Rory McIlroy Frustrated at Scottish Open, Cards 73 in Tough Conditions

Rory McIlroy, the 37-year-old world No. 2, started the 2026 Scottish Open in style, carding rounds of 65 and 66 to share the 36-hole lead at 9-under. However, tough, foggy conditions in the third round on Saturday saw him stumble to a 3-over-par 73.

What Happened?

A clip shared by Brendan Porath of Fried Egg Golf from the Renaissance Club showed exactly why McIlroy was frustrated. "Oh my god, I am so bad at golf," McIlroy screamed in frustration after taking a shot. The 37-year-old pulled his iron shot left of the green into the fescue, prompting a scream of frustration that many golfers could relate to.

Why It Matters for Rory McIlroy

The worst part? Before the mistake, McIlroy was making a great run up the leaderboard. He even got within two shots of the leaders on multiple occasions during the final round. Despite the mistake, he carded a brilliant third birdie on the back nine to finish at 6-under par. At the time of writing, he is tied for sixth place.

What Comes Next?

Later at the press conference, when asked about his soundbite, McIlroy revealed why he said that. "In that moment, the shot I hit with that 6-iron was a very, very poor golf shot, so in that moment, I was so bad at golf," he said during the press conference. McIlroy's outburst comes after a decent 2026 season. He defended his Masters Tournament title in April and made history by becoming the first player since Tiger Woods (2001-02) to win back-to-back Masters titles.

McIlroy has recorded three top-10 finishes this season, including at the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, and The Memorial Tournament. Now, with the 2026 Scottish Open behind him, the 37-year-old will turn his attention to next week's Open Championship. As a former champion, the 30-time PGA Tour winner earns an automatic spot in the fourth and final major of the season.

The Road Ahead

However, he may be a little more careful with his approach shots to avoid repeating Sunday's costly mistake. McIlroy's hopes of winning the $9 million tournament have slipped through his fingers, especially with Tom Kim leading the event by four shots. The 37-year-old will need to regroup and refocus for the Open Championship, where he will face stiff competition from the world's top golfers.

The 2026 Scottish Open has been a challenging event for McIlroy, but he has shown his resilience and determination on the course. With his experience and skill, he will be looking to bounce back from this setback and make a strong showing at the Open Championship.

category: match_report