Round One of the Genesis Scottish Open saw some incredible shots from the PGA Tour players in the field. From low scores to impressive hole-outs, fans got a taste of everything.
Links-style golf courses similar to this week’s track, The Renaissance Club, are ideal for moments like these. Plus, when the conditions are as ideal as Thursday’s, the scoring and excitement can increase even more.
There were multiple bogey-free rounds from the players out on the course and at least 15 scores of 65 or better.
So, what were the brightest moments of the day? Here are the five best golf shots from the first round:
5. Sahith Theegala’s hole out for an eagle
Up first is this incredible hole-out from Sahith Theegala. Early in his round, on the par-4 5th, he had 42 yards left to the hole. Theegala hit his second shot, and it turned out to be perfect.
But his reaction was the best part. The 26-year-old was extremely excited, and it helped him rebound after dropping a shot on the fourth hole.
Theegala finished his first round with a 4-under 66.
4. Justin Thomas’ seventh birdie
The first-round leader, Justin Thomas, fired off a bogey-free round—one of the few guys to do so. He shot an 8-under 62, with the most impressive shot of his round coming at the par-3 12th.
Thomas sank a 42-footer for his seventh birdie of the day. His flat stick was red hot on Thursday, which helped him play some of the best golf he has played since winning the 2022 PGA Championship.
3. Ludvig Åberg’s wild approach shot
Ludvig Åberg sits in contention after Day 1 at the Scottish Open, but he could have held a share of the lead without this lousy break. On the 8th hole, the young Swede hit a terrific approach shot from 148 yards. But he got so unlucky as it hit Collin Morikawa’s ball, which caused it to rebound off the green.
While he had to settle for a bogey on this hole, this shot was too good not to share. Åberg finished the day with a 6-under 64 and two shots behind the leaders.
2. Nick Taylor’s one hop and dunk hole-out shot
Another incredible hole-out came from Nick Taylor. This one-hop dunk was magnificent. It had so much power coming into the hole, but it landed at just the right speed to drop into the bottom of the cup.
Taylor’s shocked expression was priceless and fantastic to watch, but so was Justin Rose’s, who had a front-row seat. These reactions add so much value to these shots.
1. Rory McIlroy’s chip-in for eagle
The best shot of the day came from Rory McIlroy. He signed for a 5-under 65 in his first round since his heartbreaking U.S. Open loss. It was also the lowest score by a defending champion at the Scottish Open in the first round, per Justin Ray.
He had an up-and-down opening nine holes, as he started on the 10th tee, but this eagle on the par-5 3rd sparked his momentum. He gave it the perfect touch, and it was nice to see him make that kind of shot.
What were your favorite shots of the first round? Sound off in the comments below!
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
