'One of the best in the world right now' - Luke Donald heaps praise on in-form Scot

Luke Donald has hailed Bob MacIntyre is “one of the best in the world right now” after showing he had “grit and determination in spades” in last year’s Ryder Cup in Rome.

On his debut in the biennial event, MacIntyre was unbeaten in his three games as Europe, led by Donald at Marco Simone Golf Club on the outskirts of the Italian capital, regained the trophy with a 16.5-11.5 win over the Americans.

At the time, Donald praised MacIntyre for his contribution, having paired him with the experienced Justin Rose in the fourball sessions on the opening two days and, as he gradually found his feet, then seeing the Scot beat Wyndham Clark, the US Open champion at the time, in the last-day singles.

Bob MacIntyre is greeted by Europe's Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald ahead of his singles clash with Wyndham Clark in last year's Ryder Cup in Rome. Picture: Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images.

More than nine months on, MacIntyre has just broken into the world’s top 20 for the first time on the back of two wins on the PGA Tour in the space of a few weeks, including a dramatic Genesis Scottish Open success at The Renaissance Club on Sunday.

“It's been extremely special to win two national opens and last week, with all the pressure with him being open about that being the one he wanted to win, to go and perform after the disappointment of last year (when he was denied by a birdie-birdie finish from Rory McIlroy) that shows a lot of grit and determination,” said Donald.

“We all know Bob had that in spades, he showed it at the Ryder Cup in Rome. It was a tough week for him, he didn't feel like he was at his best, and he kept grinding and finding little things here and there.

“I think Rosey helped him along that journey. If you embrace the Ryder Cup and have a good week like he did despite it looking like he was struggling on the greens it got to that point where he holed that putt on 13 on Saturday and his confidence went up.

Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald is an ambassador for OptimallyMe, the leading health technology company that aims to revolutionise personal health through data.

“You walk away from that week thinking you can handle that pressure you can handle anything. Ryder Cups can be very good for someone's confidence and you can use that experience when they get into those crunch moments like he did in Canada and last week, he holed those putts when he needed to coming down the stretch in Scotland.

“I would hope the Ryder Cup helped in his journey and he can continue this form and keep going from strength to strength as he's showing he is one of the best in the world right now.”

Donald was speaking on the eve of the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon, where American players are bidding to complete a first clean sweep in the majors.

Scottie Scheffler won The Masters in April before Xander Schuffele came out on top in the PGA Championship then Bryson DeChambeau landed the US Open.

“It hasn't been held, all four majors by the US since 1982 so it's unusual and it certainly could happen this year,” observed Donald on the eve of the season’s final marquee event.

“As Ryder Cup captain, I would love to see a European and see one of the guys I captained in Rome win it. Any time we have something positive and good happening with the European guys it is is a positive in my book.

This year is not as important as next year, the Ryder Cup year is when I'll be focusing a little bit more on players' form and how they are doing, but my support is for the Europeans and it would be lovely to see one of them come through this week.”

Luke Donald was speaking in his role as ambassador for OptimallyMe, the leading health technology company that aims to revolutionise personal health through data. To find out more and start your personalised health journey, visit www.optimallyme.com.