SNS GroupRobert MacIntyre has won the Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club, becoming the first Scot to win the tournament since 1999.
The Oban golfer shot a final day 67 to finish 18 under, one shot ahead of Adam Scott.
MacIntyre had gone out two shots behind overnight leader Ludvig Aberg and saw his chances take a dip when he bogeyed the second but he soon recovered to lift the hopes of the home crowd.
A 40-foot putt for birdie on the 14th brought him back in contention and, with Aberg having faded, kept him in touching distance of new leader Adam Scott.
MacIntyre had some good fortune on 16th when a sprinkler near his ball allowed him a free drop from thick rough and he took advantage, with an eagle that drew him level with Scott.
Par on the 17th set up a dramatic finale and he gave himself a chance at victory with an impressive second on the 18th.
After being greeted by a noisy home crowd on the final green, MacIntyre set himself and rolled in a 20-foot putt to take the championship.
“I think I lost my voice after the scream on that hole,” MacIntyre told Sky Sports after celebrating his victory. “I thought I was short.
“I’ve put a lot of work into this. I’ve changed a lot within the team and I’ve just worked hard. I wanted The Scottish Open.
“I got a bit of luck on 16 that you need a bit of luck to win golf tournaments. I couldn’t believe when I heard a sprinkler under my foot where my spike is at and I’m like no way.
“It was covered and I thought, I got lucky, it was meant to be.
“Next week is a new week but I tell you, I’m going to celebrate this with my family, friends, and everyone here. I’m going to celebrate this one hard. We’ll pitch up to The Open when we pitch up to The Open.”
The Scot had suffered disappointment last year when last-gasp heroics from Rory McIlroy decided their final round head-to-head and he had returned to the course with a determination to go one better.
MacIntyre had said earlier in the week that victory in North Berwick would be special and that a Scottish Open win was the one “he really wants”.
Scotland's own has won the @ScottishOpen! 🏴🏆
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 14, 2024
A dream victory for @Robert1Lefty at his national open. pic.twitter.com/K2nJcCE8eq
Speaking on Wednesday he said: “It’s great to be home and back in Scotland at any time, whether that’s just a trip back home or just landing in Scotland, but playing at home is always special and it always will be.
“Hopefully that’s all the bad weather out the way yesterday and I am looking forward to the next two weeks.
“This has probably been the most calm I’ve been coming into it, it’s not been as frantic and things have been under control. Yes my game has been up and down but it’s been up and down my whole golfing life but this is the one, as a Scot, that I really want.
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