Robert McIntyre says he will ‘never forgive’ Rory McIlroy for action that got him a plaque as tribute at Scottish Open

Rory McIlroy is set to receive a plaque for an unbelievable shot at the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open. It was a shot that largely helped him defeat Robert MacIntyre, who fell one stroke shy of at least forcing a playoff last year. As they come back together for the tournament today, that moment hasn't left MacIntyre's mind.

A reporter asked whether or not he could forgive McIlroy for what happened. He said (7:57-8:31):

"I don't think I'll ever forgive him, if don't win a Scottish Open... It was an incredible golf shot he hit. It was a winning shot, really. I think he thought he missed - well I know he thought he'd missed - his putt. Obviously the wind kept the...in...but it's just something like you play at the old Porsche tournament in Germany, and they plant trees. So it's something that was a good shot and it was a bit heartbreaking."

McIlroy battled the wind to launch a 202-yard approach shot that defied the odds. It left him with a short putt, one he narrowly made to ensure he was one stroke above MacIntyre. It was an epic duel, and it is possible that these two find themselves at the top of the leaderboard again this weekend.

This is McIlroy's return to action. He's been off the golf course since the US Open, where he melted down and missed two three-foot putts in the final three holes. That allowed Bryson DeChambeau to grab the win, and it left McIlroy in desperate need of a break.

Now, he's back at a tournament he's had success at (success he's been immortalized for) and hopeful of a turnaround. MacIntyre would like to make sure he doesn't repeat and win the Genesis Scottish Open for himself. Then perhaps he can get over what happened with McIlroy.

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Robert MacIntyre asked Rory McIlroy about Scottish Open win

In the same press conference, Robert MacIntyre was asked whether or not he spoke to Rory McIlroy a few months later when they were part of Team Europe at the Ryder Cup. He admitted that he had asked him one question via Yahoo Sports!

He said:

“I had not spoken to him at all about it since the day it happened, and I always wanted to ask him about the putt (on 18). He thought he had missed it and it went in. So it just shows you, it doesn’t have to be perfect for it to work out.”

MacIntyre did end up getting his elusive first career win this season. He won the RBC Canadian Open, a tournament where Rory McIlroy was the defending champion. It remains to be seen if he will be able to do the same at another tournament where McIlroy is the defending champion.