- Rory McIlroy edges out Robert MacIntyre with 18th-hole birdie.
Rory McIlroy conjured “one of the best shots I’ll hit in my career” to edge out home hope Robert MacIntyre and snatch the Scottish Open title.
The Northern Irishman sealed his first win in Scotland by a stroke after his sublime two-iron stinger from 200 yards on the 18th set up a decisive birdie.
MacIntyre had mastered the windswept Renaissance Club with a six-under 64 to set the target at 14 under.
But McIlroy posted 68 with closing back-to-back birdies to deny the Scot.
Having taken a one-shot advantage into the final day, McIlroy struggled to a two-over front nine featuring four bogeys.
The lead changed hands several times before he roused himself for a triumph that provides a “huge confidence boost” before The Open at Hoylake next week as he seeks a first major victory since 2014.
McIlroy gained strokes on 11 and 14, but admitted the best he was hoping for was a play-off when he stood on the par-three 17th needing a birdie from his final two holes to go level.
“That was such a tough day, especially the back nine,” said McIlroy, who takes the £1.2m prize and rises one place to world number two after securing his second Rolex Series title of the year.
“To play that back nine in four under par to win the tournament, I’m really proud of how I just stuck in there.
“It’s nice to have the validation. It’s great racking up top fives and top 10s, but it’s much nicer heading away with a trophy on a Sunday afternoon.
“It’s been a long six months since I won in Dubai. I’ve given myself tons of chances and hopefully this win breaks the seal for me, especially going into next week as well.
“I hit some amazing shots down the stretch and was able to finish it off with a really nice putt there. It feels incredible.
“The five iron on 17 and then that two iron into the last, they are two of the best iron shots I can remember hitting, especially under the circumstances. That two iron on 18 is probably going to be up there with one of the best shots I’ll hit in my career.”
McIlroy also had words of consolation for MacIntyre and praised his “unbelievable round”.
He added: “If he can shoot 64 on a day like today, he can do anything. It’s great to see him back on form at an important point of the year when he’s trying to make the Ryder Cup team.”
England’s Tyrrell Hatton made an early charge with four front-nine birdies and held the outright lead at 13 under on 12, but two bogeys and a closing double scuppered his challenge.
MacIntyre will ‘never forget’ crowd reaction
MacIntyre, starting the final round five shots adrift, reached the turn in two under for the day and eagled the par-five 10th as his momentum gathered speed.
He was the sole leader by the 14th and immediately added another birdie to go two clear. However, a bogey on the par-five 16th followed for the Scot as McIlroy fought back into a share of top spot with a birdie on 14.
MacIntyre got lucky on 18 when his wild drive found a spectator path but he then produced a majestic strike with a fairway wood for a knock-in birdie.
While it was not enough in the end for the biggest win of his career, the 26-year-old ends his home tournament with his head held high.
“It’s sore just now, I’m absolutely gutted but so proud of myself and the team around me,” MacIntyre said.
“I needed the wind to pick, I needed it to be difficult, and it was. I was comfortable all day, it was tough when the wind really started to pick up in the final few holes, but I gave it everything I had.
“I had to take a minute coming off 18, I’ll never forget that reception. That’s why I play this sport.
“When I birdied 18, I had a tear in my eye coming off because it’s a dream of mine to win this tournament. But there’s plenty more years.”
