INVERNESS, Scotland – Alex Noren of Sweden rolled in five birdies in his last eight holes to shoot a 6-under 66 in calmer conditions and take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Scottish Open on Friday.

On a day of lower scoring around the Castle Stuart links, Danny Lee of New Zealand (66) and Eddie Pepperell of England (67) were a shot behind Noren, who had an 8-under 136.

Lee is only playing the Scottish Open after the PGA Tour canceled this week’s Greenbrier Classic because of flooding in West Virginia. Lee is defending champion at the Greenbrier and is donating money for every birdie ($500) and eagle ($1,000) he makes to the flood-relief efforts.

Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson, two of the top names in the field, made the cut after shooting rounds of 69 but were nine shots off the lead. Matteo Manassero and Branden Grace (both 67) were in a four-way tie for fourth on 6-under overall.

Winds were lighter after a blustery first round in northern Scotland and Noren found his form with the putter from No. 2 – his 11th hole, after starting on the back nine. He birdied Nos. 2 and 3, then Nos. 6, 7 and 8. His tee shot at the par-3 8th landed about 2 feet from the pin.

Noren didn’t drop a shot and has just one bogey in two rounds.

“I just kind of worked on my swing, and you’re messing around and all of a sudden I got a little bit better strike,” said Noren, who has already qualified for the British Open at Royal Troon next week in Western Scotland.

“Played steady on the front nine, and then you know, my last nine holes, I really got it going.”

Lee, who also started at No. 10, had six birdies in a bogey-free round – four of them coming between Nos. 1 and 6.

“I love to play great every week. But making birdies and eagles are very important to me this week,” said Lee, who had five birdies in the first round. “It’s very unfortunate that happened at West Virginia. I won the Greenbrier Classic last year there and was so looking forward to go back there and interact with a lot of fans, and people were just so nice to me last year.

“I know it’s not that much to help everybody but I’m trying to make as much birdies as possible to add a little bit of help.”

Mickelson made the cut, which was at 2 over, after recovering from two bogeys on his first four holes that put him on 6 over for the tournament. On the par-5 16th – his seventh hole – the five-time major champion ran a 2-iron to about 4 feet and made eagle. He birdied three of his last eight holes, including a 25-foot putt on No. 2.

Mickelson said his putting was better Friday after taking time to make adjustments to the slower greens than he is used to playing on the PGA Tour.

“I’ve been leaving every putt short here,” he said. “I just haven’t trusted it on the golf course. I keep fearing knocking it five, six feet by.”

INVERNESS, Scotland – Scott Hend of Australia and Felipe Aguilar of Chile made it through blustery conditions and shot 3-under 69 to share the lead Thursday after the first round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Phil Mickelson wasn’t so fortunate.

The five-time major champion, a winner the last time the Scottish Open was held at Castle Stuart, struggled to make putts and took three bogeys on the par 5s on his way to a 76. His next task will be making the cut.

“The greens weren’t overly fast to where balls were rolling when you were putting,” Mickelson said. “They were very fair. I thought it was a fair test. A score around par would have been a good score. I felt like I gave three or four shots away on the greens that could have put me at a score around par.”

Only 20 players managed to break par at Castle Stuart.

Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington were among those at 70, while Branden Grace of South Africa and Andy Sullivan were in the group at 71.

Hend already is in the British Open next week at Royal Troon. He learned last week at the French Open that he was in the Open, exempt to the PGA Championship and that Jason Day had withdrawn from the Olympics, meaning Hend was a lock to take one of the two spots for Australia.

His first task is going after his third victory of the year.

“Obviously, conditions were quite tough and I was a little bit scrappy with some putts not quite getting to the hole,” he said. “But overall, very happy.”

Four spots in the British Open are available this week to the leading players among the top 12 not already eligible. One of those players is Aguilar, though Sunday is too far away for him to think about Royal Troon.

“That’s in the back of my mind,” he said. “I’m just worried about what’s going to happen tomorrow. I just finished the first round and still have 75 percent of the rounds to go. If that comes along, it will be great. It will be awesome, but it’s not even on my mind yet.”

Mickelson wasn’t the only American to struggle among those who came over to prepare for links golf. J.B. Holmes finally got his clubs, which did not make it over on his flight, but he had three double bogeys on his way to an 80. Patrick Reed had to play one shot off a hillside and slipped on the way down. He opened with a 75.

Russell Knox made a solid start in what amounts to a home tournament for the Scot who now lives in Florida. Knox opened with a 72 and was only three shots behind after the opening round.

“The atmosphere was amazing,” Knox said. “A lot of old friends and people I’ve known for a lot of years showed up, which was great.”

