Bob MacIntyre insists he WILL win a major despite US Open heartbreak as JJ Spaun snatches Oakmont glory from Scot with birdie-birdie finish
Out of the heartbreak of his near-miss at the US Open has emerged a sense of certainty within Bob MacIntyre that he will win a major championship.
His runner-up spot behind JJ Spaun at Oakmont was his highest finish in one of golf's big-four tournaments and it has also launched the Scot to a career-best ranking of world No 12.
Having set the clubhouse lead on Sunday with a brilliant 68 in hideous weather, the 28-year-old believed he had done enough to win, only for Spaun to hit the shot of his life on his way to birdieing the 17th before nailing a 65-foot par for another at the last. Spaun won by two.
MacIntyre said: 'I thought I had this one, to be honest.
'Obviously finishing sixth in The Open at Royal Portrush (in 2019) was my best finish, but it was a back-door effort.
'But this was different. There's no reason why I can't win a major championship in my career and that's my goal now. I said I wanted to win the Scottish Open and I got that (in 2024). I just want to win majors now.'
MacIntyre, who has won twice on the PGA Tour after initially struggling to adapt to life on the circuit, added: 'If I'd won this one it was going to be unbelievable — it would have been something special. But to see a guy hole a putt like that to win, I take my hat off to him, fair play.
'I am starting to see things happening with my game — driver, putter, everything. I feel things coming and just have to keep going and keep going until I get that result.'
MacIntyre's result will effectively seal his involvement in this year's Ryder Cup after making his debut in 2023.
He said: 'That's where I want to be. I want to play every Ryder Cup from now until the day I retire and this is a massive step for that to happen this year.'
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