{"id":1246122,"date":"2023-07-16T15:10:23","date_gmt":"2023-07-16T15:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/rory-mcilroy-hopes-stunning-scottish-open-win-sets-him-up-for-hoylake-success\/"},"modified":"2024-09-23T07:51:06","modified_gmt":"2024-09-23T07:51:06","slug":"rory-mcilroy-hopes-stunning-scottish-open-win-sets-him-up-for-hoylake-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/rory-mcilroy-hopes-stunning-scottish-open-win-sets-him-up-for-hoylake-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Rory McIlroy hopes stunning Scottish Open win sets him up for Hoylake success"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rory McIlroy completed the ideal preparation for the 151st Open as he produced a stunning finish to deny home favourite Robert MacIntyre in dramatic circumstances in the Genesis Scottish Open.<\/p>\n

MacIntyre had set a daunting target of 14 under par thanks to a sensational birdie on the 18th, just the second of the day on the closing hole at the Renaissance Club as strong winds made for testing scoring conditions.<\/p>\n

However, overnight leader McIlroy birdied the par-three 17th to get on level terms and then hit a stunning 2-iron approach into the last before holing from 10 feet to complete a closing 68 and win his second Rolex Series title of the year.<\/p>\n

McIlroy, who will head into next week\u2019s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, scene of his 2014 triumph, on the back of his first win on Scottish soil, said: \u201cI\u2019m really proud.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was such a tough day, especially the back nine. To play that in four under par to win the tournament I\u2019m really proud of how I stuck in there, hit some amazing shots down the stretch and was able to finish it off.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels incredible. It\u2019s been a sort of long six months I feel since I won in Dubai. I\u2019ve given myself tonnes of chances and hopefully this win sort of breaks the seal for me, especially going in to next week as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice to have the validation. It\u2019s great racking up top fives and top 10s, but it\u2019s much nicer heading away with a trophy on a Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"McIlroy
McIlroy celebrates the winning putt (Jane Barlow\/PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great shot of confidence and helps having something fresh in my memory. If I hopefully find myself in a similar position next week where I have a chance to win with nine holes to go, I can certainly draw on what I did here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t seen Hoylake since 2014 so I\u2019ll get out on the course on Monday and try to figure it out and make sure I\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

MacIntyre began the final round five shots behind McIlroy but made good on his promise to relish \u201cabsolutely brutal\u201d weather as he followed birdies on the third and sixth with an eagle on the par-five 10th.<\/p>\n

A birdie on the 14th moved the left-hander into the outright lead for the first time as pacesetter Tyrrell Hatton began to falter \u2013 and he immediately doubled his advantage after a superb approach to the next finished inches from the hole.<\/p>\n

McIlroy kept himself in contention with a birdie on the 11th and, after MacIntyre bogeyed the par-five 16th, the Northern Irishman holed from almost 40 feet on the 14th to share the lead.<\/p>\n

MacIntyre was fortunate to find the spectator walkway following a wild drive on the 18th, but took full advantage by hitting a stunning approach with a fairway wood to within four feet of the hole.<\/p>\n

The resulting birdie completed a superb 64 but, having gone to the turn in 37, McIlroy came home in 31 \u2013 despite failing to birdie either par five \u2013 to snatch an unlikely victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a poor tee-shot on the 18th, but then probably the best shot I have ever hit in my life,\u201d MacIntyre said.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Robert
Robert MacIntyre showed his emotions after putting himself in a winning position (Jane Barlow\/PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it might be enough, but that\u2019s what happens when you are playing against the best in the world. I\u2019ve grown up watching Scottish Opens and my dream was always to win one.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought today might have been the day, but it wasn\u2019t to be. I\u2019m absolutely gutted just now, but I take my hat off to Rory. What a finish.\u201d<\/p>\n

MacIntyre had fought back tears as he walked off the 18th green contemplating what looked like being a third DP World Tour title worth \u00a31.2million and a two-year PGA Tour exemption.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have never had support like that in my life,\u201d he added. \u201cHaving the support of family and friends is massive. But it felt like everyone out there was willing me to do it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was struggling for a wee bit there, I didn\u2019t have the love for the game, I didn\u2019t have the buzz, I was never in contention, I was pottering about middle of the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last wee while I have been in contention, I have got the buzz back. It would have been one hell of a celebration but it wasn\u2019t to be just now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The runners-up finish is still a massive boost to MacIntyre\u2019s chances of securing a Ryder Cup debut in Rome and McIlroy was full of praise for the 26-year-old.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he can shoot 64 on a day like today he can do anything,\u201d McIlroy said.<\/a> \u201cThat was an unbelievable round of golf. It\u2019s great to see him back in form.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s Ben An and Sweden\u2019s David Lingmerth secured places in the Open after finishing in a tie for third with world number one Scottie Scheffler, with Denmark\u2019s Nicolai Hojgaard taking the last berth thanks to a closing 67.<\/p>\n