MacIntyre Becomes First Scot In 90-Years To Capture RBC Canadian Open

2 months ago by Comments Off on MacIntyre Becomes First Scot In 90-Years To Capture RBC Canadian Open

Robert MacIntyre has become the first Scottish-born golfer in 90-years to celebrate success in the RBC Canadian Open.

MacIntryre, 27, posted a closing round of 68 for a four-round 16-under par tally to win by a single shot in foggy condtions on the host Hamilton Golf and Country Club course.

And what a proud moment for the MacIntyre family with MacIntyre’s father Dougie acting as caddy to this champion son. However, dad will not be on the bag for this coming week’s Jack Nicklaus hosted Memorial nor the US Open or the 152nd Open Championship and instead is returning home to Scotland Monday US time, and with MacIntyre’s regular caddy who could not obtain a Canadian visa back on regular caddying duties.

MacIntyre’s victory is a first as a full PGA Tour member and in just his 16th 2024 season event since earning his PGA Tour card via top-10 finish in last year’s DP World Tour season while he is also a second such player to do so after Frenchman Matthieu Pavon captured the Farmers Insurance Open.

MacIntyre’s victory is a third national open title having previously captured the 2020 Cyprus Showdown and the 2022 Italian Open.

The projected new World No. 40 joins fellow Scots Tommy Armour (1927, 1930 and 1934), MacDonald Smith (1926) and Clarence Hackney (1923) as winners of the prestigious Canadian Open that was first staged in 1934.

Of more importance, the Oban-lefty earns a virtual 2 1/2 year PGA Tour exemption to the end of 2026 while his many rewards include an invitation into next year’s Masters while he’ll bank a whopping $US 1.7m prize cheque thanks to sponsors the Royal Bank of Canada.

MacIntyre headed into the final round after a sizzling close to third round, posting a 66 and take a four-shot lead at 14-under into the last day.

The final day was played in very Scottish-like conditions being overcast and drizzling rain but then with MacIntyre for a second day running bogeying the first hole.

 

MacIntyre however signalled his intentions with birdies at the fourth, seventh, eighth and 11th holes before posting back-to-back bogeys at 12 and 13 but just when he needed it, the proud Glencruitten club member birdied the 15th to get back to two-under for his round and in front by two at 16-under.

He pared both the 16th and 17th holes ahead of also taking a two-putt par at the last for victory.

“I’m speechless to be honest”, when a tearful MacIntyre was first asked about his win.  “This is just everything for me and family, my girlfriend, my team. I can’t believe I’ve done it with him on the bag.

“I’m crying with joy but I’m laughing because I didn’t think it was possible.”

ROBERT MACINTYRE … With his RBC Canadian Open victory 

  • Is the fifth player from Scotland to win on the PGA TOUR since the start of the 1940 season
  • Is the first player from Scotland to win on the PGA TOUR since Martin Laird at the 2020 Shriners Children’s Open
  • Is the third win by a European player in the last four editions of the RBC Canadian Open (Rory McIlroy/2019, McIlroy/2022, MacIntyre/2024)
  • Is the 17th player to make the RBC Canadian Open his first PGA TOUR victory and first since 2009 (Nathan Green)
  • Is the second player from the 2023 DP World Tour Top 10 to win on TOUR this season, joining Matthieu Pavon (Farmers Insurance Open)
  • Is the second left-handed player to win on TOUR this season, joining Akshay Bhatia (Valero Texas Open)
  • Jumps 36 places to become the new World No. 40.

 



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