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A year after his last-gasp heroics denied Robert MacIntyre the title, Rory McIlroy has another chance to claim the title he so desperately wants at the £7 million Genesis Scottish Open.
MacIntyre shot a 63 in the third round at the Renaissance Club, the lowest score of the day in changeable weather conditions, to finish two shots behind Ryder Cup teammate Ludwig Aberg.
Aberg finished at 17-under 65 after consecutive rounds of 64, while MacIntyre was at 15-under 15 and former world number one Adam Scott also finished at 64 to tie the local favorite, one shot behind.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy shot a frustrating 67 in the third round and was five shots behind the leader going into the final round.
Even a three-putt bogey on the 18th hole couldn’t overshadow MacIntyre’s brilliance on the day, as the left-handed player also shot an eagle and seven birdies to lead the way in front of the home fans.
“The last hole is tough to play, whether it’s calm, with the wind or headwind, and when they put the pin on the top shelf, it makes it even tougher,” McIntyre said.
“But overall I played really well. I played really solid from tee to green and putted really well. I just had to let it flow and it worked out.
“I’ve made no secret of saying that the Scottish Open is what I want. That’s my ultimate goal and I’ve said that since Monday. The Scottish Open is the record for my entire career and that’s what I want.
“I just have to go play golf and let it happen. I can’t force myself, there are so many good players chasing me in the tournament. I can only control myself, and I’ve controlled it pretty well so far.
“I have 18 holes to control myself better.”
For the third straight day, McIlroy felt he could have been two or three shots better, with the world No. 2 in four under for the first 10 holes before going on to make seven straight and a bogey on the 18th.
“The birdies are gone,” admitted McIlroy, playing for the first time since painfully missing out on a fifth major title at the U.S. Open.
“I kept hitting good shots, especially in the last few holes. I think I hit three 8-foot birdie shots on the 15th, 16th and 17th holes, but I couldn’t take advantage and ended up with bogey.
“So I probably shot the worst score I could have in the last four holes, which was unfortunate because I felt like I could have been in the lead, 15 under or something, but to lose a shot on the last hole was really disappointing.
“But I’ll be three or four points behind (the lead) and if I can get off to a good start, at least there’s still a chance. It’s another opportunity to go and try to win this very prestigious tournament with so much history.”
McIlroy, whose next chance to end a title drought since 2014 is next week’s British Open at Royal Troon, added: “It’s easy to be patient because you know the tournament is there.
“It’s easy to be patient because you know you’re focusing on this week and you’re focusing on next week.
“But I hope to get into next week after I put my full efforts into work tomorrow.”
Aberg initially responded well to MacIntyre’s charge with birdies on the first, third, sixth and 10th holes, but bogeyed the 11th and 12th holes to fall two shots behind.
However, the world number four then birdied the 13th hole from long range and followed it up with shots on the 16th and 17th holes to retake the lead.
“It wasn’t the easiest round of golf, but it was still a good result,” said Aberg, who missed the cut at last year’s Scottish Open in just his fifth tournament as a professional.
“I felt like I played pretty good. I hit the shots I wanted to hit but obviously had bogeys on 11 and 12, but when you play a 72-hole golf tournament, these things happen. You can’t be perfect all the time.
“But I was happy with the way I hung in there and ended up winning. When a putt like that goes in on 13, I guess it gives you a little extra motivation and I’m looking forward to the final round.
“It looks like I’m playing with Bob too, so it’s going to be a cool combination.”
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