Bob MacIntyre says 'disastrous' finish to season will 'hurt for a wee while'

Bob MacIntyre admitted that ending his season on a “disastrous” note is going to “hurt for a wee while” after seeing all sorts of opportunities slip from his grasp in the final round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Bob Macintyre tees off on the 11th hole during the fnal round of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates  in Dubai. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty ImagesBob Macintyre tees off on the 11th hole during the fnal round of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates  in Dubai. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Bob Macintyre tees off on the 11th hole during the fnal round of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

The 24-year-old, who started the day just one shot off the lead in his bid to become the first Scot to win the year-ending event, signed off with a five-over-par 77 to end up in a tie for 23rd on five-under-par.

That put paid to his hopes of becoming just the second player after fellow Scot Sandy Lyle, who achieved the feat in 1978-79, to go from rookie of the year to order of merit winner on the European Tour in the space of 12 months.

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It also saw the Oban left-hander miss out on a great opportunity to break into the world’s top 50 for the first time and nail down a debut appearance in the Masters next April.

But, once the dust settles, MacIntyre is determined to take the plus points from not only landing his breakthrough win on the circuit in last month’s Cyprus Showdown but also how he came out of the other side after a tough mental battle with the Covid-19 restrictions.

“Obviously disappointed with today, but, as Mike (Thompson, his caddie) said coming down the last, we've got to take all the positives,” he said, taking the rough with the smooth as he talked to reporters afterwards.

“I mean, from where I was about eight weeks ago, we weren't in a good place on the golf course. We weren't in a good place mentally. We were just all over the place.

“We sorted it on the golf course, we sorted the mind and here we are at the final event. I didn't think I would be here, if I'm honest with you, after everything that's gone on, so I'm delighted with the season.”

The former Scottish Amateur champion was asked if this disappointment was something he could learn as much from as the highs he’s already enjoyed in his career.

“I don't know,” he replied. “It's going to take a wee while this one. You're trying to fight to win a golf tournament and you finish disastrous. But I have to go away from this and learn.”

Referring to world No 11 and former Masters champion Patrick Reed, he added: “I've played with someone that's an absolute magician around the greens, and that shows.

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“If his game's not there, he still gets it around. That's the level you need to get to.”MacIntyre started with a three-putt bogey, also dropped dropped shots at the second, ninth, 12th, 13th and 17th, with his sole birdie coming at the 14th.

“I didn't hit it disastrous,” he said. “I probably hit one bad shot all day and that was the tee shot off 12. The putter didn't show up today.

“But we go away from here, have a few weeks off with the family and come back out in Abu Dhabi (in January) raring to go.”

Marc Warren (73) finished just outside the top 30 on three-under, one ahead of Connor Syme after his bogey-free 68, with Scott Jamieson (71) and Grant Forrest (75) ending up on one-over and 11-over respectively.

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