Robert MacIntyre has given Scottsh sports fans something to cheer about during the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain after lifting the Genesis Scottish Open. Scotland were dealt a brutal hand at the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, being pitted up against the hosting country, Switzerland and Hungary in Group A - where they would finish rock bottom.
And while the nation north of the border may not have much to celebrate in terms of football, 27-year-old MacIntyre has given them plenty to shout about in the world of golf.
The promising prospect would play out a tense final day against Adam Scott before lifting the Scottish Open on the final hole with a sublime score of -18.
MacIntyre entered the final day of play just two shots off the leader, after securing a score of 63 on Saturday. And he would remain on Scott's tail to the death, bridging the gap with a couple of birdies, before sinking an eagle on the 16th and keeping fine form until the very last ball sank.
He becomes the first Scot to lift his native open since legend Colin Montgomerie in 1999 - preventing Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy from recapturing the title after his 2023 victory.
Related articles
MacIntyre told Sky Sports: "I think I lost my voice after the scream on that hole. 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 to win golf tournaments. I couldn’t believe when I heard a sprinkler under my foot. It was covered and I thought: I got lucky, it was meant to be."
Speaking on his opponent's win, Scott said: "I’m pleased for Bob. This is a big win. I played with him on Saturday and you can hear them [crowd] singing.
"I think that’s awesome for him and, hopefully, I can take some good form into next week. There was a lot of good stuff for me and it’s hard to complain about anything. It’s the first time I’ve been in contention this year and I like where my game is headed. I feel like I’m playing at a high level.
"It was an interesting day. I thought I was going to have to shoot like eight-under to have a chance and then it got quite tricky out there. I’m disappointed to not get a crack at the end. I had a chance with the putt on the last and went right and I read it straight.
"I feel good, I really do. It’s funny, it doesn’t get any easier, but I’m working at everything all the time, trying not to get frustrated and use that experience. It feels good to play in contention and, hopefully, I get another crack at it at The Open now.
"I just knew I was in front after 14 and then bogeyed 15. I knew I had to at least birdie 16 and then I was trying to find one there at the last. It was fun to have one that mattered, actually.
"So I’m excited to take some comfort inside of this and heading into a major next week on form because it’s been a while since I can say I’ve done that. It was great to put to the test a couple of the changes that I’ve made in the last couple weeks. It wasn’t all perfect, but it was nice to see that some of it was working nicely.
"I know if I find myself with the heat on next week, hopefully I can lean into this good stuff that’s happening. It’s a shame to come up short, but Bob did what he had to do to win. Eagle, par, birdie, that’s great stuff."
MacIntyre will once again enjoy home advantage as he tees off at the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon next weekend, but he'll have some stiff competition on the course.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler will be hoping for his seventh Tour title of the calendar year, while US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau is also expetced to throw his name in the hat at the event.
