Gotterup ‘hung in like champ’ to deny McIlroy at Scottish Open

SNS

Scottish Open final leaderboard

-15 C Gotterup (US); -13 R McIlroy (NI), M Penge (Eng); -12 M Fitzpatrick (Eng), N Hojgaard (Den); -11 J Rose (Eng); -10 S Straka (Aut); -9 S Scheffler (US), X Schauffele (US), L Aberg (Swe)

Selected others: -8 V Hovland (Nor); -6 A Scott (Aus), -5 J Thomas (US); -4 T Fleetwood (Eng); +2 R MacIntyre (Sco)

American Chris Gotterup impressively “hung in there like a champ” to hold off Rory McIlroy and the chasing pack for the biggest win of his career with a remarkable Scottish Open success.

The world number 158, who began the final round tied for the lead with McIlroy, displayed admirable nerve to register a closing 66 and triumph by two shots on 15 under at the Renaissance Club.

McIlroy’s challenge faltered on the back nine and he shared second place with England’s Marco Penge.

As well as winning £1.2m and his second PGA Tour title, 25-year-old Gotterup secured a debut appearance in The Open at Royal Portrush next week.

Gotterup fought back tears as he said: “I just hung in there tight and tried to keep it together.

“It’s amazing. It’s all hitting me. It’s just so cool. I played really well this week and I knew today was going to be tough.

“It was a pleasure to be out there with Rory and obviously all the support he gets is amazing, but it was nice to kind of ruin that a little bit.”

Matt Fitzpatrick finished three shots off the top alongside Nicolai Hojgaard, while Justin Rose was one further back after posting the lowest round of the day with a bogey-free 63.

Xander Schauffele, who begins his Claret Jug defence on Thursday, ended on nine under alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler and Ludvig Aberg.

‘Solid’ Gotterup outshines McIlroy

Crowd favourite McIlroy was the star attraction in the leading group but Gotterup – in just his second competitive outing on a links course – upstaged the world number two and several other star names.

Having started shakily with a bogey, the American recovered strongly to pick up birdies on three, seven and eight.

Fitzpatrick and Penge briefly were briefly among the leaders but Gotterup and McIlroy reached the turn locked together on 13 under.

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

His lead was halved when he overshot the 15th green and made bogey, but he immediately fought back with a 10-foot birdie on the par-five 16th where McIlroy could only post par.

The Northern Irishman failed to find a single birdie in his final 10 holes, but remained upbeat despite missing out on a second Scottish Open title in three years.

With The Open in his homeland up next, McIlroy said: “It was pretty windy and hard to get the ball super close. I gave myself plenty of chances coming down the stretch. Chris played a great round of golf. He was so solid.

Who is surprise champion Gotterup?

Gotterup was an unknown to many golf fans on this side of the Atlantic before this week. They know all about him now.

A second-round 61 – equalling the course record – served notice of his talent and gave him the halfway lead. Plenty expected him to fade away, but he proved to be obdurately unyielding.

So who is the surprise champion? The 25-year-old, born in Maryland but raised in New Jersey, won the Jack Nicklaus Award as the top college golfer in the US in 2022.

He turned pro that year, initially plying his trade on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour, then making the step up to the PGA Tour in 2024, marking his debut season with victory at the Myrtle Beach Classic.

This year has been more of a struggle though – Gotterup missed the cut in eight of his his opening 12 events. He had no top-10 finishes until this weekend and came into the tournament 88th in the FedEx Cup standings.

He is now a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, with the magnitude of this success dwarfing his debut win.

Related topics

  • Golf

Maura Higgins makes Love Island return as she’s branded ‘ultimate bombshell’

Maura Higgins has made a surprising return to the Love Island US villa this week as she was dubbed the ‘ultimate bombshell’, admitting it ‘feels good to be back’.

Maura Higgins has made a surprising return to the Love Island US villa this week as she was dubbed the ‘ultimate bombshell’(Image: maurahiggins/Instagram)

Maura Higginshas said it ‘feels good to be back’ as she has re-entered the Love Island villa, but not quite in the way you’d think. The TV personality, 34, has headed across the pond to host the US version of the reality show’s spin-off, Love Island: Aftersun, once again – after conflicting schedules meant she had to bow out of the show.

The star, who rose to fame on the UK version of Love Island in 2019, made a surprise appearance at the Fiji villa this week, despite it being reported that she wouldn’t return.

Maura was hosting Aftersun earlier this year as Season 7 of the Peacock show kicked off, but mysteriously vanished from the screen as she left to film for The Traitors US. At the time, it was reported that she wouldn’t be coming back this season, with Sophie Monk – who hosts Love Island Australia – stepping in to take her place.

Maura Higgins
Maura hosts the US Love Island: Aftersun, a spin-off of the main show(Image: maurahiggins/Instagram)

READ MORE: Savvy shoppers save £100 on permanent hair removal gadget plus an extra 20% off

Delivering all of the gossip from the villa and the show’s dumped islanders, Love Island legend Maura is following in the footsteps of Maya Jama, who fronts the UK main show and spin-off.

