Robert MacIntyre revealed introducing an ‘A’ word into his golfing make-up will be pivotal if he’s to get the ‘W’ at the 2021 Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Scotland’s top-ranked golfer produced a five-under par 67 to head to the final day in second place at 14-under and a shot adrift of England’s Paul Casey heading to the final day at the Emirates Club.
Casey, 43, birdied four of his opening seven holes and then finished eagle, birdie to finish on 15-under par.
Casey and MacIntyre will now go head-to-head and with the young Scot seeking to capture what would be a second Tour title in just five events.
Casey, and 19-years older along with 19 more wins worldwide than MacIntyre will be striving not only for a first win in some 16 months but the Arizona-based Brit is desperate to retain his place in the European Ryder Cup team after being a member of the 2018 victorious Versailles side.
“Same as I always do, go for it.”@robert1lefty will play in the final group, one shot behind Paul Casey.#ODDC pic.twitter.com/9ZzTOzCzKR
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 30, 2021
MacIntyre began the traditional ‘moving day ‘ just a shot off the lead and raced clear thanks to a birdie at the second and then brilliantly chipping-in for an eagle ‘3’ from the back of the third hole.
The Oban lefty then gave the three shots back with a bogey on four and then taking a double-bogey at the fifth.
He holed a monster putt for birdie on seven and then at the par-5 10th hole and also the par-5, 13th MacIntyre’s putt at each for eagle just missed the mark.
MacIntyre moved to just a shot behind Casey with a birdie on 17 but played a poor left into the trees at the dog-left 18th where he was forced to chip-out on route to a saving par.
But focussing on an ‘A’ word – Acceptance – MacIntyre admitted any pain after the events at four and five, and also off the tee at 18 are no longer an issue.
He said: “Something I am really working hard on is acceptance. I have struggled over the years but it’s been drilled into me the last few weeks by many people to accept what comes as that has been a weakness.
Top Scot Robert MacIntyre plays into the last on day three of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic
“So much so, that I am starting to appreciate that there is nothing I can do once the ball leaves the club.
“Saying that, I controlled my golf ball today as good as I have all week and I was patient and committed to every shot.
“My confidence is as high as it’s ever been. I am driving the ball great – the driver, 3-wood, 5-wood and new clubs in the bag as they’ve been brilliant and I’m striking it. I really am striking it well.
“So, really looking forward to tomorrow and seeing what it brings. I’m not going to hang about. I’m going to putt it all on the line whether it’s good or bad.
“Hopefully it’s going to be good and I’ve just got to enjoy it again. It’s another experience that I want to get, you know what I mean. It’s something that not many people get the chance at my age to do, and it’s just — I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”
And MacIntyre found himself being again praised by European Ryder Cup captain, Padraig Harrington for a second time week, and after Harrington signing for a second straight 69 and moved to seven-under.
Harrington said: “Robert actually lines-up very well statistically for both foursomes and fourballs.
“I just like his character. He’s a fighter. He definitely does as he’s a hard fella and as a rookie, you want someone to go out there and is not going to be overawed by what will be going on.
“So, if he plays his way into the team I would certainly be delighted to have him there as he’s a tough golfer.”
Scott Jamieson added a four under par 68 and moved to seven under par and a share of ninth. He birdied his fourth and fifth holes and then 13 and 14 but bogeyed 16 for a second day running ahead of a birdie at the last.
