since 2022 after he had made 78 consecutive cuts. Robert MacIntyre and defending champion Chris Gotterup sit two shots off the lead.

Gotterup shot 65 but made a bogey on the final hole. Matt Fitzpatrick and Min Woo Lee are tied at 8-under. Shifting winds strengthened in the afternoon and lengthened the back nine for several players.

McIlroy said the conditions changed the approach on several holes. "I thought I played well again," McIlroy said. "It would have been nice to be a couple better. " Kim credited patience and prior experience with the variable conditions.

"I stayed really patient out there, just tried to position myself," he said. "The wind got tricky a little bit as it started to pick up, and of obviously completely different wind than yesterday. So I think my experience over here the last few years has helped.

McIlroy added that the strongest gusts arrived on the back nine. "Once we turned for home the wind got its strongest for the day and it was hard to hit it close," he said. "Felt like I did well to hang on.

The Open Championship begins Thursday at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.