- MacIntyre had won two tournaments on the European Tour, but none in America
- READ MORE: A crazy golfer chooses a fan to be his caddy at the Canadian Open
Robert MacIntyre, with his father Dougie at his side as an ’emergency’ caddy, broke down in tears after winning his first ever PGA title at the Canadian Open in Ontario.
Leading by four strokes entering the final round at Hamilton Golf and Country Club on Sunday, MacIntyre shot a 2-under 68 to beat his playing partner Ben Griffin by one stroke. On the par-4 18th, the 27-year-old Scottish left-hander two-putted for par from 12 feet, holing out from a foot and a half.
That’s in stark contrast to the situation MacIntyre found himself in a week ago, when he made an emergency call home and offered his father the bag after missing cuts and changing caddies four times in the past 18 months.
‘Goosebumps. It’s unbelievable,” MacIntyre said. ‘It is a dream of mine to play golf as a career. It was a dream of mine to win on the PGA Tour. …I just can’t believe I did it with my dad on the bag. That man taught me how to play golf.”
Asked what it was like to personally witness his son’s first Tour victory, MacIntyre Sr., who returns to Britain on Monday, said emotionally: ‘Unbelievable. I am [just] a lawnmower.’
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre (R) and his father, Dougie, (L), after winning the Canadian Open
The father-son duo were emotional after winning on the 18th green during the final round
Before winning in Ontario, 27-year-old MacIntyre changed caddy four times in 18 months
MacIntyre finished at 16-under 264 for the breakthrough victory in his 45th career PGA Tour start. The former McNeese State player was part of Europe’s 2023 winning Ryder Cup team and has two wins on the European tour: the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown and the 2022 Italian Open.
“I was involved in a dog fight there,” MacIntyre said. “Obviously Ben made it difficult to get into the process. He played well. It’s just incredible to do this with my dad on the bag and my girlfriend here, and I’m sure there’s a party going on back home in Oban.”
Griffin had a 65. He parred the 18th after birdieing the previous three holes.
“I fought hard,” Griffin said. “To me it felt like there was a lid on the cup for most of the day. I hit so many pretty good putts, I wouldn’t say like streaked putts, but pretty good putts and just kept burning edges. A few bad putts, but stayed patient.”
France’s Victor Perez was third at 14 under after his second straight 64.
MacIntyre finished at 16-under 264 for the breakthrough in his 45th career PGA Tour start
A week ago, MacIntyre called his father to fill in as his caddie after failing in Canada
Two-time Canadian Open champion Rory McIlroy also shot 64 points to finish tied for fourth, while Tom Kim (64) finished fourth at 13 under. McIlroy won in 2019 (the last time the tournament was in Hamilton) and again in 2022 at St. George’s in Toronto.
“Three really good rounds of golf, one not so good,” McIlroy said. ‘On Friday I felt a bit uneasy. I had a good range session and more or less fixed it.”
Corey Conners was the top Canadian, shooting a 65 to reach 12 under.
“Definitely something to be proud of,” Conners said. “Yes, obviously disappointing not to win the big trophy, but yes, it’s a cool honour.
Compatriot Mackenzie Hughes, tied for second on the day, shot back again after a 70.
Last year at Toronto’s Oakdale, Nick Taylor made a 70-foot Eagle Putt on the fourth hole of a playoff against Tommy Fleetwood, becoming the first Canadian to win the event since 1954.