Top-ranked Scot Bob MacIntyre has returned home looking forward to ‘conquering’ this week’s 21st anniversary Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
MacIntyre took to social media soon after capturing the Italian Open crown declaring ‘Rome Conquered’ and now he’s primed to do the same this week over Kingsbarns Links, Carnoustie and the Old Course at St. Andrews.
A battle-weary Scot got back to his beloved Oban late last night (SUN) after his closing Cazoo French Open final round of a three-under 68, and capped brilliantly in finding the front of the green at the par-5 third hole and then calmly holing the 14-foot eagle putt.
MacIntyre then grabbed a nine-foot birdie at the next but gave two shots back with back-to-back bogeys at five and six. He then closed off his French campaign with birdies on 11 and 14 ahead of four closing pars.
His share of eighth is a third top-10 this year and lifts up a spot to 14th on the Race to Dubai money list but with the Scot looking back to his second and third Le National rounds of 70 and 71 all own to after effects in winning in Rome.
He said: “It was tough switching back on after what happened last Sunday and with the celebrations and everything.
“It’s something that I have never done before, so it was difficult coming to play a golf course where you really have to think and play well.
“Also, it took me a few days to really get into the swing of it and today I felt a bit more energy. After what happened last Sunday and the celebrations and everything, it’s been difficult but all worthwhile.
“A top-10 finish on such a good golf course and such a good field, I’m always delighted with a top-10.”
MacIntyre this week joins a big contingent of 14 Scots teeing-up on home soil and each hoping to become the first Scot since Colin Montgomerie in 2005.
He said: “The Dunhill Links is a massive event but the weather can play such a big part in links golf and I’ve looked at the long-range forecast and it doesn’t look pretty.
“My game’s there and I’m just looking forward to getting back home, playing on home soil and then having a week off.
“I am probably going to take two days off and may practice a little bit on Tuesday and then get ready for the week.”
Italian golfing stallion Guido Migliozzi sensationally sounded his Rome Ryder Cup credentials with a stunning equal course record 62 to capture the 104th Cazoo French Open title.
Migliozzi, 25, seized 10 birdies and none better than a stunning near 200-yard second shot over water into the last to set-up his six-foot winning birdie, celebrating the putt with a massive right fist pump, and a third Tour title by a shot at 16-under par.
He said: “I am just feeling an explosion of feelings. I felt very comfortable with my game. I love to play golf and I love to battle on the golf course and I received a great reward back today.”
Dane Rasmus Hojgaard, who led from the outset, and that included dropping seven shots at the second and third holes on day three, played the same holes in three-under on day four, was runner-up signing for a 68 and a 15-under tally
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