Adam Scott has fallen agonisingly shut of breaking a four-year drought on the PGA Tour after an exciting end on the Scottish Open.
The Australian, who final received the Genesis Open in 2020, shot a remaining spherical 67 to shut with 17 beneath and discover himself on the cusp of victory at The Renaissance Membership.
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Clutch putt sinks Scott at Scottish Open | 01:39
However hometown hero Robert MacIntyre, who at one level was three photographs again with 5 holes to play, produced one of many best finishes in latest tour reminiscence to safe his nation’s open championship and a $2.4 million (AUD) pay day.
The 27-year-old sunk a monster putt on 14 earlier than an enormous stroke of luck on 16 proved the turning level of the event
After hitting his driver into thick, knee-high tough on the par 5, MacIntyre was in bother solely to really feel a sprinkler in his again swing when his metallic spikes grazed the metallic protecting.
He was given aid and a drop, an enormous stroke of fortune that allowed him a clear lie in a a lot better place.
Macintyre then performed an excellent method shot to 6 ft and drained the eagle putt to attract degree with Scott.
He would par the seventeenth to go into the ultimate gap figuring out birdie would safe victory.
MacIntyre’s tee shot on 18 discovered the primary minimize of tough however he put his method shot pin excessive and made the putt, roaring in delight and showing overcome with emotion.
It was a touching second for Macintyre who himself had fallen painfully quick on the similar occasion final yr when Rory McIlroy birdied the ultimate two holes to say victory.
MacIntyre is barely the second Scot to win the Scottish Open after Colin Montgomerie in 1999.
His third European Tour victory — after wins on the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown and 2022 Italian Open — was the right strategy to heat up for the British Open, which will get underway at Royal Troon on Thursday.
‘That must be one in ten thousand!’ | 01:06
“I believe I misplaced my voice after the scream on that gap. I assumed I used to be quick,” MacIntyre mentioned.
“I’ve put a variety of work into this. I’ve modified quite a bit throughout the staff and I’ve simply labored arduous. I wished the Scottish Open.
“I’m going to have a good time this one arduous. We’ll pitch as much as the Open once we pitch as much as the Open.” Scott had set the goal after a closing 67, however the 43-year-old fell simply quick in his bid to win a primary title since 2020.
Magnanimous in defeat, Scott mentioned: “I’m happy for Bob. It is a massive win. I performed with him yesterday, and you may hear them singing over there.
“A disgrace to come back up quick however Bob did what he needed to do to win. Eagle, par, birdie, that’s nice stuff.
“I believe that’s superior for him. Hopefully I can take some good kind into subsequent week.”
– ‘You want a little bit of luck’ –
MacIntyre started the day two photographs behind European Ryder Cup team-mate Ludvig Aberg and his problem regarded to have fizzled out as he lined his first 13 holes in a single over par.
An extended birdie putt throughout the 14th inexperienced noticed MacIntyre shut the hole to Scott to a single shot earlier than the Australian doubled his lead because of a birdie on the sixteenth.
The previous world primary regarded a sure winner at this level, particularly with MacIntyre driving into heavy tough on the par-five sixteenth.
However after taking a follow swing MacIntyre found a sprinkler close to his ball.
He was subsequently allowed a free drop and took full benefit, hitting a surprising method from 247 yards to 6 ft and calmly rolling within the eagle putt earlier than sealing the win with a birdie on the final.
“I acquired a little bit of luck on 16 that you simply want a little bit of luck to win golf tournaments,” MacIntyre mentioned.
“I couldn’t consider once I heard a sprinkler beneath my foot the place my spike is at and I’m like no method. It was lined and I assumed, I acquired fortunate, it was meant to be.” McIlroy completed in a six-way tie for fourth on 14 beneath following a closing 68, with Aberg additionally on the identical rating after a disappointing 73.
England’s Richard Mansell equalled the course file with an outstanding 61, matching the mark set by Ben An final yr.
FINAL LEADERBOARD
Robert MacIntyre 67, 65, 63 67 263 – Adam Scott (AUS) 67, 65, 64, 67 265 – Romain Langasque (FRA) 66, 68, 67 64 266 – Im Sung-jae (KOR) 63, 67, 67, 69; Rory McIlroy 65, 66, 67, 68; Collin Morikawa (USA) 65, 66, 66, 69; Aaron Rai 68, 65, 70, 63; Sahith Theegala (USA) 66, 65, 66, 69; Ludvig Aberg (SWE) 64, 64, 65, 73 267 – Wyndham Clark (USA) 68, 68, 69, 62; Corey Conners (CAN) 65, 67, 68, 67; Richard Mansell 67, 69, 70, 61, Alex Noren (SWE) 65, 66, 71, 65; Victor Perez (FRA) 68, 66, 68, 65 268 – Tom Kim (KOR) 69, 66, 69, 64; Matteo Manassero (ITA) 67, 63, 68, 70; Niklas Norgaard (DEN) 66, 67, 70, 65; Xander Schauffele (USA) 69, 65, 67, 67; Connor Syme 68, 66, 67, 67; Alejandro Del Rey (ESP) 69, 62, 72, 65