Playing with Big Easy showed I can deliver with hard graft
ROOKIE Robert MacIntyre admits starring alongside two Major winners in South Africa has boosted his belief he can make a mark on Tour.
The Scot teed up with home favourites Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel in yesterday’s final round of the South African Open as a level-par 71 saw him finish tied-15th on eight under.
MacIntyre, 22, only earned his European Tour card last month and entered the last 18 holes in Johannesburg with one of three qualifying spots for The Open within reach.
Schwartzel, Frenchman Romain Langasque and England’s Oliver Wilson ended up sealing their places at Royal Portrush as Louis Oosthuizen landed a six-shot victory.
But MacIntyre, who matched
Els’s 276 score, said: “It was a great experience playing with Ernie for two days and Charl alongside him today.
“Overall it’s told me I can compete at the top end of the game if my game is on, which for anyone has to be a real confidence boost.
“I’m gutted to miss out on one of the spots but I’m 22 and I’ve got a lot of years ahead of
me to hopefully get there. Who knows, I might get one later in the year.”
Oosthuizen held back tears on the 18th green having won his home Open for the first time as a closing 67 saw him finish the week on 18 under.
He joins Els, Bobby Locke, Gary Player, Bob Charles and Henrik Stenson in winning both the Claret Jug as well as the South African Open. The 2010 Open champ said: “I wish the family was here. I knew today was either going to be special or heartbreaking.
“I know there are only a few who have won The Open and the South African Open so I’m chuffed to have my name on this. This feels very special. This is perfect.”