Ballester, fresh off a standout college career at Arizona State, had a clear path.

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.