TROON, Scotland — Adam Scott, who fell victim to Bob MacIntyre’s stunning finish to capture the Scottish Open on Sunday, hopes to use his strong performance to boost him this week at Troon.
Scott, who held a two-shot lead with two holes to play and watched as MacIntyre played the final two holes in 3-under to win, said, “Hopefully, I can take good form into next week. It’s the first time I’ve been in contention this year and I like where my game is headed. I feel like I’m playing at a high level.
“It feels good to play in contention, and hopefully I’ll get another crack at it at the Open now. It was fun to have one that mattered, so I’m excited to be heading into a major (this) week on form. It’s been a while since I can say I’ve done that.’’
Scott, who turns 44 this week, was as usual pure class in defeat, praising MacIntyre.
“I’m pleased for Bob,’’ he said. “This is a big win. I played with him Saturday (in the third round) and you can hear the (Scottish) crowd singing. That’s awesome for him.’’
Scott called it “a shame to come up short, but Bob did what he had to do to win — eagle, par, birdie. That’s great stuff.’’
Tiger Woods played an 18-hole practice round at Troon on Monday for the second consecutive day. On Sunday, he played by himself and on Monday, he played with Justin Thomas and Max Homa.
Woods is scheduled to speak to the media in his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday.
Rory McIlroy failed on Sunday to defend his Scottish Open title from a year ago, finishing four shots out of the lead in his first tournament played since his final-round slip-up at the U.S. Open.
“It would have been nice to be at the business end of the tournament and really contend,’’ McIlroy said. “Overall, I feel like my game is in really good shape heading into the final major of the year.’’
McIlroy, who’s seeking his first major championship victory in 10 years, said he likes to play a tournament the week before a major “to knock a little bit of rust off and try to get sharp.’’
“I feel like I’ve done that’’ at the Scottish Open,’’ he said.
“I played (Troon) eight years ago and remember it pretty well,’’ McIlroy went on. “The bunkers are pretty penal, so it’s employ a strategy where you can navigate your way around them.’’