Bob MacIntyre puts 'absolutely wild' celebrations on hold for Open Championship mission
Bob MacIntyre rocked up later than planned to The Open at Royal Troon this week after celebrating his Scottish Open victory in style, but the hangover has faded and his steely focus has returned
Bob MacIntyre has claimed playing in a winning Ryder Cup team was the “eye-opener” which inspired his two stunning wins this summer.
And the world No.16, who will now bid to become the first Scot to win The Open for 25 years, said the message for all young fans was: “Don't be scared to dream”.
The left-hander claimed he is “not a big drinker” but went “absolutely wild” toasting his Scottish Open success on Sunday. On a scale of one to 10 for the celebrations, MacIntyre gave the night a perfect 10.
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But this season has not been all about the good times for this humble, normal new superstar. Before the US PGA in May, he opened up on his homesickness playing on the PGA Tour and how time back in Scotland helped his mood and his game.
He led briefly in Louisville and then claimed his first PGA Tour win at the Canadian Open with his dad Dougie as his caddie before the biggest individual victory of his career - so far - at The Renaissance Club.
Oban-based MacIntyre, who was unbeaten in Rome, said: “I've known that all along that I can go toe-to-toe with these guys, but it wasn't really until you win in Canada that you really feel like I can compete out here fully. I feel like the Ryder Cup was an eye-opener for me that I realised the majority of these guys, all of them, are just normal guys, especially guys on the European team that I've really gotten along well with and I continue to have a good relationship with them. It wasn't until probably then I realised 'You know what, if these guys can do it, I can do it'.”
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MacIntyre, who is proud to say he is from “a working-class background”, hopes his achievements can now inspire the next generation to believe. “Don't be scared to dream,” he urged. “A lot of kids out there will be told to do certain things because things aren't achievable, but with hard work, sacrifice, dedication, anything's possible.”
Colin Montgomerie in 1999 had been the last Scot to win the Scottish Open - now emulating Paul Lawrie’s Open triumph at Carnoustie in the same year is the next goal.
“It's possible,” said MacIntyre, 27. “ I'll put last week behind me quickly. Before I peg it up tomorrow, that will be gone. I'm on to a new week. There's no expectation for myself or from my team around me other than to give 110 per cent."
Like Rory McIlroy, there is always something happening with Bob MacIntyre. He is equally open and entertaining on and off the course. On his Open debut in 2019, he led the field before finishing tied sixth and rowed with Kyle Stanley after the American failed to shout fore after hitting into the crowd.
The Scot has banked $4,710,146 on the PGA Tour already this season but he is giving up his Florida base because paying for a house where he has spent “four or five weeks in since January” is “absolute madness”.
There is now a plaque on the 18th at The Renaissance Club to mark Rory McIlroy’s 2002-yard 2-iron to set up his winning birdie last year. This time MacIntyre got relief from a sprinkler head in the rough before eagling the 16th. Asked what he would like to commemorate his 2024 victory, he laughed: “I think it's a gold-plated sprinkler.”
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