PGA Tour golfer's take on iconic golf hole torn to shreds: "Spoiled brat"

PGA Tour member and European Ryder Cup star Robert MacIntyre has suggested the 17th hole at St Andrews' Old Course 'needs blowing up'.

Ben Smith

07 Oct 2024

Would it be unreasonable to suggest PGA Tour golfer Robert MacIntyre had quite an interesting week at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?

First, he made headlines when he appeared to take a dim view of Rory McIlroy driving the green he was putting on.

Then he rubbed some golf fans online the wrong way after hot mics repeatedly picked up the Scotsman cursing at himself.

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For his part, MacIntyre stressed that he is trying to do better in this regard but he also suggested that he's just behaving naturally.

Now MacIntyre has caused another storm by suggesting the iconic 17th hole at St Andrews' Old Course needs 'blowing up'.

What did Robert MacIntyre say?

MacIntyre made a double-bogey six during Saturday's third round and grumbled about the hole.

But after another bogey on Sunday, the golfer went nuclear.

"Blow it up," he told reporters.

"I don't think there are many worse holes in world golf.

"I think it's a terrible hole off the back tee.

"It doesn't need to be modernised, to bring excitement it needs to be a hole you are able to hit a golf shot into and not one where you just hit it onto the green and try to get up and down. It almost plays like a par-5.

"They try to do things to this golf course that don't need to be done.

"Today I rifled a drive off the tee and then a 4-iron and I was the furthest up the hole."

Unsurprisingly, MacIntyre's comments were met with a mixed response.

Here's some reaction:

"Sort of contradicting himself. It sounds as if he just wants the back tee blown up, not the rest of the hole."

"Too much time in America."

"He does like to complain."

"Spoiled brat."

"Sometimes it's best to keep your powder dry."

"Augusta National favours left handers, the Road Hole does not."

"It's the greatest hole in golf. The whining Scottish brat hates it there because he lacks the talent to play a controlled drawing tee shot followed by a gentle fading mid-iron into the green."

"Bob is starting to become ever so slightly self-entitle and obnoxious."

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