Robert MacIntyre ready to stake Ryder Cup claim at US PGA

Robert MacIntyre is back fit and ready to shine at the PGA Championship – but admits that the “absolute monster” Oak Hill East Course will provide the ultimate test of his game.

The Scot has reiterated that his “main goal” is to make the European Ryder Cup team for the biennial contest against the USA this September and there are few bigger stages to impress than Rochester at the second major of the year.

The 26-year-old from Oban was forced to withdraw from his Italian Open title defence at the Marco Simone course after one round earlier this month, citing back pain.

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He therefore missed out on the chance to impress Team Europe captain Donald at the Ryder Cup venue in Rome, but has travelled to upstate New York with a spring in his step after declaring himself fit and firing ahead of his own first major of the season.

“The game has been really good,” he said. “Obviously the body wasn’t great in Italy, but it’s really good now. It’s feeling as good as it has in a while. The game is still decent, but again, it’s going to be on a golf course that is an absolute monster.

“I have to be honest, it’s as tough a golf course as I’ve ever played in my life, and I think the majority of people would say the same. Yeah, just got to go out there and take each day as it comes and enjoy yourself.”

MacIntyre showed nerves of steel to defeat US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick to win his second DP World Tour title in Rome last September and he had recorded three top seven finishes on the European circuit before the back problems which prompted his recent Italian Open withdrawal.

But he is currently 12th on the European Ryder Cup points list and needs some strong performances to make his way firmly into Donald’s plans for the big match in five months’ time.

And while he is keen to temper his own expectations ahead of his fourth PGA Championship appearance, MacIntyre knows that this tournament represents a big opportunity to make his mark.

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Asked about targeting a Ryder Cup spot, he added: “It’s my main goal, but as I say all the time, if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. It’s not going to change the way I play golf, the way I live my life.

“I’m just going to be the same. But this week could be a good place to show your golf. This is as big a test of your golf that you’ll ever get.”

MacIntyre has been drawn alongside Harris English and Sepp Straka for the opening two rounds of the tournament and will start his first round at 5:58pm (BST) from the 10th tee on Thursday.

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.