ROBERT MacINTYRE will go toe-to-toe with world No 1 Scottie Scheffler for the BMW Championship title in Baltimore tonight.
The Scot held a five-shot lead over Scheffler at the halfway stage but held firm as the Open champion only trimmed the advantage to four last night.
MacIntyre led the second leg of this $20million FedEx Cup play-off event on 14 under par at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland after two rounds but immediately opened the door to Scheffler with a dropped shot at the first.
In the race for the $3.6m first prize, the 29-year-old left-hander from Oban quickly regained his poise and birdied the fourth to balance the books.
Scheffler, however, also birdied the par-five to move within three.
A birdie on nine from MacIntyre was a good response to the one the four-time major winner carded on the seventh.
MacIntyre lets out a roar after sinking a long birdie putt at the final hole of round three
The Scot fist pumps in delight to give himself breathing space at the top of the leaderboard
MacIntyre’s scrambling was key in keeping his name at the top of the leaderboard
A phenomenal par save on the 14th hole prompted an angry stare at the pro-American gallery from MacIntyre as he fought tooth and nail to keep Scheffler at bay.
Things were starting to heat up and this battle could offer a glimpse into what promises to be an epic Ryder Cup battle next month in New York.
The Scot had the final word with a superb 41ft putt at the last hole for a huge birdie to increase his lead to four shots.
MacIntyre carded a 68 to move to 16 under par, with Scheffler’s 67 only enough to cut the gap to four strokes.
World No 1 Scheffler is desperately trying to chase down the Scot and is four shots adrift
Ludvig Aberg is third on 10 under after the young Swede carded a 68.
American Sam Burns and Englishman Harry Hall are tied fourth on eight under — but all eyes are on MacIntyre and whether he can clinch a seismic victory.
The Scot said: ‘It was a struggle today at times but I’m up for any fight. I made some good saves and the birdie at the last was a big bonus.’