'You can break things': Robert MacIntyre reveals strategy for coping with 'bad days'

Robert MacIntyre has revealed how he puts difficult days on the course behind him, and says he’s ready for the challenge of The Open after a difficult week at the Renaissance Club.

MacIntyre endured a miserable defence of his Scottish Open title in front of a home crowd in North Berwick, finishing two over par and 17 shots off winner Chris Gotterup.

Despite the uncharacteristically disappointing showing in his home tournament, the Scot is among the favourites to impress at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush this week.

MacIntyre admitted he gets “fiery” when playing tournament golf and will say “bad words and harsh things” and that he doesn’t enjoy applause from the crowd when not performing well. But he revealed that he takes time out after his round not only to reflect on his game but to let off steam and get frustration out of his system.

“I’m pretty good at telling everyone give me an hour. I can go as mental as I want for an hour, and after that, I just back to life,” MacIntyre said.

“I can do whatever I want for an hour. Just anything I want.

“You can break things. You can literally do whatever I want for an hour. After that hour is gone, my
job’s done.

“For an hour and a half before my round, two hours before my round, I’m preparing, so nobody gets in my way. It’s warmup, stretching, gym work, all of that. So there’s a five-, six-, seven-, eight-hour window that I’m working. If you have a bad day at work, you’re going to be annoyed.

He joked: “It happens more often than not for me as well.

“It’s just about once that’s gone, it’s been difficult in the past for me to reset, but nowadays, there’s so many golf tournaments and you don’t know what’s coming the next week

“Actually, I thought Saturday, Sunday, I played better than I did Thursday, Friday. Scores didn’t show that, but I wasn’t in the thick of it. There was no buzz for me.

“Sunday just wasn’t a good day, but I’m here this week, and I’m as ready as I can be.”

The 28-year-old returns to Royal Portrush six years after making his Open debut at the course and he has happy memories of upsetting the odds to finish sixth. He shrugged off being among some people’s favourites for the title this time around but is eagerly anticipating the chance to compete.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “It looks a bit greener than last week, so that’s a positive for me.

“I love coming back here. Fans are unbelievable. Just preparing as well as I can to get the tournament started.

“This week’s completely different to what I had last week. I still feel like I’ve got no real care. Yeah, people may have picked me to win it, but to be honest, there are so many guys this week that can win this tournament.

“I’m going to go out there and enjoy playing Royal Portrush again and give it my absolute best, and that’s all I can guarantee.”