Another superb week in professional golf has come and gone. With all eyes now set on Royal Troon, let’s recap some of the past week’s major talking points.
Robert MacIntyre Achieves Childhood Dream of Winning Scottish Open
To say the last twelve months have been a whirlwind for Robert MacIntyre would be an understatement. Earning a selection for his first Ryder Cup, Scotland’s finest golfer was able to go unbeaten and later in 2023 would secure his first ever PGA Tour card.
After admitting he was finding life in America difficult and missing life on the DP World Tour, MacIntyre’s life would forever change when he was able to win the Canadian Open.
Securing his PGA Tour status for the next two years, MacIntyre headed into this week’s Scottish Open as one of the favourites.
Having been narrowly denied in the 2023 tournament by some Rory McIlroy heroics, MacIntyre was able to put the pain of his runner up effort firmly behind him and after playing some terrific golf, found himself just two strokes off the pace heading into the final round.
Partnered with third round leader Ludvig Aberg, MacIntye steadily worked his way into his final round and was firmly breathing down the Swede’s neck.
With Aberg failing with the putter, it was the wily veteran Adam Scott who assumed command of the tournament. Able to post an intimidating final total of -17, MacIntyre trailed by two strokes with just three holes remaining and it looked like his wait for his home open would roll onto next year.
Needing to take advantage of the par 5 16th, the Scot enjoyed a huge slice of luck as upon approaching his second shot, his foot would be on a covered sprinkler head. Able to earn relief, a difficult shot was made far easier and he would go on to make no mistake.
Hitting one of the best shots of his career, MacIntyre stiffed his approach to five feet and made no mistake with his eagle putt.
Drawing level with Scott the momentum was his and he would give himself a chance of outright victory on the final hole.
Knocking his approach to ten feet, MacIntyre holed a beautiful putt, judging the speed to absolute perfection, the ball died into the hole sending him and the vast Scottish crowds into raptures.
Outside of the four majors this is the title that MacIntyre craved. Now with this in his pocket, bigger challenges await.
One of the form men in professional golf, MacIntyre will switch Scotland’s east coast and move out west for the challenge that awaits at Royal Troon.
One of the leading contenders for the Open, the Scot is set to be cheered on by a passionate home support.
Knowing that he can compete and beat the very best in the game, he will be dreaming of becoming the first Scot to win the Open since Paul Lawrie achieved the feat 25 years ago. With the way he is playing, few would bet against it happening.
Sergio Garcia Completes Superb Final Round Comeback to Capture The LIV Andalucia Title
When it comes to the LIV Tour, Sergio Garcia has been one of the nearly men.
Defeated in two playoffs, heading into the final round at Valderrama few would have predicted that his long wait for a first LIV crown would have ended.
Trailing leader Anirban Lahiri by seven strokes, many would have felt that Garcia was too far back to challenge, but if there is one thing we have learnt after all of these years is that writing off Garcia is a dangerous thing to do.
Starting his round with an early bogey, Garcia wouldn’t be deterred and would produce some stunning golf to make the turn trailing by three.
Garcia would continue to make birdies on the 11th, 12th and 13th holes to narrow the gap to Lahiri at the top even further, but he still needed some help.
Like Garcia, Lahiri was seeking a first victory and despite heading into the final round with a four stroke lead, you could sense that the Indian was starting to feel the pressure.
With two bogeys in his first six holes, the wheels would come off towards the end of his round as he felt the pressure from a charging Garcia.
Dropped shots would come at the 14th, 16th and in brutal fashion at the 18th.
Needing a par to win, he had just two feet to capture a first LIV title and with the pressure at its highest, Lahiri succumbed.
Tentatively prodding his putt, the ball would somehow lip out and ensure that the tournament would be settled via a playoff.
With Garcia having all of the momentum and with Lahiri still rocked by his shocking miss, the Spainaird’s victory was sealed at the second playoff hole.
Sparking scenes of jubilation within the passionate Spanish crowd, Garcia’s victory was his first in four years and offered a timely reminder as to how good a player he can be.
Sadly for the golfing world, Garcia won’t be playing at this week’s Open but the man himself will be content with the $4 million he just banked.
With the race to end the year as the highest LIV ranked player of the season set to go down to the wire, if Garcia can keep up his recent good form, further riches will certainly await.
The Week Ahead
All attentions will now shift towards Royal Troon and the 152nd Open. Set to be played amongst one of the most stunning courses in the world, this will be the first time that the tournament will be played at this superb venue since 2016.
Like the three majors before it, the best of the PGA and LIV Tours are set to collide and with so many of the world’s best players in good form you get a sense that this could be anyone’s tournament.
Scottie Scheffler will start as the favourite, but links golf hasn’t been overly kind to him through the majority of his career. Brian Harman will be back to defend but expect big weeks from Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith.
A keen golfer and huge fan of the game, Jack has been covering golf for the last five years. Bringing you all the latest coverage and news from the PGA, LIV, LPGA and DP World Tours, never before has golf been so popular and Jack can’t wait to bring all the excitement to his readers.
Jack Hartman
