Robert MacIntyre may not have been in contention to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, but the Scot certainly made some of the headlines in the week of the latest event on the DP World Tour.
Robert MacIntyre finished in a tie for 25th at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, 10 shots off eventual winner Tyrrell Hatton. And much of the damage was done on the 17th hole at St Andrews, with the 28-year-old playing that particular hole in three over par across the two rounds.
MacIntyre admitted that he does not think there are many worse holes in golf than the Road Hole. The Scottish Open winner was frustrated over just how long the hole was playing, particularly when there is plenty of trouble around the green.
It was a strange criticism to have. St Andrews does not have many defences when the weather is calm, so it is not unreasonable to expect the field to tackle one or two particularly challenging holes. Meanwhile, it is not uncommon for PGA Tour events to be held at courses which boast plenty of 500-yard par fours.
Eddie Pepperell criticises Robert MacIntyre after the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
MacIntyre was also not best pleased earlier in the week when Rory McIlroy drove a green that he was about to putt on. And speaking on The Chipping Forecast, Eddie Pepperell suggested that he has not been impressed by MacIntyre’s attitude at times throughout the year.
“I completely disagree with Bob. We talk about people’s behaviour, Bob is becoming Tyrrell Hatton-esque. I like Bob, but I find his behaviour on the course a little whiny and he comes across a bit that way,” he said.
“There was an incident with Rory as well, where he drove the green. And I don’t know if this has just happened since Bob has had his success in America or not. Of course, when he won in Canada, he was constantly not hitting shots because of the drone, he seems easily distracted, easily put off, which is odd given his talent.
“But I disagree with him entirely, I think that 17th at St Andrews is a brilliant golf hole and it shouldn’t be an easy hole when you’ve got the rest of the course, which really is a piece of cake for the modern professional.”
Poor from MacIntyre, but it’s important to not be too critical
Golf does need a variety of characters. Hatton comes in for a lot of criticism for his attitude, but it would be dull if every player acted in the same way. However, there is a balancing act to be had.
Moaning about a hole on the more historic golf course in the world was not the best move, even if those comments came just after he had come off the course. But at the same time, it is naive to expect golfers to conduct themselves perfectly, particularly after what had clearly been a frustrating weekend.
MacIntyre is someone who clearly puts everything he has into each tournament he plays, so it is not entirely surprising that he is prepared to lash out when setbacks come his way.
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