Chris Gotterup Pips Rory McIlroy And Marco Penge To Genesis Scottish Open Title

HELLO ALL

Good morning, afternoon and evening to you all, and welcome to Golf Monthly's final round coverage of the Genesis Scottish Open, where we are set up for a thrilling Sunday.

Currently, Rory McIlroy leads after parring the first hole, while Chris Gotterup bogeyed. McIlroy is clearly pumped for today, as he sent a 350-yard bomb down the center of the fairway.

Many players have been making charges at The Renaissance Club. Currently, Jake Knapp is one-under through two holes, while Harry Hall and Viktor Hovland are three-under for their rounds in the early stages.

McILROY'S OPENING DRIVE

STRAKA MOVES WITHIN TWO

Sepp Straka was paired alongside McIlroy yesterday and, today, he has got out the traps well, birdieing the first and third to move within two strokes of his Ryder Cup teammate.

Straka has two wins already in 2025 and, if he were to win today, that would make it his most successful season to date and we're only in July!

HOVLAND ON A CHARGE

Along with Straka, another European Ryder Cup player making a big move on Sunday is Viktor Hovland, who is now four-under through six holes and into a share of fourth at nine-under-par.

SCHEFFLER EAGLES THE FIFTH

We haven't heard much from the World No.1 this week but, at the driveable par 4 fifth, he has just holed a 30-footer for eagle following a 330-yard drive.

Starting the round at six-under, Scottie Scheffler is now two-under and eight-under-par for the tournament, three back of McIlroy, who has opened with back-to-back pars.

PENGE TO 10-UNDER

Marco Penge has been enjoying an excellent run of form of late, with the Englishman finding a birdie at the par 4 second to jump to 10-under, one back of McIlroy.

Up ahead, another European Ryder Cup star is within two shots, with Ludvig Aberg also eagling the par 4 fifth hole following an excellent tee shot.

FITZY WITHIN ONE

There's action all over the course and, at the par 5 third, Matt Fitzpatrick finds a birdie to get to 10-under, joining a four-way tie of second spot.

Bombing his tee shot down the middle of the fairway, a 275-yard approach finishes 25-foot from the flag, with the Englishman two-putting for his first gain of the day.

FIVE-WAY TIE FOR SECOND

What a tournament this shaping up to be! Having made a strong start, Straka has just birdied the par 4 fifth to join a five-way tie for second at 10-under.

GOTTERUP LEADS

You feel like this is going to be one of many changes in North Berwick. Playing the par 5 third, Gotterup birdies and McIlroy bogeys, meaning the American now leads a stacked leaderboard by a single stroke, while McIlroy moves back to 10-under.

PENGE TIES THE LEAD

Just as Gotterup takes the outright lead he is joined by Penge at 11-under. Playing the par 4 fourth, the Englishman puts his approach to five-foot and holes the birdie putt to share the lead.

AWAY FROM THE SCOTTISH OPEN

Away from an exciting Genesis Scottish Open to an equally exciting Amundi Evian Championship, where Grace Kim has claimed her maiden Major championship win.

Eagling the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Jenno Thitikul, Kim chipped in for birdie, after finding the water, at the first playoff hole, with the Aussie then eagling the second playoff hole to win. What a day in France!

McILROY BIRDIES THE FOURTH

After a poor start, McIlroy has birdied the fourth hole to get back to 11-under-par and a three-way share of the lead with Gotterup and Penge.

FITZPATRICK AND KNAPP JOIN LEADERS

There's a logjam at the top in North Berwick, with Fitzpatrick and Knapp both birdieing the short par 4 fifth. We now have a five-way share of the lead at 11-under-par!

RORY LIPS OUT BUT LEADS

Both McIlroy and Gotterup are among the longest players in the field and, at the par 4 fifth, both drive the green, albeit well away from the flag.

Gotterup's putt from over 60-foot finishes around nine-foot from the hole, while McIlroy's eagle attempt from 50-foot hits the edge and spins out. The pace kept it out.

Now facing mid-range putts to move to the top of the leaderboard, Gotterup misses on the right side, while McIlroy's attempt is in the center. He leads at 12-under.

PENULTIMATE GROUP MAKE A MESS OF THE SIXTH

Measuring only 120-yards, it should be a wedge in for the world's best but, in the group of Fitzpatrick, Knapp and Penge, all three endure mixed results.

Fitzpatrick and Knapp both bogey to fall back to 10-under, while Penge two putts for a par to remain at 11-under and one back of McIlroy, who finds the green at the par 3 sixth.

