Some fell short. Others ran long. But none of Rory McIlroy’s putts dropped on the back nine of this year’s Scottish Open.<\/p>\n
The Northern Irishman needed birdies to regain the title he won in 2023 but ultimately could only scrawl a run of tidy pars on his card over the closing 10 holes at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian.<\/p>\n
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It prevented the 36-year-old from denying world number 158 Chris Gotterup a hugely-unexpected win.<\/p>\n
But, far from being rueful, McIlroy was upbeat as he packs up his things and heads home to the Antrim coast for this week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.<\/p>\n
“No frustration; it’s been a great week,” he said of four rounds that concluded with him 13-under par after 19 birdies across the week.<\/p>\n
“I’m really happy with where my game is; the way I played over the weekend; the shots that I hit, how I controlled my ball flight. Missing the trophy, that’s about it.”<\/p>\n
McIlroy shared the lead with Gotterup going into Sunday’s final round and led after the American dropped a shot on the first.<\/p>\n
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Bogey on three set him back, before three birdies in five holes leading up to the ninth reignited his charge and returned him to the summit.<\/p>\n
However, in unerringly similar scenes to his final round at the 2022 Open at St Andrews – when his inability to hole putts on the back nine prevented him beating Cam Smith – McIlroy’s putter was cold and Gotterup edged to victory.<\/p>\n
“It was pretty windy and was hard to get the ball super close, but I gave myself plenty of chances coming down the stretch,” the Northern Irishman said.<\/p>\n
“I feel like the greens got a little bumpy. I had some good putts that just didn’t go in, whether they were mis-reads or poor speed.<\/p>\n
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“But I feel like I’ve gotten out of this week what I wanted. I’m looking forward to getting to Portrush tonight and getting out on to the golf course early tomorrow.”<\/p>\n
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