Ryder Cup selection rival Yannick Paul has timely thrown down the gauntlet at the feet of Scot Robert MacIntyre on day one of the Omega European Masters.
German-born Paul, playing alongside MacIntyre, eagled the 15th hole in an impressive six-under 64 to be just one shot off the lead in the final Ryder Cup qualifying event.
MacIntyre, currently holding down the third and last automatic Rome qualifying place, again struggled on the alpine Crans-sur-Sierre course with five birdies but also three bogeys for his two-under 68 score.
Germany’s Yannick Paul would bump Scot Robert MacIntyre out of securing the last automatic spot into Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup side.
The Scot is making a third visit to the stunning Swiss course and is desperate in this final week of Ryder Cup qualifying not to tumble down the mountain slopes on Friday night as he has done in past two visits.
Paul, 29, knows all too well that a second DP World Tour success this week would see the current No. 4 on the Ryder Cup automatic qualifying table see him leap-frog MacIntyre and secure the final of six Rome Ryder Cup automatic places in Luke Donald’s side.
Paul said: “I played well, didn’t get off to the best start, but then just tried to focus on myself. Started to hit the ball better and then just trusted the numbers.
“Obviously there’s a lot of Ryder Cup talk going on, but for me it didn’t really matter who I was playing with.
“So many things you can’t really control. I just try to see it as a normal tournament and enjoy it, be grateful and if I feel like that tend to play my best golf.
“I’m not trying to compare myself to anyone, and just trying to stay in my zone and today it worked really well”.
No fewer than six players, including Ryder Cupper Matt Fitzpatrick and fellow Englishman Eddie Pepperell, head the Swiss field late on the first day with seven-under par 63s.
Scott Jamieson is best of the eight Scots superbly birdieing the closing four holes of his outward nine in a bogey-free 64 to be tied with Paul and Swede sensation Ludzig Aberg.