HOW RORY LEADS

PARS AT THE SIXTH

All three players in the final group find the green at the short par 3 sixth, with all three safely two-putting for pars. McIlroy remains 12-under, Gotterup at 11-under and Wyndham Clark at nine-under.

TROUBLE FOR RORY AT THE SEVENTH

McIlroy hits driver off the tee at the par 4 seventh and he has rifled it into the fairway bunker. It's bad luck for the five-time Major winner, who has finished right up against the lip and will need to chip out.

UP-AND-DOWNS FOR PENGE AND FITZPATRICK

The par 4 seventh is the second hardest hole on the course and, at the 505-yard beast, both Fitzpatrick and Penge make classy up-and-downs to remain at 10-and-11-under-par.

Behind this group, McIlroy has splashed out of the bunker and leaves himself 210-yards to the green. Playing his third, his 5-iron finds the dance floor and rests around 12-foot from the hole. This would be a huge save!

MONSTER DRIVE FROM PENGE

Penge is one of the longest hitters on the DP World Tour and, at the par 4 eighth, he has just produced a 383-yard tee shot!

MASSIVE SAVE FROM RORY

How big could that par be?! After playing out from the bunker at the seventh, McIlroy then produces a great iron shot to 12-foot. Putting for par, it never looks anywhere else, dropping in for a huge save that keeps him 12-under.

That save proves to be even more important just moments later as Gotterup, who was one behind McIlroy, birdies the tough seventh to pull alongside his playing partner at 12-under-par.

EXCELLENT PAR FROM KNAPP

After a 387-yard drive at the par 4 eighth, Knapp fires his second over the green and is faced with a tough up-and-down. Fighting for a spot at next week's Open Championship, the American plays a great chip and manages to hole his putt for par, as does Fitzpatrick and Penge.

SUPERB FROM THE FINAL GROUP

Gotterup has just birdied the seventh and, at the eighth, the American plays a gorgeous wedge shot to five-feet. He's not the only one, as Clark puts his second to two-foot, while McIlroy is 13-feet from the flag.

On the green, McIlroy strikes a glorious putt into the middle of the hole to get to 13-under. He is joined by Gotterup, who joins the Northern Irishman on that score, while Clark taps-in to get to nine-under.

COSTLY DOUBLE FOR KNAPP

The American drops from fourth to 10th after a horror show at the 188-yard par 3 ninth. Short-siding himself off the tee shot, Knapp gets too cute with his chip, with it rolling back down to his feet. He then misses his bogey putt, making a double bogey five.

In the group, Fitzpatrick goes well left with his tee shot but plays another great chip. He taps in for par, while Penge also makes par. Knapp is eight-under, while Fitzpatrick is 10-under and Penge 11-under going into the back nine.

ROSE MOVES TO DOUBLE DIGITS

Justin Rose has been making a charge on Sunday, with the Englishman sitting six-under for his round through 16 holes. He has jumped up 24 spots today and is on-course for a very solid finish.

HOLE IN ONE FOR ECHAVARRIA

The par 3 sixth has been causing havoc all day but, at the 120-yard hole, Nico Echavarria makes the second hole-in-one of the week! What a shot from the Colombian.

ECHAVARRIA WINS A NEW CAR

PARS AT THE NINTH

Both McIlroy and Gotterup par the ninth with relative ease. The duo are 13-under-par and share the lead by two going into the back nine at The Renaissance Club.

EAGLE FOR FITZY

Big putt from Fitzpatrick at the par 5 10th, who drains it from 35-foot for an eagle. It's his second consecutive eagle at that hole, with the Englishman now 12-under and one back of McIlroy and Gotterup.

PENGE BIRDIES

After watching Fitzpatrick eagle the par 5 10th, Penge follows his fellow countryman in with a birdie. He is also now 12-under, one back of McIlroy and Gotterup.

LUCKY BREAK FOR RORY

Gotterup and Clark are in trouble off the tee and are forced to lay up at the par 5 10th. McIlroy, meanwhile, has 250-yards to the green but is on a downslope.

He has a driving iron in hand and, needing height to hit the green, his second only just clears the tuft of rough in front of him, eventually rolling down the fairway and leaving 95-yards in. That's a big break for the five-time Major winner.

GOOD LOOKS FOR BIRDIE

After laying up at the par 5 10th, both Gotterup and McIlroy play decent wedge shots in from 110-and-95-yards. Finding the green, they will both have around eight-feet for birdies.

