Robert MacIntyre details ‘dark place’ before tour breakthrough

It feels far longer than three months since Robert MacIntyre made his breakthrough on the PGA Tour.

Now full of confidence, the Oban man is a two-time winner on the American circuit and inside the world’s top 20.

MacIntyre, 28, felt the lonely nature of the move earlier in the year and now says his game was in a ‘dark place’ at that time.

But after a few changes off the course, he is back to the MacIntyre of old.

“It wasn’t a dark place personally, I was in a dark place with my game,” he told BBC Sport Scotland.

“When I stepped on the golf course, I wasn’t enjoying it. I learned from a couple of things and changed some things within my team.

“So far so good, it’s about me trying to enjoy myself out on the course and not being too hard on myself.

“I’m just trying to hit as many good shots as I can.”

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He made the move to Florida at the start of the year after earning his tour card and was based there for the opening half of the year.

Whilst that was educational, MacIntyre announced in June that he would return to Oban and remain there through 2025.

“I learned a lot this year,” he said. “I enjoyed the competitive side and the golf side of it, but what I did learn was that my golf game can hold up anywhere in the world.

“It’s difficult out there. The standard is very high, and you are trying to become one of the best players in the world. You have to compete against the best and that’s what I’m doing.”

Not only did MacIntyre compete against the best, but he topped them, too.

Although it has been tough to reflect on wins at the RBC Canadian Open – with dad Dougie on the bag – and the Genesis Scottish Open, with such a busy schedule.

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“I’ve not done much recap on anything this year,” MacIntyre admitted. “It’s been one week after another.

“If I have a week off, I don’t think about much, I just go home and spend it with the people that really matter.

“I am looking forward to a four-week stretch when I get off. Then with everyone around me I will sit down with the whole team and build on what’s been a big year.

“I got the one I wanted this season – the Scottish Open has always been a dream of mine and I managed to get it.”

MacIntyre, however, knows he’ll tee it up in all four majors next year, as well as the eight signature events on the PGA Tour – a luxury never previously afforded.

“For the first time really in my career I can schedule all the biggest events in the world,” he said.

“I can pick and choose where we go and when we go and choose how we prepare. It’s looking far better than it was last year.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.