Brilliant Bob
What an absolute star! Oban’s Bob MacIntyre sparkled brilliantly in the European team that won the Ryder Cup at the weekend.
The statistics show just how accomplished Bob was, going unbeaten throughout the competition and contributing massively to Europe’s success. He and playing partner Justin Rose halved their first match against Americans Wyndham Clark and Max Homa in the Friday fourballs, then soundly beat Justin Thomas and Jordan Speith 3&2 in the Saturday fourballs before Bob triumphed in Sunday’s singles against Clark.
For me, one of the highlights of the whole competition was the moment on Saturday when Bob holed a putt for a birdie on the par-three 13th green to go two up. The thrill and emotion were vivid as Bob punched the air and the packed gallery erupted in cheering. It was, I believe, the crucial blow in a memorable win against formidable opponents,
Sunday looked early on like a bit of a stroll for Europe as they went 14-7 up, with Bob in the last pairing. But what drama was to unfold. The US fought back and doubts started to rise. In Bob’s case, I feared the worst. He missed a short putt that would have given him a three-hole lead and instead Clark rallied and brought it back to all square as they approached the final few holes. However, Bob held his nerve magnificently and won 2&1.
Oban should be immensely proud of Bob. For a debutant in such a huge event and in such stellar company to conquer the pressure and play so well was remarkable. He remained unbeaten and contributed two and a half points to the winning score. By any measure, it was a wonderful Ryder Cup debut.
Then again, growing up playing at the daunting Glencruitten golf club has clearly stood him in fine stead. All of us with Oban connections should celebrate Bob’s brilliance.
And it means I can say truthfully that I have competed against a Ryder Cup winner, having played in an Oban Rotary Am-Am at the same time as Bob. What a sporting claim to fame!
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