Robert MacIntrye (aka Bobby Mac) got his first PGA Tour win at the RBC Canadian Open this week. It was nothing short of awesome and really struck a chord with me. As someone whose Dad also taught him to golf as a boy and has that special bond, to see him win it with his father caddying touched my heart like nothing else on the tour this year.
It was only a few weeks ago that I was saying to a friend how over the golf politics I am. The money. The mergers. The PIF. The boards. The PE Companies. It was so good seeing this victory, to remind us all that golf really is the best sport on the planet.
To put it into perspective, a caddy on the PGA Tour is a huge job. Bob called his Dad a few days before the tournament, in need of a caddie. At first his Dad hesitated because of his work as the head greenkeeper at Glencruitten Golf Club, a rather remote course in Oban. But then Dougie said yes, and ‘it was carnage,’ said Bob at his press conference – visas, flights and all the logistics. But then, from the 1st tee when the tournament started right until the end, they seemingly felt a sense of calm and connection that was the backbone of Bob’s victory.
Those scenes on the 18th green, when Amanda was interviewing them… I certainly shed a tear. I’m sure many golfers imagined themselves in that position with their own fathers. I did.
MacIntyre is the first Scotsman to win on the PGA Tour since Martin Laird won the Shriners in 2020, so it’s been a while since the ‘Home of Golf Nation’ has produced a winner. With two Scottish parents and having spent a third of my life in Scotland, it felt good to know they would have a lot to celebrate. And celebrate they will, with Bob planning a trip home to party with friends and family.
With this win, Bobby Mac has entry into the US Open, the next two Signature events, $1.7M in prize money, 500 FedEx cup points, a historic piece of silverware, a huge jump to 39th in the OWGR, a 2 year PGA Tour exemption, and invites to next year’s Sentry, The Players, The Masters and PGA Championship.
All of that and then seeing him on FaceTime to his mum back home, saying ‘I think that’s the mortgage taken care of…’, what a guy. A salt of the earth role model for the youngsters coming through the ranks. I was also quite taken with the ‘we’re blood’ comment when he asked about his Dad caddying for him. There’s no angle. Just pure grit and unconditional love from a family member. That’s what it’s all aboot. Onwards and upwards Bob!
Did you enjoy this win too? Leave any comments below.
