Robert MacIntyre produced a late surge with the help of some luck to earn a thrilling one-shot victory on home soil at the Genesis Scottish Open.
The 27-year-old Scot, who was denied victory in this tournament last year due to a late comeback by Rory McIlroy, produced a comeback of is own in an entertaining final round at the Rennaissance Club.
The home favorite entered the final round two shots behind overnight leader Sweden’s Ludwig Aberg and any likelihood of victory looked like it was fading away after being one over for the day through 13. However, a 40-foot birdie putt on the par-three 14th revived his chances. Then came the extraordinary slice of good fortune for the Scot when on the par-five 16th a sprinkler near his ball allowed him a free drop from thick rough and he took full advantage, hitting an massive approach from 247 yards to six feet prior to sinking an eagle to draw level with then leader Australia’s Adam Scott.
A par on the 17th set the stage for a thrilling conclusion, and with an impressive second shot on the 18th, he gave himself a chance at victory.
Amidst cheers from an enthusiastic home crowd on the final green, MacIntyre composed himself and sank a 20-foot putt to post a three-under 67 and end on 18 under to clinch the championship and earn his third victory on the DP World Tour.
The winning putt ignited joy for MacIntyre and the ecstatic Scottish crowd, who enthusiastically sang ‘Flower of Scotland’ in their celebrations.
Speaking to Sky Sports, MacIntrye said: “I think I lost my voice after the scream on that hole. I thought I was short.
“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 got a bit of luck on 16 that you need – a bit of luck to win golf tournaments. 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.
“Next week is a new week but I tell you, I’m going to celebrate this with my family, friends, and everyone here. I’m going to celebrate this one hard. We’ll pitch up to The Open when we pitch up to The Open.”
This triumph means that he has become the first Scot to win the event since Colin Montgomerie in 1999 and he will pocket a handsome $1.6m.
Scott hit a final round 67 to end the tournament a shot behind on 17 under while France’s Romain Langasque finished two shots further back in third on 15 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the DP World Tour schedule, alongside the 152nd Open Championship, is the Barracuda Championship taking place between 18-21 July at Tahoe Mt. Club in California.