McIlroy Recaptures Lead at the Scottish Open with a Spectacular Comeback
The Masters champion, Rory McIlroy, took a significant step towards regaining his best form with two crucial strokes at the end of his Saturday round, allowing him to record a 66 under par and share the lead with Chris Gotterup at the Scottish Open. McIlroy stayed close to Gotterup on a sunny day at the Firth of Forth and made his presence felt midway through the course at the Renaissance Club. After a 15-foot birdie on the 14th hole, his shot from a bunker hit the pin and secured a par to maintain momentum. McIlroy struggled on the 16th hole, where from a bad position he could only advance about 70 meters. With the wind at his back, he connected with a sand wedge shot from 173 yards that left the ball 10 feet for birdie. Two final pairs put him at 11 under par, with a total of 199 strokes. This was enough to catch up with Gotterup, who had been impeccable for 34 holes until the second hole on Saturday. Gotterup tied with a bogey on the 14th hole and failed to birdie on the 16th. Gotterup, who tied the course record with a 61 on Friday, had to settle for a 70. He will share the final group with McIlroy, a considerable challenge given that McIlroy has already won at the Renaissance Club and is the biggest draw in the region, especially in Scotland, a week before the British Open.Wyndham Clark with a 66 and will join McIlroy and Gotterup in the final group. Tee times will be moved up slightly due to the fog forecast, which threatened to appear at several points on Saturday, but stayed offshore. Clark is at 9 under par, with a total of 201 strokes, along with Jake Knapp, who was Gotterup’s main competitor until a hectic finish with birdies on holes 3 and bogeys on other holes, finishing with a 68. Matt Fitzpatrick and Marco Penge are also at 201, both English players with a 69. Gotterup and Knapp are also in a prime position to extend their involvement in links golf. The top three players who are not yet eligible will earn a spot at Royal Portrush next week for the British Open. McIlroy hasn’t been the same since his victory at the Masters, where he won in a playoff to claim the green jacket and join the group of players with the career Grand Slam. He arrived in Scotland after a two-week break and described his game at 80%. McIlroy had no complaints after Saturday.I think I’m close to getting back to the level I had before the Masters. I’ve had a bit of a dip, which I think is understandable. So I’m getting back to the level I know I can play.
Rory McIlroy
Although yesterday (a 65) I scored better, I feel like I played my best golf of the week today.
Rory McIlroy
This week is important for McIlroy, who has never won at home as a professional. Sunday would be the perfect time to show that his game is as good as ever.
After a difficult start, including a bogey from a bunker on the second hole, Gotterup remained competitive. However, he failed to convert on the two par-5 holes on the back nine. He ran out of putts to save par when he three-putted on the 14th hole. But he still has the opportunity to add to his Myrtle Beach Classic title that he won last year.“I know what I am capable of. I have won before, obviously in a different tournament. I know what it takes. It will take a good round, for sure, and I will go and give my best.”I’m happy, but I definitely feel like I left one or two shots out there that would have been important. After 61, it doesn’t feel so easy. I stayed steady and put myself in a good position for tomorrow.
Chris Gotterup
