Scottish Open leader Rory McIlroy admits first win in Scotland is long overdue

Rory McIlroy admitted a first victory in Scotland was long overdue as he took a slender lead into the final day of the £7 million Genesis Scottish Open.

A third round of 67 ensured halfway leader McIlroy remained the man to catch at The Renaissance Club on 13 under par, with South Korea’s Tom Kim a shot behind and Tommy Fleetwood and Brian Harman another stroke back.

World number one Scottie Scheffler and former Open champion Shane Lowry are part of a five-way tie for fifth on 10 under, with tee times brought forward several hours on Sunday due to the forecast for winds gusting up to 40mph.

Due to high winds forecast on Sunday, Genesis Scottish Open final round tee times will be brought forward to 6.45 am - 8.57 am off tees one and ten.#GenesisScottishOpen | #RolexSeries

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 15, 2023

McIlroy threatened to forge a bigger advantage when he covered his first 10 holes in four under, but covered the last eight in one over as the top 17 players ended the day separated by just five shots.

“I felt like I played really good golf for those first 11 holes and made that first bogey on 12 and it was a little scrappy coming in from there,” McIlroy said.

“But overall another solid day’s play and put myself into a great position going into the final day.

“There’s a lot of great players behind me but it’s going to be difficult for everyone. When the wind gets like that there’s a lot of skill involved but it’s also just attitude and trying to stay upbeat when you’re probably going to get bad breaks here and there.

“The guy with the best attitude is going to have the best chance.”

Asked about the prospect of winning on Scottish soil for the first time, McIlroy added: “It would be great. I’ve had a lot of