Twelfth on the Race To Dubai, three runner-up finishes, into the world's top 100, over €1.3m in the bank, a stunning major debut... yeah, the Oban left-hander is clearly a man that's going places.

Of course, it helps considerably when you've got shots like this in your locker.

Playing in today's opening round of this week's Italian Open the 23-year-old hit what is surely one of the shots of the year on the European Tour.

• Scottish club SAVED from brink of closure

• Stenson lays trusty 3-wood to rest

After crunching a drive on Olgiata Golf Club's 623-yard par-5 ninth - his 18th hole of the day - the Glencruitten man got up to his ball and again reached for his driver.

• WATCH - A round with Marc Warren

The result? This spectacular 'off the deck' effort.

NOTE - TURN UP THE VOLUME!

Just listen to that noise - that's what you call "hitting it pure".

Afterwards, MacIntyre revealed on Twitter that his caddie, Greg Milne, hadn't been in favour of his bold approach.

That helped MacIntyre to close with a birdie for a two-under 69. The early leader, Finland's Tapio Pulkannen, is five shots better off on seven-under.