Since his arrival in America as a full-time PGA Tour player, Robert MacIntyre’s journey has been anything but smooth. While he came close to winning his home open in Scotland and triumphed in the Ryder Cup, he couldn’t shake off the feeling of loneliness, something he had never experienced before. Adjusting to his new golfing life in America hasn’t been easy, and the search for the perfect caddie has been an ongoing struggle.
A Quest for the Right Caddie
Last fall, MacIntyre made a change in caddies right before the Ryder Cup. He then stuck with his new caddie, Mike Burrow, through the beginning of 2024. Burrow had previous experience on the PGA Tour, having caddied for Danny Willett, Haotong Li, and others. However, MacIntyre felt the need for a change between the Masters and the PGA Championship. Scott Carmichael stepped in, but due to a prior commitment, Burrow returned for the PGA Championship.
MacIntyre ultimately decided to part ways with both caddies and seek a fresh start ahead of the Canadian Open. While caddies play a crucial role in helping their players, MacIntyre believes that what he needs most is someone to chat with on the course and keep him comfortable. In an emergency situation, he made a decisive phone call that would turn out to be a game-changer – he called his own father, Dougie.
A Familiar Presence
“I’m trying to work it all out,” MacIntyre explained. “Yeah, it was an emergency phone call on Saturday, and he stepped up to the plate. He’s a good golfer himself, but at this level, he’s a bit out of his depth. I thought he did a great job and kept it so simple. The numbers are what they are. Go and add a good shot to that number, and the results should be half decent.”
The MacIntyres swiftly found their rhythm, playing 36 holes without a single bogey and taking the 36-hole lead. Bob Mac, as he is affectionately known, marvels at the experience. “We’re just kind of learning on the run — well, he is — he’s learning on the run, and I’m kind of trying to stay as calm as I can,” Bob said. “When I do miss a shot, I’m not trying to get too annoyed. Yeah, we’re just trying to have as much fun as we can.”
MacIntyre’s Path to Success
The partnership between father and son has yielded impressive results. Bob secured a lighter carry bag for his dad, and he himself hit an impressive 72% of greens, successfully scrambling for par every time he missed. Additionally, he finished in the top 10 in putting during the first two rounds. This marked the first 36-hole lead in the 27-year-old Scotsman’s PGA Tour career.
“It’s cool,” Bob reflected after the second round. “Look, it’s something that he can always say he’s led a PGA Tour event at some point. What happens over the next two rounds, who knows. I’m going to go out there and do the same stuff, hit as many fairways as I can, hit as many good shots as I can, just keep doing the same stuff. As I keep saying, it’s not rocket science, it’s a golf course. It’s you versus it. I think I’ve done a good job so far.”
However, the third round brought a momentary setback as Bob Mac made his first bogey of the week on the 1st hole. He would go on to make two more bogeys before a turning point occurred halfway through the round.
A Father’s Influence
“He was having a wee go at me when I was walking from the 10th tee down to the fairway,” MacIntyre recalled. “Look, he was a sporting guy, he knows how to win, knows how to lose, he’s been through it all. He could see my head going a little bit and he’s like, ‘What have you been working on for the last eight weeks, 10 weeks’ — whatever I’ve been doing when I realized what was the problem. I kind of flipped into that mode and tried to find the positive in everything.”
Bob Mac responded to his father’s encouragement by making birdie on the 10th hole and stringing together several more birdies on the 14th, 15th, and 16th holes. To cap it off, he eagled the 17th, catapulting himself to a four-shot lead over the rest of the field. Suddenly, the son who sought solace in his family and friends throughout his first year in the States was preparing to sleep on a 54-hole lead and caddie in the final pairing on Sunday.
A Journey Fueled by Family
Having longed for the presence of his loved ones during his time in America, MacIntyre recognizes the significance of being able to spend an extra week with his father. “Look, I’m out here just now playing,” he expressed. “I’ve only been home really three weeks since January the 3rd, so I don’t get to see my dad much. Obviously, I phoned him, emergency phone call to come here last week. He jumped at the chance. It’s good to just spend an extra week with loved ones.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Who is Robert MacIntyre?
Robert MacIntyre is a professional golfer from Scotland who competes on the PGA Tour.
How has MacIntyre been coping with his first year in America?
MacIntyre has struggled with feelings of loneliness and homesickness since moving to America for his full-time PGA Tour career.
Has MacIntyre found a consistent caddie?
MacIntyre has experienced a series of changes in caddies, but he recently called upon his father, Dougie MacIntyre, to caddie for him at the Canadian Open.
How has the partnership between MacIntyre and his father fared?
Their partnership has been exceptional, with the MacIntyres playing 36 holes without a bogey and securing the 36-hole lead at the Canadian Open.
What impact has MacIntyre’s father had on his performance?
MacIntyre’s father provided encouragement during a challenging moment in the third round, inspiring his son to turn his game around and surge ahead with an impressive string of birdies and an eagle.
How has the experience of having his father as his caddie affected MacIntyre?
MacIntyre has found comfort and support in having his father by his side, alleviating some of the longing for family and friends that he experienced during his first year in the States.
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