Robert MacIntyre sits three shots off the lead at Valhalla

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is relishing the chance of handling the pressure of competing for his first major title in the 106th US PGA Championship at Valhalla.

MacIntyre carded six birdies and a solitary bogey in a third round of 66 to finish 12 under par, three shots behind leaders Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa.

“The only reason there’s pressure is because you care so much, it’s only because you care about what you’re doing, the position that you’re in,” MacIntyre, who enjoyed an unbeaten Ryder Cup debut in Rome last year, said.

“But it’s fun. It’s part of it. It’s new in an individual event, the pressure.

“Obviously the Ryder Cup was a bit more severe but I had team-mates to back me up. This time it’s me and Mike, my caddie.

“We’re out there fighting as much as we can. I’m going to get nervous but all I can do is try my best and see where we end up. If I’m in with a chance, I’m in with a chance, and then we may start think about winning a golf tournament.

“But until about probably the 68th hole I’m going to try and just play golf, and then at the 68th hole I have to maybe think about what I’m doing.”

MacIntyre earned his PGA Tour card for this season by finishing 13th on the DP World Tour money list, but has initially struggled to come to terms with the different environment on the other side of the Atlantic.

However, after enjoying some time back at home in April, the 27-year-old finished just outside the top 10 in the Myrtle Beach Classic last week and will have the added bonus of partnering Rose in the final round at Valhalla.

“To be honest, it’s all about my own mindset. It depends on how I’m feeling as a person outside of golf,” MacIntyre added.

“Everyone knows I’ve been struggling with living in America since January. It’s been difficult.

“I went home there for three weeks. Spent a lot of time with friends and family and everyone that really matters to me, and I came back out wanting to play golf.

“If you’re wanting to play golf, you’re going to practice hard, you’re going to enjoy it, and yeah, the performances have been there the last few while.”