Rory slight provokes response from Scots

Rory McIlroy arrives at Royal Liverpool today for this week’s Open Championship with a flea in his ear from north of Hadrian’s Wall following his less than complimentary remarks about a regular Scottish Open venue.

Two-time Major champion McIlroy, 25, claimed a top-14 finish on Sunday at Royal Aberdeen, having skipped previous Scottish Opens at Castle Stuart Golf Links the previous three years, explaining last week the Inverness course “didn’t really feel like it provided a true links test” required to prepare for the following week’s British Open.

That raised the hackles of CastleStuart bosses, who were at Royal Aberdeen on Sunday as the European Tour announced the Scottish Open would be returning to their course in 2016.