Scottish golfer Robert MacIntyre clinches his debut PGA Tour title while his father serves as his caddie.
When his son scored his first victory on the PGA Tour during the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday, Dougie MacIntyre, the head greenskeeper at Glencruitten Golf Club in Oban, Scotland, was unexpectedly thrust into the role of a PGA Tour-winning caddie.
Dougie, Jr. invited his dad on short notice to help with the bag and, after a rocky beginning and a group of chasing rivals, he emerged victorious by a single stroke at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ontario. This victory marks only the fifth win for a Scot on the PGA Tour since 1940, with the last win happening in 2020 by Martin Laird. The victory netted Dougie, Jr. a prize purse of $1.69 million, making it the largest ever single-event total for a Scottish golfer. This amount allowed him to fulfill his goal of settling his parents' mortgage.
Tears flowed freely for both father and son as they reveled in the magnitude of their accomplishment on the 18th green.
Dougie, Jr., a first-time PGA Tour winner after his 45th start, expressed his reactions in an interview with CBS Sports: "I'm crying with joy, but I'm also laughing because I didn't expect this to happen. My dad was wanting me to focus and keep a smooth swing since I've been going too fast lately, but in my mind, I just wanted to win for my dad. This is for everyone I care about: my family, my girlfriend, and my team."
Feeling Homesick
Dougie, Jr. had endured some ups and downs since winning his first European Tour crown in Rome last October. He cycled through various caddies during this period, parting ways with Bagman Scott Carmichael last week after cutting it at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
While his performances have been outstanding, like his tie for eighth place at the recent PGA Championship, he missed the cut in seven events and was battling during his first tour in the States.
He candidly shared his struggles with journalists after his latest win, admitting that the American lifestyle and the pressure of full-time life on tour have been overwhelming. "I was finding it difficult," he said. "My girlfriend and I, we didn't enjoy the Orlando lifestyle that we had anticipated would improve my game. When I returned to Scotland in April, I picked up my clubs only twice over the three-week visit. When I called for caddies on Saturday, I struggled to find any takers. So, I reached out to my dad, because he's always my go-to person."
Unwavering Support
Doug MacIntyre, aged 59, a popular greenskeeper, was delighted to help but had reservations about leaving his job in Scotland. "It's incredible. I'm more a grasscutter than a caddie," he told CBS Sports, trying to fight back tears. "Last Saturday night, I was sitting at home, watching TV and pondering whether I should leave my job for this [tournament]," he shared. "The next morning, I was on a plane, and here I am."
Earlier, before the final round, during an interview, Dougie, Jr. mentioned he was attempting to keep things easy for his emergency caddie, despite the latter's prowess as a golfer, because he was "out of depth" at the PGA Tour level. However, the unlikely pairing continued their strong performance, effortlessly navigating through Hamilton Country Club.
Despite his four-shot lead after Thursday's game, Hughes, a Canadian home hero who was eying his first PGA Tour win, had managed to claw back with a trio of birdies on the first three holes of Sunday's round, and MacIntyre's opening bogey threatened to give away his first PGA Tour victory. But after a solid recovery, with three birdies of his own and overcoming a back-to-back bogey run after the turn, he managed to secure a one-stroke advantage going into the final hole. Unwavering support from his father, who knew Dougie's game well, helped him remain focused and be successful in the tournament. "He kept telling me, 'We just need to stay in the fight,'" Dougie said, "He understands what to say and when to say it. He was alright with leaving his job, but the stress of watching the scores must have been tough on him." Dougie expressed his gratitude to his father for their successful caddying partnership and their shared moments of happiness.
Playing consistently on the last hole, MacIntyre reached a total score of 16-under par, securing his lead against American Ben Griffin. In the race were South Korea's Tom Kim and the world No. 3 golf player, Rory McIlroy, both within a three-stroke difference from the winner.
This impressive feat will propel MacIntyre to a new record on the world golf rankings, claiming the number 39 spot. He'll be attending the US Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina on June 13. First, it's time for some well-deserved celebration, which might make him unavailable for his mother, who received a video call from her son. On the call, he jokingly informed her, "Mom, you might not see Dad till next week!"
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In his emotional victory speech, Dougie, Jr. dedicated his win to his father, thanking him for his unwavering support and last-minute decision to caddy during the RBC Canadian Open.
Golf enthusiasts were surprised to learn that Dougie MacIntyre, the head greenskeeper at Glencruitten Golf Club, had never before caddied in a PGA Tour event, let alone during his son's debut victory.
