Macintyre so close to win in Finnish Challenge

Robert Macintyre narrowly missed out on landing his breakthrough Challenge Tour win after losing to home player Kim Kouvi at the first extra hole in a play-off following a dingdong last-day battle in the Finnish Challenge.

Macintyre, a 22-year-old left-hander from Oban, carded an eagle and five birdies in the opening 13 holes in the final round at the Verumaki Resort and found himself in the outright lead after Kuovi dropped his only shot of the day at the 14th.

However, the 27-year-old Finn repaired that damage with a birdie-2 at the 17th before claiming his second win of the season on the European Tour’s feeder circuit by rolling in a 15-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole.

Macintyre, who won on the MENA Tour last year in just his second start as a professional, earned £17,700 for second place, jumping 45 spots to 27th in the Road to Ras Al Khaimah rankings.

“This is some game we play,” wrote the former Scottish Amateur champion on Twitter. “A great week, gutted to miss out on the win but what a game of golf that was.”

Macintyre’s effort was the latest in a string of strong performances by Scottish players on the Challenge Tour this season. Liam Johnston won in Spain before David Law claimed his maiden victory on home soil in Aviemore.

In addition, Grant Forrest has been pipped twice in play-offs while Ewen Ferguson has chalked up five top-10 finishes.

Heading into some bigmoney events, including the Kazakhstan Open, Law and Forrest are in cardwinning positions inside the top 15 while Macintyre, Johnston and Ferguson are all on course to make the season-ending Grand Final in the UAE.