- Scot shot a sizzling 66 including six birdies to propel him from level par to five under at Royal Portrush
- MacIntyre is convinced he can win a major after narrowly finishing second at last month’s US Open at Oakmont
- However, he is among a group of players chasing world No 1 Scottie Scheffler who moved ominously into the lead after a superb 64
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Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre admits he won’t be afraid to attack Royal Portrush this weekend if he gets a chance to win the Open Championship.
The Oban left-hander shot a sizzling 66 including six birdies in Friday’s second round to propel him from level par to five under.
It left him among a group of players chasing new leader Scottie Scheffler, who lit up the tournament with an incredible 64 to move one ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick on ten under.
MacIntyre, 28, narrowly missed out on a first major title at last month’s US Open at Oakmont after winner JJ Spaun holed a monster putt on the final hole.
However, his runners-up spot boosted not only his world ranking to 14 but his confidence, too.
“I’m not scared. I’m not going to back away. It’s completely different to Oakmont,’ said MacIntyre of Portrush in Northern Ireland where he finished tied for sixth on his Open debut in 2019.
MacIntyre insists he’s ready to ‘roll the dice’ if he gets a chance to win at Royal Portrush
The Scot tees off at the 14th during a fine second round which saw him shoot 66
Big crowds watch MacIntyre and Justin Rose as they line up putts on the eighth green
‘Oakmont, I couldn’t roll the dice. It was never: “Let’s press, let’s press”. It was always: “Right, let’s go out here with pars”.
‘This week, hopefully come the 69th, 70th hole, I’ve got a chance. If I’ve got a chance, I’m going to roll it.
‘I’ve got so much more confidence and so much more belief that I am good enough.
‘I’ve obviously managed to finish top 10s in majors before but I’ve never competed.
‘In the PGA Championship this year, I was right in the mix. There was a lot going on Saturday, Sunday and I fell away, but I had so much confidence going in that I was at that level now.
‘Oakmont obviously happens, which gives you another boost. I feel like the last three majors, I’ve put myself in good position after 36 holes.
‘I’m in a good spot. I feel happy, confident, comfortable. I’m going to go out and give it my best shot all the way through Sunday afternoon.’
With a birdie blitz including consecutive gains at 12 and 13, MacIntyre’s only blip was a bogey on the par-three 16th.
Robert MacIntyre looks on from the 18th green during a satisfying day for the Scot
MacIntyre studies his angles on the 16th green but he was to drop his only shot there
MacIntyre and Justin Rose shake hands after an intriguing second round in Northern Ireland
‘I was just trying to minimise the mistakes from yesterday and I had the ball almost in full control,’ he said. ‘Overall it’s been two solid days.’
Englishman Fitzpatrick also shot 66, but is trailing Scheffler by a shot after the world No1 compiled a round featuring eight birdies including consecutive gains at 5, 6 and 7, as well as 16 and 17 on his final stretch.
Brian Harman and Haotong Li are a further shot behind, while MacIntyre is among a group trailing Scheffler by five shots including Rasmus Hojgaard, Tyrrell Hatton, Harris English and Scottish Open winner Chris Gotterup.
Local hero Rory McIlroy is still in the mix after shooting 69.
