Defending champion Robert MacIntyre surged back into the hunt at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after recording a stunning second-round 65 at Kingsbarns. The Scot moved into a tie for ninth place, sitting just three shots off the lead as calm conditions dominated the course.
MacIntyre began the day one stroke under par following his opening round at Carnoustie. He capitalized on the favorable weather to reel in four birdies on the front nine. Although he was frustrated by a bogey on the 11th hole, he responded with four consecutive birdies over the next five holes to finish at eight under for the tournament.
“I was cleaning up the holes where I felt like you need to clean up, just kept it simple,” MacIntyre said. “We got really lucky with the weather; the last hole was the only one we had with the wind blowing up.”
South Africa’s Casey Jarvis remains the halfway leader at 11 under. England’s Matthew Jordan matched MacIntyre’s efforts with a round of 66 at Carnoustie, featuring six birdies and an eagle, to sit on 10 under. Spain’s Rocco Repetto Taylor also posted 10 under, carding a tournament-best round of 64 at Kingsbarns.
American Brooks Koepka, making a return to the event, shot a 67 to join MacIntyre on eight under. English duo Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are two shots behind the five-time major champion at six under.
Michael Stewart, the surprise first-round leader, maintained his position alongside compatriot MacIntyre after a level-par 71 at Kingsbarns. MacIntyre praised Stewart’s game, stating, “Hopefully he can get that bit of luck over the weekend to get on here full-time. I know the bits of luck I’ve had in my career that have got me to the position I’m in. His chipping and putting, I’m not sure there’s many better on the whole planet.”
In other notable results, veteran Lee Westwood reached four under after a 69 at Kingsbarns in just his second DP World Tour appearance in nearly four years. Meanwhile, fellow LIV golfer Ian Poulter struggled, shooting a 76 after an opening nine that saw him go out in 41 at Carnoustie, leaving him four over par.
MacIntyre is set to tee off at St Andrews on Saturday. “I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, shooting at pins, trusting the instincts,” he said.
Is 76 really that bad on the Open links? Wind messes everything up, pity Poulter.
A 65 at this course is elite. MacIntyre looks dangerous with his putting rolling again.