Robert MacIntyre Nails Walk-Off Putt To Win His Home Scottish Open, But Lucky Drop Has Golf Twitter Angry (2024)

If you ask me, them’s the rules. It’s not Robert MacIntyre’s fault that he got a free drop and very clean relief from the thick rough during Sunday’s final round at the Scottish Open. Golf has all sorts of weird rules that are so granular and pedantic they could drive weekend hacker mad if they played 100% legit.

Facing a crowded leaderboard of world-class competitors, not to mention dealing with the weight of a nation who wants you to win, MacIntyre was beyond clutch in several key moments down the stretch. One of those happened to be on the 72nd hole, where he drilled a lengthy birdie putt to finish up a round of 67, and at 18 under par overall, bested Adam Scott by one stroke.

I mean come on, how badass is that? How can you not be happy for the guy? Look at all the jubilation and emotion!

Kind of poetic that a golfer whose surname is “Scott” fell just short against an actual Scotsman. By the way, what an iconic “GREAT SCOT!” call by Jim Nantz. Killing it as usual. I’ll never mind a Back to the Future reference, either…

The only glaring issue wherein a lot of golf purists might ascribe an asterisk next to MacIntyre’s name for this victory is the fact that, yes, he got a big break. On the par-5 16th hole, Bobby Mac stood on a sprinkler head in the deep rough. Since it impacted his stance, he got free relief, and drew a great lie after the drop. When he proceeded to hit a gem of a second shot from almost 250 yards out to set up an eagle/eventual win, folks were not happy.

Shooter McGavin “play it as it lies” sentiments aside, y’all have a big dump in your collective trousers, to use apropos across the pond terminology. Look at this freaking shot. He could’ve put 100 balls down from there and not gotten closer more than once.

To further counter all the backlash: You saw the putt MacIntyre sank on No. 18. He saved par with a testy little putt on the prior hole. Had to can that eagle putt and execute an absurdly long shot just to set up that opportunity. Then, there was the absolute bomb he dropped at the 14th hole to get his rally to the finish into ignition:

Can’t we just be happy for Bobby Mac? Adam Scott had a very makable birdie putt on the 18th and didn’t hit the hole. He also bogeyed from the 15th fairway due to an uncharacteristic, wayward approach shot. Scott had his chances. MacIntyre had to pull some legit magic out his arse to get this done. I’m gonna choose to celebrate his triumph and what it means for Scotland above all else.

Open Championship week incoming. Let’s get it.