Robert MacIntyre sent a major Ryder Cup message to skipper Luke Donald after landing the Italian Open crown in a thrilling playoff.
The Scot superb final round 64 before US Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick grabbed a spot in the shootout with a birdie at the final hole.
But MacIntrye held his nerve to seal the deal in extra time to secure his second title on the DP World Tour and fire his name in the Ryder Cup frame with 12 months to go. The Oban star outshone a host of big name stars at the Marco Simone Golf Club – including multiple major champ Rory McIlroy, whose late charge was sunk after finding water at the 16th hole. In what we hope will be an omen, this is where the Ryder Cup will be played in 12 months’ time.
But MacIntrye held his nerve to birdie two of the final three holes on his way to the lowest round of the day. Fitzpatrick responded with a birdie at the last to set up a play-off but the Englishman got into trouble off the tee. MacIntrye held his nerve to get up and down to claim victory. He leaps from 75th to 15th in the money list as watching Donald was reminded of his talent.
And MacIntyre said: “This win means everything. I was done and out of it some two or three months ago. I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know where to go.
“But I spoke to the right people and there’s so much hard work gone into this, my caddie, family, friends, absolutely everyone, Scott, a few weeks ago, Scott Forsythe. My approach play has just gone up a notch and it’s shown today
“I hit terrible shots for bogeys on 14 and 15 and was back against the wall, and again, just got one with my dogged attitude of never give up, if I get punched, I punch back. The birdies on 16 and 18 were massive and thankfully I got in the playoff”.
