After Catriona’s success, Bob hopes for more good news
Catriona Matthew captaining Europe to victory in the Solheim Cup last Monday was the undoubted highlight of what has been a golden few weeks for Scottish golf.
Matthew masterminded the 15-13 underdog success at the Inverness Club in Ohio in her typically quiet, but steely way.
She became the first European to captain two victorious Solheim teams.
Now attention switches to tonight to see if Bob Macintyre makes Europe’s Ryder Cup team.
His chances of automatic selection disappeared with his missed cut at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday, so he is now waiting to see if he will be one of captain Padraig Harrington’s three wildcards.
The Oban man’s efforts at The Open at Royal St George’s
– where he finished in a tie for eighth – threw him into contention for the team, and started the ball rolling for a string of fine Scottish displays.
The baton was taken on by Grant Forrest and Calum Hill, as they picked up maiden European Tour victories in successive weeks at the Hero Open at Fairmont St Andrews, and the Cazoo Classic at the London Golf Club respectively.
And Louise Duncan, the Women’s Amateur Champion, made a real stir all week at Carnoustie in the Women’s Open, before finishing tenth.
Behind the scenes for much of this success is David Burns, coach to Macintyre and Hill.
While Bob competes with the big boys, Burns highlights the work done by Kirkcaldy man Hill to go from Challenge Tour graduate to European Tour winner.
“When we first did some work, I didn’t think Calum’s game was good enough,” Burns tells The Sunday Post.
“You have to remember he never had a top amateur career. He was a two-handicap at 17, and he never got one of the top scholarships.
“But his work ethic, and his desire to improve, is second to none. He’s a coach’s dream.
“He’s on a huge upward spiral, and he is improving by the month.”
Burns walked all four rounds with Macintyre at Royal St George’s, and was thrilled with his charge’s play, and how he has taken to Major golf in general.
“Tee to green all that week, Bob’s play was magnificent,” he says. “The only difference over the weekend was that the putter warmed up very nicely.
“The golf he played was as good as I’ve seen from anyone for a long time.
“To have finished sixth and eighth in his two Opens, 12th at The Masters and to never miss a cut in his seven Majors so far, most players would take that.”
With Macintyre trying to make the Ryder Cup team, he surprised many by opting to play in two events on the secondary Korn Ferry Tour in America, rather than two counting events in Europe.
Others, like Bernd Wiesberger, focused on the European Tour, and the Austrian has really enhanced his chances of making the team.
But Macintyre was looking longer term in trying to win enough money to gain his PGA Tour. His coach is right behind that decision.
“Bob now feels like he belongs in America,” admits Burns. “Two years ago, I would have said that he wouldn’t have liked the lifestyle, and he was too much of a homebird.
“But the money over there is mind-blowing, especially compared to the lesser events on the European Tour.
“For a player of his ability and standard, Bob has to compete against the best.
“Calum, too, sees his future in America. He’d have no problem over there. His girlfriend is American, and he loved it at college so he wants to return.”