Robert MacIntyre might have failed to deliver on the course at the Masters – but he has provided another moment that could land him in more trouble with officials.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old Scot failed to make the halfway cut after rounds of 80 and 71 left him seven over par and he exited the tournament in Augusta.<\/p>\n
Shortly afterwards MacIntyre, who declined to speak to the media, posted a picture on his Instagram account of a gnome resembling himself with an extended middle finger.<\/p>\n
It was a rather neat two-pronged reference to MacIntyre’s behaviour during the tournament and an ongoing debate over a decade-long Masters tradition.<\/p>\n
The world number eight had been caught by television cameras directing a middle-finger gesture towards the 15th green during Thursday’s opening round.<\/p>\n
It came after he hit his approach into the pond guarding the putting surface, on his way to making a quadruple-bogey nine at the par-five hole.<\/p>\n
The Press Association reported the Ryder Cup winner was reprimanded by Augusta National officials for the action.<\/p>\n
Masters organisers are known for their strict rules and code of conduct for players and fans – known as patrons – attending the tournament.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, MacIntyre had also sworn after a slightly wayward tee shot on the 12th hole and again after hitting a putt off the green on the 13th.<\/p>\n