Rich Beem rates how Rory McIlroy played at the Scottish Open in first round back after US Open collapse

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Rory McIlroy roared back into life this morning as he put himself into immediate contention on his return to golf at the Genesis Scottish Open.

McIlroy is back in Scotland defending his Scottish Open title from last year and he made light work of the course at The Renaissance Club in his first round.

The 35-year-old started well and the continued to go along steadily, carding a five under opening round to put himself in the top five.

A chip in eagle on 12 was the highlight of a fine round for McIlroy.

Of course, the Northern Irishman is back in action for the first time since his gut-wrenching loss to Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open.

All eyes were on McIlroy today due to that and the circumstances around it.

And assessing his performance in Scotland, Sky Sports pundit Rich Beem was full of praise for how McIlroy handled his return to golf.

Rich Beem issues glowing verdict on Rory McIlroy after round one of the Scottish Open

Speaking alongside Ewan Murry on commentary, Beem was commenting on McIlroy after Murray labelled the performance as ‘very impressive’.

“It most certainly is,” Beem replied.

“When he left Pinehurst he was just crushed. To watch him come back out so far and just ease on in to this opening round, just two back of the lead, you could not ask for a better start.”

McIlroy went into the tournament as the favourite and has lived up to the billing.

With The Open at Royal Troon coming up in a weeks’ time, McIlroy is hoping to play himself into the best form possible.

His opening round today has done little to dampen the feeling that he’ll be among the contenders at Troon.

And if he can keep it up over the next few days and come out either on top or close to on top in the Scottish, then momentum will be firmly behind him.