Robert MacIntyre has always possessed the raw talent, grit, and determination required to succeed at the highest level. But as we approach the Masters, the Scot is enjoying the best form of his career, having added two prestigious titles to his name — the Genesis Scottish Open and the RBC Canadian Open.
t just 27, the Oban native has evolved from a promising talent into a genuine contender on both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour, marking his arrival among the game’s elite. With his sights firmly set on a Major victory, MacIntyre’s recent success has only reinforced his belief that he belongs at the top.
A Career-Defining Year
MacIntyre’s 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular. His Scottish Open victory was particularly special. The Rolex Series event had been close to his heart since childhood, and after narrowly missing out to Rory McIlroy in 2023, redemption tasted even sweeter when he hoisted the trophy in front of a raucous home crowd at The Renaissance Club.
“My first thought after the putt dropped was that we’re going wild,” MacIntyre recalls with a laugh when asked what went through his mind as the winning putt fell. “It was just a relief. The year before, I got beaten by Rory, and I thought, you know what, I might never have another shot at winning the Scottish Open. But I did, and it fell my way the year after. It was always my dream to play in the Scottish Open, but I always wanted a chance to win it. I had two chances and took one.”
Before his heroics on home soil, MacIntyre had already made headlines across the Atlantic by clinching his maiden PGA Tour title at the RBC Canadian Open. That win was made all the more special by the presence of his father, Dougie, on the bag.
“It was big,” he admits. “I think I got the monkey off my back, but I always knew I was good enough to win on the PGA Tour. It was just about doing it, and it’s difficult to win anywhere in the world. Obviously, to have my dad with me was extra special. It might have just stopped me from trying too hard and allowed me to enjoy it. It was one of the most special things I’ll ever get to do in my life.”
His strong form continued into 2025, and at The Players Championship, he secured an impressive ninth-place finish in what is widely regarded as golf’s ‘fifth major.’ It was his best showing in a field packed with the world’s best players, finishing as the second-highest European behind overall winner Rory McIlroy.
“It was another step in the right direction for me,” MacIntyre reflects. “The Players Championship is as big as it gets outside the Majors, and to finish ninth in that field gives me a lot of confidence going forward. I know I can compete with the best, and now it’s about getting myself in the mix on Sundays more often.”
Road to Augusta
With two victories and a recent stellar performance at The Players Championship, MacIntyre has cemented his place in golf’s upper echelon. As he prepares for the Masters, he does so with a newfound sense of confidence.
“Victory at Augusta, becoming the second Scotsman after Sandy Lyle to slip on the Green Jacket, would be a dream, but I’m in it to win it,” he says. “I’m more comfortable than ever in America, playing the big events. But to win it, jeez, it would be life-changing. I’ve obviously been lucky enough to play in a Ryder Cup, win a Ryder Cup. If I win a Major, I could happily retire. Walk away from the game of golf. Obviously, I won’t because there are so many more things you chase and want. But once I hopefully win a Major, then it’s like, what else are we chasing?”
His respect for Augusta National is evident. “I just love how perfect the place is, but also how many different shots you need to hit around the course. There are a lot of golf courses you go to and think, well, this is one-dimensional. Augusta asks every question there is. Driver, long irons, short irons, wedges, short game—you name it, it’s asking the question. That’s why Tiger’s done so well there. He was the best at everything.”
Ryder Cup and Playing in America
MacIntyre’s Ryder Cup debut in 2023 was another pivotal moment in his career. He played a crucial role in Europe’s victory over the USA at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, securing key points that contributed to the team’s triumph.
“The Ryder Cup was like nothing else,” MacIntyre recalls. “You dream about playing in it, but until you’re there, you don’t realise how intense it is. The crowds, the pressure, the adrenaline—it’s something you can’t prepare for. But once I was in the heat of battle, I loved every second of it. Playing alongside guys like Rory and Jon Rahm, you learn so much.”
His transition to playing more frequently in America has also been a major milestone.
“It’s a different world out here,” he says about competing on the PGA Tour. “The courses, the atmosphere, even the way guys go about their business—it’s all different. But I’ve grown to love it. I feel like I belong now, and that’s a big thing. When you first come over, you maybe feel like you’re trying to prove yourself. Now, I’m here to win.”
Chasing Glory in the UAE
Beyond Augusta, MacIntyre has set his sights on success in the UAE, particularly at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, where his first memories of the event were watching the great Seve Ballesteros.
“Watching Seve win there was my earliest memory of the event,” MacIntyre says. “Watching him play, the way he attacked the course, it was inspiring. As a young golfer, you see moments like that, and they stay with you.”
MacIntyre is determined to add his name to the list of champions in the UAE, and while the DP World Tour Championship is regarded as the big one, he has his eye on the Hero Dubai Desert Classic trophy.
“When you pitch up at these events, they are so special,” MacIntyre says. “They’re the strongest fields, but the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is one of my favourite golf tournaments. The crowds are brilliant, it’s right in the city, perfect location, and that’s one that I want to win. That’s why I keep turning up.”
Staying Grounded
Despite his rapid ascent, MacIntyre remains rooted in his Scottish upbringing, something he credits with keeping him grounded.
“Keeping close to family and friends is essential,” he says. “That’s why I still live in Scotland. No matter how good a Scottish person is doing, you’re always getting dragged back down to earth. My friends are working-class tradespeople back home, exactly what I’d be doing if I wasn’t playing this game. I just think going back to your roots, seeing friends and family, and being in a real-life environment is key.”
The Future
With his game in peak condition and confidence at an all-time high, MacIntyre is primed for an even bigger season. He has already conquered Scotland and Canada, and now, he has his sights set on Augusta, the UAE, and beyond.
At 27, Robert MacIntyre is no longer just a prospect. He is a champion with the world at his feet, and as he continues his journey, the next chapter promises to be his most thrilling yet.
