Robert MacIntyre ‘speechless’ after Canadian Open win with dad on bag

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre bounced back from a shaky start to hold off a host of challengers to win his first PGA Tour title at the RBC Canadian Open.

MacIntyre shot a final round of 68 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club to finish 16 under par, one shot ahead of Ben Griffin. The American had piled on the pressure with birdies at the 15th, 16th and 17th to close down one of his playing partners, but could not find a fourth in a row on the last to potentially force a play-off.

That meant MacIntyre had the luxury of two-putting from 10 feet for the win before hugging his father Dougie, who had been called up to caddy at short notice. When asked why he was so emotional about the win, MacIntyre gestured to his father as he told CBS: “Because of this. I’m speechless to be honest. This is just everything for me and my family, my girlfriend, my team. I can’t believe I did it with him on the bag. I cry for joy, but I laugh because I thought it wasn’t possible.”

MacIntyre had seen his four-shot lead wiped out overnight in the space of four holes after making the first bogey and home favorite Mackenzie Hughes completed a hat-trick of early birdies. However, MacIntyre responded admirably with birdies at the fourth, seventh and eighth to regain control of the £7.4 million event, despite having to request several times for a drone to be used to monitor television coverage. move before he finally got his wish.

Another birdie on the 11th was followed by a wild tee shot on the 12th into a water hazard and another bogey on the 13th opened the door for the chasing pack, but the Ryder Cup star birdied the 15th and safely parried the last three holes.

MacIntyre has made no secret of his struggle to adapt to life in the United States this season, but benefited greatly from a three-week stint in Scotland in April and competed for the Myrtle Beach Classic before finishing eighth in the American PGA Championship.

“I went down there last and my dad is trying to tell me to stay focused and swing smoothly because yesterday I was a little too fast, but in my head I wasn’t listening to him,” MacIntyre added. I wanted to win this for my dad, this is the man who taught me the game of golf and I just can’t believe I bagged this with him.

Dougie, head greenkeeper at Glencruitten Golf Club in Oban, said: “It’s incredible. I’m a lawn mower, not a caddy. Last Saturday evening I got a call, I’m sitting on the couch at home at eight o’clock on Saturday evening and that’s what I do [thinking] Can I leave my job here, I’m busy at work. The next morning at eight o’clock I’m on a flight here and wow.

Asked if his father was now a permanent fixture, MacIntyre added: “No, dad is on the flight home on Monday and I think me and my girlfriend might go home too and just have a great party because this is incredible. .” If so, it would mean MacIntyre will miss this week’s Memorial Tournament in Ohio, the final event before the US Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina.

Rory McIlroy warmed up for Memorial with a closing 64 to finish in a tie for fourth alongside Korean Tom Kim. Frenchman Victor Perez birdied the last spot to take solo third, two behind winner MacIntyre.