The Open 2025: Hot finish leaves Bob MacIntyre with warm feeling

MacIntyre had said all week he would have a right good go at it should he be in the mix on the final nine holes of the tournament.

Four birdies in his final seven holes made good on that vow, even if the circumstances were not what he had dreamed they might be as Sunday unfurled on what he declared to be his favourite course on the Open rota.

The Scot picked up a shot on the second after a long eagle putt halted seductively short of the hole, but handed back that initiative on four.

“Stupit” was his brutal assessment of that bogey, which effectively ended his slender hopes of making a run at Scheffler and the rest of the pack.

Another birdie, this time at seven, was returned to the course three holes later, before MacIntyre found that bit of heat he was looking for.

Both 12 and 14 brought birdies – the latter when a low chip skittered all the way into the cup – and catapulted him back to the upper reaches of the leaderboard.

Further red numbers came at 15 and 17, before he rounded off his weekend with par on the last amid a warm reception from the grandstands.

“I just had to keep saying to myself, ‘stay patient, there’s a good finish there if you can stay calm’,” MacIntyre said.

“There’s certain holes this week that were vital, and I played them poorly. But I’m finishing top 10 in a major and being frustrated with certain parts of my game.

“Things are good, and I’ve just got to wait my turn.”