Robert MacIntyre has shared how Rory McIlroy went out of his way to help the Scot at the Zurich Classic after learning of his struggles since moving over to the PGA Tour.
Robert MacIntyre is now a winner on the PGA Tour after clinching the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday with a one shot victory over Ben Griffin in Ontario.
It has not been an easy start to the season for MacIntyre, who had missed three cuts in his first four events of the year. In total, the 27-year-old has missed seven cuts this season.
But he was able to put all of that behind him in Hamilton, with Rory McIlroy one of those within the chasing pack.
Robert MacIntyre reveals how Rory McIlroy helped him earlier this season
Of course, McIlroy will be disappointed to not win himself, but he will take a lot of satisfaction from seeing MacIntyre get the job done, with his Ryder Cup teammate confiding in him earlier this year.
Speaking in his press conference after winning, MacIntyre revealed that McIlroy had gone out of his way to try and help him as he struggled with homesickness.
“Rory is a role model. He is a guy who I have looked up to for many years. I actually sat with him and Shane [Lowry] at Zurich, and Rory asked me how are you enjoying the States, he obviously had read some of the articles. I was like, ‘Rory to be honest, I have struggled’. He’s an only child so he was able to have family out a lot more and we sat and discussed it,” he said.
“From Ryder Cup we gelled well. Me and Shane are probably more similar human beings. But Rory is someone who I look up to and can ask certain questions to. He’s just a role model.”
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It is fantastic to see McIlroy taking players under his wing. McIlroy himself, noted that he has taken on a similar role with Tom Kim after the pair played together in the final two rounds at the Canadian Open.
MacIntyre clearly has the talent to compete with the best, with McIlroy himself needing a shot of the year contender to beat him by one at last year’s Scottish Open. But he potentially lacks belief at times and seems to occasionally let nerves get the better of him.
Sunday could prove to be a massive moment in his career as he now has the proof that he belongs amongst the world’s best players.
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