Top Scot Robert MacIntyre is primed to pull-off a golfing Italian Job heading to the final round of the DS Automobiles Italian Open in Rome.
MacInyre capped the sports traditional moving day with four birdies in five holes mid-round and then birdied the last in a round of 67 to be just three off the leading pace on the host Marco Simone course.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre ready to do an ‘Italian Job’ heading to final round of the Italian Open
The Oban lefty, who has struggled this season and reflected in his present 110th World Ranking, shares seventh place at seven-under and just three from the front on the 2023 Ryder Cup host course.
Reigning US Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick, like MacIntyre, birdied the last in a score of 69 to move one clear of the field on 10-under.
A last hole birdie for a third day also kept Rory McIlroy right in frame to capture a seventh national ‘Open’ but only after posting a lack-lustre 71.
McIlroy had birdied the last in near darkness on day three but it was a string of five opening pars for the World No. 2 who is looking to add the Italian Open crown to six other ‘Open’ victories – Hong Kong Open (2011), US Open (2013), Australian Open (2013), the Open Championship (2014), Irish Open (2016) and Canadian Open titles (2019).
McIlroy said: “National Opens are pretty important things in our game and I’ve been quite fortunate that I’ve won a few of them.
“To win the Italian Open would be another great one to add to the list. So big incentive tomorrow to go out and play well.”
Unlike McIlroy, MacIntyre is looking to win for only a second time and since a first taste of success since a maiden Tour nearly two years ago in Cyprus.
The Oban lefty began his birdie sinking a four-footer for birdie at the eighth, he then birdied nine, 11, 12 and holed-out for a 14-foot birdie on 14, and while bogeying 15 and 16 MacIntyre ended well with a last hole birdie
He said: “It was really good. It was absolutely brilliant until the 15th hole when the wind switched direction and started going to 30-mile-an-hour and it became really tough. Severely unlucky on 16 and the ball hit a path and the next shot, thought it was perfect and it was in the water.
“Other than those two holes, it was probably as good as I’ve played in a long time. Putting it well. Driving it well and my iron play has been solid.
“Overall, it’s been really good. It’s been steady. Nothing brilliant. Nothing disastrous. It’s just been solid golf. Just plodding my way around the golf course and the main thing, staying out of that rough.”
And as a 2023 Ryder Cup venue MacIntyre gave the thumbs up saying: “Normally I’m a driver of the golf ball and if I
miss it, it’s just off-line and I feel like you get punished off the tee if you’re just off-line compared to if you’re quite a bit off line.
“So, it’s a good golf course and a lot of chances. But again, if you’re off line you’re going to get punished.”
