Rory McIlroy stuns Robert MacIntyre with birdie-birdie finish to win Scottish Open
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Updated 16/07/2023 at 14:31 GMT
Conditions north of the border were as many feel is the norm for golf, as the final round of the Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club was played out in wild, windy conditions. It looked good for a home win when Robert MacIntyre got into the clubhouse lead, but his hopes were dashed by Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman birdied the final two holes to take the title.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses for a photo with the Genesis Scottish Open trophy on the 18th green after winning the tournament during Day Four of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club on July 16, 2023 in United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
Rory McIlroy broke Robert MacIntyre’s heart by birdieing the final two holes to win the Scottish Open.
On a wild day in Berwick, McIlroy stood on the 17th tee one adrift of MacIntyre, but produced two brilliant holes to secure the win and set him up for next week’s Open Championship in style.
“I am really proud,” McIlroy said after securing his 24th win on the PGA Tour. “It was such a tough day.
“I bogeyed my final two holes on the front nine to drop to two-over. I saw Tyrrell (Hatton) was making a run, Bob was making a run.
“To play that back nine in four-under to win the tournament. I was really proud of how I stuck in there, I hit some amazing shots down the stretch and was able to finish it off with a nice putt.
“It feels incredible.
"It has been a long six months since I won in Dubai, I gave myself tons of chances, so hopefully this win breaks the seal for me - especially going into next week.”
Play was brought forward at the Renaissance Club, with the leaders teeing off before 9am local time, to avoid forecast wild weather on the shores of the Firth of Forth.
The weather was still pretty fierce, with strong winds prompting officials to leave the greens uncut. Balls were still oscillating on the putting surfaces, as the best in the business were forced to ditch the yardage books and play on feel and instinct.
MacIntyre produced the round of the day, with his 64 looking good enough to secure his home Open at one point.
He thrilled the crowd with the shot of the day, a fabulous approach from the rough to three-feet on 18 to get into the clubhouse at 14-under.
With McIlroy struggling towards the end of his back nine, the Scot was in pole position.
But McIlroy found a stunning birdie putt for a two from long range on 14 to get his round going.
He missed a good chance on 16, but shook it off to tame the 17th and 18th.
The pin on the 17th was a fiendish one given the green was downwind of the tee, but McIlroy found the correct plateau and stroked his putt into the heart of the cup to draw level with MacIntyre.
The 18th was a beast of a par four into a 20 mph wind. Even with McIlroy’s length, he needed a flushed drive and a two iron to reach the green.
He did exactly that, with his ball coming to rest 10-feet from the hole, and he stroked it home to secure the win.
McIlroy will now head to Hoylake for the Open, and will have a spring in his step knowing he took the Claret Jug the last time the major was played at the course in 2014.
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