Robert MacIntyre staged a spectacular comeback because the native hero received the Scottish Open with a stroke of fine fortune on Sunday.
12 months in the past, Rory McIlroy misplaced the Scottish Open title after a shock ultimate.
However the 27-year-old Scot staged a memorable comeback to take the trophy by one stroke after being two behind Australian Adam Scott with three holes remaining within the ultimate spherical.
MacIntyre made an eagle on the par-five 16th after a superb strategy shot, though solely after a free throw from knee-high tough after discovering a sprinkler close to his ball.
That moved MacIntyre alongside Scott on 17 below and, to the delight of a raucous residence crowd, he holed out from 20 toes for birdie on the 18th to finish a exceptional triumph.
MacIntyre is the second Scot to win the Scottish Open after Colin Montgomerie in 1999.
His third European Tour victory, following triumphs on the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown and 2022 Italian Open, was the proper technique to heat up for the British Open, which begins at Royal Troon on Thursday.
“I believe I misplaced my voice after the scream in that gap. I believed it was low,” MacIntyre stated.
“I've labored exhausting on this. I've modified lots of issues throughout the staff and I've labored exhausting. I wished the Scottish Open.”
“I'm going to have fun this with all my would possibly. We'll get to the Open after we get to the Open.”
Scott had set the aim after a closing 67, however the 43-year-old fell quick in his bid to win his first title since 2020.
Scott, magnanimous after the defeat, stated: “I'm comfortable for Bob. It's a fantastic win. I performed with him yesterday and you’ll hear them singing there.”
“It's a disgrace to come back up quick, however Bob did what he needed to do to win. Eagle, par, birdie, that's nice.
“I believe that's improbable for him. I hope I can come again in good condition subsequent week.”
– 'You want slightly luck' –
MacIntyre started the day two pictures behind European Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg and his problem appeared to have failed as he lined his first 13 holes in a single over par.
An extended birdie putt on the 14th inexperienced allowed MacIntyre to shut the hole to Scott to only one shot earlier than the Australian doubled his lead with a birdie on the 16th.
The previous world primary appeared a certain winner at this level, particularly with MacIntyre driving into some very tough terrain on the par-five 16th.
However after practising his swing, MacIntyre found a sprinkler close to his ball.
He was due to this fact allowed a free shot and made essentially the most of it, hitting a shocking 247-yard strategy to 6 toes and calmly sinking the eagle putt earlier than sealing victory with a birdie on the final.
“I bought slightly bit fortunate on 16 and it takes slightly little bit of luck to win golf tournaments,” MacIntyre stated.
“I couldn't consider it once I heard a twig beneath my foot, the place my nail is, and I believed, 'This could't be it. ' I used to be lined and I believed, 'I used to be fortunate, it was meant to be this fashion. '”
McIlroy completed tied with six gamers for fourth on 14 below par after a closing 68, with Aberg additionally on the identical rating after a disappointing 73.
England's Richard Mansell equalled the course report with an impressive 61, matching the mark set by Ben An final yr.
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