Golf

Local favourite Bob MacIntyre rides his luck to win Genesis Scottish Open

Defending champion Rory McIlroy finished in a six-way tie for fourth on 14 under

Robert MacIntyre of Scotland celebrates victory on the 18th green. Photograph: Octavio Passos/Getty
Robert MacIntyre of Scotland celebrates victory on the 18th green. Photograph: Octavio Passos/Getty
Sun Jul 14 2024 - 20:37

Home favourite Bob MacIntyre took full advantage of an extraordinary stroke of luck to win the Genesis Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club.

MacIntyre, who was denied the title 12 months ago by Rory McIlroy’s stunning finish, produced one of his own after trailing Adam Scott by two shots with three to play in a rollercoaster final round.

The left-hander made an eagle on the par-five 16th following a brilliant approach shot, albeit only after a free drop from knee-high rough after discovering a sprinkler head near his ball.

That took MacIntyre alongside Scott on 17 under par and, to the delight of a raucous home crowd, he holed from 20 feet for birdie on the 18th to complete a remarkable triumph.

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MacIntyre began the day two shots behind 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.

The Ryder Cup star 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.

Scott had set the target after a closing 67, the 43-year-old – who turns 44 on Tuesday – carding seven birdies, a double bogey and two bogeys as he looked set to win his first title since the Genesis Invitational in February 2020.

Defending champion Rory 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.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Ayaka Furue earned her maiden Major victory after an eagle at the final hole to win the Evian Championship by one shot.

Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou began the day with a one-shot lead and with 10 holes left to play, Furue was two shots behind Kyriacou and Lauren Coughlin.

Patty Tavatanakit eagled the final hole to finish with 63 and take a clubhouse lead on 17 under par, but Furue wrapped up her first major in style with an eagle three of her own to win on 19-under-par with Kyriacou second.

Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow missed the tournament cut on Friday.