GULLANE (Scotland) — If Gene Sarazen’s shot was “the shot that rang around the world” back in the day, Robert MacIntyre’s clattering of the wood echoed through the Renaissance.
The Scotsman’s 3-wood shot to the last hole in the final round of Genesis Scottish Open, here in East Lothian, was one for the books.
It was a birdie that set him up for a 64, which gave him a clubhouse lead of 14 under. He is now on the verge of becoming the first Scottish Open winner since Colin Montgomerie won in 1999.
Golf can, of course be a cruel old game. Rory McIlroy, who smashed home a birdie and birdie blitz, was the unfortunate victim of heartbreak.
MacIntyre said of the shot that was missed, “I thought that it would be enough but, that’s just what happens when playing against the best players in the world.
Oban’s lefty can rightly be proud of his achievements. McIlroy was forced to use his immense talent to pull out two birdies that were spectacular to win. The Scot’s brilliance in those final knockings was only overshadowed by McIlroy himself.
MacIntyre, a stoic MacIntyre, said after the match: “I’m delighted with my performance.” It’s hard to accept because winning the Scottish Open is a Scotsman’s dream. This day will never be forgotten. I prayed and hoped it would be the day. It would have been a great celebration.
“I am absolutely devastated right now, but my hat goes off to Rory. What a finish. He’s the best I know. “When he needs something, he knows exactly how to get it done and he did so here.”
Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre and The Renaissance Club embrace each other after the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open in United Kingdom. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images).
MacIntyre reveled in his bold sense of adventure, as he sped up to the 18th hole from 200 yards away, lying on a path that had been flattened.
He said, “I changed clubs because I thought that the rescue club couldn’t reach there.” “It was only 218 yards, so I decided to just shoot par and see what happened.
It was absolutely perfect. I sliced off the three-wood in order to gain some distance. “It was probably the best shot I’ve ever made in my life.”
I grew up dreaming about hitting shots like these. It wasn’t meant to be but I gave it all. Thank you for your support …. a day I will never forget
— Robert MacIntyre July 16 2023 HTML0
MacIntyre, who won his second DP World Tour in Italy in 2013, has not been able to reach the same heights this year. MacIntyre has regained his vigor after flirting with victory last week in Denmark.
He said, “I was struggling a little bit there” about his struggles and difficulties that led him to slither out of the top-100 in the world. “I never had the passion for the game. I didn’t feel the excitement. I was always in the middle, pottering around. In the last few weeks, I’ve been in contention again and the buzz is back. The reason I play golf is today. “I feel that I can compete with the best players in the world. I know my game will be up there when it is on.”
MacIntyre’s homecoming was carried by a wave from the sidelines. You can only imagine the noise in the Glencruitten Clubhouse when he was moving to the front. As he signed for his card, the tears in his eye highlighted the importance of the moment.
He said, “I’ve never experienced such support in my life.” The support of friends and family is huge. It felt as if everyone was pushing me to succeed.
MacIntyre can be confident heading into the Open this week. MacIntyre said that there will be expectations from all. He was tied sixth in 2019, and tied eighth in 2020. “I’ll give it another go and see how I do.”
Roll on Hoylake
