Strange that someone of Bob MacIntyre’s enormous talent has to continually declare what you see is what you are going to continue to get, as he again finds himself defending his highly improper actions during day one of the recent Masters.
MacIntyre returned to his beloved Scotland to host the annual Genesis Scottish Open media day at the Renaissance Club near Gullane in East Lothian.
It is an occasion arranged by the DP World Tour and with MacIntyre, as winner of the event two years ago, confirming his presence in July’s tournament.
Of course, there was no escaping the events of a fortnight ago at Augusta National when the top-ranked Scot lost the plot on the opening day of the Masters and turning out to be a most disappointing story, focussing on MacIntyre’s horrible antics in the course of an awful opening score of 80.
Bob MacIntyre far from being in a relaxed mood on day one of the recent Masters. Image -Getty
As well, MacIntyre’s unruly behaviour was there not only for all the sports world to hear and see but the Scot’s goings-on in the presence of the World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who kept his composure throughout the four days to eventually finish in a share of second.
Looking back on that madcap Thursday Masters opener, MacIntyre reckons his actions were ‘pretty tame’.
“I mean, I thought what I done was pretty tame, “ MacIntyre replied to the media gathered earlier today in the Renaissance clubhouse.
“Look, I’m not proud of what I done. But I wear my heart on my sleeve. I play golf at the highest level and I try and compete as hard as I can. Am I disappointed in what I’ve done?
Yes, but could it happen again? ‘
“More than likely. I try to control my emotions as much as I can, but sometimes it boils over“.
Boils over?
Tiger Woods plays golf at the highest level. Jack Nicklaus played golf at the highest level and Scottie Scheffler plays golf also at the highest level.
Woods, Nicklaus nor Scheffler have never been heard swearing at virtually every hole. Woods, Nicklaus nor Scheffler were never observed slamming a golf club in disgust. Nor would you ever see Woods, Nicklaus nor Scheffler raising their middle finger in disgust and never, never would you see Woods, Nicklaus nor Scheffler post the ‘X’ message, the type that MacIntyre posted after missing the Masters cut.
No, MacIntrye needs to do better, much better. He mentioned last week he’s working ‘with someone at home’ on that aspect of his make-up but where does that person start?
He also spoke earlier today in a tone seemingly as though his Masters first day actions were not his own fault.
“I feel like the world of golf is almost trying to get everybody to be that robotic way,” he said.
“But, if everybody was like that, the world would be boring. I accept when I boil over that apologies have to be made. It’s the way I am. Yes, I’d love to be more mellow. I’d like to be a bit like Scottie in the way of not reacting. But that might affect the way I play golf.
“Most of the time, I’m very good at going ballistic and moving on“.
MacIntrye may be good at moving on but his poor in apologising for his wrongs.
This website was critical of past Masters champ Sergion Garcia for his Sunday final round actions but then Garcia issued a formal ‘X’ message apologising for his actions. His message was sincere, it was genuine. It didn’t right Garcia’s wrong but it did earn the champion Spaniard many plaudits.
This is something MacIntyre could easily have done but alas the Oban lefty didn’t.
You simply cannot tee-up in a tournament as prestigious as The Masters and not believe you can get away with swearing at every hole, slamming a club in anger and also then think nobody will be bothered if you raise a middle finger in the air after playing a poor shot.
No, golf is not about that. The Masters is not about that. The PGA Tour nor the DP World Tour is also not about that. And I’m sure that those teeing-up on the Scottish course were his father proudly works also do not tolerate such actions as MacIntyre displayed on that most forgetful Thursday.
Bob MacIntyre may think he’s moving on but those who organise the game remember, and particularly the Augusta National organisers will remember.
