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After justifying his captain’s choose on the Ryder Cup and having fun with a stable season on the European circuit, Bob Macintyre is ready to broaden his {golfing} horizons subsequent 12 months after incomes a spot on the PGA Tour. Right here, Scotland’s highest ranked golfer displays on his achievements during the last 12 months and assesses his probabilities of adjusting to life competing on the opposite aspect of the Atlantic
As with European or American competing within the skilled recreation, you could have dreamed of maybe sooner or later teeing it up in a Ryder Cup, however how was the fact for you?
It was every part that I all the time thought it might be and extra. Getting the decision from Luke was a dream in itself, however to be a part of a profitable group is a lifetime’s achievement. You’ve acquired to dream it earlier than you may consider it and I used to be fortunate sufficient to let it occur. Shoot for the celebs and preserve dreaming – that’s my motto!
Coming away with two-and-a-half factors and an unbeaten document was nice, however I actually couldn’t care whether or not I acquired zero factors or 5 factors in 5 video games, it was all about Europe profitable Ryder Cup and we managed to do this.
Clearly getting 2 1/2 out of three was nice, as was having an important accomplice in Justin [Rose], and having nice group round me, however the spotlight for me was simply entering into that group room on the finish with the Ryder Cup trophy in our possession. When it was simply 13 of us in there within the one room, no cameras, no person else, was a magical second. We simply had a little bit of time collectively and sort of embraced everybody and realised what we had achieved. That reminiscence will stick with me endlessly.
You talked about what an important accomplice Justin Rose was to have. What particularly did he say to you on that first tee on Friday after which because the matches progressed?
Once I got here off the vary on Friday morning and was strolling in the direction of the primary tee I used to be nearly crying, and Justin may see that I used to be very nervous. After we’d accomplished all of the introductions and handshakes and posing for the cameras, he came to visit and put his arm round me and stated, “All the things goes to be all proper. This will likely be over in two-and-a-half minutes.” He was good. He’s so skilled. He saved me calm. He trusted me. He believed in me. Though I used to be horrible on the greens on Friday.
I feel he spoke to Luke and stated, “He’s shut.” And I felt that tee-to-green I used to be stable. I used to be by no means out of a gap. I used to be by no means having a catastrophe. I used to be nearly permitting him to be extra aggressive as a result of he was enjoying so effectively. Then on Saturday, he simply saved believing in me. I nonetheless had not made a putt for 12 holes, and I stood on 13, and he was making an attempt to assist me learn the putt. I used to be like, “Justin, it’s all proper. I acquired this one.” And as soon as I holed that, he put his arm round me and was like, ‘That’s what it’s all about. We battle collectively.” He was unbelievable the entire week. He was somebody that I knew I acquired together with, however I do know him on a unique stage now.
Did your expertise of enjoying group golf as an beginner, and perhaps as member of the Hero Cup group, assist in your preparations for the Ryder Cup?
Yeah, every part I did with Scottish Golf on the beginner stage was all the time group stuff, European groups, Nations Cup, Walker Cup. I went to school for a year-and-a-half and it was all in regards to the group there. My entire life’s a group. I don’t do something with no group behind me. I deal with a group prefer it’s a household, and Ryder Cup week was just about the identical. Staff sport simply feels sort of regular for me.
Most first-time Ryder Cup gamers – whether or not they win or lose – say that it made them really feel like they by no means need to miss one other one. I’m guessing that’s the case for you?
I’d like to play in one other one, in actual fact a number of them, however you solely get in that group by enjoying persistently good golf for a protracted time frame. With solely six computerized spots on supply, half the group are having to depend on a wildcard, which
sort of takes it just a little out of your palms. It’s a really particular week and one which I’d wish to be part of once more.
What objectives did you set your self initially of 2023?
The principle aim was to get into the highest 50 on the planet by Christmas in order that I may get an invite to the Masters subsequent 12 months. I’ve acquired myself as much as 56th, so I’m not fairly there but, however we’ve acquired till January 31, so we’ll see if we are able to get
that accomplished.
You got here inside a whisker of profitable the Scottish Open, your house Open, earlier this summer season, solely to be pipped on the put up by Rory McIlroy. How do you mirror on that week, and the way shortly have been you in a position to put the frustration behind you?
The Scottish Open will likely be one of many occasions I need to play for the remainder of my life. It’s one I’ve dreamed of profitable since I watched at house after I was a child. As soon as I birdied 18 I believed this could be the one, however sadly that wasn’t the case. Yeah, look, clearly it was fairly powerful to not come away with the win, however it wasn’t prefer it was mine to lose. I went out and shot a good rating on Sunday after which somebody got here alongside, who was increased up the leaderboard, and likewise shot a great rating and that was that. I used to be pleased with the best way I carried out. I performed some good golf that week and it actually gave me the boldness to sort of kick on from there. Hopefully I’ll get one other likelihood sooner or later – there’s loads of years forward.
You earned your PGA Tour card for subsequent season after ending inside the highest 10 within the DP World Tour factors listing. How do you suppose you’ll deal with all of it – and never simply the enjoying aspect of issues?
My life will change fairly dramatically with the place I’ve to stay, what I’ve to do and the place I’ve to play, however I received’t change. I’m going to be the identical man and I’ll nonetheless stay my life the identical approach. It’s not the be-all and end-all although. I’ve acquired an important life. I’m making good cash. I get to journey the world, and my household are all wholesome and completely happy.
I got here near getting short-term PGA Tour standing and I’ve accomplished effectively prior to now couple of years, so will see how issues pan out. I do know what desires I need to obtain, however I simply don’t know the way a lot I’m prepared to vary to be able to obtain them. However we’ll sit down and have an open chat with the entire group and see how we transfer ahead.
What do you say to those that say that by giving PGA Tour playing cards to the highest DP World Tour gamers is just turning the latter right into a feeder tour for the previous?
I get why some individuals are saying that, however I don’t suppose it [the DP World Tour] is a feeder tour. It’s house for me and I feel it’s solely going to get stronger. You have a look at the fields we get all over the world; the highest guys nonetheless come again and play on the tour and possibly get pleasure from it extra. There may be extra of a household really feel. It’s the place you may go for dinner with the boys and we’ve got enjoyable, an important snort. That’s the factor in regards to the European tour, it’s not all in regards to the golf, it’s in regards to the life and the recollections and the buddies you make. To me that’s every part. There are a few issues that want to vary on the planet of golf – whether or not they occur is outdoors my management, however I’ll let different folks work that out background and I’ll keep on enjoying my golf.
BOB MACINTYRE FACTFILE
AGE: 27
LIVES: OBAN, SCOTLAND
TURNED PRO: 2018
WORLD RANKING: 56
TOUR APPEARANCES: 119
CUTS MADE: 98
TOUR WINS: 2 (2020 Cyprus Showdown, 2022 Italian Open)
TOP 10s: 25
2023 RACE TO DUBAI RANKING: thirteenth
BEST MAJOR RESULTS: OPEN – 6th, 2019; Masters – 12th, 2021; US Open – 35th, 2021); US PGA – 49th, 2021
RYDER CUP APPERANCES: 1 (2023)
CAREER EARNINGS: €7.25m
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