McDonald made his decisive transfer with a birdie on the thirteenth earlier than holing out for eagle on the 14th to maneuver into pole place.
Regardless of climbing the leaderboard, he stated he had little concept the place he stood throughout the closing levels.
“I had no concept, to be sincere,” McDonald added. “I holed the putt after which I used to be like, ‘Oh proper, that is me six beneath’. I do know 4 beneath is normally spherical concerning the mark, so I used to be like, ‘Oh proper, OK’.
“The final 4 holes are so exhausting right here, 16 particularly. Seventeen is a extremely robust par-three, so you’ll be able to’t take something as a right and also you simply have to hit the photographs.”
McDonald insists he’ll head to Royal Birkdale with the identical relaxed mindset that served him so properly in qualifying.
“I’ve received no expectations both of enjoying,” he stated. “I am going to simply go on the market and take a look at my greatest.
“After I did play at Troon, it was simply a kind of weeks the place you simply wish to play once more.
“I did miss the lower by a shot or no matter it was, however I used to be similar to, ‘That is such an excellent occasion. I simply wish to get again and play it’. I am simply delighted to do it.”
There was disappointment for the opposite 19 Scots within the area. Blairgowrie novice Connor Graham narrowly missed out after ending on two beneath par, whereas Craig Lee and Grant Forrest have been an extra shot again.
McDonald joins Oban’s Robert MacIntyre as the one Scots presently within the area for subsequent month’s Open Championship.
Gamers who did not qualify at Dundonald may have one last alternative at subsequent week’s Scottish Open, the place the main three gamers not already exempt will safe locations at Royal Birkdale.
