Robert MacIntyre seals maiden win after coming through ‘tough’ lockdown

An emotional Robert MacIntyre revealed how he had struggled to deal with the coronavirus lockdown after producing a brilliant finish to claim his first European Tour title in the Cyprus Showdown.
MacIntyre birdied four of his last six holes at Aphrodite Hills to card a seven-under-par 64 and finish a shot ahead of Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura.
The 24-year-old from Oban was inches away from a hole-in-one on the 17th and tapped in for birdie to briefly take the outright lead before Kawamura birdied the 18th to complete a 65.
Gwan Bobby Mac https://t.co/zUv7og6XI4
— ByTheMinute Golf (@ByTheMinGolf) November 8, 2020
That left MacIntyre needing to birdie the last to win and the left-hander followed a perfect drive with a solid approach before safely two-putting from 20 feet to secure victory.
“It’s been a tough lockdown for me and the family,” MacIntyre said. “I’ve struggled mentally and to finally get over the line means the world.
“The first nine, 10 weeks (of lockdown) were fine. I had things to do, trying to lose weight, become stronger and me and a friend were on Peloton almost every day. We had a target and when that finished there was nothing for us to do.
“I was wasting time, wasting away and started to struggle. I spoke to my mum and she guided me in the right direction and I went to see a psychologist who has helped me huge.
That’s how you win your maiden Tour title ✍️@Workday | #CyprusShowdown
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 8, 2020
“I didn’t have the motivation for a wee while, I wasn’t wanting to play golf and wasn’t enjoying it. I finally got the bug back and it’s what happens. You start practicing more, enjoying it; you could see the smile on my face last week, never mind this week.”
MacIntyre finished in a tie for third in the Cyprus Open at the same venue seven days ago and was aided by a new set of irons as he got to grips with the unique format of this week’s event.
The 105-man field was reduced to the top 32 players and ties after two rounds of strokeplay, with their scores reset ahead of round three.
The top 16 and ties then advanced to Sunday’s final round with their scores again reset to level par, setting up an 18-hole shoot-out for 200,000 euro first prize.
“Oh no! We’re on the tele!” 🤣
Safe to say @robert1lefty‘s family were more than excited by his maiden Tour victory. #CyprusShowdown pic.twitter.com/o6W5zfkH7k
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 8, 2020
“It was different,” MacIntyre admitted. “I’m sure there will be changes in the structure after the first two rounds to give you something more to play for when you’re at the top of the leaderboard in the first two rounds rather than just coasting in.
“It’s probably more entertaining to watch on TV because anything could have happened. It keeps everyone entertained until someone takes control. I enjoyed it, it was something different and it did suit my game the way I was playing. I was taking every pin out that I could.”
Spain’s Jorge Campillo eagled the 18th to finish alone in third on five under par, with last week’s winner Callum Shinkwin a shot further back alongside Thomas Detry and Johannes Veerman.
England’s Marcus Armitage had also been four under par with one hole to play but ran up a triple-bogey eight after hitting two balls out of bounds with his approach to the par five.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Graeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg
-
PGA Tour
Lee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European Tour
Sam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.
-
PGA Championship
Justin Rose still has drive to succeed as ‘exciting challenge’ of US PGA arrives
Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods will expect to do better at US PGA Championship – Curtis Strange
Woods returned to top-level action after a long injury absence with a 47th-placed finished at the Masters.
-
PGA Championship
Defending champion Phil Mickelson withdraws from US PGA Championship
The six-time major winner has been taking a break from golf.
-
PGA Tour
English rookie David Skinns shares lead in Texas
The 40-year-old from Lincoln shot a second-round 63 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
-
PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship
5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
News
We’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.