HIP HOP HOORAY
Bob’s on cusp of greatness in Dubai
Robert MacIntyre is desperate to follow in the footsteps of Scots golfing royalty at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai today.
The Oban lefty roared into the frame to claim the European No.1 crown with a flawless 66 at the Jumeirah Estates’ Earth course.
That left him just a shot behind American Patrick Reed and English pair Matt Fitzpatrick and Laurie Canter going into today’s final round.
Victory would see the 24- year- old MacIntyre become European No.1 just 12 months af ter being crowned the Tour’s Rookie of the Year.
Countrymen Sandy Lyle and Bernard Gallacher are the only others to achieve the feat in 60 years of the competitions.
And he’d be the first Scot since Colin Montgomerie claimed the title for an eighth time 15 years ago to lift the Race to Dubai money list trophy.
MacIntyre admitted: “To follow in their steps would mean everything, not just to me but my whole team, my family.
“But I’ve got a job to do. I can’t look too far ahead.”
The Scot is only too well aware of how fortunes can change in 24 hours.
He was left frustrated as a second round 72 saw him drop down the leaderboard on Friday. But that was
Bernie McGuire
forgotten yesterday as he bagged six birdies, including four in six holes between the 11th and 16th, to share fourth spot with Spaniard Adri Arnaus (67), last week’s PGA Tour winner Viktor Hovland (66) and two-time former European No.1 Lee Westwood (68).
A win or top three finish, would also move MacIntyre into the top 50 in the world and earn him a first Masters invite.
He added: “That would be a great end to my year and it’s what I have been working towards.
“I know what I’ve got to do tomorrow and it’s just about letting it happen.”
Marc Warren reckons he’s playing fantasy golf after a four-under 68 moved him inside the top 20.
The Glaswegian has struggled in recent years and said: “I played with Joost Luiten today and also played with him in the third round when I won the Austrian Open in
July. If you’d told me then that we’d be back out in the third round in the Race to Dubai final, it would have been total dreamland.
“It’s been a massive turnaround, especially after not being close to being here the last few years.
“To qualify and so far, put in a solid performance is massive for confidence moving forward.”
Scott Jamieson posted a 74 and Connor Syme a 72 to be at two- over par while a 75 left Haddington’s Grant Forrest in a share of last spot in the 64- player field on eight- over par.
A final hole birdie for a 71 kept Reed on course to be the first American to win the Race to Dubai.
The 2018 Masters champ said: “I’m trying not to really think about that but if it happens, it would be amazing.”
This would be a great end to my year..it’s what I have worked for