Robert MacIntyre held off fierce competition to clinch his first victory on the PGA TOUR at the RBC Canadian Open.
The 27-year-old Scotsman entered the final round with a four-shot advantage but that disappeared within the space of four holes after he bogeyed the first and Candian Mackenzie Hughes rallied with three early birdies.
MacIntrye fought back with birdies of his own on the fourth, seventh, and eight to wrestle back control of the tournament. However, his momentum was halted after a wayward tee shot on the 12th and a bogey on the 13th which gave the competition a glimpse of hope. But a birdie on the 15th once again gave him the upper hand.
American Ben Griffin mounted pressure with birdies on the 15th, 16th, and 17th but pars on the final three for MacIntyre was enough for him to cling onto victory, carding a two-under 68 to finish on 16 under.
I’m crying with joy, but I’m laughing because I didn’t think it was possible,” said MacIntyre.
“I was going down the last and my dad’s trying to tell me to stay focused and swing smooth because [on Saturday] I got a little bit too fast, but in my head I wasn’t listening to him.
“I wanted to win this for my dad. This is the guy who has taught me the game of golf and I just can’t believe I have done this with him on the bag.
“This is just everything for me and family, my girlfriend, my team.”
MacIntyre became the first Scotsman to win on the PGA TOUR since Martin Laird in the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. The win also seals him a place at the upcoming U.S. Open.
Griffin concluded on 15 under to claim second and France’s Victor Perez a stroke back in third.
What is the next event?
The next event on the PGA TOUR is Memorial Tournament taking place between 6-9 June at Murfield Village Golf Club in Ohio.