Top-ranked Scot Robert MacIntyre can reach the heights of a first Augusta National invitation this coming week in Mexico City despite the non-appearance of defending Masters champ, Tiger Woods.
While MacIntyre has turned his back on storm-soaked Scotland to make a maiden showing in Thursday’s start to the WGC – Mexico Championship, a strangely weary Woods has chosen not to enter the Stg 8.5m event in Mexico City.
Woods contested the Mexican event for a first occasion last year finishing T10th but will skip travelling to city located 7,350 feet above sea level.
The 15-time Major winner will wind-up only his second event of 2020 later today (SUN) as host to the Genesis Open where he was heading into round three nine shots adrift of the lead.
Woods said: No, I’m not playing next week. I’ve been so busy with this event and trying to deal with all the little things that I haven’t really focused on next week.
“I’ve just had a lot to do this week and trying to get ready to play, try and balance both of those.”
Woods also is not the only big name not heading to Mexico City with recent World No.1 Brooks Koepka, and former World No. 1s Justin Rose and Jason Day, plus Americans Patrick Cantlay and Rickie Fowler along with past Open winner, Henrik Stenson choosing not to compete.
MacIntyre had been hoping this past week to join Woods on the famed Riviera course in securing an invitation and while having missed out, it’s understood the young Scot is hoping to tee-up via an invitation in next fortnight’s Honda Classic.
If so, it will MacIntyre’s maiden PGA Tour event at Florida’s PGA National course boasting the famed ‘Bear Trap’.
More important to MacIntyre is that a strong showing in Mexico could easily lift the 23-year old from his current World No. 66 ranking and into the top-50.
If so, the Oban lefty only needs to remain inside the top-50 by March 30th and he’ll be joining Woods teeing-up at Augusta National.
He said: “I’ve continued to pick-up a few more World Rankings places after being out in the Middle East, so I am getting ever-closer to the top-50.
“All I can do is keep trying my best.”
At this stage, and with two months to the Masters, and 1988 Masters champ Sandy Lyle is the only Scot in the 2020 Augusta field.
