Just the Bob: Macintyre set to break into world’s top 50 for first time
Bob Macintyre is set to break into the world’s top 50 for the first time on Monday after marking his 50th European Tour appearance with a sixth topthree effort and 12th finish in the top 10.
The 24-year-old from Oban was a touch disappointed about having to settle for third spot behind Paul Casey after a closing 74 in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.
But, on the back of his latest strong display, Macintyre could rise to as high as 42nd, which would represent a jump of 10 spots, when the rankings are updated following the concussion of the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour.
The young Scot needs to be inside the top 50 on 25 March to secure his debut in the Masters in April, having already made the cut in the three other majors over the past couple of seasons.“it would be unbelievable,” Macinytre told Sky Sports Golf of his expected breakthrough into the game’s top ranks. “But it’s not done until 25 March
that Augusta one. So I’ve got a lot of work to do.
“I just want to keep believing in myself.
"If I can keep giving myself these chances week in week out like this one today, I’m going to bundle over the line again at some point.”
The left-hander shared the lead with Casey after an early birdie before dropping four shots in a row around the turn, but he dug in thereafter.
“That’s what I do, I fight to the end,” he said. “It was the start I was looking for. I thought, ‘here we go, we are on to one’.
“But, you know, sometimes it doesn’t go for you and today was one of those days.
“Right now, I’m not going to learn anything as I felt I gave one away there today. But, when I go away, I’ll learn a lot.”
Macintyre was full of praise for winner Casey, saying: “He was brilliant. He stuck to his own game. He controlled himself brilliantly.
"I’ve just got to look up to that and see where I can get to.”