Macintyre ends season on low note but will ‘take all positives’

Bob Mac in ty re admitted that ending his season on a “disastrous” note is going to “hurt for a wee while” after seeing all sorts of opportunities slip from his grasp in the final round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

The 24- year-old, who started the day just one shot off the lead in his bid to become the first Scot to win the year-ending event, signed off with a five-overpar 77 to end up in a tie for 23rd on five-under-par.

That put paid to his hopes of becoming just the second player after fellow Scot Sandy Lyle, who achieved the feat in 1978-79, to go from rookie of the year to order of merit winner on the European Tour in the space of 12 months.

It also saw the Oban lefthander miss out on a great opportunity to break into the world’s top 50 for the first time and nail down a de but appearance in the Masters next April.

But, once the dust settles, Macintyre is determined to take the plus points from not only landing his breakthrough win on the circuit in last month’ s Cyprus Showdown but also how he came out of the other side after a tough mental battle with the Covid-19 restrictions.

“Obviously disappointed with today, but, as Mike (Thompson, his cad die) said coming down the last, we've got to take all the positives,” he said.

“I mean, from where I was about eight weeks ago, we weren't in a good place on the golf course. We weren't in a good place mentally. We were just all over the place.

“We sorted it on the golf course, we sorted the mind and here we are at the final event. I didn't think I would be here, if I'm honest with you, after everything that's gone on, so I'm delighted with the season.”

Macintyre was asked if this disappointment was something he could learn from.

“I don't know,” he replied. “It' s going to take a wee while this one. You' re trying to fight to win a golf tournament and you finish disastrous. But I have to go away from this and learn.”