Robert MacIntyre has revealed just how much he enjoyed playing in front of the crowds at Royal Birkdale as he got off to a flying start at The Open Championship on Thursday.
MacIntyre was out early in Southport. And he made a real statement having looked so impressive at the Scottish Open last week.
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The 29-year-old made four birdies and just one bogey on his way to posting a round of 67. He was among the leaders until the likes of Sungjae Im and Dan Brown reached four under par.
Robert MacIntyre lauds the crowds at The Open Championship
MacIntyre is probably one of the players who relishes playing back in the United Kingdom. It is well known that he took some time to adjust to life on the PGA Tour at the start of the 2024 season.
There has been so much talk about fan behaviour over the last year, with the Ryder Cup overshadowed by the actions of some of those outside the ropes at Bethpage.
There was further criticism after the US Open at Shinnecock Hills in June, with Wyndham Clark being relentlessly heckled during the final round.
MacIntyre was full of praise for the atmosphere at The Renaissance Club last week. And speaking after his opening round at the final major of the year, the Scot lauded how knowledgeable those watching The Open are.
“Look, when we come back, the Scottish Open and The Open, The Open crowd is the best every time. If you hit a wedge onto 20 feet, there’s applause. You know when you’ve had a decent shot. You know when it’s going to run off the greens because you’re going to hear it,” he said.
“Overall you get applause. When someone’s had a decent shot, there’s applause. One of the best things was I didn’t hear one shout off the tee box of get in the hole or daft shouts that you get. It was very much just golf and people enjoying golf.”
Robert MacIntyre admits he could happily retire if he wins The Open
MacIntyre will hope to at least register his fourth top 10 at The Open over the coming days. But perhaps this could prove to be his final event as a professional – if it goes really well.
He is one of those players who has achieved so much, with a major victory surely the final piece in the puzzle.
And MacIntyre admitted that he would be content to retire if he lifted one of the game’s four biggest prizes.
“Yeah, I could happily, if I won an Open, won any major, if something happened, I could happily walk away from the game of golf. Yeah, I’ll openly say it. I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face,” he said.
“Yeah, it would be all my goals that I ever dreamed of complete if I did that, but there’s a long way to go. Look, you’ve got four chances every year. I’m hoping to play the game for some ten years and a good effort after that.”
MacIntyre certainly will not be thinking too far ahead after his first round. It is a promising start, but there is still so much to do with The Open providing yet another bunched up leaderboard.
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