Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre recovered from a tough start and held off a host of challengers to win his first PGA Tour title at the RBC Canadian Open.
MacIntyre carded a two-under final round 68 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club to finish at 16 under par, one shot ahead of Ben Griffin.
Griffin had put the pressure on with birdies at 15, 16 and 17 to get closer to one of his playing partners, but was unable to find a fourth in a row on the last to potentially force a play-off .
Victor Perez finished one stroke further back, while Rory McIlroy and Tom Kim were tied for fourth at 13 under. McIlroy, who started the seventh day in the lead, closed to within two points at one point after a string of three consecutive birdies on the sixth hole.
Rory McIlroy was two shots off the lead at one point before finishing tied for fourth.
MacIntyre had the luxury of two 10-foot putts on the 18th hole, kissing his father Dougie during his victory, who had been called in to caddy at short notice.
When asked why he was so emotional about the victory, MacIntyre gestured to his father and said CBS: “Because of that.
“I’m speechless, to be honest. It’s everything to me and my family, my girlfriend, my team. I can’t believe I did it with him on the bag.
“I cry with joy but I laugh because I didn’t think it was possible.”
MacIntyre had seen his four-shot lead wiped out in the space of four holes after making a bogey on the first and local favorite Mackenzie Hughes completed a hat-trick with the opening birdies.
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Robert Macintyre was furious after a TV coverage drone distracted him by getting too close to the RBC Canadian Open
However, MacIntyre responded superbly by making birdies at the fourth, seventh and eighth to regain control of the event, although he had to repeatedly request that a drone used for television coverage be moved before finally realizing his wish.
Another birdie on the 11th was followed by a wild tee shot on the 12th into a water hazard and another bogey on the 13th opened the door for the chasing pack, but the Ryder Cup star made a crucial birdie at 15 and safely parred the final three holes.
MacIntyre has made no secret of his difficulty adjusting to life in the United States this season, but he benefited immensely from a three-week stay in Scotland in April and competed in the Myrtle Beach Classic before finishing eighth of the US PGA Championship.
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