Robert MacIntyre won his second DP World Tour title at the 2022 DS Automobiles Italian Open, overcoming U.S. Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off at 2023 Ryder Cup host venue, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
The win moves the Scotsman into the third automatic qualifying place on the European Points List with 436.00 points, rising a massive 31 places as he chases his first Ryder Cup appearance.
It was spectacular final round from MacIntyre as he fired ten birdies and three bogeys to card a closing 64 and set up a play-off with third round leader and two-time Team Europe player Fitzpatrick – who himself made birdie on the final hole to tie MacIntyre’s clubhouse lead.
When the Englishman missed the fairway at the first play-off hole, he could only salvage a par, meaning MacIntyre’s birdie was enough to win in Rome and collect his second professional title.
His impressive performance at Marco Simone is sure to have gained European Captain Luke Donald’s attention, with MacIntyre hoping to be back in Italy next year as a key member of the European Ryder Cup team.
MacIntyre said: "It's my main goal - it's my only goal for the next year.
"At the start of the week I didn't think this week was going to be the one - the style of golf course, the way it was playing.
"But we worked on a few things on Tuesday and Wednesday and I felt so in control of my golf ball this week - my wedges, my long irons and even that hybrid that came into the bag last week.
“This means everything. I was down and out about two or three months ago.
“I didn’t know what I was doing, didn’t know where to go.
"But we spoke to the right people, started working with Simon Shanks and I’ve hit two perfect golf shots into the last there. There’s so much hard work gone into this."
Also in the field last week were 2018 and 2020 Ryder Cup teammates Tyrrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy, who were keen to get a first glimpse at the 2023 Ryder Cup venue.
And it was an impressive week for the pair as McIlroy made birdie at the final hole to finish in solo fourth place. Hatton meanwhile finished three shots further back in solo eighth place.
As it stands Shane Lowry (835.00 points), McIlroy (560.00 points) and McIntyre (436.00 points) would claim the three automatic qualifying spots on the European Points List, with Danny Willett (24.29 points), Jon Rahm (19.02 points) and Fitzpatrick (15.69 points) currently sitting in the top three positions on the World Points List.
The 2023 Ryder Cup will take place between Sept. 25 – Oct. 1 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy.
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