RYDER CUP team-mates Bob MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton turned into an explosive combination at the Dunhill Links Championship yesterday.
The dynamic duo lived-up to their reputations as two of the angriest men in golf to earn reprimands from a DP World Tour official after completing their first rounds at Carnoustie.
Bob MacIntyre wasn’t happy with one aspect of his opening round yesterday Credit: Steve Welsh/PA Wire
Ryder Cup pal Tyrrell Hatton was similarly hot-headed at Carnoustie Credit: Getty Images
Oban ace MacIntyre, the defending champion, and record three-time winner Hatton were spoken to separately over a combination of bad language and bad behaviour playing in the same group.
MacIntyre erupted in fury at the presence of a drone hovering overhead on the par-3 eighth – his penultimate hole after being in the first group out at the 10th – while 34-year-old Hatton slammed his club into the ground several times after bungling his bunker shot at the same hole.
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Referring to his clash with the drone operator, MacIntyre, who carded three birdies and two bogeys for a one-under-par 71, said: “I asked him twice previous to the shot about the drone and then I stepped off the shot on eight.
“Before I hit the shot, I gave the guy the nod, but I can still hear it, like it’s too close. I was not fully committed because I’m just thinking about the drone and then, yeah, a bad shot.
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“And then I stepped off my putt on the 18th because there’s a drone there.”
It’s the third time since April that MacIntyre’s hair-trigger temper has led to him being given a warning about his conduct following incidents at both the Masters and The Open.
He also has history with the presence of drones after complaining about the presence of one during his maiden PGA Tour victory at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open.
MacIntyre added: “I’m just trying to play golf and I get that TV and the TV money is everything. But they don’t need to be so close.
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“I mean, my phone camera’s got enough zoom from how close they were to be able to see the golf shots.
“So, yeah, it’s a bit frustrating and it drives me insane. When they’re staying still, it’s fine. It’s obviously buffeting from the wind and it’s trying to stay in position, but it’s like the revving of a car right where you’re trying to hit.”
The blustery conditions led to MacIntyre’s hat being blown off Credit: Young/Action Plus/Shutterstock
This week isn’t the first time he’s had issues with drones Credit: PA
When asked what the rules official had said to him, MacIntyre replied: “I was just asking him what’s going on. He’s obviously heard me swear a few times straight at the camera guy.
“We’ll see what the tournament director has got to say.”
Hatton, who shot one of his worst scores in the event when he was forced to settle for a 74, slammed his club into the sand at least four times as his escape from a bunker went through the back of the green.
Meanwhile, MacIntyre has six shots to make up on co-leaders Michael Stewart, from Ayrshire, and Australian Jack Buchanan.
Troon’s Stewart conjured up his best-ever round at Carnoustie to card a hugely impressive 65 as he bids to become the fifth home winner of the $5million event in the footsteps of Paul Lawrie, Stephen Gallacher, Colin Montgomerie and MacIntyre.
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