McIlroy to play Scottish Open before Portrush bid

Rory McIlroy will play the Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club as part of his preparations for the Open Championship in his native Northern Ireland this summer.

The Masters champion will aim to win a second Open title at Royal Portrush from 17-20 July.

The Scottish Open is the final event before golf's fourth and final major of the year and McIlroy will return to the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, where he won the title in 2023 by beating Scotland's Bob MacIntyre by one shot.

"Winning a national open is always special, and I'm pleased to have the chance to compete for another Genesis Scottish Open title," McIlroy, 35, said.

"It has certainly been a memorable year so far, and I'm looking forward to carrying on the momentum to the home of golf this summer."

McIlroy became only the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam of major wins when he beat Justin Rose in a play-off at Augusta earlier this month.

The next big target for the world number two is the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow - a course he has won at four times - from 15-18 May.

Rose, MacIntyre, Matt Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas are some of the other names who have already committed to playing the Scottish Open.