Bob MacIntyre snubs his Scottish Open downtime as Oban star drives it up a gear to make Renaissance history

Bob MacIntyre admits it’s all about control as he seeks Scottish Open glory.

The Oban ace has moved himself to the brink of achieving a lifetime dream at The Renaissance. Twelve months ago, it was cruelly snatched away by the magic of Rory McIlroy. But MacIntyre has again put himself in contention to deliver – and is adamant it’s all in his hands. When the home hero glanced at the leaderboards around the course and saw his name at the top at one stage, it didn’t shrink him. He doesn’t feel the weight of pressure on his shoulders. Just the weight of the putter in his hands and, when that happens, all is aligned.

MacIntyre has wanted this all his life. It is not the time to back away and he has no intentions of doing so. Just two strokes behind leader Ludvig Aberg, he said: “I’m calm, all the work’s been done. It’s now just about letting it play out. I can tell how I’m feeling when I’m holding the putter, when I’m behind the ball. I’m doing the two practice strokes and the putter feels heavy – that’s a good sign.

“It’s all to do with attitude and how you take on the pressure. You’ve got to let it be and I’m a very easy-going guy. Just go out there and have fun and see where you end up.

“For the previous eight weeks, I’ve felt my game has been in good shape. To come home and have the home support, I just want to be in with a chance. And I’ve got that chance.

“This the one I want. But I can only control me and I’ve controlled myself very well so far. I’ve got 18 holes to control myself even more.”

Just as he did on the Sunday last year, MacIntyre scythed through the field this time on the Saturday. Starting the day at eight-under par, a dazzling run through 17 holes charged him to the summit of the standings with seven