THE PICK OF BUNCH

FROM BACK PAGE expect to be in the team. A pick is a pick. It is who he thinks is the right fit for the team. He might go for experience or for a younger guy, I dunno. Until I’m inside the automatic spots I’ll just play my golf and see where we end up.”

MacIntyre is eighth on the European points list from which the top four will go to the Ryder Cup. Five from the world points list will join them, with MacIntyre – who jumped two places – one off the final automatic berth. Harrington will then have three wildcard picks.

MacIntyre was chuffed with his Augusta effort but said: “It’s not just about being delighted with 12th place, it’s about doing something in the game. It’s about taking steps.

“You pitch up next time, you are trying to better that. You don’t just sit back and say, ‘Oh, I’m happy with finishing 12th every time.’

“I want to improve. I want to take the next step. I want to keep moving forward.

“But – and I always say this – I don’t know what is going to happen and nobody else does.

“We’ll just let it happen. I’ve set short-term and long-term goals for this reason. You move at different paces at different times.

“I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do so far. I wouldn’t say my rise has been quick. I’ve done it in stages and the way I’ve wanted to do it. It’s just gradually move up. You don’t have to shoot into the top 10. You can slowly do that. It’s not something that needs to be done tomorrow.

“It can take time and I’m fine with that. You want to be out here for 30-plus years.”

MacIntyre is closing in on full PGA playing rights but added: “If I do get a PGA Tour card – and I’ll need to hit certain targets to achieve that – we’re not just going to play the PGA Tour.

“I was raised in Scotland, the European Tour is where my career has moved forward from.

“You’ll never forget where you’re from. I’ll always play the European Tour.

“We talk about the Tommy Fleetwood schedule. You can play both sides and compete. That’s what I want to be doing.”