Top-ranked Scot Robert MacIntyre brought some European venom to this week’s Valspar Championship that boasts the famed ‘Snake Pit’ trio of holes with a stinging caddie bib message blatantly trolling Europe’s victory scoreline in last year’s Ryder Cup.
MacIntrye, 27, is contesting the £stg 6.6m Tampa event for a first time in his career and where event organisers allow golfers to post ‘messages’ on their caddie bibs.
Players are given a form to complete and asked to indicate what message they would like on their caddie’s bib but reminding players: “Meanings behind the bib name may be used for media purposes”.
MacIntyre’s message and worn by caddie Mike Burrows was simply: Europe 16.5 – 11.5 USA.
Bob MacIntyre with his Valspar Championship caddie bib message – Image @PGATour
Speaking exclusively to the GolfByTourMiss & Daily Record MacIntyre said: “It’s just me and my humour. I had the chance to do it and I thought ‘why not?’
“I never know how many Ryder Cup’s I am going to get to play, so I thought why not keep the europhia going for a little while longer.
“It’s been received really well back home and there’s American fans on social media who didn’t like it but, you know what it’s part and parcel”.
MacIntyre was asked if thought it was ‘being a bit too brave’ in trolling US fans in their own front yard.
He said: “At the end of the day it’s just golf. It’s only on the back of my caddie’s bib”.
Though there was one fan at the 12th hole during his second round who took it all a bit too personal
MacIntyre said: “Yeah, there was a comment from a fan as we walked off the 12th green but then I said to Mike my caddy: ‘Wow! It’s taken two days to get a little bit of something back from the spectators but aside from that it’s been received pretty well”.
There were no arguments with Ryder Cup Europe who retweeted the PGA Tour’s photograph of the MacIntrye’s caddie big with the message: “He’s only gone and done it. We approve”.
MacIntyre’s ‘message’ was received in good jest including victorious Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and Rome vice-captain Francesco Molinari, as well as team-mate Sepp Straka and the only player from the side competing in Florida.
In fact, Donald, who won the Valspar in 2012, has his caddie this week sporting the message “Now Hiring” though it’s uncertain if Donald was joking or not.
South African golfer Gareth Higgo’s caddy carries the message: “Higgopotamus” while Ireland’s Seamus Power went for: “Up the Deise” with reference to his beloved Waterford team.
Though it’s unknown the thoughts of USA captain Zach Johnson and six of his losing Rome team who are also competing this week.
MacIntyre said: “I’ve had a great reaction, of course, from all the European guys here this week and also some nice comments on group chats that will stay private but no reaction from the American guys.
“Though I would not expect a reaction from the American guys.
“Overall, it’s been received well by Europeans as they know how much it means to everyone back home”.
MacIntyre was speaking after rounds of 70 and 72 for one-over tally on the Copperhead course at the Innisbrook Resort.
