'I get punched but I punch back' - Robert MacIntyre fighting for Ryder Cup spot after Italian Open win

ByAlex Livie

Updated 21/09/2022 at 09:27 GMT

The Ryder Cup qualification process has begun and Robert MacIntyre has given himself a head start by securing victory in the Italian Open. His win came on the venue of next year's clash between Europe and the United States, Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. In a positive turn for captain Luke Donald, MacIntyre has said playing in the Ryder Cup is his only goal for the next year.

Robert MacIntyre has said his main goal for 2023 is to make Team Europe’s Ryder Cup roster.

The Scot ended a poor run of form - after admitting he was “down and out” earlier in the season - to beat US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off at the Italian Open.

MacIntyre’s victory came at the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup, the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, and the left-hander now has his sights trained on a place on Luke Donald’s team.

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“It is my main goal, my only goal for the next year,” MacIntyre said. “I have done it on the golf course.

“At the start of the week I did not think this week was going to be the one, this style of course the way I had been playing, but we worked on a few things on Tuesday and Wednesday and I felt so in control of my golf ball this week.”

After winning the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown in 2020, MacIntyre’s form dipped and he arrived in Rome with only one top-10 finish to his name in 2022 - at the Ras al Khaimah Classic in February.

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But a change in coach and a fierce will to fight turned things around for the 26-year-old.

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“This means everything,” MacIntyre said. “I was down and out about two or three months ago.

“I did not know what I was doing, did not know where to go.

“We spoke to the right people; started working with Simon Shanks.

“I have hit two of the most perfect golf shots into the last [hole]. There’s so much hard work gone into this.

“My approach play went up a notch and it has shown up today.”

Donald is going to need players ready to dig deep if they are to wrestle the Ryder Cup away from the United States, and MacIntyre is making the right noises.

“I have a dogged attitude, never give up,” he said. “I get punched but I punch back.”

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