ROBERT MACINTYRE came agonisingly close to winning his first major in dramatic fashion at the US Open, only to be denied in the final stages.
But you wouldn’t know it from the look on his face – because it was all class.
JJ Spaun celebrates after winning the 125th US Open[/caption]
He beat out Scot Robert MacIntyre by two shots to claim the victory[/caption]
The Scots golf star was beaten by American JJ Spaun in a nerve-wracking end to the tournament at Oakmont and had to settle for second place.
MacIntyre, 28, posted a round of 68 (-2) on the final day for the clubhouse lead as he kept his cool when others lost theirs during a wild day at the Pennsylvania venue.
The course had been showing its teeth all week with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau all struggling to get to grips with it.
A rain delay on Sunday made matters even more difficult but MacIntyre played some of the best golf of his life to put himself into contention for an improbable triumph – despite starting the round SEVEN shots off the lead.
He clawed his way back and by the time he’d finished his round it was down to a duel between him and Spaun, as the challenges of Adam Scott, Sam Burns and Viktor Hovland wilted.
With both players tied as Spaun reached the 17th, the recent PLAYERS Championship runner-up made a terrific birdie to go one shot ahead.
That left MacIntyre anxiously waiting in the clubhouse in the hopes of a play-off.
For that to happen Spaun would have had to bogey the 18th.
Spaun nailed a drive into the fairway but his approach shot left him with a scary two-putt from 65 feet.
A three-putt would have led to a play-off but Spaun HOLED the monster 65-footer to clinch the trophy in incredible style by two shots – and MacIntyre was one of the first to show his appreciation.
Rather than sulk or be bitter about losing out on his first major, MacIntyre was caught live on TV in the clubhouse giving the American a huge round of applause.
The Oban lefty looked speechless with a stunned look on his face before he said “Wow”, and sincerely shrugged his shoulders as if to say ‘What can you do?’.
His classy act of sportsmanship was noticed by plenty of golf fans both at home and abroad, as Spaun burst onto tears on the green.
The commentator on the US broadcast of the event said: “Pretty good sportsmanship there, Robert MacIntyre. ‘Wow’.”
Fans on social media also praised the Scot for his reaction to the putt, taking into account the herculean effort he had put in to give himself a shot at glory.
Not only would victory have broken MacIntyre’s major duck, he would have been the first from his homeland to win the US Open in almost 100 years – and at the same course.
Scots-born Tommy Armour won the 1927 US Open at Oakmont and indeed two years earlier (exactly 100 years ago) Willie Macfarlane won his only major title in the same tournament, beating the legendary Bobby Jones in a play-off.
While it wasn’t to be for MacIntyre, viewers loved his display of sportsmanship.
One fan said: “A true sportsman and a gentleman. Robert MacIntyre epitomises golf at the highest level.”
Another said: “Pure class after a tough defeat.”
“Some boy. This shows class,” came another comment.
And a fourth said: “Mac put on a great show also, he held it together beautifully.”
One viewer went even further, saying: “I’d give the win to Robert MacIntyre for the absolute class he showed in the clubhouse. That display was the most impressive thing I’ve seen today.”
MacIntyre will rise from 20th to 12th in the world rankings and also jumps up to fourth in the European points list for the Ryder Cup.
Not only that, he appears to have won himself a few more fans with his display over the weekend at Oakmont.
“Robert MacIntyre, what a classy individual,” said one viewer.
“Robert MacIntyre is just a good guy man,” said another.
“I’m now a huge fan of MacIntyres,” came a third comment.
While this observer said: “He became a new favourite, class.”
A fifth said: “Class. Totally changed my opinion of the bloke.”
Other responses came in commending MacIntyre for showing Scotland in a good light.
“What a man. Proud he is a Scot,” said one Scottish fan.
While this American fan said: “Them Scot’s are damn good guys. Can’t wait til my next boys trip abroad.”
Another supporter reckons MacIntyre is now primed for a good run at Royal Portrush in a few weeks’ time when The Open comes to town.
“Class act from the Champion Golf of the Year in a few weeks,” came one response.
MacIntyre himself followed up his classy gesture with words of congratulations for Spaun.
The reigning Scottish Open champion said: “He won the golf tournament.
“I mean, he’s dreamed of it. I’ve dreamed of it. Everyone’s dreamed of that moment.
“For him to pour in the winning putt, there’s nothing I can do.
“Fair play.”
He could only say ‘wow’ as Spaun holed the 65-footer against the odds[/caption]
He was clearly stunned by the outcome but showed his class[/caption]
The Scot accepted defeat magnanimously[/caption]
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