ROYAL PORTRUSH — Bob MacIntyre entered the final round of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush with one goal in mind: a hot start. What he delivered instead was a scorching finish, one that left the Scottish golfer beaming with pride and optimism for the future.
A Slow Burn Before the Fire
MacIntyre, who began Sunday’s round tied for 17th, admitted he struggled to find his rhythm early. "I wanted to come out flying, but the wind was tricky, and I just couldn’t get the putts to drop," he said after carding a 1-under 70 to finish at 6-under for the tournament. His front nine was steady but unspectacular—a mix of pars and a lone bogey at the 5th. The real fireworks came later.
The Back-Nine Surge
Everything changed at the par-5 12th, where MacIntyre drained a 20-foot eagle putt to ignite his round. "That was the spark," he said. "From there, I just felt like I could attack." And attack he did:
- A birdie at the 14th after a pinpoint approach to 8 feet
- Another at the 16th, where he nearly holed out from the fairway
- A clutch par save at the 17th after finding a greenside bunker
The Bigger Picture
While MacIntyre’s 6-under total left him just outside the top 10, his performance reinforced his reputation as a rising star in European golf. "This week proved I belong on this stage," he said. "I’ve had a tough season, but finishing strong here gives me a lot of confidence." His recent form—including a T8 at the Scottish Open—suggests he’s peaking at the right time.
What’s Next for MacIntyre?
With the FedEx Cup playoffs looming, MacIntyre’s focus shifts to securing his PGA Tour card for 2025. "I’m not here to make up the numbers," he declared. "I want to win, and I believe I can." His fiery finish at Portrush might just be the catalyst he needs.
Reactions from the Field
Fellow competitors took notice of MacIntyre’s charge. Rory McIlroy, who played alongside him earlier in the week, praised his resilience: "Bob’s got that fight in him. When he gets rolling, he’s really fun to watch." Even tournament winner Shane Lowry acknowledged the Scot’s flair, calling his eagle at 12 "one of the shots of the day."
Final Thoughts
MacIntyre’s Sunday surge didn’t earn him the Claret Jug, but it did something just as valuable: it reaffirmed his belief in himself. "I’ll remember this finish for a long time," he said with a grin. "It’s not always about the start—sometimes, it’s about how you finish." For MacIntyre, that finish was nothing short of red-hot.
