Defending Canadian Open champ doesn't give a **** what anyone thinks

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CALEDON, Ont. — Defending RBC Canadian Open champion Robert MacIntyre doesn’t give a bleep what anybody thinks.

That’s the first thing that came to mind when the 2024 champ was asked on Tuesday at TPC Toronto about one thing he likes about himself.

“Most of time I don’t give a … about what’s going on,” he said, leaving one word out. “I really don’t care about other people’s opinions, to be honest with you. If you’re not part of my team, not part of the inner circle, your opinion really doesn’t matter to me.”

Tell us how you really feel, Bob.

“I think that’s a massive thing, especially in the sport we play,” he added. “I think it helps.”

Last year was MacIntyre’s first full-time season on the PGA Tour and first year living in the U.S., and it proved to be a difficult transition for the Scotsman. Life on tour can be a lonely place, especially when the results aren’t there, and until last year’s RBC Canadian Open the dream life of every aspiring golfer was anything but.

“Last year, I struggled a little bit with the adjustments of life on the PGA Tour,” he said.

“Look, I’ve always been different. I grew up in a small town on the West Coast of Scotland that I wasn’t given everything. I was given a lot of stuff to try and achieve my dreams, but I wasn’t given everything and I just worked hard for it, and I trusted what I do, and I still do that.

The fairy tale win in Hamilton with his father carrying his bag as a last-minute caddie replacement both steadied the ship and propelled him to a victory at his own national open weeks later in Scotland.

This year, life is good he says, but the golf is still a work in progress as his putting stats have fallen from 35th to 107th on tour. He’s hoping a return to the place his career took off will have a positive effect on his game.

On Monday, he and his dad Dougie went back to Hamilton Golf and Country Club to relive the good vibes.

“He came and we went there yesterday, and they actually put the pin positions out for the Sunday of the Canadian Open. So we were kind of reminiscing of certain shots, certain putts,” MacIntyre said. “Look, it’s just special for me and my dad to go back there and just enjoy a round of golf without the media, without the crowds, without any hassle. Just reliving a moment.”

Monday’s round with his son was all the work on the golf course necessary this week for Dougie.

“Told my dad last week, look, do you want to come to Canada again? You’re not caddying, but you can come and have a holiday,” he said.