Bob MacIntyre opens up on his bad language in 'the heat of battle' at Dunhill Links

Scot says he is trying to cut back on swearing after using F-word several times

Bob MacIntyre spent close to 15 minutes working his way along a line of fans, the majority of them youngsters, signing autographs and posing for photographs after his third round the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

He then talked openly and honestly about how he is trying to cut back his swearing on the golf course after being heard on the Sky Sports coverage using the F-word several times in his second round at Kingsbarns on Friday.

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Following the Irish Open last month, MacIntyre used a post on social media to apologise for some bad language that had been picked up by the on-course microphones at Royal County Down but, at the same time, said it wouldn’t force him to change playing golf with “heart and fight”.

Bob MacIntyre in action on the Old Course at St Andrews in the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Picture: Kevin McGlynnBob MacIntyre in action on the Old Course at St Andrews in the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Picture: Kevin McGlynn
Bob MacIntyre in action on the Old Course at St Andrews in the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Picture: Kevin McGlynn

That was effectively the same message from the Oban man when he was asked about the social media noise that he’d stirred up in this week’s DP World Tour event during his round alongside two-time winner Tyrrell Hatton.

“I guess it’s the bad language you are talking about,” he said in reply to his swearing being raised 24 hours later. “Look, it’s live sport. It’s the heat of the battle. You wouldn’t put a microphone on a football pitch or on a referee because you are going to hear the bad language.

“I am trying my best to improve it. The other side of it is I’m Scottish. It is part of our vocab. It’s difficult, but I am conscious of it and I am trying my best not to do it too much.

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“But, if the microphone is there and it is catching me speaking to Mike [Burrow, his caddie], I’m not going not going to change how I speak to him in a normal conversation just because a microphone is in my face. But I am trying not to react to the shots as much as I have been.

“I’m trying my hardest to perform as best as I can. I double-bogeyed 18 yesterday, so I am going to be angry. And what am I going to do when I am angry? I’m probably going to swear to myself. It’s not to anybody else - it’s to myself.

“I double-bogeyed 17 today. I am going to swear to myself and call myself things. I’m not meaning to offend anyone, but it is the heat of the battle. I am red-lining. I am on the edge. Every now and again it is going to come out.”

After signing for a 65 on the Old Course to sit just outside the top ten on 13 under, MacIntyre meticulously worked his way along the line of fans as they waited expectantly for either his signature or a photograph.

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“I was one of them when I went to Loch Lomond (to watch the Scottish Open),” said the man who currently holds that title. “Yesterday (when he finished with his 6) obviously was disappointing, but I made sure I did that for the kids.

“At times, you don’t want to do any of it, but, for me, as long as the kids kind of get looked after is the most important thing as you never know that there could be someone in the crowd who is hopefully going to take over from other Scottish guys on tour. It’s kind of our job as well. We are there to promote the game of golf in as much the right way as you can.”

Team MacIntyre – Bob and dad Dougie – birdied the last on the Old Course to progress to the final round in the team event on 28 under, ten shots behind the leaders, Tyrrell Hatton and his dad, Jeff.

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