When Bob secures his first title success
Bobmacintyre 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.