He opened with a pair of birdies, but the wind picked up in the afternoon, and it was a battle, especially at the end. The long 18th played straight into the wind, and Knox wasn’t the only player who dropped a shot on the last.

“It’s a terrible setup in my opinion – 600 yards, straight into a 30 mph wind,” he said. “They could have easily moved us up a tee. I disagree with that hole today. But I hit three good shots and three bad putts.”

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France – Thongchai Jaidee produced an impressive display of front-running to win the French Open by four strokes, as Rory McIlroy failed to deliver a final-round surge on Sunday.

Starting the day with a two-stroke lead over McIlroy, the 46-year-old Thongchai birdied two of his first six holes and shot a 3-under 68 to finish on 11-under 273 at Le Golf National outside Paris, where the 2018 Ryder Cup will be staged.

For his eighth victory on the European Tour, the Thai player collected $650,000 – the biggest cheque of his career. He described his fourth victory over the age of 40 as his “biggest win ever.”

“I had Rory two shots behind me but I tried to play my own game, hit a lot of fairways and greens,” said Thongchai, “and I knew this week I was putting well.”

Francesco Molinari finished in second place after shooting 66, the lowest round of the final day.

McIlroy couldn’t get near Thongchai. He bogeyed No. 3 and made his only birdie on No. 14, shooting an even-par 71 to be a stroke behind Molinari in third place.

The fourth-ranked McIlroy regarded that as a success, considering he is in the middle of vast changes to his swing.

“I’ve got 10 days until the (British) Open starts,” McIlroy said, looking ahead to the third major of the year at Royal Troon starting July 14. “I’m going to be working every day to try and get better and will play a bit of links golf to work on the shots I need for Troon as well.

“Even though this week it didn’t feel that good I’m obviously doing some things right.”

Brandon Stone, Alex Noren, Callum Shinkwin and Richard Sterne all qualified for the British Open after finishing in the top 12.

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France – Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand posted a 3-under round of 68 on Saturday to move 8-under and take a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the French Open.

Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy and South Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun posted 1-under 70s, having been level with Jaidee and two other players overnight.

Jaidee played consistently with three birdies.

“I had a good game plan today … hit a lot of fairway,” the 46-year-old Jaidee said. “Three-under is an amazing round with the conditions and the wind gusting.”

By contrast, McIlroy’s third round was hugely erratic as the four-time major winner had six birdies, three bogeys and one double-bogey.

McIlroy recovered to make five birdies on the back nine.

Wang’s round was the opposite, featuring three bogeys on his way back to the clubhouse after he had set out with four birdies on the front nine.

Defending champion Bernd Wiesberger of Austria posted 70 and is one shot behind at 5-under, followed by South African Brandon Stone and four other players at 3-under.

Wiesberger is looking to become the sixth player to successfully defend the title at the Le Golf National course, which is hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup.

“I’m right up there,” said Wiesberger, who recovered from a bogey-bogey start to make three birdies. “I have played well on Sundays here, so everything is in place.”

Stone shared the overnight lead, but fell away with a 2-over 73 – including double bogey on the 18th hole.

Mikko Ilonen, the other overnight co-leader, fared even more badly.

The Finn hit a 4-over 75 – including a quadruple bogey on the fifth hole – to fall seven shots behind Jaidee and way out of contention.

There are four qualifying places for the British Open up for grabs. They will go to the leading four players, not otherwise exempt, who finish in the top 12 and ties.

TROON, Scotland – Tiger Woods is out of the British Open, the first time he has sat out three straight majors.

The R&A announcement was not a surprise. Woods has not played in nearly a year as he recovers from two back surgeries. He has given little indication when he will be healthy enough to return.

This will be only the second time Woods has missed the British Open. He had knee surgery in the summer of 2008 and missed Royal Birkdale, and he missed the Open at Royal St. George’s in 2011 while recovering from leg injuries.

Woods was replaced in the field by Marcus Fraser of Australia.

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France – Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy roared back into contention at the French Open on Friday, sinking six birdies in a 5-under round of 66 to join a five-way share of the lead.

The Northern Irishman could have taken the overall lead at the Le Golf National course – which is hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup – but a poor tee shot on the 18th hole led to a bogey.

South Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun matched McIlroy’s 66, while Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand – who was one stroke behind overnight leader Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark – posted a 1-under 70 for a share of the lead. The other co-leaders, Mikko Ilonen of Finland and South African Brandon Stone, had 68s.

Bjerregaard is three shots behind after four bogeys in a 74.

“I played well. I kept the ball in play, I drove it well, hit fairways, hit a lot of greens. That’s sort of what you need to do around this golf course,” McIlroy said.

“I felt like I putted nicely. There were still a couple of putts that didn’t quite drop but it felt good out there. I need two more days like that over the weekend to have a chance.”

