Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre has returned to Augusta National twelve months on from the magic of a maiden Masters, happy with the ‘subtle’ changes he’s observed after a first official 2022 practice round.
MacIntyre jetted into Augusta from San Antonio after finishing just inside the top-40 in Sunday’s concluding Valero Texas Open.
After the short 330-yard drive up famed Magnolia Lane, the first stop for MacIntyre was to officially register, from where he found his way to the practice range and then join fellow Scot and 1988 Masters champ, Sandy Lyle for their first official practice round over Augusta’s back nine ahead of the 96th hosting of the Masters.
And despite the 39-year age difference the Tartan duo got on well together and with Lyle this year celebrating his 41st Augusta appearance, and a 36th in succession since 1985.
MacIntyre said: “It’s great to be back, and great getting out there today with playing alongside Sandy.
“There’s some great changes to the golf course though Sandy’s obviously seen the course change dramatically over the years unlike me.
Robert MacIntyre pleased with the changes to Augusta after playing a first official 2022 Masters practice round
“They’ve made some subtle changes since last year, like around the 11th green. Where you used to bail on the right of 11, and it would be a tough chip, you could kind of now run the ball up to the green.
“This year it’s about three-foot deeper there at 11, so, you’re having to think and to bank it to have to fly it on. The green slopes away.
“There’s a lot of things. I’ve only seen the back nine, but I’m sure there are a few changes in the front”.
And MacIntyre relived the final round events of a year ago when he learned on-course that his top-12 finish on debut was good enough for an automatic invitation into this week’s Masters.
He said: “Yeah, it was incredible. I remember finding out when I got in speaking to SKY Sports. It’s like you’re 12th right now. You might make it back here.
“I came out, and we stood there with the members watching two TVs. One was on the leaders, and the other one was on the 18th green. Brian Harman had about a 20-footer.
“I just stood there and prayed that he didn’t hole it at the end of the day, and then when he missed that, I just came charging out. My family were standing just in the corner there. I came out, just a dream come true.
“It was a dream to get here last year, and then when I arrived, I liked the golf course. It suited my eye. Just everything felt good, and to perform the way I did was icing on the cake.
With a forecast of a Tuesday ‘wash out’ at the Masters, MacIntyre and the rest of the field may have to wait until Wednesday before the Georgia golfing gem is re-opened.
