Staff WriterRobert MacIntyre has written another stirring chapter in his career, claiming the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with the kind of swagger that can only come from a Scotsman winning on home turf.
Just a week after playing a starring role in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black, the 29-year-old produced a composed closing 66 at the Old Course, St Andrews, to win by four strokes.
This was no fluke. MacIntyre carded three consecutive rounds of 66 — first at Carnoustie, then Kingsbarns, and finally at the Home of Golf — to finish on 18 under par in a weather-shortened 54-hole event.
It marked his second professional win on Scottish soil and his fourth DP World Tour title, his first since the Genesis Scottish Open last year.
“I’ve done everything against the book this week,” he admitted with a grin. “From preparation, I pitched up Wednesday afternoon. I know the golf courses. Played 12 holes on Wednesday.
The diet has not been good this week; I can confirm that. I’ve eaten plenty of takeaways, fish and chips, plenty of others. It’s brilliant. I don’t know how we’re going to celebrate after the celebration we had last Sunday.”
MacIntyre Takes Control Early
The final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links was a masterclass in early momentum. Birdies at the first, fourth, fifth, and seventh gave MacIntyre a three-shot cushion at the turn.
Three more gains on the back nine, offset by a single bogey — just his third dropped shot all week — sealed the deal.
“Unbelievable. Any time you can win a golf tournament on these shores is special, but just delighted the way I did it,” he said. “The biggest thing on the three golf courses is to stay out of the pot bunkers, especially off the tee.
And I’ve done that well, apart from the first hole at Carnoustie the first day. Other than that, I thought I managed it well, stayed out of the pot bunkers. But then once you’re in position, it’s about controlling the golf ball to then land softly around the pins when you get a chance, and I thought I did a great job of that.”
Hatton Chases, Scotsman Holds Firm
Tyrrell Hatton, the defending champion and MacIntyre’s Ryder Cup teammate, made a late charge with a sparkling 65, finishing on 14 under par. It wasn’t enough to threaten the leader, but it was enough to cement second place in style.
John Parry matched MacIntyre’s 66 on Sunday to tie for third alongside Richard Sterne, who entered the final day as joint leader but couldn’t keep pace, closing with a 71 at Carnoustie.
Sterne Turns a Corner
For Richard Sterne, this Alfred Dunhill Links will be remembered as something more significant than a missed chance at victory. After years battling a debilitating hip injury, the South African’s tied-third finish felt like a long-awaited breakthrough.
“The golf has been trending in the right direction for me. It’s great to get a good finish at an event like this because I really needed it. I’ve put in a lot of work to get to where I am and I’m starting to enjoy the game a lot more as well.
There is still more work to do, but I’m enjoying it and looking forward to the fact that at least I’ve got my DP World Tour card after being under all that pressure,” Sterne said.
Team Event Adds Extra Spark
The Team Competition injected its usual mix of camaraderie and fireworks. Australia’s Harrison Crowe and his Irish partner Cian Foley stormed to victory on 33 under par, highlighted by a jaw-dropping 58 at the Old Course on Friday.
Elsewhere, fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen finished tied 11th at 11 under, while Herman Loubser and Zander Lombard shared 21st on nine under. Lombard’s return to form after knee surgery earlier this year added another comeback story to a week already brimming with them.
“I’ve felt like I’ve been playing well and just not scoring. It seems like it’s all coming together at the right time now towards the end of the year and with some big tournaments to come,” Lombard said.
A Win for the Home Crowd
In a week where the weather tried to steal the spotlight, Robert MacIntyre stood tall. Winning the Alfred Dunhill Links at St Andrews, days after a Ryder Cup high, was as close to a perfect script as golf gets.
The Old Course has seen many Scottish heroes, but few have smiled their way to victory while living on takeaways and riding Ryder Cup momentum.
