Scottish golfer Robert MacIntyre achieved a milestone victory at the RBC Canadian Open, clinching his first PGA Tour title with his 59-year-old father, Dougie, as his caddie. The triumph, held at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, was a culmination of hard work, family support, and exceptional skill.
Entering the final round with a four-stroke lead, MacIntyre, a 27-year-old left-hander, shot a solid 2-under 68 to secure a one-stroke victory over Ben Griffin. His final putt on the par-4 18th, a two-putt for par from 12 feet, sealed his win at 16-under 264. This victory marks a significant achievement in MacIntyre’s career, being his first win on the PGA Tour in his 45th start.
“Goose bumps. It’s incredible,” MacIntyre said. “It’s a dream of mine to play golf for a living. It’s been a dream of mine to win on the PGA Tour. … I just can’t believe I done it with my dad on the bag. The guy’s taught me the way I play golf.”
Dougie MacIntyre, who received an emergency call to caddie for his son, was visibly emotional during a televised interview. “Unbelievable,” he said. “I’m a grass cutter … it’s unbelievable.”
The victory was especially poignant given the father-son duo’s dynamic. Dougie’s role wasn’t just logistical; his tough love and timely advice were pivotal. After Robert bogeyed the eighth and ninth holes during the third round, Dougie’s encouragement helped him regain focus. MacIntyre responded by birdieing the 10th and going on a remarkable streak, finishing his round with a 4-under 66.
“He was having a wee go at me when I was walking from the 10th tee down to the fairway,” MacIntyre recounted. “He could see my head going a little bit and he’s like, what have you been working on for the last eight weeks, ten weeks, whatever I’ve been doing when I realized what was the problem. I kind of flipped into that mode and tried to find the positive in everything.”
MacIntyre’s performance on the final day was a testament to his resilience. Despite bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes, he maintained composure, making crucial birdies to fend off a strong challenge from Griffin. His final round included a critical birdie on the 15th hole that helped secure his lead.
Ben Griffin, who played alongside MacIntyre in the final round, acknowledged the competitive nature of the match. “I fought hard,” Griffin said. “It felt like there was a lid on the cup for most of the day for me. I hit so many pretty good putts, I wouldn’t say like striped putts, but pretty good putts and just kept burning edges. A couple of bad putts, but stayed patient.”
Rory McIlroy, a two-time Canadian Open champion, made a notable comeback with a final round of 64, tying for fourth place with Tom Kim at 13 under. McIlroy praised his own performance despite a challenging back nine on Friday, “Three really good rounds of golf, one not so good one. Felt a little out of sorts on Friday. Did a good range session and sort of rectified it.”
MacIntyre’s victory is celebrated not just by his immediate family but also by his hometown of Oban, where a celebratory party is undoubtedly underway. This win follows his successful stints on the European Tour, where he has two victories, and his contribution to Europe’s winning team in the 2023 Ryder Cup.