Aaron Ryan’s biggest win of his career at the Scottish Open was significant for Tommy Fleetwood’s painful play-moment.
After making a wonderful birdie on the 72nd hole to lead to a sudden death with Rye, Fleetwood was an obvious favorite to win at the Renaissance Club in East Lothian. That meaning was upheld as Ryan found a pot bunker from the tee when they played the 18th replay.
Still, Fleetwood, who had previously lost close distance to Birdie at 16, was to experience the kind of moment that would resonate as a key moment of the m7m championship, without being stingy and cruel to Rai. Fleetwood saw a five-foot stretch for four slides, there giving Ryan the trophy. “It’s not good to see,” admitted Fleetwood’s deviations.
“I hit a weak putt and that’s really the end of it,” Fleetwood said. “It was Aaron’s time and Aaron’s week. Congratulations to them. It’s frustrating. Of course you always see a positive vision, but I mess up the first play-hole f-hole and that’s it. “
Ryan’s closing round of 64 for a total of 11-under meant he had no reason for Fleetwood; This was an outstanding performance in a marquee event of the European Tour. “This is an incredible feeling,” he said. “It’s really hard for me to sum up.” A week earlier, Rye had missed out on a play-off at the Irish Open.
Fleetwood’s difficulty on the greens was previously apparent. “I had to spend during the week,” he said. But for that, he would have won the Scottish Open in regulation time. The 29-year-old Southport man, who has been competing in the PGA Championship at Wentworth since Thursday, has the least time to run events in Scotland.
Most recently Rai was best known for wearing two gloves while playing. The underserved 25-year-old from Wolverhampton, of Indian and Kenyan descent, will now make it into the top 100 of the world for the first time. He has a legitimate chance to win the European Tour Merit Order.
Robert Rock made the last bogey and finished third on the 10-under par. 70 in Ian Poulter’s final round tied him in sixth place. Polter said he was “destroyed” and “guttural” after a double bogie refused to give him a legal shot at victory at 13 p.m.
Pedrag Herrington, captain of the European Ryder Cup, showed that his competitive interest still flows freely in the ninth with a 67-under 67. Lee Westwood, who started the challenge with an excellent 62 in the first round, is ranked 19th in the fifth under.