Bob MacIntyre puts sore losers to shame with classy response to US Open heartache
So much for Justin Rose being a shoo-in for golf's 'most gracious loser of the year' award. At the very least, Bob MacIntyre has provided some enriching competition for his Ryder Cup partner with his own classy response to agonising defeat at the US Open on Sunday night.
In an era in which the entitlement of the multi-millionaire pros continues to reach shameless and unprecedented heights, the game surely owes the British duo a debt for their well-timed sportsmanship. While Rose hugged and congratulated Rory McIlroy after watching the world No 2 hole the putt to beat him in the Masters play-off, MacIntyre provided his own lesson in succumbing with honour.
Unlike certain runners-up of recent US Open vintage who screeched out of the car park moments after their fate was confirmed, MacIntyre, the 28-year-old from Oban, hung around the Oakmont clubhouse to shake the hand of JJ Spaun. The American appreciated the gesture, calling MacIntyre 'a great guy and a great player', but his admiration only multiplied when shown the clip of his reaction when Spaun pulled off his grandstand moment.
MacIntyre had finished more than half an hour before, coming back from an overnight seven-shot deficit to take the clubhouse lead on one-over. As a mark of his quality in a storm-delayed final round blighted by a course covered in puddles, MacIntyre was the only player who started the day in the top 20 who broke 70, with a 68. Spaun was also on one-over as he stepped on to the penultimate teebox.
At this stage, many wondered why MacIntyre had not headed directly to the range to stay loose for a play-off. But with the light fading, he had been told by officials that if it did go to two extra holes, they would be held over to Monday.
So MacIntyre took a seat in the clubhouse and watched the denouement on television.
He first saw Tyrrell Hatton bogey the 17th and 18th to lose his chance – the Englishman eventually finished with a share of fourth before labelling the course set-up as 'unfair' – and then looked on as Spaun birdied the 17th after a brilliant drive on to the green.
One ahead, Spaun was 65 feet away from the hole on the 18th in two and in three-putt territory. There was still hope for MacIntyre.
But then, Spaun holed out for an outrageous birdie and a two-shot victory and as his putter disappeared into the air and the tears poured down his face, the coverage switched to the vanquished.
Except MacIntyre was not sitting there with his head in his hands, he was applauding, with a huge smile and exclaiming 'Wow!'
Later, MacIntyre explained his response. 'J J won the golf tournament,' he said. 'He's dreamed of it. Everyone's dreamed of that moment. For him to pour in the winning putt, I mean, nothing I can do. Fair play. I'm happy for him.'
@golfoncbs Incredible sportsmanship from runner-up Robert MacIntyre #golf #golftiktok #usopen ♬ original sound - Golf on CBS
MacIntyre seemed bemused about the praise for simply behaving in what he considered to be an entirely natural fashion. Rose felt the same after Augusta. But in a week in which we witnessed McIlroy throwing clubs and smashing tee-boxes and of first blanking the media before consenting to talk and declaring ' I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah', the injection of humility was much welcome.
Up to a career-high 12th in the world, MacIntyre must be one of the favourites for next month's Open at Royal Portrush, the Ulster links where he finished sixth on his major debut six years ago.
'There's no reason why I can't win a major championship,' he said. 'I thought I had this one, but, yeah, it's about majors. That's my goal now.'
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