The Oban star is a proud Scot and has spoken of how much he misses the country when in the States, but there are some things he prefers across the Atlantic
Robert MacIntyre competes in this week’s Truist Championship(Image: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Golfer Robert MacIntyre is known for being a proud Scot. the Oban born star can be seen celebrating Scotland football victories and often talks about how much he misses his home country when he is in the US playing.
But the world number 12 reckons there are some things America does better than Scotland…and one of them will likely come as a massive shock. Another, the weather, won’t surprise anyone, but the 29-year-old reckons America is better for golf courses.
Scotland is the Home of Golf and with around 500 courses to play, participants are spoiled for choice. As well as iconic Open venues like the Old Course, Muirfield, Trump Turnberry, Carnoustie, and Royal Troon, Scotland is also home to a Ryder Cup venue at Gleneagles, while lesser-known courses like North Berwick and Dornoch are considered among the best in the world.
But asked by GolfDigest what country had the best courses, he said: “Because you’re brought up on these courses, you would say America because they’ve obviously got the weather and stuff to get the conditions unbelievable.
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“Americans would probably say Scottish golf courses. Weather plays a massive part in Scotland so as a test of golf, for me it would be America.”
MacIntyre also reckons Americans are better at sports, because there is “just more people there”. He said the facilities in American stadiums were “outrageous” and picked out one sport he particularly enjoys: “We went to a few ice hockey games.
The iconic Old Course with the town of St Andrews in the background(Image: Getty)
“That’s probably the closest to shinty and it’s less stop-start. The other [American sports] are too slow and get dragged out.”
However, MacIntyre did prove his Scottish credentials, by praising the country’s food, music, golf crowds, accents and traditions. He joked: “I don’t know if there’s any traditions in the States.”
MacIntyre, currently competing in the Truist Championship, will tee it up in the second men’s major of the year next week when the PGA Championship takes place at Aronimink Golf Club in Philadelphia. he will be hoping for a better showing than the Masters when he missed the cut and was widely criticised for his behaviour during the first two rounds.
After an impressive start to the season, MacIntyre’s form has dipped but he is still likely to be in the conversation for who will win after finishing second in last year’s US Open.