ROBERT MACINTYRE knows a thing or two about inclement weather being from the west coast of Scotland.
So the barrage of rain, thunder and lightning that has struck the PGA Championship this week shouldn’t be an issue.
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The clubhouse at Quail Hollow as the heavy rain poursCredit: TITLEIST
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Scots golf star Robert MacIntyre was forced off the course due to the weatherCredit: SHANKSY GOLF
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His practice rounds were disrupted by the torrential conditionsCredit: SHANKSY GOLF
Conditions at Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina have been extreme, with practice rounds delayed ahead of the second major of the season.
MacIntyre, 28, arrives at Quail Hollow having missed the cut at The Masters last month.
But he achieved a top-10 finish in last year’s PGA, when it was held at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.
The change in venue has coincided with torrential rain and thunderstorms in the week of the tournament, with lightning strikes forcing players off the course today during their second practice rounds.
But perhaps the conditions will play to MacIntyre’s advantage, having grown up playing golf in all weathers at his home course at Glencruitten in Oban.
Not only that, MacIntyre won the Scottish Open last year amid blustery conditions on the links at the Renaissance Club – avenging a late surge from Rory McIlroy to pip him to the title the previous year.
McIlroy is the hot favourite to collect his second major of the season this week, with the Northern Irishman boasting a spectacular record at Quail Hollow (he emerged victorious when the PGA Championship was held there in 2010 and won the Wells Fargo Championship four times at the course).
But MacIntyre might fancy himself given how accustomed he is to the wet weather.
So much so that his sponsors, Titleist, reckon he is “in his element”.
Titleist posted a video from behind the scenes of MacIntyre’s first practice round at Quail Hollow, following him (and his umbrella) around the course as the rain hammered down.
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MacIntyre’s coach also shared some images from the Charlotte venue, including one that showed how conditions were “worsening”.
The course was closed to spectators on Monday due to the heavy rain and showers and thunderstorms continued into Tuesday, with more expected on Wednesday.
Dry, cloudy skies will return on Thursday but as the tournament heads into the weekend, the storms are due to come back with a vengeance.
The wind is expected to hover at around 10mph and temperatures will be around 21 degrees Celsius for the week.
MacIntyre himself said in a social media post ahead of the event getting underway: “Arrived at Quail Hollow with my game in a good place. Just need the putter to warm up.”
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MacIntyre opts to walk without an umbrella – fair play!
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