Robert MacIntyre’s ashen face told of more than just the disappointment of a bogey on his final hole.
There was no great damage done by the Scot leaking one on the 18th as his two-under tally saw him comfortably through to the weekend in his first appearance at The Open Championship.
But the woeful lack of etiquette by playing partner, Kyle Stanley, clearly and justifiably riled MacIntyre. Stanley didn’t shout fore with a wayward drive on the 17th and actually ended up clattering the mother of MacIntyre’s caddie, Greg Milne.
Stanley, a two-time PGA Tour winner who also hit a marshal on the leg on the 14th and failed to bellow a warning, got more than a flea in the ear from the young Scot.
The atmosphere in the group as they walked up the fairway was colder than the ice pack that had to be applied to Stephanie Milne’s hand.
“Aye, there were harsh words, I told him how it was and he didn’t take it well,” said a visibly shaken MacIntyre.
After an opening three-under 68 on Thursday, the European Tour rookie slipped back with a one-over 72 yesterday and was quick to pinpoint the area that had been hindered his progress.
“I was just putting poorly,” he lamented of an affliction that has been passed down through the Scots from the days when Old Tom Morris would miss tiddlers. “It’s been torture. I missed a seven footer there on the last, I missed a three-and-a-half footer on 15. I could go on about five or six short ones today.”
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MacIntyre was joined in the third- round draw by Florida-based comp-atriot Russell Knox, who carded a 71 and finished with a one-under total
Having missed the cut in three of his last four Open appearances, this was a reason to be cheerful and the two-time PGA Tour winner is now setting his sights high.
“I haven’t exceeded expectations because I know how good a player I can be,” he said. “I can have a go at it now and absolutely, I have a chance. It’s all there for me. For the first time in a long time I’m confident with my putting. I’m driving the ball straight. And my iron game is always there. It’s time to let it all come out."
Paul Lawrie, the Claret Jug winner at Carnoustie 20 years ago, departed early after adding a 72 to his first round 75.
The 50-year-old has the Senior Open up next on his schedule. While he is seeing the odd signs of progress as he tries to get back to full fitness following surgery, there are still plenty of frustrations
“I just get a bit fatigued and then hit some poor shots and can’t recover,” he said. “I feel a little bit better every day but, phew, my game is just not at this level.
“It’s hard to take because I played in the Ryder Cup when I was 43 and I don’t feel that was that long ago. All of a sudden, through the injuries, I kind of feel uncompetitive at this level.
“The seniors is where it is for me now. I did think about not playing last week and this week because I don’t think my game is very good at the moment.
“I think you get to a certain age and a certain level and it becomes different to what you have been used to.
“These guys are pretty good and they hit it a long way. I’m not short as a senior – in fact, I’m one of the longest – but over the last two days here I was 20 yards behind the guys I was playing with so there is a realisation.”
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