Robert MacIntyre is Scotland's big hope ahead of The Open, though his preparations were delayed somewhat.

That is after he went "absolutely wild" in the wake of his victory at the Scottish Open last weekend.

MacIntyre became the first Scot to win the Scottish Open since Colin Montgomerie in 1999.

It is also 25 years since a Scot last won The Open, with Paul Lawrie triumphing at Carnoustie on that occasion.

MacIntyre is being tipped as an outside bet to lift the Claret Jug, though the 27-year-old said it was nevertheless vital he and his team were able to celebrate his Scottish Open victory in style.

"I'm not a big drinker, but when you get moments like that, and you've got family and friends there that have backed you since you were a young kid, it was quite right to go absolutely wild," he said.

"We did a good job of that. After this week's over, I'll sit down with my team and we'll reflect on it and probably celebrate again because it was a lifetime goal."

Speaking of his approach to The Open, MacIntyre kept it typically low-key.

"I'm not going out there trying to win a golf tournament," he said.

"If you bogey the first, you're thinking the golf tournament is getting further away from you.

"The minute you think that, your emotions are all over the place. You lose all control of yourself. You lose thought process, touch, everything.

"We all start off from level par and I've got as much chance as everyone else in the field.

"It's just about getting in that position on Sunday and seeing where the cards fall. Hopefully I'll have a chance. That's all I want."

Home favourite Robert MacIntyre admitted he got the "bit of luck that you need" to win the Scottish Open on Sunday.

He was pipped to the title last year thanks to Rory McIlroy's superb finish, but produced a late show of his own heading into the final three holes at Renaissance Club.

MacIntyre was helped by a huge slice of luck on the 16th hole, after discovering a sprinkler head near his ball in the heavy rough.

The Scot took full advantage after getting a free drop, making an eagle on the par five thanks to a brilliant approach shot, which took him level with leader Adam Scott.

Needing a birdie on the final hole to seal his second PGA win of 2024 - six weeks after triumphing at the Canadian Open - he holed from 20 feet to claim victory by a single stroke.

"I think I lost my voice after the scream on that [18th] hole," MacIntyre told Sky Sports. "I thought I was short.

"I've put a lot of work into this. I've changed a lot within the team, and I've just worked hard. I wanted the Scottish Open.

"I got a bit of luck on 16 that you need - a bit of luck to win golf tournaments. I couldn't believe when I heard a sprinkler under my foot where my spike is at, and I'm like: 'no way'.

"It was covered, and I thought I got lucky. It was meant to be."

Scott had set the target of 67 as he looked to win his first title since February 2020.

Defending champion McIlroy finished in a six-way tie for fourth on 14 under, carding 68 in the final round, with Ludvig Aberg, the leader at the halfway stage, also on the same score. 

Robert MacIntyre landed his second DP World Tour title by beating Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off finish to the Italian Open.

The 26-year-old, whose only previous Tour triumph came at the Cyprus Showdown in 2020, started the final round three shots behind overnight leader Fitzpatrick.

However, a remarkable 10 birdies for MacIntyre at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club saw him finish seven-under par on Sunday and 14-under overall, level with Fitzpatrick.

US Open winner Fitzpatrick, who was seeking a second title of the season, birdied the 18th hole to force a play-off in Rome.

Just one hole was required as the Englishman could only manage a par after a poor tee shot, whereas MacIntyre birdied to seal a surprise victory.

"This means everything," MacIntyre said. "I was down and out about two or three months ago – I didn't know what I was doing and didn't know where to go.

"But we spoke to the right people and I started working with Simon Shanks. I mean, I've hit two perfect golf shots into the last there. There's so much hard work gone into this."

Rory McIlroy had been expected to rival Fitzpatrick for the title, the Northern Irishman starting the day one shot behind, but he ended up finishing fourth.

He started the final round with a double-bogey on the first hole, before recovering with five birdies over the next 14 holes.

McIlroy was back within one shot of the lead at that point, but a bogey on the par-four 16th, when finding the water off the tee, effectively ended his chances.

Victor Perez capitalised to finish third at 13 under, with his final round of 66 bettered only by MacIntyre's 64.