Stoking the flames ahead of England semi clash with Aussies
TEE TIMES
ROBERT MacINTYRE has already done a number on Rickie Fowler this week after beating the Ryder Cup star in a fun head-to-head challenge.
Now the Scot has been handed a dream chance to steal the limelight again as Scottish Open bosses have handed him a place in a group alongside Fowler and Rory McIlroy at The Renaissance Club.
It’s a mind-blowing prospect for MacIntyre but after rubbing shoulders with Fowler on Monday and coming out on top, he’s ready.
He was asked to participate in the latest edition of the 14-Club, in which two players must use 14 clubs to find the green. A shinty stick even featured in tribute to Oban ace MacIntyre’s second sport.
Given the opportunity to choose his opponent, MacIntyre challenged Fowler, who accepted and the pair took part on Monday at the 204-yard third hole.
The European Tour will not release the video on Twitter until Friday night but MacIntyre said: “I have already played with Rickie this week and I might have snuck a wee win in there as well.
“I was a bit nervous, Rickie Fowler being a world-class player and me being a wee Oban boy.
“The shinty stick was in the bag too. The 15th club, although I don’t think the shot counted officially.
“The banter was good but I was a bit nervous so it wasn’t flowing like usual.
“But it was good and to be paired with him again and Rory McIlroy, well, you’ve got to be thrown in at the deep end at some point I suppose.
“It’s an honour to be paired BY EUAN McLEAN with them and I’m just going to try to learn from with playing with them.
“Rory has dominated the game for the last five or six years so for me to get put into a group like that gives you a boost because it means people recognise the success you’re getting.
“In my first year I’ve had quite a few already special moments already and this is going to be another one.
“To be out with them in your first Scottish Open is pretty special.”
As MacIntyre says, he has earned the recognition thanks to a stellar maiden season on the main tour that includes back-to-back runner-up finishes at the British Masters and Made In Denmark events in May.
Those results helped him qualify for his Major debut at Royal Portrush next week.
MacIntyre added: “I’ve already had hype and to get this draw adds to it a little bit.
“Hopefully I will eventually battle with these guys further down the line.
“Right now I’m only a young up and comer. I’m not the finished article, far from it.” BEN STOKES insists England’s World Cup semi with Australia is the biggest game of his career.
The England all-rounder is no stranger to the big stage, playing for his country 166 times.
But tomorrow’s Edgbaston clash is against their oldest and bitterest rivals, the prize on offer is once-in-a-generation game at Lord’s and a trophy England
UPDATE have chased for 44 years. Asked if the game was the biggest he has experienced, Stokes said: “Yes, Definitely.”
The other semi between India and New Zealand will resume today after a rain delay. The Kiwis are 211-5 after 46.1 overs. CYCLING: Elia Viviani claimed his first Tour de France stage win in a sprint finish in Nancy as Deceuninck-Quick Step teammate Julian Alaphilippe retained the yellow jersey.
The Italian sprinter, frustrated to leave the Giro d’Italia empty-handed, took the first pure sprint opportunity of this year’s Tour as he edged out UAE Team Emirates’ Alexander
Starting hole 1. 7.30 - O Wilson, J Lagergren (Swe), S Henry
9.30 - A Karlsson (Swe), G Green (Mal), C Doak
12.30 - S. Chawrasia (Ind), M Warren, C Wood
12.50 - A Johnston, D Drysdale,E Van Rooyen (Rsa)
1.00 - B Wiesberger (Aut), M Kaymer (Ger), P Lawrie
1.10 - L Bjerregaard (Den), G McDowell, M Kuchar (US)
1.30 - M Fitzpatrick, R Knox, J Campillo (Spa)
1.40 - R McIlroy, R MacIntyre, R Fowler (US) 1.50 - D Law, E Pepperell, J Walker (US) 2.00 - E Els (Rsa), T Bjorn (Den), R Ramsay
2.10 - R Karlsson (Swe), L Johnston, R Fisher
Starting hole 10. 7.50 - G Forrest, M Pavon (Fra), A Sullivan
8.20 - S Gallacher, H Li (Chn), C Bezuidenhout (Rsa)
8.30 - T Hatton, B Stone (Rsa), J Thomas (US)
9.00 - R Langasque (Fra), S Jamieson, A Putnam (USA) 12.40 - C Paisley, S Brazel, D Lipsky (US) 2.00 - Y Miyazato (Jpn), J Winther (Den), K Nicol Kristoff on the line. It was a second consecutive stage victory for Viviani’s Belgian team after Alaphilippe’s champagne moment in Epernay.
Viviani said: “It means a lot. I still can’t believe it. It was a big goal of the year.” BOXING: Dillian Whyte has ramped up his feud with Tyson Fury by insisting he “laid out” his heavyweight rival in a sparring session.
Whyte and Fury have been engaged in a war of words. And Whyte said: “Tyson’s awkward, I definitely laid him out before.” FORMULA ONE: British teenager Lando Norris has been rewarded for the fine start to his F1 career with a three-year contract extension at McLaren.