TROON, Scotland — Robert McIntyre wouldn’t describe himself as a “heavy drinker.”
But after winning the Scottish Open last Sunday, the 27-year-old from Oban in the Scottish Highlands said Wednesday: “When a moment like this comes along that’s been a childhood dream and a lifelong goal, and I have family and friends who’ve supported me since I was a little girl, it just felt right to go out and enjoy it.”
“I think we did a good job of that.”
MacIntyre’s challenge this week is to refocus on playing in the British Open, which begins with the first round on Thursday at Royal Troon.
“Yeah, it’s a new week,” he said. “I just hope I can perform well, do my best and get my chance on Sunday.”
McIntyre arrived in Troon late Monday and played the first nine holes on Tuesday and the second nine on Wednesday.
Until his win at Renaissance Club on the east coast, it had been 25 years since Colin Montgomerie that a Scotsman had won the Scottish Open.
This week marks 25 years since a Scotsman, Paul Lawrie, won the British Open at Carnoustie in 1999.
Asked if he believed in fate, McIntyre replied: “Yes, it’s possible. You have an equal chance with the other contestants. You just have to be in that position on Sunday and see what the cards bring.
“Obviously, last week worked in my favor.”
MacIntyre insisted he always had confidence he could compete with the best players in the world, but his victory at last month’s RBC Canadian Open cemented that belief.
“I always knew it, but it wasn’t until I won in Canada that I really felt like I was good enough to compete here,” he said. “I think it’s just an attitude thing. Nothing is given to you here. You have to earn it. You have to earn the respect of the players that you’ve looked up to for years.”
“I think the (2023) Ryder Cup was an eye-opener for me. I realised that most of the players here, all of them, are normal people. I got along well with the players, especially the European team, and we still have good relationships.”
“It was then that I realized, ‘If they can do it, I can do it.'”
MacIntyre is looking to recreate the exact same atmosphere and mindset he had when he entered the Scottish Open a week ago, with no expectations whatsoever.
“I felt the most relaxed I’ve ever been at the Scottish Open this week,” he said. “I was totally calm. No nerves, nothing going on. I was just trying to enjoy it as much as I could. And here I am, and it’s exactly the same again.”
“I’m going into this week the same way I did last week. I have zero expectations. My game is in good shape. Obviously I got the result last week but this week it’s about going out, being at home and having the home support. It’s about going out and performing as well as I can and doing my best. Hopefully I’ll have an opportunity on Sunday and that’s what I’m hoping for.”
