Rory McIlroy decision immediately vindicated at Scottish Open after LIV Golf heartbreak
After recently returning from his brief hiatus from golf, Rory McIlroy's decision appears to be bearing fruit.
Rory McIlroy's performance at the Scottish Open has seemingly justified his decision to take a three-week hiatus from golf. The Northern Irishman was competing for the first time since LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau whipped the US Open from under McIlroy's nose in the few holes at Pinehurst.
The 35-year-old was so heartbroken by the result that he decided to take a three-week break from competing so he could get over the disappointment. It appears to be an inspired decision as he began his Scottish Open defence in impressive fashion.
He shot five under par and is only one shot behind current leaders Maximilian Kieffer and Li Haotong, who managed to score rounds of 64. It was a promising round of golf for the four-time Major winner, who won the competition with back-to-back birdies in the final two holes last year.
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After the round, he said: "I think it was a bit of a slow start. A bit up and down. I hit a couple of shots over the first few holes that I guess haven't seen in practice over the last 10 days.
"A bit of a reminder that golf isn't as easy as sometimes I think it is! Then I started to feel good, especially on the front nine, I started to hit some good drives and iron chances. Overall, a good start, especially after a scrappy start over the first seven holes."
On the back nine of the Renaissance Club, McIlroy carded three birdies and two bogeys, reaching the turn in one under par. He then eagled the third and helped himself to two more birdies on the front nine.
Considering it's his first outing since his disappointment with LIV rebel DeChambeau, it was a fulfilling day for McIlroy. When he announced his brief recess from golf, McIlroy said he wanted to try and "process" the disappointment of last month.
In a post he uploaded on social media, McIlroy said: "Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I've had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer. Firstly, I'd like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now. I think we can all agree on that.
"As I reflect on my week, I'll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the two missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day. But, as I always try to do, I'll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives.
"As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have. The one word that I would describe my career as is resilient. I've shown my resilience over and over again in the last 17 years and I will again.
"I'm going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defence of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon. See you in Scotland."
