Tom Kim Wins Scottish Open as Indian-Origin Golfers Fade in Final Round
North Berwick, Scotland — South Korea’s Tom Kim surged to victory at the Genesis Scottish Open on Sunday, while the tournament’s Indian-origin golfers endured a quiet finish.
Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju tied for 52nd after shooting a seven-over 77 in the final round. Indian American Sahith Theegala closed with a one-under 71 to finish tied for 66th, while Aaron Rai missed the cut Friday.
Yellamaraju had emerged as one of the tournament’s early surprises after rounds of 68 and 65 moved him into the top 10 at the halfway stage. Difficult conditions over the weekend, however, prevented him from sustaining that momentum.
Theegala continued his return to competition following an injury layoff earlier this year. He produced a steady final round but did not make enough birdies to climb the leaderboard.
Kim began the final round one shot behind the leader before firing a bogey-free, eight-under 64. He finished at 17 under par to secure a two-shot victory over Australia’s Min Woo Lee.
The 24-year-old opened with a birdie and strengthened his lead with a standout tee shot on the par-three 16th. His shot from 203 yards landed within six feet of the hole, and he converted the birdie putt.
“That second shot might be one of the best shots I’ve hit in my career so far,” Kim said.
The victory ended a 1,001-day wait since Kim’s previous PGA TOUR win at the 2023 Shriners Children’s Open. It was his fourth PGA TOUR title and made him the first South Korean to win the Genesis Scottish Open.
Lee shot a five-under 67 to finish second. Robert MacIntyre, Matt Fitzpatrick, Keita Nakajima and Johnny Keefer shared third place.
Keefer’s finish earned him one of three available places in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale through the Open Qualifying Series. Michael Thorbjornsen and France’s Victor Perez secured the other two spots.
Rory McIlroy closed with a 64 to finish tied for seventh. (Source: IANS)
