Adam Scott has fallen agonisingly close of breaking a four-year drought on the PGA Tour after a thrilling finish at the Scottish Open.
The Australian, who last won the Genesis Open in 2020, shot a final round 67 to close with 17 under and find himself on the cusp of victory at The Renaissance Club.
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Scott three shots off the lead | 01:27
But hometown hero Robert MacIntyre, who at one point was three shots back with five holes to play, produced one of the greatest finishes in recent tour memory and secure a $2.4 million (AUD) pay day.
The 27-year-old sunk a monster putt on 14 before a huge stroke of luck on 16 proved the turning point of the tournament
After hitting his driver into thick, knee-high rough on the par five, MacIntyre was in trouble only to feel a sprinkler in his back swing when his metal spikes grazed the metal covering.
He was given relief and a drop, a huge stroke of fortune that allowed him a clean lie in a much better position.
Macintyre then played a brilliant approach shot to six feet and drained the eagle putt to draw level with Scott.
He would par the 17th to head into the final hole knowing birdie would secure victory.
Macintyre’s tee shot on 18 found the first cut of rough but he put his approach shot pin high and made the putt, roaring in delight and appearing overcome with emotion.
It touching moment for Macintyre who himself had fallen painfully short at the same event last year when Rory McIlroy birdied the final to holes to claim victory.
MacIntyre is only the second Scot to win the Scottish Open after Colin Montgomerie in 1999.
His third European Tour victory — after wins at the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown and 2022 Italian Open — was the perfect way to warm up for the British Open, which gets underway at Royal Troon on Thursday.
“I think I lost my voice after the scream on that hole. I thought I was short,” MacIntyre said.
“I’ve put a lot of work into this. I’ve changed a lot within the team and I’ve just worked hard. I wanted the Scottish Open.
“I’m going to celebrate this one hard. We’ll pitch up to the Open when we pitch up to the Open.” Scott had set the target after a closing 67, but the 43-year-old fell just short in his bid to win a first title since 2020.
Magnanimous in defeat, Scott said: “I’m pleased for Bob. This is a big win. I played with him yesterday, and you can hear them singing over there.
“A shame to come up short but Bob did what he had to do to win. Eagle, par, birdie, that’s great stuff.
“I think that’s awesome for him. Hopefully I can take some good form into next week.”
– ‘You need a bit of luck’ –
MacIntyre began the day two shots behind European Ryder Cup team-mate Ludvig Aberg and his challenge looked to have fizzled out as he covered his first 13 holes in one over par.
A long birdie putt across the 14th green saw MacIntyre close the gap to Scott to a single shot before the Australian doubled his lead thanks to a birdie on the 16th.
The former world number one looked a certain winner at this point, especially with MacIntyre driving into heavy rough on the par-five 16th.
But after taking a practice swing MacIntyre discovered a sprinkler near his ball.
He was therefore allowed a free drop and took full advantage, hitting a stunning approach from 247 yards to six feet and calmly rolling in the eagle putt before sealing the win with a birdie on the last.
“I got a bit of luck on 16 that you need a bit of luck to win golf tournaments,” MacIntyre said.
“I couldn’t believe when I heard a sprinkler under my foot where my spike is at and I’m like no way. It was covered and I thought, I got lucky, it was meant to be.” McIlroy finished in a six-way tie for fourth on 14 under following a closing 68, with Aberg also on the same score after a disappointing 73.
England’s Richard Mansell equalled the course record with a superb 61, matching the mark set by Ben An last year.
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
Source Agencies
