MAC SLIPS UP IN EURO OPEN
ROBERT MacINTYRE came agonisingly close to a first Tour win as the Scot watched the European Open slip from his hands on the final day.
Leading overnight, the 23-year-old’s only blemish at the 12th left the door open for Paul Casey to win by a single shot as the youngster finished with a 68 for a 13-under tally.
MacIntyre, who has now broken into the world’s top 100 for the first time, said: “I’m disappointed but if someone had given me that score in the last round, I thought it would have been enough to win.
“It just wasn’t to be but it’s been brilliant. It’s a learning experience. That is the third second place this year, we’re getting closer but just can’t seem to get over that line yet.”
After MacIntyre’s slip on the 12th, Casey replied with a birdie at the 13th to get his nose in front before moving back ahead at the 16th following a four-way tie for the lead that also featured Austrian Bernd Wiesberger and German Bernd Ritthammer.
Casey could only par the last to give MacIntyre and Ritthammer hope of a play-off but the Scot’s eagle putt slid by the hole before the home favourite’s birdie attempt went short.
Casey said: “I get really emotional at every victory but this year has been so fantastic.
“This is an incredibly prestigious trophy that has a lot of history to it on the European Tour so I’m over the moon. I’m happy to be European Open champion.”
Great Britain and Ireland captain Craig Watson admitted his side had been “outplayed” as the USA staged a superb fightback to retain the Walker Cup at Royal Liverpool.
Trailing 7-5 overnight, the visitors won two and a half points from the morning foursomes before claiming eight of the 10 singles matches to secure an emphatic victory by 15.5 points to 10.5 points.
Frustrated Watson said: “It was a tough course the way it was set up. The lads will learn a lot from this disappointment.”