Thomas opens with 62 to lead Scottish Open by 1 with McIlroy 3 shots behind

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland (AP) — Justin Thomas dressed in tartan-patterned trousers and played the part Thursday in the Scottish Open with an 8-under 62, his lowest opening round on the PGA Tour since his 59 in the Sony Open seven years ago.

Rory McIlroy was three shots behind with a 65 that he hopes will be a big step toward moving on from his U.S. Open collapse last month.

Thomas, who had a one-shot lead over Sungjae Im, was playing so well in the more benign afternoon conditions that he even thought about joining Jim Furyk with another sub-60 round. That was his mistake.

“I thought the par was 71, and then I looked up and saw even-par 70 and was like, ‘Oh, I just need a couple of more (birdies) and I can shoot 59.’ And then shockingly, I made five pars in a row,” the American said.