When Bob secures his first title success he will go on to become a serial winner
Bob Macintyre has done everything but win on a memorable debut season on the European Tour.
He has been runner- up three times, had a tie for sixth in his first Major in The Open at Royal Portrush, along with seven other top-20 finishes.
The sight of Macintyre’s name has become a common one on leaderboards throughout the year – even if he has not quite finished with it above everyone else.
But that consistency ensured that heading into the final round of the season in Dubai, the 23-yearold from Oban is on course to win the Rookie of the Year award.
Stephen Gallacher is now the senior Scottish pro on Tour, and he has been delighted at how his young compatriot has taken to the main stage.
“Bob is frightening,” he says. “Nothing has fazed him. He is the real deal. He’s got exactly the right attitude, because he shakes off a mistake straight away.
“Being a lefty, he’s got that maverick game, which he bases on Phil Mickelson. And, like Phil, he’s aggressive, which will stand him in good stead.
“It won’t bother him that he has not won. It shows just how hard it is. But he’s had an unbelievable year.
“Bob will win a tournament sooner rather than later. Once he does, I can see him being a serial winner – someone who maybe wins three times a season.
“He makes an unbelievable amount of birdies and because of that, when he does win, it will probably be by four or five shots.
“There is a process to winning and he is getting up there and learning. Bob was a winner at amateur level and, while it might take time, he will eventually be a regular winner.”
Macintyre’s efforts this season have already pocketed him £1.66 million in prize money, plus whatever he picks up today at the DP World Tour Championship.
Those are life-changing figures for a young man, but Gallacher does not believe that Macintyre will be seduced by the trappings of his success.
“Bob won’t change,” states the 45-year-old Gallacher (inset).
“He’s a likeable kid, and he’s very grounded.
“He still lives in Oban, he’s still playing shinty and he’s right down to earth.
He has a good coach and manager, which is so important these days.
“He loves playing – you can see by how many tournaments he’s played this year – and that won’t change.”
At 88th in the standings, Gallacher didn’t qualify for Dubai. Instead he is back in Scotland beginning his practice for a return to the course in the Middle East in January.
But having won this year’sindian Open – in March – his first title for five years, it has been a successful season for the Linlithgow-based golfer.
Especially so when so many new names have emerged on the European Tour, led by Macintyre along with fellow Challenge Tour graduate Victor Perez, the winner of the Alfred Dunhill Links, and American
Kurt Kitayama, who came through Q School.
“The win was one of the best I’ve had,” Stephen reflects. “I had a couple of poor years and I have come through that.
“And it was great to win with my son, Jack, on the bag.
“I’ve played over 500 events and won four times, so that shows how tough it is to win. And it is getting tougher.
“When I came on Tour, there was a gulf between the pros and the amateurs, and I had won a lot at amateur level.
“Now there is no adjustment period. And the guys coming off the Challenge Tour this year have been so good. It’s bonkers.”