Genesis Scottish Open: Rory McIlroy loses ground as fog halts play with Matt Fitzpatrick sharing lead
Rory McIlroy fell behind after a strong opening two rounds as fog has caused the third round of the Genesis Scottish Open to be suspended; England's Matt Fitzpatrick held onto his share of the lead despite the delays
Saturday 11 July 2026 21:33, UK
Rory McIlroy was slipping out of contention as Matt Fitzpatrick took a share of the lead when play was suspended due to fog in the third round of the Genesis Scottish Open.
Starting the day among the overnight leaders, McIlroy slipped five shots off the pace after eight holes in difficult conditions before play was halted at 7.55pm (BST).
Tournament organisers announced the third round will recommence at 7am on Sunday morning and the final round will not be played before 10.15am on Sunday, with players set to tee off from one tee.
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McIlroy, who had held a share of the lead following his first and second rounds, started his third round in poor fashion, making three bogeys on holes three, five and seven before he walked back into the clubhouse at six-under par.
It was an uncharacteristic start from the Northern Irishman, who has been in red-hot form this week, dubbing his clinical opening round of 65 the 'complete performance'.
But on Saturday, McIlroy struggled with certain aspects of his game, notably chunking a tee-shot on the par-three fifth hole 125 yards to the fringes of the front of the green.
On the seventh hole, McIlroy cut a driver into the rough, before duffing a recovery shot onto the fairway nine yards into the rough.
The 37-year-old ended his day scrambling for par on the eighth hole, after missing his approach shot left of the green.
As McIlroy struggled, his European Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick climbed his way to take a share of the lead alongside American Michael Thorbjornsen at 11-under par.
More to follow...
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