'It ain't bothering me': Robert MacIntyre addresses \n'jeering' fans at BMW Championship
MacIntyre, a 29-year-old from Scotland seeking his third win on the PGA Tour, is the leader by four shots after Saturday's third round of the 2025 BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland — the second of three events in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
MacIntyre entered the day leading by five over Scottie Scheffler and managed to largely hold off the world's best player throughout the round, making some exceptional par saves and never allowing Scheffler to get closer than three, which was MacIntyre's lead before he drained a 41-foot bomb for birdie on No. 18. He signed for 2-under 68 to enter the final round at 16 under.
(Editor's note: For a recap, scores, highlights and more from Saturday's third round at the BMW Championship, click here.)
MacIntyre showed some serious mental fortitude as he scrambled his way around Caves Valley on Saturday afternoon in front of some unruly patrons trying to make life difficult for the Scotsman.
It became most noticeable on the par-4 14th hole when MacIntyre faced an 8-foot putt to save par. He made the putt and as soon as he did, he whipped his head around to stare directly at someone or something in the gallery. MacIntyre gave a fist pump, held up a finger-to-lips "hush" signal and continued to point at the same area while he walked off the putting surface.
"He was just jeering. He was just shouting 'I missed it, he's pushed it.'" MacIntyre said with a slight grin. "Pushed it right in the middle of the hole, I guess."
MacIntyre said he saw security officers make their way over to the part of the stands where he was pointing as he strutted away from the 14th green.
"I don't know if anyone was thrown out, but there was plenty of people to talk to."
MacIntyre is a virtual lock to be on Team Europe for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York and he's getting some early practice in dealing with hostile crowds on foreign soil. It's nothing he didn't see coming, though.
"I totally expected it. I totally expected to be in this situation today when I'm in this position. It's going to be the exact same tomorrow."
Scheffler didn't have his best stuff but still managed to fire a 3-under 67 and keep himself somewhat in contention entering Sunday at 12 under for the tournament, in solo second but four shots off the lead. He didn't seem to catch what was said to MacIntyre at the 14th green, but he's had his own experiences with disruptive fans when he's leading a golf tournament that isn't close to home.
"I didn't see any of that. I played with [MacIntyre] when we were in Scotland. I heard some fairly choice words when I was leading the [Open Championship] in Ireland.
"I think it's part of it. People have a tendency to say things that are dumb. I can think of a few things that were said to me in the final round in Ireland that were very far over the line. If you're a fan, it's only going to fire the guy up more, and I think just do your best to behave out there. It can be a little bit silly sometimes."
During MacIntyre's post-round media availability, a reporter pointed out another situation with fans that seemed to have unfolded on the fourth hole during Saturday's third round.
"I mean, it started on the first tee," MacIntyre said. "It probably started when I walked down to the range. It ain't bothering me. It's there. As long as they don't do it within — if they do it outside the shot, it's fair game, but don't do it within the shot that's going to affect myself or Scottie."
Raucous fans aside, with 18 holes to go, there's no denying that the BMW Championship is MacIntyre's to lose. He's embracing the role of spoiler.
"Look, I grew up all my days amateur golf being the one on the outside looking in, faced not fitting, really fighting for it. What we say in the team, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog, and I grew up fighting to be in this position."
MacIntyre and Scheffler tee off at 1:40 p.m. ET Sunday for the final round at Caves Valley.
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