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The Betfred British Masters and Robert MacIntrye seem like a match made in heaven.
The Scotsman burst onto the scene with a runner-up finish in 2019, his first season on the DP World Tour, which helped him on his way to being crowned Rookie of the Year. Two years on from that monumental effort, the 25-year-old turned up for the 2021 edition as the favourite after a string of strong performances on both the DP World Tour PGA Tour, which included a top 10 at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play and a share of 12th at the Masters Tournament as well as winning a maiden title in Cyprus the previous year.
At home on the Brabazon
The Oban born star justified his position as the man to beat by claiming a share of the halfway lead at The Belfry, but that would be as good as it got for the rising star after rounds of 70 and 71 saw him finish in T8. Since that outing he has dropped out of the world’s top 50 – to 73rd – and failed in his bid for a PGA Tour card. It might sound like a frustrating season for the Ryder Cup hopeful but he says he has “learned more from the lows” in a rollercoaster 2021 and is a “completely different” golfer as he returns to The Belfry aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow Scots to have won the tournament, including Gary Orr, who was the last to achieve the feat in 2000
Here, the youngster gives us an insight in playing across the globe, what he bought his mum after finishing second in the tournament in 2019 and how shinty has helped take his mind away from golf.
Are you a player that feeds off the crowd’s energy and how did lockdown effect your game over the last two years?
It’s only now that I’m really beginning to play in front of reasonable size crowds as I didn’t have that much exposure before Covid hit. Lockdown was difficult, there’s no getting away from it, but this year is already showing a lot of signs of things getting easier again.
With two strong events in Ras Al Khaimah and T23 at The Masters Tournament, how do you manage travelling and playing a variety of different courses?
I have a very reactive schedule as I look to lock down privileges around the World. As a result, we try to plan best we can and it definitely helps that I’m going back to a lot of places I’ve been before.
What does a strong finish at the Masters do in terms of building confidence for the season ahead?
I was happy with Augusta but at the end of the day it’s another week done and locked in. I’m happy where my game is and I know I can compete with the best of them any given week. Worry about myself first and the rest will fall into place.
You tied 8th last year at the Betfred British Masters, how does the Brabazon course suit your eye and would you change anything in the bag for the week in regards to club set up?I like The Belfry and, if anything, I probably felt it was one that got away last year so will go there with my tail up and try to get a better finish this year.
The British Masters was first staged in 1946 when the event was tied between Scotland’s Jimmy Adams and Bobby Locke, what would it mean for you to win at The Belfry this week and what was your first memory of the event?
Was it? Didn’t know that! A win is a win anywhere and it would be great to win in Scotland but England will just have to do if need be! Would obviously be great to win a British Masters and my first memory was finishing second a couple of years ago!
You finished second at the British Masters in 2019 and allegedly bought your mum a new kitchen after that result. Since then, have you done anything similar for friends or family after a strong finish?
Not really but I get to reap the benefits of the new kitchen on a regular basis. A great return on investment.
Many juniors are drawn to the game by watching their heroes such as Tiger Woods on television, but who did you try to emulate when playing as a junior and how challenging was it to learn the game left-handed?
It was Phil for me growing up and I don’t think it was any more challenging learning golf left-handed than right handed. Either way it’s a difficult game.
How often do you play shinty and how has it helped your golf game?
I play whenever I’m back at home. It helps me clear my head and it takes my focus away from the golf.
