McIlroy reveals putting secret as Tom Kim shares Scottish Open lead
Rory McIlroy says coach Brad Faxon and a more forgiving Spider putter fixed the putting weakness that once knocked him out of tournaments. At the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open, that turnaround helped him shoot 5-under 65 and tie Tom Kim for the Round 1 lead at The Renaissance Club.
McIlroy opened up at The Renaissance Club about transforming putting from a liability into a strength. According to Yahoo Sports, inconsistent putting days used to effectively end his tournament chances. One bad round on the greens could derail an entire week, even when the rest of his game was sharp.
Key Takeaways
- McIlroy credits Brad Faxon and a forgiving Spider putter for turning putting into a strength.
- His 5-under 65 in Round 1 left him tied for the lead with Tom Kim and three others at 5 under.
- McIlroy is playing a lighter 2026 schedule to spend more time with wife Erica Stoll and family.
- The 2023 Scottish Open champion birdied two of his final three holes to grab a share of the lead.
- Tom Kim matched McIlroy with a 65 and arrives in form after a solo third at the U.S. Open.
What Fixed Rory McIlroy's Putting Weakness?
One of the biggest drivers behind McIlroy's recent consistency has been his work on the greens. He credited longtime putting coach Brad Faxon, saying working with Faxon "for the last years has really, really helped." He also pointed to equipment, noting that switching to a more forgiving Spider putter has made a difference.
McIlroy said he no longer experiences the volatile putting days that once cost him tournaments. "I feel like I don't have those days anymore, which is a really good thing," he told reporters. His routine has simplified to a couple of checkpoints, then he tries to be as instinctive as possible on the greens.
He also praised The Renaissance Club surfaces, saying the reads are "quite obvious" compared with subtler links courses. That comfort showed early as he holed key putts throughout Round 1.
Why Does McIlroy Share the Lead With Tom Kim?
Golfweek reported that McIlroy fired a 5-under 65 on July 9, birdieing two of his final three holes and capping the round with a sand save at the par-3 ninth. That score put him in a five-way tie at 5 under with Patrick Cantlay, Tom Kim, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Bernd Wiesberger.
Tom Kim matched McIlroy with his own 65 from the morning wave. Kim has been in strong form with six made cuts and two top-10s in his last six starts, including a solo third at the U.S. Open. Brooks Koepka, Min Woo Lee, Scottie Scheffler, and other big names remained within striking distance after 18 holes.
How Is Family Balance Shaping McIlroy's 2026 Season?
Off the course, McIlroy has emphasized personal decisions with his wife, Erica Stoll, and their family. Speaking at the Scottish Open, he said he and Stoll shifted from Florida to the Wentworth estate for the summer, basing themselves in London from mid-May after the PGA Championship.
"The benefits are seeing my family more. Feeling like I have a bit more balance in my life," McIlroy said on Thursday, per Heavy.com. He has played only nine events this year and had not teed it up on the PGA Tour since the U.S. Open on June 21, yet his tournament starts have remained strong.
McIlroy said the lighter schedule helps keep his enthusiasm high nearly 20 years into his career. Extra practice weeks, he added, have not slowed his opening rounds.
What Happens Next at the Genesis Scottish Open?
McIlroy, the 2023 Scottish Open champion, will look to carry his green-side confidence through the weekend as the field chases the lead he shares with Tom Kim. Yahoo Sports noted he entered the weekend still in contention after opening rounds of 65 and 66, with Tom Kim among several players within a shot of the lead.
McIlroy said he tries to stay disciplined about ignoring leaderboards in bunched fields like this one. For more trending sports and finance coverage, browse our Fintech & Crypto Alerts hub.