McIlroy was five shots off the lead overnight after an opening round where he struggled with his swing.

“In a way it’s nice to go into contention and not really be thinking about the result,” said McIlroy, currently in the spotlight because of his decision to miss the Olympics over concerns about the Zika virus.

He is using the tournament as a warmup for the British Open, starts July 14 at Royal Troon in western Scotland.

McIlroy announced in April that he was skipping the Bridgestone Invitational to instead play at the French Open for the first time since 2010.

While the five-man leading group has 28 European Tour wins between them, the chasing pack is strong.

Defending champion Bernd Wiesberger of Austria was at four under alongside Nicolas Colsaerts and Anders Hansen, with Joost Luiten, Francesco Molinari, Thomas Pieters and Andy Sullivan a further shot back.

Wiesberger had five birdies in his first eight holes but his momentum was ended by a triple-bogey and a bogey-bogey finish.

There are four qualifying places for the British Open up for grabs They will go to the leading four players, not otherwise exempt, who finish in the top 12 and ties.

DUBLIN – Graeme McDowell rejected the chance to replace Rory McIlroy in the Irish Olympic team on Thursday, becoming the latest high-profile golfer to opt out of the Rio de Janeiro Games.

While McIlroy cited concerns about the Zika virus, McDowell said he decided months ago not to leave the United States in the weeks leading up to the birth of their second child.

Next in line for Irish selection for the first Olympic golf competition since 1904 is three-time major champion Padraig Harrington.

“I will work very hard over the next few weeks to achieve this selection as it would be a huge honour for me to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games, having played an active role in golf’s bid to be re-included in the Olympic Games program,” Harrington said in a statement.

McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, said his wife Kristin was due to give birth “just a couple of weeks” after the Olympic golf ends on Aug. 20.

The International Golf Federation responded to the latest Olympic setback by saying it recognizes the “unique circumstances for Graeme and his family.”

“While we are disappointed that he is not available for the Olympic Games, we sympathize with his position,” the federation said in a statement.

Golfer Rory McIlroy became one of the most high-profile sports stars to opt out of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics because of concerns about the Zika virus, saying Wednesday it is “a risk I am unwilling to take.”

“After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realize that my health and my family’s health comes before anything else,” the four-time major winner said in a statement released by his management company.

The fourth-ranked McIlroy was scheduled to play for Ireland as golf makes its return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904.

The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) said it was “extremely disappointed” not to have McIlroy on its team.

“However, as we have always said, it is down to the individual and of course we respect his decision, which he has taken for personal reasons,” the OCI said in a statement.

The 27-year-old McIlroy said this month that he and his fiancee, Erica Stoll, may consider starting a family “in the next couple of years.”

“Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low,” McIlroy said, “it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take.”

Australian golfer Marc Leishman has already pulled out of the Olympic tournament, citing concerns over the health of his family because of the mosquito-borne virus which is linked to severe birth defects and possible neurological problems in adults. Leishman’s wife, Audrey, nearly died last year from toxic shock syndrome.

Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Vijay Singh have also said they won’t compete at Rio, mostly due to scheduling commitments.

Last month, 150 health experts issued an open letter to the U.N. health agency calling for the games to be delayed or relocated “in the name of public health.” The agency, the World Health Organization, responded that such steps would “not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus.”

The OCI said it has been taking its lead on the Zika situation from the International Olympic Committee.

“They have provided us with every assurance and we have total confidence that the games will be safe for all athletes,” the Dublin-based organization said.

McIlroy, who has won three of the four majors in golf, had been eligible to compete for either Britain or Ireland at the Olympics. He eventually chose Ireland, which he had represented throughout his amateur career and twice in the World Cup.

“I trust the Irish people will understand my decision,” McIlroy said. “The unwavering support I receive every time I compete in a golf tournament at home or abroad means the world to me.

“I will continue to endeavour to make my fans and fans of golf proud with my play on the course and my actions off it.”

The International Golf Federation said it was “disappointed with Rory’s decision but recognizes that some players will have to weigh personally a unique set of circumstances as they contemplate their participation in golf’s historic return to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, with the Zika virus foremost among them.”

It added that “the Olympics is the world’s greatest celebration of sport and we remain excited about golf’s return after a 112-year absence.”

The IGF, founded in 1958, is recognized by the IOC as the official world body for golf.

STRAFFAN, Ireland – Rory McIlroy eagled the final hole to cap his first victory of the season Sunday at the Irish Open, his home tournament where he’s famously struggled over the years.

McIlroy’s three-shot triumph over Scotland’s Russell Knox and Bradley Dredge of Wales wasn’t smooth sailing. But the Northern Ireland native prevailed with a 3-under 69, thanks to superior driving power that allowed him to birdie the K Club’s first three par-5 holes – then demolish the competition with his final powerful approach shot.