Upon her return, Maura was described as the ‘ultimate bombshell’ by host Ian Stirling, who said, “Tonight, the ultimate bombshell returns, it’s Maura Higgins, and she’s brought some All Star friends with her.”

“So happy to be back,” wrote Maura on Instagram as she arrived back to the show just 24 hours before the series’ finale, which airs this evening (Sunday 13 July).

Seemingly on a mission to crack America, Maura’s appearance on The Traitors is set to be released later this year, and comes after fellow Love Islander Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu took part in the reality show.

Maura Higgins on Love Island US: Aftersun
She joined the show in 2024, but had to bow out of this season earlier this year due to conflicting filming schedules, making her surprise return this week(Image: Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty Images)

While filming the show, Maura rubbed She will rub shoulders with Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce’s mum Donna as well as Big Brother stars Ian Terry and Tiffany Mitchell.

Survivor’s Rob Cesternino and Yam Yam Arocho have also been named to take part alongside The Amazing Race winner Natalie Anderson.

The Bachelor’s Colton Underwood, Dancing with the Stars pro Mark Ballas, RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Monét X Change, figure skater Johnny Weir and singer Eric Nam are all on the list.

Article continues below

Maura has been spending an increased amount of time stateside after hitting headlines earlier this year at an afterparty for the BRIT Awards, where she was filmed kissing married McFly singer Danny Jones.

The ordeal came following Maura’s split from former TOWIE star Pete Wicks, and saw Danny go on to issue a grovelling apology to his wife, Georgia Horsley, and son, Cooper, seven. Maura is yet to speak out on the scandal.

GB’s Rowland wins Formula E title in Germany

Getty Images

Great Britain’s Oliver Rowland has secured the Formula E title for the first time after a fourth place finish in Berlin, Germany.

The Nissan driver won the championship with two races to spare and becomes the 10th different champion in 11 seasons.

Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein was Rowland’s closest title rival, but the German slipped down to 16th in Sunday’s race despite starting on pole at Berlin’s old Tempelhof airport.

“Honestly, I was just thinking before the race not to have too much damage going into [the final round in] London,” said Rowland.

“I can’t believe it, I have no words. It’s incredible. I was trying to play it safe but everybody was so aggressive, so at some point I was all in.

“Thankfully I stayed out of trouble.”

It has been a dominant season for Rowland, with victories in Mexico, Jeddah, Monaco and Tokyo, before Sunday’s in Germany.

He has 184 points going into the final two races of the season in London (26-27 July), while Wehrlein sits on 125.

Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy won Sunday’s race as Jake Dennis (Andretti) finished second and Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Penske) came home in third.

Related topics

  • Motorsport

Carse keeps England alive on thrilling fourth day

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

  • 680 Comments

Third Rothesay Test, Lord’s (day four of five)

England 387 (Root 104, Carse 56, Smith 51; Bumrah 5-74) & 192 (Root 40; Sundar 4-22)

India 387 (Rahul 100, Pant 74, Jadeja 72; Woakes 3-84) & 58-4 (Rahul 33*, Carse 2-11)

India need 135 runs to win

A stunning late burst from Brydon Carse kept England alive on an utterly captivating fourth day of the third Test against India at Lord’s.

Bowling with supreme rhythm from the Pavilion End, Carse pinned both Karun Nair and India captain Shubman Gill leg before.

With the final ball of the day, Ben Stokes bowled nightwatchman Akash Deep to leave India 58-4, 135 adrift of their target of 193.

It was a dramatic end to a wonderful Sunday, one played on a surface that suddenly became venomous. India’s bowlers were brilliant to dismiss England for 192.

Jasprit Bumrah somehow only claimed two wickets, the main damage done by off-spinner Washington Sundar’s 4-22. England lost their last six wickets for 38 runs.

In a chaotic morning, Harry Brook was bowled trying to sweep seamer Akash Deep for 23. Joe Root dropped anchor for 40, Stokes even more guarded for 33.

Both the captain past and present were bowled by Sundar, part of a total of 12 home batters that have lost their furniture – an England record for a Test in this country.

Jofra Archer bounced out Yashasvi Jaiswal for nought, but Chris Woakes could not cling on to a return catch off KL Rahul when he had only five.

England were drifting out of the game until Carse’s intervention, before the talismanic Stokes had the final say. It will be a grandstand finale on Monday morning.

Torpid Test explodes into life

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Finally, after three torpid days, this Test exploded into life. The pitch became a snake pit, there was tension between the teams after the Saturday evening handbags and the Lord’s atmosphere was sizzling.

From the second over of the day, when Bumrah got one to spit at Zak Crawley off a length, the action was never anything less than riveting.

India’s bowlers were outstanding, the seamers in the morning and Sundar across the afternoon. England’s approach can be questioned, especially Brook’s dismissal, but the fact a maestro like Root had to face 96 balls for his 40 runs, with only one four, shows how difficult batting was.

