US Open: Robert MacIntyre rates his major chances at Oakmont

Robert MacIntyre did not let a disappointing finish overshadow another gutsy Oakmont round that left him in contention heading into US Open Sunday. 

The Scot, who said his opening round 70 was one of his best of his life on Thursday, went one better albeit in softer conditions in his third round at the fiendish Pittsburgh layout.

Despite a bogey on the 18th, MacIntyre’s one-under par 69 put him in the clubhouse lead early on Saturday evening on three-over.

“The game is great,” MacIntyre told reporters afterwards. “I’ve been playing really well this year. Just not piecing it together. Look, another round to go.

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“I’ve put three solid rounds together so far, and I think tomorrow just go out there, give it your best, don’t try and focus too much on trying to win, just go out there and hit the shots, and then come 15, 16, see where I’m sitting and whether I’m in the race or not.”

MacIntyre has not finished higher than 35th in this tournament in his three previous starts, but feels ready to contend for his first major title on Sunday.

He played the more difficult front nine in two-under par and knows a similar start tomorrow could give him a fighting chance.

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“That’s as easy as the golf course is going to play right now,” he said. “But it’s a US Open Saturday. Guys up there have a chance to win.

“I know they can’t win it today, but they’re getting in a good position.

“I’m just delighted to be in it, three-over par total, and now going into tomorrow, if I shoot the number I know I can shoot, then why me?”

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered 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.