Bob MacIntyre says game is 'trending in right direction' after top-15 finish in LA

Bob MacIntyre hailed the Genesis Invitational as “one of the best tournaments I’ve ever played in my life” as he savoured recording his best performance in a regular PGA Tour event.

Playing on a sponsor’s exemption in a tournament hosted by Tiger Woods, the 25-year-year-old ended up in a share of 15th spot behind wire-to-wire winner Joaquin Niemann at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.

After following an opening 71 with back-to-back 67s, MacIntyre found himself playing alongside Rory McIlroy in the final round and he certainly wasn’t fazed by that in the slightest.

The Oban man signed off with a 71 to finish with an eight-under total, pocketing $189,000 in the process in his first start of the season on the US circuit.

“Yeah, it was brilliant,” said MacIntre of his debut in the event, one of just three that have elevated status on the PGA Tour. “One of the best tournaments I’ve ever played in my life, if I’m being honest.”

MacIntyre had been hoping to sneak into the top 10, which would have secured a spot for him in the week’s Honda Classic in Florida.

Instead, he’s heading home to recharge the batteries following a run of five straight events before starting his build up to The Masters.

“Disappointed not to get top 10, but we are trending in the right direction,” he added, feeling much happier about his game than he did when missing the cut in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai at the start of his 2022 DP World Tour campaign.

“We struggled at the start of the season in the Middle East, but I think that coming to a top-class golf course, where I actually felt as though I could compete reasonably well, helped me this week.”

Referring to his game, he continued: “It’s in good shape. I’ve done a lot of work on it the last couple of