Rory McIlroy entered the 2025 Scottish Open needing to regain the top-tier form he flashed earlier in the year when he won three tournaments, including the Masters, which secured his career grand slam. After hitting some midseason doldrums, McIlroy appears to have rebounded in grand fashion. Through 54 holes, the 2023 Scottish Open champion moved into a share of the lead after matching Saturday’s lowest-posted round with a 4-under 66. McIlroy now sits 11 under alongside Chris Gotterup after a windy Saturday in North Berwick, Scotland.
After back-to-back calm mornings, players were greeted with more traditional blustery conditions on Moving Day. Only a few were able to manage their way through 18 holes on a firm, fast golf course in the wind. McIlroy was chief among them, and as he’s done all week, he flexed on the back nine.
McIlroy is now 10 under in 27 holes on the back nine this week, adding three more birdies on Saturday afternoon to claw his way into the lead. He burned the edge on two more birdie putts and had a bunker shot bounce out of the cup on the 15th as his excellent round could’ve been really special with a couple more breaks going his way.
After his round, McIlroy spoke with CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis and admitted he’s feeling more relaxed this week after taking some time off and being back closer to home. That’s been evident in his play this week, and on Sunday, he will look to recapture the feelings from two years ago when he triumphed at the Renaissance Club in thrilling fashion.
Gotterup, the 36-hole leader, had a tough start but seemed to gather himself midway through his front nine, delivering one of the shots of the day with a lip-out for an ace on the par-3 6th to get to 12 under.
That was the last birdie he made all round, however, as he penciled in 11 pars and one bogey on his way in to shooting an even-par 70. That wasn’t disastrous, but it allowed McIlroy and others to close the gap and stay in the hunt. After a lights out round with the putter on Friday, Gotterup lost strokes on the greens in the third round, missing some good looks at birdie that could’ve given him the lead alone.
The final round will feature groups of three off of split tees due to heavy fog expected in the morning and evening, meaning McIlroy and Gotterup will be joined by Wyndham Clark, who shot a terrific 66 of his own Saturday to move into contention while playing alongside Scottie Scheffler.