Message in Bob’s bottle as he gives fans a sting
Scot reminds punters of Ryder win
ROBERT MacINTYRE didn’t miss a chance to troll the Americans on their own turf with a cheeky bib message at the Valspar Championship.
The Scot is contesting the Tampa event for a first time and event organisers allow golfers to post ‘messages’ on their caddie’s aprons.
Players were given a form to complete and asked to indicate what message they would like on the bib, reminding them: “Meanings behind the bib name may be used for media purposes”.
MacIntyre’s message worn by caddie Mike Burrows was simply: “Europe 16.5– 11.5 USA” – a nod to last year’s Ryder Cup.
Speaking exclusively to Record Sport, MacIntyre said: “It’s just me and my humour. I had the chance and thought, ‘Why not?’
“I never know how many Ryder Cups I’ll get to play so I thought why not keep the europhia going for a little while longer?
“It’s been received really well back home and there’s American fans on social media who didn’t like it but it’s part and parcel”.
MacIntyre was asked if thought it was ‘being a bit too brave’ in trolling US fans in their own yard.
He said: “At the end of the day it’s just golf. It’s only on the back of my caddie’s bib”.
There was one fan at the 12th hole during his second round who took it too personally.
MacIntyre said: “Yeah, there was a comment from a fan as we walked off the 12th green but then I said to Mike, my caddy,: ‘Wow! It’s taken two days to get a little bit of something back from the spectators but aside from that it’s been received pretty well”. There were no arguments with Ryder Cup Europe who retweeted the PGA Tour’s photograph of the MacIntrye’s caddie big with the message: “He’s only gone and done it. We approve”.
The PGA Tour tweeted: “Too soon?” but MacIntyre’s ‘message’ went down well with his Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald and vice-captain Francesco Molinari, as well as team-mate Sepp Straka.
Donald, who won the Valspar in 2012, has his caddie sporting the message “Now Hiring” though it’s uncertain if Donald was joking or not.
MacIntyre said: “I’ve had a great reaction from all the European guys here and also some nice comments on group chats that will stay private but no reaction from the American guys – I wouldn’t expect one.”
●Andy Sullivan fired a course-record 63 to share the lead with fellow Englishman Richard Mansell at the Singapore Classic.
The 2016 Ryder Cup player came home in 28 to get to nine under to sit alongside German Freddy Schott (69).
Mansell birdied two of his last three holes to sign for a 69 and a tie at the top.
Battling Scot Ewen Ferguson (70) is two shots back on seven under.