Rory sees glimmer of hope for Open success

Rory Mcllroy departed for Liverpool and this week’s British Open buoyed by his weekend effort in the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen.

After first setting a course record of 64 on day one but then handing back the seven shots on day two, McIlroy ended his first Scottish Open in four years with scores of 68 and 67 for a share of 14th place on seven under par.

It left McIlroy trailing nine strokes behind England’s Justin Rose — the new world No 3 now joining McIlroy as among the Royal Liverpool favourites after his two-shot Scottish Open success.