McIlroy’s bid to retain Scottish Open falls short

Rory McIlroy’s ambitious quest to clinch the Genesis Scottish Open for a second consecutive year ended in dramatic fashion as local hero Robert MacIntyre capitalized on an extraordinary stroke of luck to secure victory.

 

Just a year after McIlroy’s spectacular finish denied MacIntyre the title, the tables turned. MacIntyre, trailing Adam Scott by two strokes with only three holes left in a tumultuous final round at the Renaissance Club, pulled off a stunning reversal.

 

The left-handed golfer’s fortunes changed drastically on the par-five 16th. An exceptional approach shot, made possible by a fortuitous free drop from knee-high rough due to a sprinkler head near his ball, led to a remarkable eagle.

 

This incredible shot brought MacIntyre level with Scott at 17-under par. To the elation of the boisterous home crowd, he then sank a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th, completing an astonishing victory.

 

McIlroy, who had seemed poised to mount a serious challenge with birdies at the third and fifth holes, saw his momentum falter with dropped shots at the seventh and ninth. Despite rallying with two more birdies on the back nine, McIlroy’s round of 68 left him tied for fourth place, four shots behind the winner.

 

Seamus Power also concluded his round with a 68, finishing at three-under par and tied for 65th place.

 

MacIntyre had started the day two strokes behind his Ryder Cup team-mate Ludvig Aberg. His prospects appeared bleak as he played the first 13 holes in one over par. However, a long birdie putt across the 14th green narrowed the gap to Scott to a single stroke. Scott, meanwhile, extended his lead with a birdie on the 16th, seemingly cementing his victory.

 

The former world number one, who was chasing his first title since the Genesis Invitational in February 2020, had set an impressive target with a final-round 67, featuring seven birdies, a double bogey, and two bogeys.

 

But the drama unfolded on the par-five 16th, where MacIntyre’s drive landed in heavy rough. A timely discovery of a sprinkler head allowed him a free drop, setting the stage for his stunning approach from 247 yards to six feet. He calmly sank the eagle putt and then sealed his victory with a birdie on the last hole.

 

In a stunning twist of fate, Robert MacIntyre’s stroke of luck and skillful play turned the tables on Rory McIlroy, ensuring an unforgettable triumph at the Genesis Scottish Open.