Rory McIlroy trails by two as Scottie Scheffler holds share of lead

Rory McIlroy made an impressive start to the Travelers Championship to sit two shots off the lead before world number one Scottie Scheffler later laid down a marker to defend his title in Connecticut.

Masters champion McIlroy had finished tied for 19th at the US Open over a punishing Oakmont course – but ended the weekend on a positive following a three-under-par final round, which was the joint best of the day.

The Northern Irishman – who saw his driver ruled as ‘non-conforming’ ahead of last month’s PGA Championship before then missing the cut at the Canadian Open – had been looking to build some momentum at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell as focus turns towards the Open at Royal Portrush.

World number two McIlroy landed a birdie at the second and then sank two more ahead of the turn at the final PGA Tour Signature Event of 2025.

After picking up another couple, a further birdie at the 17th – from the best part of 30 feet having hit a fine recovery shot out of the rough and over the water onto the green – saw him finish six under with 64 to sit in a tie for second, two shots behind early clubhouse leader Austin Eckroat.

American Eckroat hit a fine eight-under round, which included an eagle at the par-three 13th and a sixth birdie at the 18th.

Scottie joins Eckroat atop the leaderboard with a 62 (-8) of his own!