Defending champion Rory McIlroy makes strong start at Scottish Open

Rory McIlroy bounced back from his US Open heartbreak to make a strong start to the defence of his Scottish Open title as a “p***** off” Justin Thomas missed out on creating history.

Competing for the first time since agonisingly missing out on a fifth major title at Pinehurst, McIlroy carded a five-under-par 65 at the Renaissance Club to lie three shots behind leader Thomas, who returned a flawless 62.

Just the second 59 in DP World Tour history was a distinct possibility when Thomas covered his first 13 holes in eight under on the par-70 layout, but the two-time major winner could only par the last five holes.