Despite a narrow miss at the Scottish Open, Rory McIlroy remains optimistic about his game as he prepares for the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush. McIlroy, who needed birdies to reclaim the title he won in 2023, concluded the tournament at 13-under par after 19 birdies throughout the week.

McIlroy shared the lead with eventual winner Chris Gotterup going into the final round. Although he led after Gotterup dropped a shot on the first hole, a bogey on the third set him back. McIlroy reignited his charge with three birdies in five holes leading up to the ninth, but his putter went cold on the back nine, reminiscent of his final round at the 2022 Open at St Andrews.

"No frustration; it's been a great week," McIlroy said. "I'm really happy with where my game is; the way I played over the weekend; the shots that I hit, how I controlled my ball flight. Missing the trophy, that's about it."

McIlroy praised Gotterup's performance and acknowledged the challenging conditions. "It was pretty windy and was hard to get the ball super close, but I gave myself plenty of chances coming down the stretch," he noted. "I feel like the greens got a little bumpy. I had some good putts that just didn't go in, whether they were mis-reads or poor speed."

Looking ahead, McIlroy is focused on the Open Championship. "I feel like I've gotten out of this week what I wanted. I'm looking forward to getting to Portrush tonight and getting out on to the golf course early tomorrow," he added.

Gotterup's victory marks a significant milestone for the world number 158, who held off McIlroy to claim the title. The final round highlights are available on BBC iPlayer, showcasing the intense competition and Gotterup's unexpected triumph.