It’s sadly trouble in paradise for Robert MacIntyre. His triumph at the 2024 Scottish Open has been the talk of the town. In a clutch finale, the Scotsman made an eagle on 16 and a 22-foot birdie on 18 (both par 5s) to snatch the trophy right out of Adam Scott’s hands! However, now, hours after he took home his $1.62 million check, the circumstances surrounding his win have come into question.

Fans are deeming the eagle he carded on the 16th hole a “cheat” move. MacIntyre’s first shot at the hole landed him deep in the rough with a terrible lie. Minutes later, when the golfer was practicing his swing to try to find the fairway again from there, he realized that he was standing on a sprinkler. The golf pro called his caddie, and then the officials, and a discussion began. MacIntyre believed he was owed relief.

According to Rule 16.1 of the USGA, a player can ask for relief if their gameplay is interfered with by any abnormal ground conditions. The rule states that interference is true when “an abnormal course condition physically interferes with your area of intended stance or area of intended swing.” Hence, in line with this, the officials agreed that MacIntyre was absolutely right and that he was due relief. So he dropped his ball a club-length away, and although it was no closer to the hole, it was in a much better position than before. And minutes later, the Scottish national walked away with an eagle on the hole, without which he would never have won!

The 2024 Scottish Open winner claimed in the post-match interview that he got lucky. “It was just a lucky break. You use the rules to get advantage. You stand on a sprinkler, you’re due relief.” While the officials and even the rule book may have been on his side, the fans weren’t. And flooding Nuclear Golf’s video of his relief on X with calls of “cheating,” they made their stand clear.

Robert MacIntyre gets a hard lashing from the fans

The entire controversy over the 16th hole and the fishy circumstances left fans furious at the golfer. Not only were a few upset that he got relief, but some even questioned the circumstances that led to it. MacIntyre had taken a chunk off the rough during his practice swing, and few claimed that that’s what led to him actually finding the sprinkler head.

Others did not express their thoughts on why or how they believed the Scottish professional cheated, but they simply asserted that he had done so. Clearly, getting relief was something they did not stand by. Comments like “Borderline if not blatant cheating” and “Cheat for the WIN” were in abundance under the X post.

Others were didn’t share thoughts on why or how they thought the Scottish pro cheated but they just claimed that he did. Clearly him getting relief was something they did now stand by. Comments like, “Borderline if not blatant cheating” and “Cheat for the WIN” were in abundance under the X post.

Fortunately, MacIntyre had quite a few on his side, too. The winner at the same event last year had finished runner-up, narrowly missing out on victory to Rory McIlroy, and a few were glad he found it this year. “He finished eagle birdie. He deserved it especially after last year,” wrote one fan.

Fortunately MacIntyre had quite a few on his side too. The winner, at the same event last year had finished runner up, narrowly missing out on victory to Rory McIlroy, and a few were glad he found it this year. “He finished eagle birdie. He deserved it especially after last year,” wrote one fan.

From the pros too, MacIntyre found support and congratulations for his win. In a press conference with the Open Championship, Brian Harman came forward with compliments for the Scotsman. “I think he’s—obviously, his game speaks for itself. He’s doing great.”.

The 2-time PGA Tour winner’s Scottish Open competitor, Ludvig Aberg, who finished at T4, also had a lot to say. When asked after the round what he thought about MacIntyre’s gameplay and if he could win again, the Swede said, “Yes, he won yesterday, so I definitely think he can win again. Fair play to Bob yesterday; he did it tremendously.”

A win ahead of the final major of the year is definitely a big boost for Robert MacIntyre, regardless of what anyone has to say about it. Whether he’ll be able to capitalize on this momentum, however, remains to be seen.