Scottish No. 1 Robert MacIntyre reckons he could not have asked for a better warm-up ahead of next week’s maiden U.S. Open than the ‘brutal’ test he faced at last week’s Andalucia Masters.
MacIntyre arrived back in Oban yesterday (MON) morning after posting a final round one-under par 70 and finishing just inside the top-25 on the tight unforgiving Valderrama course in Spain.
It was his best finish by some 25 places in the four events MacIntyre has contested since the lifting of the lockdown.
MacIntyre will join fellow Scots Connor Syme and amateur Sandy Scott crossing ‘The Pond’ this weekend ahead of teeing-up on September 17th on the famed Winged Foot course on New York’s Long Island.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntrye saying he could have asked for a better U.S. Open warm-up than playing last week’s ‘brutal’ test that was Valdeerram
On two of the last three USGA visits to Winged Foot, Aussie Geoff Ogilvy won the 2008 U.S. Open with a five-over par tally while American Hale Irwin won the 1974 U.S. Open at seven-over par.
And with current Winged Foot Director of Golf, Steve Rabideau recently suggesting an eight-over par tally could win the year’s second major, it’s little wonder MacIntrye was pleased he entered Valderrama.
He said: “The reason I entered Valderrama was knowing how tough the golf course would be and also hearing how tough it could be at Winged Foot.
“My game has been up-and-down for a while and for a mental test the week could not have been better. I made the cut and then eagled the 17th on Sunday on route to a 70, so that was very pleasing.”.
The U.S. Open will be only MacIntyre’s third pro career tournament in the U.S. after contesting the recent WGC – FedEx St. Jude Invitational and the following week’s PGA Championship, and posting respective results of T59th and T66th.
He said: “You know the U.S. Open is going to be the toughest test of all the four majors and I have just got to play the course as I find it, and not over complicate things.
“Everyone knows it’s going to be brutal but I have to go over there and hit the shots as I see them, and if I can do that I’ll have a good week.
And asked about the state of his game, the young Scot said: “It’s not in the best shape but in saying that, it’s getting better.
“I’ve just struggled with everything going on and I’ve just not managed to get into a rhythm.
“Spain was better as I saw things in my golf game at Valderrama but then on a golf course where you can hit good shots and get crucified like on Saturday when I made a double-bogey on the eighth from the middle of the fairway because I couldn’t get onto the green because of the trees.
“Maybe it was just that golf course as overall, I would say my game is in good shape ahead of going over to the States.
“I’ll spend this week at home working on my game and playing a few rounds, and get back into enjoying my golf.”
