Rory McIlroy believes he can carry over his Scottish Open-winning form into the Open next week.
The Northern Irishman produced a stunning four-under-par back nine, including birdies on the final two holes, to pip Robert McIntyre to the title in blustery conditions.
And it was a timely confidence boost for the 34-year-old’s return to Hoylake this week where he won the last of his four major titles back in 2014.
“It feels absolutely amazing,” he said. “I’ve had a few close calls recently so to get over the line and get this bit of confidence going into next week and the rest of the season is huge.
“If hopefully I find myself in a similar position next week where I’ve got a chance to win with nine holes to go, I can certainly draw on what I did here today, that I can get myself in the mix again.”
It was his first win since the Dubai Desert Classic back in January, which he also won by a single stroke but his form has been good in recent weeks with top-10 finishes in his last five tournaments, including two majors.
He will again be among the favourites when he tees off at the last major of the season despite coming close to a decade since he won one of golf’s big four.
Looking back on his stunning finish to the Scottish Open, he said: “To play that back nine in four-under par to win the tournament, really proud of how I just stuck in there. Hit some amazing shots down the stretch and was able to finish it off with a really nice putt there.
“It feels incredible. It’s been a sort of long six months I feel since I won in Dubai. I’ve given myself tons of chances, and hopefully this win sort of breaks the seal for me, especially going into next week as well.
“To be able to hole those putts coming down the stretch when I needed to, I don’t feel like it really proves anything. I don’t feel like I need to prove anything in my career but it’s satisfying to know for me that I can still do it.”
McIlroy and McIntyre proved a class apart from the rest of the field with the next best-placed finisher, South Korea’s An Byeong-hun four strokes behind Scot McIntyre in third.
