No magical Sunday for Bob in Kenya
Despite finishing in a tie for seventh place at the Magical Kenya Open, there was an overwhelming sense of what might have been for Robert MacIntyre on Sunday.
Having battled into contention with consecutive 65s on Friday and Saturday, MacIntyre was only one shot behind eventual winner Jorge Campillo when he tee’d up on Sunday.
A victory would have given him a place in the upcoming WGC Matchplay Championship and a final shot at securing a coveted spot in April’s US Masters at Augusta.
Unfortunately, his final round never got going and a one under par 70 saw him slip down the leaderboard.
Over the last few tournaments, the Oban star has been very vocal about his poor performances on the putting greens, and his putter was again the problem in an opening day 71 that left him well off the pace.
Then, out of nowhere, on the Friday and Saturday his putter suddenly turned red-hot and putts started dropping from all angles.
A bogey free 65 on Friday contained five birdies and a second 65 on Saturday contained six birdies and an eagle, while his Saturday round saw him almost record the rarest of birds - an albatross.
Speaking after his third round, Bob said: “It’s something that’s been holding me back but the last few days I’m seeing it go in and I’m feeling really comfortable over putts right now. For me, that’s the biggest thing, getting back to feeling comfortable.
“I’m standing a wee bit different than I used to but it’s feeling good in the hands and, when it’s feeling good in the hands, it’s easier to judge speed. I’ve been pretty good off the tee and my approach play has been the strength the last wee while and it’s good to see some putts go in. Overall, the game is in decent shape.”
With his new found confidence in his putting stroke, there was a strong sense of expectation that he would get the job done on Sunday and record his third European Tour victory.
But then the magic was gone and putt after putt narrowly slipped past the hole, with the left-hander cutting an increasingly dejected figure around the greens.
A seventh place finish in any other circumstances would be viewed as a good week’s work, but after showing glimpses of exactly what he is capable of on Friday and Saturday, and knowing what was at stake, there will be an overwhelming sense of disappointment in Bob’s camp as he returns home to Oban.
With no prospect of a place in the World Matchplay Championship or the Masters, Bob faces a four-week break from competitive golf, before potentially returning in midApril in Japan, two weeks before he defends his Italian Open title.