MacIntyre follows nine birdie opener with solid round to stay in the hunt at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Bob MacIntyre says he was delighted with his first round in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after firing himself into early contention for another top ten tournament finish.
Two-time winner Tommy Fleetwood flew out the blocks to post a course record-equalling ten-under-par 62, with Bob poised in the pack just off the lead after carding nine birdies, including four in a row from the tenth, to start this morning’s round just three shots off the pace in eighth.
He has followed his start up with a solid round of four under, currently putting him in ninth position.
An early eagle on the second hole was wiped out by bogeys on the third and eighth before birdies for the second day on 10 and 11 got Bob back in his groove. These were followed by a bogey on 13 and another birdie on 16 before a disappointing six on the last to end what he will be sure to view as a slightly disappointing second 18.
On his first round, he said: "I made a couple of silly mistakes but you’re going to have them. You’re going to have a lapse of concentration now and again but, overall, I think it was a great day’s work.”
Many observers felt the links course and lack of wind failed to put up a tough enough test for one of the premier season-ending events, with a host of players going under par.
The Genesis Scottish Open champion will bring down his 2024 DP World Tour campaign in next week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai before heading to the Bahamas early next month for a debut appearance in the Hero World Challenge after an invitation from host and former world number one Tiger Woods.
Bob said: "I just want to try and play well between now and having a wee Christmas break. My game has been good all year and its all about keeping building on that. I’m here to try to win golf tournaments against great players and the scores today shows that the level is so high.”
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