Chris Gotterup showed calmness and quality to hold off Rory McIlroy and win the Genesis Scottish Open by two shots.
Related: Rory McIlroy shares lead ahead of Sunday sell out in Scotland
The 25-year-old shared the third-round lead with the World Number Two, who claimed the title in 2023, and the pair went toe-to-toe in their bid for a Rolex Series victory at the Renaissance Club.
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McIlroy led by one at the fifth but after a birdie at the eighth, he endured a barren run of ten straight pars to open the door for his American rival.
Gotterup took full advantage with birdies at the eighth, tenth and 12th to open up a two-shot lead, only to bogey the 15th.
However, the American bounced back with a birdie at the next to re-establish his lead before parring his way home with a 66 to reach 15 under par, securing his maiden DP World Tour title and earning a place at next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
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McIlroy signed for a 68 in a share of second, with Englishman Marco Penge continuing his stellar season with a closing 66 to finish at 13 under.
Nicolai Højgaard earned his place at the 153rd Open Championship with a final-round 64 in a share of fourth at 12 under alongside Matt Fitzpatrick.
Justin Rose carded the lowest round of the day – a flawless 63 – to finish one shot further back, while Ryder Cup team-mate Sepp Straka, of Austria, was in sole seventh at ten under.
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World Number One Scottie Scheffler, World Number Three Xander Schauffele, Swede Ludvig Åberg and Norway’s Viktor Hovland wrapped up the top ten at nine under.
German Matti Schmid fired a closing 71 to finish at six under and claim the third spot available at Royal Portrush next week.
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Nico Echavarria hit a remarkable hole-in-one on the par three sixth hole, earning himself keys to his very own Genesis GV60 and a unique VIP experience to the Genesis Championship in Korea for a fan.
Meanwhile Grant Forrest took home the Jock MacVicar Association of Golf Writers Memorial Award as the leading Scottish player in the field with a score of five under.
Player quotes
Chris Gotterup: I just hung in there tight and tried to keep it together. Held it together really well and then it was so much fun out there.
I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get it out but everyone at home, I don’t know, but I mean, this is awesome. I’m not going to be able to keep it together.
It’s awesome. I can’t wait to see everyone and then I’m playing The Open next week.
It’s all hitting me. It’s just so cool. I played really well this week, and I knew today was going to be tough. I hung in there like a champ and finished it off in style.
I was a one-time champion. Two-time champ sounds a lot better. I know what I’m capable of and I know when I feel the way I did today, I can beat the best. It’s just awesome.
