Rollercoaster ride in Dubai for Bob

Robert MacIntyre moved up to a career high of 59 in the world rankings after finishing tied 19th in the Dubai Championship at the weekend.

However, the Oban star will look back on his final position with a touch of regret after his sensational golf over the first three days put him on course for a much higher finish. Opening rounds of 66 and 68 saw Bob nicely positioned in the chasing pack going into day three and for just over two hours it looked like the left hander was going to rewrite the record books as he went to the turn in an astonishing 29 shots.

Five birdies and an eagle in his first seven holes saw Bob romp through the field and for a fleeting moment the prospect of only the second sub-60 round ever recorded on the European Tour seemed real.

But a double bogey on the 11th hole stalled momentum and brought an end to Bob‘s hot streak. He would eventually sign for a rollercoaster 66. A closing level par 72 meant Bob‘s final total of 16 under par left him nine shots adrift of Frenchman Antoine Rozner who recorded his maiden tour victory with a closing-day 64.

This week sees the Race to Dubai finale, the DP World Tour Championship. With an $8million prize fund and huge world ranking points up for grabs, the tournament is Bob’s final chance this season to break into the world’s top 50 and secure a place in April’s US Masters.

Oban Saints Central Scottish League side and their Greater Glasgow (GG) League counterparts played out an entertaining friendly at Oban High School last Saturday afternoon.

Despite the final scoreline, this was no walk in the park for the senior of the club’s two sides with the youthful second string ensuring their more experienced opponents had to work hard for their victory.

Referee Pat O’Donnell ensured the current match day protocols were enforced for the 1.30pm start. Saints kicked off

Cammy Hill outjumps the Saints GG defence to open the scoring.

attacking the school end and straight from the referee’s first whistle took the game to their Greater Glasgow opponents.

Gavin Forgrieve took a corner kick and aimed for the back post where his perfect delivery was met by Cammy

Hill, who leapt above the GG defence to head home from four yards.

Having provided the assist for the opening goal, Gavin Forgrieve opened his own account in the 16th minute, rounding off a patient build up with a sweet curling finish to put the senior team two-up.

Saints stretched their lead further in the 40th minute.

Cammy Hill held the ball up well on the edge of the GG box and laid off to Gavin Forgrieve who turned onto his right foot and sent a shot from 23 yards arching away from Murdo MacKenzie’s right hand into the top corner of the net.

MacKenzie made another good save in the 57th minute but was powerless to stop Cammy Hill from finding the net for a second time from the resulting corner kick.

Around 80 minutes, David Beaton’s pace took him away from the defence and his early shot from 19 yards gave Murdo MacKenzie no chance and made the final score 5-0.

Full match report at www. obantimes.co.uk