robert macintyre shot a seven-under 65 on day three at the Stadium Course to surge into the top 10 at the Players Championship. The Oban left-hander reeled off nine birdies, three in the closing four holes, to move to seven under overall. He paired his lowest round at the event by four shots with candid reflections about becoming a first-time father, saying “It’s magical. “
Robert Macintyre’s 65: late birdies and big moments
robert macintyre began the week with back-to-back level-par 72s before producing his low number, a 65 that vaulted him up the leaderboard. The 65 was his lowest round at the event by four shots and re-shaped robert macintyre’s standing in the field, moving him into the top 10 as leaders began their third rounds.
His round included nine birdies in total and a dramatic closing sequence: he holed a raking putt of almost 40 feet on the 15th, two-putted from roughly 60 feet on the 16th, and flighted a fine tee shot into four feet on the perilous 17th to secure three gains inside the final four holes. Those closing moments converted a steady start into a genuine surge — moving him to a seven-under aggregate after opening with two level-par rounds.
Listed in the field as a Ryder Cup player and the world No 8, robert macintyre arrived at the week off the back of a season-opening share of fourth at the Sony Open and a couple of solid top-25 finishes earlier this year. His driver and scoring iron play came together on the Stadium Course to unlock the low number.
Immediate reactions and quick context
“It’s magical, ” said Robert Macintyre, Ryder Cup player, when describing becoming a father for the first time; he and partner Shannon have spent the past six weeks with baby son Findlay. robert macintyre praised Shannon for “doing a great job back home” and acknowledged the strain of touring life: “She’s getting sleepless nights with the wee man, but I have to come out here to do my job. ” He added, “It’s more difficult than ever being away. I’m a home boy. I love being home in Scotland. “
On the leaderboard around him, Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, produced a level-par 72 and slipped toward the bottom half of the field, while Scottie Scheffler posted a bogey-free 67 to move to four under. Scottie Scheffler, world No 1, pushed back on the idea that range work had been a fix, saying, “Did I find anything? I think that would imply that I was lost, which is not the case. ” Tournament operations earlier in the week were shaken when spectators were delayed after two people were shot and killed less than a mile from the main parking area and the suspect entered PGA property, encountering tournament employees during an attempted escape.
What’s next
robert macintyre now heads into the final rounds with clear momentum and the possibility of a Sunday charge; his seven-under total leaves him within striking distance as leaders complete their rounds. Watch whether robert macintyre can convert hot iron play and late-round composure into a run toward the top of the leaderboard, and whether robert macintyre can manage the demands of life as a new father while pushing for a contendership finish at Sawgrass.
