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 shots on three, seven and eight.

Fitzpatrick and Penge briefly were briefly among the leaders, but Gotterup and McIlroy remained locked together at the turn.

That parity did not last long as Gotterup birdied two of the ensuing three holes to seize a two-shot advantage.

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

The Northern Irishman failed to make a 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.

“It’s been a great week. I’m really happy with where my game is. No frustration, really. I’m really happy with where everything is. Looking forward to getting to Portrush tonight and getting out on to the golf course early tomorrow.”