Oban lefty Bob MacIntyre is confident of regrouping and drive away with a maiden Tour victory at the Porsche European Open in Hamburg.
MacIntyre, 23 headed into the ‘moving day’ third round leading by four shots but the rookie Scot went from a Tour career low of 65 on Friday to post a horror two-over par 74 and find himself tied with local hero Bern Ritthammer (70) on nine-under par.
MacIntyre dropped shots at the second, third and 10th holes before a run of seven straight pars that had him tied for the lead at eight-under par.
The Scot and German, and playing alongside each other, then each birdied the par-5 18th, and with MacIntyre posting a ‘4’ at the last for a third day running, to now head to final day tied in the lead at nine-under.
Both Ritthammer and MacIntyre are now seeking a first Tour win but the biggest threat will sure to come from England’s Paul Casey, who posted a 68 to be in third place at eight-under.
Robert MacIntyre shares lead on day three 2019 Porsche European Open. (Photo – European Tour/Getty)
And while the 42-year old Casey is chasing a 14th European Tour success but a first in five years along with a 20th worldwide win, MacIntyre is far from intimidated.
MacIntyre said: “Things didn’t go my way today as I had a couple of bad lies early on and made bogeys, so it was not the way I wanted to start.
“I fought well and I am going to fight to the end, so it doesn’t matter whether I am top or bottom of the leader-board.
“Today, I just showed my fight and to birdie the last was huge to get me back into a tie for the lead.
“Andy (Burns – caddy and coach) did a great job out there of keeping me calm and in a positive mindset, and to get away with a birdie at the end was huge.
“I showed in finishing runner-up at the British Masters and the following week at the Made in Denmark, so I will go out there tomorrow and play my best golf.
“If it is enough, it’s enough. If its not, it’s not. You are always going to learn and today was a huge learning curve for me to take into the last day.”
If MacIntyre does win he will become the 25th different Scot to win on the European Tour since it’s inception in 1972.
