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Robert MacIntyre on why Royal Portrush is his favourite links course
When a golfing superstar from Scotland tells you his favourite links course, it's worth taking his opinion seriously. And for Robert MacIntyre, it's here in Portrush, as he told reporters after the Scottish Open final round on Sunday. He's been expanding on that today.
On why Portrush is his number one
"It's how the golf course flows. It's not so much the holes. It's not nine holes one way, nine holes the other way. There is everything on this golf course visually. It's obviously enclosed by the dunes either side. So you've got visuals off the tee. I played it when it was in the Home
Internationals. Obviously 17 and 18 have changed since that.
"As newly designed golf holes in the modern game, I think these (the new 7th and 8th holes) are as good as it gets when they've been redesigned. So many golf courses try to trick it up. It's a par-5 and a par-4. Par-5, from tee shot hitting down, bunker on the right, heading back up the hill with a wind that's normally off the right. Then you got onto a little shelf, then you hit across the top of the hill. I just think the whole golf course is absolutely beautiful to the eye but it also plays absolutely brilliantly. You've got holes that you've got a chance, and then you've got
holes that you just try to hang on."
On his Open debut here in 2019 (when he finished in a tie for sixth)
"It was tough, standing on that first tee, the nerves. You've always dreamed to play in these. You've watched it on TV since you were a young kid. I got to just live another dream.
"I got a little bit lucky when I managed to finish in just the proper time when the storm came in in 2019 (during the final round when he shot -3). I remember sitting in player dining, and it just kept blowing. I thought the roof was coming off the place.
"I was just like keep coming, keep coming. I was just watching it, watching me get further up the leaderboard. It's a different week this week, but just looking forward to it."
On his on-course flare-ups
"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. If I walk around and I'm all happy I just made a double bogey or people are clapping, thanks very much, that's not me. I'm needing to smash something up. I want to rip a glove. I do
something to get that anger out. It's better out than in for me. Some people it's better holding it, but for me it's get it out and then just do not let it affect the next shot. Simple."
