Robert MacIntyre insists his decision to withdraw from the memorial tournament shows the height of his ambition rather than a lack of respect for the event’s host Jack Nicklaus.
MacIntyre’s victory at the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday secured his place in one of the PGA Tour’s flagship events, live on Sky Sports, which has a prize fund of $20 million (15.7 million) and sees 28 of the world’s top 30 in action.
The Scot has played six tournaments in a row and, with the US Open approaching next week, MacIntyre has opted to return home to the UK for a few days before returning across the Atlantic for the third major championship of the year.
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Jamie Spence tells the Sky Sports Golf Podcast he thinks Robert MacIntyre should look for a permanent caddy rather than continuing to have his father, Dougie, on his bag
“I miscounted the tournaments I played there when I was doing the press conference last week. It was actually the sixth week (not the fifth),” MacIntyre said during a conference call with the media. “And it’s been a good six weeks.
“I had two top 10s, I was lucky at Myrtle Beach which was in the top 15. The mental aspect of that six-week period was high, and obviously winning last week was an even higher high big.
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Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, Jamie Spence and Alex Perry praised Robert MacIntyre and his family after securing his first PGA Tour victory.
“If I played the Memorial, the US Open and the Travelers (Championship), that would be nine weeks in a row. Not many players play nine weeks in a row, except probably me, the crazy one. With everything that was going on , there was no disrespect in pulling out of Jack Nicklaus’ event.
“It was about what was good for me and the fifth week in a row at Colonial, I thought it was even a step too far after having a chance to win at Myrtle Beach, a chance from outside the (American) PGA ).
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Sky Sports’ Simon Holmes says Robert MacIntyre probably wouldn’t have won the Canadian Open without his father Dougie on the bag
“There was a lot going on and I just thought it was the right thing to step aside, take a week off. It could have been any event. Yes, I understand it’s a high event and it’s 20 million or whatever. But isn’t preparing well for the US Open showing ambition?
MacIntyre: Dad got more messages than me!
MacIntyre hugged his father Dougie after his victory, who had been called up as a short-term caddy, with the world number 39 wanting to celebrate his victory with the rest of his family rather than immediately start again on the PGA Tour.
US Open golf live
Thursday June 13 at 12:30 p.m.
“I never intended to have a real party,” MacIntyre added. “I’m sure I could have a few drinks for my friends at the weekend, probably at home.
“My dad, my family and I just did something special and I just wanted to come home and spend time with the people that really matter in life.
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Robert MacIntyre and his caddy father cry after he won his first PGA Tour title at the Canadian Open
“Yes, I play golf at the highest level. Yes, I won a golf tournament that means so much to me and everyone around me, but let’s go home, spend it and celebrate with people that really matter in life.
“It’s obviously a special message with my dad on the bag and I think he’s more of the type to have more messages than me probably!”
Watch Robert MacIntyre in action at the US Open, live on Thursday June 13 from 12:30pm on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, majors and more with NOW.
