Bob set to Rome into contention

Robert MacIntyre hopes staying solid is the source of success as he joins Rory McIlroy in chasing down Matt Fitzpatrick around the next Ryder Cup venue.

The Scot hit a fourunder 67 to enter the final day of the Italian Open three shots off Fitzpatrick, whose 69 sent him to 10 under.

McIlroy (71) and Fitzpatrick’s fellow Englishman Aaron Rai (65) are one off the top at the Marco Simone track in Rome that will host next year’s battle.

Bogeys on 15 and 16 reined MacIntyre in but a birdie on 18 leaves him tied seventh.

Chasing a second DP World Tour win, the 26-year-old (below) said: “It was absolutely brilliant until the 15th when the wind switched direction and started going too 30 miles an hourr – it becamee really tough. I was severelyy unlucky on 16. The ball hit a pathth and the next t shot, I thought t it was perfect and it was in the water. Other than those two holes, it was probably as good as I’ve played in a long time. Putting it well, driving it well and iron play has been solid.

“It’s been steady – nothing brilliant, nothing disastrous. It’s just been solid golf.”

US Open champion Fitzpatrick admitted it “would mean the world” to clinch success today as both he and Ryder Cup pal McIlroy birdied the par-five 18th.

McIlroy said: “I know it will be a tough day. Fitzpatrick is very solid.

“These are the sort of conditions he relishes.

“He’s going to be tough to beat.”

Two eagles saw Rai produce the round of the day.y As for Scots in the field, a 73 has left Scott Sc Jamieson Jamieso in a share of 21st on two under while the same round ro pegged Marc M Warren back to tietied 62nd

on twtwo over.