- Open champion heads to defence at St Andrews after early exit
- Matt Fitzpatrick in contention after second round 66
This really wasn’t in the Scottish Open script. Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Will Zalatoris led a high profile exodus from East Lothian, having missed the cut in the tournament that precedes the Open Championship.
The performances of Thomas, the recently crowned US PGA champion, and Morikawa, who will defend the Claret Jug at St Andrews from Thursday, were especially notable. Thomas added a 77 to a first round of 73 to crash out at 10 over par. Morikawa fared five shots better but a plus five total – the same score as Billy Horschel and local favourite Robert McIntyre – meant the Californian lasted just 36 holes.
