NORTH BERWICK — Defending champion Bob MacIntyre survived a nerve-wracking finish to narrowly make the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open, while American Chris Gotterup stole the spotlight with a record-breaking 61 at The Renaissance Club.
MacIntyre, who triumphed in dramatic fashion last year with a closing birdie to secure his maiden DP World Tour title, flirted with disaster on Friday. The Scotsman needed a late rally to avoid an early exit, finishing at 2-under par—just one stroke inside the cut line. "It wasn't pretty, but we're still here," MacIntyre admitted after his round.
Gotterup's Historic Round
While MacIntyre scraped through, Chris Gotterup delivered a masterclass. The 24-year-old PGA Tour rookie carded a bogey-free 61, setting a new course record at The Renaissance Club. His 10-under round included six birdies and two eagles, propelling him into a share of the lead at 12-under overall. "Everything just clicked today," Gotterup said. "When you're in that zone, the hole looks like a bucket."
Gotterup's performance overshadowed a strong showing from world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who sits just one stroke back after a second-round 65. The American duo leads a packed leaderboard that includes:
- Ludvig Åberg (-11), the Swedish phenom continuing his meteoric rise
- Tom Kim (-10), the charismatic young star seeking his third PGA Tour win
- Corey Conners (-9), the Canadian quietly putting together another solid week
MacIntyre's Gritty Survival
All eyes were on MacIntyre as he fought to keep his title defense alive. The left-hander struggled with his driver throughout the second round, hitting just 5 of 14 fairways. A disastrous double-bogey on the par-4 12th left him outside the projected cut line before he rallied with birdies on 14 and 16. "That putt on 16 was massive," MacIntyre said of his 15-footer that ultimately secured his weekend spot. "I knew what was on the line—not just for me but for all the Scottish fans who came out to support."
Key Moments in MacIntyre's Round
9th Hole: After finding trouble off the tee, MacIntyre holed a 20-foot par putt to maintain momentum
12th Hole: His wayward drive led to a double-bogey that nearly derailed his round
16th Hole: The clutch birdie putt that ultimately saved his tournament
What's Next for the Weekend
With the cut falling at 1-under par, several big names saw their Scottish Open end early, including Justin Thomas (+1) and Matt Fitzpatrick (E). For those who made it, Saturday's third round promises fireworks with:
- Gotterup and Scheffler paired together in the final group
- MacIntyre starting nine shots back but with local knowledge on his side
- Perfect scoring conditions expected with light winds and soft greens
Tournament director Johnnie Cole-Hamilton praised the event's competitive balance: "We've got the perfect mix—a record-setting performance, the world No. 1 in contention, and our defending champion fighting his way back into it. This is exactly what we hoped for when we moved this event before The Open."
As MacIntyre prepares for his third round, he knows the mountain ahead but remains characteristically defiant: "I'm not here to make up the numbers. We'll go out tomorrow, post a low one, and see where that takes us. Stranger things have happened in golf—especially here in Scotland." With the St. Andrews native needing a weekend charge to defend his title, the stage is set for another dramatic chapter in this championship's history.
