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Patience pays off for Robert MacIntyre
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Patience pays off for Robert MacIntyre

Robert MacIntyre was rewarded for his patience after a third-round 69 propelled him into contention at the Amgen Irish Open.

Robert MacIntyre

Only four players broke 70 on Moving Day at Royal County Down and nobody went lower than MacIntyre, who at three under par heads into Sunday's final round three behind leader Rory McIlroy.

“I thought it was brilliant from start to finish there,” he said. “I really stayed as patient as I could, even on 18 there. I've only got seven, eight yards, I think it was and I'm not even looking at the pin. I'm trying to hit it on the green and get out of there with par.

“It was absolutely brutal. Even downwind, you think you're going to get a bit of respite but it's so hard to control the golf ball. 

“That finishing stretch, 15, they have moved the tee up but there's nowhere else to hit it. You're leaving yourself - I had a five-iron in the air and it was just get it around the green left side and try to make four.

“It feels like there's a disaster around the corner at any moment. Eighteen, with that wind, there's nowhere. You can't miss it anywhere. You hit a good tee shot, your second shot is what bunker you're trying to avoid. Try to hit as far up the hole as you can and seemed to work."

On the chance to add to his three DP World Tour titles, MacIntyre added: “Look, winning any golf tournament is special but winning one close to home; Oban is not too far away on the west coast of Scotland. I want to win every tournament I'm out there but there's so much that goes into it.

“Today was a day that I got myself right in position. What I set out to do at the start of the week was give myself a chance come Sunday.

“We're here now, and hopefully go out tomorrow, play well and fight hard and see where the cards fall.”

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