Top-ranked Robert MacIntyre has been reprimanaded by Augusta National officials over his highly offensive ‘middle finger salute’ and other issues during a shock opening round of an eight-over 80 at the Masters.
MacIntyre’s emotions were on the boil earlier in his round but they reached boiling point at the 15th hole, when he twice found the water & cameras catching the Oban lefty showing his disgust ahead of posting a quadruple-bogey 9.
BREAKING @TheMasters NEWS …
Top Robert MacIntyre was reprimanded by Augusta National official after his day one round over his ‘middle finger salute’ incident during his shock opening round of 80.
MacIntyre’s emotions had been on boil earlier in his round but clearly… pic.twitter.com/k23X2fLd21
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) April 10, 2026
Though it should be pointed out raising his finger was not directed at any individual but moreso at his own actions in finding water.
The current World No. 8 early on his round was being clearly heard swearing on a number of occasions while he was spotted angrily slamming his club against his bag after his ball bounced off the back of the 12th green. He also displayed his anger also slamming his club into the fairway on both the 14th and 17th holes.
Unbeknown till just prior to MacIntyre teeing-off in round two but he had been spoken to by Masters officials post his opening day’s play and advised his actions were breaking golf’s ‘code of conduct’, and this news being reported by the Scotsman.
@bobdoessports Rob MacIntyre is all of us, giving the finger to hole 15th #masters #golf pic.twitter.com/KWUspi7Vsk
— Gamaliel Rosado (@gamarosado) April 9, 2026
Ahead of the Masters, MacIntyre insisted he has no intention of changing his on-course demeanour, and his spiky outbursts are part of his personality.
“I know I am volatile and I know the bad language and stuff, but that’s just me,” he said. “Even having a little one myself and knowing there are little ones around, I’m not going to change.
“I am trying to do my best out on the golf course. I’m a sportsman and it is live sport. I’m going to react the way I want to react. I’m not going to change how I react because there is someone standing there or elsewhere.
“I am trying to do the best that I can and I will take my time after to go and sign autographs with kids and what not, but, when I am playing golf I am red-lining.”
“He’s been playing extremely well, but the smallest errors at Augusta National can be compounded very easily and very quickly as we’ve seen,“ said Beem
“He’s gonna grind it out, he’s not gonna go away. He’s gonna come out tomorrow, put up a good number and stick around for the weekend, you watch.”
