Rory McIlroy plants a kiss on Erica Stoll after dramatic (!) victory in Scotland
Late drama handed Rory McIlroy his first ever victory in Scotland on an enthralling final day at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick.
Late drama handed Rory McIlroy his first ever victory in Scotland to break Bob MacIntyre's heart.
MacIntyre tore round the Renaissance Club on Sunday, carding a final round 6-under 64 to post the clubhouse lead at 14-under.
His big finish at the Scottish Open included a sensational birdie at the final hole after hitting one of the best approach shots of his life.
After MacIntyre rolled in the birdie putt from 10 feet he clenched his fists and saluted the Scottish crowd.
All he had to do was wait to see what the aforementioned McIlroy could produce.
McIlroy endured a topsy-turvy day in North Berwick. His front nine included four bogeys and two birdies.
But on the home stretch McIlroy produced the goods and posted birdies at 11 and 14.
By the time he reached the 16th hole he was one back of McIntyre and he spurned a glorious chance to draw level.
First stop, family
Second stop, old friends from home
Wholesome content alert. #GenesisScottishOpen | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/i4OJfRhqYr— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 16, 2023
The Northern Irishman missed a birdie putt from six feet but then went birdie-birdie to take the title.
His approach to the 72nd hole was just as good if not better than McIntyre's, hitting a long iron cut below the breeze that rolled out to 10 feet.
In the immediate aftermath of victory McIlroy looked absolutely delighted. Tommy Fleetwood was also there to give him a hug.
The Englishman was in contention heading into the final day but struggled, posting a 72 to finish six back of McIlroy.
Elsewhere, there were top-10 finishes for Scottie Scheffler, Tom Kim, J.T. Poston, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard.
Rory came over to Bobby Mac and just said, I’m sorry. He know what this would’ve meant to him. pic.twitter.com/o0GR5TB3Nr
— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) July 16, 2023
McIlroy said:
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WHAT. A. SHOT.@McIlroyRory leaves 10ft for birdie to win back-to-back Rolex Series events #GenesisScottishOpen | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/FMkntQdATs
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 16, 2023
HOW'S YOUR NERVE, @robert1lefty?!
What a shot at the last to set up a closing birdie. #GenesisScottishOpen | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/zBrJows0X5— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 16, 2023
Of his approach into 18, he added:
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McIlroy said his victory, his 24th on the PGA Tour and 16th on the DP World Tour, was 'up there with the best of them'.
He is now the first player to have won the Scottish Open, Irish Open and The Open Championship.
McIlroy now heads to Liverpool to attempt to break his nine-year major drought.
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