MacIntyre talks about his first year as a pro golfer
What a year it has been for Oban golfing sensation Robert MacIntyre.
In his rookie season as a professional golfer, the 22-year-old finished second in the Foshan Open, secured a European Tour card, and played with some of the game’s greats.
And following a second top-15 finish in the European Tour, the left-handed player went into the festive break sitting in the top 30 in the Race to Dubai rankings, with a $1.25 million bonus going to the player who finishes first at the end of the season.
‘I always wanted to get to the European Tour,’ MacIntyre told The Oban Times. ‘But I honestly didn’t expect it to happen in the first year.
‘It’s been good,’ MacIntyre said about his first year on the professional circuit. ‘It was a shock, and it wasn’t a shock at the same time. After my start I was a wee bit behind, but once I got going I started feeling comfortable.
‘I knew I had a chance [to get a European Tour card]. As long as I stayed in the top 45, I knew if I had one big result in the last four events then I would be close, but for it to be on that event, that’s why the emotion came out over that putt.
‘Once that went in, it wasn’t just the emotion of taking the lead or getting into a play-off, it was the emotion of what I have almost achieved.’
December was a massive month for MacIntyre, who secured two top 15 finishes, winning more than £31,000 in the process.
‘The money is a reward at the end of it, that’s the way I try and see it,’ he said. ‘There’s going to be a time where I am in with a chance to win, a real chance coming down the last six to seven holes and for the first time it is going to be seriously nerve-racking because all you are going to be thinking about is what is on the line – not just the tournament, the finances that come with it. Just now I am just trying to enjoy it and play golf and if I play good golf I will make money and make points.’
On his travels, MacIntyre has been paired twice with South African legend Ernie Els, and on both occasions, the Oban man matched the four-time major winner.
‘The first tee shot with Ernie, I could hardly tee the ball up,’ he said. ‘I put it down the
middle, but it was seriously nerve-racking. To get the ball actually going forward was an achievement.’
But once he got going, McIntyre held his own, which instilled confidence in the Glencruitten golfer.
‘That’s what made me feel comfortable,’ he said. ‘Now I believe I can actually compete out there. Not just make up the numbers, actually compete for the tournaments.’
Regardless of where the 22-year-old is in the world, he is never far away from the thoughts of friends, family, and the Oban community, especially those involved with Glencrutiten Golf Club, where MacIntyre learned his trade.
When asked about the support at home, he said: ‘They have been brilliant. Every week I have been getting messages, even if I am struggling. It’s not just if you are doing well. So that’s encouraging – knowing that they are not just there for the highs, they are actually trying to push you back up when you are down.’
However, despite his success, he still has to chip in and help out at home.
‘The family, they are delighted with it, but still realise I have not made it,’ he said. ‘They are going to be proud, but they realise how much effort has been put in, not just from me, but from them as well – the sacrifices.’
‘I’m still doing the housework,’ he jokingly added. ‘They are keeping me on my toes.’
In order to maintain his European Tour card for next season, MacIntyre will need to finish in the top 110 in the Race to Dubai series.
There are a total of 41 tournaments in the race and the former Scottish amateur champion is hoping to play in around 30.
After a handful of events, Robert is sitting 29th on the back of his two top 15 finishes.
He will need plenty more top results in 2019 to be in with a shout, but it is an exciting time for ‘Bob’ and everyone who is supporting him.