GOTTERUP TAKES THE LEAD

McIlroy is first up to hit his birdie putt at the par 5 10th and, standing over the ball, it seems he's not confident on the line. Striking the putt, it dives left and he settles for par.

On a similar line, Gotterup is slightly closer than his playing partner and, striking his putt, it never looks anywhere else, dropping in for a birdie. He now leads at 14-under.

Up ahead, Fitzpatrick's strong start to the back nine continues, with the former US Open winner birdieing the 11th to get to three-under through two holes and 13-under-par for the championship.

BIRDIE FOR ROSEY

What a round from Rose, who fires a seven-under-par final day of 63 to get to 11-under-par. He'll head to Royal Portrush in fine form!

Behind the Englishman, McIlroy finds trouble off the 11th, with the 36-year-old forced to chip out left-handed after being stymied by a tree.

LINKS GOLF IS TOUGH

GOTTERUP SLOWING THE PACE DOWN

Playing the par 4 11th, both Clark and McIlroy find the green with their second and third shots. Gotterup, meanwhile, is in a lengthy discussion with his caddie on club selection.

Eventually, the leader pulls out a 9-iron from 135-yards and puts it pin high, around 20-foot from the flag. Gotterup will have a look for birdie to extend his lead at the top.

BOGEY FOR FITZPATRICK

Fitzpatrick makes a big mistake at the par 3 12th, with his tee shot flying the green and ending up in the rough behind. He hits a mediocre chip and then is unable to hole the putt for par, dropping back to 12-under.

ANOTHER HUGE SAVE FOR RORY

Wow... What a par from Rory! He made an incredible par earlier at the seventh and, at the 11th, after chipping out left-handed, McIlroy gets up-and-down from 150-yards to remain at 13-under.

He remains one back of Gotterup who, after finding the green, rams his putt a few feet by the hole. Thankfully, for the American, he manages to make the par attempt coming back.

WHAT A SHOT FROM GOTTERUP AND RORY

This has the makings of an epic battle... Playing the par 3 12th, which measures 200-yards, both Gotterup and McIlroy put their long-irons to around three-to-five-feet.

They are among the closest shots we have seen at that hole today and, with Fitzpatrick leaving a difficult two putt on the 13th, it could become a two-way battle for the victory in North Berwick.

RORY'S INCREDIBLE PAR SAVE

BIG MOMENT AT THE 12TH

McIlroy has a five-footer for birdie at the par 3 12th but, somehow, it slides by the right-side and it's only a par for the 36-year-old.

Gotterup has a great chance to double his lead over his playing partner and, on the same line and a few feet closer, the 25-year-old once again converts to get to 15-under and two ahead.

PENGE AND FITZ FIND THE GREEN AT 14

The English duo aren't out of this, but would need strong finishes to challenge Gotterup. However, at the par 3 14th, both men find the green, with Penge finishing just a few feet from the hole.

He is 11-under and, in terms of Fitzpatrick, who is 12-under, he will have around 13-foot for birdie which, if he holed, would get him back within two of Gotterup, who has found the rough at the 13th.

SHORT FROM FITZPATRICK

Fitzpatrick takes his time over his birdie putt at the par 3 14th and, on impact, it never looks in, coming up short of the hole. It's a par from the Englishman, who remains 12-under.

Just before his birdie putt, Fitzpatrick was joined by fellow Ryder Cup teammate Nicolai Hojgaard, who has made four birdies in his last six holes to jump up the leaderboard.

In Fitzpatrick's group, Penge rolls in his birdie putt to get to 12-under, making it a three-way tie for third.

BIG SAVE FROM GOTTERUP

Since missing a putt at the opening hole, Gotterup has looked solid as a rock. Playing the 13th, the American finishes left of the green but plays a delicate chip to four-foot.

It's a dead straight putt and, striking the ball, it is dead center, keeping Gotterup at 15-under. McIlroy also manages to par, just, with his putt catching enough of the hole to fall in.

ANOTHER GEM FROM GOTTERUP

He continues not to buckle and, at the par 3 14th, Gotterup plays a great wedge to the left of the flag. He will have a six-footer up the hill for birdie coming up.

After the American hits his shot, McIlroy also plays a great wedge into the green. The difference is his finishes above the hole, leaving a slightly longer and quicker putt.

PARS AT THE 14TH

McIlroy is first up at the par 3 14th, but his birdie putt stays left and doesn't move. He remains 13-under and, with a chance to move to 16-under, Gotterup is in the driving seat to extend his lead.

