Kim Joo-hyung climbed into a share of the lead for the second consecutive day at the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open, co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. The event carries a total purse of $9 million (about 13.5 billion won).
Kim shot a 4-under-par 66 in the second round held on the 10th at The Renaissance Club (par 70) in North Berwick, Scotland, combining one eagle, three birdies and one bogey. His halfway total of 9-under-par 131 put him in a share of the lead with Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Jordan Smith of England.
Kim, who finished third at last month's major championship, the U.S. Open, is showing a changed form. Starting his round at the first hole, Kim stumbled with a three-putt bogey at the third but made an eagle at the par-5 seventh to close the front nine under par. On the back nine, he sank a birdie putt of about 10 meters at the 13th hole. He then made consecutive birdies at the 16th and 17th holes.
"It got a bit tricky as the wind picked up. The wind blew in a completely different direction from yesterday, but I think my experience playing in various wind conditions over the years helped," Kim said after his round. "I'm glad to head into the weekend in a good position."
McIlroy, who won back-to-back at the Masters Tournament in April this year, was also cruising toward his second win of the season. Smith, who has no PGA Tour victory, joined the co-lead after shaving seven strokes on the day.
Min Woo Lee of Australia and Matt Fitzpatrick of England tied for fourth at 8-under-par 132, while defending champion Chris Gotterup of the United States—who won the John Deere Classic last week for his third victory this season—sat in a tie for sixth at 7-under-par 133.
Kim Si-woo, ranked seventh in the FedExCup points standings, shot a 3-under-par 67 on the day for a total of 3-under-par 137. He climbed 34 spots from the previous day to a tie for 38th.
The cut line for the tournament was 2-under-par 138, with 71 players advancing to the third and fourth rounds. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler of the United States missed the cut after shooting a 2-over-par 72 on the day for a total of even-par 140. It was his first missed cut since the St. Jude Championship in August 2022, about four years ago. His streak of 78 consecutive cuts made also came to an end.
