[Photo: Jared C. Tilton]
One golf powerbroker thinks it’s possible Robert MacIntyre could have his Masters invite taken away next year.
Chubby Chandler, Rory McIlroy’s former agent, believes the 29-year-old Scot’s “ugly” behaviour could lead to his invite from Augusta National being “voided.”
MacIntyre had a rough opening round of 80 that included a quadruple-bogey nine on the par-5 15th hole. He had already lost his cool on a couple of occasions, but cameras caught him flipping off the pond in front of the green.
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According to The Scotsman, MacIntyre was reprimanded by Augusta National following the round. But that didn’t keep him from posting a gnome depicting himself giving the middle finger as an Instagram story after he missed the cut on Friday.
“It might have gone something like, ‘listen, young Mr MacIntyre, if you behave like that again, you’ll find your invitation won’t be turning up next year.'” Chandler told Action Network. (h/t Bunkered)
“Because everybody gets invited. Even though you qualify to play, everybody gets invited. He’s just got to stop that. It’s ugly, isn’t it?” Chandler added. “He could have his invitation to next year’s Masters voided because they’ve been known to do that before.”
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MacIntyre certainly isn’t the first person to run afoul of Augusta National’s notoriously strict rules. There have been plenty of players, analysts and patrons who have wound up in the club’s penalty box through the years.
Chandler compared MacIntyre’s situation to that of a couple of his clients, Lee Westwood and Darren Clark, when they emerged as bona fide contenders to win majors. They had to learn how to deal with the extra pressure and expectations.
“It’s immature from Bob,” Chandler said. “His game is brilliant. His chipping, his pitching and his putting are all great. He just has to mature.”
MacIntyre wasn’t the only European player under the spotlight at Augusta for bad behaviour. Sergio Garcia also had an outburst on Sunday that drew the club’s attention. He issued a formal apology on Tuesday.
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