McIlroy, Kim, Smith share Scottish Open lead; Yellamaraju T-6, Scheffler cut
Synopsis
World number one Scottie Scheffler is out, and an Indo-Canadian prospect nobody expected is two shots off the lead. Sudarshan Yellamaraju's 65 at The Renaissance Club is the round of the tournament so far — and with McIlroy, Kim, and Smith bunched at 9-under, the Scottish Open weekend is set up for high drama.
Key Takeaways
Rory McIlroy , Tom Kim , and Jordan Smith share the Scottish Open lead at 9-under-par after round two at North Berwick .
Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju carded a 5-under 65 to reach 7-under , tied sixth — just two strokes off the lead.
Indo-American Sahith Theegala fired a 3-under 67 to make the cut at 3-under , tied 38th.
World number one Scottie Scheffler shot 2-over 72 and missed the cut at even par , ending a streak of consecutive cuts made.
2026 PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai also failed to make the weekend.
The 2-under-par cut line proved one of the most demanding of the DP World Tour season.
Rory McIlroy, Tom Kim, and Jordan Smith share a three-way lead at 9-under-par after the second round of the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, on 11 July. Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju sits in a tie for sixth at 7-under, just two strokes off the pace, while Indo-American Sahith Theegala is tied 38th at 3-under after surviving a testing cut line.
Three-Way Tie at the Top
McIlroy built on his opening-round 65 with a composed 4-under 66, exploiting the par-5s and displaying the links control that has defined his best performances at North Berwick. Tom Kim matched him stroke for stroke, pairing his first-round 65 with an equally disciplined 66, underpinned by precise iron play. Jordan Smith was the day's standout, carding a blistering 7-under 63 to join the duo at the summit in what was a masterful ball-striking display.
Yellamaraju's Breakout Round
The most compelling storyline of the day belonged to Sudarshan Yellamaraju. The Indo-Canadian prospect followed his opening 2-under 68 with a stellar 5-under 65, highlighted by a 38-foot birdie putt on the par-3 11th. Yellamaraju birdied three consecutive holes from the fourth before a bogey on the eighth saw him turn at 2-under. He surged again on the back nine, adding four birdies against one bogey to finish at a 7-under aggregate, tied sixth. Heading into the weekend just two strokes off the lead, he is firmly in contention for his first DP World Tour breakthrough.
Theegala Survives the Cut
Sahith Theegala, supported by Hero, recovered from an even-par 70 on day one with a sharper second-round 3-under 67. He turned in a 4-under 31 on the front nine before two back-nine bogeys tempered his card. The round was enough to safely clear the cut line and leave him tied 38th, well-placed for a Saturday charge.
Scheffler and Rai Exit Early
The afternoon brought stiff winds and punishing conditions that exposed the coastal links in full. World number one Scottie Scheffler — widely considered the pre-tournament favourite — uncharacteristically struggled on the greens and signed for a 2-over 72, finishing at even par and missing the weekend by two strokes. His exit ended a notable streak of consecutive cuts made on tour. 2026 PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai also failed to survive, among several high-profile departures on a day when the 2-under-par cut line proved brutally selective.
What to Watch This Weekend
With the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on the horizon, McIlroy's form will be closely scrutinised as a barometer of his major readiness. Yellamaraju's proximity to the lead sets up a potentially historic weekend for Indian-origin golf. Conditions at The Renaissance Club are expected to remain demanding, making course management as decisive as shot-making over the final two rounds.
Point of View
But Yellamaraju's 65 is the story that matters more for Indian golf. A two-shot deficit heading into the weekend at a DP World Tour event is entirely manageable, and a top-five finish would represent a genuine breakthrough for Indian-origin players on the European circuit. McIlroy's form, meanwhile, reads less like a Scottish Open campaign and more like a Royal Birkdale dress rehearsal — which, given his history at links venues, should concern every other contender in the field.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the Scottish Open after round two?
Rory McIlroy, Tom Kim, and Jordan Smith share the lead at 9-under-par after the second round at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick. Smith's blistering 7-under 63 was the round of the day.
How did Sudarshan Yellamaraju perform at the Scottish Open?
Yellamaraju carded a 5-under 65 in round two to reach 7-under overall, placing him in a tie for sixth — two strokes off the three-way lead. The Indo-Canadian prospect is in contention for his first DP World Tour win.
Why did Scottie Scheffler miss the cut at the Scottish Open?
World number one Scottie Scheffler struggled on the greens in worsening afternoon conditions, shooting a 2-over 72 to finish at even par — two strokes outside the 2-under cut line. It brought an end to a notable streak of consecutive cuts made on tour.
Where does Sahith Theegala stand after round two?
Sahith Theegala is tied 38th at 3-under after a second-round 67. He recovered from an opening even-par 70 with four front-nine birdies before two back-nine bogeys limited his card.
What is the significance of the Scottish Open ahead of The Open Championship?
The Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club is traditionally used by top players as links preparation ahead of The Open Championship, this year scheduled at Royal Birkdale. McIlroy's strong showing reinforces his status as a leading contender at Royal Birkdale.
