After two cup final wins for Kingussie in 2024 and 2025 against Oban.

 Oban wins the trophy in 2026. 

Oban scored midway through the first half. Kingussie struggled to gain any kind of momentum in the game. Managing to fire a few shots towards goal but Oban defended well throughout the match. Eventually towards the end of the second half Kingussie equalised and the game was in the balance going into extra time. Oban then managed to regain the momentum in extra time. Scoring in the first half of extra time. Oban then managed to see the rest of the game out to the end of extra time. Another sore one for Kingussie Shinty Club. All credit to Oban Camanachd for winning on a lovely day for shinty. 

Disappointing last two rounds from Jack McDonald and Robert MacIntyre saw them lose positions and Ryan Jack picked up the Claret Jug to win the Open championship at Royal Birkdale. 

It was good to see two Scots reach the last two rounds. With MacIntyre within striking distance of the leaders after the first two rounds, Looking at the stats they seem to have found bunkers and extensive rough which prevented them making their way to the winning podium this time. However they managed to be in the mix. The tricky course proved tough with its many bunkers and thick rough meant going off the fairway far more difficult to get out of than many golf courses. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The Saltire Report

The Open Championship 2026 – Round Two

MacIntyre Keeps Scotland in Contention as McDonald Reaches the Weekend

Royal Birkdale | Halfway Stage

Scottish golf remains firmly in the picture at the halfway stage of The Open Championship, with Robert MacIntyre producing another composed performance to remain inside the top ten, while Jack McDonald secured a memorable place in the weekend field.

MacIntyre followed his impressive opening-round 67 with a controlled 69 to reach four-under-par for the championship. Two rounds of disciplined golf have left the Oban golfer within striking distance of the leaders heading into Moving Day.

Rather than chasing birdies, MacIntyre has relied on patience, smart course management and avoiding costly mistakes—qualities that are often rewarded in links golf.

While MacIntyre continues Scotland's challenge near the top of the leaderboard, Jack McDonald's story is equally worthy of recognition.

After earning his place through Final Qualifying, McDonald backed up his opening level-par 70 with a solid second-round 71 to finish the first 36 holes at one-over-par, comfortably earning another two rounds in golf's oldest championship. For any golfer, making the cut in The Open represents a significant achievement, and McDonald has grasped his opportunity impressively.

⭐ Scot of the Day

Robert MacIntyre

Another mature performance keeps Scotland's leading golfer firmly in the hunt for the Claret Jug.

With 36 holes remaining, MacIntyre has positioned himself perfectly. If he can produce one exceptional round over the weekend, he has every chance of challenging for one of golf's greatest prizes.

Scottish Performance Rating (SPR): 9.4 / 10

👏 Achievement of the Day

Jack McDonald

Making the cut in The Open Championship after progressing through Final Qualifying is a milestone worthy of celebration.

McDonald has shown resilience, composure and consistency to earn his place in the weekend field, ensuring Scotland will have two representatives competing over the final two rounds.

Scottish Performance Rating (SPR): 8.3 / 10

📊 Scottish Performance Ratings

Player

SPR

Summary

Robert MacIntyre

9.4

Outstanding consistency and firmly in contention.

Jack McDonald

8.3

Excellent achievement in reaching the weekend.

📈 Saltire Talking Points

• Robert MacIntyre remains Scotland's leading hope for the Claret Jug.

• Jack McDonald continues one of the championship's most encouraging Scottish stories.

• Scotland heads into the weekend with two players still competing.

• Saturday's "Moving Day" could prove decisive in MacIntyre's title challenge.

🏁 Halfway Verdict

Two rounds complete, two Scots safely into the weekend, and one genuine contender for the championship.

Robert MacIntyre has given himself an excellent opportunity to mount a serious challenge over the closing 36 holes, while Jack McDonald's progress through to the weekend is a success story in its own right.

Whatever happens over the final two rounds, Scottish golf has already enjoyed a championship to remember.

