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It’s fair to say Robert MacIntyre is having a seriously good rookie season.

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.

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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.

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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.


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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