McIlroy's touch on the greens brings the smiles back

World No 2 only four shots off the lead while Scheffler happy with 'decent' score

- Ewan Murray

The latest glimpse of a return of Rory McIlroy's mojo arrived over the closing stretch of the Scottish Open's first round. He has spoken of an understandable need to find new mountains to scale after Masters glory completed a career grand slam.

On the 15th hole at the Renaissance Club, the Northern Irishman was in trouble; his fairway bunker shot had rolled back towards his feet. McIlroy's ball sat in the mark created by his first attempt. "It served me right for trying to hit a nine-iron with the lip two feet in front of me," he said later.

The response was notable. The world No 2 pitched out sideways, holed from 21ft - and the fringe of the green - for a bogey and rattled off three birdies in a row over the closing holes.

A 68 to start at the tournament which precedes McIlroy's Open Championship tilt at Portrush was hugely impressive in context. He sits only four shots from the lead.