Robert MacIntyre heads into today’s (THUS) second round primed to tackle World No. 1 Dustin Johnson after his come-from-behind opening match success at the WGC – Dell Match-Play in Austin, Texas.
MacIntyre had been behind after a Na birdie at the first but drew level with a birdie of his own at the next before the duo each pared the next nine holes on the Ausin Country Club course.
Na then won the 12th with a birdie to MacIntyre’s bogey only for MacIntyre to sensationally chip-in for an eagle ‘2’ at the par-3 13th hole and get back to all square.
The Oban lefty then went ahead 1-up in holing a 10-footer for birdie at the par-4 14th.
The World No. 44 ranked MacIntyre then holed a brilliantly 32-footer for birdie on 15th only to have his No. 30 ranked rival to halve the hole in sending a 22-footer from off the green into the cup
But MacIntyre then sucked any remaining wind from Na’s sails when he incredibly holed out from a bunker for the second eagle of his round at the par-5 16th and leaving Na to clean-up for a par.
The duo headed to the par-3 17th where both players took par for MacIntyre to win 2 & 1.
MacIntyre now tackles Johnson who also had to fight hard for a 2-up win over the World No. 61 ranked Adam Long.
Johnson was asked what he knew about MacIntyre: “I think I’ve played once with him. Yeah, he’s left-handed. I know he’s a good player. I don’t know him that well, but it’ll be a good match”.
It could mean a victory of Johnson would see MacIntyre go through to the Saturday’s final 16.
