Robert MacIntyre admits Ryder Cup “hell” before securing automatic spot  

Robert MacIntyre is relishing his Ryder Cup debut after admitting to a fortnight of “hell” trying to secure his spot in Luke Donald’s team.

Scotland’s MacIntyre has sealed the last automatic place on the European Points List after the final qualifying event, the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

The Oban man made the cut on the number and struggled to T55 on three-under, but his nearest challengers Yannik Paul and Adrian Meronk could not usurp him with top-three finishes at Crans-sur-Sierre.

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So while MacIntyre struggled all week on the Swiss Alps, he has been rewarded for months of hard work by claiming one of six places in Donald’s team, meaning he will crucially not be relying on a pick from the European skipper.

The 27-year-old jumped up the European Points List in July with his runner-up finish at the Genesis Scottish Open and consolidated third place in the standings with his top-five at the Czech Masters in Prague last week.

He joins qualifiers Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick on Donald’s team.

“I am so excited,” MacIntyre said. “It’s been a tough qualifying campaign, but I am pleased with the way I have dealt with the challenge and to have earned one of the six automatic spots. I’ve worked hard to play in the Ryder Cup, but now it’s important that we go on and win it.”

Fitzpatrick leapfrogged Tommy Fleetwood in the World Points List after losing out to Ludvig Aberg in pursuit of his third Omega Masters title on Sunday.

The Swedish sensation Aberg surged to victory with a late birdie charge and is now poised to become the most inexperienced player in Ryder Cup history.

But MacIntyre was enduring his own battle down the leaderboard on what has been a gruelling week on a course that does not suit his eye.

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He holed a nervy four-footer on Friday to make his first Omega Masters cut after playing on Thursday and Friday with contenders Paul and Meronk.

“The last two weeks have been hell, ” MacIntyre admitted. “Pairings in the first two rounds, media hype – everything has just been tough.”

“I’m happy to be going home, to be honest.It’s been a poor week on the greens. I felt like I played half decent. Today I was trying to find a decent game. I was hitting different shots and the week was rounded off by the last hole. Yeah, just disappointing.

“It’s not been my favourite place in the past. I felt my game was good coming into it, but I just didn’t have my game on the greens. I putted absolutely horrifically all week. Yeah, the pressure was high, but that’s why I play golf.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.