…… Al Hamra GC, RAK
Robert MacIntyre had no qualms forgoing desert dune buggy driving and/or a ride on the world’s longest zipline in producing a solid six-under-par 66 on day one of the inaugural RAK Golf Classic on the stunning Al Hamra host couse.
This week’s event is the second of a $2m DP World Tour double-header in the northernmost of the seven emirates that make-up the UAE.
Kiwi Ryan Fox leads the way equalling the Al Hamra course record with a nine-under-par 63 and two clear of Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia in second with a 65 and with MacIntyre among nine players sharing third place, and including fellow Scot David Drysdale.
Robert MacIntyre delighted with an opening round of 66 on day one of the RAK Golf Classic at the Al Hamra club (Photo – @TourMiss)
MacIntyre was out early picking off seven birdies, including four over his opening six holes and while he bogeyed his 10th, he then snatched a birdie hat-trick from the 11th ahead of five closing pars in a slick-looking six-under 66.
The Oban lefty, who singled out the best of the birdies in holing a 33-yard bunker shot left of the green at the par-4 12th hole and the third of his round, joined Borders David Drysdale and six others at six-under.
MacIntyre needed just 24 putts in the lowest opening score in two years.
He said: “It’s a very positive start to my week and a big change from my struggle here last Sunday, as I just felt I was out of rhythm and out of being me, and out of my smooth, flowing golf game.
“That’s what I did well today and that was to get back to the smooth, free-flowing game. I am going to go straight the range before lunch and hit a couple of 8-irons and see if we can get it as smooth as we can.
“If there was any disappointment it was just one birdie at the four par-5s but then we were in position and besides I would have snapped your hand off if you offered me a 66 on the first tee.
“And I’ll take four 66s right now if you gave them to me”.
Also helping MacIntyre finding Route 66 was being tucked-up in his closeby hotel room watching a motivational movie, with a gymnastics theme, and recommended by his ‘mind man’ Stuart Morgan. Though when asked the title, MacIntyre could not remember.
He said: “Stuart Morgan, who’s now working with me, suggested I watch this movie about a gymnast, and while I got lost in it a bit, it is was great because it was all about being in the present and dealing with the now, and as Stuart says asking questions like: Where you we? What time is it now? And does it matter what it’s going to be happening in 10-minutes as it’s all about staying where you are and dealing with the present
“The movie was a one-off thing, so he’s not got me looking at other motivational videoes. I don’t know if I will be asking him for any recommendations after today (smiling) but that movie certainly worked”.
And MacIntyre revealed he was tempted to spend his day off last Monday undertaking a bit of local desert dune buggy driving or Ziplining at the world’s Longest Zipline at 2.83 kilometers long (or 28 footy pitches).
The world’s longest Zipline just around an hour’s drive from this week’s host Al Hamra club
The Zipline runs at 128 km/hour and is located in the stunning Jebel Jais mountains that overlook the northernmost emirate in the UAE.
MacIntyre said: “I got onto the internet and asked ‘What to do in Ras Al Khamiah?’ and it came back with ziplining and dune buggys.
“It was sounding very tempting but I bailed out as I have been struggling with a couple of niggling injuries here and there, and the thought of maybe toppling over in a dune buggy out in the desert (smiling) was not the best idea. Besides I don’t think you’ll get me doing any ziplining
“So, we stuck to the hotel room and chilled out for the day”.
