Robert McIntyre wins Scottish Open after sprinkler drop controversy

This way you take advantage of the break.

Robert McIntyre was able to get his ball out of thick rough on the 16th hole during the final round of the Scottish Open on Sunday because the rule required him to stand over a sprinkler head to hit his shot.

McIntyre was able to take a drop and proceeded to hit a spectacular 248-yard shot to 7 feet, making eagle putt and moving Adam Scott for the lead before birdieing the 18th for an epic comeback win at the Scotsman’s National Open. Tied it for.

Some people on social media thought the decision was unfair as it is highly unusual for a sprinkler head to be buried under such a rough patch.

“It would be a disgrace if Bob McIntyre won the Scottish Open.” One user wrote. “No one should have to worry about getting a drop from a sprinkler on the densest turf on a golf course. He didn’t even know it was there until he stamped on it during a practice swing. Shameful.”

McIntyre himself was unaware of the sprinkler head until he stepped on it during a practice swing and was only able to feel it because he was wearing metal spikes.

But before calling it quits, he spoke to his caddy and an official.

McIntyre acknowledged the horror of the break but said he was playing within the rules.

“I’m screaming and swearing when I’m getting to the ball because I know this is my chance to actually make birdie,” the 27-year-old player said, according to NBC Sports. “I took control of the ball, looked at it and thought, I’m in a little trouble here. Might manage to move it a hundred yards. As I took a step back, there was obviously no high rough where it would have entangled the club.

“So I could take a practice swing, like a foot, a foot and a half away from the ball, and just take a step back. I just heard the sound of knocking; There are spikes on the front three of my shoes, not as spikes on my shoes, but just the front three studs as metal spikes, and I was just like. There is a sprinkler under my feet. Obviously there are plastic spikes in the back, you just don’t realize it…it was just a lucky break. You use the rules to get an advantage. You are standing on a sprinkler, you will get proper relief. That was just the kiss I needed.”

McIntyre became the first Scot to win the Scottish Open since Colin Montgomerie at Loch Lomond in 1999.

Next week is the big one – the British Open, the final major of the year across Scotland at Royal Troon, where the last British player to win was just over a century ago.

“Next week is a new week but I tell you, I’m going to celebrate it with my family, friends and everyone here,” McIntyre said. “I am going to celebrate it hard. When we move forward to The Open, we will move forward to The Open.”

The lefty, from the small coastal town of Oban, won for the second time this year, having also captured the Canadian Open – golf’s fourth oldest championship – last month.

He has reached No. 16 in the world, new territory for the son of a greenskeeper who realizes he has to work for everything he has.

“A lot of people have said, ‘He doesn’t have it at all, he doesn’t have that at all.’ But I have to fight,” McIntyre said. “That’s all I want.”

McIntyre atoned for his tough finish last year at The Renaissance Club when he hit a tight 3-wood shot for birdie on the final hole, but Rory McIlroy drilled a 2-iron into the air from 201 yards on the final hole. But when he bowled the ball, he missed it. Winning birdie.

Scott, who finished with a 67, was watching on television in the scoring room when McIntyre made the winning putt.

He was on the verge of ending four years without a win. He took solace in the way he played, competing for the first time this year.

“I feel like I’m playing at a higher level,” he said. “And you know, happy for Bob. This is a big victory. I played with them yesterday, and you can hear them singing. I think it’s great for him.”

Ludwig Aberg fell back on a cool day with a fresh breeze. The Swede, who started the day with a two-shot lead, played the par 5s at 2-over par after playing 9 under in the previous three rounds.

His chances ended when he bunted a chip just short of the 16th green.

Scott bounced back from a double bogey on the eighth hole – hitting a bunker shot on No. 9 – to cost him three chips to stay on the green.

The former Masters champion hit a strong hit on the par-3 14th and swung his putt into tap-in range for birdie from well short of the green on the 16th.

McIntyre was three shots behind, playing in the group behind Scott, when his luck changed with a 40-foot birdie putt on the 14th. He twice had to hit 4-foot putts for par after hitting birdie chances too hard.

Aaron Rae also had reason to celebrate. After close results the previous two weeks on the PGA Tour, the Englishman finished tied for fourth with a score of 63 and earned one of the three final spots at next week’s British Open.

Sweden’s Alex Noren and England’s Richard Mansell took the other two spots, bringing the field to 159 players. This is the first time since 1995 that the British Open has featured more players than 156 players can handle due to the longer days.

McIlroy closed with a 68 and tied for fourth, his first appearance since losing a late lead at No. 2 Pinehurst at the US Open last month.

– with AP