TROON, Scotland—Originally on the media schedule for Monday, Robert MacIntyre finally did his pre-Open press conference Wednesday afternoon. Why the 48-hour delay? MacIntyre was shaking off the effects of a big shindig after he’d delighted the home hordes in dramatic fashion Sunday. A hell of a party ensued.
The 27-year-old, of course, after a superb weekend performance at Hamilton Golf and Country Club last month. Although a Ryder Cup hero last year, MacIntyre pointed to his RBC victory as a crucial step in spurring him to home glories. “It wasn’t really until (the) win in Canada that you really feel I can compete out here,” he said.
“I think it’s just an attitude thing. You’re not given anything. You’ve got to earn it.
” Switching to Scotland’s west coast this week, there is even more expectation on local favourite MacIntyre. His clinching Sunday in Hamilton also provided a lesson in not letting the atmosphere impact him — courtesy of some very vocal Canadians. “In Canada, I was getting a bit of (chirping) in the final round.
All the way up to the 11th hole, I was getting stick. Canadian fans are wanting (Canadian) Mackenzie Hughes to win. I’ve holed a putt to go four or five ahead and I gave probably the biggest fist pump I’ve done in my life.
Then I’ve hit the worst 4-iron I’ve ever hit in my life. I just learned from that, the minute you get too high or low, you lose all the fine motor skill.” Troon’s eighth hole is its icon.
. At 123.
