3 Parting thoughts from 2024 Genesis Scottish Open

In the golf world, the four majors are viewed as the pinnacle of golf; it is what every player is chasing for the entirety of their careers. For Robert MacIntyre, however, the Scottish Open is his Super Bowl.

In 2023, MacIntyre suffered an agonizing defeat at the hands of a stunning birdie-birdie finish from Rory McIlroy.

"I don't think I'll ever forgive him if I don't win a Scottish Open," MacIntyre said following the defeat.

All he could ask for was to be put in a similar position on a Sunday at The Renaissance Club, and this time, he delivered.

1. Robert MacIntyre was brilliant when it mattered most

It was not all glory for the Scot on Sunday, however. After shooting an even-par 35 on the front nine, MacIntyre was stuck in neutral throughout his first 13 holes.

Not to say his slow start was expected, but with overwhelming support from his fellow Scots in the crowd, it was clear the immense pressure weighing on him. A short par miss on the par 5 10th hole led to an audible groan from the spectators.

But then, the lefty caught lightning in a bottle with a magical 41-foot birdie putt at the 14th hole that put him two back of the lead. It was at this moment when MacIntyre's lifelong dream began to morph into a reality. After a controversial eagle on the 16th hole, he found himself stepping up to the tee on the 18th tied for the lead in his national open.

A solid drive and subsequent approach shot resulted in a 22-foot birdie look. And with the weight of an entire nation on his back, the Scot buried it to edge out Adam Scott by a stroke. A mere description of the scene at the 18th cannot do it justice:

For MacIntyre, the win was a culmination of his years of hard work as well as a triumph for his family.

"I'm from a working-class background. I've got two older sisters my parents foster. We've got a foster boy just now that's been with us for six, seven years..."

"A lot of people might say, he doesn't quite have this, he doesn't quite have that, but I've got fight and that's all I need." MacIntyre said after his round.

'Big Shot Bob' is a grinder, and simply put, this is a win for the ages.

2. Winner: National Opens

After MacIntyre's thrilling victory on Sunday, one thing is abundantly clear: the golf world needs more national opens. Just ask Nick Taylor, the winner of the RBC Canadian Open in 2023, what it means to win your home open.

"The crowd support was the most unbelievable thing I will probably ever experience in my life... I'm pretty speechless," the Canadian said following the win.

The atmosphere at both the Scottish Open and the Canadian Open in the past few years has been nothing short of electric. The raw emotion that is seen in these events is wholly unparalleled; golf fans only get to experience it at events like the Ryder Cup, the US Open, and The Open. And to be frank, us golf fans deserve more of these events. It is not a want, rather it is a need.

The PGA Tour only comes to Europe for two events each year. If the scene on the 18th hole this past weekend cannot convince PGA Tour board members that we need more National Opens, then I do not know what will. Golf is a game of rich history and tradition: players are proud to represent their country. It is obvious the untapped potential when it comes to National Opens.

3. Ludvig's 'Sunday Scaries' Continue at Scottish Open

Ludvig Åberg was in a prime position to capture his second PGA Tour victory on Sunday at the Scottish Open. After shooting 64-64-65, he found himself leading by two heading into the final round. Up until that point, Åberg had been on cruise control; it was just another week at the office for the fun-loving Swede.

A final round 73, however, resulted in yet another event eluding his grasp. It started at The Masters in April when he pulled his approach shot into the water on the par 4 11th to halt his chase of Scottie Scheffler. It happened again when he shot a final-round 74 at The Memorial, and once more when he faltered on the weekend at the US Open.

Let me be clear: Åberg is nothing short of brilliant; he is a generational talent and one of the most promising young stars this tour has ever seen. On the other hand, It is certainly head-scratching why a player as even-keeled and unbothered as Åberg is, cannot seem to figure it out on a Sunday.

In all honesty, there is no reason to sound the alarms yet. But scar tissue builds, and the longer it hangs around, the more it infiltrates. Just ask Rory McIlroy.