McIlroy happy despite Scottish Open near miss

Some fell short. Others ran long. But none of Rory McIlroy's putts dropped on the back nine of this year's Scottish Open.

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.

It prevented the 36-year-old from denying world number 158 Chris Gotterup a hugely-unexpected win.

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.

"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.

"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."

McIlroy shared the lead with Gotterup going into Sunday's final round and led after the American dropped a shot on the first.

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.

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.

"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.

"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.

"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."