Bob MacIntyre soars into Texas Open lead on back of 'dynamite' display
Scot follows opening 66 with 64 to break halfway scoring record in San Antonio
Bob MacIntyre described parts of his play as “dynamite” as the Oban man continued to look in majestic form heading into next week’s Masters.
Having opened with a six-under-par 66 in the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio, MacIntyre kept his foot to the floor in the second circuit as he added a 64 that was a sensational effort from start to finish.
Illuminated by an eagle - his first of the season on the PGA Tour - at the 14th, the effort saw the 29-year-old break the 36-hole record in the event by two shots as he moved to 14 under.
With just one player still to finish the second round, MacIntyre holds a four-shot lead over Ryder Cup team-mate Ludvig Aberg, with a group of four players, inclusing Dane Thorbjorn Olesen, on nine under.
“Yeah, everything,” replied the Scot to being asked what had worked well for him in a round that also contained seven birdies, finishing with back-to-back gains for the second day running.
“I've been driving the ball nice. Got a new Titleist driver in the bag. Iron play today was exceptional I would say. Hit a pure wedge shot on 17, I thought it was absolutely dynamite there. Approach play, hitting the number, hitting the targets. Got to finish off with good putting. Overall, just really solid.”
Playing in the same group as Aberg and Jordan Spieth, MacIntyre started the day one shot off the lead but soon had his nose in front and kept kicking on.
“Starting on that back nine was nice and I got off to a nice start,” he added. “If you play well, you can build momentum and it was a good start and a good finish.”
MacIntyre is bidding to become the third successive left-hander to win the pre-Masters event on The Oaks Course after Akshay Bhatia landed the title in 2024 and Brian Harman then did likewise 12 months ago.
“I don't know,” said the world No 11 in reply to being asked if he felt this was a course that suited lefties. “Obviously people who are left handed have done well in the past, but I'm not worried about that one bit. I just concentrate on warming up in the morning and getting after it.”
Aberg carded a second successive 67 to boost his hopes of a win heading to Augusta National, where he has finished in the top ten in his two appearances so far.
Elsewhere, Gemma Dryburgh slipped from two shots off the lead at the start of the day to 11 behind at the halfway stage after signing for a six-over 78 in the second round of the Aramco Championship in Las Vegas.
American Lauren Coughlin, winner of the 2024 ISPS Handa Scottish Women’s Open, leads by five shots after opening with rounds of 67-69 at Shadow Creek to sit on eight under.
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