Bob MacIntyre, the talented left-hander from Oban, is heading into the Genesis Scottish Open with a clear mission: defend his title with unwavering determination. Before shifting his focus to The Open the following week, MacIntyre is set to compete fiercely at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian. He is scheduled to play alongside golf titans Scottie Scheffler and Adam Scott for the tournament's initial two days.
MacIntyre emphasizes that he feels no pressure, and he's ready to put up a strong defense of his crown. He's eager to compete in front of his home crowd again after his memorable victory a year ago.
Aiming for Back-to-Back Victories
The 28-year-old Scot believes that his previous win will provide him with a newfound sense of freedom during the event, which is expected to be bathed in sunshine. Paired with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Adam Scott for the first two rounds, MacIntyre is aiming for consecutive victories.
"I want to keep this trophy every year until I stop playing," he stated. "It’s the Scottish Open, the flagship event for me, the biggest after the majors. I am coming here to win. It’s a special tournament with an unbelievable field."
Playing Without Pressure
MacIntyre feels the pressure is off, having already achieved his dream of winning the tournament. While external expectations might be high, he remains focused on giving his best effort. He hopes that luck will be on his side during the final nine holes on Sunday, just as it was last year.
"I think the pressure is off in terms of how much I wanted to win this tournament. I have won it now. The expectation isn’t necessarily from me, the expectation from the outside will be through the roof," he explained. "I can’t control that. I’ve just got to go out there and give it my best shot. Hopefully come the back nine on Sunday, things fall your way, perfect, like it did last year."
Focused on the Present
MacIntyre is adamant that he is not looking ahead to The Open. His sole focus is on defending his title at the Scottish Open. He aims to win every time he participates in the event, regardless of his previous victory.
"I am not looking at The Open next week. I am looking to defend this title this week. I want to win every time I play in this event - and that doesn’t change just because I won it last year," he affirmed.
He often revisits the memory of sinking the winning putt last year, especially when struggling with his putting. He draws inspiration from those high moments.
"When that winning putt dropped last year, I’ve watched it over and over. When I struggle with my putting, I look at those moments and remember the highs."
Supporting My Name’5 Doddie Foundation
MacIntyre's golf bag will feature a new design this week, showcasing the blue-and-yellow tartan popularized by the late Doddie Weir. He is a dedicated supporter of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, aiming to raise awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
He recently participated in the opening of a new grandstand at The Renaissance in memory of Scott Stewart, who passed away in December after battling MND. Stewart, a long-time Scottish Open fan and guest starter for the pro-am last year, contributed significantly to raising funds and awareness about the disease.
MacIntyre described MND as a "hellish disease" and expressed his commitment to raising awareness. He acknowledged the efforts of individuals like Scott Stewart in raising awareness and funds for the cause, emphasizing his role as a small part of that effort.
"It is a hellish disease," said MacIntyre. "I just want to try and help raise awareness about it if I can. Sadly Scott passed away last year."
He also mentioned a close family friend who has been diagnosed with MND, further motivating his efforts to raise awareness. He believes the Scottish Open is an ideal platform to do so.
"There’s so many other people like Scott that have done a great job of raising awareness and raising money for the cause. I’m just a small part of that that’s trying to keep it going," he added. "I’ve got a close family friend who has now also got it. We thought, well, what a place to do it. Just to try and - I’m going to try my best to raise awareness."
MacIntyre's Mindset
In summary, Bob MacIntyre is entering the Genesis Scottish Open with a blend of confidence, determination, and a strong sense of purpose. He's not only focused on defending his title but also on using his platform to support a cause close to his heart. His commitment to both his sport and his community makes him a compelling figure to watch in the upcoming tournament.
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