Just days out from the Open Championship, Rory McIlroy looks like he’s warming up at exactly the right moment.
The Northern Irish star is now tied for the lead at the Scottish Open after a strong third round at the Renaissance Club—and he says he’s almost back to the form that helped him win the Masters.
While that’s a bold claim, there’s no doubt McIlroy is showing serious signs of life.
His Saturday round of 66 was one of his sharpest in recent weeks, setting him up in the final group on Sunday.
Sharing the Spotlight With an Unexpected Contender
McIlroy’s final-round partner will be American Chris Gotterup—currently ranked 158th in the world—who shot a 70 to stay at 11 under par.
Despite the pressure of leading such a competitive field, Gotterup seemed calm and collected throughout the round.
The pair are two shots clear of a group that includes Matt Fitzpatrick, Wyndham Clark, and Marco Penge, all sitting at nine under par.
Feeling the Momentum Build Again
Speaking after his round, McIlroy said he’s nearly back to his Masters-winning groove.
“I think I’m pretty close to being back to the level I was at going into the Masters,” he said.
“There was a bit of a lull after, which I think is normal. I’ve just needed a bit of time to reset.”
He’s not wrong—his season has already included wins at Pebble Beach and The Players Championship.
But understandably, winning the Masters for the first time had a deep impact.
“That moment was something I dreamed of forever.
I think I came into this week with a fresh excitement for the rest of the season.”
Birdies, Bounce-Backs, and Some Honest Driver Talk
Saturday’s round featured five birdies and just one bogey for McIlroy.
His putting continued to impress, though he admits he’s still ironing out the kinks with the driver.
“If the misses aren’t big, I’m okay with it,” he explained.
“Like on 15—probably my best drive—it rolled into the first cut.
The stats might say it missed the fairway, but that’s not the whole story.”
That kind of perspective shows McIlroy is more focused on feel and outcome than raw numbers—which may be key on links courses.
Aberg Stumbles After Bright Start
Ludvig Aberg was looking dangerous for a while, but a costly stretch from holes 12 to 14 derailed his round.
He gave away five shots in just three holes, including a triple-bogey on 13.
A final score of 71 leaves him three shots off the lead at eight under.
Scottie Scheffler is two further back at six under after a steady 69, but questions remain over his comfort level on links-style courses as Portrush looms.
Penge’s Comeback Gains Momentum
One of the more intriguing stories of the week is Marco Penge.
His round of 69 brought him into a tie for third, continuing his solid form after returning from a three-month suspension earlier this year for betting on golf.
He’s making the most of his comeback, and a strong Sunday finish could give him one of the biggest results of his career.