![Bob MacIntyre on the 17th hole during day three of the Genesis Scottish Open](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/golf/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385482113_17209085887960_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqdpqf4ji4eqZVOWCVhnz_UwdAQtCS8Ve1IV4audIkCu8.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Bob MacIntyre in the mix to become first Scot to win Scottish Open this century
Man from Oban enjoys backing of huge crowd during a brilliant third-round 63 – but Rory McIlroy is on his tail again
![Bob MacIntyre on the 17th hole during day three of the Genesis Scottish Open](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/golf/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385482113_17209085887960_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqdpqf4ji4eqZVOWCVhnz_UwdAQtCS8Ve1IV4audIkCu8.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Bob MacIntyre was last year only denied becoming the first home winner of the Scottish Open this century by a two-iron from Rory McIlroy so immense there is a plaque from that spot on the 18th fairway in commemoration.
On a congested leaderboard at the Renaissance Club going into the final round, MacIntyre knows that to achieve his dream he could well have McIlroy in opposition again. However, a brilliant 63 on Saturday shows he is up for the fight, to give himself what would be the perfect lift ahead of the Open at Royal Troon.
MacIntyre, 27, finished with a three-putt bogey but it was from 90 feet and he was not going to allow that to spoil his mood. “I’m delighted,” MacIntyre said after reaching 15 under, two behind Swede Ludvig Aberg (65).
“I’ve not been shy in saying it – the Scottish Open is the one that I want. That’s my end goal. I’ve just got to go and play golf and let it happen.”
MacIntyre’s stock continues to rise even after his debut in the Ryder Cup last October. He earned his PGA Tour card at the end of the 2023 campaign, and despite suffering from early-season homesickness, he took only five months to win on the US circuit, prevailing at the Canadian Open last month.
After a tie for eighth at the US PGA Championship in May, the man from Oban is in the form of his life and has the backing of a huge crowd at the East Lothian links.
“It’s brilliant to have the home support and I just want to be in with a chance on Sunday,” MacIntyre said. “That’s all I can ask when I’m back home in Scotland.”
In the build-up to the tournament, MacIntyre joked: “I’ll never forgive Rory if don’t win a Scottish Open in my lifetime.”
And who knows? McIlroy could play the villain in Scotland again. The world No 2 has ground to make up, on 12 under following a 67, as he seeks to become the first player to retain the title.