Bumrah was mesmeric. As he stalked in during the evening, the large number of India fans chanted his name, a foreboding din. It was equally as loud when Archer removed Jaiswal.

It was the India fans enjoying the evening sun until Carse charged down the slope. Nair misjudged to play no shot and Gill, who had already overturned being given caught behind, was undone by a nip-backer.

Muddled England still alive

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

England owe much to Carse after their batting buckled. No doubt run-scoring was tough, though the home side did not help themselves with their decision making.

Whether it was the toughness of the conditions, or the feeling between the teams, England got carried away in the morning session. Ben Duckett played a needless swipe and Crawley, who bravely fended off Bumrah, fell with a familiar loose drive.

At what point does his untouchable place at the top of the order come into question?

Most infuriating was Brook. Twice he ramped Deep for four, then hit the same bowler for a straight six. Next over, Deep moved a fielder fine on the leg side, so Brook attempted a sweep and was bowled.

England might feel aggrieved that India used substitute keeper Dhruv Jurel, who was excellent standing up to the seamers. Still, standing back he conceded the majority of his 25 byes, without which the game might already be as good as gone.

Root threatened one of his epics to dig England out of trouble, Stokes never got to the stage where he flicked his trademark switch. The wickets fell in a cluster of four, then six, either side of their stand of 67.

India create shot at history

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

India have been the better team across this series, now they have the chance to lead it and grab a slice of history – only once before at this ground has a side conceded so many runs fielding first and gone on to win, an Australia side containing Don Bradman in 1930.

The tourists’ main area of supremacy has been their bowling and they were collectively outstanding on Sunday. Right from the beginning, with Bumrah creating havoc from the Nursery End, England were given no respite.

Getting peppered by Bumrah, England tried to get after Mohammed Siraj, still fired up from the third evening. When Duckett hacked to mid-on, the two players brushed shoulders, then Ollie Pope was lbw on review.

Just like the first innings, Nitish Kumar Reddy found movement down the slope, and suckered in Crawley. Deep was targeted by Brook, but held his line to uproot middle stump when Brook aimed the needless sweep.

Root and Stokes dug in, India turned to Sundar. In theory, he was attempting to turn his off-breaks up the slope, but it was his drift in the air that proved so tricky. Root was bowled around his legs attempting a sweep, Jamie Smith was back when he should have been forward, Stokes missed a sweep of his own.

‘Absolutely gripping’ – reaction

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

England batting coach Marcus Trescothick on Test Match Special: “We would have loved 250 and beyond but we would have taken 190 and our chance to bowl on that pitch and it’ll come down to who holds the pressure best.”

India all-rounder Washington Sundar, speaking to TMS: “We’d have loved to have about nine wickets [in hand]. It is what it is and we’ll definitely win the game.”

On which wicket gave him the most pleasure: “All four of them, honestly. Lord’s Test, big Test, it’s going to be amazing when we win the game and go 2-1 up in the series so every wicket was very very crucial.”

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Related topics

  • England Men’s Cricket Team
  • India
  • Cricket

VP Shettima, Gbajabiamila To Accompany Buhari’s Body To Nigeria

Barely a few hours after the death of Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Kashim Shettima and President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will head to the United Kingdom to accompany the late former president’s body back to Nigeria.

The ex-president, who had battled a prolonged illness, died in London at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the age of 82.

Buhari’s former special adviser, Garba Shehu, confirmed the news of his passing in a statement.

In a separate release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu confirmed the death of his predecessor and revealed that he has conversed with Buhari’s wife, Mrs Aishat Buhari, while expressing condolence.

The statement further disclosed that President Tinubu has directed national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the late leader.

Buhari was twice elected as Nigeria’s president, serving from 2015 to 2023.

Several dead in clashes in predominantly Druze Syrian city

Fighting between Bedouin tribes and local fighters in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida in southern Syria has killed several people.

Sunday’s clashes are the first outbreak of deadly violence in the area since fighting between members of the Druze community and security forces killed dozens of people in April and May.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said at least eight people were killed, six Druze and two Bedouin.

Citing medical sources, local outlet Sweida 24 gave a preliminary toll of seven people killed, “including a child, and about 32 others wounded as a result of armed clashes and mutual shelling in the Maqus neighbourhood”, east of Sweida city.

It also reported the closure of the Damascus-Sweida highway because of the violence.

A Syrian government source, speaking anonymously to AFP news agency, said authorities sent soldiers to de-escalate the situation.

Call for restraint

Sweida Governor Mustapha al-Bakour called on people to “exercise self-restraint and respond to national calls for reform”.

Syria’s Druze population numbers about 700,000, with Sweida home to the sect’s largest community.

Bedouin and Druze factions have a longstanding feud in Sweida, with violence occasionally erupting.

Since the overthrow of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, concerns have been raised over the rights and safety of minorities under the new authorities, who have also struggled to re-establish security more broadly.

Clashes between troops and Druze fighters in April and May killed dozens of people, with local leaders and religious figures signing agreements to contain the escalation and better integrate Druze fighters into the new government.