'i Now Know That I Can Win A Major' - Macintyre

Bob MacIntyre was sick pinch nerves connected his measurement to finishing runner-up astatine nan US Open but says nan measurement he handled nan juncture gives him nan belief he tin triumph a major.

"I now cognize that I tin triumph 1 of these," nan 28-year-old Scot told BBC Sport arsenic he prepares for this week's Open Championship astatine Royal Portrush.

"Before, I thought I could, but I'd ne'er shown thing that had shown that I can. Yes, I've had a fewer apical 10s successful majors, but I was ne'er location complete nan last fewer holes.

"Oakmont was nan first clip I'd had that feeling. On nan 16th, I was reasoning 'I tin do this, it's present for nan taking'."

MacIntyre started his last information successful Pennsylvania successful a stock of ninth spot but was tied for nan lead aft 14 holes - only for JJ Spaun to conjure up a glorious closing agelong to prevail by 2 shots.

"I thought I played beautifully and it's conscionable knowing that it's there," MacIntyre explained. "Okay, it didn't happen, but it's knowing we've sewage that successful nan locker erstwhile I request it.

"Things were happening that were wholly caller to me. It was different, but I was expecting it. Yes, location were nerves, but it was exciting. You're shaking, emotion sick. I played nan past 3 holes successful 1 nether par emotion for illustration that.

"If nan cards had fallen my way, I'd person won nan US Open, but JJ was amended than maine complete 72 holes.

"It was adjacent and we transportation up present pinch nan aforesaid thought of trying to triumph The Open. It makes maine really deliberation I tin triumph a major. It's a reality, not conscionable a dream."

The left-hander from Oban already had 2 top-10 Open finishes, including joint-sixth connected his debut erstwhile nan tourney was past astatine Portrush successful 2019.

Last year's Scottish Open triumph showed he tin triumph connected a links people against elite opposition.

MacIntyre whitethorn person trim a disappointment fig astatine nan play arsenic nan defence of that title proved disappointing, but nan "old schoolhouse feel" of Portrush has his juices flowing again.

"Yes, it's been lengthened successful time, but it's conscionable nan dunes enclosing nan holes," he explained. "You've sewage nan visuals disconnected nan tees and past you've sewage nan weather. That tin beryllium perfectly brutal, arsenic we saw successful 2019. As a title play course, I deliberation it's spectacular."

MacIntyre, who will play nan first 2 rounds pinch Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau, is 1 of 4 Scots successful nan field, pinch Daniel Young and amateurs Cameron Adam and Connor Graham each making their Open debuts.

"I'm judge they'll prime my brains retired location and, if they want to inquire maine questions, not a problem, I'm location for them," he said of his compatriots.

"They've each sewage my number, but if they don't want to inquire maine questions, I'm not going to unit things down them, effort and make them change."