$283k payday for Macintyre in Mexico
Bob Macintyre jumped to 86th, a climb of 72 spots, in the Fedex Cup standings and is up to 66th from 71st in the world rankings after recording a first top-ten finish since securing his PGA Tour card.
The Oban man ended up in a tie for sixth behind American Jake Knapp in the Mexico Open at Vidanta after signing off with a twounder-par 69 for a 13-under total. Knapp closed with a 71 to finish on 19 under par.
After covering the opening 15 holes in the final round in three under, Macintyre was tied for third before dropping shots at both the 16th and 17th holes, having found greenside bunkers each time.
That meant he’d dropped into a tie for eighth by the time he reached the 18th tee, but, after finding the heart of the green at the par 5 with his approach, a solid twoputt birdie to finish capped an encouraging week for the Ryder Cup man.
The effort earned Macintyre a cheque for $283,500, having finished just outside the top 50 in his first outing of the season on the US circuit in the Sony Open before then missing the cut in The American Express, Farmers Insurance Open and WM Phoenix Open.
This performance has boosted the 27-year-old’s hopes of securing a start in the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational, one of the circuit’s signature events, at Bay Hill in Orlando, where Macintyre is now based.
Spots in that will go to the top five on the AON Swing 5 list after this week’s Cognizant Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, where the Scot, currently fifth on the list, is being joined by Ryder Cup teammate Rory Mcilroy.