Scottish Golf Tracker

Leading Scot: Robert MacIntyre (T8)

Scots Through the Cut: 2

Scot of the Day: Robert MacIntyre

Achievement of the Day: Jack McDonald – Qualified for the weekend.

Saltire Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)

Royal Birkdale | Round One

⭐ Scot of the Day

Robert MacIntyre – 9.3/10

MacIntyre produced the standout Scottish performance of the opening day, carding a three-under-par 67 to place himself firmly in contention. His round demonstrated the patience and control required at Royal Birkdale, where avoiding mistakes is often as important as making birdies.

SPR Breakdown

Area

Score

Leaderboard position

3/3

Scoring quality

2/2

Links management

2/2

Momentum

1.5/2

Championship importance

0.8/1

Total

9.3

Jack McDonald – 7.0/10

Jack McDonald deserves recognition for a steady opening round at Royal Birkdale.

The 33-year-old Scot, who qualified through Final Qualifying at Dundonald Links, returned a level-par 70 to sit inside the group tied around 40th place after the first round.

McDonald’s performance is particularly notable given his route into the championship. This is his second Open appearance, following his previous appearance at Royal Troon in 2024.

A level-par opening round leaves him well placed to challenge for weekend progression.

📈 Scottish Round One Summary

Best score:
🥇 Robert MacIntyre – 67 (-3)

Best position:
🥇 Robert MacIntyre – T5

Solid opening performance:
👏 Jack McDonald – 70 (E)

Scottish position after Day One:
✅ Scotland has a player in major contention.
✅ Scotland has representation inside the projected weekend places.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Saltire Verdict

The opening day belonged to Robert MacIntyre, who gave Scotland a genuine contender at Royal Birkdale.

However, Jack McDonald’s contribution should not be overlooked. Major championships are not only about those challenging for the trophy; they are also about players earning their place, representing Scottish golf, and taking opportunities when they arrive.

After Round One, Scotland's story is one of quality at the top and resilience throughout the field.

Saltire Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ / 5

A dramatic match that started with two early goals for Kinlochshiel. After this it took great staying power on the part of Kingussie to hold on and make their way back into the game. 

After John Macrae the goal scorer who had scored the two goals early doors got himself sent off in the 80th minute. Kingussie continued to press for a goal and eventually managed to score in the 82nd minute and in the final minute of the game managed to dramatically equalise. This sent the match to extra time and in the second half of extra time Kingussie also managed to get a player sent off  Alexander Mitchie the goal scorer from the second half.  Shortly after this Dylan Borthwick after playing brilliantly throughout. On numerous occasions being thwarted by the Kinloshiel goalkeeper. Managed to score the winner in the 115th minute of extra time. 

A dramatic match and a dramatic win for Kingussie who are now through to the semi-finals of the Camanachd Cup.

What a match. Scotland won 4-2 against Denmark in a nerve jangling 90 plus minutes that had everything. Fantastic goals, nerve jangling tension and a sensational finish that propelled Scotland into the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Highlights 

Greece beat Scotland in Athens 3-2. However Scotland remains with a chance of qualifying outright by winning against Denmark due to Denmark drawing with Belarus. All to play for going into the final game. Catch up with all the scores at Fifa.com. Follow all match results on their Matchcentre. 

Kingussie wins the premiership at a dreich An Gearasdan (Fort William). After a successful season where the only trophy they missed out on was the Scottish Cup against Newtonmore. Winning the premiership, Macaulay Cup and MacTavish Cup. They end the season on a high. 

With nearest rivals Newtonmore improving towards the end of this season. Making the prospects for next season even more competitive.

This year in a blustery Bught Park in Inbhir Nis the match finished 10-12 in favour of Ireland. Scotland played strong in the first half. As the match went on Ireland came more and more into the game. With fantastic skills on both sides. Ireland's nimble stick work came out on top at the end in Inbhir Nis.  

