Image source, SNSImage caption, Robert MacIntyre hopes to win the Scottish Open a second time in July
ByBrian McLauchlinBBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter- Published17 minutes ago
Robert MacIntyre has targeted improvement in his iron play and reclaiming the Scottish Open title as the new father looks to build on a promising start to the season.
The 29-year-old will be returning to East Lothian's The Renaissance Club in July, where he won on home soil in 2024.
Ranked 12th in the world, the Oban golfer believes his game is in better shape than it was 12 months ago and, with three majors to come in the summer, he feels his prospects are good.
"Statistically, overall it's better than it was last year," he explained. "There's still things that are hurting me. Iron play this year has not been anywhere near as good as it needs to be, but off the tees, the best it's ever been and putting is the best it's ever been.
"So, yeah, if I can find the middle part of that, then I'm in a good spot.
"Outside of the majors, the Scottish Open is the one that I've always wanted. When Rory [McIlroy] pipped me [in 2023], I thought, how many chances am I really going to get? And thankfully, I got that one more.
"My game stacks up well for the course and having that home support is great, so I'm looking forward to another one."
MacIntyre has in the past set a goal of winning a major but parenthood has led to slightly different ambitions, with a return to the lucrative PGA Tour Finals at East Lake in August a goal on the course.
"Life's obviously completely changed," he said. "There's different priorities. It's just trying to find a new balance, that work-life balance.
"One of my main goals this year is to make East Lake. Some people think, 'oh, he's not striving for big enough', but when life has completely changed, it's about putting things in perspective and trying to manage it as best I can.
"The start to the year I've had has been very good, considering everything that's gone on. And my partner Shannon's been brilliant with allowing me to still practise hard and kind of take as much of the strain as she can. When I'm at home, life is simply different and it's been absolutely brilliant."
MacIntyre not fazed by criticism of Masters behaviour
- Published4 days ago
MacIntyre could face more Masters wrath after gnome picture
- Published11 April
MacIntyre could face action after angry Masters gesture
- Published10 April
MacIntyre is also trying to manage his on-course outbursts after a "telling off" for his conduct at the Masters, but described his actions as "pretty tame" and explained that his temperament is unlikely to change.
He directed a middle-finger gesture towards the 15th green after a quadruple bogey in his opening 80 at Augusta, then slammed his club into the ground after a poor shot on 17. He was also repeatedly heard swearing by on-course microphones.
"I know that every single week I pick it up, I'm probably going to get caught on a mic saying the odd bad word," said MacIntyre. "It's part of who I am.
"I try, I probably should limit it or I should try and maybe wait a couple of seconds longer before I do have my outburst. But for me to try to compete at the top level, I need to get my frustration out or else it's going to affect my performance.
"I know that what I do sometimes is wrong, but I do try and limit it and keep it in as much as I can. But I know myself that the more this boils up and boils up, I'm going to have a bigger outburst.
"It's about trying to manage it as best I can. And every now and again, it does boil over. I don't know what else I can do as me. I wear my heart on my sleeve. The way I was brought up, it's a fight for everything, and sometimes I get hot. It's not going to change."
MacIntyre, who made fun of his Masters behaviour via Instagram, says he largely shuns social media, adding: "I still post things, but once I post it, I don't look.
"I mean, I'm sure if I looked right now, there'd be some abuse. But whether you're doing good or bad, it's the exact same. So what's the point? You can't please everyone.
"The expectation is from myself and the team around me. We expect to be competing at the top end of the world of golf. I feel like I've been doing that for the last few years now.
"Yes, the odd week I don't perform, but at the end of the day, I park that and I look and see the areas of where I need to improve. And I know the areas I need to improve on. So, I mean, hearing it from outside, I don't need to hear it. I've got it from the team within."
