For 25 years, the Scottish fans anticipated a home hero to win the Genesis Scottish Open after Colin Montgomeri’s win in 1999. Well, it now seems that the wait is finally over! The 27-year-old Robert MacIntyre has finally done it. All of this would have not been possible without the free drop the 2-time PGA Tour winner received. In the final round, MacIntyre was two shots behind Adam Scott with three holes to play.
At the 16th hole, he hit his first shot into the rough and then, after a practice swing, realized that he was standing on a sprinkler head as the three metal spikes on his shoes touched it. He got his caddie, Mike Thomson, to confirm the same and later called the rule official. Given the rules, MacIntyre received the free drop and perfectly drained an eagle to be tied with Scott. After a par and birdie holes, he was declared the winner as the crowd roared in unison with the champion.
After his historic victory, the Scottish pro gave it a little to this miraculous free drop and said, “It was just a lucky break. You use the rules to get advantage. You stand on a sprinkler, you’re due relief. That was just the one kiss I needed.” Before the final round, the 2-time PGA Tour winner had revealed that the Scottish Open was the one event he always wanted to win.
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🚨😘🏌🏼♂️ #LUCKY BREAK — Robert MacIntyre reflects on the free drop he received on 16 which helped him win his home open: “Yeah, so I mean, I’m shouting and I’m swearing when I’m getting up to the ball because I know that that’s my chance to really make birdie coming in. I got over… pic.twitter.com/I6R3grpKP5
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 14, 2024
He fulfilled his dream and his fans’ too. However, the free drop has taken a bit of a controversial drop in the golf world. Although many might agree with the rules and the advantage MacIntyre received, there were a bunch of others who did not agree with it all and declared the Scot a cheater.
Netizens get frustrated with Robert MacIntyre’s free drop
The USGA describes the sprinkler rule in rule 24-2b, where if a golfer’s line of play is getting disturbed due to an immovable obstruction, then they are allowed to a free relief and drop their ball in two club lengths. And that is what Robert MacIntyre did, by following the rule. However, still the fans did not agree with it, and frustratingly this fan said, “So you’re telling everyone you cheated, cool.” Another golf enthusiast did not agree with the rule and wanted it out of the game of golf because it probably made it a bit harder to understand MacIntyre’s win. They angrily commented, “The rules of Golf are messed up, play it as it lies, you hit it there.”
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Just two months ago, the rule official had given Xander Schauffele a free drop at the Wells Fargo Championship. It was given on a similar pretext as the 1-time major winner’s ball was outside the penalty area. The ball was beside the ShotLink tower and given in his line of play, Schauffele received the free drop in his first round.
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Then too, the golf world had opposed the ruling and a similar stance could be sensed now as well. As golf analyst, Joseph LaMagna, opined, “Free drops are compromising the integrity of professional golf tournaments.” Given the fact that the free drop did not result in Schauffele winning the event, it was then brushed off quickly from the golf world’s mind. However, with MacIntyre scoring his second PGA Tour title, many have found the free relief unfair. As the user said, “Seems like the most impactful egregious drop we’ve seen in a while.”
Adam Scott was on the verge of victory, as many had expected MacIntyre to be out of contention when he reached the 16th tee. If not for the free drop, the Aussie pro probably would have won the Genesis Scottish Open and broken the 4-year-long winless streak. Nonetheless, Scott tried his best and finished runner-up only one shot back. Although Scott was probably not angry over the rule, this fan was. They found it unfair for the Aussie and said, “Scott was flat out cheated of a win. Bobs run was virtually over till that drop. Players have seen others get away with it now the flood gates are open. There’s no shame around bending the rules.”
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In the end, Robert MacIntyre used a rule clearly stated in the rule book and moved forward with the free drop only with the rule official’s agreement. Regardless of what netizens believe, the Oban native is the 2024 Scottish Open winner!
What do you think about the whole incident? Let us know in the comments below.
