PGA Tour winner Bob MacIntyre reveals new caddie ahead of US Open… And it’s not his dad!

Robert MacIntyre, with his father, wins at the RBC Canadian Open 2024

Robert MacIntyre picks his new caddie from among the ranks of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour’s finest offerings, going with a veteran who’s had a hold of the bags of a Major Champion

Since his victory in the 2022 Italian Open at Marco Simone, Bobby Mac’s career has only been on an upward trajectory.

Despite some incredible play, including a to-die-for fairway wood into the 72^nd green, helping him to shoot a final-round 64 in brutal conditions he missed out on the 2023 edition of his native tournament by a single shot to Rory McIlroy, himself being forced to birdie the final two holes to steal victory from the Scotsman’s grasp.

This narrow miss was followed up by a Ryder Cup rookie performance that only improved as the week went on. Under the mentorship of his playing partner Justin Rose, MacIntyre took 2.5 points from 3 games with a takedown of current US Open Champion Wyndham Clark in Sunday singles to boot.

MacIntyre finished the season with a 13^th place in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai standings, ensuring himself a 2024 PGA Tour card and entry into the bigger purses of the American circuit.

The European Tour contingent who crossed the pond saw early success in events, with a win at the Farmers Insurance Open courtesy of Matthieu Pavon and the Hojgaard brothers making moves on leaderboards from the offset.

An exception to that trend, with four missed cuts in his first eight starts (and only one top 10), it was a difficult period for MacIntyre, adapting to his new surroundings without as many friendly faces.

Speaking to the media at Myrtle Beach, he spoke about his challenges. “When you’re on the DP World Tour, it’s very friendly. Everyone is together. We’re all traveling the world. If we’re struggling with certain things, we speak to folk around us. Everything is very familiar. You come out here to the PGA Tour, and it’s also so unfamiliar. There’s less chatting. There’s less dinners. There’s just less of that big family feel that you get on the DP World Tour.”

During this period, MacIntyre has not only struggled with his personal feelings but has compounded the on-course difficulties without a permanent looper on the bag.

After parting ways with Greg Milne, who carried the Scot’s bag during the famous Ryder Cup victory, MacIntyre made good use of Danny Willett’s shoulder injury to bring in veteran caddie Mike Burrow, well-respected on the DP World Tour, who has been splitting his time between assisting MacIntyre, most notably at the PGA Championship, and his mainstay Willett during the early part of the season.

Proving how much a friendly face can make a difference, Bob partnered with fellow DP World Tour graduate Thomas Detry to make a T8th final place, before trending towards a better form with T13th at the Myrtle Beach Classic and T8th at the PGA.

With Burrow unavailable during the week of the RBC Canadian Open, MacIntyre was forced into an emergency decision for his caddie, flying over his father, Dougie, to assist with duties.

Adding even more credence to comfort being a key to his game, Robert and Dougie worked together to secure a first win on the PGA Tour and gain entry into the remaining Signature Series events in 2024.

Will this mean Dougie MacIntyre will be leaving Argyll to carry the bag for his son going forward? Unfortunately not. While happy to help his boy out, this is not a move that he wants to make forever.

After the victory at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, he was quoted “I’m a grass-cutter, not a caddie. Honestly, it’s unbelievable. Last Saturday I thought, ‘Can I leave my job?’ 8 o’clock the next morning I’m on a flight here.”

So who will the Oban native be choosing ahead of the 124^th US Open?

If not obvious from his glowing performance with Mike Burrow at the PGA Championship, MacIntyre has decided to give the Englishman the full-time job, with Mike and him ready to take on Pinehurst No.2 and see if they can replicate the stellar play that has seen his rack up three top-tens in his last six appearances, including the triumph in Canada.

You can see who Bobby Mac and Mike will be looking to beat to the finish line in pursuit of US Open victory here, as the field descends upon North Carolina this week.

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About the author

Lewis Daff

Lewis Daff joined the Today’s Golfer digital team in 2024, having spent more than a decade in both big box golf retail and independent stores, working as a club fitter and builder.

Experienced with every level of golfer, from beginner to professional, he has achieved Master Fitter and Builder status with most major manufacturers, including Mizuno, Taylormade, and Callaway, helping him to cement both a wide and deep knowledge base. Lewis specializes in Clubs, Shafts, Training Aids, Launch Monitors and Grips.

In Lewis’ bag is Taylormade Qi10 Driver, Taylormade SIM Max Fairway Woods (3-15, 5-18), Wilson Staff D9 Forged 3-iron, Srixon ZX7 MKii Irons (4-PW), Titleist SM9 Wedges (52*, 60*), Toulon San Diego Putter, and Callaway Chrome Tour Ball.

Talk to Lewis about why steel shafts are now dead and graphite is the only way forward or any other equipment you’d like to debate via his email.