Scottish golfer Robert MacIntyre has won his first PGA Tour title, claiming a one-shot victory at the Canadian Open with his father as his caddie.
Four strokes ahead entering the final round at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, MacIntyre shot a 2-under 68 to beat playing partner Ben Griffin by a stroke. On the par-4 18th, the 27-year-old Scottish left-hander two-putted for par from 12 feet.
MacIntyre finished at 16-under 264 for the breakthrough victory in his 45th career PGA Tour start.
A member of Europe's winning 2023 Ryder Cup team, MacIntyre has also recorded two European tour victories, the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown and 2022 Italian Open.
"Goosebumps. It's incredible," MacIntyre said.
"It's a dream of mine to play golf for a living. It's been a dream of mine to win on the PGA Tour. … I just can't believe I done it with my dad on the bag. The guy's taught me the way I play golf."
During his post-round interview with US broadcaster CBS it was revealed MacIntyre phoned his father the previous Saturday and asked him to caddy for him after feeling homesick in North America.
MacIntyre's father Dougie, who is a greenkeeper at home in Scotland, cried tears of joy as he was interviewed with his son.
"Unbelievable. I'm a grass cutter," the emotional father said before taking a moment to compose himself.
MacIntyre has gone through a series of caddies in the past year.
"This week, when I phoned him to come and caddie for me, to be honest, I was just coming here to play a golf tournament," MacIntyre said.
"There was no expectation, there was a lot going on with visas and stuff during the week and to win it with him on the bag is just — to be honest, I still can't believe that it happened."
The victory for MacIntyre has earned him a place in the US Open, beginning June 13.
AP/ABC