Hitting his putt, it's a poor stroke from the 25-year-old, whose effort dives left. He is still two ahead of McIlroy, and now Penge, who birdies the tricky par 4 15th.

FIRST MISTAKE FROM GOTTERUP?

The door is ajar here for the chasing pack, especially as Gotterup flies the green at the par 4 15th, with the American getting the club all wrong from 185-yards.

He will have a difficult up-and-down coming up and, in terms of McIlroy, who is in his group, the 36-year-old plays a solid shot into the center of the green. He has a putt for birdie coming up.

GOTTERUP DROPS A SHOT

Gotterup is faced with a horrible pitch shot and, despite the lie being poor, he does well to keep it on the green. Faced with a lengthy par putt, he lags it up to gimme range, tapping in for bogey.

McIlroy has a chance of a two shot swing and his putt looks good all the way, but somehow stays on the right lip. It's a par for McIlroy, who moves back within one.

It's worth noting that Gotterup has reportedly been put on the clock, which could play a part over the final three holes.

HOJGAARD SHOOTS 64

Great final round from Hojgaard, who fires a six-under 64 to finish 12-under. He should secure a spot at The Open Championship next week.

PENGE MISSES BIRDIE FOR THE LEAD

Both Fitzpatrick and Penge make a mess of the par 5 16th, which has played as one of the easier holes of the week.

Fitzpatrick pars and, in terms of Penge, he is faced with a four-footer for birdie, which would tie him for the lead. Somehow, though, his putt misses on the right-side and finishes behind the hole. Big miss from the Englishman.

HUGE BIRDIE FOR GOTTERUP AFTER A HUGE SLICE OF LUCK

Is that the title right there? Gotterup gets a massive break off the tee at the par 5 16th, with his drive striking spectators and finishing short of the gorse bushes down the right hand-side.

McIlroy, meanwhile, produces a huge drive and then puts his second shot over the back at the par 5, while Gotterup is short of the green and right of it.

Both then play average chips and, with both on a similar line for birdie, McIlroy's putt doesn't break left, while Gotterup's does. He now leads by two strokes with two holes remaining.

FINAL FEW HOLES

Gotterup is playing the par 3 17th and his tee shot has gone right, finishing on the edge of the first and second cut. After his attempt, McIlroy finds the green, leaving a mid-range putt for birdie that, you feel, he will have to hole.

Up ahead on the 18th, Penge and Fitzpatrick pound their tee shots down the middle, finding the fairway and leaving a nice angle in for the approach shot.

BIG BIRDIE PUTT FROM GOTTERUP

NARROW MISS FOR RORY, GOTTERUP PARS

I said he needed to make that birdie putt at the 17th and, from 25-feet, McIlroy almost does just that. Hitting his putt, it slides by the right side, with the five-time Major winner tapping in for par.

Gotterup is just off the green and, after hitting a lengthy putt to five-feet, the American remains steady and holes for par. He leads by two strokes going down the last.

FAIRWAY FOUND FOR GOTTERUP

Perfect tee shot from Gotterup, who finds the right side of the fairway and leaves himself a good angle in to a tight left pin. It's unlikely he'll go for it, but that's excellent from the American.

After Gotterup is McIlroy who, with a 3-wood, finds the center of the fairway. He needs a three to put any pressure on the leader, who is in the driving seat going down the 72nd.

PENGE AND FITZPATRICK FINISH THEIR ROUNDS

Both Penge and Fitzpatrick par the final hole, with Penge shooting a four-under 66 and Fitzpatrick a three-under 67.

The English pair are currently in a share of second and fourth, with both taking good momentum into Royal Portrush next week.

SAFELY ON THE GREEN

Gotterup is first to go and, with an iron in hand, the American finds the center of the green, leaving himself around 60-feet for a birdie, with a two-putt good enough to take the victory.

Clark, who has struggled today, also finds the green, while McIlroy goes at the flag with his attempt spinning away from the hole and into the middle of the short stuff.

McILROY PARS

Gotterup can breathe easier now! After lagging up his 60-footer to around five-foot, Gotterup is left to see how much pressure will be on his par attempt.

Standing over the ball, McIlroy makes good contact with his birdie putt, but it never breaks right and runs past the hole. He converts for par, leaving Gotterup to claim the title.

CHRIS GOTTERUP WINS THE GENESIS SCOTTISH OPEN

GOTTERUP WINS IN SCOTLAND

The American steps up and knocks in his short par putt for a four-under-par final round of 66 to win the biggest tournament of his career, as well as secure a spot in The Open Championship next week.

THE WINNING MOMENT