….. in Abu Dhabi
In a surprise and very frank admission top-ranked Scot Robert MacIntyre says he initially struggled to get comfortable in the team environment of this week’s Hero Cup.
MacIntyre is making his pro debut in a full team event after ending his amateur career as a member of the 2017 GB & I Walker Cup team.
The quietly-spoken Oban lefty is among 20 DP World Tour players teeing-up Friday over three days on the Abu Dhabi course while Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has arranged for two former victorious captains in Jose Maria Olazabal and Paul McGinley to be present in the UAE capital. There is also a third winning European team leader present in 2018 Versailles winning captain in Thomas Bjorn, present as one of Donald’s three vice-captains is in attendance.
And while MacIntyre has warmed to listening to ‘Ollie’, McGinley, Bjorn and also Donald speaking with the players, the reigning Italian Open champ says it was a tough opening few days in Abu Dhabi but then hoping this first taste of pro team competition will lead to him becoming a little more outgoing.
Bov MacIntyre in a surprises revelation that he initially struggled fitting into the Hero Cup. (Photo @DPWorldTour)
MacIntyre said: “It’s been tough. It’s been fun but there’s been a lot going on and I’ve not had a lot of time to myself.
“I haven’t been able to speak to my family this week as it’s just been a busy schedule but it’s been fun, and besides I am mixing with some of the best players in the world”.
MacIntyre’s revelation comes as a somewhat of a surprise though he’s always been a player who keeps much to himself, and somewhat of a golfing introvert. At regular events, he’s mostly in the company of his manager off the course while his parents usually are often present for company. No doubt they will be out to the UAE for the next three full tournaments on the 2023 season schedule.
Though MacIntyre admits he’s been making efforts to work on his quiet-like personality.
He said: “I have undertaken personality-related tests to help improve my golf game but then I’ve been a cautious person and I hate busy situations while dinners can be a comfort zone for me.
“At the end of the day you have to do what you have to do, and sometimes you have to go outside of your comfort zone.”
Saying that there was a situation this journalist has not seen that side before in MacIntyre and that the sight of laughing his head off while playing a practice round in the company of the Irish duo of Shane Lowry and Seamus Power.
The trio were playing a 100 Dirham (£25) each individual skins game on Wednesday, and while knowing Lowry it was a first meeting with Power, and with the Scot joining Power in fits of laughter at Lowry’s expense who failed to win on hole.
MacIntyre said: “Playing alongside Shane and Seamus was good fun, and it was great meeting Seamus for a first time, and when the Scots get together with the Irish there always seem to be a laugh.
“Then it’s been great to spend time with my team members off the course, as we each don’t really get together at tour events, so that’s been a fun part of this week”.
Not such personality issues with fellow Scot Ewen Ferguson who is the complte opposite to MacIntyre, and with Ferguson seemingly engaging with anyone he meets.
And this relaxed and approachable demeanour has been very much to the fore this week as Ferguson also makes his pro team debut since being a member of the victorious 2015 Walker Cup team.
Ferguson said: “I’ve been buzzing being here and buzzing to get going.
“To have been chatting with Luke and his vice-captains the last few weeks, and also to be just part of a team environment is fun for me, plus there’s been the absolute dislike in listening to players such as Jose Maria and Paul McGinley speak has been great as I’ve always looked up to players like them.
“Everything has been brilliant and just being here this week is inspiring”.
And with Ferguson now based in close-by Dubai, he says that’s going to add so much to his season schedule.
He said: “I’ve been surprised there is so many tour golfers now based out in Dubai, and I was chatting with Nicolas Colsaerts and one the Ryder Cup vice-captains and he’s also based out here.
“So, there’s another player you could play golf with out here.
“Dubai just seems like the perfect hub out here for someone playing the DP World Tour as there are direct flights seemingly everywhere in the UK and Europe.
“Also, the weather is always so good. The practice facilities are good and everything seemingly in place in a move I made that I feel can only help me become a better player.”
