Robert MacIntyre has secured a maiden Masters invitaiton after World No. 1 Dustin Johnson forced his way to a half with the young Scot on day two of the WGC- Dell Match-Play Championship in Austin, Texas

The present World No. 44 ranked MacIntyre was almost assured of teeing-up next fortnight at Augusta National but his half point over Johnson now guarantees he will remain inside the top-5o on the World Rankings.

All those inside the top-50 next Monday morning (UK time), and already not exempti, will receive an invitation to the Masters starting 8th April.

For the time being MacIntye was more focussed on his match with Johnson having taken to the reigning Masters champion to be all-square at the turn and then with the young Scot muscling his way to be 2-up after 11 holes and back to 2-up through 14 holes.

Johnson then left it to really late to show his class in eagling the par-5 16th and then grabbing a birdie at the next to get the match back to all-square before both pared the last.

“Dustin holed putts when he had to hole putts,” said MacIntyre.

“He does that to win numerous majors. I’m young. I’ve got plenty of time ahead of me. Obviously I was dying to win that match. I was in such a great position to do it. But he threw everything at me, and I can be proud of finishing there all square, but obviously inside I’m a little disappointed not to win.

“But once we walk away from here and get in the car and drive back to the house, it’s going to be, you know what, I can compete with these best guys on the planet.”

MacIntye now faces American Adam Long in the final round robin match and with either the Scot, Johnson or Long being able to win through to the last 16.

Both MacIntyre and DJ have 1 1/2 points with Long 1 point and Kevin Na no points from his two loses and if MacIntyre beats Long, MacIntyre will go through but only if Na beats DJ.

Should MacIntyre and DJ win they will go into a suddcn death after their Friday’s round to decide who will go through to Saturday morning’s final-16.