Robert MacIntyre Benefits From Controversial Drop, Wins Scottish Open

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Robert MacIntyre suffered one of the most heartbreaking losses of the PGA Tour season last year. The Scotland native had a chance to win his national open, the Genesis Scottish Open, but watched as Rory McIlroy birdied the final two holes to beat him by one stroke. 

This year, MacIntyre once again entered the final round of the Scottish Open with a chance to capture the title. But nearly everything went wrong over his first 13 holes. 

Then, suddenly, everything went right. 

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre celebrates after winning the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre celebrates after winning the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.

(Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

MacIntyre went to the 14th tee three shots behind Adam Scott for the tournament lead. He had just missed another makeable birdie putt on the 13th green and was one-over for the day. 

But he knocked home a 41-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole to close the gap. After a nice two-putt par on 15, MacIntyre sailed his tee shot out to the right on the very easy par-5 16th hole. 

It appeared that he would have to just pitch his ball back into the fairway and settle for a par, at best. 

However, after MacIntyre took a practice swing, he noticed something. His right foot was firmly planted on top of a sprinkler head, buried in the fescue. 

A PGA Tour rules official allowed MacIntyre to take free relief, giving him a chance to put himself in a much better position. And did he ever take complete advantage. 

Many on social media were confused and angered by the ruling that gave him free relief in that spot. Some even felt that his "practice swing" was actually a swing-and-miss on an attempt to hit the ball. 

The PGA Tour notoriously controls its footage, and there's no video (that I could find) of the practice swing or the drop. 

But social media opinions don't matter. MacIntyre got the drop, stuck his approach from nearly 250 yards and converted the eagle. 

After a par on the 17th hole, he stepped to the 18th hole needing a birdie to win by one shot. It was the exact same situation that Rory McIlroy faced last year in the Scottish Open to beat MacIntyre. 

This time, MacIntyre was on the happy end of the same result. 

He buried a 22-foot birdie putt to capture the title, his second of the season after also winning the Canadian Open last month. 

"Great Scot!" CBS announcer Jim Nantz cried after the tournament-winning putt reached the bottom of the hole, just as OutKick gambling expert Geoff Clark predicted. 

OutKick betting guru Geoff Clark accurately predicts the Jim Nantz call of Robert MacIntyre winning the Scottish Open.

And, not to brag, but I also predicted a MacIntyre win at the Genesis Scottish Open. It was the fourth outright winner I've hit on the PGA Tour in the past five tournaments. 

So, predictably, I think the free drop was absolutely the right call. Thanks, rules official! 

Now, the golf world turns its attention to the Open Championship. It's the final major of the 2024 golf season and starts on Thursday. 

I know everyone wants me to post my picks publicly, but I feel as though that guarantees a loss. But is it right to not share my insights with the world? 

I've got three-ish days to come up with my decision on this very real conundrum. Stay tuned. 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to OutKick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named "Brady" because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.