SNS Group“What a ******* season that was”
Robert MacIntyre signed off his 2024 on social media in typical down-to-earth fashion as he posted a picture of himself enjoying a can of Irn Bru on a beach in the Bahamas.
He wasn’t wrong. In the last 12 months MacIntyre catapulted his world ranking from 84 to 14, earned more than £4.5m in prize money and became a PGA Tour winner for the first time.
Above all that he won the tournament he coveted most – becoming the first home winner of the Scottish Open for 25 years as he holed a glory putt on the final hole to spark scenes of joy at the Renaissance Club in East Lothian.
Now 2025 holds the promise of taking the 28-year-old Oban golfer’s career to the next level.
With his dad Dougie carrying his clubs, MacIntyre’s maiden win in North America at the Canadian Open in June was one of golf’s great stories last year – but the ramifications for the man dubbed ‘Bobby Mac’ from the galleries extended far beyond being a quirky tale.
SNS GroupMacIntyre’s PGA Tour card is now guaranteed until at least the end of 2026 meaning his can pick and choose his schedule without having to worry about gaining enough points to remain on the prestigious American circuit.
It also guaranteed a return to play at The Masters for the first time since 2022 – the major that holds a particularly special place in his heart.
The left-hander is now setting his sights on becoming a major champion and his first bite at it comes at Augusta in April. In his two previous appearances he has finished tied-12th and tied-23rd and as he knocks on the door of becoming one of the world’s top ten golfers he will be taken seriously as a contender this time around.
It is all a far cry from early 2024 when he openly admitted to finding life across the Atlantic difficult to adapt to. MacIntyre felt isolated and homesick after basing himself in Florida but a return home to Oban and time away from golf with family and friends rekindled his spark to go on and have a famous season.
SNS GroupNext season he will stay based in Scotland but head to America for weeks at a time to play in consecutive tournaments, rather than trying to live in the States. That will give him the advantage of staying close to his roots in a year when consistency will be key – for 2025 is also a Ryder Cup year.
MacIntyre made his debut in the biennial team golf showdown between Europe and the USA in Rome in 2023 and despite some rookie wobbles, he contributed an unbeaten 2.5 points to the victorious team total.
In September this year the expectation is that Bob will, form notwithstanding, be an integral part of captain Luke Donald’s team – one of his trusted elite alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood.
The fearsome Black Course at Bethpage, New York, is the venue as the USA aims to win back the trophy in the hugely anticipated three day match.
A shot at the majors, defence of the Scottish Open and a chance to win a Ryder Cup on American soil? What a season that would be.
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