Catch a replay of the match on BBC Alba's youtube channel.

Newtonmore dominated the final at Bught Park, Inverness. With a goal in the first half and another two in the second. Kingussie struggled to get past Newtonmore's tight defence. Though they did force Newtonmore's goal keeper into some fantastic saves. Eventually scoring around the 80th and then getting a second at the end around the 90th minute. A 3rd would have extended the final to extra time but it was not to be. Congratulations to Newtonmore for winning the cup after a tight finish for the 35th time.

Jake Wightman took silver in the 1500 metres in the athletics world championships in Tokyo. The scot who had been suffering from injury was just pipped at the finish by Isaac Nader of Portugal. There were 3 Scots in the field with previous world champion Josh Kerr suffering an injury on the last lap and limping across the line and Scott Gourley finishing 10th.

Newtonmore defeated Oban Camanachd at a windy An Gearasdan (Fort William) in the second semi final of the Camanachd Cup. Newtonmore winning 4-1 with 3 goals in the second half. Leading to a final clash between two old rivals.

Ann an Cupa na h-Alba aig Camanachd. Chaidh Gearasdan a bhualadh le Ceann a' Ghiuthsaich a fhuair tadhal tràth. An uairsin fhuair iad dà tadhal eile san dàrna leth. Ann an geama beòthail far an robh Ceann a' Ghiuthsaich comasach air mòran a bharrachd a sgòradh. Chaidh a' chiad leth-chuairt dheireannaich a chrìochnaich gu mealltach gu Ceann a' Ghiuthsaich.

In Shinty's scottish cup. Fort William were humbled by Kingussie who scored early. Then scored another two goals in the second half. In a pulsating match where Kingussie could have scored many more. The first of the semi-finals to finish went decisively to Kingussie.

Gemma Dryburgh at the Open unfortunately did not make the cut this year. After doing well at the Scottish Open. 

Japan's Miyu Yamashita won the Open with  11 under par with final round challenges from Charley Hull who finished on 9 under along with Minami Katsu.

A fantastic win and tournament weather held up well making for fantastic golf.

AIGWomensopen Leaderboard 

The womens Scottish open concluded with Lottie Wade on her debut as a pro wining in a close contest. Changeable conditions with strengthening winds made for an interesting golfing weekend. 

Gemma Dryburgh had a fantastic round of 67 in round 2. Which matched the leaders of the tournament. Enabling her to make it through to reach the cut-off for round 3.

Round 3 did not go so well for Gemma, scoring a 2 over 74 for the round. Sitting on 3 over par for the tournament 

Round 4 and Gemma finished a disappointing 7 over for the tournament. Still medal for top Scot in a strong field, all gearing up for the Open next week.

Lottie Wade won the tournament on her professional debut, with a 21 under par for the tournament.

Official Website 

Highlights from round 1

Highlights from round 2

Highlights from round 3

Highlights from round 4

Scotland's trio of golfers who made it though the cut-off struggled to reach the top of the leaderboard this year. The medal for top Scot in the Scottish Open in 2025 went to Grant Forrest of Livingston with a tournament score of 5 under par. With Robert Macintyre last years winner finishing 2 over par for the tournament and Connor Syme finishing 6 over par for the tournament. The winner of the Scottish Open this year went to Chris Gottrup with a tournament score of 15 under par.

Open Leaderboard 

On a difficult golf course where one hole could ruin a round. MacIntyre after a brilliant 2nd round scoring 5 under for the round. Had a mix of eagles, birdies and bogeys in the 3rd round to end 1 under for the round and 6 under for the tournament. World number 1 Scottie Scheffler finished the round 14 under for the tournament. With a 3rd round of 4 under par. 

On the final round MacIntyre scored 4 under par for the round reaching 10 under par for the Open championship. Finishing tied for 7th.

The winner of the open this year in 2025 was Scottie Scheffler with a winning total of 17 under par for the tournament.

Samoa 12 - 41 Scotland