Robert MacIntyre has revealed his ambition to keep winning the Genesis Scottish Open trophy, ahead of his title defence at the Renaissance Club.
Related: Xander Schauffele chasinf return to form in Scotland
The 28-year-old overcame the heartbreak of a late Rory McIlroy surge to be pushed into second in 2023 by nervelessly birdieing the last in North Berwick last year to beat Adam Scott by one shot and lift his home open title.
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After achieving his boyhood dream of becoming the first Scottish winner of the Genesis Scottish Open in the Rolex Series era, MacIntyre is adamant he will have a strong grip on the trophy as some of the world’s leading players look to prise the title away from the Oban native.
The world’s top three players – 2025 US PGA Championship winner Scottie Scheffler, 2025 Masters winner McIlroy, and reigning Open Champion Xander Schauffele – are all set to challenge MacIntyre this week as part of the co-sanctioned event on the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR schedule.
World Number Two McIlroy is still riding the crest of a wave since completing the career Grand Slam, when he edged Justin Rose in a play-off at the Masters Tournament to join the exclusive group of winning all four Major Championships.
The Northern Irishman, who claimed a memorable victory on Scottish soil in 2023, was full of praise for the East Lothian golf course ahead of its seventh hosting of the event and is excited to tee it up in front of the knowledgeable Scottish fans.
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Meanwhile, World Number One Scheffler returns for his fourth start in North Berwick after missing last year’s event and is keen for a strong performance.
The three-time Major winner was in a tie for third on his last appearance in 2023 and believes winning on links golf in testing conditions, especially for a player from the United States, would be a “very special” achievement.
Earlier in the day, MacIntyre took part in the official opening of the newly named Scott Stewart Stand overlooking the 9th green. The tribute honours Scott Stewart, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2023 and worked to raise awareness of the condition in partnership with the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
A passionate golf fan, Scott attended the Genesis Scottish Open for many years and served as the honorary starter of the pro-am in 2024. He sadly passed away in December that year. To mark his legacy, MacIntyre joined Scott’s wife, Robin, to open the stand named in his memory.
Player quotes
Robert MacIntyre: It was unbelievable. Obviously the win in Canada was special with my dad, but winning the Genesis Scottish Open was above it. As a kid growing up, I watched the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and dreamed of playing in it and once I got playing in it, I’m thinking, ‘let’s win this thing’, and obviously coming close.
But last year, when that putt drops, I keep watching it over and over again. I was struggling, my putting was up-and-down like a roller coaster, and when I struggle, I look at these moments, and I remember the highs when the putter does come, it really turns it on.
It was the most special thing to happen in my golfing career to be honest with you. It was special. Yeah, it’s a year on, but try to do the same thing this week.
I’m coming here to win the Scottish Open. I mean, it’s the biggest golf tournament, I would say, outside of the Major Championships for me. I’ve won it once. But every time I pitch up, I want to win it again. I want to keep this trophy every year until I stop playing.
Yeah, it’s nice (to have the Scott Stewart Stand). Obviously, it’s a sad occasion but his family, his wife, his parents were there, as well. It’s just trying to battle a hellish disease to be honest with you. And I keep saying it; I’m just a small, small part of that. I try my best to raise as much money, awareness, everything that we can to try and battle this disease.
