Robert MacIntyre claimed his first PGA Tour title in a dramatic fashion at the RBC Canadian Open, overcoming early setbacks and a fierce challenge from his competitors. His victory at Hamilton Golf and Country Club was one of the highest points of his career, as he finished with a two-under final round of 68, securing a total of 16 under par.
The final round was not without its challenges. MacIntyre’s journey to victory began shakily as his overnight four-shot lead vanished within the first few holes. He bogeyed the first, while local favorite Mackenzie Hughes thrilled the home crowd with a trio of early birdies. Despite this pressure, MacIntyre displayed remarkable resilience, rebounding with birdies on the fourth, seventh, and eighth holes to reassert his control over the tournament.
The tension escalated when Ben Griffin made a strong late charge, birdieing the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes to come within a shot of MacIntyre. However, Griffin’s momentum stalled on the 18th, where he could not secure the birdie needed to force a playoff. Meanwhile, Victor Perez finished just one shot behind Griffin, and Rory McIlroy, alongside Tom Kim, tied for fourth at 13 under, with McIlroy mounting a spirited comeback after being seven shots off the lead at the start of the day.
Throughout the tournament, MacIntyre had to contend not only with the pressure from his rivals and other factors on the course. His composure was tested further with a shot into a water hazard on the 12th hole, followed by a bogey on the next. But that did nothing to mar his game as birdies on the 11th and 15th holes, along with steady play on the final three holes, sealed his triumphant performance.
MacIntyre’s defining moment came on the 18th hole, where he had the luxury of a two-putt from 10 feet to clinch the title. The emotional victory saw him embrace his father, Dougie, who had stepped in as his caddie on short notice. “I’m speechless, to be honest. This is just everything for me and my family, my girlfriend, my team. I can’t believe I’ve done it with him on the bag,” MacIntyre shared with newsmen after being named winner.
