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Image caption, MacIntyre had previously won twice on the European Tour.
31 minutes ago
Canadian Open final standings
-sixteen R MacIntyre (Scotland); -fifteen B Griffin (United States); -14 V Pérez (Fra); -13 T Kim (Kor), R McIlroy (NI); -12 C. Connors (may)
Others selected: -8 To Rai (English); -7 D Skinns (English), T Fleetwood (English); -5 M Wallace (English)
Scotsman Robert MacIntyre held off a series of rivals to win his first PGA Tour title at the RBC Canadian Open.
MacIntyre, whose caddy at Hamilton Golf and Country Club was his father Dougie, head greenkeeper at Glencruitten Golf Club in Oban, recovered from a shaky start to win by one at 16 under par.
“I cry with joy but I laugh because I didn’t think it was possible,” said MacIntyre, “whose £1.33m prize money is the biggest financial win by a Scottish golfer in a single event.
“I was coming down last and my dad was trying to tell me to stay focused and swing soft because (on Saturday) I went too fast, but in my head I wasn’t listening to him.
“I wanted to win this for my dad, this is the guy who taught me the game of golf and I can’t believe I did this with him in the bag.
“This is everything for me and my family, my girlfriend, my team.”
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Image caption, MacIntyre Senior will return to Scotland on Monday after his son’s success.
The 27-year-old shot a closing two-under 68 to hold off American Ben Griffin, with Frenchman Victor Perez a shot further back and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy on 13-under along with South Korean Tom Kim.
MacIntyre is the first Scottish player to win on the PGA Tour since Martin Laird in 2020 and the victory secured his place in the US Open which begins on June 13 at Pinehurst in North Carolina.
He had a four-shot lead going into the final round, but saw that lead disappear after bogeying the first and home favorite Mackenzie Hughes making three early birdies.
The Scot responded magnificently to birdie the fourth, seventh and eighth holes to regain control of the £7.4 million event, despite having to repeatedly ask for a drone to be used to move television coverage before he finally fulfilled his wish.
Another birdie on the 11th was followed by a wild tee shot on the 12th into a water hazard and another bogey on the 13th opened the door for the chasing group, but the European Ryder Cup winner made a crucial birdie on the 15th.
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 another as MacIntyre safely parred the final three holes.
After two putts from 12 feet to win, he hugged his father, who had been called in to caddy on short notice.
“It’s amazing. I’m a lawnmower, not a caddy,” MacIntyre Sr. said.
“Last Saturday night, I was sitting on the couch at home and (thinking) can I leave my work here? I’m busy at work.
“At eight the next morning I’m on a flight here and wow!”
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