The four-year drought continues.
Australian golf stalwart Adam Scott has fallen agonisingly short of his first PGA Tour triumph since 2020, with Robert MacIntyre winning the Scottish Open after a stunning late surge on Sunday.
The 43-year-old Queenslander set the target at North Berwick’s Renaissance Club after a closing three-under-par 67, which featured seven birdies, a double bogey and two bogeys.
Scott faced a nervous wait after the top-turvy last 18, with most of his fellow contenders fading away.
But MacIntyre remained.
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Clutch putt sinks Scott at Scottish Open | 01:39
The European Ryder Cup player, who at one stage was three shots back with five holes to play, produced one of the greatest finishes in recent tour memory to secure his nation’s open championship, sinking a monster putt on 14 before he was fortuitously permitted a free drop after standing on a sprinkler on 16, a stroke of luck that proved decisive.
Scott, who finished one stroke back, didn’t lose the Scottish Open, rather MacIntyre snatched it from his grasp with an eagle at the par-5 16th and a 22-foot birdie at the par-5 18th.
“I’m pleased for Bob. This is a big win,” Scott said afterwards.
“A shame to come up short but Bob did what he had to do to win. Eagle, par, birdie, that’s great stuff.
“I think that’s awesome for him. Hopefully I can take some good form into next week.”
Gracious in defeat, Scott acknowledged the silver lining after his season-best finish, the previous being a T8 at February’s WM Phoenix Open.
“There was a lot of good stuff for me this week,” the former world No. 1 continued.
“It’s hard to complain about anything. It’s the first time I’ve been in contention this year. I like where my game is headed into the last week or so going into next week. Feel like I’m playing at a high level.
“I’m working at everything all the time, and trying not to get frustrated, and use that experience. It feels good to play in contention and hopefully I get another crack at it at The Open now.”
Sprinkler gives MacIntyre ALL-TIME break | 02:57
Scott, who turns his attention towards next weekend’s Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club, was spotted signing autographs for fans after the Scottish heartbreak.
After his best PGA Tour finish since a playoff loss at the 2021 Wyndham Championship, Scott moves from No. 71 to a projected No. 49 on the season-long FedExCup standings.
However, he’ll have to wait for that coveted 15th PGA Tour title.