By Simon Hunter
A first-round 74 has Rory McIlroy nine shots off the lead at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.
The world-number-four is two-over-par for the tournament, with the lead now at 7-under.
McIlroy missed the cut at Portstewart Golf Club in last week's Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, in his title defence.
Fellow major-winning Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell is a shot further back, on 3-over, while Padraig Harrington and Paul Dunne are on 5 and 4-under respectively.
Warm up time with @McIlroyRory
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Rory McIlroy warms up at the range
The European Tour event comes a week before the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale- the scene of Padraig Harrington's victory in '08.