MacIntyre Survives Cut Drama as Gotterup Shines at Scottish Open
It’s been a dramatic few days at the Genesis Scottish Open, and if you’ve been following the action, you know just how intense things have gotten — especially for Scotland’s own Bob MacIntyre. Just when it looked like the defending champion might be headed home early, he pulled off a thrilling late-round rescue to keep his tournament hopes alive at the Renaissance Club.
MacIntyre, the left-hander from Oban, was staring down the barrel of a missed cut after a double bogey on the par-four 13th, thanks to a lost ball. At that point, even he admitted it felt like “curtains” for his title defense. But then came a gritty response — birdies on the 14th and 17th, both par threes, the latter coming heartbreakingly close to an ace. That one-over 71 was just enough to sneak him into the weekend, finishing one under overall and narrowly dodging elimination.
While MacIntyre was grinding it out, American Chris Gotterup was putting on an absolute show. The 25-year-old, ranked 158 in the world, caught fire and equaled the course record with a dazzling bogey-free 61. That round included nine birdies and vaulted him into the lead at 11 under. Gotterup was even flirting with the magical 59 mark but cooled off slightly over the closing holes. Still, what a statement from a young player few had pegged to be in this position.
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Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, is right in the thick of it. The 2023 Scottish Open winner took full advantage of the calm morning conditions to post a sharp 65, putting himself at seven under. He spoke afterward about how crucial it was to go low on the front nine, calling the day “a good one” and expressing excitement about the weekend ahead.
Conditions later in the day toughened up with some brisk East Lothian winds, and that made scoring much harder. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, paired with MacIntyre, had a mixed round of 68 to sit at five under. The leaderboard remains packed and volatile, with heavyweights like Matt Fitzpatrick, Marco Penge, Ludvig Aberg, and Jake Knapp all within striking distance.
And there’s a lot more than pride at stake. For some players, this is a last-chance saloon to secure a coveted spot in next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The top three not already qualified will punch their tickets by the end of Sunday’s final round.
If you're wondering where to catch the final round, the broadcast schedule is loaded. Coverage kicks off bright and early with PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ from 6 a.m. ET, then Golf Channel and NBC Sports take over mid-morning, and CBS brings it home from noon to 3 p.m. ET. It’s the perfect golf warm-up before the Open — and if you're a fan of early birdie runs and big-time drama, this is must-watch stuff.
With MacIntyre still in it, Gotterup on fire, and McIlroy charging, the final 18 holes promise to deliver a thrilling finish. Don’t miss it — the Renaissance Club is ready to crown a champion, and it’s anyone’s game.
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