Robert MacIntyre Gains New Confidence In Pursuit Of Major Title After Oakmont Near Miss

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Robert MacIntyre is gearing up for The Open with renewed confidence after a strong performance at the U.S. Open last month. He finished just two strokes behind J.J. Spaun, who claimed his first major victory at Oakmont, Pennsylvania. This result has bolstered MacIntyre's belief that he can secure a major win.

MacIntyre's previous best in a major was a tie for sixth place at The Open in 2019, held at Royal Portrush, which is also the venue for this week's tournament. His journey this year began with missing the cut at the Masters and finishing tied for 47th at the PGA Championship. However, his recent U.S. Open experience has given him newfound assurance in his capabilities.

"I now know that I can win one of these," MacIntyre shared with BBC Sport. "Before, I thought I could, but I’d never shown anything that had shown that I could." He acknowledged having several top 10 finishes in majors but noted that he had never been in contention during the final holes until Oakmont.

Reflecting on his performance, MacIntyre said, "On the 16th, I was thinking 'I can do this, it’s here for the taking'. I thought I played beautifully and it’s just knowing that it’s there." Although he didn't clinch victory, he feels reassured by his ability to perform under pressure when needed.

At Oakmont, MacIntyre managed to outscore Spaun by four strokes over the weekend. However, Spaun's impressive five-under opening round of 66 gave him an edge over the Scot. "Things were happening that were completely new to me," MacIntyre reflected on his experience.

Despite feeling nervous and excited during those final holes, MacIntyre played them one under par. "If the cards had fallen my way, I'd have won the US Open," he admitted. Yet he acknowledged Spaun's superior play over all 72 holes.

The Road Ahead

This week at The Open, MacIntyre will tee off alongside Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau for his initial rounds. With two PGA Tour wins last year under his belt, he approaches this tournament with determination and optimism.

The close finish at Oakmont has transformed his dream of winning a major into a tangible goal. As he prepares to compete again on such a prestigious stage, MacIntyre remains focused on achieving success in upcoming tournaments.