Rory McIlroy’s birdie-birdie finish secured the Scottish Open title in dramatic fashion in The Irish Times

Rory McIlroy produced a stunning finish to deny home favorite Robert MacIntyre the biggest win of his career in stunning fashion at the Genesis Scottish Open.

MacIntyre had set a frightening target of 14 under par thanks to a sensational birdie on the 18th, just in day two at the closing hole when winds of up to 40mph were made to test the scoring conditions.

However, overnight leader McIlroy birdied the par-three 17th to equalize and then made a stunning 2-iron approach to the final before holed out from 10 feet to secure his second Rolex Series title of the year.

“I’m very proud,” said McIlroy, who will head to the Open Championship next week at Royal Liverpool, site of his 2014 win, after his first victory on Scottish soil.

It was a tough day, especially the back nine. To play him at four under par to win the tournament, I’m so proud of how I stayed in there, hit some amazing shots and was able to finish.

The taste is amazing. It’s been six months that I feel since I won in Dubai. I’ve given myself a lot of chances and hopefully this win opens the seal for me, especially for next week as well.

MacIntyre was lucky to find the crowd trail after a wild drive on the 18th, but took full advantage by making a stunning approach with a fairway wood to four feet from the hole.

The left-hander started the final round five shots behind McIlroy but made good on his promise to enjoy some truly brutal weather as he birdied the third and sixth with an eagle at the par-five 10th.

A birdie at the 14th put MacIntyre in the lead for the first time and he quickly doubled his lead after making a stunning approach to the next finish inches from the hole.

McIlroy remained competitive with a birdie at the 11th and a par-vital save at the 12th, the world number three thinking his putt was off before it hit the rim and went out.

And, after MacIntyre bogeyed the par-five 16th, McIlroy holed out nearly 40 feet at the 14th to share the lead.

The superb Birdie MacIntyre on the 18th completed a stunning 64 and put it back in front but, after missing eight feet on the par-five 16th, McIlroy conjured a magic finish to cap off a brilliant counter attack.