Robert MacIntyre has praised Ryder Cup partner Justin Rose, with the experienced Englishman saving the Scot from tears on Team Europe’s way to victory; watch MacIntyre live this week in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Sky Sports Golf
Last updated: 10/23/04 10:36 PM
Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose celebrate after their Ryder Cup success
Robert MacIntyre has paid tribute to Ryder Cup partner Justin Rose, following the experienced Englishman who helped the Scot as they played their part in Team Europe’s win over the USA in Rome.
The pair were a mix of youth and experience during the two four-ball matches in MacIntyre’s first and Rose’s sixth Ryder Cup.
Speaking ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in his home country of Scotland, MacIntyre recalled the way Rose kept him calm despite being on the verge of tears.
“Probably on the first tee shot on Friday he could tell I was nervous,” MacIntyre said.
“I almost cried walking down the hill.
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Rose repeated his heroics from the first day by draining this clutch putt to seal a point for Team Europe. This time a 3&2 victory over Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth
“But when we got all the TV cameras and stuff done, he came over and put his arm around me and said, ‘Everything’s going to be fine, this will be over in two and a half minutes.’
“He was brilliant, he’s so experienced, he kept me calm, he trusted me, he believed in me.”
MacIntyre was undefeated all week, winning two and halving one of the three matches he played in.
“Even though I was terrible on the greens on Friday, I think he (Rose) spoke to Luke (Donald) and said ‘he’s close’, and I felt I was solid from tee to green,” the Scot said.
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Rose holes a pressure putt on the 18th hole to deny Team USA a victory and secure a brilliant first day for the Europeans
“I never got out of trouble or made a disaster, I almost allowed him to be more aggressive because he was playing so well.
“Then on Saturday he just kept believing in me.
“I still hadn’t made a putt for 12 holes, and I was on 13 and he was trying to help me read the putt.
“I thought, ‘Justin, it’s okay. I have this’.
“And once I got through that, he put his arm around me and that’s what it’s all about: we fight together.
“He was incredible all week, he was someone I knew I could get along with, but I know him on a different level now.”
The pair took on Max Homa and Wyndham Clark on Friday and came from behind in dramatic fashion, with a putt on the 18th hole from Rose leveling the score for the home side.
On Saturday they defeated Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in the only European victory of the afternoon.
Rose lost his singles match to Patrick Cantlay, but MacIntyre won his match against Clark.
Underscoring the special relationship between the players, Rose responded to MacIntyre’s comments on social media by saying: “We’re staying in this fight – it’s been a pleasure playing with you mate”.
Watch MacIntyre live on Sky Sports in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship from Thursday 5 October.
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