Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre recovered from a shaky start and held off a series of challengers to win his first PGA Tour title at the RBC Canadian Open.
MacIntyre shot a final round of 2-under 68 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club to finish 16 under, one shot ahead of Ben Griffin.
Griffin had increased the pressure with birdies on the 15th, 16th and 17th to close in on one of his playing partners, but couldn’t find a fourth straight on the last to potentially force a playoff.
Victor Perez finished one stroke further back, while Rory McIlroy and Tom Kim tied for fourth at 13 under par. McIlroy, who began the day seven behind the lead, closed within two at one point after a streak of three consecutive birdies on the sixth hole.
Image: Rory McIlroy was two strokes off the lead at one point before finishing tied for fourth.
MacIntyre had the luxury of two-putting from 10 feet on the 18th hole, hugging his father Dougie after his victory, who had been called in to caddy on short notice.
Robert MacIntyre and his caddy father cry after he captured his first PGA Tour title at the Canadian Open.
When asked why he was so excited about the win, MacIntyre gestured to his father and told KeynoteUSA: “This is why.
“I’m speechless, to be honest. This is everything for me and my family, my girlfriend, my team. I can’t believe I did it with him in the bag.
“I cry with joy but I laugh because I didn’t think it was possible.”
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MacIntyre had seen his four-stroke overnight lead disappear in the space of four holes after he bogeyed the first and home favorite Mackenzie Hughes made a hat-trick of early birdies.
However, MacIntyre responded magnificently to birdie the fourth, seventh and eighth to regain control of the event, despite having to repeatedly ask for a drone used for television coverage to be moved until he finally got his wish.
Robert Macintyre became enraged after a television coverage drone distracted him by getting too close at the RBC Canadian Open.
Another birdie on the 11th hole was followed by a wild tee shot on the 12th hole into a water hazard and another bogey on the 13th hole opened the door for the chasing group, but the Ryder Cup star made a crucial birdie in the 15th hole and safely parred the last three holes.
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MacIntyre has made no secret of his struggle to adjust to living in the United States this season, but benefited greatly from a three-week stint in Scotland in April and competed for the Myrtle Beach Classic before finishing eighth at the US PGA Championship. .
‘I’m a lawnmower, not a caddy’: MacIntryre duo reflect on emotional win
There were visibly emotional scenes after the Scot’s victory, with his father crying over the experience they had shared together as his son went through difficult times in his rookie year on the PGA Tour to a big victory.
In fact, on the Monday morning before the tournament, Robert MacIntyre had to work hard to get his father into the venue because he didn’t have any credentials, which sums up the incredible week they had, as MacIntyre’s father’s caddy fee seems to make his parents mortgage themselves. free.
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“Unbelievable. Yeah. I’m a lawnmower, not a caddy. I’m sorry. Honestly, it’s unbelievable,” MacIntyre’s father said.
“They called me, last Saturday night you called me? I’m sitting on the couch at home at 8 o’clock on Saturday night and I’m like, ‘Can I quit my job? I was busy at work.’
“Of course he can.”
“Yeah. At 8 o’clock the next morning I’m on a flight here and… wow.”
MacIntyre reflected on the sacrifices his parents and sisters made for him to achieve his dream and also how having adopted brothers and sisters growing up shaped him as a person.
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“I think it makes you realize that hitting a cue ball on a golf course isn’t the most important thing,” MacIntyre said after his victory.
“I mean, I’ve been crying about it, kids walk away from you. They become family. They’ve been in a tough situation. They didn’t give me everything when I was a kid. They gave me a great opportunity.
“My dad was obviously a very good sportsman, football, golf, brilliant, he didn’t have the finances to pursue it, and I think it was something my mum and dad always wanted to do.
“I have two older sisters who really like horses, riding horses and stuff, but they even sacrificed a lot of that just to give me a chance.
“I mean, I couldn’t play in golf tournaments when I was a junior because we couldn’t afford it. I think that made me, that makes me fight and never give up, I think not getting anything.
“I mean, they gave me enough. They gave me the opportunity, but they never, ever spoon-fed me, I was always fighting for every bit.”
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