Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre produced a scintillating second round at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, defying relentless wind and rain at Kingsbarns to share the tournament lead. As inclement weather forced a suspension of play, MacIntyre’s impressive six-under-par 66 allowed him to end the day tied at twelve under with South Africa’s Richard Sterne, keeping home hopes alive.
Key Takeaways
- Robert MacIntyre shares the lead on -12 after round two
- Harsh weather brought play to a premature halt
- Notable performances from stars and celebrities alike
MacIntyre Handles Brutal Links Weather
Golf in the Scottish autumn is rarely easy, yet Friday’s conditions around the three host courses were brutal even by local standards. With lightning, gusts and downpours causing headaches up and down the field, MacIntyre remained unfazed, tallying seven birdies and just one bogey. The 29-year-old, buoyed by recent Ryder Cup experience, navigated the back nine with particular poise—starting on the 10th hole, he picked up three birdies early before a strong finish despite the worsening weather.
MacIntyre commented after his round, “It’s hard to play in the wind, but you have to embrace it here. I just tried to stay patient and hit the right shots at the right times.”
Leaderboard Highlights
| Position | Player | Nationality | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Robert MacIntyre | Scotland | -12 |
| T1 | Richard Sterne | South Africa | -12 |
| 3 | Louis Oosthuizen | South Africa | -11 |
| T4 | Scott Jamieson | Scotland | -10 |
| T4 | Tom McKibbin | Northern Ireland | -10 |
| T6 | Matt Fitzpatrick | England | -8 |
Several leading contenders—including Brooks Koepka and Todd Clements—were left with holes to complete as play was halted and will resume early Saturday.
Record-Breaking Streak and Celebrity Sightings
While MacIntyre shared the headlines, England’s Nathan Kimsey set a new DP World Tour record with nine consecutive birdies at the Old Course, matching achievements by only two players in tour history. Kimsey’s surge propelled him up the leaderboard and added an extra spark to the day’s play.
The pro-am format attracted a host of household names from sport and entertainment, such as Andy Murray—whose bunker misadventure went viral—Wayne Gretzky, Kevin Pietersen, and actors Michael Douglas and Bill Murray.
The team competition is also closely contested, with teams headed by Alejandro del Rey and actor Matthew Goode among those sharing the lead.
Anticipated Weekend Finish
With a $5 million prize purse and $800,000 for the winner, the Alfred Dunhill Links remains fiercely competitive despite the wild weather. Nearly one-third of the field must finish the suspended second round on Saturday morning, before all eyes turn to a shotgun start for round three.
As MacIntyre prepares to tackle St Andrews next, the anticipation and excitement build for a dramatic conclusion on Scotland’s famed links.
