Robert MacIntyre: Putting detracted from 'almost perfect' first round at Open
- Planet Sport writer
- 18 July 2024
Robert MacIntyre was satisfied with his play during the first round at the Open at Royal Troon, despite battling to find his rhythm on the greens.
The home favourite came into the event on a high after his triumph at last week's Scottish Open but had to settle for a one-over-par 72 in difficult conditions on day one in Ayrshire.
"I thought it was almost perfect," said the 27-year-old from Oban, who delayed his arrival at Troon after celebrating into the night following Sunday's win at the Renaissance Club.
"The putter didn't turn up today but I thought tee to green was absolutely superb, especially that front nine, with the wind in out of the right. It wasn't comfortable at all.
"Obviously the prep wasn't great, but that's by the by. I thought we prepared well Tuesday, Wednesday and, with the conditions out there, and the way I'm swinging the golf club and moving the ball in the air, fighting the winds, it was close to perfect."
MacIntyre finished strongly with a birdie on the 18th, one of two carded during his opening round.
He believes he has given himself enough of a platform to challenge in the tournament.
He said: "It's just about getting my chance going into Sunday.
"It's not, 'can he win it today, can he win it Friday, can he win it Saturday?'. But you can play yourself out of it.
"I thought a one-over-par score was a good round of golf, and we're still in it."
