Robert MacIntyre has targeted improvement in his iron play and reclaiming the Scottish Open title as the new father looks to build on a promising start to the season.
The 29-year-old will be returning to East Lothian’s The Renaissance Club in July, where he won on home soil in 2024.
Ranked 12th in the world, the Oban golfer believes his game is in better shape than it was 12 months ago and, with three majors to come in the summer, he feels his prospects are good.
“Statistically, overall it’s better than it was last year,” he explained. “There’s still things that are hurting me. Iron play this year has not been anywhere near as good as it needs to be, but off the tees, the best it’s ever been and putting is the best it’s ever been.
“So, yeah, if I can find the middle part of that, then I’m in a good spot.
“Outside of the majors, the Scottish Open is the one that I’ve always wanted. When Rory [McIlroy] pipped me [in 2023], I thought, how many chances am I really going to get? And thankfully, I got that one more.
“My game stacks up well for the course and having that home support is great, so I’m looking forward to another one.”
MacIntyre has in the past set a goal of winning a major but parenthood has led to slightly different ambitions, with a return to the lucrative PGA Tour Finals at East Lake in August a goal on the course.
“Life’s obviously completely changed,” he said. “There’s different priorities. It’s just trying to find a new balance, that work-life balance.
“One of my main goals this year is to make East Lake. Some people think, ‘oh, he’s not striving for big enough’, but when life has completely changed, it’s about putting things in perspective and trying to manage it as best I can.
“The start to the year I’ve had has been very good, considering everything that’s gone on. And my partner Shannon’s been brilliant with allowing me to still practice hard and kind of take as much of the strain as she can. When I’m at home, life is simply different and it’s been absolutely brilliant.”