Rory McIlroy left the people of Scotland a wee bit disappointed — but at least one bettor very pleased.
McIlroy edged 26-year-old Robert MacIntyre out from becoming only the second Scot to win in the 51-year history of the Genesis Scottish Open championship.
As McIlroy addressed the crowd after his win, one man happily told him of his own victory that day.
“Rory, you won me 300 pounds!” the fan shouted among the crowd on Sunday.
To which McIlroy chuckled back, “I won a wee bit more.”
This is McIlroy’s 16th career title on the European Tour, and first on Scottish soil.
The win earned him $1.575 million, definitively more than the gambler’s £300 ($392) winnings.
MacIntyre was the leader in the clubhouse, shooting a 64, and was in position to take home the win for Scotland.
In what some are calling the shot of the year, MacIntyre rectified a wayward drive on the 18th hole to save his lead and have Scottish fans believing his victory had been solidified.
But, shooting just one behind MacIntyre, McIlroy birdied the last two holes in less-than-desirable conditions for a 2-under-68 to win the tournament.
It was a heartbreaking loss for MacIntyre, who told reporters he’s dreamed of winning this event his entire life.
“Yeah, I’ll never forget it. I had to take a minute coming off 18. I mean, that’s why I play this sport. That’s why I’m in the Scottish Open, and if not the [British] Open, the Scottish Open will be up there with the event I want to play for the rest of my life,” MacIntyre said. “It’s one I’ve dreamed of winning since I watched at home, and I thought today coming down once I birdied 18, I thought, this might be the one.”
Knowing this, McIlroy approached MacIntyre after the conclusion of the round.
The two shared an embrace and kind words to wrap up one of the most dramatic tournament finishes of the season.
And though MacIntyre didn’t win $1.575 million, he still went home with the largest paycheck of his career, $985,500.
Still a bit more than the fan in the stands bragged about.
