Genesis Scottish Open: Can Rory McIlroy Still Catch the Leaders? And What Is Left for Joost Luiten?
Tom Kim, Min Woo Lee and Matt Fitzpatrick share the lead at 14 under, but a charging McIlroy has the leaderboard within reach with four holes to play.
Jan Kuijpers
July 12, 2026 · 2 min read

The final round of the Genesis Scottish Open is shaping up to be a thriller. Through seven holes, Tom Kim, Min Woo Lee and Matt Fitzpatrick share the lead at 14 under, with Johnny Keefer just one shot behind. The gaps behind them are small, and everything still seems possible.
Can Rory McIlroy still strike?
Rory McIlroy looked to be on his way to another win in Scotland after two days, and following an impressive surge in the final round he currently sits at 12 under. With four holes to play, the Northern Irishman has already picked up six shots on the day and is piling the pressure on the leaders.
The big question is: can Tom Kim, Min Woo Lee and Matt Fitzpatrick withstand that pressure? On a course where birdies and bogeys can follow each other quickly, a two-shot deficit is far from decisive.
And what can Joost Luiten still do?
A podium finish looks difficult for Joost Luiten. The Dutchman stands at 8 under through twelve holes, six shots behind the leaders. A top result is still possible, however, if he finishes strongly and picks up a few birdies.
For Luiten the focus will mainly be on a place in the top twenty, which would earn him more valuable points on the DP World Tour. A strong finish could still give his week an excellent ending.
Everything is still open
With three players tied at the top, McIlroy in full pursuit and several more players within a few shots of the lead, the finale in North Berwick promises to be a nail-biter. Will one of the current leaders hold on, or will McIlroy complete a spectacular comeback after all? And can Joost Luiten still climb the leaderboard with a strong finish? The coming hours will provide the answers.
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