“The energy levels are quite low,” these were the words of Robert MacIntyre, after day one of the Ryder Cup this year. But as Team Europe came out on top at the tournament, no one expected MacIntyre to follow up with another high-performance headline immediately. Yet, Robert did, as he came out on top yet again with an amazing performance, navigating the harsh weather and the delays that came with it at this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

“It’s unbelievable,” MacIntyre said, reflecting on the victory at the press conference. “Any time you can win a golf tournament on these shores, it’s special. I’m just delighted the way I did it.”

The event was cut short to 54 holes after the whole third round on Saturday was suspended due to high winds, and MacIntyre fired three rounds of 66 at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, and the Old Course to shoot 18-under 198.

“The biggest thing on the three golf courses is to stay out of the pot bunkers, especially off the tee. And I’ve done that well, apart from the first hole at Carnoustie the first day,” was what he had to say as he reflected on his victory. He went 6 under 66 on the first day, where he chipped a crucial birdie off a bunker, which helped him stay in contention going into day 2.

The timing of Rober MacIntyre’s victory also helped stir some excitement, coming straight off a Ryder Cup victory, emotions and the energy he received from fans were high. Sir Andy Murray was the first to congratulate Robert, which showed the respect Andy had for the game. Even though it was a tough loss for him, he stepped up and congratulated MacIntyre for his victory.

“Many of his Ryder Cup teammates stepped in to congratulate Robert on his amazing victory last weekend, with Tommy Fleetwood being one of them, as he took it to Instagram to post Robert’s victory. 

Congrats to Scotland’s finest, @robertmacintyre, on an absolutely legendary win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship! What a week at St Andrews — the energy, the golf, the moments — just unreal. Couldn’t be happier for you, mate, you earned every bit of it. Here’s to more memories like this one. 🏆👏”

Shane Lowry was also one of the first to congratulate MacIntyre as he uploaded a story on his Instagram as well.

Rober MacIntre himself seems to be surprised by his performance this week.“I’ve done everything against the book this week… my diet has not been good; I’ve eaten plenty of takeaways,” he admitted with a laugh. But he did come into the tournament with a lot of confidence, which he gained through his Ryder Cup win. This confidence ultimately helped him dominate the tournament, proving that sometimes unconventional preparation can pay off, especially when combined with experience and focus.

MacIntyre’s fiery temper adds character to his triumph

Robert MacIntyre’s victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will be one to remember. He also made headlines for his fiery outbursts on the course during the tournament. During the tournament, the hot mic caught every moment of the Scottish star, as he kept on swearing as he struggled with the bunker.

“It’s that f–ing bunker,” he expressed vividly, and the announcer had to apologize repeatedly to the live broadcast, as the moment slowly turned into a comedy sketch. “I’m fiery on the golf course when I’m in tournament rounds. I’ll drop, I was going to say the odd, but a few bad words in there. I’ll hit the bag. I’ll say some harsh things, but that’s what gets me going,” was what Robert added when he when asked in a press conference. 

“The other side of it is I’m Scottish, and it’s part of our vocabulary. It’s difficult, but I am conscious of it and I am trying my best not to do it too much,” is what he added when he was caught swearing at events around the 2024 season. He has openly admitted that swearing and showing emotion help him stay focused during tournaments and has tried to cut it down a notch when there are hot mics around. 

Robert MacIntyre, with his combination of skill and focus, and the confidence that came with his Ryder Cup win, led him to a successful win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. But it also came with added benefits, as it strengthened the connections and respect he shares with his fellow professionals, especially his Ryder Cup teammates.