Rory McIlroy reigns supreme at Renaissance with TaylorMade

Overcoming tough conditions and a hunting pack that featured home favourite Robert MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy showcased sublime shotmaking to secure his first Scottish Open, at The Renaissance Club.

Johnny Percival

17 Jul 2023

Rory McIlroy held his nerve on a windy final day at The Renaissance Club to seal a one-shot victory over Robert MacIntyre and lift the Genesis Scottish Open.

McIlroy, 34, has now won three national Opens in Great Britain and Ireland, and he'll be hoping he can continue his good form into this week, as he attempts to win a second Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool where he became Champion Golfer of the Year in 2014.

The victory marked his 24th career PGA Tour victory and his 16th on the DP World Tour.

After a tough front nine that saw McIlroy card four bogeys, he bounced back with a bang on the back nine, making four birdies, two of which came on the 17th and 18th.

A final round 68 saw him finish 15-under par for the week, with a chasing pack of Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton unable to keep up with his pace on Sunday.

The only player to birdie the final two holes on Sunday, McIlroy hit a stunning approach on the 18th hole with his TaylorMade P·760 2-iron to leave himself with a good look at birdie to secure victory.

Thankfully, his TaylorMade Spider X putter came in clutch, and he walked off the final green with a beautiful new trophy for his cabinet and a cheque for $1,620,000.

“It was 201 yards. My 2-iron normally goes 260. It was a 60 yard wind.”
Rory McIlroy #GenesisScottishOpen | #RolexSeries
pic.twitter.com/FMkntQdATs
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 17, 2023

One of the world's most elite ball-strikers, McIlroy had his TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver on a string all week, ranking 1st in Strokes Gained Off the Tee, Tee to Green and Average Driving Distance.

The Northern Irishman will be hoping to maintain his winning form heading into Open week when he returns to Royal Liverpool, the host of his famous Open victory in 2014.

After coming so close to victory in St Andrew's last year, McIlroy has a great chance to increase his major tally, and after fighting off a strong field in Scotland, he'll likely believe there is no better time to win a much overdue fifth major title.

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