His 253-meter (276-yard) second strike on the 18th landed within three feet of the pin to the deafening cheers of tens of thousands who had braved downpours and hail showers to witness the moment. McIlroy grinned and brushed away a tear or two as he approached the green.

When McIlroy calmly converted his only eagle of the tournament, he stood still and silent for a second. Then he pumped both fists in elation.

“To finish like that today, I’ll never forget it,” McIlroy said after receiving the crystal winner’s trophy beside Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.

Third-ranked McIlroy long has made winning the Irish Open an elusive priority, his past failures all the more awkward because he’s also the tournament’s official host and donates his prize money to his Rory Foundation children’s charity. He had failed to make the Irish Open cut since 2012. His previous best was seventh place in 2008.

McIlroy looked in danger of squandering his three-stroke lead at the start of Sunday’s final round as Knox, playing alongside him, putted impressively while McIlroy wasted opportunity after opportunity on the greens, including a miss for bogey from barely two feet on the par-4 11th hole.

When Knox birdied the 14th and 15th holes to seize a one-shot lead, McIlroy responded with arguably his greatest shot of the year – a go-for-broke drive across the River Liffey that landed improbably in the heart of the 16th green. As the fans roared their approval, a rattled Knox struck his only back-nine bogey as McIlroy two-putted for a go-ahead birdie.

“I was taking a risk. … It was a huge turning point,” said McIlroy, who added it was hard for him to keep his focus “when there’s 30,000 people roaring you on. The ovation I got when that ball landed on the 16th green sent shivers down my spine.”

Knox agreed it was a pivotal moment, and praised McIlroy’s final three holes.

“The shots that Rory hit in the end, he deserves to win. … Rory hits it further than anyone,” said Knox, who is ranked 28th. “That shot that Rory hit on 18 was a joke. What a way for him to finish.”

McIlroy nearly birdied the par-3 17th as well. He laughed when the ball circled the cup and rolled a few inches back in his direction.

He now faces three majors in the next 10 weeks – and describes his Irish breakthrough as a needed psychological “catapult” to reclaim his best form.

“I felt I needed a week like this to kick-start something. No better place than back here at home in Ireland,” he said.

Ireland’s consistently inconsistent weather added another layer of drama.

Lightning storms caused four hours of delays Saturday that forced a dozen players – including McIlroy, Knox and Masters champion Danny Willett – to complete the third round at sunrise Sunday. Their day’s combined 21 holes of golf took nearly 10 hours to complete as blue skies gave way to wintry monsoons that left fairways and greens waterlogged and carpeted with hailstones, causing two more suspensions in play.

“We had all the four seasons in one day basically,” McIlroy said.

Willett led for the first two days and began Sunday in second place, three behind McIlroy and one ahead of Knox. But Willett, the world No. 9, couldn’t break par on a single hole and suffered a collapse in form on the rain-drenched back nine. He twice dropped shots into the Liffey to card a 5-over round of 77, including a double bogey on McIlroy’s fateful 16th.

McIlroy joked with journalists over which of his 5-wood fairway shots on to the 16th and 18th greens had been the more impressive. When one suggested that his final approach was superior, McIlroy brought the house down with his reply: “If you were a real golfer, you’d appreciate the 16th.”

PARIS – Rory McIlroy will skip the Bridgestone Invitational and instead play at the French Open, a boost for the European Tour during a crowded summer schedule caused by the Olympics.

McIlroy won the Bridgestone Invitational two years ago, and he failed to defend his title in the World Golf Championship last year while recovering from ruptured ankle ligaments.

The Bridgestone Invitational typically is held a week before the PGA Championship. The PGA Tour moved it to the week of June 30-July 3 — two weeks after the U.S. Open and two weeks before the British Open. However, that’s the same date as the 100th edition of the French Open at Le Golf National, which will host the Ryder Cup in 2018.

The European Tour decided not to sanction the World Golf Championship in Ohio for the first time. European Tour members who play the Bridgestone Invitational will not have the earnings count toward the Race to Dubai, and the money or points will not count toward the Ryder Cup.

Henrik Stenson already has said he will not play in the Bridgestone because of the schedule, though the Swede said he would take that week off and stay in Sweden.

McIlroy has not played the French Open since 2010. The oldest national open in continental Europe is followed by the Scottish Open and the British Open at Royal Troon.

“Le Golf National might not be a pure links course, but it is traditionally firm and fast, and can throw up some tricky conditions,” McIlroy said Monday. “It’s a great test of golf, and I think playing there, as well as staying in Europe, will offer the best conditions to prepare for The Open at Troon.”