Scot Robert MacIntyre insists there was no added pressure playing the first two Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship rounds in the company of Ryder Cup Captain, Padraig Harrington.
The restart to 2021 European Ryder Cup qualification began in Abu Dhabi after the Whistling Straits points race was frozen last July and the restart to European Tour competition post the lockdown.
Most observers put two-and-two together when the opening two round draw was released showing Harrington drawn Dundee-based Frenchman Victor Perez and MacIntyre.
Robert MacIntyre delighted to have played alongside Ryder Cup captain, Padraig Harrington at the 2021 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but not fazed by the experience. Exclusive photograph – Joy Chakravarty @TheJoyofGolf
Perez is currently lying a lofty fourth on the standings while MacIntyre is presently ranked 12th.
It was quite clear Harrington was right on top of the restart of qualifying having also arranged for vice-captain, Robert Karlsson to walk the Abu Dhabi course and put himself in the same grouping as Perez and MacIntyre.
And while MacIntyre would not be wrong in admitting to the extra pressure, the young Scot said he felt very much at ease.
If anything, MacIntyre accepted the draw as a compliment.
He said: “You know it’s coming and you are kind of half expecting it but then when you do see your name on the draw sheet alongside Padraig, it makes you realise you are doing things right.
“I guess people can read into it when they see I am playing with the Ryder Cup captain but then I felt no extra pressure and he’s really just another guy to mark my scorecard.
Robert MacIntyre watches European Ryder Cup captain, Padraig Harrington tee-off during the 2021 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Exclusive photograph – Joy Chakravarty @TheJoyofGolf
“It doesn’t bother me who I play with as he’s just a playing companion and we’re all out to play our own game.
“Who knows when it comes to the time he will make his Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ picks, so all I can do is to continue to play my best golf and see where it leads.”
It helped both potential Ryder Cup rookies that Harrington is the chirpiest on tour, so much so, it’s often hard to get in a word but then MacIntyre could be observed holding his own against the three-time Major champ.
MacIntyre said: “Padraig is a good guy to play with and just has so much experience while he was nice to chat with for the two rounds.
“Though he was like everyone as you chat when you can and you quickly know in a round whether someone wants to chat or not and Padraig is right up there as one who is keen to chat.
“It wasn’t like there were any specific questions but just chit chat about life, and I am sure that if I wanted to ask him a question he would be right up to help.
“I felt I played pretty good golf in Padraig’s company which was pleasing and given I’ve not in nearly six weeks.”
MacIntyre and Perez headed into the third round with three-under par 36-holes tallies and two less than Harrington’s ahead of MacIntyre posting a topsy-turvy third day 71 and moving to four-under for a share of 30th place in the $US 8m event.
His third day’s play was a mix of a 10th hole eagle, birdies at two and three but bogeys at nine, 11 and 13.
* A very special thank you Joy Chakravarty @TheJoyofGolf for his great help with this story and superb photographs *
