Bob MacIntyre harshly marks his top 10 finish at The Open and shows the world his insatiable desire to win
Bob MacIntyre believes it's a matter of time before he wins a Major.
And the Scottish star says the frustration he feels despite another huge result in a big one provides more concrete evidence he's on the way.
MacIntyre produced a barnstorming Sunday back-nine at The Open to rocket up the standings and grab a fifth Top 10 finish at a Major.
The Oban ace backed up his stunning runner-up show at last month's US Open with another sterling Royal Portrush performance which has surely sealed his Ryder Cup spot.
It was another quality display after Oakmont and MacIntyre: 'I know I've got the game. I feel like it's a matter of time, if I just keep piecing it all together.
'This place is statistically a golf course that I should have been sharper. There's certain holes this week that were vital and I played them poorly.
'Top 10, but to contend, I just wasn't sharp enough and then, the tough holes, that's where the dropped shots came and ultimately cost me a real chance.
'I'm finishing top 10 in a major and being frustrated with certain parts of my game. Things are good and I've just got to wait my turn.
'After US Open, it was important for me to come back here and, obviously coming from last week I changed my preparation to feel more comfortable in what I was doing. This week I've done everything exactly the same as I would do in the States. I felt comfortable.
'I obviously want to win, but Top 10 in the world, very close to it. There's a lot of massive things, FedEx. I just want to improve every year on what I've done.'
MacIntyre's performance has surely booked his seat onto the European flight for Bethpage and he admitted: 'I think it has now. I thought after the US Open it might be done. I've got four more tournaments or three more before the deadline, but I want to qualify automatically. Three more goes and we'll, hopefully, do that.
'Again, I was coming out here trying to win the tournament, but I knew I was too far back [starting Sunday]. It was just jockey for position, pick up whatever you can.'
MacIntyre was just a debutant when he finished tied-sixth at Portrush six years ago and he's maturing towards the finished article.
He continued: 'I'm a far better equipped golfer. I feel like in another week and I piece these things together, one shot, two shots, four shots, they're massive in these tournaments.
"For me, looking now, it's been a great performance, a good result. But it's another kind of reassurance that I'm in the right place.'
MacIntyre knew he had to stay calm through the irritation of his final-day front nine to ensure the power-packed finale and said: 'Yeah, I was frustrated early on. The bogey on four was stupid. Sloppy, being too aggressive. Obviously I didn't birdie five and then I just had to keep saying to myself: Just stay patient, there's a good finish there if you can stay calm and just pick up the shots where you can and hope that the putter warms up and putts start going in. Thankfully that's what happened. Obviously chipped in one.'
It was another example of his ability to push on at the right times as he continued: 'Was it Valhalla last year? I think I eagled the last and finished Top 10, so that was my big learning.
'I remember somewhere before that I was in with a chance, threw the kitchen sink at it, disaster, and then the next week was there and it was staying patient. Nothing was happening, stay patient, stay patient, eagle the last, Top 10.
'I go away from it because I'm human and I lose the plot every now and again and I come back to it, but it is so difficult for me to stay patient, stay calm. I was getting annoyed out there early on through five, six holes. But it was just wait on your run. It will come.
'It might not come this week, but then go into next week and it's just let it happen. It's easy enough to force it, and when you force it, errors come.'
MacIntyre was roared up the last by the Portrush public and said: 'This is my favourite Open venue. To be brutally honest, I love the course, love the place. Not far from home as the crow flies. Shame it's not here every year! But no, it's been unbelievable. The support has been brilliant. Again, the course is in unbelievable shape.'
MacIntyre has played lots this term, but the juices are flowing and he said: 'When I'm driving it this well, you feel like you can absolutely demolish golf courses when you've got it, when you can shape it, you've got control of it.
'You feel as though it's just around the corner, a win is around the corner. It's difficult to win, but you feel it when you've got the driver going the way it is. That's why I keep going. But then I run out of energy at some point.
'But no, after the Playoffs there will be a little break, Wentworth, we'll piece together the plan for Bethpage.'
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