Bob MacIntyre has paid tribute to his ‘incredible’ family for the lifelong support that helped him become a Ryder Cup legend in Rome.
The tearful 27-year-old spoke movingly about how his parents Dougie and Carol worked extra jobs and made years of sacrifice to give him the platform to go on and become one of golf’s top players.
Bob also told how he finally knew he had achieved something extra special when his normally stoic father welled up as he secured his singles victory over reigning US Open champion Wyndham Clark.
He said: “I’ve only ever seen my dad in tears a few times, and they were for serious reasons, but when I finished on the 17th I saw there was a tear in his eye.
“My parents have given me everything in life, every opportunity I’ve had is down to them. I’ve come from a normal family, a normal background, but they wanted to give me those opportunities. They worked so many jobs to give me the chances that I’ve had and it means everything to me to see them here with my friends.
“We managed to bring a big crowd over from Oban and I’m just glad I could get it done for them.”
Bob revealed how he drew inspiration from his Italian Open victory at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club to steady his nerve as the pressure started to mount on singles Sunday.
After showing nerves of steel in his four ball matches alongside Justin Rose on Friday and Saturday, the Glencruitten man was placed as the anchor on the last day of play. And as the Americans staged a dramatic fightback, it looked for a time like his match might prove pivotal.
Bob added: “I’m not sure I would have relished it if it had come down to me I was cruising early on and then I was in a dog fight – and I like a battle. I reminded myself I had won a big tournament around here and I just managed to knuckle down.”
His performance over the three days in Rome have made this humble lad from Oban a household name. From the moment he went viral with a selfie in his Team Europe pyjama set to his gutsy heroics with Rose, Bob has gone from quiet rookie to fully fledged Ryder Cup player. He had guidance from some of the game’s greats, but when he was out there on his own, he stepped up and showed that he absolutely belongs on golf’s biggest stage.
Bob said: “When I made the team, it was a dream come true, something I had wanted since I was a kid and nobody can ever take that away from me. I struggled a bit on day one, but Luke (Donald) put me back out there and I’d like to think I repaid him.
“The bond within this team has been really special and I am already looking forward to hopefully doing this all again in two year’s time – the buzz has been incredible.”
Bob’s achievements have put Oban front and centre on the golfing map. There will be plenty of people looking to tee up at Glencruitten in the months ahead, the course where this Ryder Cup gladiator earned his spurs, and the spin off for the town too will be massive, with visitors sure to come from far and wide to see the place this humble sporting star still proudly calls home.
Oban has a new hero – and we all simply couldn’t be prouder.