Adam Scott eyes end to title drought at Scottish Open
Adam Scott will chase his first victory in more than four years as he heads into the final round of the Scottish Open in third position.
Relishing the return to Scottish links golf ahead of next week’s British Open, Scott fired a six under par 64 on Saturday to be three shots behind Swedish leader Ludvig Aberg (65) at The Renaissance Club in North Berkwick.
The 43-year-old former world No,1 played before a big, enthusiastic gallery rallying behind local star Robert MacIntyre, who responded with a day’s best 63 to earn a spot in Sunday’s final group, two behind Aberg.
Australian Scott will be seeking a 15th PGA Tour win, his first since the 2020 Genesis Invitational.
Scott said he benefited from playing alongside MacIntyre, who went two shots clear at one point and had his name chanted around the course.
“Bob’s playing great and he’s the hero,” Scott said. “Playing golf in Scotland is fantastic – love it my whole career – but playing with Bob today was really special.
“Trying to hang on to his coattails while he was running hot was good fun.”
Scott did his part to hang with him with three straight birdies in the middle of the back nine to give himself a good chance, and build some momentum going into the British Open at Royal Troon.
Aberg overcame a pair of bogeys early on the back nine with three late birdies that carried him to the overnight lead at 17-under 193.
“Not the most stress-free golf, but it was again a good score,” Aberg said. “I’m pleased with the way I hung in there and finished it out.”
Sahith Theegala (66), Collin Morikawa (66), France’s Antoine Rozner (68) and South Korea’s Sungjae Im (67) were tied for fourth at 13 under.
Cam Davis had a 66 to be next-best Australian, tied 11th at 10 under, with Min Woo Lee (70) tied 61st at three under.
The final round before most of the field heads to Royal Troon is packed with possibilities, starting with MacIntyre.
Scotland’s best player, already with a PGA Tour victory this year in the Canadian Open, cosed with a tough bogey but welcomed the challenge ahead.
“I’ve not been shy in saying it: The Scottish Open is the one I want,” MacIntyre said. “It’s not going to change tomorrow. I’m in that position. I’ve been doing good things.
“I’ve been playing well, not just this week but for the previous eight weeks I feel like my game has been in good shape. Tomorrow, I’ve just got to control me.
“And if I do that well, then I’m going to be in with a chance.”
– with AAP
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