After his maiden PGA Tour victory, Robert MacIntyre opted to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament. The 27-year-old was heavily criticized by some in the golf world, as his withdrawal was seen as a lack of ambition. A few days later, MacIntyre has now clarified why he decided not to play the signature event.

Speaking with Bunkered.co, MacIntyre explained, “I actually miscounted the tournaments that I’d played when I did a press conference last week.” Instead of counting six weeks, Robert MacIntyre counted less and didn’t think that continuing after the RBC Canadian Open would mean he had played 9 weeks in a row. This would’ve taken a toll on his mental health; thus, the 1-time PGA Tour winner didn’t play Memorial.

On one hand, Bob was getting disparaged for his decision, but his father, Dougie MacIntyre, appeared satisfied after getting back to Oban. He probably supported his son’s decision and wasn’t bothered by the critics. And Dougi Mac has been back to work at the Glencruitten Golf Club, as the PGA Tour notified by posting a series of Dougi doing grass cutting in Oban. The caption reads, “Now back to the day job for grass cutter Dougie MacIntyre.”

Seeing Bob Mac’s father back in his safe haven and enjoying his work with dog friends made the golf world love him even more. The golf fans appreciated Dougie Mac’s presence with Robert MacIntyre and complimented him a ton for being a caddie.

Fans adore Robert MacIntyre and his father as he gets back to work

After Robert MacIntyre drained the 1 1/2 foot putt, the duo was left emotional. Bob because it was his victory and Dougi because he had just caddied for his son for the maiden PGA Tour win. In the interview with CBS, Dougie Mac, in disbelief and with tears in his eyes, said, “I’m a grass cutter.” But one fan, in a bid to cheer him up and appreciate his efforts, said, “That man is so, so much more than a grass cutter. He’s a brilliant father, a great caddie and fantastic human being.” 

Robert MacIntyre has revealed that his father was always the one who taught him golf. After all, he has been a head greenkeeper at Glencruitten Golf Club, the same course where MacIntyre made his first ace and was coached. Thus, another user attributed much of MacIntyre’s win to Dougie Mac and shared, “Brilliant! Achievements by all so deserved- father and son. Dougie take credit for inspiring Robert!” With a similar take, another enthusiast remarked, “U r a bloody legend Dougie,” as they acknowledged Dougie Mac’s hard work on his job and for his son.

It was the 45th start for the Scottish pro on the PGA Tour at RBC Canadian Open. He had a little chance of winning the Myrtle Beach Classic and was even T8 at the PGA Championship. However, the stars aligned and Dougie Mac got to celebrate his son’s first victory with him on the greens. Admiring the turn of events, one user rightly claimed, “What a great experience to be on the bag for his son’s 1st PGA win.” 

Recently, LIV Golf’s Lee Westwood collaborated with a British golf content creator, Peter Finch. The two played 18 holes against each other for a YouTube video. Another commenter took a jibe at that content and suggested that instead of those stories, stories like Robert MacIntyre and his father should be more popular in the golf world. They wrote, “This is the kind of story professional golf needs. Not Lee Westwood talking shit with Peter Finsh [Finch].” 

Bob had returned home as his father to his work in Oban, and MacIntyre would next be seen at the U.S. Open without his father as a caddie. Will he be able to showcase a similar performance even in Pinehurst? It remains yet to be seen.