Newly-crowned European No. 1 Jon Rahm is singing the praise of ‘Rookie of the Year’ Bob MacIntyre.
The Spaniard and the young Scot scooped the Tour’s top-two awards at the recent close of the European Race to Dubai season in Dubai.
Rahm then added to his three-tournament victory season in being honoured Tuesday with the European ‘Golfer of the Year’ title.
And after posting a two-under par 70 on day one in his defence of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, the powerhouse 25-year old spoke of his delight for the 24-year old Oban lefty.
Newly-crowned European No. 1 Jon Rahm sings the praise of Scotland’s Rookie of the Year Bob MacIntyre
Rahm said: “I don’t know Robert that well but what works for me might not work for him.
“It a prestigious award, he was the best Rookie of the Year. Whatever he’s done to keep doing it because obviously it’s working.”
And is there any advice he could offer the young Scot going forward?
He said: “It’s the advice I would give any golfer honestly if you’re playing good and you get to, you know, you hit a milestone, just keep doing the same thing, no need to change because if you can improve what you have already, you’re only going to improve as a player.”
Scotland’s Rookie of the Year Bob MacIntyre with proud parents Carol and Dougie (Photo @tourmiss)
Reigning US Open champ, Gary Woodland and Masters winning Patrick Reed lead the elite 18-player field with six-under par 66s.
Tournament host, Tiger Woods struggled in the bright but windy conditions in joining Rahm signing for a 70.
Woods, and a five-time event winner, was two-over through nine holes but then played the next six in five-under par thanks to three birdies and a 15th hole eagle.
But the 15-time major winner made a mess of the last two holes finishing bogey, double-bogey.
Woods said: “It was not a very good start. I didn’t play the par 5s well early and then got it going on the back nine for a little bit.
“I got myself kind of right there in the mix and then bad shots on 17 and 18.”
