Rory McIlroy surged to the top of the leaderboard in the Genesis Scottish Open, boosted by a 20-foot eagle put on the back nine.
The Northern Irishman is currently (2.35pm) in a tie with three other players on minus five having carded a 65 in front of a huge gallery on the sun-kissed course.
It started badly with a bogey on the first and another appeared on the ninth, but McIlroy, the world No 2, brushed those disappointments behind him.
He told BBC Sport Scotland that he felt good and drove the ball well.
Continuing to put the ball in play on the tough links, where the rough is more punishing than it has been in the past, could be key to success for the two-time Master champion.
That will allow the former Scottish Open winner to attack the pin.
So, McIlroy is reasonably happy and so are the army fans, young and old, who walked around with the popular figure in Round 1.
If you want to follow the 37-year-old around on Friday then his tee time is 13.43 and he starts from the tenth hole.
Also in the group are Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who shot a three-under 67, and defending Scottish open champion, American golfer, Chris Gotterup, who was two-under after the first 18 holes.
STAND OUT: Imagry around The Renaissance Club for the Genesis Scottish Open. Picture Nigel Duncan
