BASIC INSTINCT
Scots star MacIntyre insists he has fallen back in love with golf after simplifying his approach
REFRESHED and revitalised, Robert MacIntyre admits his strong performance in Dubai last week rekindled his love for golf after a tough period.
MacIntyre was well in contention heading into the final round of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, eventually finishing in a tie for fourth, four shots back from winner Collin Morikawa.
That saw him finish ninth in the overall Race to Dubai, his best ranking in his three full seasons on tour since turning professional.
It would, then, be harsh to be overly critical. But, by his own admission, MacIntyre’s form has been patchy at times in events in Europe and also the PGA Tour.
The low point came in the Portugal Masters at the start of November when he signed off with a horror final round of 82 to finish second from last.
But there was still plenty to be pleased about over the past year, going back to the WGC Matchplay in March when he fought an epic duel to halve with World No 1 Dustin Johnson in a run to the last 16.
There were also strong showings at both The Masters and The Open for the 25-year-old Scot, who is now enjoying a couple of weeks off at home in Oban.
Reflecting on his season, MacIntyre said: ‘The biggest thing I’ve learned this year is that I can compete at the top, top table of world golf.
‘The matchplay was the biggest reason for that. At The Open, I felt like I had a chance to win it on Sunday. Then I got on to the 14th and hit a poor tee shot, but that’s by the by. ‘At The Masters, I felt like I had a great chance of finishing in the top five coming down the last four holes. ‘It didn’t quite happen but we were there or thereabouts. I had the most birdies of anyone there that week. ‘So I feel there’s so much to take from this year. But knowing I can compete at the top table at any given time is probably the biggest thing.’ MacIntyre will return to action in South Africa next month when he competes in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek, a course he feels is tailor-made for his game.
He’s confident of now getting back to his very best form. Asked about pressing the reset button earlier this month, MacIntyre continued: ‘Portgual was the lowest of lows for me.
‘It’s the worst I’ve ever felt coming away from a golf tournament. I was contemplating whether to go to Dubai or whether to just throw in the towel for the year.
‘I spoke to a lot of people. I went to the airport and was just feeling absolutely horrific. I got to Dubai, and then just put everything aside.
‘I’ve started working with Stuart (Morgan, performance coach). We’ve been working hard on certain things, and even he said: “Look, Bob, let’s just shut everything out”.
‘It was a case of speak to the people I need to speak to. Other than that, just go back to a simple life. ‘Stuart said to me: “Throw everything out the window in terms of what various people are wanting you to do. Just go back to playing golf because you love playing golf ”.
‘It’s probably been the biggest step in the right direction in the space of two weeks that I’ve ever had.
‘It’s amazing how simple I made things. I was just turning up, doing a wee bit of practice, playing, and then disappearing. Doing that over and over.
‘It really frees the mind. I was just playing because I love playing golf. It’s a massive confidence boost and I also felt really calm.
‘That’s probably the calmest I’ve been on a golf course in a year-and-a-half. On Sunday in Dubai, that’s the best attitude I’ve had on a golf course.
‘It works. It’s not rocket science. I’m not trying to reinvent anything, just keep it simple and keep doing the things I’m doing.
‘If I can have a good attitude on the golf course every week, then who knows what I can do.
‘But I’ve always known that the harder the golf course, the better it is for me.
‘I’m not a guy who is normally going to go out and shoot 24 or 25 under par on an easier golf course. I feel like it then just becomes a putting competition.
‘My strength is tee to green. So, for me, the tougher the course the better.’