Bob MacIntyre finds himself in a challenging position as he heads into the final round of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush. Despite being within the top 10, the Scottish golfer is feeling the pressure after a third-round 70 left him eight shots behind the formidable leader, Scottie Scheffler.

MacIntyre, currently at six under par, knows that a significant turnaround is needed to close the gap. "Unless I get off to a hot, hot start, it's probably out the window," he admitted. The world number 14 remains hopeful but realistic about his chances, acknowledging that a strong start is crucial to keep his hopes alive.

The third round saw MacIntyre struggle to capitalize on favorable conditions. While his scorecard reflected a mix of birdies and bogeys, untimely mistakes hindered his momentum. A birdie on the sixth hole and an eagle on the seventh briefly reignited his campaign, but a bogey on the eighth quickly dampened the spark.

MacIntyre's frustrations were evident on the 14th hole when a wayward approach shot landed in a greenside bunker, leading to an outburst of frustration. "I think it's fair game to lose the plot every now and again," he said. Despite the setback, he managed to close with four pars, but the damage was done.

As the final round approaches, MacIntyre is focused on finishing as high as possible. "The tougher the test, the more I feel I can keep that discipline," he added. With the world number one, Scottie Scheffler, leading by four shots, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the Open Championship.