Who is Robert MacIntyre’s coach?

Robert MacIntyre has made regular changes to his team in recent years – so who is his coach?

The Oban man enjoyed a dream 2023 season, as he secured a PGA Tour card for 2024.

He then added epic victories at the RBC Canadian Open, with dad Dougie on the bag, before lifting the co-sanctioned Genesis Scottish Open title on home soil. 

Not to forget, MacIntyre was already a winner on the DP World Tour and made his Ryder Cup debut in Italy at Marco Simone in 2023.

So, who is the coach behind MacIntyre’s swing?

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Robert MacIntyre’s coach

MacIntyre’s coach is Simon Shanks, someone with previous experience of working with the Scotsman.

The duo have enjoyed two stints together in recent years, as MacIntyre returned to his tutelage after spending seven years with David Burns.

But the role of Robert MacIntyre’s coach has been complicated.

On the lead up to the Ryder Cup, whilst trying to secure his PGA Tour card, MacIntyre parted ways with Shanks and went back to Burns. 

He described his former mentor as being “like a brother”, and Burns was a huge part of his early success as he burst onto the professional scene.  

“I’ve not been enjoying my golf,” MacIntyre admitted. “Everyone has probably seen that.

“I’ve been hard on myself. I’ve not been the Bob of 2019, 2020 and the early part of ‘21.  

“I’ve gone away from who I was, and I felt when I was at home, because I wasn’t enjoying it as much on the road, I wasn’t practising as hard.  

“Obviously I did great with Shanksy, winning in Italy, but the main reason I am changing coach is the fact I’m closer to home with Davy, I can see him more.” 

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However, clearly MacIntyre wasn’t sure about axing Shanks, as he made an almost immediate return to his former coach following the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Shanks has over 20 years’ experience working with a variety of players on the DP World Tour, including tour winners Eddie Pepperell and Jordan Smith. 

The pair initially joined forces in the summer of 2022 and he immediately reaped the rewards of the move. MacIntyre secured his second tour win at the Italian Open a few weeks later.  

Shanks works out of his base at Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort and was named PGA coach of the year in England and Wales (Southwest) in 2013, 2017 and 2018. 

After the Canadian Open success in Ontario, MacIntyre heaped praise on his assistant.

“We’ve obviously got my swing coach, Simon Shanks, who has done a great job with me.”

MacIntyre also has a couple of other important figures in his camp.

Ahead of the 2024 Tour Championship, he expressed his gratitude towards Stuart Barton, a Fife-based physio.

Barton flew out to the US to help MacIntyre as he battled a lower left back injury.

Meanwhile, MacIntyre told the Scotsman during his debut at the Hero World Challenge that he has began working with Mark Horton.

Horton is a a renowned statistician who has worked with Billy Horschel and uses data to determine course decisions and strategy.