Bob MacIntyre enters the final day of an Open Championship in the top 10 without feeling frustrated, which is probably a reflection of how far he has come.
The Scot finished eight shots clear of the peerless leader after a 70 in the third round at Royal Portrush, five shots off pacesetter Scottie Scheffler.
With a six-under advantage, the world number 14 is not out of contention, but he’s still a part of it. It’s probably out the window, MacIntyre said, “Unless I get off a hot, hot start.”
“We’ll throw everything at it if I see myself coming in close range within a few shots.” However, judging from the leaderboard, it’s most likely just battling for position.
After his second-round 66, MacIntyre had promised to be wary of the chance of being selected.
The 28-year-old found himself unable to take advantage of the more shady conditions in the same way that others could as the sun set.
His scorecard, by contrast, displayed the same red speckle as the majority of the field, but three misplaced bogeys completely destroyed any momentum-making.
His fortunes changed after three opening parries and a dropped shot on four before he lost control of his position.
A close-range eagle on the par five seventh immediately brought MacIntyre back into the conversation before Birdie on six repaired the damage.
That provided the spark, or not? No. That was blocked by Bobby on eight.
And his longest birdie of the week, which he had 15 feet, ended up being his last one. 14 had a flick that stopped.
His club scurried after his approach from the middle of the fairway, amid a cloud of elite swearing, into a greenside bunker.
When asked about it later, MacIntyre responded, “I think it’s fair game to lose the plot every now and then.” “A little anger came out,” the statement read.
He drew a further bogey three shots later. bursting in a bubble. The final four pars were merely sporadic.
He continued, “I think I can maintain that discipline the longer the test is difficult.” I lose it properly the more a birdie fest and a shootout occur.
I initially anticipated going out of here last night that I wouldn’t be more than three shots back, but the world’s best player came in five shots back in the end.
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