News
MacIntyre reprimanded after drone row, then fires 65 at Kingsbarns
The defending Dunhill Links champion lost his temper with a TV drone at Carnoustie and was spoken to by officials. A day later he shot 65 at Kingsbarns to move into a tie for ninth.
Robert MacIntyre was reprimanded by tournament officials at Carnoustie on Thursday after the defending Alfred Dunhill Links champion lost his temper with a television drone.
MacIntyre opened his title defence with a one-under 71 on a blustery first day. According to GOLF.com and Golfmagic, he asked the drone operator to back off twice before his shot on the 8th, then stepped away from the ball and hit what he called a bad shot when he did play. On the 18th green he stepped off his putt for the same reason.
A hovering drone is fine when it sits still, he explained, but in the wind it is constantly working to hold its position, and the engine noise rises and falls right where he is trying to swing. “It drives me insane,” he said afterwards, adding that he understood how much television matters to the game but that the cameras did not need to be so close.
Golf Monthly reported that a DP World Tour rules official spoke to MacIntyre after his exchanges with the camera operator. The PGA TOUR’s own round-two report says officials reprimanded him on Thursday for losing his temper. No fine or further action has been announced.
On Friday MacIntyre shot a seven-under 65 at Kingsbarns, climbing 69 places to a tie for ninth on eight under, three behind leader Casey Jarvis (our round-two report). Saturday’s round is at the Old Course, with the cut after 54 holes. Asked about his temperament, he told reporters he is always on the edge and always pushing to be better.
It is not his first complaint. At the 2024 RBC Canadian Open he objected to a drone during the final round, and GOLF.com reports that the broadcaster grounded it; he went on to win his first PGA TOUR title that day. Golf Monthly also reports that he was held up on the first tee by drone noise at this year’s Open at Royal Birkdale.
We think his point is a fair one, whatever the manner. Broadcasters and the tour can agree distance rules before a drone goes up.
Sources
- GOLF.com: ‘It drives me insane’: Tour winner blames TV drone for ‘bad shot’ at St. Andrews event
- Golf Monthly: ‘It Drives Me Insane’ - Robert MacIntyre has another run-in with a drone
- Golfmagic: Robert MacIntyre fumes at drones getting too close
- PGA TOUR: Defending champ MacIntyre, Koepka three shots back after Round 2 at Alfred Dunhill Links
Spotted an error? Tell us and we will fix it. Our editorial standards.
