Robert MacIntyre returns to his home country this week as a conquering hero after winning the Scottish Open – not to mention, the Canadian Open – last year. But neither of those career-changing victories might have been possible if the lefty hadn’t righted a bad choice he made a couple years ago.
According to a report by the Associated Press, Eric Larson was denied entry because of a drug conviction 30 years ago when he pleaded guilty to sending cocaine to friends.
Despite being fully exempt for this year’s Genesis Scottish Open – after a T-6 finish last year and a third-place finish in 2022 – Kim still needed some last-minute help to make the field at the Renaissance Club thanks to an honest, but near-costly, mistake.
Scheffler treats Kim like his little brother, and often gives him a hard time – as siblings do. He genuinely believes Kim will be successful on tour for a long time.
Still relatively fresh from a European Ryder Cup debut and gaining his PGA Tour card through his stellar play on the DP World Tour in 2023, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre has found life in the New World to be so very different and a lot more stressful.
Both players cited what will surely be widespread trust issues with the man in charge and both, understandably, pleaded ignorance as to what has been going on behind the scenes in what is supposed to be a member’s organisation.
While the Scottish Open might not be as old as the Open Championship or the other majors, it has been staged for more than 50 years and being tied to a country that is considered to be the “Home of Golf” speaks volumes for its richness.
Lowry knows how to get things done when the wind is blowing, the rain is falling and many of his contemporaries are wishing they were somewhere other than enjoying a day out on the links.
Links golf is a multi-faceted affair, one that asks an often-dizzying array of questions all the way from driver to putter. That is why so many believe golf in the land where the game began is the ultimate test, both mentally and physically.