The Scottish Open has become one of the big events on the golf schedule ever since it became a partner event between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, as the best players from both tours come together for a chance to play some links golf in preparation for the Open Championship a week later.

Sepp Straka set the early target on the opening day of the Scottish Open as world number one Scottie Scheffler "hung in there nicely" to be ominously well-placed on a congested leaderboard.

"I definitely finished the round better than I started it," said McIlroy, who closed the first round with three consecutive birdies and is 2-under going to Friday.

Words are tricky. Their meanings change constantly, and the next thing you know, a phrase as old as time has a new definition. Golf is a sport of history, which makes this entire rigamarole over what to call the British Open/Open Championship/The Open so confusing.