MacIntyre Keeps His Eyes on the Prize as Scotland Welcomes the World’s Best
Calm, proud confidence meets home soil challenge at Renaissance Club
Las Vegas - Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre returns to the Renaissance Club this week determined to defend his Genesis Scottish Open title as the world’s elite golfers descend on East Lothian.
The 28-year-old from Oban, who thrilled home crowds with his dramatic win last year, birdieing the final hole to beat Adam Scott by one, now faces a formidable field including Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele — the world’s top three.
“Winning here was the most special thing in my career,” MacIntyre reflected. “As a kid, this was always the dream. But once you’ve done it once, you just want to keep that trophy every year.”
McIlroy arrives fresh from completing his career Grand Slam at Augusta, while Scheffler and Schauffele are both looking to add a prized links victory to their major-laden résumés. The Renaissance Club hosts for the seventh consecutive year, with $9 million and critical Race to Dubai points at stake.
Earlier this week, MacIntyre joined the family of late fan Scott Stewart, who passed away from MND in December, to officially open the Scott Stewart Stand overlooking the ninth green — a poignant moment that underlined the event’s community spirit.
As MacIntyre summed up: “It’s an emotional week for many reasons, but one thing never changes — you come here to win. That’s my mindset again this year.”