The Queenslander’s opening round came in increasingly difficult conditions as the wind picked up around the Surrey layout, but Scott remained composed to mix six birdies with a solitary bogey on the par-5 17th.

He sits just one shot off the lead, shared by Aaron Rai and Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren at six-under.

Three of the four 2026 major champions were paired together for the opening round, with Rory McIlroy, Ryan Fox, and Rai all making solid starts.

Rai led the way from the low-scoring group, recovering from ‘tricky conditions’ to card a six-under 66.

“Really pleased overall. Conditions were pretty tricky. We had a lot of rain during that warm-up. But by the time it started, the wind had stopped, so that helped to start really well,” Rai said.

“I felt like I got into the round fast and got a couple of birdies early on and continued to just play well throughout the round and keep the momentum going when I was out of position.”

McIlroy made an electric start to his round after beginning on the back nine, making the turn in five-under after closing his opening nine with three straight birdies.

The Northern Irishman could not maintain the momentum on his closing side, however, dropping two shots to finish with a three-under 69.

Aaron Rai shares the lead after day one at Wentworth. PHOTO: Getty Images.

“A stumble home. There was a lot of good stuff in there, 5-under through 10. It started to... get a bit tricky,” McIlroy said.

“The wind is gusty out there, and really any time the wind picks up, especially around Wentworth, it funnels into the trees.”

Fox also made a solid start, carding two-under to sit in a tie for seventh after the opening round.

For Scott, the challenge was compounded by the tougher conditions later in the day, but the 46-year-old looked at ease as he moved into contention.

“A bit more of that kind of golf would be fantastic,” Scott said post-round.

“I know I'm going to have to dig deep to hang in there this week.”

Scott saved his best for last, producing the shot of his round at the 18th.

With 183 metres remaining on the par-5, he took dead aim at the flag with a long iron and left himself five feet for eagle. The sliding putt narrowly missed, but Scott was pleased with the way he finished.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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“It’s a nice way to finish. It would have been great to make the putt, but it was a bit of a slider, and I kind of hit it a bit too weak.

“But, you know, keep making swings like that... the opportunities will come.

“You know, to be in the mix here on Sunday would be so fantastic. It's one of my favourite events. Love being here. So I'd love to have a shot at it.”