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Aberdeen, Scotland • Rory McIlroy rolled in six birdies in seven holes around the turn to shoot a 7-under 64 and take a one-stroke lead midway through the first round of the Scottish Open on Thursday.
Refreshed after taking two weeks off, the No. 8-ranked McIlroy tamed windy conditions in northern Scotland to show his links game is in good shape ahead of next week's British Open at Hoylake.
One of the highlights of his round was driving the green on the 436-yard 13th hole while the group ahead was on the putting surface. That set up one of his eight birdies at Royal Aberdeen.
Unheralded Swede Kristoffer Broberg shot a bogey-free 65 to sit just behind McIlroy on a leaderboard that includes Luke Donald (4-under 67). Defending champion Phil Mickelson shot 68.