Rory McIlroy felt he had no choice but to be pleased with a 4-under 66 that's given him a one-shot lead in the Scottish Open; he also couldn't help but wonder how much lower his score might have been.
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McIlroy missed nine putts from 10 feet or closer -- eight of those birdie chances -- and then holed a five-foot par on the 18th to take a one-shot lead over Tyrrell Hatton, Tom Kim and Byeong Hun An at The Renaissance Club on Friday.
"I gave myself tons of birdie putts out there. I didn't make as many as I would like, but I can't be anything but pleased. I'm excited to be in contention going into another weekend," said McIlroy, as he appeared to be warming up nicely for next week's British Open at Hoylake, lying on 10-under 130.
An, who had a career-low 61 in the opening round, could manage only a 70 in the afternoon when rain that had been little more than a nuisance brought out the umbrellas for good over the final two hours. He missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole that would have tied McIlroy.
Hatton had a 62, while Kim had a 65, as did Scottie Scheffler, the world No.1, who moved to within three shots of the lead, along with 51-year-old Padraig Harrington (66).
Min Woo Lee, who won the event two years ago, was still leading Australia's challenge but a second-round 69 left him seven off the pace in the pack at three under.
Lucas Herbert was a shot further back after a 67 to just make the cut, but Adam Scott (67), Harrison Endycott (68), Cam Davis (70) and Aaron Baddeley (70) all missed out on the weekend.
Australian Associated Press
