Abu Dhabi, UAE  …..  Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre has been left gutted with the uncertainty now of missing the three events on the 2020 European Tour ‘Middle East Swing’ due to a still unknown righthand injury.

MacIntyre has withdrawn from this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship due to the injury at the very bottom left corner of his right hand, and an injury he first picked-up late last year.

The young Scot went onto Twitter saying:

“Really disappointed to have to pull out this week.  But I need another week to get myself back to full fitness before launching my 2020 campaign.”

Scotland’s Robert MacIntrye, and seen here with his parents in receiving the 2019 ‘Rookie of the Year’ honours, facing uncertainty having been forced out of this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a continuing unknown hand injury (Photo @tourmiss)

MacIntyre has been seeing the European Tour doctors here in Abu Dhabi who suggested he have a second MRI of his hand.

MacIntyre did that this morning travelling the short drive north to Dubai.

It’s a huge blow not only for the young Scot  but also for his ‘team’ including coach, Davy Burns.

“Robert had an MRI last September when we were down at Wentworth and now he’s gone for another MRI this morning in Dubai,” said Burns.

“As far as I am aware, they don’t know exactly what the problem is whether it is ligament, bone against bone or whatever.

“He’s in good hands as he’s seeing Doug Campbell and Ian Dunlop (Doctors working on the European Tour) but then Robert and all of us are guttered, as it’s a real shame.”

MacIntyre intends remaining in the UAE in the hope he will be fit enough to tee-up at next week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Though the outlook does not look good for the Scot who was naturally hoping a good few weeks showing here in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Saudi Arabia would see him break into the world’s top-50 and earn a first Masters invitation.