‘Thank god for Robert MacIntyre!’

EUROPE already had the Ryder Cup signed, sealed and won by the time Robert MacIntyre secured the final half point of an epic battle with the USA.

But fans have all been thanking the Scottish golf star as he helped avert two years of a controversy-laden narrative.

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Bob MacIntyre secured Europe’s final half point of the 2025 Ryder CupCredit: Reuters

The Scot has now been part of two Ryder Cup winning sidesCredit: Reuters

US captain Keegan Bradley wasn’t happy with a rule that was enforcedCredit: Getty

Viktor Hovland had to withdraw from singles actionCredit: Reuters

Luke Donald‘s Europeans smashed their way through the first two days of competition at Bethpage Black in New York State.

After dominating the opening four sessions, Europe took a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead into the final day of competition.

It meant just three more points were needed to take the Ryder Cup back to Europe as winners.

But the Americans came roaring back and threatened the unlikeliest of comebacks.

In the end, it was all rather nervy from a European standpoint.

In fact, out of the 12 match-ups, only Ludvig Aberg secured a full point for Europe.

Six Americans won their matches.

Half points, therefore, proved absolutely crucial.

Shane Lowry’s half got Europe to the magic 14-point mark and meant the cup was retained.

Tyrrell Hatton‘s own half made it 14.5 and got Europe over the line as winners.

Had Europe finished on 14.5 points, the American narrative would’ve been set.

Viktor Hovland was forced to withdraw from singles action after suffering a neck injury.

The Norwegian was due to face American opponent Harris English, but he too was withdrawn following Hovland’s exit.

As per a little known rule, the point was automatically shared between the players and edged Europe a step closer to the victory without a ball being struck.

The rule sees both captains each provide a sealed envelope containing the name of one player and that player would sit out singles action if an opponent was forced to withdraw – as Hovland had to.

Had Europe finished on 14.5 points, the Americans would likely have pointed to the fact they only got the victory over the line due to Hovland’s half point.

Thankfully from a European point of view, Scots hero Bob MacIntyre made sure the narrative didn’t need to come into play.

MacIntyre headed down the 18th one down to Sam Burns.

But he rallied at the last, winning the hole to get things tied with his final putt of the competition.

It secured Europe one final half point – and one that took them onto 15 points.

And European fans were quick to take to social media to hail the Oban native for ensuring the US team didn’t get the chance to focus on any potential controversy!

One fan wrote: “Thank god for Bob MacIntyre. Now the envelope rule half point doesn’t matter. We would’ve won anyway!”

A second added: “Do the Americans not realise that Robert MacIntyre drew with Sam Burns? Why do they keep going on about the Hovland half point?”

A third commented: “Whilst I agree that it’s a ridiculous rule and you should have been given the point…….Bob MacIntyre’s 1/2 point at the end means it didn’t win us the Ryder Cup!”

Another said: “MacIntyre secured the biggest 15th point in modern Ryder Cup history. Saved us from this being the narrative.”

Another post read: “Won it fair and square with MacIntyre’s half.”

While another added: “So glad Bob MacIntyre got that last half point so that we don’t have to hear about this for the next two years!”

A further post commented: “MacIntyre halving his match means that English beating Hovland would have changed nothing.”

Another happy European fan said: “Happy MacIntyre got that half as 14.5-13.5 would’ve felt a bit odd due to the envelope rule. That can’t be mentioned as a controversy now!”

Despite MacIntyre’s point meaning Hovland’s half point did NOT prove crucial in the end, US captain Keegan Bradley called for a rule change in the aftermath of the dramatic competition.

He said: “It has to change. I think it’s obvious to everybody… that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.”

However, European captain Luke Donald dismissed those suggestions and pointed to the fact that the Americans have actually benefited FROM the so-called ‘envelope rule’ in the past.

He said: “The US have used it before. The rule is the rule and it’s been in place for a long time.

“I think it’s been in place since 1971. The US have used it before. I think it happened in 1991 with Steve Pate. That was a tight Ryder Cup, too, 14.5-13.5.

“It happened in 1993; Sam Torrance couldn’t play with an injured toe. The US won that one.

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“We have contracts for a reason, a captains’ agreement for a reason, for situations that occur.

“”I want to centre it back to Viktor; I would have had absolute faith in him to deliver a point today. He couldn’t play. He was gutted.”

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