Robert MacIntyre wins first PGA Tour event

HAMILTON, Ontario – Dougie MacIntyre was sitting on his sofa at residence in Oban, Scotland. It was 8 o’clock on a Saturday evening when “Bob” popped up on his cellphone for a FaceTime.

His son, the skilled golf Robert MacIntyre, was in Dallas and had missed the lower the day earlier than on the Charles Schwab Problem. Having parted methods together with his fourth caddie within the final 18 months, he requested, “How would you want to come back to Canada and caddie for me on the RBC Canadian Open?”

Dougie was busy at residence, the place he’s the greenkeeper at Glencruitten Golf Membership. However his spouse, Carol, gave him a glance and mentioned he wanted to go be there for his son. Robert admitted he had requested just a few others to be on the bag however nobody needed a one-week gig.

“If doubtful, cellphone dad,” MacIntyre mentioned.

A FaceTime Mother will always remember 🥹
@Robert1Lefty gave her a name proper after his first PGA TOUR win @RBCCanadianOpen. pic.twitter.com/ErI6eyJmqn

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2024

The subsequent morning at 8 a.m., Dougie was on a direct flight to Toronto and 7 days later they have been embracing on the 18^th inexperienced at Hamilton Golf & Nation Membership as Robert closed in 2-under 68 to win the 113th version of Canada’s nationwide championship. It marked the 27-year-old rookie’s maiden PGA Tour title, a one-stroke victory over Ben Griffin. MacIntyre turned the primary participant to win together with his father as his caddie since Heath Slocum had father Hack on the bag on the 2005 Sanderson Farms Championship.

“We’ve acquired a home between the place you cross the street for 4 holes at Glencruitten and we used to exit each evening in the summertime, regardless of the climate, we’d play 4 holes each evening,” Robert mentioned. “He taught me the sport of golf.”

The final time Dougie was on the bag was seven years in the past at DP World Tour Q-College and that labored out effectively, too. MacIntyre received twice on that circuit and was a member of victorious Group Europe on the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. However dwelling in Orlando and taking part in on the PGA Tour has been a giant adjustment. He’s talked overtly about his homesickness and loneliness. Rory McIlroy, MacIntyre’s Ryder Cup teammate, mentioned he might relate.

“It’s a giant tradition shock in comparison with the place the place he grew up in Oban. You already know, touring round America, it’s a unique world. Some folks adapt a bit faster than others. Everybody has to attempt to discover their proper rhythm,” McIlroy mentioned. “It appears to be like like Bob’s nonetheless figuring that out.”

He appeared proper at residence north of the border. MacIntyre opened his week with a 64 and after back-to-back 66s, he held a four-shot lead after 54 holes. Dougie had given Robert the robust love that he wanted when he had fallen 4 strokes again on Saturday. Strolling down the ten^th gap on Saturday, he reminded him he had 27 holes to go.

“I don’t know what occurred on the again 9 yesterday, he simply went daft,” mentioned Dougie of the three birdies and an eagle run that catapulted Robert into the driving force’s seat.

RBC Canadian Open: Photographs | Merchandise | Leaderboard

On Sunday, Dougie awakened, regarded out the window, heard the patter of rain and groaned, “Oh, massive bag.” He had carried a light-weight bag for the primary three rounds however for the ultimate 18 he lugged a tour bag for the additional house to deal with the rain gear. Something for his son, proper?

The lefthander would wish his dad by his facet as the ultimate spherical unspooled on a crisp, grey, wet afternoon. His four-stroke edge was gone earlier than he left the third tee as he opened with a bogey and Canadian Mackenzie Hughes tied him at 13 beneath. MacIntyre’s swing felt fragile sufficient that he had messaged his coach that morning searching for a quick-fix.

His putter proved to be his sword and savior. Whereas ranked 103rd in Strokes Gained: placing for the season, he led the sector on the Open. MacIntyre carded three birdies to push his lead again to 4 on the flip. He grew agitated by a tv drone, backing off a number of photographs and calling for a guidelines official to come back to his help.

“If it didn’t go away, I used to be going to begin throwing my golf equipment at it,” MacIntyre mentioned. “That’s how aggravated I used to be getting. … I meant, it’s a giant wasp. I requested them to eliminate it. They did.”

“He will get grumpy. That’s his downfall. When he will get grumpy and mad at himself the sport goes,” Dougie mentioned.

Not on today. He canned a 21-foot birdie at No. 11 and seemed to be coasting to victory. Neither bogeys at Nos. 12 and 13 nor a late cost by Griffin (65) and Victor Perez (64), who completed third, dimmed his spirit. Dougie made certain of that.

Robert MacIntyre poses with two Canadian Mounties and the trophy after successful the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. (Picture: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports activities)

“He simply saved telling me, ‘We simply keep within the struggle,’ ” Robert mentioned. “With 4 or 5 holes to go, he goes, ‘If we play this in 1-under par, they acquired to come back get ya.’ He is aware of what to say, when to say it,” Robert mentioned.

MacIntyre blinked away tears when he knocked his second shot at 18 to 12 ft. He completed with a 72-hole complete of 16-under 264 to change into the fifth participant from Scotland to win on the PGA Tour since 1940,  becoming a member of fellow countrymen Sandy Lyle, Paul Lawrie, Martin Laird and Russell Knox.

With leaky eyes, Dougie took a name from his spouse whereas Robert was busy doing interviews. They’ve a foster son, who boasted that he blew Robert’s ball within the gap.

“Good man, you’re some boy,” Dougie advised him. “I used to be making an attempt all day myself.”

Dougie joked after they shared the 36-hole lead that he wanted to barter a good wager together with his son. Robert mentioned he deliberate to pay his father the standard winner’s share, or 10 % of his $1.638 million paycheck, and his dad or mum’s wouldn’t have to fret about their mortgage anymore. Would Dougie be on his bag on the Memorial this coming week, the U.S. Open, which Robert is now certified for, the week after, and the Vacationers Championship, one other Signature occasion, after that?

“One and completed,” Dougie mentioned. “I’m going again to chopping grass.”

However what per week it was for the MacIntyre boys.