Rusty Rory gets back in the groove

Rory Mcllroy hit three birdies in first round

- CRAIG SWAN

RUSTY Rory Mcllroy had a remarkable Renaissance at the Scottish Open after finishing with three birdies to stay in the hunt for glory.

The Northern Irish superstar - in his first UK outing since completing the career Grand Slam with Masters glory in April - started with a bogey and struggled for momentum until the final few holes. But a blistering finish saw him shoot a two-under 68 to finish four off the lead held by Sepp Straka, American Jake Knapp, Frenchman Victor Perez and Nico Echavarria of Colombia.