Genesis Scottish Open - Day two Digest

McIlroy stayed in a share, Smith was feeling confident, Willett was benefitting from a reset and a host of big names were heading home after round two of the Genesis Scottish Open.

Here is everything you need to know from Friday at The Renaissance Club.

McIlroy, Kim and Smith in three-way tie for lead after 36 holes

A four-way tie after day one was reduced to three heading into the weekend but there were still 17 players within three shots of the lead at the PGA TOUR co-sanctioned event.

Both 2023 champion Rory McIlroy and Renaissance specialist Tom Kim followed opening rounds of 65 with a 66 but it was Englishman Smith who stole the show with a blistering 63 to get to nine under.

In-form Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick was one shot off the lead after a 65, sitting alongside 2021 winner Min Woo Lee who fired a 65.

Defending champion Chris Gotterup and local hero and 2024 winner Robert MacIntyre were then part of a group of seven players at seven under.

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Scheffler headlines big names to miss the cut

It's been a tough day on the links for a few of the world's best.

World Number One Scottie Scheffler will be heading to Royal Birkdale for The Open earlier than planned, having followed up an opening 68 with a 72 on Friday. Having had two top tens here the past two years, it's an unexpected exit but Scheffler said he didn't feel like he'd done much wrong.

"I didn't really feel like I played that bad," he said. "This golf course can be just tough at times. A little different than I was planning. Figure out how I get down to Birkdale and go from there."

Others not around for the weekend include Brooks Koepka, Shane Lowry, Aaron Rai, Xander Schauffele, Sepp Straka and Ludvig Åberg.

Jordan Smith benefitting from American adventure at Genesis Scottish Open

Jordan Smith hopes the experience he has gained by being a dual member this season will hold him in good stead as he goes in search of the biggest win of his career at the Genesis Scottish Open.

The Englishman is part of a three-way tie at the top after he followed a great day of ball-striking with a hot putter on his way to a second-round 63 in the record 52nd Rolex Series event of his career.

Smith has returned to action after a short break having not teed it up since the RBC Canadian Open almost a month ago but has showed no signs of rust.

"I think last year it gave me a lot of confidence," he said. "And it's just been nice being on the PGA TOUR playing with the best guys in the world, and I mean, they look after you so well out there. Play on some of the best golf courses in the world. Yeah, it's been a lot of fun. But still got a bit of work to do."

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Danny Willett credits "rethink, reset" for first Genesis Scottish Open weekend since 2018

Danny Willett says a rethink and a reset with his team after withdrawing from last week’s BMW International Open has helped him make his first cut at The Renaissance Club and first at the Genesis Scottish Open since 2018 after a pair of 67s.

"Pulled out last week, precautionary. I was in pain," he explained.  "I didn't want to make it worse. Went home and had a really nice weekend. Saw the physios, saw the coaches, had a sit down, you know. Had like a little bit of a rethink, reset. Came up here.

"Obviously the last few weeks have been a bit in and out and showed some good signs in Holland and missed the cut in Canada. Always nice to come. Crowds have been fantastic. Playing golf in Scotland is always amazing and even nicer to have shot a couple of good ones."

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Tommy Fleetwood extends run of made cuts

Tommy Fleetwood's last missed cut on the DP World Tour (excluding Majors and WGCs) was the 2018 FedEx Open de France.

At one point outside of the cut line, he rolled in a putt from 18 feet for birdie at the fourth and from just outside 20 feet from the fringe at the seventh to make the cut.

Some of the best shots of the day

Adam Scott holes out, Rory drives the green and Robert MacIntyre delights the home crowds with a birdie putt at the par-three 15th.