Rory McIlroy feeling right at home after swift start to Genesis Scottish Open

Rory McIlroy was feeling the benefit of home comforts as he carded a 13th consecutive round in the 60s at the Genesis Scottish Open.

The Northern Irishman may not quite be on home soil at The Renaissance Club but he is back on his native continent and playing on the type of golf courses where he fell in love with the game.

The coastline of the British Isles provides one of the greatest tests in the game and being raised in Holywood, McIlroy knows all about the nuances of links golf.

He spoke in the build up to this week of how, now based back in the UK, he has recently played Royal Birkdale - host for next week's Open Championship - and St Enodoc in Cornwall, and also how he has warmed to the challenge of the links-style Renaissance.

The course seems to love him back as he has not carded in the 70s here in his last four appearances, including his win in 2023, and he was making the most of familiar territory with an opening 65.

"I would say I've ebbed and flowed over the course of my career between wanting to play more in Europe and maybe wanting to play less at times," he said.

"But I think now at this stage of my career, I really enjoy coming back here to play. It reminds me of why I started to play the game in the first place: links golf courses and the crowds are incredible.

"The crowds next week at The Open will be amazing, as well.

"I don't want to say reminiscent of when I was growing up, but it's a comfortable environment for me to play in."

Since starting his season in December at the Crown Australian Open, McIlroy has played just 12 more times worldwide coming into this week, including the three Major Championships so far.

And the six-time Major winner believes having a lighter schedue than when he was at earlier stages in his career is bringing benefits both inside and outside the ropes.

"The benefits are seeing my family more," he said. "Feeling like I have a bit more balance in my life.

"And then the challenge is, I feel like even though I have played pretty sparsely over the past few months, the starts of my tournaments have all been really good. So it's not like I'm coming in and starting slow, and the little bit of extra practice I think actually helps in some ways.

"I think one of the other benefits for me, like I'm nearly 20 years into this, and I need to do everything I can to keep my enthusiasm as high as possible, and playing a lighter schedule definitely does that."

Starting on the tenth, McIlroy sandwiched three birdies with bogeys on the tenth and 18th before an eagle on the first truly sparked his round into life.

He then made further gains on the seventh and eighth to join the early pacesetters at five under on day one.

"I thought for the most part, I played well," he said. "I felt like I drove the ball particularly well and I started to see that at Shinnecock as well a couple of weeks ago.

"A continuation of putting the ball in play and then once I do that, I feel like I can attack courses and I can set up scoring opportunities. I did that today.

"I played the par fives well. I think I hit all three greens in regulation. You know, one putt dropped for eagle and two two-putt birdies. That always helps the card.

"Overall, good to get my first round of competitive golf on a links golf course and it's obviously a great start to the tournament."