As harsh as it may sound, Robert MacIntyre drew the short straw by being paired with Nick Dunlap during the first round of The Masters at Augusta National on Thursday.
Augusta National has claimed many a victim throughout the years, and some players get swallowed up by the sheer magnitude of the pressure cooker that is The Masters.
Nick Dunlap was the latest to succumb to the incredibly difficult, and sometimes cruel, challenge that Augusta represents.
The 21-year-old left the 18th green with his tail between his legs and eventually signed for a 90.
Robert MacIntyre wasn’t at his best either on Thursday, and ended up carding a three-over par 75.
What did the Scot think of playing alongside someone who struggled so badly though?
Robert MacIntyre on Nick Dunlap’s behaviour while shooting 90 in The Masters at Augusta
It can’t have been easy for Dunlap to keep his head up on Thursday, whilst his game deserted him at the worst time possible.
It must have been quite painful for his playing partners to watch as well.
MacIntyre had his own problems, but it would have been almost impossible not to be affected by what Dunlap was doing.
The 28-year-old left-hander addressed the media after his first round at Augusta.
“It’s difficult. I’ve played with him a few times this year, and what a great player, what a great guy. To be honest, as much as his golf was — he was struggling out there today, his attitude was solid.
“He didn’t get in the way. He didn’t lay off anything that was going to affect his two other playing partners because we’ve got a job to do. I feel for him today, but he’ll come back.“
Fair play to Dunlap for acting with such nobility during what would have been an incredibly difficult time for him.
Highest scores ever at Augusta during The Masters
Dunlap’s 90 on Thursday was obviously an absolute shocker.
However, it was by no means the worst score that has been shot around Augusta during Masters week.
That unenviable honour goes to Charlie Kunkle, who carded a 95 way back in 1956.
Doug Ford has shot 97 twice, in 1997 and 2000.
Meanwhile, Tommy Aaron and Horton Smith have both shot 92’s in 2003 and 1962 respectively.
Four men have gone round in 91 – Ben Crenshaw in 2015 Horton Smith (again) in 1963, Chick Evans in 1960 and Fred McLeod in 1955.
Finally, three men have taken 90 shots to get around Augusta National – Chick Evans (again) in 1959, Jock Hutchison also in 1956 and Frank Souchak in 1954.
So Nick Dunlap may have had a nightmare at The Masters around Augusta on Thursday, but there have been plenty who’ve fared worse.
And as Robert MacIntyre said, he will come back stronger from this.
*stats via Live About.
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