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Bob MacIntyre was sick with nerves on his way to finishing runner-up at the US Open but says the way he handled the occasion gives him the belief he can win a major.<\/b><\/p>\n
“I now know that I can win one of these,” the 28-year-old Scot told BBC Sport as he prepares for this week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.<\/p>\n
“Before, I thought I could, but I’d never shown anything that had shown that I can. Yes, I’ve had a few top 10s in majors, but I was never there over the final few holes.<\/p>\n
“Oakmont was the first time I’d had that feeling. On the 16th, I was thinking ‘I can do this, it’s here for the taking’.”<\/p>\n
MacIntyre started his final round in Pennsylvania in a share of ninth place but was tied for the lead after 14 holes – only for JJ Spaun to conjure up a glorious closing stretch to prevail by two shots.<\/p>\n
“I thought I played beautifully and it’s just knowing that it’s there,” MacIntyre explained. “Okay, it didn’t happen, but it’s knowing we’ve got that in the locker when I need it. <\/p>\n
“Things were happening that were completely new to me. It was different, but I was expecting it. Yes, there were nerves, but it was exciting. You’re shaking, feeling sick. I played the last three holes in one under par feeling like that.<\/p>\n
“If the cards had fallen my way, I’d have won the US Open, but JJ was better than me over 72 holes.<\/p>\n
“It was close and we pitch up here with the same thought of trying to win The Open. It makes me really think I can win a major. It’s a reality, not just a dream.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n