Robert MacIntyre has opened up on what happened after his controversial conduct at the Masters…
If we’ve learned one thing about Robert MacIntyre of late, it’s that he won’t be fazed by the backlash to his conduct on the fairways – no matter his surroundings.
MacIntyre was viewed as a contender at this year’s Masters, but shot rounds of 80 and 71 to miss the cut in a chastening first major of the season. The Scot didn’t go out quietly, though, making headlines for his behavior during Thursday’s first round as his frustrations spilled over.
There was a middle-finger gesture towards the 15th green after a quadruple bogey nine, a club slam into the turf and several expletives picked up by on-course microphones during a disastrous second nine. Afterwards, MacIntyre refused to speak to media and posted a mocked-up picture on Instagram of a Masters gnome resembling himself making the middle-finger gesture.
MacIntyre has now confirmed for the first time that he was indeed reprimanded by an official for his conduct following his first round 80.
“Obviously, it wasn’t the week I wanted but I didn’t hear from anybody with a jacket, I just heard from the Rules Committee when I was in scoring,” he told reporters at a media day for the Genesis Scottish Open.
“So, yeah, other than that, I didn’t think there were any problems with it. It was just like any other week, someone comes and tells me off, but if it’s not my partner or my mum or dad, someone else has got to do it.”
Sergio Garcia was reprimanded by a tournament official for a tantrum on the second tee box that included smashing his driver into a water cooler, but MacIntyre said his warning was not similar to what happened to the Spaniard.
“No, no,” he said. “I mean, I thought what I done was pretty tame. Look, I’m not proud of what I done. But I wear my heart on my sleeve. I play golf at the highest level and I try and compete as hard as I can. Am I disappointed in what I’ve done? Yes, but could it happen again? More than likely. I try to control my emotions as much as I can, but sometimes it boils over.”
“Am I disappointed in what I have done? Yes, but could it happen again? More than likely, so I mean I try and control my emotions as much as I can but sometimes it boils over.”
MacIntyre insists he won’t change and does not believe his outbursts affect his performances.
“When I’m in the right frame of mind, I can go ballistic then let it go and it doesn’t affect me,” he added.
“If I get it out respectfully then it’s better for me. If you can get the anger out the way, it helps.
“I can’t be one of those guys who makes a double-bogey and waves at the crowd and smiles. That’s not me, that’s never going to be me.”