Chris Gotterup Keeps Nerve To Hold Off Rory Mcilroy And Win Scottish Open

East Lothian witnessed a David v Goliath communicative arsenic Rory McIlroy was denied triumph instantly earlier his return to Northern Ireland for nan Open Championship. Chris Gotterup, who arrived astatine nan Scottish Open arsenic nan 158th-ranked subordinate successful nan world, saw disconnected McIlroy for nan biggest triumph of his career.

McIlroy’s thoughts person already turned towards Royal Portrush and nan awesome that has carried moreover much value for nan 36-year-old since he completed a career expansive slam astatine Augusta National successful April.

“There is nary frustration,” McIlroy said. “I’m really happy pinch wherever everything is. Looking guardant to ­getting to Portrush tonight, getting retired connected to nan play people early tomorrow and conscionable turning my attraction to that. I consciousness for illustration I’ve gotten retired of this week everything that I wanted.”

Gotterup’s took nan title by two, astatine 15 nether par. He closed pinch a 66 successful McIlroy’s company. McIlroy shared 2nd pinch Marco Penge.

“I hung successful location for illustration a champ and vanished it disconnected successful style,” Gotterup said. “I was fresh for nan challenge, I knew I was playing good this week truthful I felt comfortable. I was a one-time victor connected circuit but 2 sounds overmuch better. I cognize if I consciousness for illustration I did today, I tin hit nan best.”

Chris Gotterup watches his tee changeable connected nan 11th hole. Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters

McIlroy, seeking a 2nd Scottish Open successful 3 attempts, had entered information 4 successful a stock of nan lead. Few expected Gotterup to put up overmuch guidance but nan 25-year-old was nerveless. McIlroy’s inward half of level par proved problematic arsenic ­Gotterup came location successful 2 under. This was, however, McIlroy’s finest tourney show since his Masters triumph.

Gotterup had to withstand nan other unit associated pinch being put connected nan timepiece for slow play during nan closing stages of nan tournament. By nan 72nd tee, Gotterup was 2 clear. He will make his Open debut connected Thursday. Nicolai Højgaard will subordinate him successful nan Open aft finishing 4th successful Scotland.

At nan Evian Championship successful France, Lottie Woad came truthful adjacent to becoming nan first amateur since 1967 to triumph a women’s major. The Englishwoman changeable a last information of 64 to miss retired connected a playoff by one. ­Australia’s Grace Kim saw disconnected Jeeno ­Thitikul connected nan 2nd sudden-death hole. So overmuch talk, though, was of Woad; nan 21-year-old had won successful Ireland connected nan Ladies European Tour 7 days earlier. She has now earned a paper connected nan LPGA Tour, albeit it is unclear precisely erstwhile Woad will return up that option.

“I americium going to return nan adjacent week and talk pinch my family and coaches and past I’ll make a determination aft that,” Woad said. “I person ever wanted to play connected nan LPGA. Whenever that is, it’s going to beryllium really nosy and I americium looking guardant to playing successful each nan events.”