Robert McIntyre Starts Strong at the British Open

Robert McIntyre had an impressive beginning both mentally and on the leaderboard during the British Open on Thursday.

The Scottish golfer’s frustrations with the Royal Birkdale links course in Southport, England, reached a tipping point on the 18th hole when his approach shot ended up in the stands.

“It really is like a golf hole,” he remarked.

Despite some choice words, McIntyre managed to save par with a well-executed up-and-down, keeping him tied for third place.

Recently, he’s been playing exceptionally well, and Thursday was no exception, as he notched four birdies, one bogey, and 13 pars.

He finished tied for third at -3 alongside six other golfers, including Americans Bryson DeChambeau and Alex Smalley.

At the top of the leaderboard were Daniel Brown and Im Sung Jae at -4.

Royal Birkdale has faced scrutiny over various holes leading up to the Open, although the 18th didn’t contribute to any controversies.

The 15th hole, in particular, caught players off guard; it’s a downhill par 3 stretching 241 yards, featuring a narrow landing area with hazards on both sides of the green.

McIntyre managed to par the hole, but the combination of wind made it tricky.

While his on-course outburst may not have seemed significant, it’s another mark against him, especially since he was previously disciplined at the 2026 Masters for a similar display after a poor performance.

“I know my actions weren’t great, but I do care deeply about my game,” McIntyre told Sky Sports following the Masters. “I’m working on managing my emotions. It’s been a lot, but I was certainly disappointed. I usually don’t let comments from others bother me.”

However, he hasn’t issued an apology for the incident, stating he only heeds advice from his family and friends, who haven’t suggested he was in the wrong.

Interestingly, he also chose not to apologize for the hot mic episode that has sparked this article.