2023 Scottish Open leaderboard, scores: Rory McIlroy in contention as Byeong Hun An's 61 ties course record

McIlroy looks poised to contend in the lead-up to the final major championship of the season

Not many things could heighten the expectations and anticipation for Rory McIlroy ahead of the 2023 Open at Royal Liverpool — the site of his his Open triumph in 2014. However, a victory at the 2023 Scottish Open would qualify. After opening with a stellar 6-under 64, McIlroy appears to be well on his way to contending at The Renaissance Club as he trails first-round leader Byeong Hun An by three.

"I'm very excited. I've only been back to I think one major venue that I've won season since, which was Kiawah back a couple years ago…Yeah, it will be really cool. It will be really cool to go back there," McIlroy said. "So I think playing links golf this week as well, definitely just helps me get acclimatized to conditions and the grass type and everything else. There's a lot of golf to be played before going down to Liverpool, and I want to play well the next three days."

McIlroy may be the only major champion inside the top 10 of the leaderboard, but he is not the only threat to An. Two-time PGA Tour winner Tom Kim has rediscovered some form at the venue which launched him onto the radar of golf fans near and wide. The young South Korean stands at 4 under alongside Max Homa with Sam Burns and Rickie Fowler one worse.